OUR COMMITMENT

General Crerar is committed to providing a healthy learning and working environment by promoting respect, civility, safety, responsible citizenship and academic excellence. A positive school climate exists when all members of the school community feel safe, included and accepted and actively promote positive behaviours and interactions. Equity, inclusion and respect are critical components embedded in the learning environment. 

The General Crerar Code of Conduct is developed in accordance with the Education Act, the Provincial Code of Conduct1 , the Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) Code of Conduct and all other TDSB operational procedures. The General Crerar Code of Conduct also reflects the values and expectations of the Crerar community. 

The standards of behaviour outlined in the General Crerar Code of Conduct will apply to all members of the school community, including students, parents and, Board staff, permit holders volunteers and visitors:  

• on school property
• while traveling on a school bus that is owed by the Board or that is under contract to the Board
• in-school sports activities
• in off-site school-sponsored activities; or 
• in circumstances where engaging in an activity will have an impact on the school climate 

 

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR

 

All members of the school community are expected to:  

• respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws;
• demonstrate honesty and integrity;  
• respect differences in people, their ideas and opinions;
• treat one and other with dignity and respect at all times, and especially when there is a disagreement;  
• respect and treat others fairly and promote a positive school climate that is inclusive and accepting of all pupils, including of any race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status 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;  
• respect the need of others to work in an environment of learning and teaching; as such, students are not allowed to use their cell phones during the school day unless permission is granted by a staff member. Students are always welcomed to use the office phone to contact home. 

 

PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE

 

When students breach the code of conduct, consequences will be consistent with progressive discipline strategies. Progressive discipline is a whole-school approach that utilizes a continuum of interventions, supports, and consequences to address inappropriate student behaviour and to build on strategies that promote positive behaviours. When inappropriate behaviour occurs, disciplinary measures should be applied within a framework that shifts the focus from one that is solely punitive to one that is both corrective and supportive. Schools should utilize a range of interventions, supports, and consequences that include learning opportunities for reinforcing positive behaviour while helping students to make good choices. 

Interventions (in no particular order) may include:  

• Discussion with a teacher, member of the support staff, vice-principal or principal
• Attendance/performance/ behaviour contracts  
• Time Out  
• Reflection Sheet  
• Parental contact and involvement in applying an appropriate remedy  
• Loss of privilege to participate in specified school activities  
• Peer mediation  
• Individual or group counselling  
• Assessment  
• Detention  
• Restitution for damage or stolen property  
• Community service  
• Restorative justice practices 

Student breaches of the Board’s Code of Conduct and General Crerar’s Code of Conduct will be dealt with in accordance with Operational Procedure PR697: Promoting a Positive School Climate. 

 

SUSPENSION

 

The behaviours for which a principal may consider suspending a student include:  

• Uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person;  
• Possessing alcohol, illegal drugs or, unless the pupil is a medical cannabis user, cannabis;  
• Being under the influence of alcohol or unless the pupil is a medical cannabis user, cannabis;  
• Committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the pupil’s school or to property located on the premises of the pupil’s school;  
• Bullying;  
• Willful destruction of school property; vandalism causing damage to school or Board property or property located on school or Board premises;  
• Use of profane or improper language;  
• Use of tobacco;  
• Theft;  
• Aid/incite harmful behaviour;  
• Physical assault;  
• Being under the influence of illegal drugs;  
• Fighting;  
• Possession or misuse of any harmful substances;  
• Extortion;  
• Inappropriate use of electronic communications or media devices; and  
• An act considered by the principal to be a breach of the Board’s or School’s Code of Conduct. 

 

EXPULSION

 

The behaviours for which a principal will consider recommending to a Committee of the Board that a student be expelled include:  

• Possessing a weapon, including possessing a firearm;  
• Using a weapon to cause or to threaten bodily harm to another person;  
• Committing physical assault on another person that causes bodily harm requiring treatment by a medical practitioner;  
• Committing a sexual assault;  
• Trafficking in weapons or in illegal drugs;  
• Committing robbery;  
• Giving alcohol or cannabis to a minor;  
• Bullying if, 

i. the pupil has previously been suspended for engaging in bullying, and 

ii. the pupil’s continuing presence in the school creates an unacceptable risk to the safety of another person; 

• Sexual harassment;  
• Racial harassment;  
• Hate-motivated occurrences;  
• Distribution of hate material;  
• Possession of explosive substance;  
• Any activity listed in section 306(1) motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other similar factor; and  
• An act considered by the principal to be a serious breach of the Board or School Code of Conduct.  
• Trafficking in cannabis 

 

ATTENDANCE AND LATE POLICIES

 

Students will be on time for classes and will attend classes regularly. Students are responsible for the work missed due to absence. Students who skip classes or repeatedly arrive late may receive consequences based on the principles of progressive discipline.

 

LOCKERS

 

Lockers are the property of the Board and are subject to inspection by school Administration.

 

Policy/Program Memorandum No. 128: The Provincial Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conduct 

Operational Procedure PR585: Board Code of Conduct  

G02(R:Secretariat\Staff\G02\03\OP\PR585)sec.1530

 

Board Code of Conduct