Esquimalt High School Code of Conduct
“The Esquimalt family of schools K-12, in partnership with our parents and our community, are working together to develop socially responsible citizens.”
Our school is committed to promoting a safe learning community which respects the rights of all members, values diversity, and is free from all forms of discrimination against race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, and age as mandated by the BC Human Rights Code.
All members of our school community are expected to behave in a responsible and respectful manner while at school, including breaks, lunches, study blocks, travel to and from school, and while attending school functions including field trips, sporting events and dances.
These expectations include but are not limited to:
- Respecting the educational rights of all members of the school community.
- Ensuring that the learning process is not interfered with.
- Respecting the personal property of all those in our school community, respecting our school building and its contents, as well as all property in our surrounding neighbourhood.
- Respecting the right of every member of the school community to feel safe.
- Reporting any instance of bullying to a staff member or administrator.
- Respecting that the school and all school related events are weapons, drugs, alcohol, and tobacco free zones.
- Following District Policy 5132 Student Dress Code which states clothing must conform with established health and safety requirements for the intended activity and does not promote drugs, alcohol, display offensive language or images or encourage discrimination
- Using appropriate language.
- Engaging in appropriate use of school computers in compliance with Regulation 1300.3 Student Acceptable Use of Technology.
**NEW Cell Phones & Personal Digital Devices
A ‘personal digital device’ is a student owned device that can be used to communicate or access the internet, such as a cell phone, tablet, smart watch, gaming device, and/or electronic toy. For the purpose of this document, earbuds and headphones connected to personal digital devices will also be restricted.
Equity must be considered when using and directing the use of personal digital devices in a manner that is culturally responsive and inclusive.
The use of personal digital devices is restricted during instructional hours to facilitate focused learning and promote online safety. It is expected that personal digital devices are always stored out of sight and on silent or airplane mode to limit in-class distractions and interruptions. Students are expected to follow protocols set by their school and/or teacher.
The use of personal digital devices during instructional hours is at the teacher’s discretion and direction for the purposes of promoting digital literacy. Use during class time is under the supervision of a teacher who may incorporate critical dialogue regarding responsible and appropriate use of devices.
Accommodations such as access to a computer or Chromebook can be made for students without personal digital devices who may need access to the internet to complete schoolwork.
The use of personal digital devices outside of instructional hours is permitted provided the use does not result in a privacy breach, bullying/harassment, or illegal activity. No photos, video or audio recordings will be taken of students or staff without the individual’s consent.
The use of personal digital devices may support students with disabilities, diverse abilities, or medical needs as outlined in the student’s support plan and Individual Education Plan other agreed upon plans.
Electronic devices must not be used for the purposes of filming or sharing video that demonstrates unsafe or hurtful words or actions.
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As a member of our school community, we encourage our students to “step in and speak out” if they are witnessing unsafe or harmful acts. This may involve seeking the help of a trusted adult such as a teacher, coach, counsellor, EA, custodian, Administrator and/or parent.
Consequences for students who conduct themselves contrary to the Code of Conduct will be appropriate to the context, severity and frequency of the behavior, as well as the maturity level of the student. Wherever possible and appropriate, consequences for breaches of a code are restorative in nature rather than punitive. Special considerations may apply to students who are unable to comply with expectations due to having an exceptionality on an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional or behavioural nature. It is important that parents/guardians be informed when serious contraventions of the Code of Conduct occur. When appropriate, district personnel may also be informed, with the specific goal of resolving the situation in the best interests of both the individual student and the greater school community.
- In order to maintain a safe environment, we take very seriously any acts of retaliation against a student who reports a breach of our code of conduct.
- Any conduct contrary to the beliefs outlined in our opening statement of purpose is deemed to be unacceptable and contrary to our Code of Conduct.
updated June 2024