Every year, the MICDS Middle School kicks off the new academic year with a time-honored tradition: the Honor Code Assembly. Held in Eliot Chapel, this gathering serves as a powerful reminder of the school’s core values, reinforcing a community built on honor, trust, respect, and responsibility.
Head of Middle School Jen Schuckman, Middle School English Teacher Dr. Nick Miller, and two student speakers, Emma Fouke ’30 and Lincoln Branca ’30, addressed the Middle School community to reinforce the significance of these values and how they cultivate a positive and supportive learning environment.
Fouke and Branca were chosen to speak because they were the recipients of last year’s Jan deGreef Jacobi Award, which recognizes students for demonstrating compassion, seeking the good in others, and upholding the Middle School Honor Code.
Fouke shared reflections on being new to MICDS last year. She steered students towards choosing hard things and said, “There are going to be times when the choices you face seem intimidating, but it is up to you to decide the kind of impact you want to make.” Read her full remarks here.
Branca spoke to the trust he had to embody as a new student in sixth grade. He said, “When I was new, on my first group project at MICDS, everyone in the group was very respectful, and both of these examples made me realize that MICDS is a place where I can express myself and my opinions are valued. Trust and respect are in our Honor Code because they make us better people.” Read his full remarks here.
Dr. Miller spoke about a time in college when his sister, five years younger than he, was taking AP English, just as he had in high school. She found a copy of his final essay for the class on their home computer and, without asking him, submitted it as her own. He said, “And the part that stung most? She got a better grade on my essay than I did. That hurt. It was upsetting not only because she outscored me using my own work, but because my teacher did not even recognize the essay as mine. At first, I laughed about it. It was funny. But underneath, it was embarrassing and unfair. That experience taught me how much respect matters—not just for rules, but for the effort and voice of others.” Read his full remarks here.
“The Middle School Honor Code embodies everything we aim to be at MICDS,” said Shuckman. “We must show ourselves and one another that these values are the common denominator that sets us apart from the rest. When we stumble or fail as individuals, we have to trust that these collective beliefs will pick us back up again. The stronger we hold true to trust, respect, responsibility, and honor, the better we will all feel walking into these doors every day.”
The assembly closed with timely remarks from Athletics Director Josh Smith, who rallied excitement around the upcoming Friday Night Lights football game as a perfect opportunity to show respect, responsibility, honor, and trust. He said, “With the game comes responsibility. If we all can approach this game with the values of the Honor Code, it can pave the way for future games. Please approach this event with safety and respect for your community, Go, Rams.”
After the assembly, students continued the conversation in their advisory groups before formally signing their grade’s Honor Code poster, which will be displayed in the hallway near Eliot Chapel.