Issue link: https://publications.tfs.ca/i/1421996
40 Parents' Handbook 2021– 2022 PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE At TFS, a progressive discipline approach is used to build, support and maintain a positive school climate. This whole-school approach is based on using a continuum of interventions, supports and consequences to address inappropriate student behaviour and to build upon strategies that promote positive behaviours and growth. These include learning opportunities for reinforcing positive behaviour and helping students to make good choices consistent with the TFS Code of Conduct. Progressive discipline is a process designed to create the expectation that the degree of discipline will be in proportion to the severity of the behaviour leading to the discipline, and that the previous disciplinary history of the student and all other relevant factors will be taken into account. Each branch will consider the age and developmental stage of its respective students. Progressive discipline must take into account the needs of individual students by showing sensitivity to diversity, to cultural needs, and to special education needs. 1. Progressive Discipline Framework A progressive discipline approach promotes positive student behaviour through strategies that include using prevention programs and early and ongoing interventions and supports, reporting incidents for which the Head of School will consider student discipline, and responding to incidents of inappropriate and disrespectful behaviour when they occur. The school will actively engage parents in the progressive discipline approach. The school will focus on prevention and early intervention as the key to maintaining a positive school environment in which students can learn. Each incident of inappropriate behaviour will be assessed in light of the specific situation. Repeated acts of misconduct and/or single acts of serious misconduct will likely warrant a more serious response, such as a suspension. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to: - noncompliance; - persistent truancy; - persistent opposition to authority; - demonstrating a pattern of behaviour where the pupil's presence is injurious to the effective learning environment of other pupils or persons; - conduct injurious to the moral tone of the school, or to the physical or mental well-being of others; - bringing the name of TFS into disrepute; - engaging in any types of bullying behaviours; - engaging in hate propaganda and other forms of behaviour motivated by hate or bias; - uttering a threat to inflict bodily harm; - using any object to threaten or intimidate another person; - inflicting or encouraging others to inflict bodily harm on themselves or another person; - causing injury to any person; - committing sexual assault; - being in possession of, or be under the influence of, or provide others with alcohol, cannabis (unless the individual has been authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes), illegal drugs or harmful substances; - providing others with alcohol, illegal drugs, or cannabis (unless the recipient is an individual who has been authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes); - being in possession of any weapon; - trafficking in weapons or harmful substances (defined as all illegal drugs, alcohol, cannabis, any mind or mood-altering substances other than alcohol, tobacco and over-the-counter drugs taken for nonmedicinal purposes, and medicinal substances prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner used by a student for non-medicinal purposes); - committing theft; and,