Mountainside Secondary School (MSS) rules, consequences, and the Code of Conduct were developed pursuant to the School Act (Sections 6, 10, 85, and 91), School Act Regulations, and the North Vancouver School District's Policy 302 on Student Conduct.  Students at MSS are expected to meet the standards set out in the BC Human Rights Code, sections 7 and 8 (click here for link), that prohibit behaviours that discriminate against a person or class of person by publishing or displaying a statement, publication, notice, sign, symbol, emblem, or other representation that indicates discrimination based on the race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age of that person of that group or class of persons.

The Code of Conduct applies to students while at school, going to and from school, attending any school related curricular or extra-curricular functions, and in the community (if impacting the school environment).  Students should be acting in a manner that brings credit to the school. The Code of Conduct also extends to student behaviors (on or off school property and outside of regular school times) that may negatively impact the learning environment of the student(s), and/or the school. Following the Mountainside Code of Conduct will ensure that all students, regardless of their sex, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, enjoy a safe, inclusive and welcoming learning environment.

To ensure a safe and positive learning environment students are expected to:

1.       Behave appropriately and respectfully with all staff and students

2.       Work respectfully, responsibly, and co-operatively with all staff and students.

3.       Attend all of their scheduled classes, be on time, and be prepared to focus on their learning

4.       Be drug and alcohol free

CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS

To ensure a safe and positive learning environment, students are expected to:

1.     Behave appropriately and respectfully with all staff and students

A positive working relationship is based upon the principle of mutual respect.  The concept of respect also includes respect for school property, the surrounding neighborhood, and areas visited on school trips.  Students are expected to:

• demonstrate respectful behaviors toward one another
• follow staff directions and negotiated behavioral and learning expectations
• use appropriate, non-confrontational language
• respect personal property
• prevent damage to the school and its contents.

2.     Work respectfully, responsibly, and co-operatively with all staff and students

The safety and security of staff and students is necessary for meaningful teaching and learning opportunities for all.  Administrators and staff will take every effort to ensure that property, buildings, buses and other learning settings meet the highest safety standards. Students must work towards establishing a safe, positive, non-threatening, and harassment and bullying-free environment within the school and during any school related activity.  Students are expected to:

• be accepting or tolerant of the diverse culture of our school community in keeping with the prohibited grounds of discrimination set out in the BC Human Rights Code in accordance with School District #44 Policy #302
• use language free of profanity, hatred, and discrimination: e.g. homophobia, racism, sexism
• eliminate aggressive, confrontational, threatening behaviors
• eliminate physically intimidating and violent interactions
• report threats, intimidation, harassment, bullying and forms of indirect pressure to a staff member
• ensure that individuals are not in possession of weapons, real or simulated
• follow directions of staff at all times to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for all

3.     Attend all scheduled classes, be on time, and be prepared to focus on their learning

 Learning programs and activities are designed to meet individually determined outcomes in knowledge, skills and attitudes.  The learning programs and activities are determined following a period of assessment and a process of consultation and negotiation between administration, staff and students.  Attendance and full participation in the program are keys to students’ success, in order to enable gains in behavioral and cognitive development.  Students are expected to:

• attend all classes
• participate in required assessment
• actively participate in their specific learning programs
• arrive to class on time and remain for the duration of the period
• participate in hikes, field trips, out-days, fundraising, academic and non-academic classes
• provide a medical note for extended absences from school
• meet on a regular basis with staff to review academic, behavioral and social progress

4.     Be drug and alcohol free

Students are expected to:

• Attend classes free from the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Not be in possession of drugs, alcohol, or drug or alcohol related paraphernalia
• Refrain from language that glamorizes the use of drugs or alcohol

The consequences for breaches of conduct will depend on the severity of the incident and frequency with which these incidents have occurred. Disciplinary action, whenever possible, is preventative and restorative, rather than punitive. Students are expected to participate, whenever possible, in the development of meaningful consequences. Consequences may include one or more of the following:

• removal from class
• consultation with parents and guardians
• attendance, performance and/or behavioral contracts
• counseling, mediation or restorative justice
• referral to MSS Resource Team
• cleaning, restoration, replacement and/or repair of damaged property at student’s expense
• involvement of the police and/or legal action
• suspension and/or further administrative action under the School Act
• compliance with a detailed re-entry plan to gain admission to the school again

The expectation at MSS is that students show increased personal responsibility and self-discipline during their time at the school. Some ways students may meet rising expectations are:

• participation in the Social Justice Class, Student Leadership Council, teams, clubs, or Integrated Studies Program
• assisting staff in a variety of ways around the school

There are increased consequences for inappropriate behaviour as students progress through the grade placements. Students who regularly contravene the Code of Conduct will be subject to increasing consequences for their behaviour. For example:

• tiered attendance contracts will be used for serious lack of attendance
• tiered suspensions will be given for repeated infringements of school rules.

NOTIFICATION

School officials may have a responsibility to advise other parties, such as parents, school district officials (as required by school district policy), police and/or other agencies (as required by law) of serious breaches of the  MSS Code of Conduct.