Revised: November 7, 2013

Amended Version: November 2019; June 2024

Policy Definitions

The following list of words and phrases are defined in the complete full version: Bullying, Explosive Substance, Extortion, Firearm, Harassment, Hate Material, Inappropriate Use of Electronic Communications/Media, Physical Assault Causing Bodily Harm, Possession of a Weapon, Racial Harassment, Refractory Conduct, Replica Firearm, Robbery, Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment.

1. Policy

The Toronto Catholic District School Board is committed to ensuring that schools be an example of Christian Community that promote, maintain, and encourage responsibility, civility, equity, inclusivity, academic excellence and well-being in a safe learning and teaching environment. A positive school climate exists when all members of the school community respect and always treat others fairly, regardless of personal characteristics of any kind. All members of school communities and Board worksites will value and respect the teachings of the Catholic Church, including the teaching that all people are created in the image and likeness of God and have infinite dignity and worth.

Every member of this community - student, teacher, parent/guardian, support staff, trustee, parish priest, volunteers, or others, while on TCDSB property, at TCDSB sponsored events and circumstances that could have an impact on the school climate - is governed by the policies of the TCDSB and shares in the responsibility for creating a positive environment that is safe, harmonious, comfortable, inclusive and respectful.

The purpose of the TCDSB Code of Conduct is to further promote the mission of the TCDSB and to provide a framework for individual schools to develop local, school-based codes of conduct that foster a positive school climate and support student academic achievement and wellbeing. In addition, the TCDSB Code of Conduct and local school-based codes of conduct must be modified regularly. The TCDSB Code of Conduct is to be read together with the Violence Prevention Policy and all related TCDSB policies.

The TCDSB Code of Conduct also recognizes the importance of progressive discipline which focuses on prevention and early intervention as the key to maintaining a positive Catholic school environment. More information can be found under Progressive Discipline Policy S.S. 10.

The TCDSB Code of Conduct discourages the use of alcohol, illegal drugs and, except by a medical cannabis user, cannabis.

Catholic Expectations of Students

The fundamental expectation of students in our Catholic Schools will follow the ethic of our Catholic faith, where empathy, care for others, and respect for life are present. If you are aware that a student or group of students is in a dangerous situation, then you should tell a caring adult in the school community immediately.

2. Legislative Framework

The Education Act requires school Boards to establish policies and guidelines with respect to the conduct of persons in schools. Policy/Program Memorandum No. 128, issued August 29, 2019, and the revised Policy/Program Memorandum No. 144 and No. 145 enforced November 4, 2019, requires that the standards of behaviour in school Board codes of conduct be appropriate for local communities.

3. Provincial Code of Conduct

The Education Act permits the Minister of Education to establish a code of conduct governing the behaviour of all people in schools.

The TCDSB Code of Conduct is consistent with the provincial Code of Conduct and clearly sets out the standards of behaviour for all members of the school community and worksites including, but not limited to students, parents, volunteers, teachers and other staff members, board staff, trustees, visitors, third- party service providers and permit holders while on board premises or at school- related activities. The TCDSB code of conduct is also applicable to all members of the school community for behaviour occurring off school premises or outside of school hours that negatively impacts the school climate.

4. Guiding Principles

All participants involved in the publicly funded school system - students, parents or guardians, volunteers, teachers and other staff members, superintendents, senior board staff, Board personnel and trustees - are included in the Provincial Code of Conduct whether they are on school property, on school buses or at school-authorized events or activities that may have an impact on school climate.

The Toronto Catholic District School Board is an inclusive community rooted in the love of Christ. We educate students to grow in grace and knowledge and to lead lives of faith, hope, and charity. Through our Catholic values, we believe in the worth and dignity of every person, and that people thrive in a safe, healthy, and compassionate environment. One of the goals of the Board’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan requires that, to create equitable learning environments for all students, students will be provided with safe, healthy learning environments by promoting a positive school climate, inclusive and accepting of all students.

This policy is interpreted through the lens of the Catholic faith as articulated by the teachings of the Church, having due regard for the following:

Teachings of the Catholic Church, as expressed through various documents of the Universal Church, the Bishops of Canada, the Bishops of Ontario, and the Archdiocese of Toronto.
Education Act, Sections 1 (4); 169.1; 301
Program Policy Memorandum (PPM) 128 Provincial Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conducts, August 29, 2019.
Ontario Human Rights Code, Sections 1;19

5. Roles and Responsibilities

The TCDSB Code of Conduct recognizes that all members of the school community comply with the standards of behaviour outlined in this policy.

The following requirements do not adversely affect any right or privilege guaranteed under the Constitution Act 1867: the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, or the Ontario Human Rights Code.

All members of the school community must respect and treat others fairly, regardless of, for example, race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability.

Toronto Catholic District School Board

The TCDSB is committed to the principles and standards established by the Violence Prevention Policy. The TCDSB will not tolerate behaviour that jeopardizes the emotional well-being or physical safety of members of the school community.

Schools

Through the development or refinement of local codes of conduct, schools must communicate provincial and TCDSB standards of behaviour in a variety of languages suited to the respective communities.

Principals

Principals, under the direction of the school Board, take a leadership role in the daily operation of the school. Bill 157 permits the principal of a school to delegate limited powers under Part XIII of the Education Act to a vice-principal of the school or, in the absence of a vice principal, to a teacher employed in the school. Bill 157 requires the principal to provide written acknowledgement of receipt of a report to the individual who initiate the report using the Incident Reporting Form – Part II. Bill 157 requires principals to contact the parent/guardian of victims who have been harmed as a result of serious student incidents including incidents for which a suspension or expulsion must be considered. A principal will not contact the parent/guardian of a victim if:

the student is 18 years of age or older,
the student is 16 or 17 years of age and has withdrawn from parental control,
in the opinion of the principal, contacting the parent/guardian will create a risk of harm to the student by the parent/guardian.

Teachers and School Staff

Under the leadership of the principal, teachers and staff shall maintain order in the school and are expected to hold everyone to a high standard of respectful and responsible behaviour. Bill 157 requires all TCDSB employees, bus drivers and other non-TCDSB employees deemed appropriate, to report to the principal serious incidents that must be considered for suspension or expulsion using the Incident Reporting Form -- Part 1. In addition, TCDSB employees, who work directly with students, must respond to incidents that may have a negative impact on the school climate.

Students

Students are to be treated with respect and dignity. In return, they must demonstrate respect for themselves, for others and for the responsibilities of citizenship through acceptable behaviour.

Parents and Guardians

Parents and guardians play an important role in the education of their children and have a responsibility to support the efforts of school staff in maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students.

Police and Community Members

Police and community members including volunteers, third party, service providers, permit holders are essential partners in making our schools and communities safer. All members need to support and respect the rules of their local schools. Police will investigate and respond to incidents in accordance with the Police/School Board Protocol.

6. Standards of Behaviour

Respect, Civility, Safety and Responsible Citizenship

The TCDSB does not tolerate any anti-social or violent behaviour that impacts on learning environments. All local school codes of conduct must set out standards of behaviour consistent with the standards established in the TCDSB Violence Prevention Policy. Standards of behaviour must promote respect, civility, responsible citizenship, and Catholic values. All members of the school community must respect and treat others fairly regardless of race, ancestry, place, or origin, colour, ethnic origin, creed, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, or disability (Ontario Human Rights Code S. 2(2)).

Safety

All members of the school community must not:

engage in bullying behaviours;
commit sexual assault;
traffic in weapons or illegal drugs;
give alcohol or cannabis to a minor;
commit robbery;
be in possession of any weapon, including firearms;
use any object to threaten or intimidate another person;
cause injury to any person with an object;
be in possession of, or be under the influence of alcohol, cannabis (unless the individual has been authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes), and illegal drugs;
provide others with alcohol, illegal drugs, or cannabis (unless the recipient is an individual who has been authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes);
inflict or encourage other to inflict bodily harm on another person;
engage in hate propaganda and other forms of behaviour motivated by hate or bias;
commit an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property or to property located on the premises of the school.

The Safe Schools Inquiry Recommendations Report outlines that the fundamental expectation of students in our Catholic Schools will follow the ethic of our Catholic faith, where empathy, care for others, and respect for life are present. If you are aware that a student or group of students is in a dangerous situation, then you should tell a caring adult in the school community immediately.

Electronic Communications and Media Devices

Schools shall include provisions in their local codes of conduct to respect the need of others to work in an environment that is conducive to learning and teaching; including by ensuring that personal mobile devices are only used during instructional time for the educational and other permitted purposes outlined on page 1 of Policy/Program Memorandum No. 128 dated August 29, 2019. This includes ensuring devices are being used during instructional time for education use or purpose (refer to page 1 PPM 128).

Specifically:

Educational purposes as instructed by an educator;
Health and medical purposes;
Support special needs.

Behaviour on Excursions

Participation in any field trip, excursion or out-of-school activity is a privilege NOT a right. To ensure the safety and well-being of all involved, the school administration, teachers, or supervisors, reserve the right to refuse the application of any student or remove any student from an excursion when concerns about behaviour or academic progress arise. On excursions, students are held to the same standard of behaviour as on school property. Students must return the mode of transport designated on the permission form. All TCDSB/school policies remain in effect, particularly those regarding the use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs. For serious infractions, and/or disruptive or inappropriate behaviour, students may be sent home at the parent’s/guardian’s expense. On overnight trips, students are accountable for their behaviour to the teacher-in-charge 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

While students are expected to participate fully in school-sponsored field trips and excursions, they are still responsible for all work, tests, and assignments covered in their other classes. Students are expected to always fulfill their academic responsibilities in all subjects. The principal has the authority to refuse student participation in any school excursion.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ATHLETES/COACHES

Loretto College School aims to provide for its students an enhanced educational experience through participation in inter-school athletics organized by the Toronto District College Athletic Association (TDCAA) or Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association (OFSAA). To achieve this, it is expected that members of the school community who participate in athletics will:

Act in a responsible manner and honour commitments made to teammates and coaches;
Respect the rules of the game and the spirit of the rules;
Respect all coaches and the officials who referee and administer games and accept their decisions with dignity and civility;
Respect opponents while demonstrating an appreciation of fair minded, ethical play;
Always maintain self-control and refrain from taunting members of the opposition or spectators;
Not use foul or contemptuous language and gestures or threatening and violent action.

Violations of this code by athletes will be handled initially by the coach. The coach will assign appropriate disciplinary action. In more serious cases, the coach will refer the student to the safe sport committee for further activity at the school level.

Following expulsion from a league or playoff game or when a code of conduct violation is deemed serious enough by the coach or official, a student athlete is also required to appear before a TDCAA or OFSAA disciplinary committee. Members of the disciplinary committee will examine the circumstances and rule on further disciplinary action as it affects athletics.

Students who fail to appear at a disciplinary committee meeting will have all playing privileges in all sports revoked until such time as they attend, and their case is reviewed. Violations of this code by coaches will be reviewed as per procedures listed in the TDCAA or OFSAA constitution.

If a student athlete is absent from an event, such as cross country or track and field, and does not inform their coach in advance, are responsible for the entrance fee and the ‘scratch’ fee. If a student athlete skips a class on the day of a game, they are ineligible to play that afternoon. If a student athlete skips a day of classes, they are ineligible to play the next game.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SPECTATORS AT ATHLETIC EVENTS

Attendance at athletic events organized by the school, TDCAA, OFSAA, or other group, is a privilege extended to students and as such may be withdrawn for previous or ongoing behaviour incidents, including the safety of students or staff, which violate the Code of Conduct listed below.

Spectators who attend athletic events therefore shall:

Carry and produce, if asked, a school photo ID card at all event sites both on and off campus where exhibition, league, playoff, or tournament games are scheduled;
Wear their McCarthy full school uniform while attending games in the gymnasium at their home school or while in attendance at a neighbouring school;
Only be allowed to attend games involving their own school - players may attend games involving schools other than their own if permission was received from the host school;
Stay off the playing surface at all times, remain seated in their designated area and not throw paper, refuse or other objects;
Not use obscene or vulgar remarks, or any demonstration which disparages opponents or their fans. Taunting or derogatory cheers are not acceptable;
Not engage in any form of physical confrontation with other spectators or players; and
Honour the code of respect for players, coaches, and officials.

7. Consequences for Inappropriate Behaviours

Local school codes of conduct shall set out consequences that are consistent with The Education Act and the Board Safe School policies for Suspension (S.S.06) and Expulsions (S.S. 05). Mitigating Factors as stated in The Education Act shall be considered. The following charts are used by principals when considering consequences for the inappropriate behaviour of students.

The term shall, as used in the legislation, means must.
When the term may is used, it is important to note (according to the established Police/School Board Protocol) that if, through balance of probability, a criminal act that impacts on the climate of the school took place, the principal must inform the Police.

Loretto College School

Our School

School Handbook

TCDSB Mission, Vision, and Catholic Values

Loretto College: Who We Are

Religious Accommodation in the TCDSB

TCDSB Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for Technology

TCDSB Code of Conduct

TCDSB N-Word Protocol

Threats to School Safety Response Procedures

No-Smoking/Vaping Policy

Student Community Involvement Policy

Attendance Procedures

Cell Phone Policy

Lunch Period Policy

Collection of Student Activity Fees

Lockers and Elevator Usage

Medical Information and Concussion Policy

Visitor Policy

Academic Information: Diploma, Certificate, and Transcript

Academic Honesty Policy

Assessment and Evaluation Policy

Course Information, Grade Calculations, Examinations, and Reporting

Appropriate Dress Code Policy

School Services

Extracurricular Programs

Awards

Bell Schedules