ASSEMBLY PHILOSOPHY
The assembly is part of the general educational function of the school. It is a unique format for the presentation of information related to the school curriculum, or relating to the development of the students' general social and aesthetic development. Assemblies should foster the development of appropriate audience behavior. Assemblies bring in presentations of materials not possible in the regular classroom. In addition, assemblies should occasionally provide an appropriate showcase for our student and faculty performing talent.
In order to promote the above philosophy, we have implemented the following procedures:
I. Attendance is mandatory for all students, teachers, and at least one administrator.
II. The third period class will be the assembly class.
A. There is an assembly time schedule which reflects approximately fifteen minutes taken from periods l, 2, 3, and 7. On assembly days, students will report to periods l and 2 as usual (shortened periods). They will report to period 3 for attendance. Leaving their books in the classroom, they will be dismissed to the assembly via the PA. Teachers are to accompany their students to the assembly.
B. Each teacher will be assigned enough seats for himself and class. Chairs will be added, when needed, to accommodate all students, including Penta. Each teacher will be responsible for a seating chart and attendance.
C. Teachers having conference period 3 will report directly to their various assignments:
l. Penta Students
2. Hall supervision/in-assembly control
3. Assistance for substitute teachers
D. Student Behavior
Appropriate assembly behavior is part of the educational nature of the assembly program. It is an important courtesy for visiting performers and an essential ingredient to the goal of providing a stage for the talents of students and faculty members. This appropriate behavior may be assured at the following levels as needed.
1. Teacher-Student Level - The teacher may guide student behavior as a natural extension of his period 3 class. He may also use any of the existing disciplinary measures to correct behavior.
2. Extra Teachers and Administrators - In extreme cases, teachers may appeal to the extra teachers and/or administrators to remove an unruly student or students.Or the extra teachers or administrators may initiate this procedure if necessary.
Removal from assembly will result in:
a. first offense: administrative conference with student and one hour detention
b. second offense: notification of parents and two hours detention
c. third offense: notification of parents and a three (3) day suspension for insubordination
d. repeated offenses special seating with administrators
3. In very extreme cases of generally poor behavior, the principal may stop the assembly and return students to classes. In such a case, assemblies would then be suspended until further notice.
III. Preparation for Assemblies
The content of assemblies will be announced to teachers at the faculty meeting preceding the assembly, so that teachers may apply the content to the curriculum when appropriate. The assembly content will be announced on the PA. in advance to the students by an appropriate administrator. This "editorializing" by the administrator is a part of the educational nature of the assembly. At the beginning of the assembly, the program will be introduced by an appropriate staff member or student. (It has been suggested that the assembly start with the Pledge of Allegiance as an attention getting device.)
IV. Follow-up
Following the assembly, students will be dismissed to their period 3 class by the staff member or student who introduced the assembly. A brief evaluation sheet will be provided to be filled in immediately following the assembly. When appropriate, teachers may wish to discuss the assembly content briefly with their period 3 class.
V. Assembly Content
A. An assembly committee will select approximately one assembly per month, excluding the first and the last month of the school year. The committee will be composed of an administrator, teachers, and students.
B. Assembly content should reflect a variety of subjects. The assembly may occasionally be of a primarily entertainment nature, but should in all cases reflect good taste and safety. Some student and/or faculty talent should be reflected in the assembly choices.
C.During the month of September (and of May, for the following year), the assembly committee will accept suggestions and/or volunteers for assemblies. Assemblies may be presented by the choir, band, clubs, drama groups, etc.
D.An assembly contract should be drawn up. It should include sound levels and other standards of taste and safety. The principal should play an active role in the immediate termination of a program which offends these standards. (As a specific example,rock music must be kept at a bearable level).
E.The assembly committee should review and up-date the assembly budget, in order to provide top-level programs.
VI. Behavior Guidelines for Students
A. No books are to be brought to assembly.
B. Feet should not be placed on the seats and reasonable posture is requested.
C. Students should report promptly to the assembly.
D. A restroom pass from assembly should be an emergency only situation.
E. General courtesy and attention is required.
F. Students should become quiet when the staff member or student begins to introduce the assembly.
G. Students should remain seated until dismissed.
H. Appropriate expressions of applause are encouraged.