POLICY P.032.SCO

TITLE: SAFE SCHOOLS (MANAGING STUDENT BEHAVIOUR)

Date issued: 13 May 2008

Last revised: 26 April 2022

Authorization: Board: 13 May 2008

1.0 OBJECTIVE

To create a caring and safe learning environment while promoting positive behaviour that

empowers all students to reach their full potential through Bias-aware prevention and

intervention strategies.

2.4 Expulsion means a disciplinary action which results in the withdrawal of a student from

school and school related activities for a period of time until completion of goals

identified in the Student Action Plan. See: Policy P.026.SCO Student Suspension and

Expulsion.

2.5 Mitigating and Other Factors means extenuating circumstances that, when

considered, may mitigate the seriousness of the incident and/or the application of

progressive discipline, including a Suspension and/or whether further investigation

should be undertaken to recommend the Expulsion of a student.

2.6 Progressive Discipline means a whole-school approach to promoting and fostering

positive behviours which utilizes a continuum of prevention programs, interventions,

2.8 School Climate means the learning environment and relationships found within a

school and school community.

2.9 Student Exclusion means the duty of a principal, under Section 265 (1)(m) of the

Education Act, subject to an appeal to the board, to refuse to admit to the school or

classroom a student whose presence in the school or classroom would in the principal’s

judgement be detrimental to the physical or mental well-being of the students.

2.10 OCDSB Community means trustees, committee members, council members, staff

members, students, parents/guardians/caregivers, permit holders, vendors, service

providers, contractors, volunteers, visitors, and all other persons learning, working, or

accessing services in the OCDSB environment.

precondition for student learning, achievement, and well-being. A caring and safe

school culture is the responsibility of all members of the OCDSB Community.

3.2 The Board recognizes that freedom from discrimination, oppression, and racism as well

as Bias-aware application of progressive discipline are essential to the fair and

equitable implementation of this policy.

3.3 Open and ongoing culturally- and trauma-sensitive communication between school,

home, and the student is essential to building relationships of trust which supports

student learning and well-being.

3.4 A safe learning environment begins in the classroom through Restorative approaches

and Progressive Discipline that promotes healthy relationships and community building

Application and Scope

4.1 This policy shall conform to international principles pertaining to the rights of the child, in

particular the best interests of the child and the participation of the child. Where there is

4.2 Student behaviour inconsistent with the expectations stipulated in Policy P.125.SCO

School District Code of Conduct shall be addressed under this policy and associated

procedures.

4.3 Student behaviour addressed in this policy is not limited to conduct on school property

but also includes:

a) conduct at a school-related activity, on school buses, during field trips, or at other

school-related activities off school premises; and

4.5 School staff who work directly with students shall respond to, and report to the principal,

all breaches of the School District Code of Conduct in a timely, supportive, and sensitive

manner prioritizing the students’ safety.

4.6 Responses shall represent the best interest of the student(s) and minimize disruptions

to accessing the academic program.

4.7 Implementing Bias-aware Progressive Discipline requires an understanding of key

human rights principles of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in the Human

Rights Code.

4.8 Progressive Discipline shall include,

a) a wide range of restorative approaches in alignment with Procedure PR.660.SCO

Suspension and Expulsions

c) temporarily withdrawing a student’s transportation privileges in accordance with

Procedure PR.530.SCO Withdrawal of Transportation Privileges.

4.9 Ongoing intervention and support may be necessary to promote and sustain positive

student behaviour.

Police Involvement in Response to Student Behaviour

4.10 The District shall not involve the police in response to student misconduct unless

required by the Provincial Model for a Local Police/School Board Protocol and in

accordance with Procedure PR.533.SCO Police Involvement in Schools.

4.11 The District shall commit to ensuring that the rights of students, families, and staff are

respected, and that the best interests of the student are safeguarded when police are

required to be present in schools and at school-related activities off school premises,

recognizing the historic harms experienced by marginalized communities.

4.12 Barring active emergencies, in all instances where police request to speak to a student

on District property, the District shall ensure the delay of such interactions until the

4.14 Nothing in the Protocol to Accompany Safe Schools Policies in the City of Ottawa is to

be applied so as to contravene the Criminal Code, the Ontario Education Act, the

Ontario Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Ontario

Human Rights Code, or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Communications

4.15 At the beginning of every school year, schools shall review with students the behaviour

4.16 The District shall ensure that students, school bus drivers and operators, school and

and volunteers are made aware of this policy.

4.17 Subject to legislation governing disclosure of personal information, as appropriate and

on an ongoing basis, trustees and school council chairs shall be made aware of major

teachers, and support staff to support the fair and Bias-free implementation of this

policy.

4.21 The District shall collect and analyze data on the number and nature of violent incidents

in schools and incidents involving police in schools, to inform the improvement plans.

4.22 The District shall conduct anonymous School Climate surveys around perceptions on

the fair and effective application of discipline and perceptions of safety and belonging.

Survey results will be reported on publicly.

4.23 The Board shall annually review summary reports on the disproportionality in the

application of this policy in compliance with the Anti-Racism Act and with regard to all

OCDSB-recognized Protected Grounds.

5.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Provincial Model for a Local Police/ School Board Protocol, 2015

Protocol to Accompany Safe Schools Policies in the City of Ottawa, 2020

Ministry of Education Policy/Program Memoranda (PPM) 119

Ministry of Education Policy/Program Memoranda (PPM) 120

Ministry of Education Policy/Program Memoranda (PPM) 128

Ministry of Education Policy/Program Memoranda (PPM) 141

Ministry of Education Policy/Program Memoranda (PPM) 142

Ministry of Education Policy/Program Memoranda (PPM) 144

Ministry of Education Policy/Program Memoranda (PPM) 145

Caring and Safe Schools in Ontario: Supporting Students with Special Education Needs