HindiUSA St. Louis Student Code of Conduct

HindiUSA St. Louis is committed to providing a safe, respectful, positive, and productive learning environment for every student. We ask all students and parents to support the following expectations.

1. Respectful Behavior

Students are expected to:

• Treat teachers, volunteers, classmates, and other students with respect and courtesy.
• Use appropriate and respectful language.
• Follow teachers' and volunteers' instructions.
• Respect differences in age, ability, background, and learning level.
• Avoid teasing, bullying, name-calling, threatening, or intentionally excluding another student.

2. Classroom Behavior

Students should:

• Arrive on time and be prepared for class.
• Participate appropriately in classroom activities.
• Avoid unnecessary talking, shouting, or other disruptive behavior.
• Remain in their assigned classroom unless given permission to leave.
• Use classroom materials and school property responsibly.
• Keep phones and other electronic devices put away unless permitted by the teacher for a specific activity.

3. Physical Safety

HindiUSA has zero tolerance for behavior that intentionally puts another person at risk.

Students must not:

• Hit, kick, push, trip, grab, or intentionally hurt another student.
• Throw objects at others.
• Engage in fighting or unsafe physical play.
• Damage another student's belongings or school/property facilities.
• Bring dangerous or prohibited items to school.

4. Hallways and Common Areas

Students are expected to behave appropriately not only inside the classroom but also in hallways, restrooms, entrances, parking areas, and other common spaces.

Running, shouting, rough play, wandering away from the assigned area, or disrupting other classes is not permitted.

5. Bullying and Harassment

Bullying, intimidation, harassment, or repeated behavior intended to embarrass, frighten, or hurt another student will not be tolerated. This includes verbal, physical, written, or electronic behavior connected with HindiUSA activities.

Students should immediately report concerning behavior to a teacher or adult volunteer.

6. Progressive Response to Behavioral Concerns

Our goal is to correct behavior while helping students learn responsibility.

Depending on the seriousness and frequency of the behavior, HindiUSA may take the following steps:

• First Concern: The teacher or volunteer will speak with the student, explain the concern, and redirect the behavior.
• Repeated Concern: The parent/guardian may be informed and asked to work with the teacher to address the behavior.
• Continued or Serious Concern: The student may receive a formal behavioral warning, and a parent may be asked to attend a meeting with HindiUSA leadership.
• Persistent or Significant Misconduct: HindiUSA may require a parent/guardian to remain on-site during class, temporarily suspend the student from activities/classes, or take other appropriate measures.
• Severe or Repeated Misconduct: HindiUSA reserves the right to discontinue a student's participation in the program when necessary to protect the safety, learning, or well-being of students and volunteers.

Important: Serious incidents involving physical aggression, threats, bullying, or safety concerns may result in immediate escalation without following each progressive step above.

7. Parent Partnership

Parents and guardians are important partners in maintaining a positive environment. We ask parents to:

• Discuss these expectations with their children.
• Respond promptly when a teacher or coordinator raises a behavioral concern.
• Encourage their child to respect teachers and volunteers.
• Work cooperatively with HindiUSA leadership when a behavioral improvement plan is needed.

Our Shared Commitment

HindiUSA is a volunteer-based educational organization. Our teachers and volunteers generously contribute their time to help children learn Hindi language and Indian culture. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn in an environment that is safe, respectful, welcoming, and free from unnecessary disruption.

By participating in HindiUSA St. Louis, students and families agree to support these standards of behavior.