Westgate Vision and Behavior Management Agreement
Westgate Mennonite Collegiate is a Christian school grounded in the Anabaptist tradition. It is the mission of the school to provide a well-rounded education which will inspire and empower students to live as people of God.
One of Westgate’s core commitments in fulfilling this mission is to provide a safe, nurturing community where every student is included and encouraged to explore their gifts and find places of involvement and belonging.
Students, staff, parents, volunteers, board members, and anyone associated with the Westgate community all share a responsibility to work together to provide a school environment where all feel safe and respected, complying with the “Safe and Caring Schools Provincial Code of Conduct.” Westgate is committed to empowering people with knowledge and resources that will help promote supportive relationships for individuals within the Westgate community.
Discipline
A successful approach can be achieved by promoting a positive school climate, informal discussions, team planning, community involvement, and professional support. Preventative practices, that focus on positive behavior and social responsibility, will be used. Negative consequences may be necessary, in some cases, when other approaches to problem behaviors are unsuccessful; but the hope is always to restore relationships and safety within the community. The principal maintains the authority to determine which consequence is appropriate in a given situation.
The following behaviors are unacceptable:
- abusing or harassing another physically, sexually or psychologically, verbally, in writing, or otherwise
bullying/cyberbullying
– discriminating unreasonably on the basis of any characteristic - engaging in language or actions that is racist, misogynistic, homophobic, or in any way is discriminatory
- using, possessing, or being under the influence of alcohol, cannabis or illicit drugs at school
- issuing threats to self and others
- being involved in a gang
- possessing a weapon or using any item in a threatening way
- using social media or the internet inappropriately
Working Together
The education of children at Westgate is a shared responsibility of the school, the home, and church. Our entire community is in partnership with this endeavour and we need to work together with mutual respect and support, in order to bring about positive behavioral change in students. Collaborative work is always the most effective.
With you, we wish to:
- foster a stimulating and safe school environment where students and staff reconcile individual freedom with mutual accountability and learn a wholesome respect for self and others.
- help to develop respectful and ethical relationships, where each person is valued and where we are accountable for our actions, decisions, and behaviours.
- encourage and affirm students to do their very best, whether in academics, leadership, service, athletics, music, or the arts.
- give students the direction and the grace they need to succeed.
- be a safe and inclusive space for all of our students.
Appeals of Disciplinary Decisions
Parents are invited to contact the teacher if there is a concern regarding a disciplinary matter, and if necessary, appeal a disciplinary decision. If unable to resolve the issue with the teacher, parents can also contact the principal.
Students and parents can appeal a disciplinary decision to the teacher who made the disciplinary decision, then to the school principal if not resolved, and finally to the school board.
Signatures
Any student or family engaging in behaviour the school deems to be in violation of these expectations can be suspended or expelled by the school at the school’s discretion.
By signing this document, our families acknowledge that we are committed to the vision and mission of the school and that it is their responsibility to abide by all the expectations outlined in the above paragraphs.