University Hill has a strong commitment to academics within a safe, supportive, orderly and healthy learning environment.  We value diversity and acceptance and encourage our students to be well-rounded and honest. Our code of conduct outlines behaviours expected of all UHillians so that our students evolve into ethical, caring individuals who respect themselves, others, and their environment. 

Acceptable Conduct:

University Hill Secondary School promotes the values expressed in the BC Human Rights Code; respecting the rights of all individuals in accordance with the law, prohibiting discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex or sexual orientation. 

At UHill, we are promoting our youngsters to be leaders. We expect our students to attend our school with the desire to participate and learn.  This means that the students at UHill must accept personal responsibility for learning, for attending classes, and for completing work or assignments.  In pursuing their education, students are expected to respect the rights of others.  Students who have chosen to come to UHill should understand that certain specific regulations must be enforced so the school can operate in the best interests of all.

 

The guiding principles for student conduct are to:

 

1.    Attend all classes and arrive on time

2.    Bring textbooks, equipment, and materials needed for class each day

3.    Complete and submit assignments on time

4.    Be courteous and respectful of others, respecting diversity of all kinds

5.    Respond positively to the guidance of all staff members

6.    Co-operate in ensuring a safe, secure and clean school environment

7.    Honour academic integrity at all times

8.    Dress in ways that are appropriate for the educational environment

 

UHill’s pro-active behaviour plan, as outlined on this page is the responsibility of each student.  It is our expectation that students at UHill will demonstrate positive, school-wide behaviour as outlined in UHILL “HAWKS”. The core values reflect what is important in our community.  These core values determine expectations for our actions as outlined in the UHill H.A.W.K.S. acronym.

 

HEART:                     We care for self, each other, and community.

 

APPRECIATION:      We accept opportunity, diversity, and beauty.

 

WONDER:                 We are curious and willing to learn.

 

KNOWLEDGE:          We are life-long learners.

 

STEWARDSHIP:       We are selfless leaders committed to service in this global community.

  

Unacceptable Conduct:

 

The following behaviours are absolutely unacceptable:

 

1. Disruption of the classroom or learning environment
2. The possession, use or distribution of illegal or restricted drugs, including alcohol
3. Verbal abuse and profanity
4. All forms of discrimination including racism, sexism and homophobia
5. The carrying or possession of weapons or simulated weapons.
6. Physical violence, intimidation, bullying or harassment
7. Cheating on tests and assignments; forging or falsifying documents 
8. Speaking a language other than English in all classes.
9. Inappropriate use of social media that has a negative impact on any member or aspect of the UHill community
10. Behaviour that interferes with the general welfare of students or the learning environment of the school even when this behaviour occurs off school property or during a time when the student is not under direct school supervision, such as lunch hour or going to and from school.

Note: Behaviours (both acceptable and unacceptable) cited in the code of conduct are examples only and not an all-inclusive list. Special considerations may apply if a student is unable to comply with the expectations due to having a disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional or behavioural nature.

 

Rising Expectations 

As students become older, more mature, and move through successive grades, they are expected to develop increasing personal responsibility and self-discipline, and should be aware that there are increasing consequences for inappropriate behaviour/ unacceptable conduct. 

 

Consequences

The severity and frequency of unacceptable conduct as well as the age and maturity of students are considered in determining appropriate disciplinary action, and administrative responses to unacceptable conduct are consistent and fair.  When needed, disciplinary action, wherever possible, is preventative and restorative, rather than punitive, and students, as often as possible, are encouraged to participate in the development of meaningful consequences for violations of the established code of conduct.  Disciplinary actions may take a variety of forms which may include, but are not limited to, learning conversations, reprimand, detention(s), community service work, loss of privileges, suspension or transfer.

 

Notification

The school staff may have a responsibility to advise other parties of serious breaches of the code of conduct.  These other parties may include parents of the student offender(s), parents of the student victim(s), school district officials (as required by school district policy), police and/or other agencies (as required by law), and all parents (when deemed to be important to reassure all members of the school community that school officials are aware of a serious situation or incident and are taking appropriate action to address it).

It is our collective responsibility as a caring community to ensure that our school environment is a safe and respectful place for all.

Students who report breaches of our code of conduct will be protected from retaliation to the very best of our ability and we will take all reasonable measures to do so. Together we create a safe, caring and respectful school environment.

 

Attendance and Punctuality

Teachers, counsellors and administration regularly monitor attendance, attitude and achievement.

Subject Teachers check attendance and punctuality each period, and record student absences and lates into MyEdBC, the Ministry of Education student information data system. Student absence is reported daily to Parents/Guardians via the Synrevoice system whereby Parents/Guardians receive an email or voice mail notification of their child’s absence. It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the school office, grade counsellor and grade administrator of any extended absence from school.  It is the student’s responsibility to bring a note to the Teachers signed by the parent or guardian to explain a reason for an absence.  Falsifying attendance notes is unacceptable. It is the student’s responsibility to make up any work that is missed, regardless of the reason for the absence. Exceptions to this may be granted due to unforeseen circumstances.  If a student becomes ill while at school, or has an appointment during school time, it is the student’s responsibility to sign out at the office.  Students will only be released with parent permission.  Students who are ill should not come to school.  If a student attends school and is deemed to be unwell, the Administration may phone home and ask Parents/Guardians to pick up their child and take him or her home.

 

Extended Periods of Absence

While Parents/Guardians have the right to remove their son or daughter from school for an extended period of time, there are natural consequences for this choice.  For students who take extended vacations, it is the subject teacher’s discretion to allow missed work.  Regardless, it is most likely that a student’s grades will be affected from missing many classes.  Any student who misses more than one month of school in consecutive absences may be withdrawn and asked to re-register upon his or her return.  Any student who arrives late for school in September without having completed a Notice of Late Return Form may be withdrawn and placed on the registration waitlist.  Any student who leaves school before the final in-school exams may receive a zero on any or all of these exams.  Any student who leaves school before the June Provincial Exams must re-write the exam(s) at a later date.  Note that UHill Secondary only offers January and June Provincial Exam sittings and thus students must make their own arrangements should they wish to write at any other time. 

 

Cell Phones and other Electronic Devices

The use of cell phones is not permitted in classes except as directed by the teacher for learning activities.  Cell phones must be turned off during classes.  Students who do not comply with this rule will have their cell phone or device confiscated and given to the administration to deem appropriate consequences.  Cell phones and other electronic devices should not be brought to exams.  During provincial and AP exams, if a student’s cell phone rings, the student will be disqualified for the examination.

Alcohol and Drugs and Smoking

VSB policy states that: while at any school function, or on school property, students are forbidden to possess, use or show evidence of using alcohol or drugs. This policy is strictly enforced and violation will always result in parent contact and may result in suspension and/or an administrative transfer to another school.  The administration has the right to search the property and locker of a student that they suspect of having drugs and/or alcohol.  Smoking in the school or on VSB property is both prohibited and illegal.  Offenders will be referred to the administration for appropriate disciplinary action. 

 

E-cigarettes, Personal Vaporizers (PV) or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS)

These are forbidden for students to possess and/or use while at any school function, or on school property. The health impact of repeatedly inhaling e‐cigarette chemicals is unknown. As such, this policy is strictly enforced and violation will always result in parent contact and may result in suspension and/or an administrative transfer to another school. The administration has the right to search the property and locker of a student that they suspect of having e-cigarettes, vaporizers and/or ENDS. Offenders will be referred to the administration for appropriate disciplinary action.

Harassment and Violence Prevention

We recognize that individuals should be treated with respect and dignity, and all students have the right to be free from harassment.  A student who bullies others in person, via the internet, or in other forms or commits racial, religious or sexual harassment will be disciplined.  Harassment based on real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity will not be tolerated.  Violence of any kind also will not be tolerated.  Violence comes in various forms: verbal and written threats; physical, emotional, and sexual abuse and harassment; and racial discrimination.  Any form of violence or intimidation that threatens the health, safety or welfare of students and staff is unacceptable.  If a student has been affected by harassment or violence, or knows of others who have been affected by violence, it is important to inform a school Administrator, Teacher, Counsellor or School Liaison officer.

 Weapons

Students are not permitted to bring weapons into the school.  Weapons are defined as any object that is used with the intent to hurt or frighten someone.  Any student found with a weapon, involved in a violent act, or in soliciting others to commit a violent act will be disciplined.  In all cases, the school Administrator will notify the student’s Parents/Guardians, and one or more of the following actions may be taken: the Police may be called; the student suspended and/or transferred; the student may be required to sign a behaviour contract.

Academic Integrity

Cheating includes plagiarism, having someone else do an assignment for you, submitting the same assignment more than once, cheating on a test or exam, and consciously assisting another student to attain marks through misrepresentation.  Inappropriate use of tutors and /or use of cell phones and/or other electronics during exams is also considered a breach of academic integrity.  Students caught cheating will receive a “0" for that particular work.  The incident will be recorded and Parents/Guardians informed.  The student may not be eligible for school awards recognition for that year.  They may not be eligible for school based scholarships for that academic year.  Repeated incidents of cheating could result in suspension and/or transfer.  Academic integrity must also be maintained on records of volunteerism and letters.  Students who are found to have submitted forged, altered or falsified documents, will receive disciplinary action by their grade administrator.  If falsified documents were presented to misrepresent a student’s achievement or participation as part of a university admission, a communication to that effect will be relayed to all universities to which the student has applied.

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:
a. 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.
b. 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.
c. 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 the District Student Code of Conduct, AP 350. As per AP 350 6.7.1 an educational program must be provided.