Middle School
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. Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.
BULLYING, TEASING, AND SOCIAL AGGRESSION
As 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 disrupts the learning 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. Repeat offenders may face suspension. 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.
The Student Climate Committees create attitudes and systems that impact our community. Committee meets periodically throughout the year.
Faculty members are responsible for daily discipline. In their interactions wits students, faculty use a variety of positive and encouraging behavior management techniques, in coordination with staff, parents and administrators to support positive reinforcement systems. At times, faculty may also need to define consequences for negate behavior to ensure a safe and productive learning environment. Homerooms teachers and/or advisors keep a record of discipline infractions through behavioral slips as a tool to notify the Deans of Students of behavior offences. The Deans treat each case fairly and equitably, properly assessing the circumstances and seriousness of the negative behavior, the frequency of the offence, the student’s attitude and the potential impact or effect of the behavior on the school environment. The process may include direct communication with parents. Faculty and administrators work together to determine the most appropriate consequences for negative behavior. Disciplinary actions range from warnings to expulsions.
Other Behavior Issues
- Dress code violations
- Lateness to class
- Being untruthful
- Cheating
- Excessive horseplay. Middle School students must not engage in any physically aggressive behavior or any inappropriate activity that has the potential for injury. Except in the friendliest of instances, students should keep their hands to themselves.
- Unexcused absence from school or lateness to school or class
- Destruction of property/ defacing property
- Gum and sodas are not allowed at any time
- Eating or drinking beverages in unauthorized areas or at unauthorized times
- Acts of disruption in school, on buses or on field trips
- Possession of pagers, cell phones, music playing devices, hand-held electronic games. These are not allowed to be used during the school day and must be turned off and kept in a student’s locker or backpack. Any of these devices seen during the school day will be confiscated. None of these devices are ever allowed to be used in the building except with permission from of a Dean or Head of Middle School.
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 move past 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.
Social Probation:
If a student’s behavior is deemed to be detrimental, he/she may be placed on Social Probation. This means that the student’s re-enrollment contract is held until such time as the Division Head deems appropriate. Continued negative behavior may result in the student not being offered a re-enrollment contract for the following year. Students, parents and some specified faculty will sign the contract of the terms and reasons for the social probation. Students failing to show the necessary improvements may be recommended for expulsion.
Academic Probation:
If a student’s grades and effort are determined to be deficient, he/she may be placed on Academic Probation. This means that the student’s re-enrollment contract is held until such time as the Division Head decides that grades and effort have improved sufficiently. Continued poor grades and lack of effort may result in the student not being offered a re-enrollment contract for the following year.
Temporary removal from a situation:
A student’s removal from the class/activity in which the behavior is occurring or from recess and/or lunch. Temporary removal may be used as either a responsive strategy or a consequence. This action does not require parental notice; however, the Head of Middle School will be made aware and parents will be notified if repeated offenses occur.
Detention:
Students are expected to stay after school on Friday, for up to an hour in a supervised setting for disciplinary reasons to reflect upon their behavior. Detention slips must be signed by a faculty member and copied to a Dean of Students or Administrator. A student may receive three behavioral/ slips before earning a Friday detention. However, if the behavior is deemed serious, a Friday detention may be given. Students will be given a 48 hour notice of their detention whenever possible.
Suspension:
Students may be removed and excluded from school community and any school-related activities for a specified period of time for disciplinary reasons. Notice is given to parents by the Middle School Head and/or Head of School. A parent conference as a re-entry meeting will be required between the Administrator, parents and student before the student may return to regular classes. In-school suspension students remain in the building in a separate setting with teachers sending students their work from the classroom.
Expulsion:
Severe or repeated cases of student behavioral offenses will lead to the removal of a student from school and all activities related to the McLean School community. Expulsion may be recommended when it is determined that a student is a threat to the safety of the community, or when a student has been placed on a Social Probation contract by the Division Head and has either violated or failed to fulfill the requirements of the contract..
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT LIFE
BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT
Back-to-School Nights are held at the beginning of the school year. This is a time for parents to learn about the academic program and to meet their children’s teachers and advisors. If parents need to discuss a child individually, we ask that you request a separate conference time.
LIBRARY
The library is open daily and McLean encourages students to use it as much as possible. Along with a comprehensive collection of books and reference materials, students enjoy a variety of online subscription services. These services can also be accessed from home in order to support homework and research. Books can be borrowed for two weeks and the cost of any lost books will be charged to the student.
CONFERENCES
Student-led conferences will be held for Grades 7 and 8 in the fall and the spring during the school year 2008-2009. Students in Grade 7 will participate in these conferences expressing their goals and strategies to achieve short-term and long-term improvements in their academic performance. Facilitated by the advisors, Grade 8 conferences will be lead by students. The goal is to give the students an opportunity to talk to their parents about their educational goals and progress. Assessing their strengths and weaknesses, the students, their teachers and the parents will each determine what each will do to help the student move closer to achieving the student’s educational goals.
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). In addition, students must see their teacher for make-up work immediately upon their return to school. The school will be as flexible as is reasonable with make-up work for students who miss school for excused reasons. 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. Parents may not walk students to class.
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
(Foot notes for each dress item apply to both Males and Females for clarification)
| Males | Females |
| Shirts1 | Shirts |
| Plain White or Navy Blue Polo Shirts (with no logos except McLean insignia), not to hang below pants’ pockets |
Plain White or Navy Blue Polo Shirts (with no logos except McLean insignia), not to hang below pants’ pockets-when wearing skirts, not to hang below six inches from the waist |
| Pants/Shorts2 | Pants/Shorts |
| Khaki or Navy Blue (well-fitted) Dress Pants or Capri length Khaki or Blue Shorts (Bermuda length) |
Khaki or Navy Blue (well-fitted) Dress Pants or Capri length Khaki or Blue Shorts (Bermuda length) Blue Plaid Skirt |
| Sweaters/Sweatshirts3 | Sweaters/Sweatshirts |
| White or navy blue crew neck, v-neck or cardigan with buttons and no logos Blue crew neck and hooded McLean sweatshirts |
White or navy blue crew neck, v-neck or cardigan with buttons and no logos Blue crew neck and hooded McLean sweatshirts |
| Footwear/Socks4 | Footwear/Socks |
| Flat-heeled/soled shoes (with backs); no neon colors Black or brown loafers or tie shoes Crew or low white socks |
Flat-heeled/soled shoes (with backs); no neon colors Black or brown loafers or tie shoes Crew or low white socks White or blue tights |
| Hair5 | Hair |
| Clean and neatly trimmed Uniform, natural color, not dyed or bleached |
Clean and neatly trimmed Uniform, natural color, not dyed or bleached |
| Game Day Attire6 | Game Day Attire |
| Collared Dress Shirt & Tie Khaki Pants or Dress Slacks Black or White Athletic Shoes Game Jersey & Khaki Pants |
Dress Pants and Dress Blouse Flat-heeled Dress Shoes Black or White Athletic Shoes Game Jersey & Khaki pants or Blue Plaid Skirt |
1Only white T-shirts may be worn under, not it place of, the white/blue polo shirts. Under T-shirts should not protrude from arms or waist. For girls, chest and midriff areas should be covered, and not undergarments should be visible. Camisoles or other see-through garments may not be worn.
2Students should bear a black or brown belt, unless the pants have no belt loops. No cargo pants, over-sized, frayed, patched, torn, or faded pants allowed. All pants must be worn at the natural waistline. Low-ride pants are not permitted. Skirts’ lengths should not be shorter than 3 to 3.5 inches above the top of the knee. Soft shorts may be worn under the skirt, but should not show below the 3 to 3.5 inches hemline. No skorts are permitted in the Middle School.
3Only McLean insignia sweatshirts are allowed; other sweatshirts are not permitted. A dress code shirt must be worn underneath sweaters/sweatshirts. All sweaters and sweatshirts must be longer than the shirt underneath. Students are not permitted to wear their sweatshirt hoods indoors.
4Sandals, flip-flops, plastic shoes, platform shoes, and clogs with no backs are not permitted. Shoes with laces and athletic shoes should be neat, tied and fastened at all times. Students may not wear shoes with lights, wheels and decorative studs or knee high colored socks. Socks worn with tights/leggings must be of the same color.
5Hats are not permitted indoors and will be confiscated. Boys are not permitted to wear headbands. For girls, only white, black and blue headbands/bows are allowed. Jewelry must not be excessive or ostentatious. Students are not permitted to wear long, dangling earrings or heavy chains as jewelry nor as accessories. One pair of simple one-inch hoops or stud earrings may be worn.
6The following are Game Day guidelines: Dress shirts should be tucked in at all times during the school day. For girls, high heels are not permitted.
Eighth graders who have PE the last period of the day may leave without changing back to dress code clothes. All others should get on the bus in dress code.
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 in the Middle School:
- Students must be in compliance with the dress code during school hours or they will not be permitted to participate in the days activities.
- If in doubt, students should ask before wearing the item to school
- All clothing must fit properly, be neat, clean and in good repair.
- Students my not wear clothing advocating violence, sex, or the use of drugs, including alcohol and tobacco. Symbols that demean any individual or group (racial, ethnic, or religious) may not be displayed.
- No outdoor clothing such as jackets, scarves, hats and gloves may be worn indoors during the school day.
- Students are not permitted to wear make-up at school.
- Free Dress Attire does not include hats, short shorts, cropped shirts, flip flops, cut-out, shoulder tops, tube, tank, sheer and halter tops, low necklines, mini skirts, open-toed or open-heel shoes, sweat suits or warm-up suits.
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 lost or stolen property. Student athletes should not leave their backpacks or sports’ bag unattended in the gym hallway or P.E. locker room. Items should be locked in their Middle School hallway lockers, and students should not share locker combinations with others. To avoid property theft, we encourage all students not to bring personal valuable items, such as cellular phones and mp3 players to school.
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, other supplies, and novelties. Cash and checks are accepted. The school store is run by grade 4 students.
LUNCH
Milk is provided daily to students at no extra cost. Your child may bring a bagged lunch to school (sorry, no facilities for heating food) or enroll in McLean’s catered lunch program for an additional fee. We ask that food and drink be restricted to assigned areas and not 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. Good behavior is expected on all field trips.
HONOR ROLL
The Honor Roll recognizes all students who receive a grade of B- or above in all classes, including core academic courses and special/elective classes. In addition, students who receive all A’s are given special recognition.
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 December and May/June. In grades 5 and 6, major assessments 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 |
PLAN BOOK
Each Middle School student is given a plan book at the beginning of the school year. Students are expected to record assignments daily in their plan books. Classroom teachers and advisors may check these books in order to assist any student who is experiencing difficulty keeping up with his/her assignments. Plan books may also be used as a means of communication between school and home.
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 grade 6 student 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 grade seven 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. Grade 8 students also write an essay entitled Friendship. The winning essay is read at the Closing Ceremony.
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.
Head of Middle School Award
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. Copies of testing results are sent to parents during the summer.
In addition to Stanford Achievement tests, often students in grades 5 through 8 are administered diagnostic pre- and post- tests in math and reading. These tests, if used, are given during literature and math classes in the fall and the spring. They are considered informal and do not become part of a student’s permanent file. Parents may request to meet with the Learning Specialist or Dean of Students to review these test results. Parents will be contacted if any significant patterns emerge on the diagnostic tests.
SUMMER PROGRAM
The McLean Summer Program offers coeducational programs for students between the ages of 5-18. Our unique, create the summer of your dreams design invites students to design a schedule of half day and/or full day experiences. Academics are offered in the morning and recreational activities in the afternoon. Throughout the 6-week program students are encouraged to sign up for a variety of options. The name of the course does not change from week to week, but the content does, so the activity can be taken more than once! The Summer Program mission is to provide students with a wide range of activities that stimulate learning and enrich their summer experience outside of the classroom.