WQSB Safe School Policy

1. OBJECTIVE

The Western Québec School Board believes in the right of each learner and each staff member to work in a safe environment in its schools.

The Board believes it is the responsibility of everyone, parents and students included, to contribute to the development of safe schools.

Through the implementation of effective measures such as preventative practices, early intervention and the administration of fair, consistent disciplinary action, Safe Schools will become a reality in our Board.

The Board believes in teaching self-control, self-respect and self-discipline to help students prepare for a satisfying and productive life.

The Board sees as its role the safe-guarding of the learners and teachers on its premises or at school sponsored events and does not tolerate:

  • Weapons (including replicas)
  • Acts of violence actual or threatened
  • Vandalism or theft
  • Expressions of racial, ethnic, religious or sexual prejudice or harassment.

Promoting Safe Schools

  1. The Western Québec School Board believes in positive, constructive discipline intended to create an orderly, cooperative learning atmosphere in all schools.
  2. Schools are encouraged to use programs that encourage positive attitudes and acceptable behaviour.
  3. Following from Article 76 of the Education Act, disciplinary practices should be fair, consistent, age appropriate and flexible enough to meet the needs of each school.
  4. Communicate, consultation and cooperation between senior administration, school administration, students, parents, and teachers must be on-going.
  5. The Western Québec School Board believes in working actively and collaboratively with parents, staff, students, social and law enforcement agencies, colleges and universities, municipalities, community organizations, teacher organizations and other groups.
  6. The Western Québec School Board will adopt safety procedures for schools that will provide for a safe and secure environment in all its institutions (See Annex A)

2. REFERENCE AND RELATED INFORMATION

  1. The Western Québec School Board has established a separate policy for dealing with drug and alcohol related incidents.
  2. This Safe Schools Policy applies to school related transportation as well as on-site school activities, both on-site and in other locations.
  3. The principal monitors and supports the professional behaviour of all school staff. Sanctions are imposed in the unlikely event that a staff member's conduct is unprofessional.

3. POLICY

The Safe Schools Policy will be reviewed by-annually (or as needed) by the board.

The school based administration will establish and apply written standards of behaviour and appropriate sanctions early in the school year with staff, students and parents.

I. Unacceptable Behaviours

  1. Intimidation - to frighten, force, discourage or inhibit by the use of verbal or non-verbal actions in order to influence conduct;
  2. Harassment - systematic or persistent verbal or physical action such as taunts, insults, annoyances, demands, etc., designed to inflict distress;
  3. Threats - verbal promise or overt action forewarning trouble, worry or harm;
  4. Assault - physical, sexual - an unlawful personal attack (including menacing words or gestures), an attempt to cause injury, unwelcome physical interference with another person;
  5. Vandalism - the deliberate damage or defacement of school grounds, buildings, equipment, books or personal property;
  6. Theft - taking possessions or goods belonging to another person without that person's consent;

  7. Possession of Weapons/Replicas

    1. anything used or intended for use in causing death or injury to persons whether designed for that purpose or not and,
    2. any replica of a weapon used for the purpose of threatening or intimidating any person.
  8. Trespassing - any individual on school premises without authorization;
  9. Extortion - intimidating or threatening behaviour intended to extract money, services or property;
  10. Overt Bigotry - written or verbal comments which insult others because of their gender, racial origin, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.

In the case of the occurrence of any of the preceding defined behaviour, the appropriate procedures listed below will be followed

II. Procedures

  1. inform the student of the behaviour that is in violation of the policy;
  2. communicate with a parent or guardian in a timely and appropriate manner;
  3. inform appropriate authorities and confiscate weapons necessary;

  4. impose an appropriate in-school sanction or school suspension according to the following prescribed minimal consequences:

    Verbal threats, racial, physical and/or sexual harassment or abuse = minimum 1 day suspension
    Possession of weapons = minimum 3 day suspension
    Threats to use weapons = minimum 5 day suspension*
    Using a weapon = Discipline Committee**

    N.B.
    Definition of "weapon" and length of suspension (less than 6 days) at the discretion of the principal

    * 6-10 day suspension requires the approval of the Director General

    ** Minimum action of Discipline Committee = 10 day suspension

    Suspension may be immediate and for an indefinite period of time pending a review of the situation including possible referral to the Discipline Committee. (An information sheet on the functioning of the Discipline Committee is available to parents, teachers and students.)

  5. recommend counselling;
  6. recommend an alternative learning placement where required;
  7. recommend utilisation of Crisis Intervention personnel whenever appropriate.