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Student Discipline

This page provides information on student behaviour expectations, and a standard course of action for students that struggle to meet the expectations. Also included on this page is HCOS' policy on our Code of Conduct and Procedural Fairness. 

Student Behaviour Expectations and Course of Action

Behaviour Expectations

While we don’t anticipate any concerns, it is important to be share our expectations and to clarify course of action should an infraction occur. Parents should please go over this list with their children before the first class.  The expectations are, naturally, quite obvious and simple, but still worth discussing.

Listening and Focusing:  

    1. When a teacher or other student is talking, all others should be listening.
    2. When you want to say something, raise your hand.
    3. Do your best to refocus quickly.  If you are chatting with a partner or group, if something is funny, if there is a larger discussion – enjoy and participate, but then refocus promptly.
    4. Enjoy your break time, but come back and refocus when called.

Distractions:

    1. Games or toys are reserved for break times and not during class.
    2. Please leave all electronics off during class (unless needed for your class).
    3. Save eating and drinking for snack time.

For students who ‘struggle’ to meet the expectations, this will be the standard course of action:

  1. For a once- off situation or infrequent situation, instructors will talk to the student.
  2. For a common re-occurrence, the student will be sent out of the room to talk with the coordinator.  If this happens the instructor or I will inform the parents and talk with them about it.
  3. If the situation continues then the Coordinator will make a time when those involved will all sit down and discuss the issue in order to make a plan for the way forward.  It may be that the parent is required to join their child in the class until the problem is changed or resolved.
  4. For a major occurrence, it will be as for #2.

Code of conduct

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Purpose & Rationale

The HCOS Code of Conduct outlines our expectations of members of the HCOS Community. It is built around the characteristics outlined in the HCOS Learner, Teacher and Staff profiles and our school’s Core Values.

Definitions

“HCOS Community” or “the Community” refers to staff, teachers, contractors, students and parents enrolled at or working for HCOS

“Abusive behaviour” refers to acts directed towards members of the Community that are deemed threatening, demeaning, disrespectful or contradictory to the core values and characteristics outlined on this page.

Our Commitment to You

All HCOS staff and contractors commit to treating members of the HCOS Community with respect and in alignment with our core values of Relationship, Integrity, Flexibility and Academic Success and the characteristics outlined in our Teacher and Staff profiles. As a school, we are committed to ensuring HCOS is a safe, supportive, and inclusive school.

Members of our staff and contractors who act in a manner that contradicts this commitment may be subject to discipline as outlined in the Student Discipline policy.

Our Expectations of Students

We expect students to treat members of the HCOS Community with respect and in alignment with our core values and the characteristics outlined in the Learner profile. In addition, students must adhere to the policies and guidelines provided through SOPHIE and by teachers. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action based on the severity and frequency of the behaviour as outlined in the  Student Discipline policy. 

Our Expectations of Parents

We expect parents to treat members of the HCOS Community with respect and in alignment with our core values. HCOS has a zero-tolerance policy with regard to abusive behaviour towards members of the Community and reserves the right to withdraw students from the school if a parent is found to be treating members of the Community with disrespect or counter to our core values.

Our Expectations of All Members

Communication

We expect and promote open, honest communication so that all members of the HCOS Community feel safe and valued at HCOS-sponsored events.

All members of the Community are asked to share with an HCOS teacher or staff member about any behaviour that does not align with the expectation laid out in this code of conduct.

Face-to-Face

Whether online or in-person, students are expected to wear modest clothing and refrain from public displays of affection that are unsuitable for a group learning environment.

The possession or use of any form of weapon is prohibited at any HCOS-sponsored event.

Technology

Due to their potentially disruptive nature, personal media devices, such as phones or tablets, are not to be used during HCOS-sponsored events unless approved by the event supervisors for the purpose of the activity or other approved reasons (e.g., medical).

Our Process to Resolve Incidents

Where violations of the code of conduct occur, HCOS leadership will work through the Student Discipline policy with those involved in the incident with the goal of restoring relationships and keeping the safety and security of all members of the Community at the forefront.

Procedural Fairness Policy

These guidelines explain in general terms the principles which are the basis of “procedural fairness” and provide guidance as to how Heritage Christian Online School (HCOS) can effectively address the requirements of “procedural fairness” when developing policies governing their day to day operations. HCOS should ensure it incorporates these principles and requirements when developing rules and procedures affecting students or staff.

Requirements of Procedural Fairness
  1. If a decision-maker (e.g., a principal or authority) is intending to consider a matter which may affect a person’s rights, that person should be informed of the matter;
  2. The person should be given a reasonable opportunity to make oral or written submissions to the decision-maker on the matter being considered;
  3. The person is entitled to know and answer the case against them, that is to say, be informed of and be given the opportunity to respond to all information submitted which might influence a decision, prior to the decision being made;
  4. The person should be told the reasons for the decision;
  5. The decision-maker should act in a manner which is unbiased, fair and open-minded.
Procedural Fairness and Students

Basic elements of procedural fairness when dealing with student discipline include:

  1. Students need to be treated with respect and dignity and to know what is expected of them. HCOS should enact codes of conduct and rules that are clear and well communicated
  2. In accordance with school policy, a student who is accused of breaching a rule should be notified of that of which he/she is accused, with the essential facts of what he/she is alleged to have done.  
  3. [NOTE: In more serious cases, notification should also be given to a student’s parents.]
  4. An accused student should be given an opportunity to tell his/her side of the story. The right to be heard is a fundamental element of procedural fairness. Where the stakes are minor, this can be satisfied by a director or teacher asking the student to explain her/his actions. More serious matters require more formal investigation and documentation.
  5. The student and parent should be informed of any appeal or review procedure in accordance with school policy. Some form of appeal, e.g., to the principal, superintendent, principal’s or board’s discipline or appeal committee, or authority/school board, should be provided for in school policy, depending on the severity of the discipline.
  6. There should be an assurance of no retribution for pursuing an appeal or review

 

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