Student/Parent Handbook
2025 Mad Scientist Summer Camp
Code of Conduct
As a conservative private school with a unique and specialized learning opportunity, we feel strongly that attending our school is a privilege that comes with responsibility. We value our relationship with our parents and students, and it is our goal to meet the educational needs of every child. Our primary goal is to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which our students can flourish.
One unique feature is the alternative schedule, which provides space in a family's schedule to maintain outside activities. All activities that take place inside the school during class time will focus on student-centered education and growth. Sensitive, political, or personal topics that do not contribute to the students' education and growth will remain outside the school and are the parent's(s') responsibility to discuss with their child as they feel is appropriate for their individual family.
Any student transferring to Paradigm with documented expulsions and/or suspensions from other schools will be considered only under careful review and consideration and may be approved on a trial basis. We believe that our unique learning environment can prove effective in deterring negative behavioral choices by engaging students in their personal interests, providing opportunities for student voice and choice, and focusing on student growth.
Additionally, the following, but not limited to*, shall not be tolerated in the Paradigm environment from any individual and will result in termination of enrollment:
Threats of any kind
Sexual commentary
Indecent exposure
Unruly acts (i.e. uncontrolled behavior, disruptive noise, etc...)
Pornography, vulgar behavior/words, & indecent acts.
Hitting or other physical behaviors
Inappropriate language
Disrespect to staff and/or students
Unkind or rude verbiage and actions
Gang participation
Vandalism/Theft
Weapons
Cigarettes, drugs, or alcohol
Bullying
Disregard for direction, correction, or instruction.
Personal Viewpoints
Paradigm exists to make learning a personal experience for each student by meeting them in their interests, needs, and passions. One of the most important components of making this successful is building relationships with students and families and is something we value above our differences.
We respect the right of all individuals to conduct their lives and raise their children as they feel is appropriate and right. Even more, we know that all of our families come from different walks of life. You are important to us. While we are a conservative private school, we want to create an environment that remains free from highly sensitive topics that have a tendancy to garner debate and disagreement. This will only serve to distract from learning, ruin relationships, and foster an unpleasant experience.
Conversations and behavior of highly debated and sensitive topics need to remain outside the school facility.
Security Cameras
Paradigm Learning Microschools uses security cameras inside the open/general spaces of the facility to ensure the safety and welfare of students, staff, visitors, facility, and equipment.
Pictures for Promotional Use
PLM uses pictures taken throughout the school days, field trips, parties, and other events to promote and market our school to the public.
Illness
If your child shows symptoms of illness, or complained of feeling sick within the past 24 hours, please keep him or her at home. This includes runny noses and coughs.
Should your child present signs of illness while they are under our supervision, we will call and ask that someone pick them up immediately. We do not have medical staff, space, nor health equipment to support illnesses.
If your child has a lingering cough but has sufficiently passed the contagious stage and has no fever without medication, he or she may return to school. Please remind them to cover their mouth and use hand sanitizer.
We appreciate your cautiousness and trust your judgement.
Medicine
Paradigm staff will not store and/or administer medicine to any student.
Medical Emergencies
We reserve the right to discern a life threatening emergency that requires 911 services for the protection of the students at the parent/guardian expense.
PLM will not be held liable for using its discretion to determine or measure a life threatening emergency nor the outcome.
Life-threatening emergency means a “situation in which a prudent person could reasonably believe that immediate intervention is necessary to protect the life of a person receiving services at a facility for persons with developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injury or to protect the lives of other persons at the facility or agency, from an immediate threat or actual occurrence of a potentially fatal injury, impairment to bodily functions, or dysfunction of a bodily organ or part”. (Law Insider, 2022).
Restroom Use
All students are required to use the bathroom independently with proper etiquette and in a hygienically healthy manner. Students who exhibit on-going struggle and/or a lack of understanding of this will not be able to continue enrollment until fully trained.
Tuition Refunds
Tuition payments are non-refundable. As a private school, we depend on all tuition payments to pay our bills, purchase curriculum & supplies, and hire staff. We do not receive outside funding and project our finances throughout each year.
