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CODE OF CONDUCT

RATIONALE

The Christian school provides opportunity for students to realize their full potential through Christ-centred instruction in a safe, warm, and caring environment. In order for the individual student to achieve this goal, we are committed as a Christian institution to be image bearers of God as a community of learners and leaders. By providing an environment where a spirit of caring, responsibility, and justice is daily practiced, students will learn to be salt and light as responsible citizens of our society.

At Langley Christian High School, we value academic excellence in a nurturing environment. The atmosphere in the classrooms and the hallways should be such that students can reach their potential without interference. This can only be done when there is an atmosphere of respect for others and their property, regardless of intelligence, learning abilities, gifts, ethnic or family background. We let the word of Christ dwell in us richly as we teach and admonish one another with all wisdom. (Col. 3:16)

A school community that calls itself Christian shows a clear and bold conviction that the Spirit of the Lord will prevail in its hallways, sports fields, staff rooms, and classrooms. Discipline (which relates to the word disciple or follower) is to be seen as a number of nods and nudges, encouragements and discouragements, to urge students to live and act as followers of Jesus Christ.

The aim of discipline is self-discipline. Rules exist to help remind us that Langley Christian High School is composed of many parts (staff, students, administration, parents, board, support staff) that are mutually responsible for one another. Therefore, being late for class disrupts the learning process for teacher and student alike; dropping garbage or vandalizing school property reflects on the entire community and causes extra work for other members of the school community. The metaphor of the body used by the apostle Paul may be applied to a Christian school; it has many different parts but each must perform its unique function to make the entire body function effectively.

We invite all members of the Langley Christian School community to join us in this exciting endeavour.   

EXPECTATIONS

In order to achieve a community of learners and leaders that demonstrates principles of Christian living, we at LCHS expect the following:

HOW WE WORK:

Students are expected to be punctual in completing assignments and diligent in their daily work habits. They are expected to contribute to a positive learning environment by coming to school and class on time, prepared to cooperate and participate. Students are expected to have all the necessary books and supplies and are expected to work to the best of their ability on tests and assignments. Class time will be used efficiently and responsibly.

HOW WE PLAY:

Fair play, inclusion, and mutual respect will be the trademark of all recreational activity and social events at LCHS. All students are expected to positively represent LCHS during school events and activities, whether on campus or off. Involvement in extra-curricular activities is encouraged so that all students have the opportunity to excel in areas of their own giftedness and contribute to the school community in a positive way.

HOW WE WORSHIP:

While we know that all areas of life give us opportunity to worship and honour our God, LCHS has set aside weekly time for chapel (Friday at 8:50 am). During this time we worship God as a school community in a variety of creative ways. Students are expected to participate in a manner that honours God and respects their fellow worshippers. Student leadership is encouraged.

HOW WE PRESENT OURSELVES:

In Our Appearance: Our appearance will reflect a positive expression of the Christian lifestyle in dress, grooming and hygiene. It will at all times be modest, respectful of self and others, and appropriate for school and weather conditions. Appropriate dress is expected at extra-curricular activities, and at all school functions. The following guidelines are to be respected:

  • T-shirts with inappropriate slogans or pictures may not be worn to school.

  • Shirts or blouses should be modest. Shoulders should be fully covered, and no midriff, cleavage or undergarments should be showing.

  • Shorts should be neat and of reasonable length.

  • Even when wearing nylons or net-type stokings, shorts or skirts still need to be of reasonable length.  To be worn without shorts or a skirt, tights need to be of a reasonable thickness and should not be too tight.

  • Footwear is mandatory.

If a student is wearing clothing judged to be offensive or inappropriate, s/he will be asked to find something else for the day. In the event of repeated occurrences, a meeting will be arranged with the parents.

In Our Language: Our language will at all times be God-honouring and mutually upbuilding. There is no place for profanity, crude or sexually explicit language, or put-downs within a community which seeks to build itself on caring and mutual respect.

In Our Relationships: Our relationships will be characterized by mutual love and respect. We will go out of our way to encourage one another and build one another up. We will strive for a community in which everyone is safe from verbal, physical and sexual harassment. When conflict or disagreements occur they will be dealt with in a fair, non-violent manner that leads to restoration and resolution. The school will provide qualified counseling and will explore peer-counseling options to support this goal. Students are expected to be respectful to those in authority including teachers, administration, coaches and parent volunteers. Our relationships with the opposite sex will reflect modesty and self-control. Overt public displays of affection on campus are not allowed.

To Our Neighbours:

Our language, behaviour, and appearance, will reflect the reality that we are ambassadors for Christ to our neighbourhood.

WHEN EXPECTATIONS ARE NOT MET

When expectations are not met, the community will exercise just, caring, and firm discipling. This can occur in a variety of ways:

  • Instruction

  • Conferencing involving the student, teacher, parent, and/or principal

  • Recommendation to internal student support services: Learning Assistance, Peer-Counseling, School Counselor

  • Recommendation to an external support agency

  • Restorative Action

  • In some cases disciplinary action may be necessary.

HOMEWORK AND HOME STUDY

As part of the learning process, students will be expected to do homework regularly. Grade 9 and 10 students should count on at least an hour and a half of homework daily, and senior students should expect to do a minimum of two hours per day. The purpose of homework, whether assigned by the teacher or self-directed home study, is to:

  • Review material taught in class;

  • Prepare for testing;

  • Broaden learning possibilities;

  • Catch up on work missed due to illness or other absence.

PROCEDURES 

The following procedures have been developed to ensure that LCHS runs in an orderly and safe manner:

ATTENDANCE

1. Arrival and Dismissal

On regular bell schedule days, students are expected to be in their first period class prepared for instruction by 8:40 am. A warning bell will ring at 8:35 am. On late start Friday mornings, the warning bell will ring at 9:10 and chapel will begin at 9:15.  At this time attendance will be taken by the teacher and submitted to the office. Students are dismissed at 2:55 pm. 

2. Late Arrival

Students who are not in their first period class on time are considered to be late and are expected to report to the office where they will be issued a late slip. The school secretary will record whether or not the tardiness is excused or unexcused.

Students will be given five minutes between classes. A daily record will be kept of students who arrive late to class. This record will be submitted to the office at the end of each school day. The home will be contacted when students have been late six times.

Students who are late for classes will serve a noon hour detention. Students serving detentions should be in the detention room by 11:34 am, and bring study materials with them. They are expected to work quietly till they are dismissed at 12:03 pm. If a student has served mutiple noon hour detentions, the home will be contacted, and future detentions will be served after school.

3. Absences

If a student will be absent, the office is to be informed by the parent between 8:00 and 8:45 a.m. Parents may inform the school either by a telephone call or a signed note. The home will be contacted if no communication has been made.  Parents are asked to excuse their child only for absences and lates which are outside of their control, (e.g. illness, bereavement).  They are asked not to excuse their child for absences and lates which could have been avoided (e.g. sleeping in), so that normal school consequences can do the work of discouraging repeated incidents.  For students who have been repeatedly absent for quizzes or tests, permission to miss yet another test may be required from the subject teacher and the assistant principal.

Unexcused Absences: Students will be required to make up the time lost after school and the home will be informed. Missed assignments will need to be completed or the teacher may assign a zero. After multiple unexcused absences the student and his/her parents will meet with the assistant principal, and a probationary period may be assigned.

Pre-planned and Excused Absences: We encourage families as much as possible not to schedule holidays during school time.  When preplanned absences are unavoidable, parents are responsible for discussing with the teachers how missed tests and assignments will be completed.  In the case of an extended absence due to a family holiday, teachers are not required to have work available in advance.

4. Leaving the School Grounds During School Hours

Parents are encouraged to arrange medical, dental, and other appointments outside school hours. If for some reason a student must leave during the school day, a note must be provided or the office contacted by the home beforehand. It is essential that students sign-out at the office when they leave and sign-in upon returning to the school.

Students in grade 9 and 10 may not leave the school grounds during lunch break. Students in grades 11 and 12 may leave the school grounds during the lunch break. Students who drive their own vehicle to and from school may use their vehicle during the lunch break. This is a privilege which may be taken away in the event of unsafe driving. In compliance with provincial law, students may have no more than one passenger unless passengers are family members.

HALLWAY CONDUCT

Students are expected to be respectful and courteous in the hallway at all times. When using the hallway during school hours, students are to be mindful of classes that are in session by speaking softly and moving quietly.

LUNCH

Students may eat their lunches in the halls, upper lobby or student lounge. Garbage, pop cans, etc. are to be placed in the appropriate bins. Spilt food and drinks must be cleaned up immediately.

LOCKERS

Each student will be assigned a locker at the beginning of the school year. Students are expected to purchase and use a lock from the school. Lockers must be kept clean and locked at all times. Periodic locker checks will be held by the staff.  Students are responsible for the condition of their locker. Students will be expected to pay for any damage.

TELEPHONE

The office telephone is designated for school business and emergencies only.

VISITORS

All visitors are expected to sign-in at the office and obtain a visitor identification tag (adult) or a visitor pass (student). Students from other schools must have prior approval from the administration to visit during school hours.

PARKING LOT SAFETY

In order to ensure the safety of all the people using the parking facility the following procedures will be strictly observed:

  • Cars may not travel in excess of 10 km/hr on the lot.

  • Students who drive are expected to park in the area adjacent to the entrance, facing the road.

  • Rollerblading and skateboarding are allowed during breaks in the designated areas.

  • Bikes will be parked on the west end of the school. They may not be ridden on the school grounds during school hours.

  • Please do not leave bikes or cars at the school overnight.  Their safety cannot be assured.

  • The driveway must remain clear at all times.

FIRE DRILLS

A number of fire drills will be held each year. Whenever the fire alarm rings, everybody in the building must leave using the designated exit and meet in the assigned areas. Each classroom has a map posted near the door showing the exit route for leaving the building and the designated area to assemble. No one may re-enter the building until the all-clear signal is given.

EARTH QUAKE DRILLS

Procedures to follow in the event of an earthquake will be explained and practiced in each class. In the event of an earthquake, students must follow the procedures and/or instruction given by the teacher. Students will remain calm and leave the building in an orderly fashion when given instructions to do so.

RULES AND CONSEQUENCES

In order to maintain community, it is essential that clearly defined consequences be set out for certain behaviours that undermine the mission of LCS.

BANNED SUBSTANCES

Smoking is not allowed on or near the school grounds during or after school hours or at school related functions. Students in possession of cigarettes will be required to make a $20.00 donation to the Canadian Cancer Society for the first offence, $50.00 for the second offence and will be placed on a four-month probationary period. Students in possession of drugs or alcohol will face a consequence ranging from a one-week suspension to expulsion. If suspended, the student will receive a probationary status for one calendar year, and any further serious behavioural incidents will result in expulsion.  A second offense of possession of banned substances will automatically result in expulsion, whether that offense is in the same school year or not. Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking will result in expulsion from school.

VANDALISM

Students who vandalize school/student property will pay for repairing or replacing the items vandalized. In addition they will have a specified number of school community service hours assigned, commensurate with the offense. The student will be placed on a four-month probationary period. Consequences for severe vandalism will range from a three-day suspension to expulsion.

THEFT

Students caught stealing will be required to return the stolen item, or purchase an item of equal or better quality. The student will immediately receive a three-day suspension and be placed on a four-month probationary period.  Any further serious behavioural incidents will result in expulsion.

HARASSMENT

Physical, verbal and other forms of harassment have no place in a Christian community. These will be dealt with in a manner appropriate to the situation. Students found to be abusive of others may be suspended for up to three days and be placed on a four-month probationary period.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Sexual harassment includes making unwelcome sexual advances, engaging in improper physical contact, making improper sexual comments, or otherwise creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning environment. If a student has concerns about the nature of any conduct or physical contact made by a school employee, a fellow student, or member of the public, s/he should immediately report this concern to the principal, assistant principal or school counselor.

VERBAL ABUSE

Verbally abusive language will not be tolerated. Students who persist in using this type of language will be referred to the office.

PLAGIARISM/CHEATING

Students who are found to be cheating or plagiarizing will be disciplined.  A record of the offense will be kept in the office. Students who have cheated or plagiarized twice will be placed on probation.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR PARTICIPATION

Students with failing marks and unsatisfactory effort or behaviour, may be denied permission to participate in extra-curricular activities.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Cell Phones

While cell phones are a wonderful convenience, students are encouraged to use them responsibly. As they have proven to be a significant distraction to the learning process, cell phones may not be used in the classroom.  Students are encouraged to leave them at home or in their lockers.   They will be confiscated if used in the classroom.  Parents are urged to call the school office, rather than their child's cell phone, if it is necessary to contact their children during school hours.

iPods may not be used in the classroom unless a teacher decides that using ipods will help the learning process.

Any item that may be construed as a weapon may not be brought to school. Such items will be confiscated.

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

It is recognized that the teacher is primarily responsible for administering discipline as situations arise.

1. Students may be referred to the office under the following circumstances:

a) An incident has occurred in which a student has chosen to break a school rule.

b) Incidents within the classroom that prevent a teacher from teaching, or other students from learning.

2. When a student is referred to the office, the teacher is expected to notify the office in person, or via the school       intercom system.

3. Students who have been referred to the office are expected to complete an office referral form, available from the school secretary.

4. The student will conference with the assistant principal, and the appropriate consequence will be assigned. Parents may be included in this conference. The teacher is expected to contact the home in the case of a student referral to the office.

5. An appropriate consequence will be given:

  1. Warning
  2. Interview with the student - a private discussion that may involve the school counselor.
  3. Detention after school or during the noon hour.
  4. Removal of privileges.
  5. Assignment of community service hours.
  6. Interview with the parents.
  7. Restitution - the student may be asked to pay for or repair damaged property or clean up a mess.
  8. In-school Suspension - the student will be expected to work in a supervised area away from other students for a period of time.
  9. Referral to an outside agency or another community resource.
  10. Formal suspension for a period of up to 5 days.

Expulsion:  this consequence is applied only when all other consequences have been considered and only as a last resort.  At this point the student is no longer a student at LCS, and may no longer attend class or any school functions.

6.  The referral form will be kept on file.

7. If a student has had to complete multiple office referral forms, a meeting will be arranged with the parents, suspension will be considered, and a probationary period will be assigned.

8. Should a student fail to meet the conditions of the probationary period, the parents and student will be expected to meet with the Discipline Committee to discuss the possibility of expulsion. The Discipline Committee has the authority to recommend the expulsion of a student to the Board.

9. At any point in this procedure, a broader perspective may be necessary, and the Discipline Committee may be called. If the case involves a suspension, the Discipline Committee will meet within 24 hours.

10. Parents wishing to appeal decisions of the discipline committee should follow the protocols of the LCS Dispute Resolution Policy.

Discipline Committee

  1. Will be used at the discretion of the Principal/Assistant Principal for appropriate circumstances.

  2. May meet at the request of parents/guardians.

  3. Will be used when a broader perspective is necessary

  4. Is an ad-hoc committee of the Board.

  5. Consists of the principal, assistant principal, a member of the educational forum and a Board member. The Board member will chair the meeting. None of the Discipline Committee members should be personally involved in the discipline case.

  6. Will hear information presented by the Principal/Assistant Principal as well as the information presented by the student and his/her parents/guardians.

  7. Is not an Appeals Committee.

Restorative Action

a) In the event that a student shows sincere remorse for his/her actions, and has a desire to be restored to the community, the Principal/Assistant Principal may offer a Restorative Action Process. A student has the choice to take his/her discipline through the Restorative Action process or s/he may choose to go according to the Code of Conduct.

b) Restorative Action involves victims, offenders, and their families and friends in a “face to face” process called “conferencing”. The individuals involved in the conference will decide the disciplinary action. Although the process is time consuming and emotionally challenging, it has proven to bring about healthy restoration.