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Disciplinary Policies

Early Childhood

Classroom expectations are based on our school Star Code: Kindness, Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Appreciation, and Celebration. In the Kindergarten/EC, this is achieved primarily through an environment that reflects healthy rhythm, consistency, nurturing, and mutual respect. A collaborative relationship between parents, students, and teachers helps decrease discipline problems, and we encourage regular communication with your child's teacher. In most cases, individual conflicts or behaviors are handled or redirected by the teacher in the classroom. Ongoing behaviors that are not a threat to the safety of the student or others will be addressed through a collaborative meeting between parents and teacher.

Disruptive behaviors and those that impact the safety of the student or others may be referred to the Early Childhood Director.

The following procedure will be followed:

  • The teacher will walk the child to the Early Childhood Director's* office and will describe the unacceptable behavior.
  • The Early Childhood Director will reinforce the expected boundaries with the child.
  • The teacher or Early Childhood Director will contact the parents about the behavior and discuss what the next steps will be, including but not limited to picking up the child early from school.
  • Parents are asked to reinforce expectations at home.
  • The teacher will determine reparation and a plan for a successful reentry. This plan will be communicated to the parent as soon as possible before the child returns.

*Please note that if the Early Childhood Director is not available, another Director will take their place.

If the behavior(s) is/are repeated, a conference will take place between parents, teacher, and the Early Childhood Director to create a support plan. When a problem cannot be resolved or our program cannot meet a child's needs, a child may be dismissed.

Grades 1-8

Grades 1-8 Basic School Rules are based on the values of our Community Star Code: Kindness, Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Appreciation, and Celebration.

Overview

Discipline in Waldorf schools is achieved primarily through creating a community atmosphere of love and respect, as well as adherence to our Community Star Code. Direct and respectful communication between parents, students, and teachers help keep problems from escalating. In most cases, individual disciplinary problems are handled directly by a teacher and communicated to the parents.

Serious behaviors may warrant a discipline referral and/or meeting with the Grades Director. A discipline referral is a written report stating the behavior and event the student was involved in. The referral is sent home to be signed by the parents and returned to the teacher or faculty who issued it the day following the event. Copies of each discipline referral are given to the class teacher and the Grades Director.

Behaviors warranting a discipline Referral and/or a meeting with a Grades Director include, but are not limited to:

  • Inappropriate language
  • Fighting and physical aggression
  • Defiance, disrespect, non-compliance
  • Disruption
  • Harassment, teasing, taunting
  • Property damage
  • Lying, cheating, theft
  • Possession of a controlled or illegal item

See Discipline Policy Link for details.

High School

Behavioral expectations at AWS are based on the six values of the Star Code: Honesty, Responsibility, Kindness, Respect, Appreciation, and Celebration of diversity. (See the "Academic and Social Integrity" section for more details about the Star Code.) Additionally, at the high school there are three principles that we aim to uphold that are also based on the Star Code. These principles are Sincerity, Integrity, and Belonging. When all community members aim to honor these principles and values, everyone experiences a healthier learning environment and social space.

When student behavior is out of alignment with the school's values and principles, the goal of a response is to help students recognize these behaviors, to assist all parties in repairing trust when needed, and to help students adjust future actions. In most situations a Tertiary Active and Restorative Evaluation (T.A.R.E.) process will be utilized.

The Tertiary Active and Restorative Evaluation (T.A.R.E.) is a five-tiered system designed to address student behaviors that disrupt the learning environment, violate community guidelines. or break school rules.

The goals of T.A.R.E. are to:

  • Restore the school's healthy and safe environment.
  • Hold students accountable in a supportive and growth-oriented way.
  • Provide structures for reflection, habit change, and restorative action.
  • Guide students back toward positive participation in the school community.

See the full T.A.R.E. policy here.

Suspensions may be enacted in response to serious violations of school policies, or when problematic behaviors are repeated. The student's behavioral history and the needs presented by the behavior are taken into consideration when determining the duration and conditions of a suspension.

The suspension procedure is as follows:

  • Student notification: The high school director and 1-2 additional faculty members meet with the student to inform them of the suspension. The student remains with a teacher or administrator until they depart campus. If a suspension is enacted outside of school hours, the high school director will reach out to parents by phone and also speak with the student.
  • Parent notification: The parents are informed of the suspension by phone and asked to pick up the student immediately.
  • Departure from campus: The student departs campus under supervision with the following conditions:
    - The student will remain with a faculty member or administrator until a parent arrives. The student may work on homework that does not require devices or a computer.
    - Devices will be released when the student departs campus.
    - Self-driving students may depart in their vehicle only with parent permission given verbally during the suspension call. Being suspended can be distressing, and driving alone and in distress may not be safe. After permission is granted, an administrator or designated faculty member will walk the student to their vehicle.
  • Student presence on school property and at school events: The suspended student must remain off campus and away from all school activities until the student has completed the re-entry process. (See below.)
  • Re-entry process:
    - During the suspension the student is asked to engage in specific reflective questions, to complete a re-entry letter, and prepare for their re-entry interview.
    - On the day of re-entry, the student and a parent or parents meet with the high school director and 1-2 additional faculty members or an administrator. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the student's reflections and re-entry letter, and to clarify additional conditions that may be set through the T.A.R.E. process.

Expulsion

Expulsion means that the school is ending the student/school relationship due to a disciplinary issue. An expulsion may occur when serious or repeated issues have not been resolved to the satisfaction of the school. In some circumstances, an expulsion can be the result of a singular but extreme action by a student. The school reserves the right to expel any student. The high school director and the head of school both must agree that an expulsion is the proper action. Parents are contractually responsible for remaining tuition in the event of an expulsion.

The expulsion procudure is as follows:

  • The parents are called, told the reason for the expulsion, and asked to pick up the student immediately. From this point forward, the student will not be allowed on campus or to attend any school sponsored event. (If expulsion is enacted outside of school hours, the parents will be told the reason for the expulsion and the student will not be allowed at school or to attend any school sponsored event.)
  • The student is asked to empty their locker and return all school property that they currently have with them. This will be done in the presence of a school administrator and will be arranged for a time outside of school hours if needed.
  • School owned items at home that need to be returned such as athletic uniforms, books, electronics, or instruments can be dropped off through arrangement with the high school director. A school employee must be present to receive these items.
  • All high school records will be released to the family if or when requested.

Attendance at School Events by Expelled Student

  • Expulsion terminates a student's right to attend and participated in all school events and activities.
  • An expelled student may petition to attend the following events by submitting a written request (including email) at least 2 weeks prior to the event. The petition will be reviewed by the high school director and at least one other administrator. Events that qualify are:
    - class plays
    - concerts or assemblies
    - major sports events
    - commencement ceremonies
  • If permission is granted after a petition, the expelled student will receive a written response detailing the conditions for attending the event.
  • In all cases, an expelled student who is granted permission to attend an event (see the list above) must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the duration of the event, including arrival and departure.
  • An expelled student attempting to attend or participate in a school event who does not meet the above conditions is trespassing and will be told to leave the campus and/or the event.
  • No refunds will be given for event expenditures already paid by, or on behalf of, the student.