Preamble/Introduction

The Mission Statement for Garibaldi Highlands Elementary School states that it is our mission to enable each child to develop his/her potential through a caring school culture.  It is our belief that in order to help children to reach their potential they must be provided with a safe, supportive environment.  Discipline is an essential component of a safe, caring school culture.

The School Board in its policy on student conduct, states that the school must be a place for orderly, purposeful high quality endeavours, within a pleasant, positive and supportive atmosphere of human interactions.  Among the student behaviours and attitudes that the Board expects to be evident in the school are the following:

Respect:  Students should show respect for people, property and the mission of the school.  They should respect the rights, responsibilities and privileges of themselves and other students, as well as the adults in the school.

Responsibility:  Students should gradually assume more responsibility for themselves, (as individuals and as members of society) as they get older.  They should become responsible for undertaking, organizing and completing school work and for meeting social obligations.

Quality:  Students should meet or exceed school standards for language, dress, attendance, and behaviour and strive for excellence in all their school endeavours.

Attitudes:  Students should display enthusiasm, diligence, and sportsmanship in all their school endeavours.  They are expected to be positive, to participate willingly in school activities and to undertake them in a co-operative spirit and a sense of justice and fair play.

It is recognized that the teaching and reinforcement of social responsibility and pro-social behaviours is more effective in establishing and maintaining high discipline standards than punishing students for inappropriate behaviour.