Classroom Community & Culture FAQs

• School policies and enforcement

If a student breaks a rule that is covered in the Student-Parent Handbook, (possession of illegal substances, abuse, bullying or harassment, etc.), I must refer the situation to the main office for the administration to make decisions on parental contacts, police involvement, and other matters. This is part of a teacher’s job and not my decision. If you violate a Code of Conduct rule, it will be handled out of class.

• Holidays

As your teacher, holidays, both religious and secular, may be discussed in Do-Nows, instructional units, and literature, in casual or formal ways. Your teacher will always try to discuss these cultural events with respect. If a misunderstanding of a holiday you celebrate is communicated, your teacher will always welcome correction with appreciation. Any student is invited to educate and correct their teacher in our classroom in the manner that is most comfortable for them, either in classroom discussions or privately before or after class.

• Solving interpersonal problems

As members of a class, we have the right to make mistakes and learn from them. We need to all feel comfortable giving constructive criticism and give our peers and teachers the benefit of the doubt in most situations. To resolve a problem between two or more members of our class, the following steps should be taken:

• Recognition by the parties involved that a problem exists.

• Mutual agreement to address the issue and find some resolution.

• An effort to understand the perspective and concerns of the opposing individual or group.

• Identifying changes in attitude, behavior, and approaches to work by both sides that will lessen negative feelings.

• Recognizing triggers to episodes of conflict.

• Interventions by guidance counselors and/or administrators to mediate.

If students ever feel that the enforcement of rules and consequences is unfair, they have the right to make an appointment with the teacher to discuss the situation. Your teacher will be as neutral as they can in hearing your complaints or comments.

• Listening to peers

The hardest part of being in class can be listening… to anyone. We are people with a lot of proverbial plates spinning. Learning happens when we listen to others… and that includes your peers in addition to your teacher. The most important thing to remember is that even when your teacher is speaking directly to another person, any student can listen and learn from the conversation, even if you’re not directly involved. How many times have you had a question and someone else asks the same question before you? Listening to others’ questions may address questions you have or haven’t even considered!

• When visitors are in the classroom

There are many reasons that adults or students who aren’t normally in our room during our period join us. Your teacher may have an administrator or colleague observing the class for assessment purposes. Other students may need to make up assignments due to absences. If it is appropriate for the teacher to, they will explain why our visitors are with us. Generally, unless the visitors take an instructional role in the classroom, we should focus on the regularly scheduled instruction and participate normally.

• When the teacher is talking to another teacher or is on the phone

Occasionally, your teacher may have an unexpected phone call or colleague to interact with. When that happens, your teacher will give you a small task to complete while the conversation with the unexpected interruption. Don’t eavesdrop.