Code of Conduct

As an Islamic school, parents have high expectations that we will inculcate in our children proper Islamic morals, values, discipline and respect. We can achieve these goals only if what is learned at school is also reinforced at home. The school has developed a Code of Responsibility and Behaviour, which is attached with this package. Please read this Code carefully and discuss it with your children so that they understand both its importance as well as the possible consequences that will result from not following the rules. Since misbehaviour in the school from a student or an adult affects the entire educational atmosphere, the administration takes the Code and its enforcement very seriously. Please sign form PH- 3, to acknowledge that you understand the code and its implications.

"Lo! The noblest among you, in the sight of Allah, is he who is best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware." --Qur'an 49:13

Conduct expected from the Al-Falah Islamic School Community: RESPECTFUL    RESPONSIBLE   COOPERATIVE

A. Guiding Principles

•  The Al-Falah School Code of Conduct applies to all students, parents, guardians, volunteers and school staff while they are on school property, school buses or at school-authorised events or activities.

•  All members of the school community are to be treated with respect and dignity.

•  Members of the school community are expected to use non-violent means to resolve conflicts.

•  Insults and disrespect disrupt learning and teaching in a school community. Members of the school community have a responsibility to maintain an environment where conflict and differences can be addressed in a respectful manner.

B. Roles and Responsibilities

The Administration

The administration will provide leadership by:

•  Demonstrating care and commitment to academic excellence

•  Providing a safe, Islamically sound teaching and learning environment

•  Holding everyone under their authority accountable for their behaviour and actions

•  Communicating regularly with all members of the school community

School Staff

Teachers and school staff will maintain order in the school and are expected to hold everyone to the highest standards of Islamic conduct that is respectful, responsible and co-operative . As role models, staff will uphold these high standards when they:

•  Help students work to their full potential and develop their self-worth

•  Communicate regularly with parents

•  Maintain consistent standards of behaviour for all students

•  Demonstrate respect for all students, staff and parents

•  Prepare students to live as good Muslims

  Parents

 Parents play an important role in the education of their children and have a responsibility to support the efforts of the school staff in maintaining a safe and successful learning environment for all students. Parents fulfil this responsibility when they:

•  Show an active interest in their child's school work and progress

•  Communicate regularly with the school

•  Help their child to be neatly dressed in the school uniform

•  Prepare their child for school ensuring that all supplies and work are on hand

•  Ensure that their child attends school regularly and on time

•  Promptly report to the school their child's absence or late arrival

•  Become familiar with the Code of Conduct and the school rules

•  Encourage and assist their child in following the rules of behaviour

•  Assist school staff in dealing with disciplinary issues

•  Teach their children proper Islamic manners and habits

Students

Students are to be treated with respect and dignity. In return, they must be respectful , responsible , and co-operative and demonstrate good Islamic behaviour at all times by:

•  Speaking and behaving in an Islamically acceptable manner

•  Respecting the learning environment of the Masjid and the school

•  Showing respect for themselves, for others and for those in authority

•  Maintaining cleanliness of mind, body, clothing, school materials and surroundings

•  Following established school and classroom rules and routines

•  Treating personal and school property with care and respect

•  Working and playing co-operatively

•  Showing consideration for others

•  Not bringing anything to school that is offensive/obscene and which compromises the safety of others

Expectations of Students

  a. In the Hallway

•  Walk and stand quietly in single file with your class and do not push or shove anyone

•  Keep to the right when walking and do not run in the hallway

  b. In the Classroom

•  Follow the rules and routines established by your teacher

•  Do not interrupt, and raise your hand when you wish to speak

•  Be respectful, responsible and co-operative at all times

c. During Recess

•  Exit at recess and dismissal after school is only after the teacher has dismissed the class

•  At recess, re-enter only if necessary. Obtain a hall pass from a teacher on duty, and return the hall pass to the teacher when you get back outside

•  Do not remain inside the building during recess. Dress properly and go outside for fresh air and exercise

  d. While Entering and Exiting the School Building

•  Line up when the outside duty teacher blows the whistle

•  Before and after school, enter and exit the building in a proper manner through the grade designated doors

e. In the Playground

•  Play only in the area designated for your grade (follow the recess schedule)

•  Play only with same gender group (grades 4-8)

•  Ask permission from the duty teacher to cross boundary areas

•  Absolutely no throwing of rocks, snowballs or other objects

•  Be aware at all time of safety rules

•  Do not go behind the Masjid, close to any fences or to the front or west side of the school.

•  Report any concerns immediately to the duty teacher

•  Salah Time

•  Line up quietly and follow the teacher/supervisor to the Masjid

•  Arrive prepared for Salah with wudu and make sure that your clothes are clean and proper

•  Enter the prayer hall quietly. Engage in quiet prayer or recitation of the Quran

•  No running, playing or talking in the prayer hall

•  Exit the prayer hall in a quiet and orderly manner

g. Field Trips

•  All expectations for school behaviour apply to field trips. It is expected that you will be excellently behaved on field trips as you will be representing your religion, family, community and school.

h. Uniform and Personal Hygiene

•  Dress must be in strict compliance with the school uniform policy

•  Uniform and shoes must be neat, clean and well maintained

•  Wear clean gym clothes

•  Baseball caps and boots are not permitted inside the classroom but may be worn at recess.

•  Make sure that your nails are clipped and that your hair is neatly maintained

  C. Rights

All members of the school community have a right to:

•  A school environment where Islamic values and learning are a priority

•  A school environment that is safe, positive, friendly and supportive

•  Participate in an environment free from harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, culture, physical appearance or socio-economic class.

  D. Consequences of Inappropriate Behaviour

  Occasionally student behaviour may not meet expectations. Consequences for inappropriate behaviour are imposed by staff in an effort to help students take responsibility for their own actions and to provide a deterrent. Every action is taken with regard to the dignity and self-worth of the student and in consideration of the student's age and the nature of the misbehaviour. In keeping with the expectations of the school, each incident will be treated in a fair and consistent manner and will be used as an opportunity for the student to learn and grow.

  Recommended Consequences :

1. Warning - oral and written

2. Timeout

3. An increase in timeout

4. Phone call home by teacher

5. Parent, teacher and principal conference

On occasion misbehaviour can be of a more serious nature, examples of which may include:-

a. Physical abuse towards one another (Physical confrontations/fights)

•  Reports of physical aggression may be placed in the Ontario Student Record (O.S.R.) at the discretion of the principal.

•  Depending on the severity of the aggression (i.e. object used in the fight, bruises and cuts, etc.), those involved in the fight will be given an automatic full day home suspension.

•  We strongly encourage parents to teach their children not to retaliate against their Muslim brother or sister. Both parties involved in a physical confrontation/fight, regardless of who instigates the fight, will be given the same consequence.

b. Abusive language (uttering profanity, racist remarks, making threats, etc.)

The Al-Falah School has a zero tolerance policy for these types of behaviour. Students engaging in these types of behaviour will be severely dealt.

c. Inappropriate behaviour during Salah

d. Other serious inappropriate behaviour:

•  Opposing authority - ignoring the teacher, direct refusal to carry out the teacher's instructions, mocking the teacher's authority

•  Bringing obscene literature/pictures to school or on the bus

•  Bringing weapons to school (knives, etc.)

•  Engaging in conduct injurious to the moral tone of the school

•  Starting false fire alarms

•  Stealing

•  Vandalizing school or Masjid property

Consequences for More Serious Offences :

After investigating the matter thoroughly, the following consequences may result based on the number of times the offence occurs. Depending on the nature and severity of the actions, the school may impose a consequence at a higher step.

Step 1 Thirty-minute detention

Step 2 One half-day in-school suspension

Step 3 One full day in-school suspension

Step 4 One full day out-of-school suspension

Step 5 Three day home suspension

Step 6 Five day home suspension

Step 7 Expulsion from school