Safe, Caring and Orderly Schools

Developing and Reviewing Codes of Conduct
A Companion to the Provincial Standards for Codes of Conduct Ministerial Order And Safe, Caring and Orderly Schools: A Guide (2004)

English [PDF 79KB]
French [PDF 102KB]

Description: This document is a companion to the Provincial Standards for Codes of Conduct Ministerial Order and Safe Caring and Orderly Schools: A Guide.

It has been created to assist boards of education in meeting their obligation to ensure that codes of conduct in their districts meet the provincial standards and comply with the School Act and the Provincial Standards for Codes of Conduct Order. It offers information to assist boards to meet their responsibilities under the law and work to make the schools of our province as safe, caring and orderly as possible.

Description: This Handbook is designed to support an integrated, collaborative response to child abuse and neglect by:

• providing information about identifying and reporting suspected child abuse and neglect;
• providing an overview of relevant law and government policies;
• clarifying the roles and shared responsibilities of service providers, including their accountability for responding to suspected child abuse and neglect; and
• ensuring that responses to suspected child abuse and neglect in British Columbia are effective, consistent and sensitive to the needs of children.
  

Whether they are our own kids, a neighbour’s or a stranger’s, we all have a role to play in keeping children safe. This booklet tells you how you can help by:

• knowing the signs of abuse and neglect; and
• knowing what to do when a child may be at risk.

Safe, Caring and Orderly Schools: A Guide
[PDF 597KB]

Des écoles sûres où règnent la bienveillance et la discipline : Guide-ressource (RB0173) [PDF 1.21MB]

Description: This document describes the vision for schools toward which school boards, schools and school communities must continually strive. The Guide identifies attributes of safe, caring and orderly schools, and provides provincial standards for codes of conduct. It also outlines strategies for informing appropriate members of the school community of safety concerns in a timely manner.

Call it Safe - A parent guide for dealing with bullying in elementary schools

English [PDF 207KB]
French [PDF 616KB]
Korean [PDF 1.15MB]
Punjabi [PDF 173KB]
Simplified Chinese [PDF 1.03MB]
Traditional Chinese [PDF 1.06MB]

Description: A guide for parents of elementary school students and Parent Advisory Council (PAC) leaders. It will:

• answer some of the questions you may have about bullying, and give you information about what you need to know and do to help your children
  
• provide information that you and your PAC can use to work with your school to help ensure that the school is safe.

This guide is also useful to others who wish to understand parents' views on bullying, and help to raise awareness and promote effective programs.

Call it Safe - A parent guide for dealing with harassment and intimidation in secondary schools

English [PDF 165KB]
French [PDF 611KB]
Korean [PDF 837KB]
Punjabi [PDF 230KB]
Simplified Chinese [PDF 1.09MB]
Traditional Chinese [PDF 1.09MB]

Description: A guide for parents of secondary school students and Parent Advisory Council (PAC) leaders. It will:

• answer some of the questions you may have about harassment and intimidation, and give you information about what you need to know and do to help your children
• provide information that you and your PAC can use to work with your school to help ensure that the school is safe.

This guide is also useful to others associated with the public school system who wish to understand parents' perspectives on harassment and intimidation, and engage parents' help in raising awareness and promoting effective awareness, prevention, intervention and protection programs.

Responding to Critical Incidents: A Resource for Schools (RB0071) [PDF 259KB]

Intervenir en cas d’incident critique: guide-ressource destiné aux écoles [PDF 583KB]

Description: Intended to assist schools and school districts in planning effective responses after traumatic events. It contains a generic protocol for supporting staff and students dealing with emotional issues after a critical incident, violent event, natural disaster, or other traumatic event. As well, this resource includes useful material on Critical Incidents Stress Debriefing, including: Developing a critical incidents response plan; communication guidelines; and team/teacher/school checklists and agendas.

Diversity Framework [PDF 212KB]

Diversité dans les écoles de la Colombie-Britannique : Document-cadre (RB0172) [PDF 342KB]

Description: Describes key concepts, references guiding legislation, and includes some important implications for policies, strategies, and initiatives in the school system related to:

• honouring diversity and promoting human rights,
  
• preventing discrimination, harassment, and violence, and
  
• responding to incidents of discrimination, harassment, or violence when they occur.

• reviewing existing policies and practices to ensure they are consistent with legislation,
  
• enhancing existing policies and practices to ensure that they address diversity, and
  
• developing or implementing new policies and practices to directly address the diverse needs of the
  people served by the school system.

Focus on Bullying - A Prevention Program for Elementary School Communities (RB0077)
[PDF 153KB]

Pleins feux sur l’intimidation: Programme de prévention à l’intention des écoles élémentaires [PDF 3.28MB]

Description: Based on a comprehensive program first developed by the Vancouver School Board, this resource promotes an approach in which all members of the school community contribute to the development of a school-wide bullying prevention plan. This resource contains resources and training for teachers, school administrators, and support staff. Focus on Bullying includes practical ideas, activities and strategies, including a series of skill-building lesson plans that actively engage students in discussions about bullying and in devising solutions to stop bullying when it occurs in elementary schools.

Focus on Harassment and Intimidation: Responding to Bullying in Secondary School Communities (RB0077)
[PDF 2.89MB]

Pleins feux sur le harcèlement et l’intimidation - Guide d’intervention pour les écoles secondaires
[PDF 660KB]

Description: Focus on Harassment and Intimidation defines key concepts and processes associated with a safe learning environment and describes a collaborative process for safe-school policy development. It also provides suggestions for teaching these concepts and processes in the classroom. Also included, are examples of promising practices from around the province; and guidelines for responding to incidents of harassment and intimidation effectively, respectfully, and consistently.

Focus on Suspension - A Resource for Schools (RB0079)
[PDF 640KB]

L'exclusion temporaire : Guide-ressource à l'intention des écoles (RB0171)
[PDF 356KB]

Description: This handbook provides information to assist schools in developing strategies that focus on alternatives to out-of school suspension. It includes:

• information on the legal aspects of suspension in BC;
• successful discipline and support interventions as alternatives to suspension; and,
• examples of successful programs and practices both in BC and in research literature.

Focus on Suspension emphasizes the importance of a positive healthy school climate and effective classroom management in preventing situations that may result in suspension.

Internet Safety Tips for Parents

Description: Steps parents can take to protect children who use the Internet.

• General rules for using the Internet
• Guiding your child online
• Preserving your family's privacy
• Minimizing possible risks

Keeping Schools Safe: a Practical Guide for Principals and Vice-Principals

Description: Developed to support school-based administrators, principals and vice-principals in their work to keep schools safe.

Part I is set out in a simple format to give principals and vice-principals a quick and easy reference to use when a situation occurs, with clear suggestions for preventive measures that can be built into the life of the school.

Part II discusses in depth legal issues associated with creating safe school communities of interest to school-based and district administrators, trustees, teachers, and many other members of the school district community.

**Note: to purchase copies of this resource, please contact the BC School Principals and Vice Principals Association by email at linda@BCPVPA.bc.ca or call 1-800-663-0432 (toll free).

• STATEMENT OF EDUCATION POLICY ORDER (Mandate for the School System) Authority: School Act s.169 (3) (OIC 1280/89 (Manual of School Law location is D-81)
  
• School Act s. 76 (2) (3) (conduct, discipline in schools) (Manual of School Law - location is C-45)
  
• School Act s. 85 (2) (c) (school boards) (Manual of School Law - location is D-81)
  
• School Act s. (6) (duties of students) (Manual of School Law - location is C-14)
  
• School Act s. 7 and 8 (parents and parents' advisory council) (Manual of School Law - location is C-15)

Promoting Safer Schools - An Introduction to Effective Behaviour Support

Description: In BC many educators have embraced Effective Behavior Support as an approach that assists them in developing school-wide plans for ensuring safe and caring schools.

This publication provides an overview of the components of an effective behavior support plan. Schools seeking training and support for the development of a school-wide plan should contact the Institute for Safe Schools of British Columbia at 1-888-224-7233 or (604) 660-7233

Responding to Children's Problem Sexual Behavior in Elementary Schools: A Resource for Educators (RB0078) [PDF 153KB]

Comportements sexuels inconvenants chez les élèves de l'élémentaire [PDF 5.65MB]

Description: This guide is intended to help school staff respond to children's problem sexual behavior in a practical and preventative manner - one that helps the student better understand the behavior and its effects. The primary goals of this guide are to facilitate communication, empathy, and accountability. This manual helps school staff understand how problems develop, and how teachers and other school staff can respond appropriately to them. It also provides school principals with information about issues of liability and accountability.

Social Responsibility A Framework

Description: Provides educators, students, and families with a common set of expectations for student development in four categories.

CONTRIBUTING TO THE CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL COMMUNITY

• sharing responsibility for their social and physical environment
• participating and contributing to the class and to small groups

SOLVING PROBLEMS IN PEACEFUL WAYS

• managing conflict appropriately, including presenting views and arguments respectfully, and considering others’ views
• using effective problem-solving steps and strategies

VALUING DIVERSITY AND DEFENDING HUMAN RIGHTS

• treating others fairly and respectfully; showing a sense of ethics
• recognizing and defending human rights

EXERCISING DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• knowing and acting on rights and responsibilities (local, national,global)
• articulating and working toward a preferred future for the community, nation, and planet — a sense of idealism

Teaching Students Learning and Behavioural Differences

Enseigner aux élèves ayant des difficultés d'apprentissage et de comportement [PDF 1MB]

Description: This manual is designed to support teachers as they strive to help students with learning and behavioral difficulties succeed in the classroom. The introduction features information on in-class intervention, referrals and communication with parents.

http://www.iss-bc.ca

The Institute for Safe Schools of British Columbia maintains a wealth of print and video resources in these major topic areas:

• Counselling and Support
• Crime and Violence Prevention
• Diversity
• Intimidation, Harassment & Violence
• The Legal System
• Social & Emotional Development
• Youth at Risk
• Youth Leadership

The BC Confederation of
Parent Advisory Councils
www.bccpac.bc.ca

BCCPAC Advocacy Project
Description: A parent-driven movement to help parents and students have a voice in our public education system and solve problems in a positive way.

The BC School Trustees
Association
www.bcsta.org

BCSTA maintains a searchable database of school district policies
www.bcsta.org/policy/polindex.htm
There are two search options:
Detailed: search by school district, date, policy name, etc.
Short: search by content field only, e.g., safe schools-related content fields:
• Code of Conduct
• Bullying
• Harassment and Intimidation
• Racism
• Student Discipline

“PRIDELINE BC”
Toll Free:
1-800-566-1170

The Prideline provides a non-judgmental, supportive service to the Lesbian, Gay, Transgendered and Bisexual communities.

7 days per week from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Youth Against Violence Line
Toll Free:
1-800-680-4264

The Youth Against Violence Line is a safe, confidential way for youth to pass on information to prevent fights, receive assistance about harassment, bullying and sexual assault and leave information about drug and criminal activity.

Youthquest! Lesbian and Gay Youth Society of British Columbia
1-604-523-9115
Toll free:
1-866-NOT-ALONE
(1-866-668-2566)

Youthquest! is Canada's largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning youth.

Youthquest! provides safe & supportive drop-in sites, a toll-free support line, community education (anti-bullying training), crucial peer support, and fun, safe social activities.

M-F 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.