McLean School of Maryland

MIddle School

Code of Conduct Bullying, Teasing, and Social Aggression
Community Guidelines Student Life
Dress Code Report Cards
Year End Awards Standardized Testing

Code of Conduct
The school encourages students to be positive members of the McLean School community. Every McLean community member is expected to be honest and courteous, to show respect for the rights and opinions of others. This often means going beyond an individual commitment to abide by stated rules. In all situations — on or off campus — McLean students are to display the good judgment, behavior and attitude that are cornerstones of constructive relationships with others and that reflect positively on the entire school community.

Bullying, Teasing, and Social Aggression
A a Middle School, we are committed to making sure that the learning environment is a safe and respectful one for all students. As the research suggests, issues of bullying, teasing, and social aggression can peak during the Middle School years. As a Middle School community, we all have a responsibility to address these behaviors and help students treat each other with empathy and respect. In our common understanding, the definition of bullying involves behaviors that can be direct or indirect, blatant or subtle. It involves an imbalance of power, repeated actions, intentional actions, and unequal levels of feelings. Bullying is any behavior considered physical aggression, social aggression, verbal aggression, intimidation, written aggression, sexual harassment, or racial, religious, ethnic, or gender-related harassment.

Bullying behavior through the use of student electronic communication (cyber-bullying), including that sent from off-campus, to or about any member of the school community, will be treated as if it had been written or spoken at school.

Any bullying behavior demonstrated at school or outside of school that impacts our school community will be addressed by the school. Bullying behaviors will be responded to, as all negative behaviors are, through a continuum of consequences and interventions up to and including suspension and/or social probation, depending on the severity and frequency of the behavior. Any student who is suspended will not be permitted to return to school without a re-entry meeting with parents and an administrator.

Community Guidelines
Any attitude or behavior that disrupts or destroys the learning process in the middle school is unacceptable. Middle school faculty is the first line of discipline for problems in the classroom.

Any student who repeatedly disrupts in any way the leaning process in an academic or co-curricular activity may be removed from a class or an activity and may face serious disciplinary action. Students who do not support in spirit the accepted community guidelines can expect to meet with the Dean of Students, the Student Climate Committee, and/or the Head of Middle School.

The middle school strives to maintain a safe and respectful educational environment for all. The P.R.I.D.E. expectations (including Positive interaction, Respect and responsibility, Individual safety, Dependability, and Effort) are the foundation from which we reinforce positive behaviors. Students may earn P.R.I.D.E. banners for exhibiting these positive behaviors. By encouraging and recognizing positive behaviors we shape the climate.

Faculty, Student, and Parent Climate Committees are powerful forces in creating attitudes and systems that impact our community. When all parties work together, faculty, students, and parents share an investment in the success of our middle school. With shared responsibilities among all members of the community, we are all accountable for the climate which we create. Committees

meet periodically throughout the year. Anyone interested in participating may contact the middle school office.

Faculty members are responsible for daily discipline. In their interactions with students, faculty use a variety of positive and encouraging behavior management techniques, including creative teaching methods designed to accommodate different learning styles, problem-solving with students, and working with others (parents, support staff and administrators) to design positive reinforcement systems. At times, faculty may also need to use consequences for negative behavior to ensure a safe and productive learning environment. Each division handles unexcused absences, excessive tardiness and improper dress code in different appropriate ways. Behavior issues are addressed through a variety of methods, including communications with parents, teachers and students. Disciplinary actions range from warnings to expulsions. Faculty and administrators work together to determine the most appropriate consequences for negative behavior. Homeroom teachers and advisors are notified of all behavior issues and are involved in addressing more serious and/or repetitive behaviors.

Other Behavior Issues

Definition Of Consequences
Behaviors are addressed through a continuum of proactive and responsive strategies as well as the use of consequences. Proactive strategies include anything that can be helpful to a student before a particular behavior occurs or in anticipation of a trigger that may lead to a behavior. These strategies may target individuals or groups of students. Responsive strategies are any strategies implemented once a behavior has occurred that can help a student to extinguish the inappropriate behavior and begin to demonstrate more appropriate behaviors. Depending on the severity of the behavior, responsive strategies may be enough to assist the student. Consequences also occur on a continuum and can range from temporary removal from the situation, to a detention, suspension, or expulsion. All disciplinary actions may provide students with an opportunity to process and learn from the incident so they may make better behavioral choices in the future. Behaviors are documented using Behavior Reports as a means of tracking as well as a tool for communicating between faculty and with parents.

Student Life

Back-To-School Night
Back-to-School Nights are held in September and October. This is a time for parents to learn about the academic program, to meet their children’s teachers and advisors, and to share ideas, and to share ideas and concerns with other parents. Please plan to attend. If parents need to discuss a child individually, we ask that you request a separate conference time.

Conferences
A parent/teacher conference for students in grades 5 - 8 is scheduled during the fall of the school year. We encourage you to take advantage of these special times; of course, conferences may be arranged whenever anyone sees the need. To schedule a conference, please call the learning specialist or your childs homeroom teacher/advisor.

Absences
Only absences for illness or family emergencies will be excused. When a student will be late or absent, the parent is required to call the middle school office that morning by 8:00 am to explain the lateness or absence. We ask that advance notice of absences be provided whenever possible. A parent should call the school before 9:00 am for homework. A student who has been absent for any reason must bring a note to the homeroom teacher (5-6) or advisor (7-8) on his or her first day back to school, stating the dates of absence and the reason(s). In addition, students must see their teacher for make-up work immediately upon their return to school. Extensions of vacations for family convenience, trips, and/or excursions will not be acknowledged as excused absences and are strongly discouraged.

If a student leaves school early for any reason, a parent must notify the school in writing or by phone and the student must stop by the middle school office to check out.

Any absence caused by a communicable disease must be reported immediately to the school nurse as soon as a diagnosis is made. The non-public schools division of the State of Maryland, which regulates all aspects of Maryland schools, requires that we report unexcused absences and excessive absences and tardiness for that agency’s investigation.

Lateness
All students who are late to school for any reason must sign in both in the front office **and in the middle school office before reporting to class. Students will not be admitted to class until they have reported to the middle school office.

Student Council
The experience of serving and leading the school through student government provides excellent educational and leadership training. Elections are held in the fall for class representatives and officers. Representatives serve as liaisons between the Student Council and their respective classes. All students are considered active members of the student government. They are encouraged to discuss their ideas with any member of the council and to offer suggestions for overall improvement of the school.

Dress Code For Grades 5-8
A consistent dress code eliminates competition in dress, encourages students to take pride in their appearance and emphasizes the common learning experience. The dress code is an important part of McLean School and it is expected that every parent and student willingly accept and support the spirit of the dress code.

Shirts

Long or short sleeved white or navy blue polo, turtleneck,mock turtleneck, or blue or white oxford button-down. No T-shirts permitted. T-shirts worn as undershirts must be allwhite. Shirts must be clean, neat, and tucked in. Navy blue orwhite polo shirts with the McLean insignia are available in theschool store. No other logos may be worn. No mid riff maybe exposed at any time.
Pants For boys — navy blue or khaki well fitted, full-length dress pants. In appropriate weather, boys may wear Bermuda lengthd ress shorts of the same colors, which may not be shorter than 4 inches above the top of the knee or longer than 4 inches below the top of the knee. No baggy cargo pants, over-sized,frayed, patched, cut, torn, or faded attire is allowed. If pants have belt loops, a belt is required.
Pants/Skirts For girls — Girls will be permitted to wear navy blue or khaki well-fitted, full-length dress pants. No baggies, cargo pants,over-sized, frayed, patched, cut, torn, or faded attire is allowed. Girls may also wear the blue plaid skirt at a length no shorter than 4 inches above the top of the knee. Shorts, if worn under the skirt, must not show below the hemline. Skorts are not allowed in the middle school
Sweaters Navy blue knitted crew neck, v-neck sweater vest, cardigan, or McLean crew neck or hooded sweatshirt with the McLean logo are permitted. A dress code shirt must be worn underneath all sweaters or sweatshirts. No gray athletic sweatshirts are allowed.
Shoes Flat-soled and flat-heeled shoes with backs: black or brown, loafers or tie shoes, athletic shoes. Athletic shoes, preferably
black or white, must be neat and fastened at all times. Students may not wear shoes with lights or wheels, sandals, boots,
platform shoes, soap shoes of any kind.
Socks All students are required to wear navy blue or white socks. For girls, navy blue or white tights which, if worn with socks, must be the same color.
Hair Hair color must be a uniform, natural color.
Jewelry Simple stud earrings, and one necklace or bracelet may be worn. Chains are not allowed as jewelry or accessories.

Beyda’s Lad and Lassie at Westbard Shopping Center in Bethesda carries the McLean dress code. Sweatshirts and polo shirts with the McLean logo can be purchased through the School Store. No other logos are permitted. The following apply to all students:

Property Of Students
All property, including clothing worn to school, should be clearly marked with the student’s name. The school cannot accept responsibility for personal belongings of students. Stray clothing is deposited in the bins in the middle school hall; watches, glasses, etc. at the Reception Desk.

School Store
The School Store, located next to the Library, sells McLean sweatshirts, notebooks, pens, pencils, and other supplies. Cash and checks are accepted. The Middle School Student Council sponsors the school store operations and students in grade 6 manage the store when it is open.

Lunch
McLean School is pleased to offer a catered lunch program for an additional fee. Otherwise, students must bring their own cold lunch to school. Milk is provided daily to students. The school is unable to provide facilities for heating food.
Food and drink may not be consumed in the hallways or common areas. (Please note: vending machines in the Faculty Lounge are for faculty use only. Students will not be permitted to buy from the Faculty Lounge vending machines.)

Field Trips
Teachers endeavor to schedule periodic educational field trips that relate to what is taught in the classroom. Students are expected to be in dress code during school related field trips unless otherwise notified. Prescribed medications normally dispensed at school will be sent on all applicable field trips. The medications are labeled and a unit dose is provided for the teacher/chaperone to administer during the field trip.

Examinations
All grades operate on a semester school calendar, with each semester further divided into two quarters. Students in grades 7 and 8 take examinations twice a year in January and June. In grades 5 and 6, major tests may be given in the basic academic areas during class periods in the final week of each quarter.

Report Cards
Report cards communicate a student’s progress to parents and to the student. Our method of reporting is designed to encompass not only levels of achievement but also other aspects of a student’s development in his or her life at McLean. Each subject is graded. Comments by the teacher for each student may also be included. In grades 5 — 8, students receive a letter grade as follows:

A : 93-100 B+: 87-89 C+: 77-79 D+: 67-69 F: 59 or below
A-: 90-92 B : 83-86 C : 73-76 D : 63-66
B- : 80-82 C- : 70-72 D- : 60-62

Year End Awards

The Terry J. Edwards Award (Grade 5)
The Terry J. Edwards Award was established in 1983 in memory of the father of grade 5 student Chris Edwards. Mr. Edwards’ relatives and friends established this annual award which is presented to a 5th grader who is conscientious and exhibits excellent effort, good citizenship and a desire to learn.

The Charles H. Levine Memorial Award (Grade 6)
The Charles H. Levine Memorial Award honors the memory of 6th grader Jordy Levine’s father, who died in September 1988. Charles H. Levine was a distinguished professor of public administration and political science at the American University and an expert on government civil service.
This annual award is presented to an energetic, hardworking grade 6 student who demonstrates a keen sense of right and wrong and who is able to overcome difficulty in accomplishing his or her goals.

The Arnold P. Cornblatt Second Mile Award (Grade 7)
Established to honor Mr. Arnold R. Cornblatt, a member of the Board of Trustees from 1980 to 1984. During his service on the Board, Mr. Cornblatt gave unselfishly of his time and talents to support the school. He often went the “second mile” in fulfilling his Board responsibilities. This award goes to that student who has gone the “second mile” in fulfilling his or her school responsibilities.

The Jamie Kleeblatt Friendship Award (Grade 8)
This award honors the memory of Jamie Kleeblatt, who in 1987 died in a tragic accident after completing the seventh grade at McLean School.
One of Jamie’s most outstanding qualities was the capacity for friendship he shared with his fellow students.
This annual award, established by his parents, honors a student in grade 8 who, by vote of the entire class, is felt to exhibit the greatest capacity for friendship. Eighth grade students also write an essay entitled Friendship. The winning essay is read at the Closing Ceremonies.

The Gareth C. May Leadership Award (Middle School)
Established to honor Mr. Gareth C. May, founding member and chair of the McLean School Board of Trustees in the first year the school became non-profit. Mr. May remained chair for six years, from 1978 to 1984, before retiring from the Board in 1986. Under his outstanding leadership and guidance, McLean School grew and prospered. This award goes to that student who best exhibits the qualities of outstanding leadership.

The William P. McClure Citizenship Award (Middle School)
Established to honor Mr. William P. McClure, founding member of the McLean School Board of Trustees in the first year the school became non-profit. Mr. McClure’s abiding interest was a well-disciplined school in which students were good citizens.
This award goes to that student who best exhibits the highest qualities of good citizenship.

Head of Middle School Award
Established in 2003, The Head of Middle School Award is determined by the Head of Middle School with input from all faculty. This award goes to the returning grade 8 student who demonstrates persistence, integrity, and character.

Standardized Testing
Students in grades 5 through 8 take standardized achievement tests in the spring of each year. The results of these nationally standardized tests are recorded on the student’s permanent record. These scores offer a profile of the student’s cognitive growth and academic achievement over the year and are used for academic programming of students for the following school year. Copies of testing results are sent to parents when they arrive in the summer.

In addition to Stanford Achievement tests, all students in grades 5 through 8 are administered diagnostic pre- and post- tests in math and reading. These tests are given during literature and math classes in the fall and the spring. They are consideredinformal and do not become part of a student’s permanent file. Parents may request to meet with the Learning Specialist, Speech Language Pathologist, or Dean of Students to review these test results. Parents will be contacted if any significant patterns emerge on the diagnostic tests.