Boundaries Blueprint Review Sheet
STUDENT:
DATE:
ADVISOR / PERIOD:
8th Grade Standards Campus Safety & Conduct
Boundaries Blueprint
Understanding personal space, horseplay rules, and safe campus behavior.
The Reality Check: Why "We Were Just Playing" Doesn't Count
In middle school, horseplay and play-fighting cause more than 70% of unexpected physical conflicts on campus. When staff, security cameras, or peers see hands-on contact, it is treated as a physical altercation regardless of intent.
Prohibited: Zero Tolerance
- • Mock boxing & fake punching: Throwing strikes near faces or bodies, even without intent to hurt.
- • Hallway shoving & jostling: Pushing peers into lockers, walls, or crowd lines.
- • Grabbing personal gear: Yanking backpacks, snatching hoodies, or pinning arms.
- • Tackling, tripping, or headlocks: Any wrestling moves anywhere on campus grounds.
Approved: Respectful Contact
- • Standard greetings: Fist bumps, high fives, or a handshake.
- • The 3-Foot Buffer Rule: Maintaining arm's-length personal space in lines and hallways.
- • Organized athletics: Physical competition only during sanctioned PE or intramurals with a coach.
- • Verbal humor & banter: Laughing together without hands-on contact or physical threats.
School Consequence Progression for Horseplay
Level 1
Verbal Redirection
Immediate staff separation and incident log note.
Level 2
Admin Referral
Parent phone call, reflection assignment, loss of break.
Level 3
Formal Safety Plan
In-school suspension, behavior contract, parent conference.
Check for Understanding: In your own words, explain why staff treat play-fighting identically to real fighting:
Student Review Handout • Middle School Conduct Code Page 1 of 2
Part 2 • Action Strategy
Self-Monitoring & Decision Protocol
Personal Game Plan
Trigger Awareness: When Am I Most Likely to Engage in Horseplay?
Check the top 2-3 situations where high energy or physical contact is most tempting:
Crowded hallway between passing periods
Unstructured lunchtime / courtyard hangouts
When friends start hyping up or teasing
When I feel restless, bored, or high on energy
Waiting in line (cafeteria, bus, lockers)
P.E. locker room transition times
The 3-Second Brake: What to Do Before Touching Anyone
1
STOP
Notice your hands. Pull them to your pockets or sides.
2
STEP BACK
Take one full step back to create a 3-foot safety buffer.
3
SHIFT CUE
Switch to a verbal joke, dap, or head nod instead.
Real-World Response Practice
Scenario A: A friend runs up and tries to put you in a mock headlock or tackle you by your locker.
How will you respond without physical retaliation or getting caught in an altercation?
Scenario B: You and a friend have tons of energy after lunch and start play-punching shoulders.
What is the immediate action you will take to shut it down before staff intervene?
My Personal Conduct Commitment
"I understand that maintaining hands-off personal boundaries is required at this school. I will keep my hands to myself, respect my peers' physical space, and use verbal communication rather than physical play."
Student Signature
Staff / Dean / Counselor Signature
Student Review Handout • Middle School Conduct Code Page 2 of 2
