A parent's guide to student conduct

Jan 13, 2005 11:12 AM

dear parent:

When you send your child to school each morning, the first thing you want to know is that he or she will be safe and able to learn. Orderly classrooms and safe schools are a top priority for parents — and for teachers!

Parents want and deserve schools where their children can concentrate on academics without being distracted by the misbehavior of classmates. Parents want clear and fair consequences for youngsters who misbehave. Parents want children who cause trouble to get help with their problems. Parents want and deserve schools where their children are not afraid.

Teachers want exactly the same things. The United Federation of Teachers, the union that represents teachers and other school employees, has been working with parent groups and the Board of Education to create better approaches to school discipline. This booklet describes some of the recent changes. For example, every school now should have in place a discipline code with clear rules of conduct. Also, every school is required to have a safety plan, and many schools have taken other steps to prevent violence and resolve student conflicts.

But a code and a safety plan can go only so far in assuring good conduct. As a parent, you may hold the key, because no one has as much influence with your child as you do. To help, we’ve included some tips that you can discuss with your daughter or son. Our aim is to help them recognize and avoid potential threats, especially on the way to and from school.

We hope this booklet will let you know what schools expect of your child, what you can expect of your child’s school, and how you can help both meet those expectations. Teachers are eager to work with parents as partners. Together we can guide our children toward responsibility for their own behavior and make schools the safe, secure places they should be — places where the only concern is challenging young minds.

Sincerely,
Randi Weingarten