Handbook & Policies

Exclusionary language is used to single someone out for parts of their identity: their race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, or body shape to name a few examples. Use of any language designed to belittle someone including derogatory remarks, insults, slurs, and intimidation, violates several TAS values and will result in​ appropriate disciplinary action. 

Profanity is not acceptable at any time. ​Appropriate disciplinary action will result for use of profanity. 

The Middle School fosters a respectful, welcoming, and equitable learning environment for all students. Students need to wear clothing that allows them to fully participate in the day's activities. At the same time, students should feel empowered to dress in a manner that expresses their individuality. At Taipei American School, we believe that students and their parents/guardians have the primary responsibility in determining the student's personal attire. The School is responsible for ensuring student attire supports full engagement with the program, the health and safety of students, and a sense of belonging for all. Both students and staff will focus on responsibly managing their own distractions.

Students must wear: Top (shirt, sweater, sweatshirt, etc.), Bottom (pants, shorts, skirt, etc.), or combination of top and bottom (dress, overalls, romper, jumpsuit, onesie, etc.), and footwear.

Students may not wear clothing, jewelry, or personal items that:

• Supports hate groups or uses hateful language targeting people's identity (race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or any other group).
• Has inappropriate language, images, threats, or promotes illegal or violent behavior like using weapons, drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.
• Shows nipples or genitals. Clothing must cover nipples and genitals in opaque (not able to be seen-through) material.

Students may not sell items or services at school or use school-based media/email for this purpose. Students may not exchange money at school for items or services purchased outside of school.

The use of skateboards, scooters, and in-line skates is not allowed on campus. All bike riders, push scooter operators, and those who use other forms of personalized wheeled transport are encouraged to take precautions when using the devices by wearing protective gear and respecting pedestrians. Electronic scooters may not be parked on campus.

Any student who marks, defaces, breaks or destroys school property will be responsible for the cost of cleaning, repairing, or replacing the damage. Appropriate disciplinary action will result.

Learning to work on one’s own (independently) and with others (collaboratively) are both important lifelong goals. In general, school assignments are either one or the other. To use outside help or materials not allowed in an independent assignment would be dishonest. It is the student's responsibility to ask their teacher if they are unsure if an assignment is to be completed independently or collaboratively. 

Example of academic dishonesty: 

• Plagiarism, defined as representing the ideas and work of another person as your own without proper citation. This includes work from a source such as a peer, AI (such as ChatGPT), or published source. 

• Copying a classmate’s homework or giving homework to a classmate to be copied. 

• Sharing information about a test with someone who has yet to take it. 

• Using unauthorized notes or technology during an assessment. 

Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence  

With the rapid advancements in AI, it is crucial for students to understand the origins of information, accurately cite sources, and communicate with teachers if they have any questions about using AI. 

Guidelines for AI Useage: 

• Teacher Guidance: Teachers will provide specific guidelines on how and when AI tools may or may not be used for assignments. When in doubt, students must proactively ask their teacher for clarification. 
• Violation of Integrity: Using AI tools to generate or assist in completing work and submitting it as one’s own when not allowed violates academic integrity standards. 

 

Homework and Collaboration Guidelines  

Guidelines for students on how they may work with each other on homework and similar assignments. 

Students may only work together on group/team/partner work as directed by the teacher. If a student is unsure, it is their responsibility to check with the teacher. 

For all other assignments that are expected to be completed individually:  

Students may give or receive help by: 

• Walking them through the process by asking leading questions. 

• Giving them a similar example that can lead them to the answer. 

• Encouraging them to let the teacher know that they couldn’t complete the homework as this is better than giving inappropriate help. 

• Admitting when they might not be the best person for this job and suggesting they see their teacher. 

Students may NOT: 

• Simply give each other the answer. 

• Give or show their work (paper, workbook, laptop, etc.) to another student, even “just to look at it”. No one’s work should ever be in another student’s possession. 

• Share a digital document with them. 

• Write on another student’s work for them. 

• Type on another student’s keyboard for them. 

• Share the work by dividing up the problems. 

The above are all considered Academic Dishonesty (cheating) on the part of both people. 

Post-Assessment Dialog Guidelines  

Guidelines for students on what they are allowed to say about an assessment they have already taken. 

After an assessment has been taken, students may not discuss anything about it with any one other than their teacher or parent/guardian. This includes: 

• Whether it was easy or hard 

• What topics or questions were on the assessment 

• What types of question were on the assessment 

• Even if both people have already taken the assessment, even if they think no one is around who hasn’t taken it. 

• “Studying” with a friend who has not yet taken the assessment. 

The above are all considered Academic Dishonesty (cheating) on the part of both people. 

Students may, however, talk about the test with their teacher. The teacher is the only person who can decide what can and cannot be discussed. These rules apply until the teacher returns the assessment. Students may only discuss the test with their peers once the test is returned. 

Being able to talk about the test does not include comparing grades or asking others for their grades. Students’ grades are for them alone and comparing oneself to others is not healthy. 

A Values Learning Plan will be developed, which will include appropriate consequences if a student is found to be dishonest. 

Any student found at school or at a school-sponsored event in possession of or having ingested drugs or alcohol will be immediately suspended from school and may face the possibility of expulsion. Smoking or vaping is not allowed on our campus. Students found smoking or vaping on campus are subject to disciplinary action. 

Normally, students who voluntarily contact the administration (directly, or via a counselor) or the school nurse and seek aid or information concerning drugs, alcohol, smoking or vaping are not subject to discipline. However, if a student comes for help just to avoid being caught violating a rule or after being caught violating a rule, then the student will be subject to discipline. 

Any student found stealing will generally be suspended and will have to participate in a Values Learning Plan (VLP). 

Use of cell phones and other electronic devices is only permitted before 7:45 AM and after 2:40 PM.  Once students enter the Middle School, phones and earbuds may not be used until after school.  Students should remain in the courtyard or cafeteria if they wish to use these devices before 7:45 AM.  Phones must be in lockers and turned off during the school day. Personal cameras should also remain off-campus or in lockers during the school day. Photos and videos may never be taken anywhere on campus without permission from a teacher.  Photos and videos may never be taken in bathrooms or locker rooms. 

Phone Calls 

Cell phone usage by students on campus is not permitted during school hours. If a parent/guardian must contact a student during school time, they may call the middle school office. Students who need to contact their parents/guardians in case of an emergency may do so from the middle school office at any time during the school day.