Code of Conduct

General Information

Lockers & Locks

Lockers are provided for the purpose of safe-guarding student’s belongings and are assigned to students at the beginning of the year. Students must use their assigned lockers to store their materials, including backpacks. The changing of lockers or sharing of lockers is not permitted. The lockers and locks are the property of the school and are rented out to students at a cost of $5.00. Locks are returned to the school at the end of Grade 6 & 7, but Grade 8 students keep their locks.

Bathrooms

We provide gender-neutral bathrooms/changerooms for those students who wish to use them.  In each classroom there will be 2 lanyards with a bathroom pass. Students need to have permission from their teacher and have the bathroom pass in order to be in the halls. Bathroom breaks, unless an emergency, will not be granted 15 minutes after or before a transition time.  Students are expected to sanitize their hands before and after going to the bathroom. In addition, unless an emergency, students should not leave assemblies to go the bathroom.

Student School Phone Use For Phone Calls

The student school phone may be used during nutrition break, lunch and after school.  Students may use the student school phone during class time for emergencies only and it must be with the permission of their teacher.

Sign In/Out Procedures

Students are to either sign in when arriving late or sign out if they need to leave the school early. It is important to follow this procedure so that the office can track students, particularly in case of emergency.  We are a closed campus.  This means that students are not allowed to leave during the school day unless a parent signs them out (physically or via an email or phone call) at the office.

Closed Campus

LWMS is a closed campus. This means that all students must stay on school grounds from the time they arrive at school in the morning until the time they are dismissed. Students are not to walk over to PVSS at any time and should refrain from visiting with individuals not from Len Wood along the fence line or in the bus area.

Lunch-Time Procedures

Students eat their lunch in their classrooms each day.  Each class will post eating time expectations. They remain in their classes until the lunch bell rings signaling that students are then free to go outside.

Lost and Found

All personal items should be clearly marked. Students who have lost certain possessions should check the lost and found drawer at the office for smaller items, and the lost and found area downstairs for clothing. Any item of value that is lost should be reported promptly to the office.  Any unclaimed clothing at the end of each term is donated to various thrift stores in the community. 

Bicycles Etc.

Bicycles brought to school are the responsibility of the owner. There is a designated area for locking up bicycles located near the front entrance. Bikes, wheelies, skateboards, long boards, scooters and other items with wheels are not to be used on school grounds.  Please walk all wheels on school property. Check with your teacher about storage options. We also have a rack for scooters at the front of the school for students to park their scooters at.

Visitors

As a closed campus policy Len Wood Middle School requires any visitors to report to the office upon entering the school.  Signs are posted at the entrances.  Parents and volunteers who are working in the building are asked to check in at the office.

FIPPA (The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act)

To protect the privacy and safety of students and their families, cameras are discouraged except under supervised use.  Pictures should never be published or posted on the internet without parental permission of the children in the photograph. 

Cell Phones & Electronic Devices 

It is the sole responsibility of the student to care for their cell phone and any other electronic devices if brought to school.  Students are discouraged from bringing valuables including iPods, cell phones, digital cameras, expensive shoes and clothing articles to school.  Electronic items should be kept in the student’s locker during the school day including nutrition break and lunch time. Electronics/earbuds/headphones go into the student’s backpack as soon as the student enters LWMS property before school. At the 2:10 bell, electronics can be removed from the student’s backpack. Cell phones can be checked for parental messages in lockers with teacher permission.

Cell Phone Consequences (They Must Not be Visible During the Day)

• 1st time – the teacher makes a record of the incident in the office.  The student will place the phone in their locker.
• 2nd time – the phone will be confiscated and delivered to the office. A parent will be called and notified of the situation. The student may pick it up at the end of the day.
• 3rd time – the phone is delivered to the office and a parent is called to form a plan moving forward. Student takes the phone home at the end of the day. This plan could be the student turning in their phone to the office (cell phone hotel) for a period of time.
• 4th time – the student will not be allowed to bring their phone to school for a defined period of time.

Parent Connect and Student Connect

Parent Connect (http://parentconnect.sd83.bc.ca ) and Student Connect (http://studentconnect.sd83.bc.ca ) provides online access to student data. Once logged in, parents and students can access…

• Consent Forms
• School Fees
• Personal Information (Addresses, Phone Numbers and Emergency Contacts)

To Navigate in Parent Connect use the tabs at the top to find what you are looking for. For example:

• Basic – (Contact and address information)
• Forms – (Online consent forms)
• Fees – (Your child’s fees)

Notes:

*To access Parent Connect please see the following instructions.

*Toggle between your children using the “Student(s)” field.

*Use the “Password” button to change your temporary password to one you are comfortable with.

Parent Connect Instructions

• Go to http:/parentconnect.sd83.bc.ca or go to Len Wood Middle School website and use the Parent Connect link under the Parent tab.
• On your initial visit click on the “Forgot my Password” link. Then enter your email address and click “Email me my current password”. A randomly generated password will be sent to your email address. Use this password to login. (You may create your own unique password after this if you wish)
• Select your child’s name from “Get Students” and then “Sign In”
• You can now browse through the tabs at the top of the screen; attendance, send message to teachers, fees, report cards etc.
• To complete online forms please click the “Bulletin” tab. Click on the attachment to the right of each web form to view as a PDF version of the document. Once you have read over the information, select your response and click the “SAVE” button. Repeat for each web form.
• Reminder, if you would like for your student to have access to the WiFi at Len Wood Middle, you will need to go into the forms and give Parent WiFi consent and hit “SAVE”. (Your child must also go through Student Connect and give student consent for WiFi access.)

Due to Canada’s anti-spam legislation, you will need to provide consent to receive emails from School District 83. You will need to take care of this if you want to receive reminders about school photos, craft fairs, fund raisers, auctions etc:

• To make your response you can find the form under the tab called “Basic”.
• Click on “Basic Demographics” and then “Edit” for the guardian email address you would like to receive emails at. Select “Yes” in the consent to CASL and then click “SAVE

SD No. 83 Digital Citizenship Policy

(Wi-fi access/computer use)

LWMS believes in providing students with an opportunity to develop and nurture their information literacy skills. In order to do so, we provide students with a network id for accessing both the school network and school WiFi.  To protect the privacy of student and teacher information, maintain the integrity of our network system, and ensure a quality learning environment, we must have and enforce strict guidelines for computer use.

Students are expected to…

• Use and treat the computers in a responsible and respectful manner.
• Protect the privacy of their own information and maintain network security. Students will keep their password protected and not allow peers access to their account.
• Respect the privacy of other people’s information.  Students are not to use any other person’s login or password to access the network. Students also are not to access or attempt to access any restricted information on the network.
• Use the Internet in a responsible, ethical and appropriate manner.
• Not download anything unless it is for use in a school project.
• Not install any programs on the local hard drives.

Using the school Network and Internet in any way that does not comply with the above guidelines may result in any or all of the following consequences:

• Loss of Internet privileges
• Loss of all Network privileges.
• Disciplinary action, including suspension from school.

*Note: This form must be completed by both the student and the parent, through Student Connect and Parent Connect, before the student will be able to access WiFi at Len Wood Middle School.

Student Responsibilities

Public Displays of Affection

Students are reminded that romantic Public Displays of Affection (PDAs) are not appropriate for Len Wood.

Attendance & Punctuality

Regular attendance by students is essential for successful performance in school. Any time you know you are going to miss school please have a parent or guardian email (lwm@sd83.bc.ca) or phone the office at (250) 546-3476 and leave your name, homeroom, reason, and length of time, if known.

Students are responsible for all missed work during absences. Please contact your child’s teacher(s) by email or phone to discuss any missed work. If a student is absent for family holidays or for other non-medical reasons, the school may not be able to make special arrangements for missed work and tests. Although the school cannot approve such absences, the student should talk to all teachers, so they are made aware of the absence. The responsibility for the decision to take the students out of school rests with the parent or guardian.

Punctuality is a courtesy owed to teachers and fellow students. Students are expected to arrive on time to avoid disrupting the learning of others. Students are expected to remain in their classes until the bell at the end of the day. Students arriving late or leaving early must sign in or out at the office. To ensure the safety of our students, students are not allowed to leave during the school day unless a parent signs them out at the office. In some cases, parents may grant permission for their child to sign out over the phone or by providing a signed note.

Dress Code

The North Okanagan-Shuswap School District recognizes that a student’s choice of dress can form an important part of their self-identity.  The guiding principle regarding suitable student dress is that which fosters inclusivity and respect for others and is appropriate for a casual work environment. Students must not wear clothing which undermines the District’s commitment to safe and inclusive learning environments.  This includes:

• Clothing that refers to tobacco, drugs, alcohol, cannabis, or any other age-restricted substance;
• Clothing that advocates illegal activity;
• The wearing of clothing, insignias, symbols or adornments that denigrate or depict hatred of a person or persons, including, but not limited to, clothing that denigrates or depicts hate based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or age;
• Clothing which contains profanity, pornography, or obscene images.

If any person dresses in a manner that contravenes this policy, the process used to apply the guidelines will be confidential, educational, body positive and non-shaming.

Valuables

We encourage students to keep valuables locked in their lockers thereby minimizing the temptation for theft. Do not bring large sums of money to school and never leave money or valuables in the PE change rooms or in a desk. The school cannot assume responsibility for them.

Riding the Bus

Use of school district transportation is a privilege. Common sense and manners will ensure a pleasant and safe ride for all. For safety reasons, the bus driver has authority over the students on the bus they operate.  These drivers are to be given the same respect and courtesy given any staff member. Students who behave inappropriately on school buses may lose the privilege to ride them. Students wanting to catch any bus other than their regular one are required to get permission from transportation in advance. If you have any questions concerning bus routes or times, please phone the Transportation office at 250-546-1922.

Permission Forms and Items Needed For School Outings

In order to encourage responsibility, we are requiring all forms into the office by the due date on the school event form. Forms handed in to the office past the due date may not be accepted. All items needed for the trip need to arrive at school, with the student, on the day of the outing.

North Okanagan Shuswap School District No. 83 Info

Student Code of Conduct

The Board expects students to conduct themselves in the following manner: 

1. Maintain courteous and respectful relationships with fellow students, teachers, support staff, and others involved in the school system;
2. Respect public and personal property;
3. Adhere to all classroom, school and district rules and policies;
4. Comply with the reasonable directives of a teacher or other employee of the Board;
5. Maintain appropriate standards of hygiene, dress and language;
6. Attend school daily and promptly at the appointed hours;
7. Work diligently and respectfully without disrupting the work of others;
8. Demonstrate respect for all people, both in and outside school in compliance with the BC Human Rights Code;
9. Demonstrate respect for diversity including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, age, ability, culture, ancestry, language, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background.

Student Discipline

Discipline is handled in a progressive manner.  The process begins in the classroom with a correction and/or plan involving the student and classroom teacher.  If the problem continues, the classroom teacher will contact home and involve the parent in the problem-solving process. If the plan or plans are not meeting with success, the teacher will consult with the school administration at which point the administrator will become involved.  Consequences such as detentions and in-school and out of school suspensions may be part of the process when students do not follow through with their plans.

Unacceptable Conduct

The Board regards the following as examples of serious misconduct that are unacceptable in and around the district’s schools and workplaces:

1. Bullying (including cyberbullying, inappropriate and irresponsible text messaging and internet communications) Appropriate, responsible behaviour with regard to all technology use is expected;
2. Verbal or physical harassment, disrespect, intimidation, or threats;
3. Physical or emotional violence;
4. Discrimination contrary to the BC Human Rights Code;
5. The possession, use and/or trafficking of illegal or restricted drugs, alcohol, cannabis, and/or other harmful or age restricted substances;
6. The possession and/or use of weapons;
7. The possession and/or use of fireworks or incendiary devices;
8. The possession and/or use of noxious or toxic substances;
9. Retaliating against a person who has reported incidents of unacceptable behaviour described above.

Consequences for Unacceptable Conduct

Where appropriate, consequences for unacceptable conduct should be preventative and restorative in nature and should provide students with opportunities for growth and reflection. Restorative and other measures, including student suspension and exclusion from school may be necessary for those occasions when efforts fail to result in a student complying with expected conduct standards.

Parent Involvement and Right Of Appeal

Parents and students have the right to approach the school administration regarding any concern.  Students and their parents have the right to appeal decisions regarding school-based student conduct, preferably in the following sequence:

1. to the teacher
2. to the school administration
3. to the superintendent or designate
4. to the school board

Problem-Solving Process – Addressing Concerns

When you advocate on behalf of your child, the way you express your concerns may have an impact on how effectively the school understands what occurred.

• Do your best to control your emotions, be reasonable and respectful. The more clearly you can provide information, the easier it will be for the school to support you.
• Consider the views of others. You may not always agree, but listening can help with the understanding of other perspectives, which in turn can help find a solution that works for everyone.
• Document your information. It is easy to get confused or forget. Jot down notes, record the dates of meetings, phone calls, etc. Keep copies of everything you send and receive.
• Commit to resolution. Please remember that we are working with young students who occasionally make emotional or poor decisions.  Our goal is to help find long term solutions that will benefit all of the students involved.
• Stay involved. Confirm action plans and arrange for follow up. Help to define reasonable deadlines for each goal and ensure you and your child are part of the resolution’s evaluation. If one solution is not working, try another. Plans must be workable.