Shan-e-Punjab

PARENTS'/TEACHERS GUIDE TO THE SHAN-E-PUNJAB DANCE SCHOOL CODE OF CONDUCT

Introduction

A positive dance school climate and a safe learning and teaching environment are essential if students are to succeed as teams as well as build personal skills in the dance school. A positive dance school climate means everyone feels they are welcome and respected which includes people in adjacent offices where they may be working or other renters who are holding their classes or others community members coming into the building.

All students, parents, and teachers have the right to be safe, and feel safe, in their dance school community. With this right comes the responsibility for everyone to be accountable for their actions and contribute to a positive dance school climate.

Why is there a dance school code of conduct?

All Dance Schools have developed their own Codes of Conduct, and therefore Shan-e-Punjab Dance, Performing Arts and Heritage School has now developed one. As the school continues to grow, at our year end in 2014 show we had approximately 145 performers including youth volunteers – we need to have something in place to ensure everyone knows what we are expecting and that everyone enjoys themselves in a safe and educational environment. Although we are a dance school, many “educational institutions” have their own Codes of Conduct complying with the standards set by the BC Code of Conduct for Schools. Dance Victoria Society whom we rent from, have their Code of Conduct and have asked all renters to ensure they develop their own Code of Conduct. It is mandatory that everyone is aware and abide by these codes of conduct.

Who is included in the dance school code of conduct and where does it apply?

The code of conduct applies not only to students, but to everyone involved in the dance school system, including parents or guardians, volunteers, teachers and all others affiliated with the school. The code applies whether on Dance Victoria Society property, on school dance trips, during school classes-authorized events or activities, or in other circumstances that could have an impact on the dance school climate.

Fundamental beliefs

·       Everyone has a responsibility to promote a safe environment.

·       At the Dance Victoria Studios there are many different cultures using the space, and we must respect each other’s differences.

·       Everyone should be aware of their rights, as active and engaged citizens. More importantly, everyone should also accept responsibility for protecting their rights and the rights of others. Responsible citizenship involves taking part in the civic life of the dance school.

·       All members of the dance school community are to be treated with respect and dignity, including staff of the Dance Victoria Society and other renters in the building as they are a part of our dance community.

·       Everyone has a responsibility to resolve conflicts in a way that is civil and respectful. Insults, hurtful acts and a lack of respect for others disrupt learning and teaching in a dance school community.

·       Everyone is expected to resolve conflicts without using violence. Physical aggression is not a responsible way to deal with other people. No one should use an object to injure another person, or even threaten to use an object to injure another person. This is unacceptable and puts everyone's safety at risk.

Standards of Behaviour

Respect, civility and responsible citizenship

All dance school members must:

·       respect and follow all applicable BC laws (keeping speed low when driving to park as students and parents are coming in and out of the Dance Victoria school building).

·       demonstrate honesty and integrity.

·       respect differences in people.

·       treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, especially when there is disagreement.

·       respect and treat others fairly, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability.

·       respect the rights of others.

·       show care and respect for school property and the property of others (this includes picking up any pieces of small items that may have fallen on the carpet or floor and put them into the garbage, wipe the table if something has spilled and basically leave the place as you found it, this also applies to tables and chairs).

·       take the proper steps to help those in need.

·       respect all members of the school community, and respect those staff member of the Dance Victoria Society as they too are a part of our dance community.

·       respect the need of others to work in an environment that encourages learning and teaching.

·       seek help from school staff, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully.

·       not swear at a teacher or at a student or another person.

Safety

Dance School community members (teachers, students, parents, volunteers, others) must not:

·       engage in any form of bullying, whether it is in person or through technology, like email or cell phones (zero tolerance for bullying of any type)

·       commit sexual assault

·       traffic weapons or illegal drugs

·       commit robbery

·       give alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age

·       be in possession of a weapon, including firearms

·       use any object to threaten or intimidate another person

·       injure anyone with an object

·       be in possession or under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, or give them to anyone else

·       inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm

·       engage in hate propaganda or other types of behaviour caused by hate or bias

·       commit an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the student's school or to property on the school premises.

Teachers and school staff volunteers, under the leadership of Sonia Grewal (in the near future we will be bringing back Harparm Sra and Amy Khangura (nee Grewal) as these two were a part of a senior advanced team from 1997 to 2005 and also were teachers), help maintain order in the school and are expected to hold everyone to the highest standard of respectful and responsible behaviour. As role models, teachers and parent/student volunteers uphold these high standards when they:

·       help students work to their full potential and develop their self-worth and as role models encourage students through learning to become teachers at the dance school or in some way develop focus in their students for future educational endeavours

·       empower students to be positive leaders in their teams, on behalf of the school and community

·       communicate information regularly with parents on class schedules changes

·       maintain consistent standards of behaviour for all students

·       show respect for all students, staff, parents, volunteers and members of the dance school community

·       prepare students for the full responsibilities of citizenship

·       arriving 5 minutes before class starts and take attendance

·       wait with students in the foyer either upstairs or downstairs until the parent arrives to the door to collect their child/children (if the teacher is getting late for their own class they must still wait with the student)

·       teachers must ensure students do not sit against the wall that is between the two studios upstairs, nor touch the mirrors and when waiting in the foyer to please not stand on the window sills

·       Teachers must abide by all rules/guidelines set in their volunteer teacher contracts as well as any communicated by Sonia, this also pertains to performances in Victoria, BC, Canada and internationally.

·       Sonia will monitor, along with some volunteer adults, the front two foyers and if it gets too loud or crowded we will ask students to wait in their respective studios until parents arrive or ask parents/adults to please lower your voices

·       Can not have other peers or teachers in the class other than your teacher partner/Sonia will stop in

Students are to be treated with respect and dignity and given every opportunity to excel and realize their full potential, which will be realized when they are focused and through practice. In return, they must demonstrate respect for themselves, for others and for the responsibilities of citizenship through acceptable behaviour. Respect and responsibility are demonstrated when a student:

·       comes to school prepared (appropriate flexible clothing/dance shoes), on time and ready to learn

·       shows respect for himself/herself, for others and for those in authority

·       refrains from bringing anything to school that may put the safety of others at risk

·       follows the established rules and guidelines and takes responsibility for his/her own actions

·        must abide by all rules/guidelines as well as any communicated by Sonia, this also pertains to performances in Victoria, BC, Canada and internationally

·       can not engage in any sports activity while at the Dance Victoria Society property as this is not a community centre nor a school playground

·       students are encouraged to bring computer systems, books, etc. to keep them occupied while they wait for their class(s)

·       may not run when leaving their respective studio or entering it, or going to the washroom at any time

·       students learn the value and skills of teamwork and that can only be learned by participation

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

·       show an active interest in their child's dance school progress, respecting decisions of teachers/Sonia

·       communicate regularly with the school

·       make sure their child is properly dressed and prepared for dance school

·       ensure that their child attends dance school regularly (unless a family emergency/child’s birthday party) and arrives on time as well pick up their child/children as soon as their class is completed

·       inform the dance school promptly about their child's absence especially if it is due to a family emergency

·       become familiar with the dance school’s code of conduct and/or rules and guidelines

·       encourage and help their child/children follow the rules of behaviour

·       help and participate to solve dance school staff deal with disciplinary issues involving their child (if any)