Effective+Learning+Environments+and+Classroom+Management

=**SAFE SCHOOL POLICIES:  A MUST KNOW **=

Below are the policies of the York Region District School Board regarding the safe school initiative. York Region District School Board believes in "positive reinforcement as well as consequences for inappropriate behaviour." As a new teacher, you must be f**amiliar with** what the policies are regarding disciplinary action in order to effectively and appropriately deal with these situations. These specific disciplinary questions will probably not come up in an interview but would be good to have a general idea about and are necessary to know in your first year teaching.

The following is from the York Region District School Board:
 * 1) **__Positive Practices__**
 * program modifications and/or accommodations (as set out in Individual Education Plans);
 * change in class or school placement;
 * positive feedback for desirable behaviour;
 * individual, peer and group counseling;
 * conflict resolution initiatives;
 * anti-bullying and violence prevention programs;
 * sensitivity programs (racism, disability, homophobia, etc.);
 * involvement of school, Board and community support services.

YRDSB understands that in some cases positive reinforcement is not effective. In these cases, more disciplinary practices are appropriate.


 * 1) **__Disciplinary Practices__**
 * withdrawal of privileges;
 * exclusion from optional activities;
 * restitution for damages;
 * detentions;
 * student exclusion;
 * 1) temporary exclusion from class;
 * 2) voluntary withdrawal from class or school;
 * suspension from school;

A student **shall** be suspended if:
 * __Mandatory Suspension Criteria__:**
 * 1) uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm;*
 * 2) possessing alcohol or illegal drugs;*
 * 3) being under the influence of alcohol;
 * 4) swearing at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority;
 * 5) committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the student’s school or to property located on the premises of the student’s school;*
 * 6) committing an act of extortion;*
 * 7) committing a repeated act of intimidation;
 * 8) being found in possession of a knife (not prescribed for program);
 * 9) if ordered by the Medical Officer of Health.

A student **may** be suspended if: >> A student may be suspended from school if the student commits an infraction off board property, for which mandatory or discretionary suspension criteria would otherwise be required and:
 * __Discretionary Suspension Criteria__**
 * 1) **engaging in conduct that is injurious to the physical or mental wellbeing of others;**
 * 2) engaging in conduct that is injurious to the moral tone of the school;
 * 3) demonstrating persistent opposition to authority;
 * 4) the habitual neglect of duty;
 * 5) using profane or improper language.
 * 6) dressing in a manner that violates the school’s Appropriate Dress Code.
 * 1) the principal considers there to be a sufficient relationship between the conduct, participants or circumstances and the school or school community;
 * 2) the student’s continued presence in the school or classroom is considered by the principal to effect a danger or possibility of harm, physical or emotional, to others in the school;


 * requires police involvement as outlined in the Police/Board Protocol**


 * Here are some mitigating circumstances that may prevent expulsion and may be considered in the type and duration of the expulsion:
 * the student does not have the ability to control his or her behaviour; or,
 * the student does not have the ability to understand the foreseeable consequences of his or her behaviour; or,
 * the student’s continuing presence in the school does not create an unacceptable risk to the safety of any person. ||

A student **shall** be expelled if:
 * __Mandatory Expulsion Criteria__**
 * 1) possessing a weapon or replica weapon, including a firearm;*
 * 2) using a weapon to cause or to threaten bodily harm to another person;*
 * 3) committing physical assault that causes bodily harm requiring treatment by a medical practitioner;*
 * 4) committing sexual assault;*
 * 5) trafficking in weapons, illegal drugs, or prescription drugs;*
 * 6) committing robbery;*
 * 7) providing alcohol to a minor;*
 * 8) intentionally committing an act that endangers the lives of others.*

A student **may** be expelled if:
 * __Discretionary Expulsion Criteria__**
 * 1) the student’s behaviour or pattern of behaviour (on or off school property) is so inappropriate that the student’s presence is injurious to the moral tone of the school and/or the effective learning/working environment of others;
 * 2) the student has engaged in an activity (on or off school property) that causes the student’s continuing presence in the school to create an unacceptable risk to the physical or mental well being of another person(s) in the school or Board.

A student may also be expelled from school if the student commits an infraction off Board property, for which mandatory or discretionary expulsion criteria would otherwise be required and;
 * 1) the principal considers there to be a sufficient relationship between the conduct, participants or circumstances and the school or school community;
 * 2) the student’s continued presence in the school or classroom is considered by the principal to effect a danger or possibility of harm, physical or emotional, to others in the school;
 * requires police involvement as outlined in the Police/Board Protocol.**

Each school, in consultation with its School Council, shall establish a school Code of Conduct that reflects the Education Act and Regulations, the provincial Code of Conduct and Board Policy and Procedure. The School Code of Conduct shall be distributed to parents and shared with students annually.
 * 1) **__School Codes of Conduct__**

(http://www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/page.cfm?id=TPT6680000)

=Student Success/Learning to 18: A SHOULD KNOW =

Student Success/Learning to 18 is a ministry policy that states that all students should have the opportunity to learn until 18 and receive their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. This is something you **should** know about. You do not necessary need to know the specifics of the policy but you should be familiar with it. It would be good to discuss some of the **new initiatives** during your interview. The point of this policy is to create an education that meets the individual strength, goals, and interests of the students.

This following is from the ministry of ontario website:

New Initiatives
There are many new programs being rolled out across the province for students pursuing university, college, apprenticeships or the workplace after graduation. Support is also being provided to struggling high school students so they can get back on track to graduate. ( http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/teachers/studentsuccess/strategy.html)
 * **[|Specialist High Skills Majors]** allow students to focus on a future career through a bundle of classroom courses, workplace experiences and sector certifications
 * **[|Expansion of Cooperative Education]** allows students to count this hands-on learning towards two compulsory high school credits
 * **[|E-Learning]** provides students with online courses and allows teachers to share resources across the province
 * **[|Dual Credits]** count towards a student's high school diploma as well as a college certificate, diploma or apprenticeship certification
 * **[|Think Literacy]** and **[|Leading Math Success]** ensure teachers have the resources they need to help students build a solid foundation in reading, writing and math.
 * **[|Elementary To Secondary School Transition Program]** helps students succeed in high school through individual profiles, customized timetables and other programs
 * Lighthouse projects help students refocus on graduation through unique opportunities developed by their local school boards
 * Student Success Teams (principal, student success teacher, guidance counselor, special education teacher and other educators) provide extra attention in every high school to students who need it.