«Fais-le bien, ou recommence.»

Collettville Elementary School Code of Conduct

Introduction

The Collettville Elementary Code of Conduct ("Code of Conduct"), updated in September 2025, provides students and families with expectations around behaviour that promote learning and maintain a safe, caring, and orderly school environment. These expectations apply to all students while they are under the care of the school, including the times they are traveling to/from the school, participating in school activities on/off campus, and using the Internet.

The safe, caring, and inclusive environment that we promote is shaped by our school values, vision, and mission.

Values

Respect – for self, others, and perspectives, shown through empathy and care
Pride – in self, in culture, in bilingualism, and in our individual learning journeys
Community – through responsibility, connection, and care for one another

Vision

Nous imaginons une communauté bienveillante où les enfants grandissent comme penseurs curieux, où chacun est vu, entendu et respecté, et où le bien-être physique et mental est soutenu chaque jour. Notre vision est une école qui valorise l’enfant dans sa globalité — tête, cœur et santé — pour qu’il puisse grandir avec confiance et joie.

We envision a caring community where children grow as curious and capable thinkers, where each child feels seen and valued, and where physical and mental well-being is supported every day. Our vision is a school that lifts the whole child — mind, identity, and wellness — so each learner grows with confidence and joy.

Mission

Nous accompagnons chaque élève dans son développement en tant que penseur curieux, membre de la communauté connecté et confiant, et individu sain et résilient. Par un enseignement intentionnel et des relations solides, nous nourrissons la pensée et l’apprentissage, l’appartenance et l’identité, ainsi que le bien-être physique et mental qui permettent à tous les enfants de s’épanouir.

We support every learner in growing as a curious thinker, a connected and confident community member, and a healthy, resilient individual. Through intentional teaching and strong relationships, we nurture thinking and learning, belonging and identity, and the physical and mental well-being that allow all children to thrive.

BC Human Rights Code

Collettville Elementary School promotes and upholds the values expressed in the BC Human Rights Code respecting the rights of all individuals, in accordance with the laws prohibiting discrimination (based on Indigenous identity, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age) in respect to discriminatory publication and discrimination in accommodation, service, and facility in the school environment.

Supporting Respectful Behaviour

We support all students in learning positive, respectful behaviour and commit to addressing behaviours in a consistent, fair, and equitable manner. We use school-wide programs such as The Zones of Regulation and Open Parachute, as well as school-wide structures like Learning @ Lunch and Student Voice Circles, to help students build the skills they need to support positive decision-making.

These programs and structures give students opportunities to practice self-regulation, develop relationship skills, engage in problem-solving, and contribute to their school community. They also provide common language and shared routines that help create a safe, predictable, and caring environment for all learners.

We use developmentally appropriate and restorative practices whenever possible, working together with the student and their family to understand what happened, repair harm, and restore connection. Expectations for students grow as their capacity to regulate emotions and behaviour develops. Our goal is to lift the whole child by supporting respectful behaviour in ways that build confidence, responsibility, and community.

In our safe, caring, and orderly school environment, we do not tolerate:

Racism - actions, words, or decisions that harm or exclude someone because of their race, skin colour, or cultural background
Discrimination - unfair treatment of a person or group based on personal characteristics such as race, gender, disability, or identity
Bullying - intentional, repeated behaviour that hurts, humiliates, or excludes someone, especially when a power imbalance exists
Harassment - repeated or ongoing behaviour - verbal, physical, or digital - that targets someone in a way that is unwanted and harmful
Violence - physical force used to hurt someone's body, damage property, or cause harm
Abuse - behaviour - physical, emotional, or verbal - that deliberately harms, controls, or mistreats someone
Threats - statements or actions that claim someone will be harmed, hurt, or punished if they don't comply
Intimidation - behaviour meant to make someone feel scared, pressured, or powerless
Retaliation against those who reports incidents
Possession of prohibited items (e.g., drugs, alcohol, weapons)

As a member of Collettville Elementary School, I will:

Be friendly, caring, and respectful ~ I help make our school a welcoming place for everyone
Take responsibility for the things I say and do ~ When I make a mistake, I will repair it
Celebrate my successes, and encourage others to do their best ~ I value everyone's strengths and support others with kindness

Rights and Responsibilities:

I have the right to learn at this school.

It is my responsibility to attend school regularly, listen to instructions, and participate to the best of my ability.
I have a right to hear and be heard.

It is my responsibility to listen when others are talking.
I have a right to be respected at this school.

It is my responsibility to treat others with kindness and care.
I have a right to be safe at this school.

It is my responsibility to use my body and voice in safe and respectful ways.
I have a right to privacy and to my own personal space.

It is my responsibility to respect the personal property of others and to honour their right to privacy.
I have the right to use tools to support my learning (accordion chair, chewlery, etc.).

It is my responsibility to use them as tools - not toys - so everyone’s learning can continue without interruption.

Notification

As circumstances warrant, administrators have a responsibility to advise other parties following an incident that breaches the Collettville Elementary Code of Conduct.

Some examples include:

Parents/guardians of a student who initiates (or participates in) a major behavioural incident
Parents/guardians of a student directly impacted by a major behavioural incident
Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent, or District Team
Ministry Agencies and/or RCMP - a legal requirement when a child reports or discloses any harm to themself or other

Parents/Guardians as Partners

Families are important partners in education. We commit to building positive relationships with all families based on mutual respect and understanding.

Here are some ways families can support safe and respectful behaviour at school:

• Read the Collettville Code of Conduct and explain it to your child

• Support your child at home with their restoration/restitution plan

• Encourage your child to be a strong leader in their peer group

• Reinforce “see something, say something” in regard to dangerous/unsafe situations

• Speak regularly with your child's teacher(s) about concerns

• Notify the school if your child will be late or absent, or if you plan to sign them out during the school day

• Provide the school with written notification if you permit your child to leave campus during the lunch hour

School Rules & Policies

Technology Use

Devices (phones, tablets, watches, earbuds, etc.) will not be permitted during the school day, except if a teacher has given students instructions to use them for a specific purpose. To help reduce temptation for students to use their devices, we ask that all devices either be kept at home, or set to “Silent” mode and kept in backpacks (out of sight) for the entirety of the school day. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen devices.

Students with documented disabilities, unique learning abilities, or health-related requirements may be able to use their personal digital devices in line with their designated support plans and Individual Education Plans (IEP).

If students do not abide by this policy, teachers and administrators will use progressive consequences as follows:

First offense: student will be reminded of the policy and asked to put the device away
Second offense: the device will be kept in a secured location in the office until the end of the day
Third offense: the device will be kept in the office and the parent/guardian will need to pick it up

Parents/Guardians, while we understand that sometimes you need to contact your child, please do so by leaving a message with the office. Alternatively, with teacher permission, a student may use the phone in the office to call home.

Visitors

All visitors - including parents/guardians - must use the Lindley Creek Road entrance and immediately report to the Office.
Under no circumstances shall a visitor be on school property without first notifying the Office of their presence and purpose.

Please use the appropriate sign in/out sheet at the Office window.

Sign-In/Out Procedure

Our school, like all schools in the Nicola Similkameen School District, use SafeArrival for student absence reporting.

Ways to report your child's absence:

Visit SchoolMessenger on your personal digital device and download the SchoolMessenger app
Call 1-844-434-8117 and follow the prompts
Call or email the school during Office hours (8:30-3:30, except 11:55-12:55)

Two-part sign-out procedure:

Notify the school using one of the three options above - this updates our attendance record so teachers and Office staff know your child's absence is approved
Use the paper sign-out sheet at the Office window - this confirms your child left the school safely with an authorized person

Closed Campus

Collettville Elementary School is a closed campus, which means that, between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., students may not leave school grounds unless they are signed out by a parent/guardian or approved designate. Please see above sign-out procedure.

Early Supervision

Early supervision from 8:20–8:40 will continue whenever possible. When supervision cannot be provided, we will communicate this to all families so you can plan accordingly. If the school notifies you that supervision is unavailable, you must remain with your child until the office opens at 8:30. At that time, Mrs. Ouimet can welcome your child into the building, and they may wait in the Library until teacher supervision begins at 8:40.

We recognize this may occasionally cause inconvenience, and we appreciate your support in helping ensure students are not placed in potentially unsafe situations contrary to school direction.

Regular Supervision Schedule

8:40-8:55 (Morning supervision - Teacher)
10:40-10:55 (Morning Recess supervision - Teacher + Education Assistant)
11:35-11:55 (Lunch supervision - Teacher)
11:55-12:55 (Afternoon Recess supervision - Noon Hour Supervisor + Education Assistant)
2:55-3:00 Bus Supervision - Teacher

Entering & Exiting the School

Kindergarten students enter at 8:55 a.m. through the exterior door closest to the Playground, and exit through the Kindergarten classroom exterior door at 2:55 p.m.
Divisions 4, 3, and 2 enter at 8:55 a.m. through their classroom exterior door, and exit through the same door at 2:55 p.m. If they ride the bus, they exit near the Office and line up outside the bus.
Division 1 enters at 8:55 a.m. through the Intermediate Wing exterior doors, and exit through the same doors at 2:55 p.m. If they ride the bus, they exit near the Office and line up outside the bus.
All students must remove their outdoor shoes and change into their indoor shoes upon entering the school

Eating Lunch in the Classroom

Lunch eaten in classrooms from 11:35–11:55 is part of our instructional day, and teachers use this time to help students build social, emotional, and practical skills. Students learn how to share polite conversation, eat respectfully, and clean up their space so the classroom is ready for learning. This time also allows teachers to guide class-wide discussions on emotional regulation and positive behaviour, often using resources like Open Parachute or The Zones of Regulation, to address needs and issues as they arise. It is a daily opportunity to strengthen thinking and learning routines, belonging and identity, and physical and mental well-being.

Bussing

Students line up safely outside the bus and follow the instructions of the supervisor or school staff. The supervisor checks off each student as they board, and only students on our bus list may ride. If your child normally rides the bus, it is essential that you inform the Office before 2:30 p.m. if they will not be taking it. When we are not notified, the bus must be held while we confirm your child’s safety, which causes delays for all riders and families.

A one-time bus pass may be issued in exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of the Principal (or designate). These passes are intended for rare situations only and do not create a precedent for future bus rides.

Student Dress Code

Clothing should be suitable for a school learning environment
Clothing and footwear should be comfortable and appropriate for students to participate safely in all school activities, including physical education, science, and cooking
Clothing should demonstrate a respect for the school community and the B.C. Human Rights Code. For example, articles of clothing that promote direct or indirect messages or graphics referring to alcohol, drugs, gang culture, sex, weapons, violence, or profanity will not be permitted
Clothing may not encourage sexism, racism, homophobia, or discrimination regarding gender identity, sexual preference, race, religion, culture, or place of origin
Any person dressed inappropriately will be advised discretely and given the opportunity to meet the school dress code
Hoods may not be worn over the head in the classroom

Code of Conduct - Guiding Legislation & Policy

School Act, RSBC 1996, c 412, ss 85(1.1), 6(1)(b), 177
Human Rights Code, RSBC 1996, c 210, ss 4, 7-8 Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Part 1 of the Constitution Act, 1982, being Schedule B to the Canada Act 1982 (UK), 1982, c 11
BC Ministry of Education. (2022). Safe, Caring and Orderly Schools: A Guide. Safe and Caring School Communities - Province of British Columbia
NSSD Policy Nos. 2.60 (Respectful Learning and Working Communities), 3.10 (Student Expectations), 5.10 (Bullying and Harassment), 5.20 (Controlled and Regulated Substances), 5.30 (Weapons), 502.1 (Code of Conduct for Students). School District Policies | Nicola-Similkameen School District
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Articles 14:2, 15:2, 2 October 2007