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Dear Thoreau Families,
At Thoreau Middle School, we strive to maintain a safe, respectful, and high-quality learning environment for all students. Our school culture is built on the foundation of RISE: Respect, Integrity, Service, and Engagement.
I am writing to inform you of a message I shared with the student body today regarding a recent increase in disruptive behavior in our bathrooms and cafeteria. While these actions are limited to a small group of students, the impact is being felt by everyone, and I want to ensure you are aware of the steps we are taking to address these concerns.
Areas of Concern
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Restroom Vandalism: We have seen a spike in intentional damage in the boys' restrooms, including clogged toilets, broken sensors, and damage to ceiling tiles. This behavior shows a significant lack of respect for our facility and our hardworking custodial staff.
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Cafeteria Conduct: There have been increasing instances of students leaving trash behind, throwing food, and, most concerningly, speaking disrespectfully to the staff members who supervise lunch.
Next Steps and Consequences
To maintain order and safety, we have implemented the following protocols and communicated these to our students:
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Restroom Restrictions: If vandalism persists, we will begin closing specific restrooms to increase supervision. This may result in limited bathroom pass availability and centralized restroom access during transition times.
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Cafeteria Privileges: Students who cannot follow directions or clean up after themselves will lose the privilege of sitting with friends. This includes the implementation of assigned seating or removal from the cafeteria setting entirely.
How You Can Help
We are asking for your partnership in reinforcing the importance of RISE at home. Please have a conversation with your student about the value of respecting school property and the adults who support them every day. We want our students to understand that their environment is a reflection of their choices.
I want to extend a sincere thank you to the MANY students who continue to lead by example and treat Thoreau with pride. We are committed to ensuring these few distractions do not take away from their middle school experience.
Thank you for your continued support of our school community.
Sincerely,
Teresa Khuluki
Principal
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