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Flex Academy Code of Conduct Terms and Definitions

See the Flex Academy Community Values and Code of Conduct for more information

Restorative Justice/Restorative Practise

Restorative practice is the preferred way Flex Academy manages discipline issues and conflict.  

Restorative Practices are based on a set of values that align with the core values of Flex Academy.  These values provide a basis for responding to incidents in a way that meets the needs of individual students, and is centred around the following values and beliefs:

  • Mutual respect
  • Skill development
  • Capacity to change
  • Problems can be resolved when given time, support and a chance to discuss
  • Everyone has the opportunity to problem-solve and share their feelings, needs and views in a supportive environment
  • Respectful relationships – building and maintaining
  • Creation of a safe, inclusive culture of caring

When an administrator becomes aware that a student has been harmed, an investigation occurs, and appropriate consequences are given.  In certain situations, it becomes apparent restorative practice is the best way to meet the needs of students, staff and parents. Restorative Justice seeks to be socially and emotionally intelligent justice. Below is a table of differences between the classic retributive model (not preferred) and the restorative model preferred by Flex Academy.

Retributive Model Restorative Model
Behaviour violates policy or code of conduct Behaviour violates people - relationships and school community
Focus on offence Focus on the obligation of the offender to make amends
Punishment is decided externally Plan for making amends is decided by those who are affected by the incident
Offenders defined by deficits The offender is defined by their capacity to make positive change and amends with the victim(s)
Focus on the offender and incident Focus on victim and reconciliation of all parties
Focus on removal of offender from class/school Focus on reintegration of offender with necessary supports
Discipline

Discipline is intended to promote positive and healthy social and group behaviour development.  This involves rising expectations that coincide with students' age and maturity.

Some examples (in no particular order) of possible consequences that may be considered when students demonstrate problematic or serious behaviour are:

  • Informal meeting between teacher and student or admin and student to address the situation or behavior
  • Having students fill out an Incident and Reflection Form where they consider their choices and their impact
  • Phone call or email to parent to discuss or inform of the situation
  • Formal meeting involving staff, student, and parent/guardian
  • Detention or “Make Up” of missed time
  • Removal of an assumed school privilege (off-campus permission, Flex room priveledges, involvement in extracurricular activities, etc.)
  • Referral to school administration (Assistant Director or Director, then possibly Principal/Head of School)
  • Restitution, either monetarily or through school-based community service
  • Involvement of RCMP liaison officer
  • Definite in-school or out-of-school suspension
  • Indefinite suspension
  • Expulsion
Suspension

Suspension is not allowing a student to attend regular class instructional sessions, which includes completing classwork via alternate means for the duration of the suspension.

Suspensions may be:

  • Directed Suspension – supervised suspension up to 10 days in length served at our school
  • Definite Suspension – up to 10 school days spent at home
  • Indefinite Suspension – in excess of 10 school days

Administrators of schools may suspend a student when:

  • A student is wilfully disobedient to a teacher or any other employee of the school
  • the behaviour of the student has a harmful effect on the character or persons of other students
  • A student fails, after due warning and support, to make reasonable efforts to reconcile or effect change in behaviour
Expulsion

An expulsion is an administrative decision to withdraw a student from the school due to unresolved or ongoing serious behavioural concerns. Expulsions can be on a student or family level, depending on the nature of the concerns.

Administrators of schools may expel a student when:

  • The student or parent/guardian has continually demonstrated an unwillingness to align with the school's values verbally, through their actions or both
  • The student, parent or guardian has committed a one-time serious infraction or breach of the school's community values (code of conduct) and must be removed for the safety, benefit, and stability of other school community members.
  • Has continually and willfully failed to apply himself or herself to his or her studies

An expulsion can be appealed to the school’s Board of Directors.



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