Traditions help define a school community, and at MICDS, longstanding events like Homecoming or Turkey Train knit hearts and spirits among our school families. One less visible tradition, but no less important, is the annual Middle School Honor Code Assembly. The first few days and weeks of school, when students and faculty are getting to know each other and establishing classroom and school norms, the Middle School student body comes together to center themselves on four key tenets: trust, respect, responsibility, and honor. These core values set the foundation for individual character and group behavior.
At this year’s assembly, Head of School Jen Schuckman offered remarks along with two student speakers and one faculty speaker. What they shared offered examples and reflections on the significance of these values and how they contribute to a positive and supportive learning and social environment.
The two student speakers, Evan S. ’31 and Addie R. ’31, spoke as the recipients of last year’s Jan deGreef Jacobi Award. The award recognizes students who demonstrate compassion, seek the good in others, and uphold the Middle School Honor Code.
Addie’s remarks centered on helping others and having good time management. She said, “Responsibility and honor are both very important parts of our Honor Code. They help keep our school clean, friendly, and professional. Honor makes sure that we stay accountable for our actions. Whether that be picking up trash, keeping classrooms clean, etc. Honor can also be honoring others. Maybe you can help a classmate with their schoolwork. Or include someone in an activity. Responsibility is one of the most important things to have through school. It makes sure that you do your homework, have good time management (which I have found is very hard, but helpful).” Read her full remarks here.
Evan shared reflections on trust and respect. He said, “Trust and respect are in our Honor Code because they make school a place where everyone can feel safe. Respect makes people feel like they belong here. Trust means students and teachers know they can depend on each other. When you have both, school feels like a community instead of just a building.” Read his full remarks here.
Middle School Math Teacher & Football Coach Cameron Youngman shared a specific example of the Honor Code in action in the Upper School when he came upon one of his football players, who is new to the school, eating lunch alone, and how the team stepped in to do the right thing. Read his full remarks here.
“Today’s assembly serves as our safety guide so we can be sure that this community can thrive and be everything we believe it to be,” said Schuckman in her remarks. “And it begins with the promises we make today. We anchor our decisions and actions on the ideas that Evan and Addie shared and do everything we can to preserve the safety, belonging, and happiness of everyone around us.
“And I would never stand here and promise you that there won’t be scary moments or fits of turbulence or disappointing interactions along the way. Life does not happen without those challenges. But what I can promise is that we are here to take care of each other and any time mistakes happen or feelings get hurt, we will be having a conversation grounded in trust, respect, responsibility and honor. So when you sign your name today, and it hangs in the hallway, you have committed to every person in this room that you are going to make every effort to not let each other down.” Read Schuckman’s full remarks here.
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 Mary Eliot Chapel.
