Handbook
Standards of Student Conduct
For the well-being of every member of the school community, the Chicago Waldorf School seeks to build a climate of mutual respect, trust, courtesy and fair play. When anyone in the school is uncivil, disrespectful, or disruptive, the whole community is diminished. Everyone is entitled to a secure and supportive learning environment that includes respect for diverse viewpoints with opportunities for the respectful exchange of ideas.
Although teachers strive to deal flexibly and creatively with situations as they arise, there are certain behaviors not tolerated by the school. The following list of unacceptable behavior applies to all students. These rules are designed to promote school-wide harmony.
• Students may not bring or chew gum anywhere on the school premises during school hours.
• Students may not bring candy or carbonated soft drinks to school.
• Students may not bring toys, radios or electronic equipment to school. This includes puzzles, mechanical toys, dolls, computerized games, alarms, calculators, video games, MP3 players, etc. Faculty or staff members may confiscate these items at their discretion.
• Students in the youngest grades will occasionally ask to bring a toy or book from home to share with the class. This must first be approved by the teacher.
• Cell phones may only be used with the permission of a teacher. Any infraction may result in the phone being confiscated. This policy also includes all events occurring after school hours such as student dances, weekend rehearsals and performances, parent events and school trips. A parent must claim a confiscated phone.
• Students may not sell candy or other items at school to raise funds for other organizations.
• Party invitations should be distributed outside of school unless an entire class is invited.
• Students will treat their parents/guardians, peers and teachers respectfully. Faculty and staff will treat their peers, students and students’ parents/guardians respectfully.
• Students will be respectful of all school property. Proper care will be taken with all desks, equipment and the grounds of the Chicago Waldorf School. Abuse of school property, including graffiti, defacing of desks or other equipment or theft of school property will result in disciplinary action.
• Students are expected to leave the classroom clean and neat and to pick up after themselves and/or others. All students are expected to participate in an end-of-day clean-up as requested or assigned.
• Students are expected to maintain an inclusive social environment throughout the day. Both excessive public displays of affection and social bullying are destructive to a mood of social inclusion and are not acceptable behavior in school.
• The use or display of tobacco on or within sight of school property is prohibited. The Chicago Waldorf School and the surrounding area is a smoke-free environment. This policy also includes all events occurring after school hours such as student dances, weekend rehearsals and performances, parent events and school trips. Students seen smoking or in possession of tobacco on or within sight of school property will face disciplinary action. Students seen smoking or in possession of tobacco on school trips will be sent home at their parents’ expense and will face disciplinary action.
• Running in the halls or sliding down the banisters is not allowed.
• Rude or foul language will not be tolerated.
• Bouncing or throwing balls in hallways, or outside on school grounds following dismissal is not allowed.
• Physical fighting in grades 6-12 may result in an immediate suspension.
• No skateboarding within view of the school during the hours from 7:45am to 3:30pm. The area designated as no skateboarding zone runs along Loyola Avenue from Glenwood to Sheridan and Lakewood, from Arthur to Albion. Skateboards must be carried in and out of the school. Any faculty or staff may confiscate skateboards.
No bullying or teasing. Bullying behavior can include the following, especially when it is prolonged, persistent and deliberate:
• Physical abuse or hitting.
• Verbal abuse or name calling.
• Disrespect of property or stealing.
• Malicious or hurtful name-calling.
• Incitement or getting someone else to do any of the previous mentioned actions.
• Harassing behavior is not allowed. Harassment is repeated, unwanted and disrespectful attention; any behavior which has the intention or effect of harming or intimidating others.
• Possession of any firearms or any other weapon is prohibited on campus or at any school event is cause for immediate suspension.
• Engaging in illegal activities (or conduct that would be illegal if the individual were an adult) outside the school day which endangers the safety or well-being of the student, other persons or their property or conduct which brings disgrace to the Chicago Waldorf School is prohibited.
Drug & Alcohol Policy
Our educational mission is to nurture each student’s capacities for clear thinking, sound judgment and conscience in action. The use of consciousness-altering substances is a hindrance to the healthy development of young adults and disrupts the culture of trust cultivated between students, faculty and parents. While students are enrolled at the Chicago Waldorf School, the use, possession or sale/distribution of drugs, alcohol and tobacco is prohibited in school and at school functions. Any violation of this policy is cause for immediate suspension and potential dismissal.
Concerns or incidents regarding drug and/or alcohol use by students will be reviewed individually, involve professionals when needed, and will include an open and honest dialogue with students, parents/guardians and faculty/staff members to develop a plan of action.
If a student comes forward with difficulty involving drug or alcohol use or concerns about another student the faculty and staff are committed to helping. We encourage students to recognize the many different sources of support and remediation available to them in school and from outside professionals.
The Chicago Waldorf School reserves the right to initiate legal proceedings in response to a violation of the rules about drugs or alcohol.
Student Internet Use Policy
The High School has computers with internet access available for student use in the History Room and the Physics Lab. Students are expected to abide by generally accepted rules of internet etiquette as well as by rules of school decorum. The Chicago Waldorf School disclaims all liability for the content of material that a student may access on the Internet, for any damages suffered in the course of or as a result of a student’s Internet use and for any other consequences of a student’s Internet use.
Facebook, Myspace and other online social networks
The Chicago Waldorf School faculty and staff do not accept invitations to join any virtual friendship sites from students or parents nor do they offer such invitations to students or parents. The Chicago Waldorf School will not search out any student’s personal page or website; however, if we are informed of anything of a concerning nature, we will respond.
Classroom Social Visits
The school discourages social visits during scheduled school hours. Rarely, a social visit may be allowed if written permission is requested one week in advance. Such requests are to be directed to the Level Chair and Administrator who will then discuss the request with the Grade School class teacher or the High School class advisors. If approved, at least one custodial parent must sign the Visiting Student Permission Form and legal release before the visiting student can go into the classroom.
Classroom visits related to prospective admissions must be scheduled through the Admissions Office.