Middle School Handbook, 2015-2016

Middle School Community Handbook 2015-2016 170 Kingswood Road West Hartford, CT 06119-1430 860-233-9631 860-233-3500 (after school hours) Fax 860-233-1151 (Middle School) Web site – www.kingswoodoxford.org

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Kingswood Oxford School Mission Statement Kingswood Oxford inspires students to excel and to lead lives of integrity and involvement by nourishing their talents in a community of teachers, friends and families.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees – June 11, 2009

Core Values Demonstrate honesty, integrity and respect Learn with passion and perseverance Embrace intellectual curiosity Care beyond self Take personal responsibility Work hard, take risks, become involved

Motto Vincit qui se vincit 2

“One conquers by conquering oneself”

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The History of Kingswood Oxford School Kingswood Oxford School enjoys a rich, 100-year history that blends the traditions of two independent schools with the personalities and places of Hartford and West Hartford.

Oxford School was founded by Mary Martin in 1909, with 25 students attending the first day of class at her home in Hartford’s West End. In 1924, the School moved to 695 Prospect Ave. in West Hartford, which remained the permanent home of Oxford and served as the Middle School campus until June 2003. During the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, under the direction of several strong headmistresses, Oxford School’s enrollment, facilities and curriculum expanded, and many time-honored traditions were born. During the 1950s, under the leadership of Dorothy Graff, the School expanded its original structure. When Graff retired in 1962, her successor, Edward M. Stevenson, led the fund drive that built Oxford Hall, an arts and science building dedicated in 1969. After guiding Oxford through its merger with Kingswood, he stepped down in 1972.

Kingswood School was founded in 1916 when a group of local parents asked a young English tutor, George Nicholson, to begin a small school to educate their sons. Nicholson named the School “Kingswood” after the English school in Bath where he had been a student and teacher. The American Kingswood School inherited many of the traditions of the English boarding school, including the School’s crest, colors and distinctive symbol, the wyvern, a winged dragon with an eagle’s claws and a serpent’s tail. The School was located in Hartford during its first six years, moving to its present campus in West Hartford in 1922. Nicholson led Kingswood from 1916 until his death in 1947.

Merritt A. Hewett, who served as headmaster from 1949-1962, and Nelson P. Farquhar, who led the School from 19621966, preceded Robert A. Lazear, who was named headmaster in 1967 and oversaw the merger with Oxford School in 1969. At the time of the merger, the School adopted the motto of Oxford School: “Vincit qui se vincit” – “One conquers by conquering oneself.”

As headmaster of the newly formed Kingswood-Oxford School, Lazear initiated several major development campaigns, which led to the construction of the Roberts Center, the Brayton Athletic Center, an expanded library, a new dining hall and improved athletic facilities. Upon Lazear’s retirement in 1986, he was succeeded by Tyler C. Tingley, a 1964 Kingswood graduate. Under Tingley’s leadership, the School enhanced its academic facilities by expanding and renovating campus landmark Seaverns Hall. In 1992, Lee Levison was named head of school. He led the $25 million capital campaign that provided the Estes Family Building, enabling the School to consolidate its Middle and Upper schools on the Kingswood Road campus in 2003. The School also built four international squash courts and made significant improvements in campus landscaping and design.

In 2006, Levison was succeeded by Dennis Bisgaard. Under Bisgaard’s leadership, the School has expanded and renovated its dining hall, constructed an all-weather artificial turf field and updated and expanded its music technology laboratory. In 2008 the School broke ground for the Chase · Tallwood Science Math Technology Center, a 27,000square-foot, three-level academic building that now provides students with state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, computers and information technologies. The building was completed in September 2009, as the School began its Centennial Celebration. In 2010, the School made a slight but meaningful change in its name as the hyphen was removed, taking away any symbolic separation between the two founding schools. Kingswood Oxford School was poised to embark on its next 100 years.

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To the Kingswood Oxford Community: Our mission statement represents the ideal Kingswood Oxford community: a day school whose very foundation is made up of strong, intertwined bonds among trusting and caring adults of the School, students, parents and guardians.

The information in this handbook is intended to provide a clear and easily accessible framework about our important shared values, norms, procedures and resources. All students, parents, guardians, faculty and staff must familiarize themselves fully with the contents, paying particularly close attention to our mission and core values while considering the strengths of our fine School.

Being a member of the Kingswood Oxford community carries with it responsibility and ownership, while also providing an immensely rewarding sense of strength of belonging to something bigger and grander than oneself. Random acts of kindness, caring for others and feeling genuinely connected and part of the school community should be part of our everyday experience. A healthy, supportive and safe community provides the optimal learning environment in which everyone can stretch, take risks, be oneself and reach one’s full potential.

The information in this handbook represents the high, yet realistic, expectations for being a supportive, kind and involved community member. I wish everyone the best possible school year.

Dennis Bisgaard Head of School

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Community Expectations and Values At Kingswood Oxford, rules emanate from common sense and our regard for others. Kingswood Oxford students are expected to act responsibly in situations where they perceive actions that violate the values of our community. Refusing to tolerate behavior that is antithetical to our values is a mark of integrity and leadership.

When members of a community fail to live within established limits, they should expect to live with the consequences of their behavior. While it is neither possible nor desirable to establish a rule for every situation, the School delineates its major guidelines and its expectations in the Principles of Community.

Principles of Community The School’s Principles of Community are the standards by which we live out our values as a school community. All students are expected to behave in a respectful and responsible manner at all times. With appropriate faculty and parent support and guidance, students should develop a greater sense of responsibility for their own conduct and achievement as well as for the well-being of the School and the greater community.

To this end, a violation of the Principles of Community severely damages the fabric of community life and, as such, constitutes breaking a student’s contract with the School. Referral to the Citizenship Committee may follow any offense and may result in dismissal from the School.

If the School believes that a student’s conduct in his or her own community or elsewhere has been harmful to others in the School or to the School’s reputation, disciplinary action, including dismissal, may result. The head of school will determine how violations will be handled. At his discretion, the head of school may make a disciplinary decision without the Citizenship Committee meeting.

The examples cited under the principles are just that – examples; their inclusion should not be construed as narrowly defining a particular violation of the Principles of Community.

• Honesty: Lying, cheating, plagiarism and other methods of misrepresentation are unacceptable.

Since honesty is expected in all dealings, lying about the facts in a disciplinary case increases both the student’s culpability and the severity of the consequences.

• Respect for others: Students are expected to treat faculty, staff, visitors and each other with courtesy and respect. Physical or verbal abuse of any kind is not permitted. Any disruption of the learning environment and/or any behavior that makes others uncomfortable will not be tolerated. This may include, but is not limited to, public displays of affection and/or inappropriate physical or sexual conduct. In addition, hazing, racial, ethnic and/or sexual harassment have no place in our community.

• Respect for school and personal property: Respect for the property of others is essential in maintaining trust and community openness. Individuals who steal or vandalize personal or school property commit a major affront against the community.

• Meeting school commitments: Students are expected to meet all school commitments. Absences must be excused in advance of the commitment.

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• Alcohol and other illegal drugs: Students may not buy, sell, possess or use unauthorized drugs, drug paraphernalia and/or alcohol or misuse prescription drugs or other chemicals while under the jurisdiction of the School, nor may students return to the School’s jurisdiction under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Students are considered to be “in possession” if they have alcoholic beverages or other illegal substances on their person, in their locker or book bag, or in their automobile. Smoking (including e-cigarettes) and/or the use of smokeless tobacco on school grounds while attending or participating in any school function is forbidden.

• Compliance with the School’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP): Students are expected to comply with the School’s AUP. Since the principles of honesty and respect also apply to the responsible use of technology whether on school grounds or not, individuals who do not comply with these expectations face severe disciplinary consequences.

• Compliance with local, state and federal law: Students must obey all local, state and federal laws.

Academic Honesty Academic honesty is a fundamental precept of citizenship and scholarship in the school community. Simply, academic honesty means that a student’s submitted work is clearly and inarguably that of his or her own creation whether that work be in the form of research paper, essay, test, computer program, homework, laboratory analysis or other assigned project. The integrity of a student’s intellectual pursuits must be ensured, and it is the School’s obligation to observe strict guidelines to maintain academic honesty. Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to, the following: • Copying another’s work or sharing work with another student on a test or for homework without prior consent of the teacher; • Submitting a work in whole or in part written or produced by another person, including shared homework without prior consent of the teacher; • Submitting work in whole or in part previously graded for another assignment; • Representing an author’s general ideas, evidence, or his or her words without proper footnoting and bibliographic entry; and/or • Using another’s program sequence in a computer assignment.

• Using technology or technological aids, such as online translators without prior consent of the teacher.

At the Middle School, cases of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the form dean and associate director. Consequences may include failure on an assignment, detention or, for repeated offenses, more severe disciplinary action.

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Harassment Kingswood Oxford School is committed to providing an educational environment that is free from discrimination and harassment in any form. In accordance with both federal and state law, KO prohibits unfair treatment because of age, disability, sex (including sexual orientation), race, nationality, religion or color. The School is committed to maintaining to the fullest extent possible the confidentiality of any person making a complaint of harassment. All complaints of harassment, sexual or otherwise, will be promptly investigated.

Examples of harassment may include, but are not limited to, the following activities:          

Unwelcome sexual advances Unwelcome jokes Verbal abuse of any nature Commentary about an individual’s physical appearance or abilities Touching or pinching Assault Obscene comments or gestures Display at School of sexually suggestive objects or pictures Inappropriate use of technology (personal computers, cell phones, camera phones) to harass other members of the community The use of e-mail or the Internet to create an intimidating, hostile or offensive atmosphere.

Any student who believes that he or she has been subjected to harassment or intimidation while at the School by any person, whether a teacher, staff member, other student or visitor, should immediately contact the associate director of the Middle School, dean of students, director of the Upper School, director of the Middle School, school counselor or school nurse. All that is necessary is to contact any of these persons and tell him or her the nature of the complaint or concern.

All complaints of harassment will be promptly investigated and appropriate remedial action taken if warranted. The School is committed to maintaining to the fullest extent possible the confidentiality of any person making a complaint of sexual harassment. However, some circumstances may require limited disclosure.

Drugs and Alcohol The use, possession, purchase, or distribution of drugs, drug paraphernalia, tobacco (or other nictoine products) or alcohol, or the misuse of prescription drugs or other chemicals is strictly prohibited and is a fundamental violation of our Principles of Community. If a student violates this principle, the student may be suspended or dismissed from the School.

A student is considered under the School’s jurisdiction while on campus, while attending an offcampus school-related activity or function, or while representing the School off campus. In addition, because the School’s concern for the health and safety of students extends beyond the bounds of its 8

jurisdiction, it may take action with respect to inappropriate, illegal, unhealthy or dangerous behavior, not only in substance-abuse situations, but also under other circumstances – at School or elsewhere.

Counseling and Educational Interventions During the year, educational programs, assemblies and parent/student evenings are provided as opportunities to educate families about the physical, psychological and legal consequences of the use of drugs or alcohol. The goal is to enable students to make healthy decisions not to use drugs or alcohol.

The School is primarily concerned about the health and welfare of each student. If the School is concerned about a student’s possible use of alcohol or drugs, a program of professional assessment and counseling will be required. Parents may also be asked to work together with the School and the student.

Tobacco The use, possession, purchase or distribution of tobacco is strictly prohibited. Consistent with the School’s commitment to healthy behavior and decision-making, counseling and education about the health-related consequences of tobacco use may be required if the School is concerned about a student’s use of tobacco. Use of tobacco (or other nicotine products) on campus will result in disciplinary action.

Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) In accordance with its Mission Statement, Kingswood Oxford considers student access to a computer network, including the Internet, to be a powerful and valuable educational and research tool. It encourages the use of computers and computer related technology in its research labs and classrooms for the purpose of advancing and promoting teaching and learning. It is expected that students will learn to use the technology appropriately on the campus.

It should be understood that the use of technology and especially the internet is a privilege, not a right. The School provides all members of the community with an account intended for school-related work. To protect legitimate use of its computer resources, the School may impose sanctions on those who abuse their privileges by limiting or revoking their access, as well as, in some cases, referral to the Citizenship Committee. It is a community member’s responsibility to use these resources in an ethical, legal and courteous manner. By using Kingswood Oxford computing resources, all users agree to abide by the following computing-use policies as well as those included in the School’s Principles of Community.

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Accounts: Users are given individual accounts with unique passwords to be used to access (log on to) any computer on the School’s network. Sharing access to your account with another person or attempting to obtain, use or change a password on someone else’s account is prohibited. Users should always log off (sign off) from a computer when they have finished their work. Any user who discovers a computer that has been inadvertently left connected (logged on to) by someone else should log off the account. Only authorized users may have access to KO computers.

Unauthorized Access: Users may not use school computers or network resources to attempt to gain unauthorized access to any other computer or network, to circumvent file protection or to uncover security loopholes.

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System Safety: Users are prohibited from using technology for inappropriate purposes including but not limited to the following: gambling, downloading unapproved files, viewing or processing inappropriate text files or pictures, e.g. sites dealing with antisocial behavior, pornography, obscenity, profanity, discrimination or files which may be dangerous to the integrity of the network. The use of any of KO wired or wireless networking resources to download and/or distribute any unlicensed media (music, software, movies, etc.), is a violation of this AUP. Network administrators may review files and communication at any time in order to maintain the integrity of the system and to ensure that users are practicing responsible use of the technology.

Users are prohibited from vandalizing, destroying, copying or modifying the system's hardware or software.

Viruses: Users may not introduce a computer virus, spyware or other “malware” or engage in any activity that would result in damage to files, disks or storage.

E-mail: Unacceptable or inappropriate content of e-mail messages or attachments is prohibited.

Harassing, threatening, offensive or anonymous e-mail is prohibited. Work submitted via e-mail must meet the same academic honesty standards that apply to written work. The School routinely checks e-mail sent on its system.

Adding Software: Only authorized personnel may install software on school computers.

Downloading of programs, games, music files and movie files to school machines is prohibited.

Only personal data files and e-mail may be copied from school computers. The School routinely monitors computer, printer and storage-space use.

Personal Safety: It is strictly prohibited to use the network or any computer/digital facilities for cyber-bullying, bullying, harassment, intimidation, hate mail, defamatory statements, statements intended to injure or humiliate others by disclosure of personal information (whether true or false), personal attacks on others, and statements expressing animus towards any person or group or harassing any person or group by reason of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnic group, weight, religion and religious practices, sex, gender, sexual orientation, mental and physical abilities, disability, or any other category protected by federal and state law.

Personal Technology: Students are expected to utilize their personal technology in both ethical and appropriate ways. This means that students must be cognizant of the impact of their use of technology in ways that might be useful and harmful. Any use of a technological device that disrupts the educational environment or is detrimental to the safety, welfare, and health of students and staff may result in disciplinary consequences.

You must activate your account to use school computers. By signing a Handbook Acknowledgment Form, students state that they understand this policy and their responsibilities under it.

Use of technology, including cell phones and computers, is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use of technology may result in disciplinary action and/or forfeiture of the right to use and possess this technology.

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Middle School Laptop/Tablet Computer Contract 2015-2016

A student must obtain a copy of this contract from the associate director of the Middle School and return it, signed, prior to bringing his or her device to school. ___________________________ agrees to the following stipulations to use his/her laptop during the school day.

1) I agree to abide by the Acceptable Use Policy at all times.

2) I agree not to lend my device to any other student. I am the only person who may use my device at school. I understand that it is my responsibility to make sure my device is secure at all times.

3) I agree not to record, either audio or video, any Kingswood Oxford student or faculty unless in the context of a specific project of one of my classes.

4) I agree to speak directly with each of my teachers about whether it is acceptable for me to use my device during class. My teachers will make the decision if I will be permitted to use my device in each of my classes.

5) Any violation of this agreement will result in an official warning. If there is a subsequent violation of this agreement, I understand that I will no longer be permitted to use my device at school.

6) I agree that it is my responsibility to keep all of my files in order in folders for each of my classes.

Failure to print or e-mail my teachers my work is not an acceptable excuse for not handing my work in on time.

7) I understand that I must abide by all laws pertaining to copyrighted material.

Violations of this agreement include, but are not limited to the following: o o o o o o

Playing a game on a laptop Going online during a class when it is not part of the class activities Refusing to shut down the laptop during a class Going to any Internet site that contains inappropriate images, music or video Copying and sharing copyrighted materials, for example music or video Going to sites that are not to be accessed while on campus, for example: Facebook, Twitter or other social networking sites.

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Dress Code As members of the community, we all share in the responsibility of meeting both the letter and the spirit of the dress code. Students are expected to dress in a manner that demonstrates respect for themselves and the KO community and positively reflects their job as students. Tight clothing of any kind is not permitted.

Daily Dress Code (October through April) Boys – Pants, dress shirts and ties. Shirts must be tucked in.

Girls – Pants, shirts with collars or sleeves and an appropriate neckline, and skirts or dresses no shorter than four inches above the knee.

Informal Dress Code (September and May and every Wednesday) Boys – Same as Daily Dress Code, except ties are not required and a collared (polo type) shirt may be substituted for a dress shirt. Hemmed, khaki or Bermuda-style shorts are also permitted.

Girls – Same as Daily Dress Code.

Hats are not to be worn indoors.

Examples of clothing items that are inconsistent with the dress code include, but are not limited to, the following: • painter’s pants, overalls, sweatpants, military fatigues or cargo pants • sweatshirts • tube skirts • T-shirts, spaghetti straps, tank tops, or other tight-fitting or revealing tops • any garment made of denim • athletic-style clothing (warm-ups and/or yoga pants) • clothing that displays prominent writing or brand names • flip-flops or sports sandals Dress-Up Days (Occasions on which special events require a more formal appearance – an awards assembly or the English Symposium, for example) Boys – Same as Daily Dress Code, except a sport coat must be worn. Sneakers are not allowed.

Girls – Dressy pants with a jacket or blazer, skirts, or dresses. Sneakers are not allowed.

Spirit Days These days are officially designated to highlight an upcoming school event or to reward forms.

Students must either dress in the school colors, crimson and black, or any other garment that features the school name or the Wyvern OR wear Daily Dress Code.

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Enforcement of Dress Code Any student who is out of dress code will be reported to the associate. For the first dress-code violation, a student will receive an official warning. Consequences for subsequent dress-code violations are spending a study hall period cleaning, spending one hour after school cleaning and Saturday detention. A meeting with parents, the Form dean and the associate director will take place in the case of multiple dress-code violations.

Off-Limits Areas The following parts of the School are off-limits to students except with permission: • Kitchen areas, boiler rooms and maintenance shops • Parking lots – during school hours • Construction areas • Cars parked on off-campus streets • Designated faculty/staff spaces • Copy room in Seaverns • Control room, catwalks and grid in Roberts Center • Theater storage, dressing rooms and ticket booth • Rehearsal (practice) rooms • Gyms, hockey rink • Locker rooms during the academic day • Black Box Theater, adjacent to Hewett Gym Middle School Citizenship The goal of the Middle School Citizenship Committee is to create a Middle School community that values honesty and respect for individuals, property and the rules of the School.

Faculty members are encouraged to deal with minor rules violations independently in a consistent and appropriate way. The Form dean may be asked to step in when a teacher feels the violation is more serious, and this may result in a disciplinary detention. All minor citizenship violations are handled by the Form deans.

A student suspected of a citizenship violation of serious magnitude or who makes repeated minor violations meets with the associate director of the Middle School. The associate director consults with those involved to determine whether to proceed to the Citizenship Committee. The Citizenship Committee is composed of the associate director of the Middle School, the Form deans, the director of academic skills and the Middle School counselor. The student’s advisor may also participate. Every effort is made to convene the Citizenship Committee as soon as possible. The goal of the committee is to respond to a rules violation or student behavior that is inconsistent with the stated values of the community. There is a range of responses and consequences, and the purpose is to work with the student and his or her family to enable the student to learn from the mistake by examining his or her decision-making process and making amends when appropriate. Consequences are determined on a case-by-case basis, and every effort is made to have the consequences fit the offense. The Citizenship Committee works to maintain the well-being of the entire Middle School community during this process.

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Saturday Detention A student may be required to attend a Saturday detention from 9-10 a.m. During this detention, the student should be prepared to write responses to questions that enable him or her to process and to learn from the situation that precipitated the detention. The student may also be asked to do classroom cleanup or other various chores to contribute to the community. A student who skips a Saturday detention will not be permitted to participate in any athletic competitions on that day.

Disciplinary Probation Disciplinary probation is a period of time during which a student’s behavior is closely monitored.

Weekly reports will be written by the student’s teachers and advisor throughout the duration of the probation. The student will meet weekly with the associate director of the Middle School to go over the reports and respond by creating weekly goals in writing. The associate director of the Middle School will call the student’s parents weekly to go over the reports and the student’s response to them. A student who is placed on disciplinary probation by the Citizenship Committee understands that further citizenship violations will result in more severe disciplinary action by the School and may result in dismissal.

Suspension In the case of a student suspension, the associate director of the Middle School will arrange a meeting with the parents and the student. The Citizenship Committee, with the approval of the director of the Middle School and the Head of School, determines the length of the suspension and whether the time will be spent at School or at home. When a student is suspended out of School, he or she is not permitted to attend school or any school-related activity.

Middle School Rules:  Students must stay on campus once they are dropped off and until they are picked up by their car pool or bus.  Students are expected to be in dress code.  Students are not allowed to open or go into other students’ lockers.  Teachers expect students to be on time for class. Being late to class is considered disrespectful to both the teacher and the other members of the class.  Gum and candy are not allowed.  iPods or any type of MP3 player are not allowed in school at any time.  Students may enter faculty offices and the Middle School main office only if a teacher is present and they are invited to enter.  There is no tolerance for actions or words that pose a threat to other students. This includes all forms of communication, including written, electronic and verbal.  Students must sign the Middle School Laptop/Tablet Computer Contract to use their devices at school.  Cell phones may be used only after school to call parents or car pool drivers. Cell phones must be placed in a locker, advisee group closet or teacher’s office during the day.  After school, students are expected to wait on the sidewalk directly in front of our building, in the Research Center or in Oxford Hall. Students may meet with a teacher after school, but the on-duty teacher must be aware of all students’ whereabouts at all times.

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Academics Grade Reports • Teacher comments and grades are given four times a year: at each midsemester point and at the end of each semester.

• Advisors write summary reports for each of their advisees at the end of the first semester and at the end of the school year.

Grade Values Grades are in the form of letters that correspond to the following 4-point scale: A+ A AB+ B BC+ C CD+ D DF

4.33 4.00 3.67 3.33 3.00 2.67 2.33 2.00 1.67 1.33 1.00 .67 0

Academic Honor Roll The honor roll, determined at the end of each semester and at the end of the school year, recognizes students for outstanding academic achievement.  A grade point average of 3.33 on a 4.0 scale, which is equivalent to a B+, qualifies for honor roll.  Any grade below a C automatically disqualifies a student from honor roll.

End-of-the-Year Review Students are expected to complete each academic year prior to the senior year with a satisfactory record and will be eligible for entrance into the next Form only after faculty review. Minimally, a satisfactory record means that a student must pass all courses and achieve a grade point average of C(1.67 on a 4-point scale). If a student is nonpromotional (earning a GPA of lower than a 1.67), a meeting with the associate director is required. Summer work may be required. At the Middle School, students may not continue to the next Form with a nonpromotional record.

At the conclusion of each academic year, the faculty review each student’s academic progress and citizenship record. If a student’s academic record shows weaknesses, the faculty may require summer work. Citizenship, integrity and respect as well as academic achievement all serve as critical components for evaluating a student’s performance. Flagrant neglect or persistent difficulties in any of these areas will jeopardize a student’s opportunity to remain in the school community.

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Advising At the heart of a Kingswood Oxford education is the close relationship that develops among student, parents and advisor. The advisor oversees the student’s academic and personal progress.

Advisors serve a number of important functions, including providing informal and personal guidance for students in all areas of school life, collecting and receiving pertinent information from faculty about advisees, and serving as a liaison between the parents and the School.

The advisor serves as an advocate for advisees during the course of the school year. In addition, the advisor assists advisees in planning their academic program. Each Form has a Form dean who oversees all advising within that form.

At the Middle School, students remain with the same advisor for Forms 1 and 2.

Twice each year, parents attend scheduled advisor conferences with their child. In addition, the School encourages parents to contact advisors with concerns they may have about their child’s academic progress or social development. The School values and encourages parental involvement in their child’s education.

Athletics Philosophy The athletics program is student-centered and is an essential part of the educational experience at KO. Whether participating in one of our interscholastic athletic teams or in our Life Fitness program, students are challenged to learn, to excel, to explore and to push themselves to achieve new levels of performance in the pursuit of excellence. Through these experiences our students are encouraged to set and strive to meet personal goals.         

Wyvern athletics serves to : Teach students fundamentals, skills and knowledge of various individual and team sports and fitness options Build skills like collaboration, communication, teamwork, sportsmanship, hard work and leadership and to develop character and confidence Foster perseverance, commitment, resilience, school pride and humility Offer age- and skill-appropriate coaching at every level Develop in students lifelong, healthy habits of fitness and stress management Support the development of our student’s mental, social, emotional and physical well-being.

Provide healthy competition and cooperation within and between schools, thus instilling in each student the best principles of good sportsmanship and fair play Celebrate the energy and pride in our strong athletic teams that strengthen connections to KO Provide a worthwhile and fun extracurricular experience for students, UP through Form 6.

Requirements: 17

Students in Upper Prep and Forms 1 and 2 are required to participate in interscholastic or intramural programs for three seasons (fall, winter and spring).

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Exceptionally skilled student-athletes in Forms 1 and 2 must apply to the Athletic Director if they would like to try out for a varsity team. Athletes must be impact players to the varsity team. (Upper Prep athletes are not eligible to play Upper School sports) Fall Season Boys’ Athletics Football Soccer A Girls’ Athletics Field Hockey A Soccer A

Coed teams Cross Country Intramural Soccer Intramural Volleyball

Winter Season Boys’ Athletics Basketball A Basketball B Girls’ Athletics Basketball A Basketball B Intramural Boys’ Basketball Intramural Girls’ Basketball Coed teams Squash A Swimming Intramural Ice Hockey Developmental Squash

Spring Season Boys’ Athletics Baseball A Lacrosse A Girls’ Athletics Softball A Lacrosse A

Coed teams Tennis A Developmental Tennis Developmental Track

Equipment All students must have the proper prescribed equipment before they will be allowed to participate in a particular sport. Personal items such as athletic shoes, sweat suits, lacrosse and field hockey sticks, and all hockey equipment must be purchased outside the School. The School supplies game uniforms.

Students are issued equipment and uniforms at the beginning of each season and are to return those items at the end of the season. A replacement cost will be billed to the student for any item not returned.

Each student in the School is assigned a lock and a locker in which all articles of clothing and equipment must be kept. Personally owned items should be labeled, and lockers should be kept locked at all times. Middle School students are not permitted to bring athletic equipment into the Estes Family Building. All athletic equipment must be kept locked in their locker in the locker room.

For many reasons, no students are allowed to exercise, play or use the equipment at the School without proper supervision.

Expectations for Athletes and Spectators Appropriate conduct is an expectation for all participants in the athletic arena whether at home or at a contest at another school. The Code of Conduct of the New England Preparatory Schools Athletic Association and the Kingswood Oxford Principles of Community provide clear guidelines for the expectations for conduct by students. Instances of inappropriate conduct will be addressed by the coach and director of athletics and may be referred to the Assistant Director of the Middle School for disciplinary action. Students, faculty, parents, alumni, friends and players are expected to uphold the code of conduct and ethics regarding interscholastic athletics. Relevant excerpts of the code are reproduced as follows: Athletes 19

1. Athletes shall at all times attempt to represent their School with honor, proper attitudes and proper conduct. They shall make every effort to leave the games on the field, in victory or defeat.

2. Athletes shall comply with the ruling of the officials as duly authorized by the School. In no way, either by voice or gesture, should they demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the decisions made.

3. Defacing of property or removal of equipment of any kind while at another school shall be considered a serious misconduct by the association.

4. Healthy rivalries are good, but each player should remember that rivalries are founded on mutual respect between schools and between students.

Spectators 1. Spectators should watch the game from those areas properly defined by each school as spectator areas. Running up and down sidelines, calling to players, coaches or officials in a deprecating manner, going onto the field of play or defacing property constitutes misconduct and detracts seriously from the efforts of coaches, players and officials to do their best. Such conduct can embarrass a school even when such school has made great efforts to do the best job possible.

2. Students and all spectators visiting another school should bear in mind that their behavior can do much to enhance or damage the reputation of their school and team. School relationships, healthy rivalries and school prestige are jeopardized whenever spectator behavior exceeds proper bounds.

This association realizes that the responsibility for proper conduct in the whole picture of interscholastic athletics rests as heavily with the nonparticipants as it does with those people actually engaged in the game.

3. “Riding” or “getting on” opposing players or officials by spectators is not allowed.

Athletic Guidelines for Middle School Athletics “A” level teams serve as the primary Middle School feeder teams to the Upper School programs. “A” level teams strive to be as competitive as possible in game situations; in addition to skill development and always playing within a framework of fair play and sportsmanship, winning is an important goal for “A” level teams. “B” Basketball teams emphasize participation and involvement for everyone in addition to sportsmanship and skill development. Intramural and Developmental programs are designed to be fun, provide structure and teach skills to help prepare those athletes who want to progress while also providing an opportunity for all students to play.

Selection to the interscholastic teams is based on merit and skill, not grade level. The Developmental Squash and Tennis will have a limited number of spots available to each program.

All coaches teach fundamental skills and systems of play (where appropriate) that closely follow that of the varsity program. The emphasis is on the development of individual skills, teamwork and sportsmanship, as well as the introduction of team tactics and strategies.

Coaches of “A” level teams attempt to involve as many players as possible in each game.

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Being on a team is a commitment, and the School expects that the school team will take priority over an outside team in the event of a conflict. Students are expected to discuss any potential conflicts with coaches before the schedule commences for each season.

Unexcused absences from practices and/or games may affect playing time. Coaches will communicate with students in advance about playing-time issues.

Attendance Attendance Procedures and Policies Punctual and regular attendance is expected of every student each school day. First period classes begin at 8 a.m. Most students arrive at 7:30 a.m. to ensure sufficient time to prepare for class. If a student is going to be absent or late, parents must call the administrative coordinator of the Middle School at 860-233-9631, ext. 3105 between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

Students are expected to be present at School for special activities unless the School is notified ahead of time.

Attendance at School Commitments Students are required to meet all of their appointments during a given day. These include classes, required study halls, lunch duty, extra help sessions, athletics, Form and advisee meetings, and assemblies.

The School expects regular attendance by a student except when there is illness. Repeated absences from class may result in loss of credit for that class. Absence from class for any reason does not excuse students from their daily assignments. All required assignments are due on the day of return.

Absence from: Athletics An injury or sickness, whether it seems serious or not, must be reported immediately to the athletic director, the trainer or a coach, either by the student or by someone present. An exercise excuse must be written for a student who, for health reasons, should not participate in physical activity on a particular day. Long-term athletic absences must be preceded by a note from a medical doctor.

Students who are absent without permission during any part of the day may not represent the School in any capacity that day.

Exams If a student misses an exam due to illness, it is the responsibility of the student’s parent to inform the director of the Middle School before the start of the exam. At that time, arrangements should be made for making up the exam.

Unexcused absence from an exam will result in a failing grade for the exam. All exams must be completed before a student receives a grade and a credit for the course.

School (Daily), including Early Dismissal A student who needs to be excused for an early dismissal from School or for an appointment during the school day must bring a note (on or before the indicated day), filled out and signed by a parent, stating the reason for the exception.

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1. Parents are requested to schedule medical or other appointments during times (free periods) that do not interfere with school commitments, be they academic, athletic or extracurricular.

2. If a student must be excused during the school day, the student must bring a note prior to the excused time.

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School (Extended) Any student who misses school for more than three consecutive days due to illness may be required to provide a doctor’s note upon return to school.

Requests for an excused absence for an extended period of time must be made to the director of the Middle School at least two weeks before the requested absence.

Medical leaves may be granted to students needing time out of school to address medical or emotional needs. In order to obtain credit, academic work must be completed upon return to school. All medical leaves are monitored closely by the director of the Middle School and the associate director of the Middle School in order to maintain the integrity of the course work being completed.

In the event that the medical leave extends beyond three consecutive school weeks, a meeting will occur to review the conditions and the parameters of the leave, with careful attention to preserving and balancing the needs and integrity of both the student and the school experience.

For leaves that extend beyond a month, the School reserves the right to refuse the student’s return to campus for the academic year. Considerations will include assessment of academic standing, persistence of medical or mental health care needs, and integrity of the academic experience.

The student and the student’s family reserve the right to refuse the conditions of the medical leave or of the return from the leave by withdrawing the student from the School at any time.

Emergencies In the event of a medical emergency, the School Nurse, Director of Athletics, athletic trainer(s) or designee will notify the parent or guardian. If the student requires medical care and the parents cannot be reached, the physician on record (taken from the Medical Emergency Information and Parental Consent Form) will be contacted. If hospitalization is required, the student will be transported by ambulance to a hospital emergency room. Every attempt will be made to notify a parent/guardian promptly.

Illness A Middle School student who does not feel well should report promptly to the school nurse, who will determine whether the student should remain in school or be sent home. No student should remain away from a scheduled class or leave campus for reasons of health without reporting to the nurse or, in her absence, the associate director of the Middle School, the director of the Middle School or the administrative coordinator of Middle School. Failure to report illness appropriately will constitute an unexcused absence.

Any student who does not feel well during his or her athletic period should report promptly to his or her coach and/or the athletic trainer.

Infectious disease in the family must be reported at once to the School Nurse. Quarantine is regulated by the laws of public health.

Medication All prescription or other medication from home must be left at the nurse’s office and taken under her supervision. The name of the student must be clearly marked on the medication. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and take medication at the appropriate time. The School assumes no 23

responsibility for a student’s failing to take medication at the required times or for taking medication improperly.

Permissions Middle School students are not permitted to leave campus. Parents picking up a student during the school day must sign out in the Middle School office. Students may leave campus only at the end of the school day with their parents, car pool or bus. Students may not leave campus on their own for any reason without parental permission provided to the associate director of the Middle School.

Religious Holidays The School is sensitive to absences due to the observance of religious holidays. Faculty should be made aware of these absences in advance and will adjust homework/tests accordingly.

Requests for Assignments When a student is absent from school for an extended period, students should check teacher Web sites for pertinent information regarding material presented during class and assignments. Requests for assignments may also be made directly to the student’s advisor. Ample time should be given for the advisor to collect the assignments from the student’s teachers.

School Cancellations, Delays or Early Closings Kingswood Oxford School uses SchoolReach, an automated notification system. Contact information for families is uploaded to SchoolReach from the School’s database. The SchoolReach System will be utilized for all weather closures and delays and other major announcements as needed. A recorded announcement regarding school opening will be on the School’s main telephone number in the event of a weather problem.

School Switchboard All faculty have voice mail. If you wish to leave a voice-mail message for a faculty member after the School’s switchboard (860-233-9631) is closed, you may call the “back door” number (860-233-3500), dial the faculty member’s extension and leave your message.

Tardiness At the Middle School, students arriving late should report directly to the administrative coordinator of the Middle School and inform her of the reason for being late. She will give the student a pass to class. If the administrative coordinator is not available, then the student should report to a Form dean or the associate director of the Middle School. Repeated tardiness may result in disciplinary action.

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Dining Hall Lunch is served in the school dining hall. Students are scheduled for a lunch period in accordance with their schedule of classes and appointments. No food is to be eaten inside any other building without faculty permission.

Students and faculty are responsible for maintaining a clean, pleasant atmosphere for dining. As members of the school community, we all assume responsibility for keeping the dining hall clean.

Students who do not accept this responsibility will be disciplined. Once they have finished eating, students are expected to clear their lunch trays and spray and wipe their tables. Students are not permitted to leave the dining hall until they have been dismissed by the faculty member on lunch duty.

Electronic Devices The use of portable electronic devices (i.e., cell phone, smartphone, iPod) is prohibited during the school day. Students may not bring iPods or other MP3 players to school. Cell phones should be turned off upon entering the Middle School building and should be securely stored in the student’s locker or advisee group closet. Laptops are permitted for academic purposes once a student has filled out and returned the Middle School Laptop/Tablet Computer Contract.

Lockers Students are assigned two lockable lockers, one in an academic building and one in the gym.

Students may only use lockers assigned to them at the start of the year. Lockers assigned to students are the property of the School. Lockers may be inspected periodically. Students should report immediately to the associate director all damage or theft of school and personal property.

Telephone Messages for Students Should an emergency arise during the day, every effort will be made to communicate the emergency message to the student immediately. Parents should contact their advisor and/or the administrative coordinator of the Middle School (ext. 3105) to leave an important message for their child.

Visitors All visitors must sign in with the director of the Middle School on the morning of their visit.

Students who want to bring guests to School must speak to the director at least one day prior to the requested visiting date. The director will then permit or deny the request.

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Calendar August 24-31

Faculty Work Week

September 2 September 7 September 8 September 14 September 23

First Day of Classes Labor Day Opening Assembly (Dress Up Day) Rosh Hashanah – No School Yom Kippur – No School

October 12 October 24 October 30

Nicholson Day – No School Hewett Day Fall Midsemester

November 12 November 24 November 30

Parent Conference Day – No School Thanksgiving Break begins at the end of classes School Resumes, 8am

December 17 December 18-20

Winter Break begins at the end of classes Kingswood Oxford Invitational Basketball Tournament

January 4 January 15 January 18

School Resumes, 8am End of First Semester Martin Luther King Day – No School

February 15

Presidents Day – No School

March 11 March 25 March 28

Spring Break begins at the end of classes Good Friday School Resumes, 8am

April 1 April 14 April 22

Spring Midsemester Parent Conference Day – No School Passover begins at sunset (ends 4/30)

May 27 May 30

Commencement, 10:30am Memorial Day – No School

June 1-6 June 7 June 8-13

Upper and Middle School Exams Last Day of School Grade & Comments Due; Faculty Work Week

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