Code of Conduct

At Saginaw Public School we use our Saginaw “STAR” motto to explicitly teach students our expectations to be: Safe, a Team Player, Accepting of Everyone, and a Responsible student. Saginaw students show kindness, respect, empathy, and integrity. We feel strongly about creating a positive school climate and a safe learning and teaching environment. A positive school climate means everyone feels safe, welcome, respected and that they belong. All students, parents/guardians, caregivers, teachers, staff, community members and visitors have the right to be safe in their school community. With this right comes the responsibility for everyone to be accountable for their actions and contribute to a positive school climate. This code applies whether on school property, on school buses, at school-related events or activities, before and/or after school programs or in other circumstances that could have an impact on the school climate. Inappropriate behaviour includes any behaviour that disrupts the positive school climate and/or has a negative impact on the school community. A model of progressive discipline will be used to support students along a continuum of corrective and supportive interventions. To keep parents informed of issues, phone calls and/or “Think Sheets/Reflection Papers” are sent home as a means of communication. This allows parents to become actively involved in the progressive discipline approach as we work together to make (school name) a great place for everyone.

Standards of Behaviour

To meet the goal of creating a safe, caring, and accepting school environment, the Waterloo Region District School Board supports the use of productive positive practices including consequences for inappropriate behaviour, including progressive discipline, which could include suspension and expulsion where necessary.
Therefore, following the policy of the Waterloo Region District School Board Code of Conduct 6001 the following actions or behaviours will not be tolerated at Saginaw PS, whether on school property or in school-sponsored or related activities:
● The use, possession or sale of alcohol or illicit drugs;
● The possession or use of weapons or items which are intended to be used as weapons;
● Any gang/youth group displaying a pattern of delinquent or disruptive activity;
● Any sexual, religious, ethno-cultural and/or racial abuse, slurs, harassment or other behaviour driven by hate
● Any physical assault, threats of assault or using an object to threaten or acts of intimidation;
● Smoking
● Bullying (in person, online, through technology like email, social media or cell phones)
● Intimidation
● Vandalism
● Theft
● Verbal abuse (including swearing and racial/sexual/religious slurs)
● Encouraging others to inflict harm on other people
● Fighting or “play fighting”
● Repeated refusals to cooperate with staff or follow the rules of the school
● Use of personal mobile devices when not directed by an educator for instructional purposes, health/medical purposes, or to support Special Education needs
● Creating or sharing of inappropriate images, links, or messages (including sexual, racial, etc.) that goes against our responsible use procedure of information, communication, and collaboration technologies