Student Behaviour

W.R. Myers High School is committed to fostering a welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning environment in which all students feel a sense of belonging. The purpose of this policy is to:

• Promote positive behaviour, self-discipline, and social responsibility.
• Ensure that discipline measures are fair, consistent, and restorative.
• Support early intervention and preventative strategies to address behaviour concerns.
• Align with Horizon School Division Policy to ensure a consistent approach to student conduct and discipline across the division.

This policy applies to student behaviour on school property, school buses, during school-related activities, and in situations where student actions impact the school environment, whether in person or online.

Students are expected to:

• Treat others with respect – Demonstrate kindness, courtesy, and inclusion toward peers, staff, and visitors.
• Engage responsibly in learning – Attend class regularly, participate actively, and complete assigned work.
• Follow school and division policies – Adhere to expectations regarding conduct, technology use, and academic integrity.
• Promote safety and well-being – Avoid behaviours that could harm themselves or others physically or emotionally.

Preventative and Restorative Approaches

W.R. Myers High School believes that preventative discipline is the most effective. Staff are encouraged to:

• Address minor concerns as close to the source as possible (e.g., teacher-managed interventions).
• Use restorative practices to help students understand the impact of their actions and repair relationships.
• Engage families, school-based support teams, and external agencies when necessary to support behavioural growth.

Foster an environment that respects diversity and encourages student belonging.

When a student’s behaviour does not meet expectations, discipline will be fair, reasonable, and aligned with their level of maturity and understanding. The following factors will be considered when determining appropriate consequences:

• Nature and severity of the behaviour.
• Impact on others and the learning environment.
• Student’s previous conduct and individual circumstances.
• Student’s age, maturity, and understanding of expectations.

Possible disciplinary responses may include, but are not limited to:

• Restorative conversations, mediation, and problem-solving meetings.
• Parent communication and involvement.
• Counselling or educational interventions (e.g., referrals to school-based support teams).
• Loss of privileges, in-school suspensions, or temporary removal from school activities.

Out-of-school suspension or, in severe cases, recommendation for expulsion in alignment with Horizon Policy IGD – Suspension and Expulsion of Students​.

W.R. Myers does not tolerate bullying, harassment, or discrimination of any kind, including:

• • • Verbal bullying – Name-calling, teasing, spreading rumours.
    • Social bullying – Exclusion, humiliation, public embarrassment.
    • Physical bullying – Pushing, hitting, damaging property.
    • Cyberbullying – Using digital platforms to threaten, harass, or intimidate.

Response to Bullying & Harassment

• Step 1: Restorative mediation, parent communication, and possible counselling. Depending on the circumstances, a suspension may be considered.
• Step 2: Minimum two-day out-of-school suspension and mandatory counselling
• Step 3: Minimum five-day suspension and possible recommendation for expulsion.

Reporting – Students who experience or witness bullying are encouraged to report concerns to a staff member.
Restorative and disciplinary interventions will be used depending on the severity of the incident, as outlined in Horizon Policy JHF – Welcoming, Caring, Respectful, and Safe Learning Environments​.

• First Offense – Minimum 3-day out-of-school suspension, mediation, and possible referral to anger management support.
• Second Offense – Minimum 5-day suspension, family meeting, and consideration for expulsion.
• Depending on the severity and circumstances of the incident, police may also be involved in the disciplinary process.

• W.R. Myers High School is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment and follows Horizon Policy JFCH – Illicit & Controlled Substances​. Students shall not possess, use, or distribute illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, vapes, or any related paraphernalia on school property or at school events.
• Controlled substance use by a minor is a violation of the law. Any of the circumstances below may require police involvement at the discretion of administration.
• Students struggling with substance use or addiction are encouraged to seek support, including our school counselling team, who can provide guidance, resources, and referrals to appropriate support programs.
• Responses to Substance Use and Possession

• Possession without use (first offense) – The substance will be confiscated, parents will be contacted, and a possible suspension may be issued.
• Possession and use (first offense) – The substance will be confiscated, parents will be contacted, and the student will receive a two-day suspension.
• Possession without use (repeated offense) – The substance will be confiscated, a parent meeting will be required, and a suspension may be issued.
• Possession and use (repeated offense) – The student will receive progressively increasing suspension lengths, and a recommendation for expulsion may be considered.
• Distribution of illicit substances – Any student found distributing substances will face an immediate recommendation for expulsion and may face criminal charges.

• Teachers are responsible for maintaining a positive classroom environment and addressing minor behaviour concerns proactively.
• Administrators oversee discipline procedures and ensure fairness and consistency.

School staff are encouraged to use available support resources, including counselling, behaviour interventions, and community partnerships, when addressing student behaviour.