Toronto Catholic District School Board

St. Jerome's Code of Conduct

St. Jerome’s is committed to nurturing a caring, healthy and safe school environment that takes pride in fostering Catholic Virtues as part of our school vision. In reflecting the unique character and needs of our school community at St. Jerome, we have a variety of bullying awareness and prevention programs that enable students to feel secure, valued and able to develop to their full potential. Our Cube of Love Project has earned us several TCDSB Exemplary Practice Awards for nurturing kindness and compassion among our students. We are committed to the implementation of a school wide model that builds on current effective practices, identifies needs, prioritizes goals and evaluates progress. Our bullying awareness and prevention plan includes viewing discipline as assisting students to make decisions to do the right thing and is based on social learning, restorative justice, Gospel values and a progressive discipline approach to the application of consequences. We shape a safer Catholic school founded on empathy and shared responsibility.

The co-operation of home, school and parish will ensure progressive growth towards these goals. Parent support in assisting students to meet school expectations is an important component in creating a positive school climate. In most circumstances communication with your child’s classroom teacher is a vital first step in understanding the situation and deciding on next steps.

EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS

To display a positive attitude towards the school.
To respect the dignity and rights of all people.
To behave appropriately during all school programs, on and off the school premises.
To use appropriate language in and around the school buildings.
To attend school regularly and punctually.
To be prepared for classes with completed assignments and necessary materials.
To abide by the general rules of school and classroom decorum.
To seek and to accept extra help from teachers when required.
To treat all school property and equipment with care.
To dress according to the appropriate dress code both for school and activities planned for the day (i.e. gym, liturgies and excursions).
To respect community members and their property while coming to or leaving from school and while on school sponsored excursions.
To adhere to TCDSB’s acceptable use policy for electronic communication

CONSEQUENCES and INTERVENTIONS

Failure to meet the outlined expectations may result in a variety of consequences, issued in a progressive discipline approach, depending upon the individual student and the nature of the issue. The staff at St. Jerome will deal with each incident in a fair and consistent manner. Incidents may be minor (e.g. name calling, spreading rumours, put downs, rough play) or major (e.g. malicious hands on, non-compliance, swearing at someone in authority) in nature and each will be dealt with accordingly. In the event of undesirable behaviour by a pupil the following disciplinary measures may be applied:

An appropriate detention or loss of privileges
Verbal warning, time out or apology
Telephone calls or letters home
Meeting with Principal
Intervention of school/board resource personnel
Student dialogue to raise empathy
Good deed or other meaningful act as appropriate
Use of restorative justice intervention
Warning of Suspension letter & phone call
Request for parent interviews
Persistent, habitual or very serious offences may result in suspension.

Individual teachers will deal with breaches of discipline. The Principal will deal with students whose behaviour is of a serious nature. Please refer to the explanation of progressive disciple above. Once again, we appreciate the co-operation of parents in disciplinary matters.

PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE PLAN AT ST. JEROME

Minor: wherein school rules or appropriate behavioural expectations are violated through single incidents and /or to a minor degree
Academic	Physical	Verbal	Social	Possible Consequences
Neglect of duty Homework completion	Recklessness (class, stairways, yard) Throwing objects Gum chewing	Name calling Teasing Putdowns Insults Making fun swearing	To a minor degree: Gossiping Spreading rumors rejection Isolation Embarrassing others Dress code	Verbal warning Discourse/opportunity to understand actions and make acceptable reparations to victim(Good deed) Problem solving circle with peace squad and/or peer mentors Reverse role play Reverse role writing Detention/time out/ Removal from activity Community service

Major wherein school rules or appropriate behavioural expectations are violated through continued, repeated, persistent and/or to a major degree
Academic	Physical	Verbal	Social	Possible Consequences
Neglect of duty Cheating Plagiarism Chronic absenteeism	Intentional: Pushing Shoving Spitting Hitting Fighting Stealing Vandalism Damage to property Possession of a weapon	Taunting Threats Bullying Cyber bullying Swearing to authority Vulgar/obscene body gestures Dress code	Gossiping Spreading rumors rejection Isolation Humiliation Hate motivated violence (race, gender, sexual orientation) Sexual misconduct: Indecent touching Sexual violation harassment	Loss of privileges Parental involvement Exclusion from activity, class or school Financial reparation Social reparation Restorative/reformative practices Intervention through Guidance, CYW, social worker Intervention through community partnerships- Hincks Dellcrest, Toronto police programs Suspension/expulsion Police Involvement

BULLYING PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION

Sometimes students take advantage of other students. This is called bullying. Harassment is defined as unwelcome

comments or conduct that intimidates, demeans or offends an individual. We believe that because we are a Christian community at St. Jerome, everyone is entitled to be treated with dignity and feel valued and safe at school.

Verbal bullying, physical bullying, cyber bullying, harassment or other threatening behaviour will not be tolerated. St Jerome has a bullying prevention plan in place that involves staff, students, and community agencies.