Code of Conduct

Responsible behaviour is expected of students at all times.  Respect toward self, other people and the school environment forms the basis of a common Code of Conduct at McDowell. This Code of Conduct is sent home in September for parent and student discussion and signature.

School Rules and Practices

Children pass through many stages as they grow.  They are constantly seeking new experiences and testing their limits.  Students have to learn to choose appropriate actions when in a difficult situation.  They also have to learn to take responsibility for their own behaviours and accept the consequences if they make an inappropriate choice.

Problems are discussed with children; they are asked what they did and how they could prevent it happening again.  They could then be given an opportunity to practice their solution.  If a problem is serious or is a repetition of a previous problem, parents are notified either in writing or by phone.

Classroom rules are established at the beginning of each year by the classroom teacher and the students.

General school rules are designed to ensure the safety and well being of all students.  Consequences for breaking rules can be:

1. Natural or logical consequences e.g.

•    Rule: Nor throwing litter in the school yard.
•    Natural consequence:  Spending time cleaning the yard.
•    Rule: Arriving at class on time.
•    Natural consequence:  Missing instruction and still being responsible for it.
•    Logical consequence:  Staying in a recess/lunch to make up for lost time.

2. Conventional consequences:   e.g.

• Phone call home
• Time out in classroom or at the office
• Loss of playtime

 3. Generic consequences:

1. Reminders
2. Warnings
3. Choosing – allow the child to choose the consequences that will best help him/her.
4. Planning – the child writes an action plan for improved behaviour.

4. Instructional consequences:

• the child practices his plan with the help of a teacher.

Rules

1. Everyone has the right to a safe school environment.  Cigarettes, matches, lighters, knives, guns of any kind or any other objects that could be used as a weapon, cannot be brought to school.
2. Respectful language must be used:  Swearing, and name calling that would make someone else feel uncomfortable are unacceptable.
3. Because of the risk of injury, rocks, sticks, snowballs, etc. are not to be thrown in the yard.
4. To ensure the safety of all, there is to be no aggressive or hurtful physical contact e.g. fighting, kicking, pushing, biting and spitting.
5. All students should walk in the halls in order to get to and from classes promptly and safely.
6. Students must stay within the boundaries of the school yard at playtime.
7. Students are to change their shoes before entering the classroom.  This reduces the amount of sand, snow and mud brought into the classroom and reduces the danger of slipping.
8. To maintain a clean environment, all litter must be place within the provided containers.

These school rules have been developed to be coherent with the work of Dr. Allen Mendler, author of Discipline With Dignity.

Mendler states that children will misbehave if their basic needs are not met.  The basic needs are:

1. Food and shelter
2. To feel and believe one is capable and successful
3. To know one is cared for by others
4. To realize one can influence people and events
5. To help others through one’s own generosity
6. To have fun and be stimulated

If a child is misbehaving, we have to look for the source of the problem. The program outlines 7 principles of Effective Discipline, which can be used to help solve the problem.

1. Use long term behaviour changes as opposed to quick fixes
2. Stop doing ineffective things
3. Be fair but do not treat everyone the same
4. Rules must make sense
5. Model what you expect
6. Responsibility is more important than obedience.
7. Always treat students with dignity

Recess Procedures

All children must go outside.  Drinks and trips to washrooms are to be at the beginning of recess.  Children should report to the duty teacher if it is necessary to re-enter the building during recess.

Cafeteria

All children are to remain seated throughout the meal and at the table until dismissed by the cafeteria supervisor.  Children should speak in a normal voice.

Littering

Lunch hour food must be eaten in the cafeteria. Children are encouraged to eat an appropriate snack during snack time and not outside at recess.  Candy, chocolate, canned soft drinks and chewing gum are not allowed.

Walking

Children who walk to and from school, must cross Centre Street at the cross walk, under the supervision of the crossing-guard (should a volunteer crossing guard be available).

School Parking

All staff, parents, and visitors to the school, are asked to park their cars in the parking lot.  The circular driveways at the front of the school are for school buses and emergency vehicles only.