The Ottawa School of Theatre is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful place to work and learn, where all individuals are treated with dignity and fairness. As an educational and artistic organization, we value the unique perspectives, creativity, and ability that each person brings to our community.
We expect our students and their families to act respectfully while at the school, and we have a firm policy against all types of bullying. Positive reinforcement, check-ins, and parental meetings will be used to help students make positive choices and learn to regulate their own behavior. Our approach is to validate their feelings, while also holding important safety boundaries.
We love putting on a spectacular show, but equally important to us are our core values. Nothing beats seeing our students transform their self-confidence, build collaborative skills, and up their creative thinking.
For over 30 years, we’ve strived to nurture a community that is warm, kind, and supportive. OST is a space where both adults and kids learn that it’s ok to make mistakes (in fact, we celebrate mistakes, because that’s how we all learn!).
Please read this Community Code of Conduct below with your child before their program start date to ensure that all participants get the most out of their experience in the studio. You will be asked to sign the form below before or on the first day of your program.
Student Values
- Students take responsibility for their actions.
- Students respect themselves, each other, OST staff and volunteers, equipment, facilities and the environment.
- Students will be caring in their interactions with themselves and each other.
- Students will be inclusive to all program participants and staff from different walks of life, cultures, genders, sexualities, and races.
Students agree that they will NOT:
- Use harmful slurs, discriminatory language, or derogatory phrases and comments.
- Use abusive language including swearing, name-calling, taunting, mocking or mean or derogatory jokes.
- Display behavior that places themselves, other students, or staff at risk, such as hitting, punching, kicking, pushing, spitting, biting and throwing objects towards others intending harm.
- Bully other participants. Bullying refers to repetitive, intentional hurting or threat of hurting an individual or group. This includes verbal or physical actions.
- Display inappropriate behavior towards others, including comments, gestures and physical interactions.
- Disrespect their physical environment, including all school and Shenkman Arts Centre spaces, studios, furniture, and other equipment.
Parents and Guardians agree:
- To encourage students to adhere to this Code of Conduct.
- To speak and act respectfully to OST staff, teachers, students and volunteers, in keeping with this Code of Conduct.
Students who do not follow these guidelines may be removed from their program temporarily or permanently, depending on the individual situation, and based on the discretion of school administration. Reach out to us if you have any questions about this Code of Conduct.