"At the beginning of every school year," says Martin, "we go from class to class in teams that include students, counselors, administrators and often parents, and we talk about the rules of the school, the culture of the school and the Respect Policy. We do small presentations because a large assembly with lots of content is hard to pull off in September.
"Also, we can talk about sexual harassment and sexual orientation, which immature students might hoot about at a large assembly but won't in a class of 30," she observes. "We have a high annual turnover rate, so we have to teach and reteach all the time, to students, parents, staff, bus drivers, cafeteria workers - everyone." (see also Establish School Policies that Promote Equity and Respect.)
RESPECT IS THE CORNERSTONE OF ALL OUR INTERACTIONS AND BEHAVIORS. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE DIGNITY AND WORTH OF ONE ANOTHER, AND STRIVE NEVER TO DIMINISH ANOTHER BY OUR CONDUCT OR OUR ATTITUDES.OUR MISSION: To prepare students to live and work in a complex
and interdependent society. To acknowledge diversity and build
community by practicing hospitality, civility and respect.
WHY WE NEED A POLICY: Mariner is a community which dedicates
itself to the safety and well-being of its citizens and which
recognizes that human dignity is the basis for all our
relationships and growth.
DEFINITION OF MISCONDUCT: Any physical, spoken or written
act of abuse, violence, harassment, intimidation, extortion,
the use of vulgarity, cursing, making remarks of a personally
destructive nature toward any other person, and any restriction
or prevention of free movement of an individual. This
prohibition applies whether the act is deliberate, intentional
or unintentional or is directed toward an individual or group
regarding race, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual
orientation, physical or mental disability, political or
religious ideology. Federal law and Washington State rules
and regulations will apply.
CORRECTIVE ACTION:
• Discipline file entry, parent notification and counseling; detention;
• In-school suspension, short or long-term suspension;
• Emergency expulsion (may or may not be final, depending on
investigation of incident)/final expulsion;
• Police may be contacted; charges may be filed.
Note: The severity of the offense dictates the consequence.
These expectations apply to all facets of school life - at
school, school activities, on transportation, at bus stops,
on field trips, and so on.
HOW TO FILE A GRIEVANCE
1. Consult the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook issued
by the Mukilteo School District to file a formal, written report.
2. District policy and all applicable laws will be followed regarding all
grievances.
PUTTING A STOP TO DISRESPECT
STEP ONE: When you witness behavior that is in violation of the
Respect Policy, tell the person to stop. Apathy, silence or laughter
encourages the abuse and further disrespects the victims. Inform
an adult in school and your parents.
STEP TWO: If the behavior doesn't stop, contact an administrator
as soon as possible to initiate a complaint. See "How to File a
Grievance" in this brochure. Again, report to the adult in charge
of the area.
STEP THREE: If the behavior continues, keep a journal of further
incidents, including description, time, date, place and witnesses.
Keep your parents and administrators informed.