East Kentwood High School - Acceptable Behavior Address
The following is the speech delivered by Mr. Joe Beel to all students at East Kentwood High School.
Tardies| Dress | Physical Confrontation | Cell Phones | After School | Trash | Driving | Discipline File | Academics | Respect
This morning we need to address some important issues that have to be communicated face-to-fact rather than over the intercom or through the student announcements.
It is our firm belief that East Kentwood students always rise to the occasion in meeting the expectations before them. The purpose of this meeting is to present the expectations to you. These are non-negotiable items. We have been charged with operating East Kentwood, in a time of over-crowdedness due to construction, in the safest, most efficient manner we possibly can. Our time is limited this morning so I need to get through this material. If you have any questions you may see your assistant principal or me, or you may sign up for one of the lunch forums we'll have after Thanksgiving break. I'll meet with students in my conference room and provide lunch. We'll do that four to five times between Thanksgiving and Christmas break. Listen for the sign-ups and dates in the student announcements.
We are meeting with you in order to review the following expectation:
1. Tardies - Because of the construction, tardies seem to be one of the hottest issues we need to address.
All students have eight minutes between classes. We've walked it. It can be done.
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Most students are making the effort. Some are taking advantage of the situation. Get to class. No excuses.
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This applies also to assistants and physical education students as well.
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Excessive tardies can lead to suspension and even expulsion if you choose to not cooperate.
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If you get to your classroom early, go in. Don't hang in the halls until the tardy tone rings.
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Be in continuous movement from dismissal to entering your next class.
- Headgear is not allowed in the building. This includes hats, headbands, "do-rags", combs, picks, and bandanas.
- Sagging - Gentlemen, pull your pants up. Wear a belt or you will be sent home.....enough said.
- Ladies - Cover your midriffs, forget the mini-skirts and plunging necklines. They are not appropriate school attire.
- T-shirts promoting death and destruction are also not appropriate.
- There is no place for it anywhere but especially at school. If you get into a fight at school plan on attending school someplace else. Two or three years ago we had no fights during the whole second semester. We can reach that goal again. If there are issues that you personally feel might lead to a physical confrontation, see a teacher, assistant principal, principal, or counselor immediately and we will deal with this issue peaceably. Also, those who harass, provoke or instigate a fight will be suspended or possibly expelled. (those who love to stir the pot...)
- Best idea.....don't bring them to school. They get lost or stolen. They are not to be used during the school day. If there is an emergency situation where you need the use of a phone, come to the office.
- If you have no after school activity, you must leave school property immediately after school dismisses.
- If you have a practice or club activity, GET THERE.
- If you have a practice or activity that starts later in the afternoon or evening, you cannot wait here until that activity begins. (Example: 5:00 or 4:30 practice. Go home and get a ride back or get a ride from a friend)
- When your activity concludes and you are waiting to be picked up, wait in the foyer by the field house entry. (vestibule double doors) Do not wander in the building!
6. Trash, Food and Drink in the Hallways
- Pick up after yourself.
- Cafeteria tables in morning and during lunch - unacceptable! Parking lots are a garbage pit. Have some pride and take care of your trash.
- Pop and snack machines will be open before school begins until 7:30, when they will be shut down until lunch time.
- They wil also be shut down between the end of lunch and 2:30. They will be operational after 2:30.
- This will cut down on the mess in the halls and on tardies to class.
- Driving to school is a privilege, not one of the inalienable rights provided in the Bill of Rights to the Constitution.
- Unsafe driving will result in the loss of the privilege.
- If your discipline file continues to grow, you will meet with your assistant principal to draw up a contract for improved behavior. If the contract is broken, you will be asked to leave East Kentwood High School.
- Your academic progress will also be monitored at the semester. If you are failing half your classes because of attendance, missed assignments, and lack of effort, we will look for other educational options for you.
10. RESPECT - Finally, but probably most importantly, the Respect lever has to be turned up a few notches. Respect has many forms:
- Respect your girlfriend/boyfriend by being appropriate in the hallways with public displays of affection.
- Respect is in your language - the tone, the volume, the content. Sadly, vulgarity becomes so much a part of some students vocabulary they often times don't realize how inappropriate it is. Clean up your language.
- Some African American students use the "N" word with their friends. Unacceptable!
- If an adult asks you a question or requests you to show your ID, you should comply with respect.
- Confrontational attitudes, uncooperative attitudes, insubordination (which means not doing what you've been asked to do) is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
The objective today, again, has been to provide you with the expectations you need to follow to make East Kentwood the best possible place it can be. The staff and administration are not the only people who want these standards. Parents and yes, students, desire them as well. Thanks so much for your attention. It is appreciated.