We have the same standards of behavior that are expected in any workplace. We want to prepare you for success in your career. If you follow our General Behavioral Expectations, you are almost guaranteed success in your work and personal life. If you need extra help conforming to either the school's Expectations, copying the following sentences may help you.

1. If you throw a blow (for ANY reason, under ANY circumstance) during the school day, you're out--at least until the end of the quarter. If two New School students fight outside of school, they are both out until the end of the quarter. If one New School student fights someone else outside of school, s/he will have to answer to the Council.
2. Respect. This means that we treat everyone (including yourself and the staff) respectfully. There should be no capping and no bad language. This includes no "sniping." Sniping is when someone sits back and makes negative comments about others (including staff) but is too chicken to speak up in front of everyone. (This is a type of "Stupid Comment", as identified in the Student Traditions.)
3. No PDAs or Personal Displays of Affection. In the classroom please do not do
   anything together that you have not seen Don and Esteban Melgoza do together. Outside class, during the school day, one hand holding another is the limit.
4. No "chisme" or gossiping. The members of New School get to know each other very well. If you talk about others' private lives outside, you will answer to the whole group.
5. No drug, gang, violence, or sexual talk or actions (or music or TV or internet). This means it is inappropriate to brag in class about fighting or getting wasted. It also means videos and CDs or internet music about street life or how fun the ghetto is, are not appropriate for a place of learning. Many of us come to school to escape the pressures of the streets. Please respect this.
6. No lying, cheating, or stealing. We trust you, and we expect INTEGRITY.
7. No "cons". Cons are attempts to avoid taking responsibility for yourself. We call these "entropic behaviors," since they pull the classroom apart. Common cons include:
   • "Payasadas." If you are serious about becoming a clown, Don has information about the Hanna Banana Clown School training program in San Jose. If you're thinking of earning money any other way, wisecracks, horseplay, and inappropriate comments have to stop IF you want to be successful.
   • Whining. "I feel sick. It's Monday. I'm tired. Please…?" Begging; asking more than once.
   • Blaming. "It's not my fault. My friend… My mom… The principal… The cops…"
   • Arguing. "But that's not what you said before." If you have a disagreement with staff, take it up in private, not on stage.
   • Boring. "This is boring." Take responsibility for yourself. YOU make your own life boring by being afraid to take on new challenges (being a quitter). Your boredom is not our responsibility! If you are really bored, try getting promoted to Student Leader.
   • Justice. "That's not fair!" Of course it's not. Get used to it. Talk to anyone over 21. They'll agree. Life is not fair. You can only control your own behavior. The real question is if YOU will be successful in an unfair world.
   • Shining. the boss (teacher). This means that you have to be told over and over to follow directions. In other words, YOU control the nagging. If adults nag on you, it's because you don't follow directions the first time. You should follow directions to the whole class. If they teacher has to use your name after giving directions, it's because you either aren't paying attention to the boss or your are ignoring him/her.
   • Kicking back. Head down in class, etc. Why are you so tired? You said school was your priority. Time is money!
   • Not being present for duty This includes being in the wrong class, and having to use the bathroom or get a drink during class. A mature adult can limit his/her use of the toilet to once an hour. We call this "secondary potty training."
   • Quitting. "I can't. I'm no good at..." Includes stomping out. Sounds like: "No puedo."
   • Ant stories. An "ant story" is usually true, but is still an excuse for not being accountable. In 1999, Don invited his students to his home. Many of the girls got in to his hot tub. When they got out, they left a terrible mess in his daughters' bathroom-dirt on the floor, towels dondequiera. Don got in trouble with his daughters that evening. (The week before, Don had put out some ant poison which attracted ants so that they would take the poison to their nests. So, when the class came, there were lots of ants in the bathroom.) The following Monday, when Don tried to find out who left the mess, the girls said: "Don---you had a lot of ants in your bathroom." This is true, but is not related to the mess they made. This is the derivation of the term "ant story". True, but not relevant-not related to your responsibility. A smokescreen to hide your responsibility.

Please don't whine, complain, beg, or argue about accepting the consequences of your mistakes. This is childish behavior, and it makes everyone think less of you. When mature people make a mistake, they accept responsibility, pay the consequences and try to not repeat the same mistake. You are in New School because you convinced the Council that you were responsible for the mistakes you made, and you were willing to stop making those mistakes. Have GANAS or HEART. Try hard to learn--not just from books, but especially about who you are. This includes paying attention in counseling sessions and in class and following instructions. Challenge yourself; ask questions; open your mind. If you do your best, you will find the entire New School community will support you in your efforts.