Safe School Policy :-
CanSTEM Education Private Schooling promotes responsibility, respect, civility and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment. All students, parents, teachers and staff have the right to be safe and to feel safe in our school. With this right comes the responsibility to be law-abiding citizens and to be accountable for actions that put at risk the safety of others and oneself.
The chart on the following page summarizes the Safe School Policy at CanSTEM Education Private School Inc. Repeated offences of any of the in the chart will result in expulsion.
| ONE DAY SUSPENSION | TWO DAY SUSPENSION | THREE DAY IN/OUT SUSPENSION | EXPULSION & LEGAL CHARGES |
PHYSICAL VIOLENCE
| – pushing – shoving – throwing objects – mischief causing potential harm | – kicking – punching | – intent to harm – physical injury | – serious physical injury due to lack of restraint – gang violence – any physical violence directed at a teacher – premeditated physical Fighting |
VERBAL
| – name calling | – racism -implied intimidation – disrespect of authority | – intimidation involving physical threat – extortion – continual disrespect of authority | – threatening teachers |
WEAPONS
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|
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| – any physical threat or use of weapons – possession of lethal weapons such as knives or guns |
VANDALISM THEFT
| – reversible defacing of property | – petty theft | – theft – permanent defacing of property | – extensive, purposeful defacing of property |
DRUGS ALCOHOL
|
|
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| – dealing – possession – under the influence |
Harassment :- Harassment is behaviour that is unwelcome, one-sided and makes the receiver feel uncomfortable or offended. It may be comments about someone’s appearance or lifestyle, or it may be behaviour that causes a person to feel embarrassed or inadequate. Usually harassment is repeated behaviour. At its worst, harassment may be threats, intimidation, or assault.
In adherence with the Ontario Human Rights code it is the policy of the CanSTEM Education Private School, that every teacher, staff member, parent or guardian, volunteer, and student has a right to freedom from harassment in the workplace and school system because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, record of offences, marital status, employment status or disability. Incidents of harassment should be reported to any staff member or directly to the school administration.
Bullying :- Bullying is not accepted at any school in the CanSTEM Education Private School. Bullying, as defined by the Province, is typically a form of repeated, persistent, aggressive behaviour that is directed at an individual(s) that is intended to cause (or should be known to cause) fear, distress and/or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem, or reputation. Bullying occurs in a context, where there is real or perceived power imbalance.
Incidents of bullying should be reported to any staff member or directly to the school administration.
Violent Threat Risk Assessment Protocol :- When students’ behaviours pose a potential threat to safety or serious harm, the Community Violence Threat Risk Assessment Protocol (VTRA) helps principals take further steps to protect students’ well-being. The protocol helps schools respond quickly to threatening incidents such as: possession of a weapon or replica weapon, bomb threat or plan, verbal, written or electronic (Internet, text) threats to kill or injure oneself or others or other threats of violence, fire setting.
The Community VTRA outlines how a school responds immediately to threatening behaviour. Principals may first bring together a School Threat Assessment Team, which includes the principal/vice-principal, the designated regional lead, and police. If the situation is serious, the principal may also consult with the superintendent responsible for the school, and call in the Community Threat Assessment Team. This community team also includes representatives of community agencies who work with us to keep our schools safe, such as local police and children’s mental health organizations.
Parents and guardians will be notified if their child will be discussed through the Community Threat Assessment Protocol. If parents/guardians cannot be reached, or if they choose not to provide consent, but a concern for safety still exists due to threatening behaviour, the threat assessment may still proceed. Personal information shared throughout this process will respect and balance each individual’s right to privacy with the need to ensure the safety of all.
Alcohol and Restricted Drugs :- CanSTEM Education Private School recognizes that the use of alcohol and illicit drugs is detrimental to education and harmful to the health of students. The school prohibits persons who are under the influence or in possession of alcohol or illicit drugs to be present on school property, at school-sponsored functions or while traveling to and from school activities.
CanSTEM Education Private School will cooperate with community agencies in the referral to counselling and rehabilitative programs of Renfrew County students who abuse alcohol and drugs. Students found using or in possession of alcohol or restricted drugs will be suspended up to 20 days or possibly expelled. Parents and the police will be notified.