Zero Tolerance

Zero Tolerance is a term that is used quite a bit but what does it really mean? Law enforcement agencies, schools, State and Federal Government Officials all use the term “Zero Tolerance” when addressing a poor choice and how it’s going to be handled. SCMS has a Zero Tolerance for any misbehavior. Our definition is that Zero Tolerance means that poor choices have consequences. It does not necessarily mean indefinite suspension or expulsion. The reason I bring this up is because of a conversation I was having with someone whose opinion I value and the term came up. They thought, as I’m betting many community members think, that Zero Tolerance means immediate suspension/expulsion, which is not the case. We’ve been dealt a great hand here at SCMS with our students, but even good kids can and do make poor choices (being a father of three sons, no one knows that better than I). When a student makes a poor choice, there are consequences, there is follow up and then we move forward. It’s all part of the process of maturing. Hope this helps if you’re ever having a conversation and the term Zero Tolerance comes up.