Cellphones

During instructional time, cellphones and other mobile devices, such as a tablet or smartwatch, must be:

  • turned off or set to silent mode
  • stored out of view

Rules differ by grade

Students Grade 7 and above are not allowed to use mobile devices during class time, unless explicitly allowed by a teacher.

Students Grade 6 and below must keep mobile devices silent and out of sight during the school day, unless explicitly allowed by a teacher.

Learn more about using cellphones in the classroom, including when students can use a mobile device and the consequences of breaking the rules.

You can expect that each year, your child’s school will:

  • send a reminder about its mobile device policy and rules
  • offer chances for parents and students to learn about using technology responsibly

Vaping and smoking

Students cannot possess or use tobacco products, e-cigarettes (vapes) or nicotine products at school.

Consequences

If your child is caught with any these items, the items must be given up and you will be notified immediately.

Cannabis

At school or at a school event, students cannot:

  • possess recreational cannabis
  • be under the influence of recreational cannabis
  • give others cannabis for recreational use

Consequences

If your child is caught with any these items, the items must be given up and you will be notified immediately.

Medical cannabis

Only medical cannabis users  are authorized to possess cannabis for the person's own medical purposes in accordance with applicable federal law.

Acceptable behaviour

Standards of acceptable behaviour focus on:

  • respect, civility and responsible citizenship
  • safety

Respect, civility and responsible citizenship

All students and school community members must:

  • follow all applicable laws
  • follow our policies and the policies of the school board and school
  • show honesty and integrity
  • always treat others with dignity and respect both in person and online, especially when there is disagreement or difference
  • respect and treat others fairly, regardless of their:
    • race
    • ancestry
    • place of origin
    • colour
    • ethnic origin
    • creed (religion)
    • sex, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation
    • age
    • marital status
    • family status
    • disability
  • respect the rights of others
  • show care and respect for school property and the property of others
  • take the proper steps to help those in need
  • respect the need of others to work in an environment that is good for learning and teaching
  • seek help from school staff to resolve conflict peacefully, if necessary
  • not swear at or verbally abuse anyone
  • not use mobile devices (for example, cellphone, tablet, smartwatch) during class time except when:
    • a teacher says to use them as part of learning
    • they are needed for a health or medical reason
    • they support special education needs

Safety

All students and school community members must not:

  • start or join in any form of bullying, whether in-person or through technology (for example, through texts or social media posts)
  • start or join in hate propaganda or types of behaviour motivated by bias, prejudice or hate against a distinct group
  • inflict, or encourage others to inflict, bodily harm
  • commit sexual assault or sexual harassment
  • threaten or intimidate another person
  • be in possession of a weapon, including guns
  • traffic weapons or illegal drugs
  • commit robbery
  • commit vandalism that causes damage to school property or property:
    • of a school community member
    • located on school grounds
  • be in possession of alcohol, recreational cannabis or illegal drugs
    • for students, this would also include being in possession of e-cigarettes, tobacco and nicotine products, and using or being under the influence of alcohol, recreational cannabis, tobacco, e-cigarettes or illegal drugs
  • give others alcohol, illegal drugs, cannabis for recreational use, tobacco, e-cigarettes and accessories (for example, vape juice, a pipe, lighter or rolling papers)
  • record, take or share non-consensual recordings or photos of members of the school community

Enforcing the rules

Schools must enforce the provincial Code of Conduct standards.

Your school board will have procedures that distinguish between:

  • students: schools use a progressive discipline approach to enforce standards
  • staff: school boards create and apply discipline policies and procedures consistent with labour contracts
  • broader school community: school boards must have procedures that address improper conduct by volunteers, visitors or other persons

Schools and school boards must document every step in addressing known, unacceptable behaviour.

Your school board will:

  • make the policies and procedures public, for example, on a school board website
  • explain the steps for reporting unacceptable behaviour
  • consider and include parents who don’t have English or French as a first language

Expectations for the school community

Every member of the school community has a role to play and expectations to follow.

Students

We expect students to:

  • come to school prepared, on time and ready to learn
  • show respect for themselves, for others and for those in authority
  • refrain from bringing anything to school that may risk the safety of others
  • follow the rules and take responsibility for their own actions

Parents and guardians

We expect you to:

  • engage in your child's schoolwork and progress
  • communicate regularly with your school
  • make sure your child is properly prepared for school
  • ensure that your child attends school regularly and on time
  • inform your school promptly about your child's absence or late arrival
  • become familiar with our Code of Conduct, your board's code of conduct and your school’s code of conduct (if they have a school-specific code)
  • encourage and help your child follow the rules of behaviour
  • help school staff deal with disciplinary issues involving your child

Principals

We expect principals to:

  • show care for the school community and commitment to student achievement and well-being in a safe, inclusive and accepting learning environment
  • hold everyone under their authority responsible for their behaviour and actions
  • empower students to be positive leaders in their school and community
  • communicate regularly and meaningfully with all members of their school community
  • model the standards of respect, civility and responsible citizenship

Teachers and school staff

We expect teachers and school staff to:

  • help students work to their full potential and develop their self-worth
  • empower students to be positive leaders in their classroom, school and community
  • communicate regularly and meaningfully with parents
  • maintain consistent and fair standards of behaviour for all students
  • show respect for all students, staff, parents, volunteers and members of the school community
  • prepare students for the full responsibilities of citizenship
  • help students communicate respectfully in person and online
  • model the standards of respect, civility and responsible citizenship
  • show students the appropriate use of cellphones during school by not using personal mobile devices during instructional time, unless explicitly for work-related purposes

Community partners

School boards should create or improve partnerships with members of the community and local service providers, including:

  • counselling services
  • psychological services
  • multicultural associations

These partnerships provide resources that school boards can use to deliver prevention or intervention programs.

Community members need to support and respect the rules of their local schools.

Police

Police investigate incidents by following a protocol developed with local school boards.

Police and school boards base their protocols on the provincial model to guide police involvement in school-related incidents.

About the provincial Code of Conduct

Our provincial Code of Conduct policy sets clear standards of behaviour for school communities. School boards use it to develop their own local codes of conduct. At minimum, school boards' codes of conduct must be consistent with the provincial Code of Conduct.

The code aims to help schools:

  • create a positive school environment
  • support the achievement and well-being of all students

Goals of the code

The goals of our Code of Conduct are set out in law. They include:

  • promoting the safety of people in the schools
  • discouraging the use of alcohol, illegal drugs and recreational cannabis
  • preventing bullying in schools
  • encouraging non-violent conflict resolution
  • having school climates where differences are addressed with respect and civility

The Code of Conduct aims to make sure everyone is treated with respect and dignity and takes part in the civic life of the school as a responsible citizen.

Who the code applies to

The code of conduct applies to the entire school community, including:

  • students
  • parents or guardians
  • volunteers
  • teachers
  • early childhood educators
  • principals
  • other staff members
  • visitors

Where the code applies

The code applies to the entire school community. In the publicly funded school system, this means everyone:

  • on school property
  • on school buses
  • at school-related events or activities
  • in other circumstances that could have an impact on the school climate, such as incidents that may happen between students off school property
  • in an virtual learning environment

Creating and updating policies and procedures

School boards should:

  • review their policies and procedures at least every 3 years, and more often if needed
  • assess policies and procedures to make sure they align with our Code of Conduct
  • seek input from the school community when creating or updating their code of conduct policies and procedures

School boards must seek this input from:

  • students
  • teachers
  • principals
  • other staff of the board
  • volunteers working in the schools
  • parents of the students
  • school councils
  • the public

School boards should seek feedback from:

  • Parent Involvement Committees
  • Special Education Advisory Committee
  • Indigenous Education Advisory Council
  • social service agencies
  • mental health agencies
  • other community partners

Related policies

School boards and schools must implement our Code of Conduct in the context of other policies, including:

Find all policies and resources for school boards to create safe and accepting schools.

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