Code of Conduct
University of Toronto Schools (“UTS”) is an environment where
staff and students can enjoy learning and growing in an
atmosphere where people care, have a sense of pride and strive
for excellence. UTS is a place that 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 feel safe, in the school
community. 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 or oneself.
The Code of Conduct sets out clear standards of behaviour.
All members of the school community are expected to be courteous
and considerate, to use appropriate language and behaviour, and
to show respect for the rights and property of others.
The standards of behaviour apply not only to UTS students,
but also to all individuals involved in the school community –
parents or guardians, volunteers, teachers and other staff
members – whether they are on school property or at school
authorized events or activities.
Guiding Princples
- All members of the UTS community – students, parents or
guardians, volunteers, teachers and other staff members –
are included in this Code of Conduct whether they are on
school property, on school buses or at school authorized
events or activities.
- All members of the UTS community are to be treated with
respect and dignity, especially persons in positions of
authority.
- Responsible citizenship involves appropriate
participation in the civic life of the school community.
Active and engaged citizens are aware of their rights, but
more importantly, they accept responsibility for protecting
their rights and the rights of others.
- Members of the UTS community are
expected to use non violent means to resolve
conflict. Physically aggressive behaviour is
not a responsible way to interact with
others nor is it acceptable in this
community.
- The possession, use or threatened use of any object to
injure another person endangers the safety of oneself and
others.
- Alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs are addictive and
present a health hazard. The School will work cooperatively
with police, drug and alcohol agencies to promote prevention
strategies and, where necessary, respond to school members
who are in possession of, or under the influence of,
alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs.
- Insults, disrespect, and other hurtful acts disrupt
learning and teaching in a school community. Members of the
school community have a responsibility to maintain an
environment where conflict and difference can be addressed
in a manner characterized by respect and civility. Verbally
aggressive behaviour is not a responsible way to interact
with others nor is it acceptable in this community.
Roles and Responsibilities
UTS recognizes that all members of the school community,
including the Principal, teachers, staff, students and parents
have an obligation to comply with the standards of behaviour
outlined in this Code of Conduct.
Each member of the school community has the following roles
and responsibilities:
The Principal, under the direction of the
school’s Board of Directors, takes a leadership role in the
daily operation of the school. He or she provides this
leadership by:
- demonstrating care and commitment to academic excellence
and a safe teaching and learning environment;
- holding everyone, under his or her authority,
accountable for their behaviour and actions; and/or
- communicating regularly and meaningfully with all
members of the School community.
Teachers and school staff, under the
leadership of the Principal, maintain order in the school and
are expected to hold everyone to the highest standard of
respectful and responsible behaviour. As role models, staff
upholds these high standards when they:
- help students work to their full potential and develop their self worth;
-
communicate regularly and meaningfully with parents;
- maintain consistent standards of behaviour for all students;
- demonstrate respect for all students, staff and parents; and/or
- prepare students for the full responsibilities of citizenship.
Students are to be treated with respect and dignity. In return, they must demonstrate respect for themselves, for others and for the responsibilities of citizenship through acceptable behaviour. Respect and responsibility are demonstrated when a student:
- comes to school regularly, prepared, on time and ready to learn;
- shows respect for themselves, for others and for those in authority;
- refrains from bringing anything to school that may compromise the safety of others; and/or
- follows the established rules and takes responsibility for his or her own action.
Parents play an important role in the education of their children and have a responsibility to support the efforts of school staff in maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. Parents fulfill this responsibility when they:
- show an active interest in their child’s school work and progress;
- communicate regularly with the school;
- help their child be neat and appropriately dressed for school;
- help their child be prepared for school including having homework completed;
- ensure that their child attends school regularly and on time;
- promptly report to the school their child’s absence or late arrival;
- become familiar with the Code of Conduct and school rules;
- encourage and assist their child in following the rules of behaviour; and/or
- assist school staff in dealing with disciplinary issues;
- assist the school staff in promoting a respectful environment.
Standards of Behaviour
By enrolling in the school, every student automatically assumes the obligation to comply with the provisions of the Code of Conduct. Central to the Code of Conduct is the understanding that each student will follow certain standards of behaviour.
Self-discipline and a willingness of students to accept responsibility for their actions and conduct are fundamental to the Code of Conduct.
All school members must:
- demonstrate honesty and integrity;
- respect differences in people, their ideas and opinions;
- treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, and especially when there is disagreement;
- respect and treat others fairly, regardless of their race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability;
- respect the rights of others;
- show proper care and regard for school property and the property of others;
- take appropriate measures to help those in need;
- respect persons who are in a position of authority; and
- respect the need of others to work in an environment of learning and teaching.
Examples of inappropriate behaviour:
- swearing at a student, teacher or other person in authority;
- acts of vandalism causing damage to school property or property located on school premises;
- smoking on school property;
- possessing, or being under the influence, of alcohol or illegal drugs;
- trafficking in weapons or illegal drugs;
- giving alcohol to a minor;
- racial or sexual harassment;
- bullying (see below), intimidating or threatening another person
- fighting;
- possessing a weapon, including a firearm;
- using a weapon to cause or threaten bodily harm to another person;
- committing physical assault or sexual assault on another person;
- committing theft, robbery or extortion;
- possession of explosive substances;
- distribution of hate material;
- hate motivated violence;
- inappropriate use of electronic communications/media; and
- conduct injurious to the moral tone of the school or to the physical or mental well-being of others.
SAY NO! TO BULLYING
Verbal bullying involves teasing, name-calling, put-downs,
insults, sarcasm, undermining, racist/sexist comments,
exclusion/freezing out and gossip. Bullying may also take the
form of physical abuse (punching, hitting, shoving, kicking, and
tripping), intimidations, threats, extortion, or
stealing/damaging property. Bullying, harassment and similar
anti-social activities will not be tolerated. Offending students
will be directed to the Assistant Principal and parents will be
notified.
Keep in mind that your body language and the tone of voice
used can make a big difference. You can be seen as passive
(withdrawing), aggressive (fighting back) or assertive (standing
up for yourself).
What bullying incident happened to you (or to someone else
and you saw it happening)?
What did you do?
What might you do if this happened again?
Stand up for yourself! Do something! This is your school!
“Saying No To Bullying”—TDSB
