​​​​It is the shared responsibility of students, staff, parents/guardians, and the broader community, to demonstrate positive conduct while attending any school or district related activity, at any location. As such, the NVSD Code of Conduct has been established to maintain a safe, caring, accessible, and healthy learning environment.

Windsor Excellence Statement

At Windsor Secondary School, we believe that our school should be a safe place for purposeful learning. The pursuit of appropriate conduct is a shared responsibility among the students, their parents, and the school system. Every individual has the right to learn and work in a safe environment free from discrimination. Representatives of the staff, students, parents, and our family of schools, have developed a school Code of Conduct to establish clear guidelines for safe and effective learning that allows each student to attain his or her goals and aspirations in a positive environment.

As set out in sections 7 and 8 of the Human Rights Code the Windsor Community must respect the feelings of others by:

• Being courteous in words and actions to others
• Not discriminating against others based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or age.

Moreover, the Code balances the individual's rights and responsibilities with those of the collective Windsor community. Our Code is continuously monitored and reviewed annually by staff, students and parents to allow for evolving issues. Anti-bullying measures will ensure all students, regardless of their sex, race, religion, culture, ability, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, enjoy a safe, inclusive and welcoming learning environment. The establishment of a school Code of Conduct is required by the Provincial School Act and the North Vancouver Board of School Trustees. The Principal of the school is responsible for administering and supervising the school. They and their designate, including teachers and other appropriate personnel are authorized, in accordance with School Board Policy 302, to exercise authority within the school on all matters concerning the discipline of students. The execution of discipline must be similar to that of a "kind, firm and judicious parent, but shall not include corporal punishment." (School Act, Section 76(3)).

Windsor students are expected to be good citizens and are required to know, understand, and follow the Windsor Code of Conduct and other applicable laws within this jurisdiction. This includes the North Vancouver District School Board policies, North Vancouver District bylaws and rules, the BC Human Rights Code, and the Canadian Criminal Code. Expectations regarding acceptable conduct are made known to all school staff, students, parents, and the Windsor school community through the Windsor Agenda Book, this web site, and other forms of communication.

The expectations for student conduct are also consistently taught, actively promoted and reinforced by staff. The expectations for student behaviour apply while at school, while traveling to and from school, and while attending all school activities and functions. Students are always expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will bring credit to the Windsor community. Parents and students should be aware that there are rising expectations for student behaviour as students become older, more mature and progress through the grades. Students are expected to accept increasing responsibility for their actions and can expect consequences reflective of their age.

The Human Rights Code is available online 

PERFORMANCE FOR WINDSOR EXCELLENCE

We ask students to strive towards Windsor Excellence in the areas of attendance, citizenship and learning.  Parents are encouraged to support and reinforce those behaviours and attitudes with their children.

Excellence in ATTENDANCE means:

• Attending all classes
• Being on time and prepared for all classes
• Being responsible to see teachers when absent for all or part of any class
• Being attentive in all classes

Excellence in CITIZENSHIP means: 

• Treating staff, students and Windsor community members with respect
• Complying promptly with any Windsor staff member's reasonable requests
• Being honest, considerate, and caring of others at all times
• Helping to sustain a safe school environment for yourself and others
• Informing an adult in a timely manner of incidents of bullying, harassment or intimidation
• Using language free of profanity, hatred and/or discrimination
• Respecting all public and personal property
• Promoting a Green environment by maintaining a clean school and community
• Complying with all school and class rules, policies and expectations that detail student conduct
• Complying with all local, provincial, and Federal bylaws and laws

Excellence in LEARNING means:

• Being prepared to learn with a positive attitude and all required materials for each class
• Completing homework and assignments effectively and on time
• Using organizational skills to plan and record school work
• Actively engaging in purposeful learning in all classroom activities
• Consistently trying one's best to practice good work habits
• Always producing your own quality work and not copying, using or plagiarizing other's words
• Complying with all School and District policies that impact learning in the classroom such as the Electronics Use policy, Academic Dishonesty, etc.
  

ATTENDANCE

Truancy

 

Late for School and Class

Student Illness and Medical Appointments

Students who become ill during the school day are required to report to the Main Office.

• The student will be permitted to go home only after staff have obtained parental permission. If no parent can be contacted, the student will be asked to remain at school under the care of staff. 
• The school is not permitted to provide or administer medication to students without the written authorization of the family physician.
• Students leaving for or returning from a medical appointment should check in at the main office.
• Any student who leaves the building during class time but does not check out through the office will be considered truant for classes missed.

Extended Absences During School or Exam Time

While it is understood that some families may choose to plan family activities while school is in session, Windsor does not condone such absences due to their impact on student learning.

• Parents and students should avoid planning vacations, activities etc. that interfere with scheduled classes, exams or other school absences. Missed class time and learning opportunities cannot be replicated and some activities and assignments may be impossible to "make-up."

•  Extended absences impact a student's learning and likely the demonstration of their learning, commonly accomplished through assignments, quizzes and tests. The school is not required to provide correspondence materials to facilitate extended absences during the school year. 
• The following procedures are required prior to the absence in order to properly inform the school of the details of a student's extended absence: the student obtains the extended absence notification form from the Main Office; completes all the details on it; and parents sign the completed form. The form is then returned to the Main Office.  This form is not an approval form, it simply notifies the school of a student's absence.

• The responsibility for the decision to take a student out of school   and the consequences that result rest solely with the student and their parent/guardian.

Study Blocks

A study block may be applied for by grade 11 and 12 students. Students are encouraged to use their study blocks productively by completing assignments in order to diminish their work load in the evenings. Study blocks create an academic atmosphere where all students in the school can learn and be successful. A study block may or may not be granted on the basis of the student’s course load, attendance and class history and student reason for application. The application process occurs concurrently with student course programming. A student is not directly supervised during a structured study block and attendance is not taken.

CITIZENSHIP

Safe and Caring School

 

Student behaviour must comply with the Criminal Code of Canada as well as the BC Human Rights Code. Any person who threatens the safety of the school environment or safety of an individual may be subject to disciplinary action and, where necessary, to RCMP intervention. This policy includes, but is not limited to:

• Acts of violence or threats of violence.
• Acts of discrimination or contravention of the BC Human Rights code.
• Incidents of threatening, harassing, intimidating or confrontational language or behaviour which includes written or verbal harassment, misuse of online communication or physical threats. Harassment includes the act of posting comments; pictures or videos about people on social media/online (Instagram, Snapchat, Youtube, etc.)
• Possession of a weapon or an imitation of a weapon.
• Possessing and/or discharging of fireworks.
• Possessing, using, distributing or being involved with others possessing or using illegal or restricted drugs or alcohol.
• Vaping and/or smoking is prohibited on school property by all persons.
• Incidents of theft, defacement or damage of the school's or others' property.
• Misuse of school equipment or school property.
• Unauthorized gatherings and unsafe activity on school property.
• Operation of a vehicle or other means of transport (automobiles, rollerblades, skateboards, etc.) in a dangerous manner.
• Using safety equipment including fire extinguishers, fire alarms, smoke-heat detectors, and the fire sprinkler system inappropriately, or causing a false alarm.

Respect and Responsibility

Lack of respect for others or their property will not be tolerated. Lack of respect includes, but is not limited to:

• Failing to meet the standards set out in the BC Human Rights Code that include the prohibited grounds of discrimination. The Human Rights Code is available online at:
  http://www.bclaws.ca/Recon/document/ID/freeside/00_96210_01
• The current Provincial Standards for Codes of Conduct Order is available online at:  http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/administration/legislation-policy/legislation/schoollaw/e/m276_07.pdf
• Disrespect for the authority of teachers and other employees of the school, including failure to comply immediately with an authorized and reasonable direction.
• Disturbance at school, on school grounds, or at a school function.
• Any unauthorized gatherings on or adjacent to the school grounds, specifically those that disturb the privacy of nearby residents or that reflect poorly on the public image of the school
• Use of the school name or logos in association with unsanctioned activities.
• Contributing to garbage or litter build up in the school and community.
• Participate in any conduct unbecoming of school and community standards.

Drugs, Alcohol and Vaping

Students found using, possessing, or being with others involved with drugs, alcohol or vaping at school or at school-sponsored events, may be suspended. Subsequent involvement will require a Re-Entry Plan to return to school. Any student found supplying drugs or alcohol to others will be suspended, and/or referred to an outside agency or the RCMP. Please note that if residual evidence or other indicators lead staff to suspect drug, alcohol or vaping use, students may face disciplinary action. The Windsor administration will rarely discriminate between direct and indirect exposure to prohibited substances. It is for this reason that students should not remain in the company of those using drugs, alcohol or vaping products.

Violence, Bullying, Intimidation, Harassment, and Discrimination

Incidents such as fighting, bullying, intimidation, verbal abuse, swearing, hazing, taunting, inappropriate physical touching, harassment, and/or discrimination will not be tolerated. Students involved directly or indirectly in any of these behaviours can expect disciplinary action from the school, including referral to RCMP and outside authorities. Students who incite others to engage in inappropriate behaviours, or who seek retribution against those who have reported incidents, may also face discipline. When any of these actions are carried out online, even outside of school hours and off school property, the school may still take action when the welfare and learning environment of Windsor students are potentially at risk.
 

Unauthorized Gatherings and Unsafe Activity on School Property

Students who gather on school property without permission may face disciplinary consequences ranging from a warning to suspension and RCMP involvement. Additionally, anyone on school property at any time should refrain from unsafe activities in and on school structures (e.g. the school roof, fences, storage containers, stairwells, railings, blocking entrance ways, etc.).
 

LEARNING

Student behaviour must support a productive learning environment in classrooms and school at all times.  Interference of a positive learning environment includes, but is not limited to:

• Disturbing the learning opportunities of other students in classrooms.
• Dressing in a manner disruptive to an educational environment including offensive or suggestive slogans.
• Disrupting classes, school routines or activities by inappropriate use of electronic devices.
• Participating in any form of cheating, plagiarism, or academic dishonesty.
• Not completing assignments or other assigned tasks as required.

Dress and Apparel at School

Staff and students at Windsor believe maintaining a respectful, business-like atmosphere is important to academic achievement and citizenship. The school's dress code is not meant to stifle freedom of expression, but to foster a supportive, respectful learning community in which each student's self-esteem is reflected in their behaviour, growth, and achievement.

Apparel at school should:

• Allow for individual difference, style, and expression.
• Demonstrate respect for a school / business environment.
• Be appropriate for the intended activity.
• Demonstrate respect for the rights and perspectives of others.
  

Cheating, Plagiarism, and Academic Dishonesty

 The following are some of the actions that are considered academically dishonest. This is not an exhaustive list of all forms so please use common sense. If unsure whether or not their behaviour could be considered academically dishonest, check with their teacher or the administration prior.

• Submitting assignments, homework, or other material which was copied, purchased, or acquired from another student or online as their own work.
  
• Students using any unacknowledged content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) within an assessment, assignment, or project as though it is their own work constitutes academic misconduct. AI use is only acceptable in such instances when the teacher explicitly states that AI can be used.​
  
• Failing to cite or document quoted or paraphrased material or ideas written by someone else from another source.
• Knowingly sharing your work with another student in order that they may copy it.
• Submitting the same essay, presentation, or assignment more than once, whether the earlier submission was at Windsor or someplace else, without the prior permission of the teacher.
• Any attempt to complete an assessment using unauthorized information or communication in any form to another person other than an exam invigilator.
• Allowing another student to view ones test or exam.
• Illegally obtaining or looking at an assessment prior to, or during the assessment.
• Altering or changing test answers after submitting the test for grading.
• Texting or electronically copying parts of a test or assignment.
• Knowingly helping another student to cheat.
  

Consequences of Academic Dishonesty

Students who are involved in any form of cheating, plagiarism or academic dishonesty will be subject to discipline. This discipline could take a variety of forms and may include the following consequences:

• No credit for the work or assignment with no opportunity for make-up.
• Other classroom level consequences assigned by the classroom teacher.
• Notification by the teacher to parents or guardians.
• A record of the incident in the student's school discipline file.
• Possible disqualification from receiving awards and other recommendations or references.
  

Repeated offences will result in more severe consequences and could include suspension.