Summary
Success for students requires them to uphold our expectations for phones, classroom behavior, and timely and continuous presence in class.
Students need to bring computers to school charged daily.
Please reach out if you’d like access to Hero.
Information regarding Student Led Conferences and how to schedule them will be coming soon.
So far this year we have experienced a lot of success: we saw 67% of our 9th and 10th graders and 93% of our 11th and 12th graders pass 75% or more of their classes last semester. First semester also saw gains in student efficacy and “grit.” We have students demonstrating and being acknowledged for using our Habits of Learning. We have done good work and grown, but this is the time of year when continued growth feels hard. Routines are hard to get into when we have long weekends and unpredictable weather (thanks, Ohio). But we know that students need routines, clear expectations and consequences, and a supportive educational environment to grow into their best selves.
We also know that a supportive educational environment provides our students with greater academic success, undermines inequities, strengthens insulating factors against anxiety and depression, and empowers our students to shape the futures they desire. For learning spaces to be successful, students need to be in them. For students to master content, they need to engage in the work. For students and staff to support each other and to strengthen classroom cultures, everyone must bring respect and empathy to TGS on a daily basis.
To this end we would like to reiterate expectations that we lifted up at the start of the year:
1. Students need to be where they are supposed to be, and be there on time and for the whole class - It is important that students are in classrooms where they can learn - NOT in hallways or common spaces such as the Big Room, Learning Lab, or front office UNLESS explicit permission has been granted by a staff member. Students needing to take a lap or use the restroom need to do so quickly, returning to class to engage in the work that will provide them with future opportunities. Students should not be entering classes in which they are not rostered: it is disruptive to enter a class besides their own for any reason.
2. Students need to demonstrate appropriate behavior and respect towards the whole school community: Disrespectful behavior towards staff; as well as disruptive classroom behaviors prevent all students from accessing the best possible education and undermine a strong class community where students feel safe to grow, learn and make mistakes. Students may not undermine the dignity of other students or of staff members: there is no space for derogatory or hate speech at Graham. Similarly, all students have the right to their space and bodies; play-fighting, as well as unsolicited or non-consensual touch, will not be a part of our school community. All students have the right to learn in a safe environment that is supportive and empowering.
3. Students need to use technology appropriately for a learning environment - Cell phones are not to be used in classes without the express permission of a staff member. We all know that technology can be distracting and the distractions offered by the internet and social media frequently deprive students of the education that is rightfully theirs. As part of the village raising up our children we must ensure that they are owning their futures and safe from the known mental health issues caused by social media and too much technology use. Parents are asked to call the school office if contact with their children during school hours is necessary. Related to this, students need to bring their charged Chromebooks to school daily. Students will be required to complete assignments and use online resources during class that they may not have access to without the Chromebook provided by the school.
Consequences for the violation of The Graham School’s Code of Conduct include but are not limited to the participation in restorative measures, removal from the bus/activity/classroom/building, lunch detention, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, and/or expulsion from The Graham School. Repeated violations will result in escalating consequences. Demonstrating Adventure and Risk, Teamwork and Collaboration, Service and Stewardship, Self-direction, and Perseverance will be rewarded with Hero points which students can redeem. Students who are doing exceptional work shouldn't be surprised to receive Red Dragon awards or to be acknowledged during Town Meeting with a well earned Green Dragon (an award that all staff must unanimously vote on for a student to receive).
We have high expectations for our students and believe in them enough to hold them accountable for meeting those high expectations. This is also to bring families into the conversation.
We will be using Hero with much more regularity in the coming weeks. This is the platform where we will be recording positive behaviors as well as instances of unexpected and unaccepted behaviors. We will be sending an email shortly with your login information. If you need help to access your student’s hero information, please email the deans@thegrahamschool.org .
We will also be reaching out with information on how to sign up for SLCs, which are right around the corner. We want our students to reflect and share with you their strengths, celebrations and areas of improvement.
Finally, we know that the best way to support our students is to provide as much predictability as possible. It is on this note that we are sharing our expectations with you and with them: we want our students to know exactly what to expect when they are in the building.
We are so excited to see our students as they are continuing to mature and grow into incredible leaders and learners.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
RJ Larry, Kate Livingston, and Laurel Wakeley
Deans
