Board Policy

Policy 905 — Student Conduct

Grasslands Public Schools

PREAMBLE

The Grasslands School Division Board of Trustees recognizes its responsibility to work with parents, staff and students to ensure that all students and school staff are provided with a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging as defined in the Alberta Human Rights Act and Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

GUIDELINES

1. Schools' student conduct procedures must address expectations for student behaviour and consequences that are age appropriate and take into consideration individual circumstances.
2. The Board authorizes school personnel to enforce school rules:
   1. on school property at any time.
   2. during school hours at any place.
   3. at school co-curricular or extra-curricular activities at any time and at any place.
   4. during any recess or lunch periods on or off school board property.
   5. while traveling to and from school.
   6. on vehicles used for the transportation of students to and from school and school activities.
   7. off school property and beyond the hours of school operation if the behaviour or conduct detrimentally affects: the personal safety and well-being of students or staff members, the school climate, or the governance and operation of the school.
3. The Grasslands administrative procedures and school procedures must:
   1. demonstrate procedural fairness.
   2. require actions that are act fair, reasonable, and appropriate.
   3. demonstrate progressive discipline that clearly illustrates interventions and due diligence in meeting the needs of students.
   4. collect evidence based on first-hand information, not second-hand or hearsay.
      1. interview students separately and do not tell them that what they share is confidential.
      2. ensure appropriate steps have been taken to gather evidence.
   5. demonstrate that the process has maintained a balance between the safety of students/teachers and the rights of the student being disciplined.
   6. ensure members of the Student Conduct Committee have not received any details of the case or predetermined consequences before hearing the case.
   7. ensure that for students expelled to distance learning/online learning programs, such programming is educationally appropriate.
4. The Board shall ensure the following:
   1. make the student conduct policy and administrative procedure available throughout the year in a prominent location on the division website;
   2. display in a place clearly visible to students in each school the website link (URL) to the student conduct policy and administrative procedure on the division website;
   3. on request, provide a copy of the policy or administrative procedure to the individual;
   4. by June 30th of each year, review the policy and administrative procedure and confirm the review by Board resolution;
   5. and be in accordance with any further requirements established by the Minister by order.
5. The Board shall form a Student Conduct Committee to hear recommendations for expulsion; this committee shall consist of three trustees from the Grasslands Board.
6. The Board delegates authority to the Board Student Conduct Committee to hear and decide on expulsions using the procedures outlined in Section(s) 24 and 25 of the School Act.