Uplift Summit is our school and each one of us contributes either to its betterment or to its detriment. As 8th grade scholars you set the example for sixth and seventh grade. We often complain about new rules or policies but rarely reflect on why they were necessary in the first place. When we take ownership and pride in our school we truly have a chance to be a part of the whole. As 8th graders we often like to feel unfairly targeted and that we are deserving of more privileges and freedoms than our actions suggest. If we want to make our school a better experience for ourselves and for those who come after, it starts with you. On this site you will find our 8th grade expectations and consequences.
1)Be in appropriate dress that meets school dress code
2)Arrive on time and prepared for their classes
3)Follow teacher directions and attempt all tasks to the best of your ability
4)Avoid using their cellphones during instructional time and use chrome books responsibly
5)Treat the school, the scholars, and the adults with respect
6)No GUM, snacks, or drinks other than water in the classroom
7)Take care of themselves as best as possible (drink water, eat breakfast and lunch, wear deodorant etc.)
Respecting ourselves is essential in order to build respect for others and our space. Respecting ourselves will look different for each scholar but at it's most core respecting ourselves means:
1)Believing in ourselves
2)Believing that our opinions matter
3)Believing that our education is important and valuable and should be treated as such
4)Knowing how you want to be treated and holding ourselves and others to that standard
It does NOT mean:
1)Talking bad about ourselves
2)Giving up when something is difficult
3)Using past short comings as excuses for not trying
4)Treating others with disrespect to feel better about ourselves
Respecting others is the second essential to an inclusive and productive learning environment. If we do not feel respected by others or do not treat others with respect in turn we are stunting both our academic growth and our chance for divergent discourse. Respecting others includes:
1)NEVER negatively affect our peer's education. Strive to better our own and their education. No one at Summit is more important than anyone else. When our actions detract from the classroom we are telling everyone else that we believe we are more important than they are.
2)Respecting differences in opinion as long as it is not a difference that invalidates our own worth
3)Treating others with empathy and understanding
4)Acknowledging that despite our world revolving around ourselves, the world and the class in fact does not.
It does NOT include:
1)Laughing at others or making disparaging comments
2)Being best friends with every member of the class
3)Attacking someone's character or person based on their beliefs or arguments
4)Using this as an excuse to disrespect others
We spend so much time every week on our campus and in our classrooms and yet too often we treat these classrooms as garbage dumps. This issue is particularly egregious with 8th graders and particularly important with Covid. Too often there is a rudeness demonstrated towards our campus custodial staff who are kept constantly busy ensuring that our space is clean and safe. This is an unhealthy attitude to go through life with and one that I take personal issue with. Messes happen but I will always provide the necessary supplies to clean up after ourselves where the custodians/janitors only need to empty the trash. Respecting our space includes:
1)Cleaning up after ourselves (especially when we make a mess)
2)Not intentionally marring, damaging, or destroying property
3)Keeping our personal area clean and tidy
4)Pitching in when cleaning up and sanitizing (Mr. F will always have cleaning supplies, gloves, masks etc. on hand).
It does NOT include:
1)Leaving trash on the floor or in desks
2)Intentionally making a mess and trying to hide it rather than clean it
3)Maliciously destroying or defacing school, peer or Mr. F's property
4)Saying "that's why we have janitors" or "That's their job" when we've made their jobs needlessly more difficult.
We should always be working on improving ourselves that is the point of this experience. When we are striving to be better this includes:
1)Strive for scholarly behavior at all times
2)Strive to better ourselves when measured against us of yesterday
3)Be honest and reflective as it will help you to improve
4)Accept our mistakes, learn from them, and do not repeat them
It does NOT inlcude:
1)Accepting mediocrity in our education
2)Lowering our goals and dreams
3)Making the same mistakes day in and day out
4)Refusing to accept when we have messed up and instead endlessly blaming others for our own shortcomings
Or "Do More and Say Less"
Wearing a Hoodie- Hoodie is confiscated for the day. Scholar will need to write a four stanza poem/rap on how cool we are before hoodie is returned.*Additional requirements for repeat hood wearers
Mask off for extended periods/worn incorrectly multiple times-5 slide presentation on the efficacy of masks (2 sources cited using MLA format or a mathematical justification for why we wear masks).
Arriving to class late (less than a minute)*without pass-Scholar will create a map of the route from their previous class including distance measurements, approximate walking speed, and their various detours. Scholar and teacher will review this map to determine whether it is mathematically feasible that they are late because the distance is too far.
Arriving to class later (over a minute)*without pass-Scholar will need to make up this time either during the thirty minutes before school or the thirty minutes after school. Teacher will walk route and help scholar create "directions" in their planner.
Entering the classroom inappropriately-Scholar will complete one of the following: a one page critique of their entrance, a mathematical calculation for the volume of the classroom if all scholars entered as they did, a sketch or ink drawing representing the class and their impact on it. *Requirements will vary based on frequency of occurrence
Not having needed supplies-scholar will create an action plan for how they will rectify their lack of materials necessary for learning. They will then call their parent/adult and talk through their action plan with them. Scholar will then inform their parent/adult of the work that they will be unable to do in class and will thus need to complete at home tonight. *If parent does not agree will need to make a new action plan. Will need to complete "old school" work during class.
Bringing unnecessary drama into the classroom- Scholar will turn the drama into a 2 page dramatic play scene complete with stage directions, dialogue and a theme.
Using cellphone during instruction-phone will be confiscated and returned either after a formal written letter (correct formatting and all) is given to teacher (envelopes encouraged) or if multiple times will be dropped off at office for parent to pick up.
Using chrome books inappropriately-no chrome book for two classes including the class that it was taken in. Scholar will instead work from old school material like back in the day (when Mr. F watched Magic Johnson play in the NBA while he was in middle school). Scholar will still be expected to keep up with digital coursework it will now have to be completed at home though.
Not respecting others- two page argumentative paper arguing for or against your actions (remember you need a thesis statement, claims with evidence, a counter argument, and a conclusion). Other options "Jerk Face" dance, apology poem or drawing
Leaving trash/wrappers/ink/a mess(rarely)-Scholar will work towards either classroom or school wide beautification
Behaving as if your teachers and janitors are your live in servants-Scholar will work a shift or shifts as janitorial help during lunch with Mr. F
Chewing gum-your teachers know you are way too responsible to ever stick gum on the underside of inanimate objects that are completely defenseless! We know and definitely completely believe you. However, some darn invisible students must be repeatedly sticking gum on the undersides of things all across campus. Not only is this gross and juvenile, it is also extremely dangerous at this time. If you are caught chewing gum you will assist in cleaning the undersides of those poor innocent desks and tables.
Not even attempting work in class-Scholar will sign a form acknowledging that they are choosing not to participate in today's instruction. This form will then be emailed to parents/adults and scholar will complete a behavioral analysis for why they are not working.
Not following teacher directions, classroom rules, or volume level-Scholar create a plan for improving their behavior in class. If this plan is not met than scholar will complete a behavior analysis to determine the cause of their actions. If scholar still is not showing improvement plan will be revisited afterschool from 4-5pm. Lastly, parent/adult will be invited to a parent teacher conference to determine what steps need to be taken to be a member of the class.
*For any restorative justice consequences that involve cleaning or handling school objects all necessary PPE will be provided to scholar. This includes gloves, masks, and the appropriate disinfectant/cleaning product.
Scholars are always welcome to opt out of the restorative justice consequence and instead opt for the traditional consequence. If scholar does not complete the restorative action within 7 calendar days then it will automatically become a traditional consequence.