Upper School Handbook, 2015-2016

Upper School Community Handbook 2015-2016 170 Kingswood Road West Hartford, CT 06119-1430 860-233-9631 860-233-3500 (after school hours) Fax 860-232-3843 (Upper 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 One conquers by conquering oneself

The History of Kingswood Oxford School Kingswood Oxford School enjoys a rich history of more than 100 years 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 1962-1966, 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 in its Highland Street gym 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 27,000-square-foot, three-level academic building that now provides students with state-of-theart 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 omitted, removing any symbolic separation between the two founding schools.

Table of Contents Head of School Letter

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Community Expectations and Values Principles of Community Academic Honesty Harassment Drugs and Alcohol Acceptable Use Policy Dress Code Off-Limits Areas Skateboarding

9 9 11 12 13 14 16 18 19

Information for Parents Student Absence, Late Arrivals and Early Dismissals School Cancellations, Delays or Early Closings Medication Requests for Assignments School Switchboard

20 20 20 20 20 21

Academics Requirements for the Diploma Academic Requirements Other Requirements Academic Credit Grade Reports Grade Values Academic Honor Roll Diploma with Honors KO Chapter of the Cum Laude Society Academic Review End-of-Year Review Weighted Grades for Cum Laude and Dux Prize Course Changes Drop/Add Course Recommendations Level Switches Course Change Process

22 22 22 22 23 23 23 24 24 24 25 26 26 26 26 27 27 28

Study Halls Afternoon Academic Study Hall Assessment Policy Study/Term Off-Campus Independent Study Senior Project Community Service Procedure for Community Service Hours

28 28 28 29 29 30 30 30

Advising

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Athletics Philosophy Requirements Independent Athletic Proposals Equipment Expectations for Athletes and Spectators General Information Practice Times

33 33 34 35 36 36 37 38

Attendance Attendance Procedures and Policies Attendance at School Commitments Absence from: Class Athletics Exams School (Daily) School (Extended) Emergencies Illness Permissions Religious Holidays Tardiness

39 39 39

Additional Information Automobiles and Bicycles Dining Hall Electronic Devices

44 44 44 45

40 40 40 41 41 42 42 43 43 43

Good Standing Lockers Messages for Students Parking Upper School Library Visitors Citizenship Citizenship Committee Disciplinary Consequences Saturday Detention Dean’s Warning Disciplinary Review Suspension Policy for Reporting Disciplinary Consequences

45 45 46 46 46 47 48 48 49 49 49 49 50 50

School Calendar

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Upper School Schedule Week A Week B

53 53 54

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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 129902_5056

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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 consequence (see pages 11-12 for further information).

• 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 (see pages 12-13 for further information).

• 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.

• Alcohol and other 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 or while attending or participating in any school function is forbidden (see page 13-14 for further information).

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• 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 (see pages 14-16 for further information).

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

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Cases of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the department head, the Form dean, and/or the Assistant Head of School for Student Life may be brought before the Citizenship Committee. Consequences may include a failure on an assignment, suspension, disciplinary probation and dismissal.

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. Harassment based on sex is one kind of harassment prohibited by this policy and is explained further below. 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, a staff member, another student or a visitor, should immediately contact the Assistant Head of School for Academic Life, Assistant Head of School for Student Life, School Nurse or School Counselor. All that is necessary

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is to contact any of these persons and tell 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 harassment. However, some circumstances may require limited disclosure.

Drugs and Alcohol The use, possession, purchase, or distribution of drugs, drug paraphernalia, tobacco (or other nicotine 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 off-campus 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 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

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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 (or other nicotine products) 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 and nicotine use may be required if the School is concerned about a student’s use.

Use of tobacco (or other nicotine products) will result in disciplinary action.

Acceptable Use Policy 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

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•

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•

•

•

•

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.

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

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(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.

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.

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.

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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. In May and September ONLY hemmed, khaki or Bermuda-style shorts are also permitted.

Girls – Same as Daily Dress Code.

Hats are never to be worn indoors.

Examples of clothing items that are inconsistent with the dress code include, but are not limited to, the following: jeans, overalls, military fatigues or cargo pants sweatshirts and sweatpants tube skirt leggings T-shirts, spaghetti straps, tank tops, or other tight-fitting or revealing tops 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 – Prize 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 dress in the school colors, 129902_5056

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crimson and black, or any other garment that features the school name or the Wyvern OR wear Daily Dress Code.

Exam Dress Code Similar to dress-down days, students are allowed to wear relaxed attire during exams. Students are permitted to wear shorts (longer than one’s fingertips when arms are down by one’s sides) but are not permitted to wear camisoles or tank tops. Sleepwear is also prohibited. If a student is inappropriately dressed for an exam, he or she will be required to change and will receive a Saturday detention.

Enforcement of Dress Code Dress code violations will be addressed by the student's advisor. A student out of dress code will be asked to remedy the problem (hats will be taken) and will receive an afternoon detention. After two afternoon detentions for a dress code violation, a student will be required to serve a Saturday detention. If violations of dress code continue, a student will meet with the Form dean or the Assistant Head of School for Student Life, and his or her parents will be notified. If that student continues to violate the dress code, he or she may be subject to further disciplinary consequences, including a referral to the Citizenship Committee.

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

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• Rehearsal (practice) rooms • Gyms, hockey rink • Locker rooms during the academic day • Black Box Theater, adjacent to Hewett Gym Skateboarding Skateboarding is not permitted on campus.

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Information for Parents Student Absence, Early Dismissal and Late Arrivals If a student is going to be absent, late or dismissed from school early, parents must call Mrs. Dudzik’s in the Upper School (ext. 2324) between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Phone calls should be made ahead of time for planned absences.

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.

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

Requests for Assignments Student assignments are posted on the portal. In addition, if a student is absent from School for an extended period, requests for assignments can be made directly to the student’s advisor. Ample time should be given for the advisor to collect the necessary work from the student’s teachers.

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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.

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Academics Requirements for the Diploma Academic Requirements • Four full-year credits in Upper School English, including Senior Thesis • Three consecutive full-year credits in either a modern or classical foreign language • Three full-year credits in Upper School history (Empires and Republics, Modern World Studies and U.S. History) • Three full-year credits in Upper School mathematics through Form 5 • Three full-year credits in an Upper School laboratory science • One and one-half credits in Upper School creative arts • Other courses that total 20 full credits Other Requirements • A minimum of 30 hours of community service prior to graduation with at least 20 hours devoted to a single extended commitment • Satisfactory completion of the athletic requirement

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Academic Credit • A yearlong course meets for an entire year and carries one full credit.

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A semester course meets for one-half year and carries one-half credit.

• Students must be enrolled in a minimum of five full-credit courses or the equivalent.

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+

4.33 4.0 3.67 3.33 3.0 2.67 2.33

C CD+ D DF

2.0 1.67 1.33 1.0 .67 0

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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.

To qualify for honor roll, a student must carry a minimum of five courses each semester.

Any grade of C- or below automatically disqualifies a student from honor roll.

Diploma with Honors A student who has achieved year-end honor roll in Forms 5 and 6 qualifies for a Diploma with Honors. Additionally, the faculty may, at its discretion, vote a Diploma with Honors to a student who has had a particularly outstanding academic record in Form 6 and was close to achieving honor roll status in Form 5.

Kingswood Oxford Chapter of the Cum Laude Society Cum Laude Society is the independent school equivalent of the collegiate Phi Beta Kappa Society. Outstanding Form 6 students who have consistently maintained honors level work and have demonstrated good citizenship may be elected by the society at the conclusion of the first semester of the senior year.

Year-long Form 5 and Semester 1 Form 6 grades are used to determine Cum Laude candidates, honors diplomas and academic standing for the year.

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Academic Review The faculty reviews student records at specified faculty meetings following the completion of each set of grades and comments. The School may withhold a re-enrollment contract until final grades are reported when a student’s record indicates that he or she is experiencing serious academic difficulty.

In the event of academic difficulty, the following steps may be taken.

I. First Academic Warning The student and parents will meet with the student’s advisor to establish a study plan for improvement, which may include required study hall, extra help and/or tutoring.

II. Second Academic Warning If unsatisfactory academic performance continues, the student, parents, advisor and Assistant Head of School for Academic Life will meet to determine the next steps. Educational testing may be required. Study hall and extra help remain a requirement.

III. Academic Probation If unsatisfactory academic performance persists, the student will be placed on academic probation. Academic probation indicates that a student is experiencing serious academic difficulty and his or her continuation at Kingswood Oxford is in jeopardy. There will be a required meeting of student, parents, advisor and Assistant Head of School for Academic Life to determine a plan for improvement and/or to discuss possible withdrawal from the School.

IV. Dismissal If a student continues to show unsatisfactory academic performance, he or she will be required to withdraw or will not be issued a re-enrollment contract.

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End-of-the-Year Review Students are expected to complete each academic 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).

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.

Weighted Grades for Cum Laude and Dux Prize Due to the selective nature of our enrollment, Kingswood Oxford does not provide class rank nor computed grade point average. Course work is weighted only for Cum Laude and Dux Prize considerations; otherwise the School does not weight grades.

Course Changes Drop/Add Students may request to drop a yearlong course before October 1 without it appearing on their transcript. If a student wishes to drop that course after that date, the course will remain on the transcript with either a WP (withdraw pass) or WF (withdraw fail).

A student may request (with the teacher’s consent) to add a yearlong course within two weeks of the start of that course.

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No semester course may be added or dropped after the first full week of the course without the permission of the department chair and the Assistant Head of School for Academic Life.

No partial credit will be given for a dropped course.

Form 6 students who make a course change after October 1 will be given an incomplete grade on the midsemester report and will be encouraged not to apply to any college or university with an early application deadline.

Course recommendations If a student wishes to take a more challenging course than the one recommended by the department, he/she will need to submit a petition requesting a different level course. The petition will need to explain why the student would like to switch courses, how this course will impact his/her overall program of study and how he/she intends to make time for the additional work.

There will also be a required signature acknowledging the fact that if the request is approved, the student may not drop the course from his/her transcript but will need to carry the course and the grade even if he/she chooses to switch back to the recommended course. Parents or guardians will also need to sign this petition.

The petition must be submitted by July 1.

Level Switches A student, in a recommended course, may switch levels within the same discipline at the teacher’s recommendation, at any point before the midsemester. In this case, the course will no longer be listed and the student will start fresh in the new course. The grade will not carry over.

A student, in a petitioned course, may switch levels within the same discipline at any point before the midsemester but will retain the course and WF or WP on their transcript. In this situation the student’s earned

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grade will be rolled into the new course average. Level switches may only occur with the consent of the teacher and department chair.

Course Change Process 1. A course change begins with a conference between the student and the advisor.

2. The student should then consult with the department chair and the college advisor (if in Form 5 or 6).

3. The student must then consult with the Director of Studies, who initiates an electronic change-of-course.

4. The student must obtain parental consent by e-mail or a signed consent form.

5. The Director of Studies must then send an electronic confirmation when the change has been officially approved.

Study Halls Study hall functions as a time for quiet study. All Form 3 students are required to attend study hall through the fall semester and may only earn their way out of the spring semester with an honors average for the fall.

Students in Forms 4, 5 and 6 whose academic performance is unsatisfactory will be assigned to study hall. In addition, advisors, after consulting with teachers and parents, may assign any student to study hall.

Afternoon Academic Study Hall Students who fail to complete homework assignments or whose academic performance is unsatisfactory may be assigned to an afternoon study hall. Upper School afternoon study halls are held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 3-3:45 p.m.

Assessment Policy We want to provide KO students with the opportunities to be as successful as possible and to produce their best work at all times. For this reason, Upper School students are not expected to take more than two

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major assessments on any one academic day. If students find that they have more than two tests, papers or other equally significant assignments on one day, they should speak with their teachers and request to move a due date to a mutually agreeable time.

Study/Term Off-Campus Students who are interested in participating in a Study Abroad Program or spending a term away from the KO campus must contact the Assistant Head of School for Academic Life before applying to a program.

Independent Study Independent Study is contracted between a student and teacher and may be offered only if the area of study is not represented in a regular class at Kingswood Oxford.

1. The student and teacher will develop a study contract in advance of the semester and will write a course description consisting of texts, days of meetings, required assessments, term of study, etc. on the form provided by the Assistant Head of School for Academic Life.

2. The student’s advisor and college advisor (for juniors and seniors) must approve the student’s plan.

3. The teacher will present the proposal with the advisor’s approval to the department chairs and the Assistant Head of School for Academic Life.

4. The department chairs may approve or deny the request.

Independent Study requires regular detailed comments at grading time and will be graded by letter grade. This information will appear on the transcript.

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Senior Project Form 6 students have the opportunity to design a project that will take place during the spring of their senior year. These projects are usually developed to reflect a student’s interest in a possible career choice in an academic pursuit that cannot be met by the School program or in community service involvement. Students interested in undertaking senior projects should begin working on their proposals during the summer before the senior year. To qualify for a senior project, a student must have completed all requirements for graduation except in English.

Proposals are submitted by fall midsemester to the Form 6 Dean and to the Assistant Head of School for Academic Life, Director of College Advising and department chairs for final approval.

Community Service Community service provides an opportunity for students to realize and act on the meaning and spirit of caring beyond themselves. Each Upper School student is required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of community service as a graduation requirement.

Procedures for Completing Community Service Hours • Community service is work performed by a student for a nonprofit organization or government agency that is committed to meeting a currently unmet human need or a commonly recognized public benefit and for whom volunteers perform an essential service.

• Each student is required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of community service prior to the start of the Form 6 year. Of those 30 hours, the student should devote at least 20 hours to a single extended commitment. Students may receive up to 10 hours of credit for work done prior to entering the Upper School.

• Students are responsible for selecting and scheduling service commitments and arranging transportation. The work may not

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interfere with other school responsibilities, may not be done for pay and should not be solely a clerical job.

• Credit toward the fulfillment of the community service requirement can be earned for work done at or sponsored by the School if it is approved in advance, serves the School in the spirit of the community service requirement and is beyond the normal scope of voluntary involvement expected of all students.

• Upon completion of community service, the student should complete a Community Service Student Evaluation Form, signed by a supervisor, which summarizes the student’s duties and asks the student to reflect on the practice of helping others. Credit for completed work will be given only in the academic year it is served. If there is a question as to whether an activity qualifies for credit, students should check with their advisor, Form dean or the Assistant Head of School for Student Life to be sure.

• Failure to complete 30 hours of community service and submit the necessary paperwork prior to entering School in the fall of the senior year will result in disciplinary consequences that include community service on campus, required study halls, and loss of off-campus privileges until the requirement is fulfilled.

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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 Upper School, students remain with the same advisor for Forms 3 and 4 and then change to a new advisor, who remains the advisor for Forms 5 and 6.

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.

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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

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Requirements Forms 3 and 4 Students in Forms 3 and 4 are required to participate in 1 season of Option A; 1 season of Option B and 1 season of A, B or C. Form 3 students who want to participate in Robotics must have approval first.

Form 5 Students in Form 5 are required to participate in 1 season of Option A; and 2 seasons of either A, B or C Form 6 Form 6 students are required to participate in all 3 seasons of their choice Option A, B or C OPTION A Fall Team Options Interscholastic Athletics Teams V&JV Football V&JV Boys’ Soccer V&JV Girl’s Soccer V&JV Volleyball V&JV Field Hockey XC Co-ed

Winter Team Options Interscholastic Athletic Teams V&JV Girls’ Basketball V&JV Boys’ Basketball V Boys’ Ice Hockey V Girls’ Ice Hockey V&JV Girls’ Squash V&JV Boys’ Squash Girls’ and Boys’ Swimming

Spring Team Options Interscholastic Athletic Team V&JV Baseball V Softball V&JV Girls’ Lacrosse V&JV Boys’ Lacrosse V&JV Girls’ Tennis V&JV Boys’ Tennis V&JV Co-ed Golf V Boys’ and Girls’ Track & Field

Non-Athletic Interscholastic Team Manager Robotics

Non-Athletic Interscholastic Team Manager Robotics Musical

Non-Athletic Interscholastic Team Manager

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Winter Intramurals IBA

Spring Intramurals None offered

Non-Athletic Tech Crew

Non-Athletic Tech Crew

Non-Athletic Tech Crew

OPTION C Fall Individual Options Athletic Fitness/Strength & Conditioning During School Day Fitness/Strength & Conditioning After School Yoga or other Exercise Class Independent Athletic proposal Non-Athletic Musicianship

Winter Individual Options Athletic Fitness/Strength & Conditioning During School Day Fitness/Strength & Conditioning After School

Independent Athletic proposal

Spring Individual Options Athletic Fitness/Strength & Conditioning During School Day Fitness/Strength & Conditioning After School Yoga or other Exercise Class Independent Athletic proposal

Non-Athletic Musicianship

Non-Athletic Musicianship

Yoga or other Exercise Class

Independent Athletic Proposals Students wishing to participate in an activity outside of the Kingswood Oxford athletic program who excel in an athletic program that Kingswood Oxford does not offer must submit a written proposal to the Director of Athletics prior to the start of the season. The proposal must include a description of the proposed activity, a schedule and a letter from the coach or instructor. Approval of any proposal is at the discretion of the Director of Athletics.

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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.

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 Head of School for Student Life 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 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.

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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.

4.

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

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General Information The athletic program strives to teach personal responsibility.

Participation on an athletic team is a commitment, a responsibility, and often a requirement. Attendance at practices and games is required. It is important that each student understands that the team is affected when an athlete misses a practice. We expect students to plan their time around practices and plan ahead for conflicts which may have an impact on the team.

Attendance is required for programs, such as Yoga and Fitness.

Students wishing to change athletic activities during the course of a season may do so only after receiving permission from the Director of Athletics and the coach of the activity they have joined. They should continue to report to their original activity until both permissions have been granted. Permission to change a sport will not be granted after teams have been selected.

Most interscholastic games are played on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.

Practice Times Fall

J.V. Varsity

3:15-5:00 p.m.

3:15-5:30 p.m.

Winter

Intramurals 3:15-4:15 p.m.

J.V. 3:15-5:00 p.m.

Varsity Basketball 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Varsity swimming 3:15-6:00 p.m.

Hockey and Squash – Upper School only (rotation times) 3:15-5 or 5:15-7:30 p.m.

Spring

J.V. 3:15 - 5:00 p.m.

Varsity 3:15 - 5:30 p.m.

NOTE: Tennis teams rotate times until 6 p.m.

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Attendance Attendance Procedures and Policies Keeping our commitments is fundamental to the trust on which we build our community. It is something we expect from one another, so punctual and regular attendance is expected of every student every school day. Students are expected to attend all classes and be present for special activities such as Hewett Day, Spring Sports Day and Commencement.

School begins at 8 a.m. Students need to be on campus for their first class or advisee period, whichever comes first in the schedule. Please note that only students in Forms 4, 5 and 6 have free periods and therefore may not have to be at school at 8 a.m. Form 3 students are required to be at school at 8 a.m. and are assigned study hall if they do not have a class.

If a student is going to be absent or late, parents must call the Mrs. Dudzik in the Upper School Office (ext. 2324) between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Notes or phone calls should be made ahead of time for planned absences.

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.

Consequences for an unexcused absence are: a. For the first unexcused absence, a student will receive a Saturday detention. b. A second unexcused absence will result in a meeting with the Form dean and advisor, and the parents will be called. In addition, a Saturday detention will be served.

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c. A third unexcused absence will result in a more severe sanction by the Assistant Head of School for Student Life and may result in a referral to the Citizenship Committee.

Absence from: Class Academic success is predicated on class attendance. Absence from a class more than seven times in any one quarter of the school year jeopardizes a student’s academic standing in that course. If a student misses seven classes, a letter will be sent home by the Assistant Head of School for Academic Life requesting a meeting with the parents to identify a plan. If the absence is due to illness, a doctor’s note must explain the circumstances, and the School Nurse or School Counselor will attend the meeting as well.

Absence from class does not excuse students from completing assignments. All required assignments are due on the day of return after an absence.

Athletics An injury or sickness, whether it seems serious or not, must be reported immediately to the Director of Athletics, 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 (see Attendance). Long-term athletic absences must be preceded by a note from a medical doctor.

At the discretion of the Director of Athletics, students who do not attend all of their classes without a valid excuse ahead of time will not be permitted to participate in an athletic competition that day.

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

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Unexcused absence from an exam will result in a failing grade for the exam. All exams – whose worth fall between a seventh and a fifth of the semester’s average as determined by departments – 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 in a note signed by a parent stating the reason for the exception.

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 signed note prior to the excused time.

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 Assistant Head of School for Academic Life 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 Assistant Head of School for Academic Life and the Assistant Head of School for Student Life 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 129902_5056

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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 An Upper 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 Assistant Head of School for Student Life. 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.

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Permissions Form 6 students in good standing (students with no failing grades, no more than one grade below C- and who are not on academic or disciplinary probation) have permission to sign out provided that they have no formal school obligations and their parents have signed and returned the Car and Off-Campus Permission Form. Form 6 students must sign out at all times including during the period between the end of the academic day and the beginning of sports. The sign-out sheet located in the Dean’s Office must be properly filled out before a student leaves campus and upon returning to campus. Signing in and out may not be delegated.

At the end of the first semester, Form 5 students whose academic and citizenship records are in good standing may be given permission to leave campus provided that the Car and Off-Campus Permission Form is on file at the School.

Form 3 and Form 4 students may not leave campus until all of their requirements (sports, drama, etc.) are completed each day.

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.

Tardiness Students who arrive late must report to Mrs. Dudzik’s Office to explain their tardiness, to sign in and to receive a pass. Only students with a pass are allowed to enter a class late. Repeated tardiness (five unexcused tardies in a semester), either to School or to classes, will result in disciplinary consequences, including, but not limited to, Saturday detention.

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Additional Information Automobiles and Bicycles From 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., the school driveways are to be used only by cars and bicycles being parked on the school grounds. Drivers must operate automobiles within the safe maximum speed of 15 mph.

Speeding will not be tolerated and will be subject to disciplinary action.

Accidental damage to one’s own or another vehicle should be reported immediately to the Assistant Head of School for Student Life and the West Hartford Police. Students are urged to lock their automobiles and bicycles; the School cannot be responsible for any vehicle parked on school grounds.

All students operating motor vehicles on the campus must be licensed by the State of Connecticut and must register their car with Mrs. Dudzik.

The proper form may be obtained in her office. Failure to observe safedriving regulations or parking in unauthorized locations will result in disciplinary action and may result in withdrawal of permission to bring a vehicle on campus.

Anyone riding with the driver is governed by the same regulations. The School cannot permit students to ride in a car driven by fellow students during school hours unless the passenger and the driver have filed with the School the written consent of their families.

Under no circumstances should students lend their car to other students for school or personal business. Students should be aware that their insurance might not be valid under this circumstance.

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

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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 will be assigned lunch duty on a rotating basis throughout the school year.

Lunch duty entails sweeping, wiping tables and emptying garbage.

Missed or improperly performed lunch duty will result in disciplinary action.

The breakfast bar is open to the Upper School only daily from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. It functions on a “cash only� basis.

Electronic Devices The use of portable electronic devices (i.e., cell phone, smartphone, iPod) is prohibited in classes and during school assemblies. Laptops are permitted for academic purposes.

Good Standing At various times, decisions are made and/or permissions are given based on a student’s standing at the School. Students are considered in good standing if they have no failing grades and no more than one grade below C- and are not on academic or disciplinary probation.

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 Assistant Head of School for Student Life all damage or theft of school and personal property.

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Messages for Students Should an emergency arise during the day, every effort will be made to communicate the emergency message to the student immediately. Other communications, however, will be handled by Mrs. Duzik in the Upper School Office (ext. 2324), who will e-mail the message to the student.

Parents are asked not to request message delivery except in true emergencies.

Parking All students with permission to drive must register their car with the Dean’s Office. Students are to park in the main parking lot off Trout Brook Drive and are prohibited from parking in the circle in front of the School or on Kingswood Road or Outlook Avenue. Cars are never to be parked on grassy areas, in “No Parking” zones or in fire lanes. Warning: West Hartford Police may ticket any car parked in fire lanes. Any student who fails to comply with these regulations and/or does not drive safely will be subject to disciplinary action. Action by the School may include, but may not be limited to, loss of permission to bring a vehicle on school grounds.

Students should be dropped off and picked up in the main parking lot off Trout Brook Drive. Students should not be dropped off or picked up at the Outlook Avenue/Kingswood Road entrance.

Upper School Library The Conklin Library is an information center designed for research (using both print sources and computers), reading and quiet study. Library sources include reference books, fiction and nonfiction books, magazines, DVDs and VHS tapes, and subscription computer databases. The library is a member of the Connecticut Library Consortium, participates in reQuest, the statewide library online catalog system, and is linked to iConn.org, which is part of the Connecticut Education Network. There are more than 30 computers, two printers and a copier for student use in

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the library. Nonfiction and fiction books circulate for three weeks, and reference books are for overnight use only.

Food and drink should not be consumed in the library, although bottled water is permitted. Cell phone use is not allowed in the library. Students must respect the rights of others and conduct themselves in a manner that allows others to use the library in a quiet atmosphere conducive to study and learning. Those students who are not considerate of others will be told to leave, and repeat offenders will meet with either a Form dean or the Assistant Head of School for Student Life for further disciplinary action.

Visitors Students who want to bring guests to School must speak to the Assistant Head of School for Student Life at least one day prior to the requested visiting date. All visitors must sign in at the Upper School Office on the morning of their visit.

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Citizenship Citizenship Committee The goal of the Citizenship Committee is to create an Upper School community that values honesty, tolerance and respect for individuals, property and the rules of the School.

In the Upper School, the Citizenship Committee is composed of two students from Form 6, two students from Form 5 (one sitting member and one alternate) and four members of the faculty.

Students suspected of a violation of the Principles of Community meet with the Assistant Head of School for Student Life who, after consulting with those involved, determines whether to proceed to the Citizenship Committee. The Assistant Head of School for Student Life reviews the situation with the parents, the student’s advisor and/or faculty advocate of the student’s choice, and the chairperson of the Citizenship Committee prior to the hearing. Parents are invited to write letters to the chairperson of the committee sharing their point of view. Every effort is made to convene the Citizenship Committee as soon as time and complexity of the case allow.

The student attends the Citizenship Committee hearing with a faculty advocate. At the meeting, the Assistant Head of School for Student Life presents all pertinent information regarding the violation to the committee. The student is then given the opportunity to present his or her case to the committee, and follow-up questions may then be asked by the committee’s members. The student’s advisor or faculty advocate may speak on the student’s behalf. Discussion of the case then ensues without the student, the faculty advocate or the Assistant Head of School for Student Life present. Consideration is given to the student’s previous record of conduct.

The chair of the Citizenship Committee presents the committee’s recommendation to the Head of School, who may modify the decision at his own discretion. The student, the student’s parents and the advisor

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are notified. Decisions of the Citizenship Committee may be shared with the school community without reference to student names.

At his discretion, the Head of School may make a disciplinary decision without the Citizenship Committee process.

Disciplinary Consequences Saturday Detention Students may be required to attend Saturday detentions from 8-10 a.m.

During these detentions, students should be prepared to do on-campus cleanup and thus dress accordingly. Students who do not attend Saturday detentions will not be permitted to participate in any athletic competitions on that day. Parents of Upper School students who are ill must call the School on Saturday morning by 8 a.m. and leave a message with the Assistant Head of School for Student Life (860-233-3500, ext.

2323).

Dean’s Warning If a student receives multiple Saturday detentions and/or fails to meet the expectations of the community, a Dean’s Warning will be sent home. A Dean’s Warning serves as official notification that a student’s behavior must be improved to avoid further disciplinary actions. In addition, the Assistant Head of School for Student Life may impose additional consequences for continued infractions of school rules as part of the written warning.

Disciplinary Review Disciplinary review is a period of time during which a student’s behavior is closely monitored. A student who is placed on disciplinary review as a result of a Citizenship Committee hearing or by the Form dean or the Assistant Head of School for Student Life understands that further citizenship violations will result in more severe disciplinary action by the School and may result in dismissal.

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In addition, a student who is placed on disciplinary review with restrictions is subject to the following conditions: Required attendance in study hall during all free periods during the academic day; Loss of permission to leave campus during the school day; Loss of permission to participate in school-sponsored extracurricular trips; Loss of leadership positions; and Other conditions deemed appropriate by the Citizenship Committee, the Form dean or the Assistant Head of School for Student Life.

Suspension When a student is suspended, he or she is not permitted to attend School or any school-related activity. When a student misses class due to a suspension, the responsibility for obtaining class notes and making up work rests with the student. All written assignments must be turned in on the day they are due. Assignments not turned in on time will lose credit according to the existing policy for late papers.

Policy for Reporting Disciplinary Consequences This policy is in compliance with the National Association for College Admission Counseling’s Statement of Principles of Good Practice.

Upon direct request from the colleges for information pertaining to a student’s discipline record, the student must honestly and fully disclose if he or she has been subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to, probation, suspension, or dismissal from the School. Upon direct request from the colleges for information pertaining to a student’s discipline record, the College Advisor will honestly and fully disclose if a student has been subject to a disciplinary response, including, but not limited to, probation, suspension, dismissal or withdrawal from the school. The student should work closely with the College Advisor to ensure that both are responding in a consistent and thoughtful manner. If a student’s disciplinary status changes after the filing of college applications, the student has the opportunity and obligation to inform all

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schools to which an application has previously been submitted or the school at which the student has submitted an enrollment deposit. The student should notify the college or colleges within a reasonable time frame. The College Advisor will notify the colleges that the student’s status has changed and will continue to support the student.

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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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Upper School Schedule Week A WEEK A Monday - 1 A 8:00 9:15

Tuesday - 2 G 8:00 - 9:15

Wednesday - 3 A 8:00 - 9:00

Thursday - 4 Faculty Meeting 7:45 - 8:45

Friday - 5 B 8:00 - 9:00

Advisee group 9:15 - 9:45 E 9:45 10:45

Assembly

Advisee group

B 9:00 - 10:15

9:15 - 9:45 E 9:45 10:45

Advisee/Assembly Personal Learning Block

F 9:30 - 10:30 Advisee group H 10:30 11:30

E 10:00 - 11:00

D 10:45 11:45

H 10:45 11:45

Lunch 1 11:45 12:15 Lunch 2 12:15 12:45 C 12:45 2:00

Lunch 1 11:45 - 12:15

F 2:00 3:00

B 2:00 - 3:00

C 10:30 -11:30

G 11:30 12:30

Lunch 2 12:15 - 12:45 D 12:45 2:00

C1 11:30 12:30

Lunch 2 C2 12:00 - 1:00

Lunch 1 Lunch 12:30 1:00

G1 11:15 12:15

Lunch 2 G2 11:45 12:45

Lunch 1 H 12:45 - 2:00

F 1:00 - 2:15

A 2:00 - 3:00 D 2:15 - 3:15

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Upper School Schedule Week B WEEK B Monday - 6 B 8:00 9:15

Tuesday - 7 C 8:00 - 9:15

Wednesday - 8 B 8:00 - 9:00

Thursday - 9 Faculty Meeting 7:45 - 8:45

Friday - 10 A 8:00 - 9:00 am

Advisee group 9:15 - 9:45 F 9:45 10:45

Assembly

Advisee group

A 9:00 - 10:15

9:15 - 9:45 E 9:45 10:45

Advisee/Assembly Personal Learning Block

H 9:30 - 10:30 Advisee group C 10:30 - 11:30

H 10:00 - 11:15

C 10:45 11:45

H 10:45 11:45

Lunch 1 11:45 12:15 Lunch 2 12:15 12:45 G 12:45 2:00

Lunch 1 11:45 - 12:15

D 2:00 3:00

A 2:00 - 3:00

E 10:30 -11:30

D 11:30 12:30

Lunch 2 12:15 - 12:45 F 12:45 2:00

F1 11:30 12:30

Lunch 2 F2 12:00 - 1:00

Lunch 1 Lunch 12:30 1:00

G1 11:15 12:15

Lunch 2 G2 11:45 12:45

Lunch 1 E 12:45 - 2:00

D 1:00 - 2:15

B 2:00 - 3:00 G 2:15 - 3:15

SUCCESS SKILLS

{ he l p f u l h i nt s }

THE SUCCESSFUL STUDENT’S

BAG OF SKILLS

LAUDABLE LISTENING Concentrate on what the instructor says.

Avoid distractions. n Pay attention to the lecture, and take good notes. n Participate! Ask questions if you don’t understand. n Listen for key words, names, events and dates. n Don’t assume or judge. Separate fact from opinion. n Connect what you hear to what you already know. n n

HEALTHY HOMEWORK SKILLS Use this datebook to track your daily assignments. n If you’re absent, have a friend or parent get your assignments. n Develop a routine for completing your homework: Set aside a time; choose a place; have your supplies at hand; and turn off the TV and MP3 player. n Study in blocks of time (if that works best for you). n Begin with your most important assignments first. n Take breaks periodically to refresh yourself and review what you’ve learned.

NOTABLE NOTETAKING

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Date your notes and organize them chronologically. n Paraphrase and abbreviate – but make sure you understand your own shorthand! n Use the right two-thirds of the page for notes and the left third for writing questions and highlighting key points. n Review your notes immediately after the class session. n Fill in any points you missed.

Use titles, drawings, etc., to organize and highlight the material. n

A MEMORABLE MEMORY Use a variety of avenues (listening, notetaking, reading, online resources, etc.) to improve your chances of retaining the material. n Look for the main ideas, then find out how they all relate. n Use mnemonic devices. For example, make a word out of the first letters of the items you are trying to remember. To remember the five Great Lakes, think of HOMES: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior. n

Make up rhymes using the information you want to remember. n Visualize the information or make up a story using the different facts you must recall. n Use and review the information as often as you can because repetition is the key to a good memory. n

SUCCESS SKILLS

{ l i s t en i n g & ho m e w o r k s k il l s }

LISTENING SKILLS

Listening (unlike hearing, which is a physical process not requiring thinking) gives meaning to the sounds you hear. It helps you understand. Listening is an active process that requires concentration and practice. In learning, the teacher’s responsibility is to present information; the student’s responsibility is to be “available” for learning.

Not listening means you will be unable to learn the material.

To help develop listening skills:

Approach the classroom ready to learn: leave personal problems outside the classroom.

Try to avoid distractions.

Even if you do not sit close to the teacher, focus your attention directly on him/her.

Pay attention to the teacher’s style and how the lecture is organized.

Participate; ask for clarification when you do not understand.

Take notes.

Listen for key words, names, events and dates.

Don’t make hasty judgments; separate fact from opinion.

Connect what you hear with what you already know.

HOMEWORK SKILLS

Keep track of your daily assignments in this datebook so you will always know what you have to do.

Homework is an essential part of learning. Even though you may not have written work to do, you can always review or reread assignments. The more you review information, the easier it is to remember and the longer you are able to retain it.

Realize that homework is considered an important part of learning. Not doing your homework because you do not believe in homework is self-defeating behavior.

It is your responsibility to find out what you have missed when you are absent. Take the initiative to ask a classmate or teacher what you need to make up. You need to also know when it needs to be turned in. If you are absent for several days, make arrangements to receive assignments while you are out.

Have a place to study that works for you – one that is free from distractions. Be honest with yourself about using the TV or stereo during study time. Make sure you have everything you need before you begin to work.

Develop a schedule that you can follow. Be rested when you study. It is okay to study in short blocks of time. Marathon study sessions may be self-defeating.

Prioritize your homework so that you begin with the most important assignment first: study for a test, then do the daily assignment, etc.

Study for 30-40 minutes at a time, then take a 5-10 minute break. Estimate the amount of time it will take to do an assignment and plan your break time accordingly.