Important TMS Reminder: Respecting Personal Boundaries

Dear TMS Families,

We want to bring an important concern to your attention and ask for your partnership in reinforcing expectations around respecting personal boundaries and keeping our hands to ourselves.

Recently, we have seen an increase in situations involving students not respecting the personal space and boundaries of others. This includes unwanted physical contact, inappropriate gestures, horseplay, and students continuing behaviors even after someone has expressed discomfort or asked them to stop.

Next week, we will be reviewing a slide with all students titled "TMS: Respecting Personal Boundaries." Our goal is to help students understand what appropriate interactions look like, the importance of consent, and how their actions can impact the safety and comfort of others.

We are asking families to take a few minutes this week to have a conversation with their students about these important expectations:

• Respect the word "no." If someone asks you to stop, you stop immediately.
• Keep your hands to yourself. Hitting, kicking, horseplay, unwanted touching, and inappropriate gestures are not acceptable at school.
• Understand personal space. Pay attention to verbal and nonverbal cues when someone is uncomfortable.
• Ask before making physical contact. Even friendly gestures, such as hugs or high-fives, require consent.
• Respect school boundaries. Kissing, cuddling, and other public displays of affection are not appropriate at school.
• Speak up and seek help. If someone makes you uncomfortable or violates your personal boundaries, tell a trusted adult.

We want students to understand that something intended as a joke or playful behavior may not feel that way to someone else. Every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and comfortable while at school.

When boundaries are not respected, students may face disciplinary consequences. More importantly, these behaviors can negatively impact relationships, trust, and our overall school environment.

Middle school is an important time for students to learn about healthy relationships, personal boundaries, and respect for others. These are life skills that extend well beyond the classroom.

Thank you for partnering with us to reinforce these expectations at home. By working together, we can continue to make Talmadge Middle School a safe, welcoming, and respectful place for every student.

Warmly,

TMS Administration