Four Winds Waldorf School Code of Conduct

Self- Respect:

• Do everything you do to the best of your ability
• See all assignments through to completion
• Take good care of your belongings
• Be on time to school and to class
• Eat nutritious foods
• Get plenty of sleep
• Always dress appropriately for the weather

Respect for others:

• Acknowledge one-another with a friendly greeting
• Remember to offer thanks to others
• Always look for opportunities to be helpful
• Use positive, encouraging language
• Use “kind hands” in work, play and social interactions
• Treat the belongings of others with care and consideration
• Comply with teacher and staff requests: Right away, all the way, and respectfully
• Remember that the hallways are “quiet zones:” walking feet and quiet voices

Respect for our environment:

• Help maintain a clean and orderly classroom, building and grounds
• Assist with recycling and garbage pick-up
• Use school materials and equipment with care and consideration
• Inform teacher or staff of any damaged or broken equipment, fixtures, etc.

Four Winds Waldorf School Media Policy

Waldorf education is dedicated to nurturing children’s capacities for imagination, healthy emotional development, independent thinking and positive action. The foundation of Waldorf education relies on the richness of direct experience through the interactions with others and the natural environment. Therefore, Four Winds Waldorf School does not use television, video, or other recorded media products in the classroom. Additionally, Four Winds recommends reducing, if not eliminating, children’s exposure to media away from school, coming from the belief that media exposure counters many of the benefits that a Waldorf education seeks to provide for young students. For our purposes, media includes movies, television, electronic/video games, cell phones and computers. We ask that students not be exposed to media on school nights, Sunday through Thursday. For families new to Waldorf, our media policy is often a daunting prospect. Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions for additional information and resources for learning more about the reasoning behind our media policy. Parents are always encouraged to speak to Four Winds Staff about their questions and challenges related to media.

Computers, the Internet, and E-mail

In all the grades, handwriting and personal exposition are emphasized in the curriculum. Using a keyboard is a mechanical activity which undermines the natural skills and abilities being nurtured in our classrooms during the primary years. Chat rooms and Instant Messaging simulate human connections, remove children from direct experience, and build a false social context (at best, artificial; at worst, dangerous), weakening our efforts to promote real, meaningful social relationships. The Internet, when used wisely, can yield a wealth of useful information. However, without parental controls, children can be exposed to inappropriate and/or harmful material with the touch of a button. It is therefore strongly recommended that parental guidance and careful vigilance be exercised throughout the grades in monitoring your child’s activity on the Internet.