Issue link: https://publications.tfs.ca/i/1484703
38 Parents' Handbook 2022– 2023 - Discuss the TFS Code of Conduct with your child, explaining that it was designed to guide students to adopt socially appropriate behaviours, to help them identify inappropriate behaviours, and to protect them against these behaviours. - Refer to the values expressed in the TFS Code of Conduct as often as needed at home to help your child sort out difficulties without resorting to violence, intimidation or aggressive behaviour. - Working with the school, support your child as much as you can to help them regain self-confidence. - If bullying continues after the school has intervened, contact a member of TFS' leadership team immediately. How can a parent/legal guardian support behavioural change in the student-bully? Please discuss TFS' Code of Conduct with your child, explaining that it was designed to guide students to adopt socially appropriate behaviours, and to help them identify inappropriate behaviours and prevent them from continuing. The aim is to help the student refrain from resorting to violence, intimidation or aggressive behaviour. If you see signs that your child has a tendency to bully others, either at home or in other situations (camps, clubs, etc.), seek help from the school and/ or a professional to determine what strategies can be used at home, alongside the supports and learning opportunities offered at school or elsewhere. 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;