Each year, the MICDS Middle School community gathers in Eliot Chapel for a tradition that sets the tone for the academic year: the Honor Code Assembly. This event reinforces the School’s commitment to fostering a culture of honor, trust, respect, and responsibility among students, faculty, and staff.
Head of Middle School Jen Schuckman, Middle School Arts Teacher Jason Roberts, and two student speakers, Skyler Dastgah-Bradford ’29 and Peter Tschudy ’29, addressed the Middle School community to remind students of the importance of upholding these values and how they contribute to a positive and supportive learning environment. Read their remarks below.
Head of School Jen Schuckman Encourages Students to Give a Little Extra
Good afternoon, and welcome to our Honor Code assembly. Today is a big day for us as a community. We have had a few days to settle into school and now we really begin to dig into our learning, our routines, our relationships, and our commitments as members of the middle school.
I would like to begin by asking you to think about a time when someone had to rely on you. When you were expected to show up or complete a task or fill a need. Maybe you had to finish some Google slides for a science project because your partner was having computer troubles, or you had to fill a new position on the basketball team because someone had an injury. Or maybe a friend invited you to watch them perform in a play because they were nervous and needed a friendly face in the audience. In any of these situations, you were asked to give a little more of yourself in order to support someone else. And as you followed through on the request, I want you to think about how you felt. You may have been nervous or stressed taking on the additional responsibility, but you also knew that this person needed your support and it was a good feeling to be there for them.
Now reverse the situation and think about when you needed to rely on someone else. At some point, we have all needed help. We have all needed encouragement. We have all needed someone to step in when we were overwhelmed. And when you are in those situations, you run through a list of names in your head to see who you might ask. You think about who might be most willing, who might say, “Of course! No problem.” These are your go-to people. These are your teammates, classmates, and friends who understand what it means to be part of a community.
And my sincerest hope for us as a middle school is that you could turn to any one of the individuals in this room at any time. Because that is what honor, trust, responsibility, and respect are all about. We come to school each day, not just as individuals but as part of our team and part of a family. We come to school ready to make decisions that make others happy, comfortable, and successful.
And all of these decisions—your words and actions—must align with the expectations we know as the Honor Code. That is what makes our middle school so special. That is what shines from within us. We go out of our way for each other and share kindness and goodwill.
So when you sign the Honor Code today, take note of all the other names—those are your go-to people. They are here for you each and every day. By signing our names, we are promising that we will always have each other’s backs and make each day a little brighter with our words and actions. Our signatures tell everyone in this room that we will promise to do the right thing. It is not always going to be easy, but it is who we are as the Middle School of MICDS, and we are going to do our absolute best to keep that promise every day because it is the right thing to do.
And now, I am honored to introduce two eighth graders, Skyler Dastgah-Bradford and Peter Tschudy, who will be sharing their Honor Code reflections with us today. They were the recipients of last year’s Jan deGreef Jacobi award as seventh graders and were recognized for showing compassion, looking for the good in others, and adhering to the Middle School Honor Code. They are upstanding models of what it means to live our Honor Code, and I appreciate their willingness to share their wisdom and insight.
Thank you to our speakers today, and thank you for being an outstanding community of listeners today. Be good stewards of our Honor Code and do the right thing…[because it’s the right thing to do.]
Skyler Dastgah-Bradford ’29 Speaks About Responsibility and Honor
Good afternoon, Middle School. My name is Skyler Dastgah-Bradford, and last year, I received the Jan deGreeff Jacobi Award. This award is given to a student who shows compassion, looks for the good in others, and adheres in both word and deed to the Middle School Honor Code. As members of the MICDS Middle School community, we must pledge to our Middle School Honor Code with four main components: Trust, Respect, Responsibility, and Honor. I will focus on Responsibility and Honor, two important values our school wants us as students to represent daily.
As MICDS students, we are responsible for committing to L.E.A.D. throughout the school year. L.E.A.D. stands for Learn with Curiosity and Joy, Embrace Challenge, Advocate for Self and Others, and Demonstrate Collaboration and Teamwork. Being a responsible student can mean many different things. It could mean turning in your homework on time, taking care of your supplies, and keeping your bag and locker organized. It can also mean taking ownership of your actions and admitting when you have done or said something out of line. I’m sure we can all individually think of many ways to be more responsible students this year.
Honor is a key component of our Middle School Honor Code. There are also various ways that we can show more honorable behavior this school year as MICDS Middle School students. One example is upholding academic honesty throughout the year. This means avoiding cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of dishonesty when completing assignments, tests, and projects. Being an honorable student doesn’t only involve academics; it means you continuously show respectful conduct to those around you. Treating other students, faculty, staff, and coaches with respect each day is extremely important. This could be shown as saying “please and thank you” to those around you, especially to our cafeteria staff, or simply saying hello or « How are you? » to someone when walking into a room.
Lastly, demonstrating leadership qualities by helping build other students up and being kind to one another can contribute positively to our school environment. This can especially be shown during classes, PE, after-school activities, and middle school sports teams. Last year, as a seventh grader, I was selected to become a seventh and eighth-grade girl’s lacrosse team captain. This meant keeping a positive attitude throughout games and practices and encouraging my teammates to do their best so our team could thrive and work together. This also meant showing up to games even after fracturing my elbow to support my teammates and cheer them on even though I couldn’t play.
I’m sure all of us as MICDS students can make our school community stronger this 2024-2025 school year by using some of the examples I just covered. Thank you, and do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.
Peter Tschudy ’29 Shares Thoughts on Trust and Respect
Good afternoon, Middle School. My name is Peter Tschudy, and last year, I had the honor of receiving the Jan deGreef Jacobi Award. Today, I’d like to take a moment to talk about something that forms the very foundation of our community here at MICDS: the Honor Code. Two of the four essential values that form it are Trust and Respect. The MICDS Honor Code is not just a set of rules; it’s a commitment we make to each other as members of this community.
When we abide by the Honor Code, we’re not just following guidelines; we are fostering an environment where trust can flourish. Trust is vital in any community. It allows us to work together, learn from each other, and feel safe expressing ourselves without fear of judgment or dishonesty.
Respect is another key pillar of our Honor Code. It encourages us to honor the dignity of every individual. This means listening to one another, valuing diverse perspectives, and treating each other with kindness. When we respect each other, we create an atmosphere where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best selves.
Trust and respect are crucial to this community. Trust cannot exist without respect, and vice versa. As members of MICDS, we must all commit to following the Honor Code. It is our responsibility to model these values in our daily interactions—whether in the classroom, on the field, or in casual conversations. By doing so, we not only strengthen our community but also prepare ourselves to be leaders in the world beyond these walls. Trust and respect have played a big part in giving me the courage to step out of my comfort zone, whether it’s on the field or stepping out before you all today.
In closing, let’s remember that the Honor Code is a living document that reflects our collective commitment to trust and respect. When we embody these values, we make MICDS a better place for everyone. Thank you for your time, and let’s continue to uphold our Honor Code together!
Middle School Arts Teacher Jason Roberts Shares His Personal Experience
In fourth grade, I received an amazing tri-fold piece from the Scholastic Book Fair showcasing facts and stickers about the 50 states. I got to learn about all the state birds, state flags, and state capitals.
Fast forward to fifth grade, and we have a test on the state capitals. I am so excited because I have already memorized all 50. I could not wait to take that test! We’ve all had that feeling, right, where you’re so prepared for a test that you’re excited to take it because you know you’re going to ace it. I studied so hard and was ready to do my very best. As Benjamin Franklin said, « By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. » I was not prepared to fail; I was prepared to ace that test. I sat down, took the test, and was the first kid to turn the test in.
I walked up to the front of the room and passed by one of the cool kids, Ricky, in my class, who wasn’t one of my friends but was one of the coolest guys in school. I saw him struggling on part of the test. After leaving the teacher’s desk, on my way back, I passed Ricky’s desk, tapped North Dakota, and whispered, « Bismarck. » I returned to my seat, feeling good that I aced the test and got to help someone.
Then I noticed Ricky got frustrated, took his paper to the teacher, handed it in, and whispered something to her. At that moment, I knew that I was cooked. The teacher looked over at me, and I knew in my heart that I had done something wrong. At the end of class, she called me up and said, « Ricky said you gave him the answer to North Dakota. » I had the opportunity to tell the truth or lie, and I figured there was no easy way out of it at this point, as she knew the truth. She said, « You realize that’s cheating. You took the opportunity away from Rick to provide the answer from his own work. » So he missed that question on the test, and I also ended up missing that question, which took three points off my perfect score.
That straight-A test that I was so proud of and that I had worked so hard for and was so excited to take was ruined because I chose not to be very honorable in my time together with my classmates. I thought by helping him, I’d be cooler. The truth is that he was upset that he couldn’t take the test on his own accord.
I tell you that today because we all fall short, but the question is, how do we redeem ourselves when we slip up? Are you going to be honest about it, or will you lie? Forty years later, I still remember cheating on that test for Ricky, hoping he would be my friend. But, in reality, he did the right thing by not answering the question he didn’t want to cheat on. If you fall short, pick yourself up, be honest, and learn from that mistake.
After the assembly, students headed to their advisories for further discussion and to formally sign their grade level’s Honor Code poster that will be hung in the hallway near Eliot Chapel.