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Almaden Country Day SchoolLoving The Now. Ready For Next.

Respect

Discovering the gifts in every child requires a high standard of personal conduct, with respect for self, others and the environment, which forms the foundation of learning.

Standards

Adherence to high standards of personal conduct by students and parents is essential in the development of respect for self and others. We expect parents and students to uphold these standards.

Enrollment at Almaden Country Day School signifies a willingness from parents and students to abide by our standards of:

  • Honesty and respect in dealing with, faculty, administration, classmates and self.
  • Respect for property.
  • Observing high standards of speech, refraining from improper expressions, vulgarity and swearing.
  • Maintaining grades reflecting the best of the student’s ability.
  • Completion of assignments, including homework.
  • Adhering to the approved dress-code standards.
  • Adhering to all classroom and school policies and procedures.
  • Representing the school in a proper manner on field trips and school related functions.

Bullying

While some expectations might not be stated, we take for granted the honesty, integrity and good judgment of our students and their parents or guardians. Teachers and school administrators appreciate and expect a cooperative partnership with parents to establish a safe, productive, and healthy learning environment on campus. In general, we are responsible for students’ behavior only when they are under our jurisdiction. However, we regard any conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the school, whether at school or elsewhere, as sufficient grounds for disciplinary action or dismissal.

At Almaden Country Day School we define bullying as repetitive, intentional, hostile activity with the conscious purpose of harming and inducing fear through the threat of further aggression. Bullying may be verbal, physical, or relational, and might include inappropriate and disrespectful use of technology, i.e. cyberbullying.

Conflict and relational aggression between children is a developmentally normal aspect of childhood, and our teachers regularly help children develop conflict resolution skills as part of the learning process at ACDS. Conflict, disappointment, and relational aggression are common aspects of childhood that teachers and parents can help children manage.

We believe that labeling children as “bullies” and “victims” is unhelpful in our efforts to resolve conflicts and teach social skills, and further, that these labels cast children in negative terms that do not align with our belief that children are capable of acquiring compassion and developing agency with adult guidance.

Therefore, parents are asked to use the terms “bully” and “victim” judiciously at ACDS. Despite its widespread mischaracterization in today’s society, bullying rarely describes what happens in the social world of children on our campus. We expect parents to partner with us in helping young people learn how to be skillful and resilient social agents, rather than assigning blame and labels.

Nonetheless, if you suspect that your child is subject to bullying behaviors, please alert his or her teacher immediately, and notify the Assistant Head in the appropriate division as needed.