Corpus Christi School is committed to creating and maintaining safe, caring, accessible and orderly school environments, anchored in Catholic social teaching and the inherent dignity of the human person.
We believe that every student is made in the image and likeness of God and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Catholic conceptions of dignity and equality recognize that human beings are profoundly different from each other and for this reason are provided with support and accommodation, according to their unique needs, while also being held accountable based on their individual capacity. Solidarity fosters a school environment where staff, parents and students view each other as a family, promoting inclusion through mutual support and a collective stand against bullying, discrimination and other disrespectful or inappropriate conduct.
Centered on the principles of solidarity, dignity of the human person, and equality Corpus Christi School is a place where the actualization of these values is the shared responsibility of all students, staff, and parents/guardians. Clear expectations for conduct, rooted in Catholic teachings, helps support and cultivate formation of character, as well as moral and ethical decision-making, which is a fundamental component of Catholic education.
Conduct Expectations:
- Support and model behaviours promoting Catholic values of dignity of the human person solidarity and equality.
- Attend school punctually, apply oneself to learning, and follow staff instructions.
- Demonstrate safety.
- Respect for the dress code.
- Be honest in your conduct and schoolwork.
- Inform a trusted adult of dishonesty in conduct and schoolwork to help maintain trust, fairness, and a safe environment forall.
- Respect property, environment, personal space, and privacy.
- Support the learning and attendance of others.
- Model courtesy, empathy, cooperation, compassion, and respect.
- Respect diversity and be open to intercultural understanding.
- Represent the school in a positive manner.
- Inform a trusted adult in a timely manner of incidents of discrimination, bullying/cyberbullying,harassment, or intimidation.
- Refrain from engaging in any unacceptable or disrespectful in-person or digital
- communication on or off school property.
- Leave personal digital devices at home, in their bag/backpack, and/or in their locker during instructional time
These expectations apply while attending school, engaging in school-related activities, both on and off school property, as well as when interacting with other members of our school communities, whether in person or online.
At Corpus Christi School the starting point for discipline is a proactive approach. We expect all parties in the school to work together to create a positive and respectful school climate. Through collaboration with staff, students and parents Corpus Christi has developed a school wide belief system/social contract (i.e., To Be Like Jesus Be…) based on the Restitution Approach. Restitution is a process by which children learn self-discipline, self-evaluation, and self-restoration. This process helps children fix and learn from their mistakes.
- Be Respectful (to Yourself, Others and the Environment)
- Be Responsible
- Be Safe
- Be Your Best
Discipline at Corpus Christi is intended to develop, within the students, courtesy and respect for themselves, their fellow students, their teachers, playground supervisors and other adults. We strive to instill in our students a respect for their own and others’ bodies, property, and feelings.
Corpus Christi School follows and incremental response plan, to address student behaviour progressively, from minor and infrequent violations to more significant and recurring infractions. Staff will ensure that responses are proportional, restorative, and aimed at reinforming positive behaviour while upholding the values of dignity, a culture of solidarity and equality. Factors such as the severity and frequency of the concerning behaviour(s) as well as the age, maturity, and ability of the person(s) involved will be considered.
Minor disciplinary matters are dealt with by the staff member involved. More serious situations or repeated minor infractions mean parents will become involved. The student may be referred to the principal for further input. Very serious matters may include but are not limited to the following “Bottom Line” behaviours such as: racism, bullying, physical violence, illegal behaviour, including the possession, use, or distribution of illegal or restricted substances, or the possession of weapons or replicas.
Unacceptable Behaviour
- Interfering with the learning and working of others.
- Misuse of computer technology, including personal digital devices and/or multimedia digital devices.
- Abusive/suggestive language.
- Language that degrades someone’s dignity because of race, religion, ethnicity, culture, sexual self-identity, disability, and/or socio-economic background.
- Racism, or other bullying, harassing, intimidating, retaliating, or discriminating behaviour.
- Physically violent behaviour.
- Retribution against a person who has reported incidents.
- Unsafe or illegal behaviour, including the possession, use, or distribution of illegal or restricted substances, or the possession of weapons or replicas.
Every effort will be made to support individuals and to determine the root causes of behaviour. Whenever possible, incidents will be resolved by discussion, community service, restorative processes, referral to counselling and/or support services, mediation, and restitution, but may involve loss of privileges, detention, suspension from school, a change in supervision and/or collaboration with community partners and professional specialists, or in the most serious of cases, expulsion.
Where possible, confidentiality will be maintained; however, school officials may have a responsibility to advise other parties of serious breaches of the Code of Conduct (e.g. superintendent office, law enforcement, other parents/students, and/or other agencies, etc.). The school will take reasonable steps to prevent any form of retaliation against a student who has brought a complaint forward of a breach of the Code of Conduct.
With regards to suspension and expulsion, and appeals, the guidelines of the CISVA Policy 426 will be followed. These guidelines detail procedures to be followed and the appeals process. See page 32-33 of the handbook).