The Woodhaven Middle School Student Code of Conduct has been developed in accordance with Parkland School Division Administrative Procedure 350: Codes of Conduct. At Woodhaven Middle School, we believe that staff, students and parents must work together to create the safe, caring, inclusive and fun learning environment that we strive for each day.
Our Student Code of Conduct exists to ensure that each student and staff member has access to a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging.
The Code of Conduct ensures that our school promotes a culture of wellness that:
- Establishes and maintains a welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning environment for all students, staff, families and the greater community;
- Establishes and maintains an appropriate balance between individual and collective rights, freedoms, and responsibilities in the school community;
- Establishes and publishes expectations for student behavior while at school, at a school-related activity, or while engaging in an activity that may have an impact on others in the school;
- Ensures that healthy environments exist in all schools that are free from fear, discrimination and harassment while promoting inclusive strategies to ensure that every student is treated with respect and dignity.
Parkland School Division is a place where exploration, creativity and imagination make learning exciting and where all learners aspire to reach their dreams.
In keeping with a commitment to the Alberta Human Rights Act, in Parkland School Division everyone is accepted and experiences a sense of belonging. Every student, no matter their ability, disability, language, cultural background, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity, has meaningful contributions to make. The Division supports the endeavors of staff, students, parents and the community to promote positive student behavior and conduct throughout our community of schools.
All stakeholders in the success and well-being of students, and especially the students themselves, are expected to recognize their responsibilities in developing student self-discipline a culture of wellness.
Expectations for Students
The Expectations for Students in the Woodhaven Middle School learning community can be summarized with the brief, but meaningful expectation of “Do Right”. At Woodhaven Middle School we expect students to Do Right in their interactions with peers, staff, community members and guests within our school. We recognize that middle school students develop citizenship skills at different rates and at times will make poor decisions with respect to their behavior. We are committed to supporting the development of these citizenship skills in conjunction with parents.
Students are expected to demonstrate respect towards themselves, others, and property by:
- Attending class promptly
- Being prepared for learning
- Dressing in an appropriate manner
- Wearing clean footwear
- Using appropriate and respectful language at all times
- Following directions carefully
- Behaving in a safe manner
- Showing consideration for personal and school property
- Helping to preserve the natural environment
- Actively contributing to a safe, caring, inclusive and welcoming learning community
At Woodhaven Middle School, all students are expected to refrain from, report and refuse to tolerate bullying or bullying behavior, even if it happens outside of the school, after school hours or electronically.
Dress Code
The purpose of the Woodhaven Middle School dress code is to support students wearing clothing that is appropriate for their primary role as a learner.
- No underwear/undergarments showing
- No offensive shirts (swearing, alcohol, drugs, violence, sexual innuendos, gangs, etc.)
- No bottoms/bums showing (including when moving throughout the school)
- School is a place of work and clothing choices should consider this.
Application of the Dress Code:
The dress code outlined above is intended to provide general guidelines and does not consider every possible situation or clothing item that may be presented. As such, staff will consider the purpose as outlined within this dress code, in addition to applying their judgment as the adults managing our learning environment when interpreting this dress code.
Should a student be in violation of the dress code, a staff member will respectfully ask the student to:
- Adjust the garment if applicable (e.g. ask a student to pull up their pants).
- Put on an additional piece of clothing (e.g. put on a sweater over an inappropriate top; use a belt to hold up pants).
- Access additional clothing (e.g. use their PE clothes, borrow from a friend etc.).
If a student has no other clothing available, they will be offered clothing from our PE department.
If none of the above solutions are accepted by the student, they will work in the office until a parent or designate can bring an alternate piece of clothing.
Lunch Routine
Students are provided an assigned, supervised place for eating lunch and for their recreation time.
All Grade 5-8 students are expected to remain on school grounds (Grade 9 students are also encouraged to remain on school campus, but are permitted off campus) unless arrangements to walk home for lunch have been communicated from home to school staff. Parents who would like their child to go home for lunch are asked to complete the Closed Campus Lunch permission form and return it to the office. Your child will be issued a yellow card which gives them permission to leave school grounds for lunch for the current school year. Students in Grades 5-8 are not allowed to go off campus without this written consent. All students are expected to return on time and to be prepared for classes prior to the afternoon bell.
Students in Grades 5-8 who have provided the school with written parental permission to leave campus during the lunch recess, as well as any Grade 9 students who choose to leave campus at this time, must leave campus at the start of lunch recess and return at the end of lunch (12:05-1:05pm).
Technology and Internet Use
All Parkland School Division schools have instituted a Responsible Use of Technology Agreement. A copy of the agreement must be signed by each student in order to access computer technology in the school. In the event that there is a breach in the agreement (i.e. downloading software/files, viewing/searching for inappropriate material, or any other misuse/vandalism of the technologies) students may lose access privileges to computers/internet at the discretion of the school administration.
Our school welcomes the use of student-owned Chromebooks or laptops to enhance learning and home/school communication. If the use of a Chromebook in class is distracting from student learning, the student will lose this privilege. We continue to work with our students to help them learn how to use technology in meaningful, responsible ways.
Cell phone use is not permitted during class or non-instructional time unless permitted by a staff member. Students will be expected to keep their phones in their lockers. They will be provided time to check messages at the start of each break and then will be expected to return their phone to their locker if they are remaining at school for the break. If the guidelines for use are not followed, the student will have their phone confiscated to be picked up at the end of the school day. If problems persist, the student could lose the privilege of having their phone at school. It is important that our students understand appropriate use for personal devices and we will do our best to help them learn. While we recognize cell phones have become modern place in society, the use of technology at school is for learning purposes. Students can always be reached by calling the office at 780-962-2626.
Lockers
Locks and lockers are the property of the school. Students will be assigned a school locker and a lock upon signing the Parkland School Division Locker License Agreement. Students are reminded to keep their combinations private and their lockers locked.
Bicycles, Skateboards & Rollerblades
Bicycles should always be locked in the racks provided outside the school. By provincial law, bike helmets are mandatory. Scooters, skateboards and rollerblades may not be used inside the school. Additionally, to ensure the safety of all of our students, all students are expected to walk their bikes, scooters, skateboards, etc. on and off campus. Students are encouraged to wear helmets when scooters, skateboards and rollerblades.
Student Discipline
Discipline practices at Woodhaven Middle School will align with Parkland School Division Administrative Procedure 360: Student Discipline, as well as with our belief that, with the support of parents, students and staff, students can make appropriate choices for their behaviour. Students are expected to make choices that maintain and foster a safe, caring, supportive and inclusive learning environment for all members of our learning community.
When students do not adhere to the Woodhaven Middle School Code of Conduct, the following disciplinary principles will be considered:
- Learning
- Student safety
- Communication with parents/guardians
- Corrective discipline
- Thoughtful consideration of each situation and individual
Grounds for Disciplinary Action
Discipline promotes safe and orderly learning environments within Woodhaven Middle School. While it is not possible to reasonably foresee all grounds for disciplinary action, in addition to failing to adhere to the Woodhaven Middle School Code of Conduct, clear examples of unacceptable behaviour that could lead to disciplinary action include:
- Discrimination in any form as defined in the Alberta Human Rights Act;
- Any action deemed non-compliant or in contravention with:
- Alberta School Act Section 12
- Parkland School Division Board Policy 18
- Parkland School Division Administrative Procedure 350
- School codes of conduct
- Conduct which threatens the safety of students and/or staff;
- Conduct that is injurious to the physical or mental well-being of others in the school;
- Conduct which inhibits the process of learning for others;
- Mean behaviour;
- Bullying and cyberbullying;
- Subjecting incoming students to forms of punishment or indignities (hazing/froshing);
- Harassment or sexual harassment (as defined by Division Administrative Procedure 736);
- Damage to property;
- Abuse of the Division computer network, the internet, email or any electronic privileges;
- Tampering with fire, fire alarm or safety equipment;
- Possession of a weapon or weapon replica on a student's person, or in a student's locker or desk, that is dangerous to students and staff;
- Displaying or brandishing a weapon or weapon-replica in a threatening or intimidating manner;
- Assaulting another person;
- Possession, being under the influence of, use of, or trafficking of any of the following substances in school and on school/Division property or at school/Division related events or activities:
- Tobacco products (including vapour or e-cigarettes);
- Illegal drugs;
- Alcohol;
- Inhalants;
- Possession of drug paraphernalia, including any item used in connection with ingesting, selling and/or distributing prohibited substances.
- Conduct that displays an attitude of willful, blatant or repeated refusal to comply with school rules.
Disciplinary Actions
At Woodhaven Middle School discipline refers to specific corrective learning—and not punishment—that is intended to build the foundational behaviours and habits of mind that will contribute to our student’s well-being and success, as well as contribute to the creation and maintenance of a safe, caring, inclusive and respectful learning environment for all.
Learning shall be the foundation and primary consideration of any disciplinary action. Disciplinary actions may include, but are not limited to:
- Problem-solving, monitoring, or reviewing behaviour expectations with student and reprimand;
- Parental involvement that may include a Disciplinary Hearing as outlined in Administrative Procedure 360: Student Discipline;
- Assignment of designated tasks;
- Temporary removal of privileges;
- Detention of student
- Implementation of an in-school short-term opportunity placement
- Behavioural contract with student;
- Suspension from riding the school bus;
- Suspension from school;
- Involvement of police; and/or
- Expulsion from school (by the Board upon recommendation of the Principal).
At Woodhaven Middle School staff recognize that effective disciplinary practices can help lead to positive development. Some disciplinary measures that do not contribute to the development of appropriate student citizenship and will not be used with our students are:
- Bullying, harassment, teasing, or humiliation;
- Corporal punishment or physical attacks or threats upon the student;
- Mass detention or mass punishment aimed at specific individuals or groups; and/or
- Verbal attacks in the form of yelling, sarcasm, profanity, racial, or derogatory remarks based on gender or personal references.