Student Community Agreement
Norwood School strongly believes that how you lead your life matters. To this end, Norwood requires that its students conduct themselves honorably and lawfully at all times and act with respect, kindness, and honesty. The following Norwood Community Standards are discussed at school with all students. It is expected that all parents will read the Student Community Agreement and discuss it with their children.
Standards of Student Conduct and Norwood School’s Response
Overarching standards: Respectful, kind, honest, conscientious conduct is expected of all students at all times while engaged in school activities both on and off campus, during school-sponsored events and trips, and while online or communicating electronically or through any form of social media. In accordance with our Mission and Statement of Community, students are expected to interact with others in a manner which contributes to a welcoming, respectful, inclusive, and affirming environment for everyone. Students are also expected to care for school property and grounds.
Response guidelines: When the School determines that a student has negatively impacted the community, whether intentionally or unintentionally, the School responds in order to educate those involved, restore the sense of community, and assist the student in making amends. Responses may include: verbal correction, written notification to parents, recess reflection, after-school reflection period, student behavior contract, parent conference, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, expulsion, and legal proceedings, among others.
Process for minor infractions: Minor infractions, such as gum chewing or repeatedly disrupting class, are dealt with directly by teachers. If the situation does not improve, parents can expect to be contacted by the teacher, advisor, dean of students, or division head, depending on the situation. In the Middle School, students accrue referrals for minor infractions, and parents are notified after the second and third referral. In the event of a fourth referral over the period of a semester, the student stays after school for a reflection period, an opportunity to look back, think ahead, and plan for improvement.
Process for major infractions: In cases beyond minor infractions, as determined by the School, faculty communicate with the division head and other administrators as appropriate (e.g., the director of diversity, equity, and community; the dean of students; the head of school; or the athletic director). Faculty, counselors, and/or administrators also speak with the children involved to determine details, clarify expectations, and provide support and consequences. Homeroom teachers, advisors, and parents are also brought into the process to provide additional information and support. Possible consequences include the full range of responses noted above.
Integrity
Standard: Our school community depends on the presumption of trust and mutual respect. At all times, honesty and responsibility to the community are expected to guide student behavior. Students are expected to speak truthfully. In addition, they are expected to be honest in their assignments and assessments.
Examples of academic dishonesty include but are not limited to: copying someone’s work on an assignment or assessment; allowing someone to copy any part of an assignment or assessment; plagiarizing; not citing sources; using notes, translation sites, or other study aids without permission; telling other students about assessment details in advance; or any other kind of cheating.
Response: If any student is found not to be telling the truth, the minimum consequence is a conversation with the appropriate adults. If a lower school student has an incident of academic dishonesty, the minimum consequence is a conversation with the appropriate adults; in the Middle School, the student receives a zero on the relevant assignment or assessment and attends an after-school reflection period. Additional incidents result in compounding consequences and, in Middle School, could lead to expulsion.
Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation
Standard: Every student at Norwood is expected to play a positive role in creating and maintaining an environment where all students feel connected, valued, safe, and supported. In accordance with Maryland State Department of Education policy, “bullying, harassment, or intimidation is defined as intentional verbal, physical, or written conduct or electronic communication that creates a hostile educational environment by substantially interfering with a student’s educational benefits, opportunities, performance, or with a student’s physical or psychological well-being.” Bullying, harassment and intimidation are all strictly prohibited.
Examples of bullying, harassment, or intimidation include but are not limited to: repeated teasing or insults, repeated unwelcome physical contact, repeated harmful gossip (in person, electronically, and/or on social media), recording and/or sharing images or videos without the subject’s permission, intentional long-term exclusion. See also: Slurs and Prejudicial Actions.
Response: When a student has a substantial negative impact on another student through bullying, harassment, or intimidation in the Lower School, the minimum consequence is a conversation with the appropriate adults; in the Middle School, the minimum consequence is an after-school reflection period. If the student continues with the same or similar bullying behaviors, with the same student or another student, the School’s response will escalate quickly to suspension and possibly expulsion. The School may at any time decide that it is necessary to send a child home immediately.
Slurs and Prejudicial Actions
Standard: At Norwood, we value diverse experiences and perspectives, and we believe that everyone contributes to and benefits from the similarities and differences we all bring to the community. We respect and protect the dignity and worth of all members of our community while honoring and affirming all aspects of our multifaceted identities. At no time will slurs or prejudicial images, words, or actions toward any member of our community or toward anyone outside our community be tolerated.
Examples of slurs and prejudicial actions include but are not limited to: writing or verbally stating offensive jokes, slurs, prejudicial epithets, discriminatory language, or derogatory language, with or without intention; mimicking stereotypical words or actions; and creating, displaying, or sharing still or moving images that represent slurs or prejudicial epithets.
Response: Infractions involving slurs or prejudicial actions of any kind will be met with an immediate response beginning, at a minimum, with a conversation with an adult and written notice to parents in the Lower School, or an after-school reflection period in the Middle School. The School may at any time decide that it is necessary to send a child home immediately. Additional incidents will result in compounding consequences including suspension and possibly expulsion.
Physical Disputes and Physically Unsafe Behavior
Standard: The physical safety and well-being of every Norwood student is paramount. At no time may students initiate physical contact that is unwelcome and/or may hurt another student. Students may not engage in physical fighting and may not play games that involve tackling or any degree of hard pushing, shoving, or tripping. Students may not throw things at other students except in activities and games where appropriate. Students are responsible for being in control of their bodies and moving safely and responsibly from place to place both inside and outside. Additionally, students may not bring real or fake weapons of any kind to school and may not bring any prohibited substances to school, including alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and non-prescribed inhalers or vaping devices of any kind.
Examples of physical disputes and physically unsafe behavior include but are not limited to: running in the hallway, pushing, tackling during recess games, throwing inappropriate items, hitting, kicking, grabbing another student or their clothing, wrestling, possession of a real or fake weapon, or possession of a prohibited substance.
Response: When a student’s conduct is physically unsafe, the response from the School will depend on the situation. Incidents could range from minor infractions to major infractions resulting in redirection, warning, recess reflection, after school reflection periods, suspension, and even expulsion. The School may at any time decide that it is necessary to send a child home immediately.
Located in Bethesda, MD, Norwood School develops students in grades PK-8 into confident lifelong learners who have the academic, character, and leadership skills to succeed in high school and beyond. Recognizing that children are multi-faceted, Norwood provides many opportunities for safe risk-taking, exploration, discovery, and growth in a nurturing, supportive, and inclusive school community.
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