For a translatable version of our Student Handbook, please see the following webpage: https://app.smore.com/n/j14rz.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
Statement of Purpose
The Edmonton Catholic School District and St. Mark School is a welcoming, caring, and respectful place. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that safeguards and contributes to a safe and caring environment that fosters and maintains respectful and responsible behaviours. Every individual plays a vital role in respecting diversity and fosters a sense of welcome and belonging for all members of the school community. Believing that everyone is created in the image and likeness of God, and all are capable of good actions, we challenge behaviour but affirm the individual. As partners in this community of learners, the student’s family have an important role in teaching acceptable behavior and helping students accept the consequences of their actions. Moreover, parents are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that supports a safe and caring learning environment through respectful and welcoming behaviour within the school community.
Foundation
Our St. Mark Student Code of Conduct is developed by school community invested parties; based on input from students, parents and school staff. It is presented and reviewed throughout the year (at a minimum of one time per year). The plan is communicated in writing to all members of the school community (school website, student agenda, etc.) and can be reviewed and adapted as necessary by said members of the school community.
General Expectations
We affirm that the rights set out in the Alberta Human Rights Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms are afforded to all students and staff members within St. Mark Catholic Junior High School. We affirm that pursuant to the Alberta Human Rights Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, students and staff members are protected from discrimination. More specifically, discrimination refers to any conduct that serves to deny or discriminate against any person or class of persons regarding any goods, services, accommodation or facilities that are customarily available to the public, and the denial or discrimination is based on race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, physical disability, mental disability, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, source of income, family status or sexual orientation.
Student Supports
At St. Mark we strive to support the learning needs of all our students. One of our primary interventions is our homework room; a space that accommodates and supports the learning needs of each of our students. The students may attend for a variety of reasons including:
- A quiet space to complete work during the school day,
- A space that allows for extra time to complete class work,
- A space that facilitates personalized instruction,
- A space that presents learning strategies to students,
- A space that gradually scaffolds learning, to ensure the positive growth of each student,
- A space to remind students they are valued and cared for.
Students use the homework room for a variety of reasons and it is the work of the teachers, in conjunction with homeroom teachers, who play a critical work in facilitating the positive learning development of each student.
Other supports in place for student success include: Instructional Coach, Educational Assistants, Therapeutic Assistants, Family School Liaison Worker (FSLW), Emotional Behaviour Specialist (EBS), Braided Journeys Coach, spiritual support through our chaplaincy program and supports from ECSD/Alberta Health including Occupational Therapist (OT), Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), and Mental Health Therapy (MHT).
Edmonton Catholic Schools Administrative Policy 360 (Student Responsibility)
1. Students shall contribute to the best of their ability to the realization of a Catholic Christian school community.
2. Students shall participate to the best of their ability in the education program assigned to them.
3. Students shall be responsible for their own learning.
4. Students shall be responsible and accountable for their behaviour and conduct
- While involved in school-sponsored or related activities;
- While on school property;
- During recess or lunch periods on or off school property;
- While travelling to and from school; and
- Beyond the hours of school operation if the behaviour or conduct detrimentally affects the welfare of individual students or the governance, climate, or efficiency of the school(s).
5. Students shall be concerned about the safety of themselves and others.
6. Students shall conform to the procedures and rules of the school, the Division, and Alberta Education.
7. Students shall treat school property with proper respect. Students who cause willful damage shall be expected to make restitution.
Alberta Education Act (Section 31 - Student Responsibilities)
31 A student, as a partner in education, has the responsibility to
- (a) attend school regularly and punctually,
- (b) be ready to learn and actively engage in and diligently pursue the student’s education,
- (c) ensure that the student’s conduct safeguards and contributes to a safe and caring environment that fosters and maintains respectful and responsible behaviours,
- (d) respect the rights of others in the school,
- (e) refrain from, report and not tolerate bullying or bullying behaviour directed toward others in the school, whether or not it occurs within the school building, during the school day or by electronic means,
- (e.1) refrain from engaging in violence of any kind at school and during school-related activities and, without putting the student’s own safety or well-being at risk, assist in the prevention of such violence by reporting concerns respecting it to, and co-operating with the intervention efforts of, school staff,
- (f) comply with the rules of the school and the policies of the board,
- (g) co-operate with everyone authorized by the board to provide education programs and other services,
- (h) be accountable to the student’s teachers and other school staff for the student’s conduct, and
- (i) positively contribute to the student’s school and community.
Conduct Expectations
At St. Mark we avoid a ‘one size fits all’ approach as it is inconsistent with the Education Act. We will endeavour to consider unique student attributes, such as age, maturity and individual circumstances, when dealing with student consequences and events. A continuum of supports will be provided to students impacted by inappropriate behaviour as well as for students who engage in inappropriate behaviour. These expectations include behaviours which occur within the school building, during the school day or by electronic means. Examples will include the following components:
- preventative procedures;
- supportive procedures for minor breaches of conduct; and
- fair, corrective and/or restorative interventions to address major breaches of conduct.
In accordance with the Education Act and Division Administrative Policy (350), the following represent acceptable behaviours:
Be Respectful:
- be honest and truthful,
- respect all school property,
- care for other people’s belongings and property,
- show consideration, courtesy and respect for self and others,
- find out about other people’s feelings,
- accept other’s differences,
- listen attentively,
- use polite language and behaviour,
- avoid the use of profane or vulgar language,
- avoid the use of actions and words that may make others feel unsafe,
- cooperate with school staff,
- attend school regularly and punctually,
- complete homework and assignments,
- develop the talents and abilities that God has given,
- wear appropriate clothing and footwear as per school policy,
- do not possess or use drugs, alcohol or tobacco products in the school or its vicinity.
Be Leaders:
- be welcoming of others,
- be a positive ambassador for our school,
- practice positive comments,
- be a team player,
- look for ways to improve our school,
- resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner.
Be Safe:
- walk quietly in the hallways,
- stay on school property,
- report any injuries, problems, conflicts or dangerous behavior to adult supervisors in a timely manner.
Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation
1. Display of behavior contrary to policy or expectations may result in one or several actions, such as:
- monitoring,
- reprimand,
- contact with parents,
- Student Advisory sessions,
- incident report,
- office referral,
- loss of privileges,
- referral to proper authorities,
- suspension,
- expulsion.
2. For time lost from school because of skipping or habitual late arrival, time may be required to be fulfilled during recess or after school based on discussion with administration and the student’s homeroom teacher.
3. Homework or assignments not completed may be required to be done after school or during the lunch hour.
4. Students are expected to use appropriate strategies in dealing with conflicts and disputes. If there is a problem and a student needs help, they should tell a staff member or an administrator.
5. Physical or verbal aggression, teasing, intimidation, threats or harassment (in person or through cyber bullying) may result in a suspension or expulsion from school and/ or police involvement.
6. St. Mark School is a closed campus. Unless specifically requested by a parent/guardian to support the family dynamic, students are required to remain at school over the lunch hour.
7. Illegal activities will be reported to the proper authorities, including police.
8. Damaging school property will result in a consequence as well as an expectation of restitution. Vandalism will result in suspension and a referral to police may occur.
9. Supports are available for all students impacted by inappropriate behaviour.
Bullying/Cyberbully
Section 1(1) (d) of the Education Act defines bullying as:
“Repeated and hostile or demeaning behavior by an individual in the school community where the behavior is intended to cause harm, fear or distress to one or more other individuals in the school community, including psychological harm or harm to an individual’s reputation.”
Bullying can take different forms:
- Physical – pushing, hitting
- Verbal – name calling, threats, put-downs
- Emotional/Social – exclusion, rumours, extortion of money or possessions, intimidation
- Cyber – using the computer of other technology to harass or threaten
Students are expected to report bullying behavior as soon as they can after seeing it or experiencing it. Students may do this by telling an adult in the school. Students who are uncomfortable with coming forward to school personnel are encouraged to talk with family or friends who could then assist them in notifying the school about bullying.
At St. Mark School, students will:
- refrain from, report and refuse to tolerate bullying or bullying behavior within the school or during the school day or by electronic means as that may disrupt the proceedings of the school,
- inform an adult you trust of incidents of bullying, harassment, intimidation or other safety concerns in the school,
Bullying and/or cyberbullying may result in a suspension from school.
Regarding Suspension from School
- Suspension (Section 36) of students is the result of behavior(s) which contravene Section 31 of the Education Act and also school expectations as outlined in the school conduct policy.
- A student can be suspended from school for a period of up to five days. Parents/guardians will be informed of the suspension and a letter will be sent home out-lining the circumstances of the suspension. This letter is also placed in the student’s file.
- While at home or on alternate suspension (i.e., YMCA), the suspended student will be responsible for the work missed.
- A suspended student may not participate in school activities or be on school property.
STANDARD OF STUDENT DRESS
Philosophy
In Edmonton Catholic Schools, students are expected to dress in a manner that honors the dignity of the human person, who was created in the image of God, and that supports an inclusive, welcoming, caring, respectful, safe, and Catholic learning environment that promotes the well-being of all. Each school in the Division will have a Standards of Student Dress for their community. Understanding that it is not possible to list all the specific types of acceptable and unacceptable student dress, the purpose of establishing Standards of Student Dress is to empower students to make appropriate choices.
Students are expected to dress in a manner which is appropriate for the school day or for any school sponsored event. All students shall come to school dressed in a comfortable manner that allows them to be authentically who they are, while also meeting the standards in this document.
Students who do not meet the Standards of Student Dress will be required by the school principal or their designate to meet the standards before participating in school activities. Schools will facilitate the enabling of students to meet the standards in such situations whenever possible.
- Student dress must maintain personal safety and the safety of the school community. Students are not permitted to wear articles of clothing, jewelry or accessories that indicate or suggest membership in or affiliation with any group or organization that does not support a welcoming, caring, respectful, safe, and Catholic learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging.
- Underwear must not be visible or exposed, and buttocks and nipples must be covered with opaque fabric and remain so during all activities over the course of the school day.
Students at St. Mark school must wear:
- A shirt or the equivalent (tops) with fabric in the front, back, and sides under the arms
- Pants or the equivalent (bottoms), and
- Footwear
*courses or activities may require specific attire for safety or curriculum purposes (ie: CTF/CTS, PE, science labs, field trips)
Students at St. Mark school may wear, as long as they are in alignment with this standard’s philosophy:
- Headwear that is specifically required for religious observance (i.e., hijab, yarmulke, turban) or for medical reasons in consultation with the principal
- Illustrative examples of tops: t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, tank tops
- Illustrative examples of bottoms: jeans, leggings, sweatpants, skirts, dresses, shorts
- Hats and other headwear must allow the face to be visible to staff, and not interfere with the line of sight of any student or staff.
- Hoodies must not be over the head to make sure there is a clear view of all faces in the building for safety purposes
- Clothing with logos or text on it that is positive in nature, respectful, or implies or encourage a healthy lifestyle/choices for children and youth
Students at St. Mark school may not wear:
- Articles of clothing that discriminate based on age, religion, gender, gender identity/expression, body type, race, ability, and socio-economic status
- Articles of clothing with words or text that depict or imply hate, violence, profanity, drugs/drug use, alcohol/alcohol use, sexual activity, or criminal activity.
Students who have not met the standard, as outlined above, will be addressed in the following manner:
- At the first possible opportunity for a private conversation, the staff member who has identified the issue will speak to the student about the concern in a manner that respects their privacy and dignity. Care will be taken to avoid “shaming” or statements of bias.
- The student will be presented with options to bring them into closer alignment with the standard for the remainder of the school day such as:
- Wearing another article of their own clothing which they have at school that is in alignment with the standard
- Contacting a parent or guardian to bring in an article of clothing that is in alignment with the standard
- Borrowing an article of clothing from a friend that is in alignment with the standard.
- Where possible, students should not be required to wear school owned replacement garments and should never be required to wear specific garments as a disciplinary measure.