Page 14 - Ontario Schools: Kindergarten to Grade 12

1.2 Safe Schools
Actively promoting, supporting, and recognizing appropriate, positive student behaviour and healthy relationships is essential to creating and sustaining a safe learning and teaching environment that will allow all students to reach their full potential. A positive school climate exists when all members of the school com- munity feel safe, comfortable, and accepted. School boards should develop and implement safe schools policies and programs that actively involve parents and families; they are also expected to work with community agencies/local organiza- tions to develop protocols for facilitating referrals and to provide services and support for students and their parents and families.
1.2.1 The Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conduct
PPM No. 128 outlines the provincial Code of Conduct. The code sets clear stan- dards of behaviour that apply not only to students but to all individuals involved in the publicly funded school system – parents, volunteers, teachers, other school staff, community partners, and the police – whether they are on school property, on school buses, at school-related events or activities, or in other circumstances where engaging in the activity will have an impact on the school climate. The pro- vincial Code of Conduct promotes respect within the learning environment and the teaching environment and sets clear provincial standards for behaviour.
School boards are required to have in place codes of conduct that are consis-
tent with the provincial Code of Conduct. School boards are required to inform students, parents, and members of the school community about the terms of both the provincial Code of Conduct and their own codes of conduct. School boards may require principals to develop additional codes of conduct designed expressly for their school. These codes must clearly set out what is acceptable and what is unacceptable behaviour for all members of the school community, and must also be consistent with the school board’s code of conduct.
PPM No. 128, “The Provincial Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conduct” (October 4, 2007)
www.edu.gov.on.ca/extra/eng/ppm/128.pdf
1.2.2 Promoting Positive Student Behaviour
Progressive discipline is a whole-school approach to dealing with inappropriate student behaviour. The approach utilizes a continuum of interventions, supports, and consequences to reinforce positive behaviour while helping students make good choices. A progressive discipline approach includes the use of early and ongoing intervention strategies to address inappropriate behaviour promptly
12 OntariO SchOOlS, Kindergarten tO grade 12