Parent & Student Handbook, 2013-2014 - Tandem Friends School

17
Disruptive Behavior in Classes, including Cards and Monday Hours
Disruptive behavior in class is defined as behavior that interferes with the learning of others and/or prevents teachers
from doing their jobs. Examples are calling out in class, ignoring instructions, and socializing with classmates. We
understand that sometimes students act impulsively and are not trying to deliberately interfere with the learning of
others, therefore the first response is usually a “card” issued by the teacher. The student writes what he or she did on
the card, dates it, and returns it to the teacher. The teacher enters this in a shared Middle School spreadsheet. There
are no further consequences for occasional lapses, and parents are not informed. However, if a student accumulates
three or more cards in a five­day period, the student is given Monday Grounds, an hour of campus clean­up work
scheduled for the next Monday. Parents are informed so that they can adjust pick­up time and also follow up with a
discussion at home. Monday Grounds supersedes all other activities, including athletic training and contests, play
rehearsals, music lessons, etc.
Rule Breaking
Students who violate basic Middle School rules (being late to class, wearing inappropriate clothing, engaging in risky
and prohibited behaviors such as throwing snowballs and climbing trees, and personal or school property violations
are examples) may earn a card, be placed on Monday Grounds directly, or be scheduled for a conference with their
parents and the Middle School Director. The Middle School Director will determine the exact consequences on a
case­by­case basis.
Major Breaches of Trust
Major breaches of trust include lying, cheating, and theft. Parents are always informed in these cases. The Middle
School Director, in consultation with members of the faculty, will determine the exact consequences on a case­bycase
basis, which may include suspension from school, and placement on Disciplinary Warning or Probation.
Disciplinary Warning
Students are placed on Disciplinary Warning for serious violations that are judged not severe enough to warrant a
probationary status. Parents are informed in writing, but placement on Disciplinary Warning is not reflected in the
student’s permanent record. Disciplinary Warning generally lasts for one semester.
Disciplinary Probation
If a student on Disciplinary Warning commits a similar offense, he or she will be placed on Disciplinary Probation,
which means the student may be suspended, expelled, or denied re­enrollment if he or she commits a similar offense.
Placement on Disciplinary Probation does become part of the student's permanent record.
A student may be put directly on Disciplinary Probation, without first being put on Disciplinary Warning, at the
discretion of the Middle School Director. In most cases a student remains on Disciplinary Probation for the
remainder of the school year.
Middle School Cell Phone and Device Policy
If Middle School students do bring cell phones to school, they may not use them during school hours (8:30AM–
3:30PM), with this exception: if a student needs to check for a message from a parent, he or she can do so during
lunch, after first receiving permission from a teacher. The student can then get the phone and use it in the presence
of the teacher, and return it to his or her locker. 7 th and 8 th grade students must keep their cell phones in their lockers
during school hours. We recommend that students purchase and use locks for their lockers. 5 th and 6 th grade
students must keep cell phones turned off in their backpacks in their classrooms.
Violations of the policy will result in loss of the privilege to bring a cell phone to school.
"Kindness and Wisdom, with Kindness Always First"