STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

Every Gamble Student, Parent and Teacher must sign a contract with the following agreement:

Our school strives to be a special learning environment. We seek not only to provide the highest, most complete academic environment for each student, but also to form a human community that nurtures an atmosphere of caring and promotes an inclusive social climate. We strive to be a community of adults and teenagers who respect each other’s deepest personal and human qualities. Following the Montessori philosophy, we have arrived at several goals:

o Learning We define learning in the broadest sense. We ask and expect commitment to each learning area: academic, field study, service, relationships, and community building.
o Community We strive to shape, foster, and nurture relationships that build community.
o Hard Work We value hard work. We respect and appreciate the effort and willingness to meet difficult challenges.
o Respect Manners and timeliness are essential aspects of the way we show respect and caring for others. We strive to act with good manners in order that respect for others’ feelings, time and property is obvious.
o Peace We strive to be a community that values the complex, global and personal aspects of peace.

Each Gamble Montessori student, as s/he grows and matures, assumes more responsibility for supporting the values of the community. S/he makes five special promises:

1. The promise to build community; This means that Gamble students agree not to form cliques or become dependent on their friends to the exclusion of others. Each Gamble student promises to value friendliness, openness, and helpfulness to every other student. Each Gamble student promises to act in ways that demonstrate the above stated values to others.

2. The promise to be guided in the dealings with others by the principle of human-heartedness; We make a commitment to value and respect each other as individuals. Students at Gamble promise to strive to understand the special personal and human qualities of others.

3. The promise to set aside two hours (Jr. High) or Three Hours (High School) on school nights for study and reading and the completion of homework; Each Gamble student is expected to work hard at meeting its educational challenges. School nights include Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.

4. The promise to participate in unique learning opportunities offered at Gamble (such as field studies, Intercessions, and student-led conferences) with a positive attitude and vigor. Students at Gamble understand that overnight field experiences are unique requirements to Gamble and serve to fulfill Maria Montessori’s vision of learning beyond the classroom. Gamble students are expected to participate in preparation activities as well as actual events, which often extend the regular school day into evenings and weekends. Examples of these activities include (but are not limited to) Student-Led Conferences, Fall Camping, Leadership Camp, Intercessions and the Eighth grade culminating field study trip.

5. The promise to participate in community service; This means that students at Gamble are expected to fulfill thirty-six hours (Jr. High) or fifty Hours (High School) of community service, per year and to submit written documentation attesting to this service. As a High School graduation requirement, 200 accumulated High School service hours are required prior to receipt of a High School Diploma. Service hours are to be completed in a variety of settings, serving the family, the school, or a community agency. Students should expect to receive no financial compensation; service is to be completed for the benefit of others rather than of self.