Sandalwood Heights Secondary School

2671 Sandalwood Parkway East

Brampton, ON L6R 0K7

Website: http://sandalwoodheights.peelschools.org

Tel. 905.494.0023

Principal: Ms. R. Stiglic

Class Schedule

Period 1(homeroom) 8:30 – 9:50

Period 2 9:53 – 11:08

Lunch 11:11 – 12:26

Period 3 12:26 – 1:41

Period 4 1:44 – 3:00

Early Release Schedule

Period 1 8:30 – 9:15

Period 2 9:18 – 9:58

Period 3 10:01 – 10:41

Period 4 10:44 - 11:24

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CODE OF CONDUCT

2019-2020

OUR COMMITMENT

Sandalwood Heights Secondary School recognizes that students achieve their best when they feel safe, nurtured, welcomed, respected and included. We are committed to providing a healthy climate for learning and working to support student success. For learning to be successful, schools must be free of negative factors such as bullying, discrimination and other harmful behaviours including physical violence in any form. In the Peel District School Board, we understand that equity and

excellence go hand-in-hand. One of the core goals in our strategic

plan, the Report Card for Student Success, is the following:

"Achieve equity for students and staff—we provide equity of access and opportunity for students and staff to learn, work and develop in an environment that is nurturing, engaging, respectful and inclusive."

One of the Peel Board's projects is the implementation of six core

character attributes. The attributes are taught in school, but they are

also the basis of the board's working relationships – they help to

create a positive climate for learning and working.

We want our staff and students to be:

Caring – showing compassion and kindness towards others

Cooperative – working collaboratively with others for a

common purpose

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Honest – being truthful, trustworthy and sincere in our

speech and actions

Inclusive – treating everyone fairly and equitably

Respectful – treating others, ourselves and the environment

with high regard and value

Responsible – being accountable and reliable in our actions

and commitments

We believe that parents, the school and community must all work

together to help students learn to become responsible members of

society, being sensitive to the diversity, cultures and special needs

of individual students. We must clearly demonstrate respect for

social justice and human rights and promote the values needed to

develop responsible members of a democratic society.

The Code of Conduct for Sandalwood Heights Secondary School

aligns with and supports Ontario's Equity and Inclusive Education

Strategy, the Peel Board's Human Rights policy and the Equity and

Inclusive Education policy.

The Sandalwood Heights Secondary School Code of Conduct

applies to all members of the school community including students,

parents, guardians, volunteers, visitors and school staff, whether

they are on school property, on school buses, at school-authorized

events or activities, or in any other situation that may impact the

school climate.

All members of the school community have a responsibility to

respect and honour the school Code of Conduct, to demonstrate age

and developmentally appropriate social behaviour and to take

responsibility for their own actions.

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES

All members of the school community are expected to:

demonstrate honesty and integrity

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treat one another with dignity, respect and fairness, regardless of

race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnicity, creed,

citizenship, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation,

age, ability, socioeconomic status, or any other attribute

take appropriate action to help those in need, seeking assistance

to resolve conflict constructively and respectfully

show proper care and regard for school property and the property

of others

Parent and guardian responsibilities include:

taking an active role in their son/daughter's education by

ensuring that he/she is prepared for learning, including punctual

and regular attendance, promptly reporting authorized absences

and late arrivals, and communicating regularly with the school

reviewing the school Code of Conduct with their son/daughter

and helping him/her follow school rules

helping their child understand that it is not appropriate to tease

or bully others

monitoring their child’s internet use and taking responsibility for

his/her behaviour when accessing electronic resources from

home

Student responsibilities include:

demonstrating a commitment to learning through punctual and

regular attendance, being prepared and ready to learn

practising honesty and integrity including, but not limited to, not

participating in or encouraging plagiarism, misrepresentation of

original work, use of unauthorized aids, theft of evaluation

instruments, or false representation of identity

following school rules and taking responsibility for his/her own

actions

refraining from bringing anything to school, or using anything

inappropriately, that may risk the safety of themselves or others

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showing proper care and regard for school and community

property, as well as only visiting other schools for school-related

and authorized activities

Staff responsibilities include:

helping students achieve to the best of their ability, developing

self-worth, and being responsible citizens

maintaining order in the school and holding everyone to the

highest standard of respectful and responsible behaviour

communicating regularly and meaningfully with

parents/guardians

establishing a range of clear, fair and developmentally

appropriate interventions, supports, direct skill instruction and

consequences for unacceptable behaviour including but not

limited to homophobia, gender-based violence, sexual

harassment and inappropriate sexual behaviour

responding to and reporting behaviours which may have a

negative impact on school climate

BEHAVIOUR EXPECTATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY Students are expected to behave appropriately at all times in the

community. They are representatives of the Sandalwood School

Community. Any negative behaviour that affects our school

community will be dealt with according to school and board

policies.

BULLYING PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION

We are teaching students to identify and deal with bullying

behaviour and to stop this behaviour from happening.

Bullying is typically a form of repeated, persistent and aggressive

behaviour directed at an individual or individuals that is intended to

cause (or should be known to cause) fear, distress and/or harm to

another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem or reputation. Bullying

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occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power

imbalance.

When someone experiences or observes bullying behaviour, he/she

is expected to report it to a teacher, teaching assistant or school

administrator immediately. Bullying behaviour will be dealt with

using a progressive discipline approach.

PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE

Sandalwood Heights Secondary School encourages, supports and

recognizes acceptable behaviour in our students through a variety of

positive practices. Progressive discipline is an approach that makes

use of a continuum of interventions, supports and consequences,

building upon strategies that promote positive behaviours.

We encourage students to take responsibility for their behaviour and

to accept the consequences of their actions. A progressive discipline

approach is used to deal with inappropriate behaviour. This may

include: verbal reminders, review of expectations, contact with

parent(s)/guardian(s), written reflections, volunteer services to the

school community, conflict mediation and resolution, peer

mentoring, referral for support services and/or an opportunity for

restoration and repair.

We recognize that each student is a unique individual and that every

situation that requires disciplinary action has its own set of

extenuating circumstances. All factors that may have affected the

student’s behaviour will be considered before progressive discipline

is applied. Students who behave inappropriately will receive an age

and developmentally appropriate consequence. For a student with

special education or disability-related needs, all progressive

discipline approaches will be consistent with his/her Individual

Education Plan and his/her demonstrated abilities.

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Suspension and Expulsion

Sandalwood Heights Secondary School also supports the use of

suspension and expulsion for serious incidents as outlined in the

Peel District School Board's Safe Schools Policy.

Before considering whether to impose a suspension or make a

recommendation for an expulsion, a principal considers mitigating

and other factors.

The behaviours for which a principal will consider suspending

a student include:

swearing (written or verbal) at a teacher or at another person in

a position of authority

bullying, including cyber-bullying

uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person

committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to

school property

possessing alcohol or restricted drugs

being under the influence of alcohol and/or other restricted drugs

committing any act, considered by the principal to:

o have a negative impact on the moral tone of the school

o have a negative impact on the physical or mental well-being

of one or more school community members

o be contrary to the school or Peel Board Code of Conduct

Incidents for which a principal will consider recommending to

the Board's Discipline Committee that a student be expelled

include:

physically assaulting another person causing bodily harm that

requires medical treatment

possessing a weapon or using a weapon to cause or to threaten

bodily harm to another person

trafficking in restricted drugs or weapons

giving alcohol to a minor

committing robbery

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committing sexual assault

behaviour that:

o is significantly detrimental to the school climate and/or to

the physical or mental well-being of others

o causes extensive damage to school property

o causes his/her continued presence at the school to pose an

unacceptable risk to other members of the school community

o is a pattern of behaviour so inappropriate that the student's

continued presence is detrimental to the effective learning or

working environment of others

o demonstrates a persistent resistance to changes in behaviour

that would enable him/her to be successful

o is a serious violation of the school or Peel Board Code of

Conduct

Students who are suspended or expelled will be given an opportunity

to continue their education through educational programs offered by

the school board.

SMOKING/VAPING

The school recognizes the benefits of a smoke-free environment

for all persons. By-law, smoking and vaping is not permitted at

Sandalwood Heights Secondary School, on any other board

property, on school buses or while attending any school-related

event or activity. School property includes cars that are on school

grounds and all lands to the edge of the sidewalk or street. The no

smoking/vaping rule will be enforced within these areas. The

smoking prohibition applies to students, parents, visitors and staff

as well as “after hours” groups who use the property. The

minimum fine is $305 for smoking/vaping on school property.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

Alcohol and restricted drugs may be addictive and represent a health

hazard. Possessing, using, trafficking in, or providing others with

restricted drugs and/or alcohol will not be condoned at Sandalwood

Heights Secondary School, on Peel Board property or at any school-

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related event or activity at any time. Drug-related paraphernalia that

can be used for substance abuse are not permitted on school

property.

VANDALISM Students are expected to respect the school property at all times.

Any act of vandalism will have a disciplinary and/or financial

consequences.

WEAPONS

Possessing or displaying weapons of any kind, real, toy or replica,

and all other objects that could inflict or threaten bodily harm will

not be tolerated at Sandalwood Heights Secondary School, on any

Peel Board property, or at any school-related event or activity at any

time.

TRESPASSERS AND VISITORS

Trespassers are NOT permitted on school property. Students are

expected to report trespassers to a staff member immediately.

Failure to do so may result in suspension. Sandalwood Heights

students may not visit other schools unless participating in school-

sponsored activities. Students who trespass at other schools may be

suspended. Sandalwood Heights has a “no visitors” policy.

DRESS CODE

School dress codes shall require that students wear appropriate dress

that promotes a safe, respectful and inclusive, learning and teaching

environment that is free from discrimination and that permits self-

expression. School dress codes must be consistent with the Human

Rights Code, which prohibits discriminatory conduct on the grounds

of race, ancestry, place or origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship,

creed, sex (including pregnancy) sexual orientation, gender identity,

gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability.

Discrimination may be intersectional when it occurs based on two

or more grounds, which may produce a unique experience of

discrimination or harassment for the individual experiencing it.

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Requests for accommodation based on prohibited grounds may be

made to the school administration.

Inappropriate Apparel includes, but is not restricted to, logos,

sayings and pictures that address/display sexual content, substance

abuse, including alcohol, illegal, controlled or restricted drugs,

violence, profanity, inappropriate references to nationality, race or

gender or any other grounds protected under the Ontario Human

Rights Code, and/or dress or logos that demean or threaten an

identifiable individual or group, (e.g. items with indigenous

mascots, symbols or images).

FOOD AND DRINK

All students at Sandalwood Heights Secondary School are expected

to keep the school clean and dispose of all food and drink in the

appropriate garbage receptacles. Absolutely no food should be

brought into school washrooms.

FOOD DELIVERY

Food delivery services (Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes, etc...) must be

instructed to drop food off at the front doors of the school. Students

are required to meet the delivery outside of the school. Food delivery

must not impact student class time. Students are not permitted to

leave class for food delivery, nor should food be brought into the

classroom.

ANAPHYLAXIS – SABRINA’S LAW

Anaphylaxis is an acute, severe and potentially life-threatening

allergic reaction. It happens when the immune system is exposed to

a partial allergen or substance that causes an anaphylactic reaction.

The most common causes of anaphylaxis are: food (especially

peanuts and tree nuts, milk shellfish, fish, eggs, soy, sesame seeds,

and wheat). Therefore it is extremely important that there be NO

food in any classroom.

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NO SCENTS

Sandalwood Heights Secondary School is a scent-free environment.

All students and staff are to refrain from using perfumes, colognes

and any other scented products.

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance is important for success. Students are expected

to attend all classes on time. Continuous absences from class or

habitual lateness to class, will result in consequences. All Students

are required to write their Final Evaluations as scheduled. Please do

not plan vacations or employment during In-Class or Final exam

times.

EARLY LEAVING/SIGNING OUT

Students who must leave school before the end of their regularly

scheduled classes must report to the Main Office to sign out with a

note of permission from a parent/guardian before leaving. Also,

students must have a parent/guardian call or provide a number to

call in order that the office staff may verify the absence. If you are

signing out, you must leave the school property.

ILLNESS

In case of emergency illness, tell your teacher that you are ill and

then report to the Main Office. Never remain in a washroom or leave

the school. A parent/guardian will be contacted in order to arrange

early pick up. If a reason cannot be verified, the student will be

referred to a vice principal for sign out. Students absent from subject

classes are responsible for work missed.

BUS TRAVEL

Students are expected to follow the standards of behaviour outlined

in the Code of Conduct while they are on the school bus. Damage

to school bus property may result in financial liability.

Students are required to:

be at their bus stop at least five minutes before their pick-up time

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go directly to their seats and stay seated

follow the bus driver’s instructions and behave appropriately at

all times

Students may not:

consume food and drinks on the bus

fight, swear or cause excessive noise on the bus or engage in

activities that may endanger the safety of themselves or others

LOCKERS

Lockers are the property of the Peel District School Board and are

assigned to each student for the storage of books and personal items.

It is your responsibility to keep the locker to which you were

assigned, keep the lock combination private, not to bring valuables

to school, and not to leave your possessions unattended. Students

should be aware that the administration may inspect any locker at

any time if it is deemed necessary.

STUDENT PARKING PASS Students who drive to school, must obtain a parking pass from the

main office. Parking is limited and will be provided on a first come

and first serve basis. Receiving a parking permit is a privilege and

not a right. The conditions for obtaining a permit and retaining a

spot on the school’s parking lot may include (and may not be

restricted to) the following: Licence ownership, regular attendance

to all classes, proper driving on school premises, exemplary

behaviour in and around the school building. Parking permits may

not be traded between students. Permits are to be returned to the

school at the end of the school year or when the student is leaving

the school. Parking lots will be monitored regularly. Any

unauthorized vehicles will be towed away from the school at the

owner’s expense.

Students may park in the South parking lot ONLY. Students are

expected to operate their cars at a slow and safe speed (15 km/h).

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At no time are students permitted to be in their cars other than to

enter or leave the parking lot. Students who do not follow these

guidelines will be asked to meet with their parents and Vice-

Principal to discuss whether they will continue to drive to school.

PLAGIARISM Students must practice academic honesty and integrity at all times.

Plagiarism, misrepresentation of original work, cheating and theft of

test materials are serious academic offences and are not permitted

under any circumstances.

USE OF TECHNOLOGY

Students will demonstrate appropriate online conduct and manners

and refrain from improper/unethical use of technology, including

computer hacking and cyber-bullying. The internet must not be used

for any purpose that is contrary to the intent of the Sandalwood

Heights Secondary School Code of Conduct. This applies to school,

work and home internet use. Posting school-related photographs or

images on the internet (including social network sites) without

permission of a school official violates the Sandalwood Heights

Secondary School's Code of Conduct.

LEARNING AND TECHNOLOGY PLAN

The Peel District School Board’s Learning and Instructional

Technology Plan will ensure Peel schools are increasingly

connected and relevant in the 21st Century. At Sandalwood Heights,

students are able to access educational resources online and engage

in 21st Century learning through wireless networks.

Students are encouraged to BYOD—bring your own device. The plan

will also improve equity of access to technology for all students

through classroom technology in schools, and a process to ensure

schools across the system have similar standards of technology so

that no child feels excluded.

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DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

Students are going to live and work in a world where people use

their devices 24/7 so they need to learn to use technology effectively

and respectfully. Digital responsibility is an important part of what

we help students learn in school, and appropriate use will continue

to be an expectation in each school’s Code of Conduct. As we begin

to move forward with the plan, principals, staff and School Council

members will work together to develop school policies and practices

that support the effective use of technology in the classroom.

Students will use technology for educational purposes only. By

accessing the Internet while on Peel board property or by logging in

with a board login, students accept all terms and conditions of the

Peel board network and internet use, as well as Policy #78 –

Appropriate Use of Technology.

Students will demonstrate appropriate online conduct and manners.

Students must follow Peel board security procedures and use Peel

board virus scanning software. Although the Peel board uses a content

filter, students may encounter inappropriate material.

Students are also required to report any inappropriate use of email,

data, or unauthorized technology or data to a teacher or administrator

immediately. Information created on Peel board networks may be

accessed and is subject to review. Personally owned devices used

inappropriately to access/produce or share unlawful materials will

result in full investigation and necessary action will be taken.

Users will refrain from improper/unethical use of technology,

including computer hacking, cyber-bullying, and sending or receiving

offensive pictures or materials. The Internet must not be used for any

purpose that violates the school's Code of Conduct or the Municipal

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

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Consequences All users are expected to comply with all federal and provincial laws

and regulations—Ontario Human Rights Code, Criminal Code,

Education Act and Copyright Act.

Students accept full responsibility for their use of technology. Any

inappropriate use such as harassment, plagiarism, financial gain,

accessing or vandalizing other users’ information, providing access

to other accounts or posting private information will result in loss of

technology privileges and/or other consequences consistent with the

school’s Code of Conduct, progressive discipline and safe schools

legislation. When appropriate, offences may be reported to the

police.

Personal electronic devices (PEDs)

Students are responsible for the care, maintenance and security of

their personal devices. The Peel board is not responsible for the

replacement of lost, stolen or damaged items.

Definition of Technology For purposes of BYOD, “technology” means personal electronic

devices (PEDs), privately owned wireless and/or portable electronic

handheld equipment that includes, but is not limited to, existing and

emerging mobile communication systems and smart technologies,

portable internet devices, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs),

handheld entertainment systems or portable information technology

systems that can be used for word processing, wireless internet

access, image capture/recording, sound recording and information

transmitting/receiving/storing, etc.

Sandalwood Heights Secondary School is committed to supporting

students who are 21st century learners and recognizes and values the

use of PEDs to enhance student learning and support student

success. As such, we embrace the use of PEDs in a respectful and

responsible manner.

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PEDs may be used outside of class time in general areas such as the

cafeteria and atrium, as long as these devices do not distract from

instructional class time or other school activities. At no time may

the use of PEDs be used to excuse a student from responding to the

directions of a staff member.

PEDs may be used during class time for educational purposes with

permission of the teacher. These activities may include entering due

dates into calendars, researching information, adding comments to

a class blog or twitter. The use of PEDs during class time for any

other reason that is not curriculum related is unacceptable.

PEDs are not to be used during any school sponsored activity such

as an assembly or guest speaker presentation.

PEDs may not be taken into test or examination settings unless

students have received teacher permission.

PEDs are not to be used in settings such as change rooms,

washrooms, private counseling rooms, that have the potential to

violate a person’s reasonable expectation of privacy.

To encourage responsible and respectful use of devices in the

classrooms and school, teachers may ask students to “flip-it” show

their screen to them at any time to ensure that they are on task and

using their PED for curriculum-related activities.

In the event of an emergency such as a lockdown, the Principal will

direct students on the acceptable use of PEDs in that emergency

situation.

Online safety To ensure students stay safe on the Internet, students must never:

give out personal information such as their addresses, telephone

number, age, school name or address

agree to meet with someone they meet online

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respond in any form to messages which make them

uncomfortable or are deemed inappropriate according to the

school’s Code of Conduct

share their personal student network login and password with

anyone other than a parent/guardian

use other individuals’ accounts

take and/or post photos, videos or images of an individual/group

unless consent from the individual(s) (over the age of 18) or

parental consent (for those under the age of 18) has been

obtained

Responsibilities

Students are responsible for:

using board technology for curriculum-related/educational

purposes only

using personally owned technology for curriculum-

related/educational purposes only while on board property

demonstrating digital citizenship through the appropriate use of

technology, as outlined in the school’s code of conduct

ensuring that technology is used in accordance with Board

policies and procedures

using technology in a lawful, responsible and ethical manner

consistent with the purposes for which it is provided

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