Code of Conduct

SCIDES 

CODE OF CONDUCT

At SCIDES, we are committed to providing a safe, caring learning environment for everyone – whether on site or in the virtual setting of Online Learning – regardless of their Indigenous ancestry, gender identity, race, colour, place of origin, marital status, family status, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, culture or age.

The BC Human Rights Code provides us with a guideline, which we are dedicated to following. We believe that a supportive environment free from bullying, cyber bullying, harassment, intimidation and threatening or violent behaviour is the best kind of learning environment. 

Everyone is expected to follow this code.  Being exemplary citizens during school time and beyond is something we strive for. 

We expect everyone to:

• be respectful and kind to every member of the community and contribute to their feeling of safety
• make an effort to understand and respect different opinions and lifestyles
• respect others’ property
• exhibit zero tolerance for bullying or similar behavior – always inform an appropriate member of staff
• adhere to the expectations for conduct of the School District, including around the use of the internet

We expect that members of our community will not:

• engage in any threatening or violent behaviours 
• interfere with others’ academic efforts
• violate Academic Integrity e.g. cheating or plagiarism – see policy below
• engage in any acts of theft or vandalism
• demonstrate any signs of bullying, intimidation, or harassment, whether face-to-face or electronically, including retribution against any person who has reported incidents regarding the breach of this Code of Conduct
• discriminate against any person, regardless of their Indigenous identity, gender identity, race, colour, place of origin, marital status, family status, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, culture or age.

Disciplinary Action

Students found to be engaging in the above behaviours may: 

• require a meeting with teacher, student, administrator
• receive a zero on the assignment
• be withdrawn from that course
• be withdrawn from SCIDES

Violations of the Code of Conduct may be followed by disciplinary action, depending on the particular circumstances and the individual(s) involved. SCIDES will strive to deliver disciplinary action as a positive learning experience, rather than a punishment; however, constant violations of the Code of Conduct will result in progressive consequences and can include loss of privileges, parent involvement, and counselling.

Disciplinary action always includes notification of parents, school officials, and, when required by law, the police or other community agencies.

Plagiarism Policy 

SCIDES teachers check to ensure our students do not plagiarize others’ work or use A.I. "bots" to generate content for them. Teachers will return any assignments containing uncited passages or thoughts and writing of another person or writing generator. Using the work of others in any manner without proper credit qualifies as plagiarism under this policy.

At SCIDES, if you are found to be guilty of plagiarism, as an initial measure, teachers will return your assignment, marked as incomplete. You will have a chance to re-do the assignment and are expected to be careful to avoid plagiarism in the future. A letter may be placed in your file. Please connect with your teacher for support in learning how to avoid plagiarism.

At SCIDES, any further instances of plagiarism, after the initial violation, will be given a mark of zero, with no opportunity for correction. Further instances of plagiarism may lead to withdrawal from the course or even from the SCIDES program.

Fair Notice to Parents/Guardians

Starting October 1, 2026, new laws and regulations under the Firearm Violence Prevention Act (FVPA) are coming into effect in B.C. The legislation is intended to address unsafe firearm use and firearm-related violence. The FVPA complements and further strengthens existing legislation and school and district policies banning firearms on school property by providing law enforcement with additional tools to address and enforce firearm-related public safety risks. The FVPA does this by establishing a clear and consistent province-wide prohibition on firearms, low-velocity firearms (such as BB, pellet, gel, airsoft and paintball guns) and imitation firearms (such as lighters designed to closely resemble firearms) on all K-12 school properties.

The goal of these new laws is to promote greater public safety by keeping firearms and objects that look like firearms out of schools. Some schools regularly support and authorize a wide range of educational, community and special events on school property, including activities that occur outside regular school hours, on evenings, and on weekends. The legislation includes narrow exemptions for certain safe and legitimate activities using firearms, low-velocity or imitation firearms.

Examples of activities that may be eligible for an exemption include:

• Cadet programs

• Biathlon demonstrations or events

• Cinematic, theatrical, film, or artistic activities or performances

• Educational activities (e.g., firearms safety training)

In addition, individuals who are safely transporting firearms, low-velocity firearms, or imitation firearms in a vehicle are exempted as long as applicable requirements in the regulations and all other relevant firearms laws are followed (e.g., firearms remain unloaded and safely stored in a locked trunk or container). Anyone who illegally possesses a firearm, low-velocity firearm, or imitation firearm on school property without a valid exemption may have these items confiscated, forfeited and disposed of by law enforcement, and if convicted of an offence, may face fines and serious penalties under the FVPA.

For information on existing policies in the school or district that ban firearms, please refer to 502.1 Code of Conduct for Student FINAL.pdf and 5.30 Weapons - FINAL.pdf

For more information on the Firearm Violence Prevention Act and regulations, visit: Firearm Violence Prevention Act (FVPA) - Province of British Columbia