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Code of Conduct

1791484557015.e4a26d93157.jpeg5395 Chancellor Boulevard

Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1E2

Phone: 604-713-5350






School Code of Conduct 

(Date Reviewed: June 2026)


Created in alignment with VSB AP 350-District Code of Conduct.  


The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to help provide a safe and supportive learning environment for all students to be successful and feel a sense of belonging as valued and significant members of the school community. It is to promote clear behavioural expectations of respectful and responsible citizenship that lead to a culture of safety, caring and respect amongst everyone in the school and programs and at all school-events and activities

The School Code of Conduct applies at school, during school-organized or sponsored activities, on school buses, and any behaviour even if outside of school or school hours (including on-line behaviour) that negatively impacts the safe, caring, or orderly environment of the school, and/or student learning.


Take care of yourself 

Take care of others 

Take care of the school and the land 

Hold one another up

 

Examples: 


Take Care of Yourself: 

  • Say one kind thing to yourself when you wake up
  • Eat healthy food and get lots of sleep
  • Feel proud of your learning and hard work
  • Think about your gifts and strengths
  • Arrive to school on time and ready to learn • Hand in work that shows your own thinking and effort. Student-generated examples: 
  • “If it’s raining, get a coat to wear.”
  • “Think about things you are proud of.”
  • “Tell someone if something is bothering you.”
  • “Be proud of your accomplishments.”
  • “Go at your own pace.”
  • “Eat healthy foods, drink water, practice clean hygiene habits.”
  • “Surround yourself with positivity.”
  • “Accept and acknowledge your feelings and emotions.”

 

Take Care of Others: 

  • Treat people how they want to be treated
  • Invite people to play and learn
  • Use words to solve problems peacefully
  • Help each other learn and do our best Student-generated examples: 
  • “Sharing”
  • “Taking someone to the office if they are hurt.”
  • “Listen to others.”
  • “Help people if they need help.”
  • “Include others in games.”
  • “Put yourself in other people’s shoes.”
  • “Appreciate your teammates.”
  • “Accept other people for who they are.”
  • “Respect different cultural beliefs.”


Take Care of the School and the Land: 

  • Learn about the plants and animals who live here
  • Act as a respectful guest, giving thanks for the land
  • Take only what you need and think about how you can give back in return
  • Reflect on your connection to the land and how you came to this place
  • Learn about Musqueam teachings about the land
  • Think about ‘How does the Earth take care of me? How can I take care of the Earth?’
  • Care for our learning spaces together
  • Keep the washrooms clean for the next person
  • Take care of school iPads and other technology Student-generated examples: 
  • “Help to clean up the floor.”
  • “Flush the toilet after using it.”
  • “Use only what you need and don’t waste.”
  • “Do not litter. Do not vandalize.”
  • “Respect the art in the hallways.”
  • “Take care of books.”
  • “Reflect on our learning about Musqueam land, and teach our parents and families about it.”
  • “Don’t disturb wildlife.”


Hold one another up: 

  • Listen to one another respectfully
  • Encourage one another with words and actions
  • Stand up for someone being treated unfairly
  • Help solve problems together Student-generated examples: 
  • “Cheer people up if they don’t feel good.”
  • “Say kind words, saying ‘you can do it’
  • “Invite someone to play.”
  • “Make sure no one is left out.”
  • “Stand up for people if someone is being unkind.”
  • “Encourage our classmates when they are trying something new.”
  • “Tell someone it’s ok if they make a mistake.”
  • “Help someone feel stronger in their heart.”
  • “Stand up for others when bullying is happening. Speak up, say that it isn’t okay.”
  • “Offer your support when someone is sad or having a tough time.”



Conduct Expectations 


Acceptable Conduct 

  • Arrive at school on time, ready to learn
  • Respect self, others, and the school
  • Contribute to a safe, caring, positive, inclusive, and peaceful environment
  • Tell an adult if something feels unsafe, and try to stop problems before they start 
  • Focus on your work and try your best 
  • Demonstrate appropriate digital behaviour when using the Internet or electronic forms of communication

Unacceptable Conduct: 

  • Behaviours that interfere with the learning of other students, interfere with an orderly environment, or create an unsafe environment
  • Acts of bullying, harassment, intimidation, or physical violence
  • Theft or damage to property
  • Possessing, using or displaying any weapon, replica weapon, or toy weapon
  • Inappropriate digital behaviour while at school
  • Submitting work completed by someone else as your own


Students shall not discriminate against others on the basis of Indigenous identity, race, religion, colour, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, family status, age, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or physical or mental disability, or for any other reason set out in the Human Rights Code of British Columbia, nor shall a student publish or display anything that would indicate an intention to discriminate against another, or expose them to contempt or ridicule, on the basis of any such grounds. Racism and other forms of discrimination will not be tolerated in our school. 


Note: Behaviours (both acceptable and unacceptable) cited in the code of conduct are examples only and not an all-inclusive list.



Consequences: 


At University Hill Elementary we reflect upon our choices, take responsibility for our actions, and make amends through a restorative action plan with consideration of the developmental levels, age, maturity, and special needs of students. Whenever possible, consequences will be preventative and restorative (such as writing a letter of apology for hurting someone’s feelings, cleaning up when littering, etc.). Students are expected to learn and mature as they move through successive grades, and as such the expectations progress towards increasing personal responsibility and self-discipline, as well as increasing consequences for inappropriate conduct/unacceptable behavior.


The school will treat seriously any behaviour that discriminates based on Indigenous identity, race, religion, colour, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, family status, age, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or physical or mental disability, or for any other reason set out in the Human Rights Code of British Columbia.


Repetitive or severe unacceptable behaviour may result in increased severity of subsequent disciplinary action. The age and maturity of students are considered when determining appropriate consequences.


Special considerations may apply to students with special/diverse needs if these students are unable to comply with a code of conduct due to having a disability/challenge of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional, or behavioural nature.


All reasonable steps will be taken to prevent retaliation against a student who has made a complaint of a breach of a code of conduct.


The following guidelines are used for supporting students who are not being socially responsible, or whose behaviour interferes with learning, safety, or belonging of others. Some possible responses could be:


Initial, Minor Incidents: 


  • A discussion with an adult
  • Classroom teacher is informed, and a small group or class meeting is held • Reflection on behaviour and appropriate restorative action


Repeated Behaviour: 


  • Administrator facilitates student reflection on behaviour
  • Student records reflection on form that is sent home for parent/guardian information and signature
  • Loss of privileges for appropriate length of time
  • Staff work with student and potentially family to develop a plan for positive behaviour consistent with the Code of Conduct


Serious Problems/Refusal to change: 


  • Completion of reflection form that is sent home for parent/guardian information and signature
  • Discussion with administrator, classroom teacher, and family
  • Development of a Positive Behaviour Support Plan
  • Working with district behaviour support team
  • Possible change of learning space
  • Possible in school/out of school suspension


Serious Breaches of the Code of Conduct—Suspensions: 


In accordance with the School Act, Sec. 85(2)(ii) and (d), the Board authorizes the Principal or designate of any school in the district to suspend a student from attendance at school for up to five days.


Suspensions may be for the following reasons:


  1. because a student is willfully and repeatedly disrespectful to a teacher or to any other employee of the Board carrying out responsibilities approved by the Board.
  2. because the behaviour of the student breaches the District Code of Conduct or policy and/or has a harmful effect on others or the learning environment of the school.
  3. because the student has failed to comply with the School Code of Conduct.


Suspensions over five days are made in consultation with the appropriate Director of Instruction as per District Policy (http://www.vsb.bc.ca/district-policy/jgd-r-district-student-code-conduct-regulation) 


Notifications:

The principal or designate has a responsibility to inform other parties of serious breaches of the code of conduct.

These parties include:

  • Parent(s) of student offender(s) and parent(s) of student victim(s) – in every instance
  • School district officials
  • Police and/or other agencies, as required by law
  • School community, when deemed necessary, to reassure members that school officials are taking appropriate action


Personal Digital Device Usage  

To foster a safe and focused learning environment for students, the use of personal digital devices, that distract from learning (such as cell phones, tablets, smartwatches and other wearable tech, portable video game systems, and other electronic devices), are restricted during school hours and on school property. Educators and school staff will continue to model digital citizenship in the classroom and avoid the use of personal digital devices for non-instructional purposes.

Personal digital devices are restricted for the instructional day. This includes class time, recess and lunch during school hours of 9:00am to 3:00pm. Personal digital devices must be turned off or placed on silent mode and out of sight for the entire school day.

The use of personal devices is permitted under the following circumstances:

  • For educational purposes, as directed by the educator in the classroom.
  • For health and medical purposes as outlined in an Individual Education Plan or Student Safety Plan.
  • To support special or diverse educational needs, such as assistive technology related to Individual Education Plans or Student Support Plans.


The expectation is that students will follow the direction of the educators. Students who repeatedly do not follow the personal digital device policy may be asked to store their personal digital devices with an administrator for the remainder of the day.

The Vancouver School Board is not responsible for the loss, damage, or disappearance of personal digital devices that students decide to bring to school.



Family Involvement: 


  • Discuss the school’s Code of Conduct with your child
  • Be in close contact with your child’s teacher and email or contact them with any concerns
  • Inform the school of any personal circumstances that may influence your child’s behaviour
  • Help your child to be as independent and responsible as possible for their actions, their words, their belongings, and their schoolwork
  • Monitor any social media accounts your child is using and discuss privacy settings that are available
  • Please avoid messaging your child during the school day using personal digital devices. Please leave a message at the office instead.
  • Questions? Please email uhillelementary@vsb.bc.ca or phone the school at 604-713-5350


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