IMPORTANT DATES FIRST SEMESTER Yearbook Photos August 9 - 13 Opening Convocation August 18 First Full Day of Classes August 19 12th Grade Parent Night August 23, 6:30 p.m Winterim Information Meeting (optional for junior and senior parents) August 26, 12 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Labor Day/School Holiday September 6 Upper School Meet the Teachers Night September 9, 6:30 p.m. Senior Recognition Assembly September 10, 9:15 a.m. Fall Holiday September 16 HH-MBA Completing the FAFSA program September 13, 7:30 p.m. via Zoom Senior Parent Social (off-campus) October 11, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. SAT School Day for Seniors (optional) October 13, starting at 8 a.m. 12th Grade Student Holiday (if not taking SAT) October 13 Fall Break October 14 - 15 1
Upper School Parent/Student/Advisor Conferences October 20 Daughter and Mother/Special Friend Coffee November 4, 8 a.m. Fall Dance Concert November 18 - 20 Early Dismissal for Upper School November 22, 12:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Break November 24 - 26 Winterim Travel Departure Meeting (required for parents and students who are traveling) December 6, 6:30 - 8 p.m. Winter Choral Concert December 7, 6:30 p.m. Winter Orchestra Concert December 9, 6:30 p.m. Upper School Exams December 13 - 17 Winter Break Begins December 17
SECOND SEMESTER Winterim Begins January 3 Martin Luther King Day/Winter Holiday January 17 Upper School Student Holiday/Faculty Professional Development Day January 24 Upper School Second Semester Begins January 25 President’s Day Weekend/School Holiday February 18 - 21 2
HH-MBA Transition to College Program for Parents of Seniors (hosted by MBA; details to follow) February 7, 7 p.m. Winter Formal February 26 Spring Break March 11, 14-18 Classes Resume March 21 Daughter and Father/Special Friend Dance March 21, 6:30 - 9 p.m. in the Green Gym, Athletic & Wellness Center Faculty Professional Development Day/Student Holiday April 8 Spring Holiday/School Holiday April 15 Prom Presentation and Senior Parents After Prom Reception April 9, 8 - 10 p.m. Upper School Art Show and Reception April 21, 4:30 p.m., Patton Visual Arts Center Almost Alumnae Luncheon (for seniors and a parent/guardian/family member/guest/friend) April 28, 12:30 p.m. in AWC Green Gym Spring Dance Concert April 29 - 30 Senior College T-shirt Day May 11 Senior Fun Day May 12, off campus, organized by senior class officers Senior Athlete Dinner May 12, 6:30 p.m. Upper School Awards Day May 13, 9 - 11 a.m. on Souby Lawn All School Picnic May 13, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. 3
Graduation Practice (required) May 19, 1 - 3 p.m. Step Singing Practice (required) May 20, 1 - 3 p.m. Powder Puff Football Game May 21, 11 a.m. Step Singing May 22, 6 p.m. on Souby Lawn Graduation May 23, 6 p.m. on Souby Lawn Graduation Celebration May 24 (details to follow) Note: The senior moms committee will host a variety of special gatherings for seniors throughout the school year. Details will be communicated to seniors in the Upper School daily announcements.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS Almost Alumnae Luncheon The Harpeth Hall Alumnae Office sponsors a luncheon honoring the seniors and their mothers/special friends every spring. This special event, which will be held on Thursday, April 28, kicks off the end-of-the-year festivities. A photographer will be available to take portraits prior to the luncheon. College T-shirt Day Seniors are allowed to wear the T-shirts of the colleges they will attend along with their plaid skirts on May 11. College Visits Seniors are allowed three excused college visit days. When possible, absences should be arranged to miss the minimum number of classes and assessments. College visit days may not be used during the week preceding each semester’s exam period or during exams. A parent/guardian must send an email to the student’s college counselor at least three days in advance of any college visit. The email should include the date of the visit and the specific college(s) the student will be visiting. Once the parent/guardian notifies the school, the student can obtain a “college visit absence form” from their college counselor. The student will then take the form to her teachers to sign, and she will turn in the signed form to the Upper School office before the absence.
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Exam Exemptions Second semester exam exemptions are reserved for seniors who have been present and engaged in class and are in good academic and disciplinary standing. Seniors who are in good standing, have a 90% or above semester average, and are recommended for exemption by the teacher, may be exempt from their final spring examination. In addition, all students enrolled in an AP course who have taken the AP exam which corresponds to that AP course may be exempt from taking the final examination with the approval of the teacher. If a student misses her AP exam for any reason, she will be required to take a final course exam designed by the teacher. When a 12th grade student has excessive absences (five or more) in a particular class per semester (excluding religious holidays and school-sponsored events), she may not be exempt from spring exams regardless of her grade in a course or completion of the AP exam. All exam exemptions are subject to the discretion of the teacher and director of the Upper School. Seniors who are not exempt from a final exam may receive permission from their teacher to schedule that exam in any of their open exam blocks. Graduation Celebration This celebration for the senior class is sponsored by senior class parents. Parents willing to volunteer should contact Melanie Jeansonne at mjeansonne@bellsouth.net or 615-405-7276 and Nina Lindley at ninalindley@me.com or 818-400-8401. Harpeth Hall Handbook for Families and Students The Harpeth Hall Handbook for Families and Students provides rules and regulations. Students should become familiar with the contents of this online publication which is available to parents on the current families page of the school website (login required) and to students via Bear Clicks. Prom Presentation Each senior is presented prior to the prom by the person of their choice. A reception for senior parents will be held after the prom presentation. Senior House Located between the Massey Center for Mathematics and Science and Souby Hall, the Senior House is decorated, maintained, cleaned, and used by the current senior class. Senior Privileges All senior privileges described below are earned and are based upon seniors remaining in good academic and disciplinary standing. Any privilege can be denied/ revisited for improper conduct at any time during the senior year. ● During the second semester, seniors in good academic and disciplinary standing will have the privilege of arriving late one day in the seven-day rotation and leaving early one day in the seven-day rotation, both of which will happen during a free block. The Upper School dean of students will send forms for both students and parents to sign. Senior privileges will begin once all forms are collected and once the dean of students has created a schedule and communicated a start date. Seniors will be required to sign in/out of the Upper School office according to their requested schedules. 5
● Use of the Senior House is a privilege that is earned by the senior class and is dependent upon the seniors acting as positive role models and leaders of the Upper School student body throughout the school year. ● Only seniors may use the Senior House. ● The doors of the Senior House must remain open at all times. ● Seniors are responsible for maintaining cleanliness and order in the Senior House and for using the Senior House quietly during their free periods. When in the Senior House, seniors may eat and drink beverages from the drink machine (which is not available to underclassmen). ● Seniors may not engage in activities that violate school policies, display distasteful decorations, or deface walls or doors by writing inappropriate messages. ● Underclassmen and male guests are not allowed in the Senior House. ● Seniors are responsible for cleaning the Senior House thoroughly before Upper School graduation. ● Themed clothing items acquired on Convocation day may be worn on designated days as part of a senior’s uniform. ● Seniors may wear their collegeT-shirts on the designated “college T-shirt day” in the spring. ● Seniors who are in good academic and disciplinary standing may go off campus for take-out lunch one designated day per month when the schedule permits. They must have parental permission, sign out and back in at the Upper School office, and be in casual day attire as outlined in the Handbook for Students and Families. ● Seniors may not wear their Harpeth Hall uniforms for their take-out lunch days. Senior Speeches Each senior gives a three- to five-minute speech on a topic that has been meaningful to her. Faculty members serve as mentors to assist the girls in the writing process. Step Singing Held the Sunday before Upper School graduation, Step Singing is a year-end event when the leadership of the school is passed from the 12th grade class to the 11th grade class. At this ceremony, which was brought to Harpeth Hall from Ward-Belmont, the 11th and 12th grade classes sing their class songs on the steps of the library and honor the Lady of the Hall and her court.
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Upper School Awards Day Each year, Upper School students and faculty come together to celebrate the end of the school year at awards day. Intramural clubs compete in a club song competition, students receive awards for their outstanding accomplishments in academics, athletics, fine arts, and school spirit, and the Lady of the Hall and her court are announced.
WHITE DRESSES White Dresses Seniors follow the long-established tradition of wearing white dresses to senior recognition assembly, Step Singing, and graduation. These are academic ceremonies, and the dresses should be tasteful and not revealing. We encourage you to select a dress that is more garden party than evening wear. The emphasis should be on the girls and the ceremony, not the dresses. Dresses should be simple and not a major expense. We encourage the girls to consider wearing the same white dress to more than one event. Girls often borrow white dresses as well. If there are questions or concerns about attire, a student should check in advance with a counselor, the dean of students, or the division director. We want every student to feel comfortable and are happy to work in advance of the event with any student regarding attire as it may relate to religious, cultural, or personal situations. Each year, we will have a selection of white sweaters or shawls on hand at all events if we feel that attire does not provide appropriate coverage. Please avoid plunging necklines, strapless dresses, off-the-shoulder dresses, one-shoulder dresses with spaghetti straps (unless covered by a white sweater or jacket), backless dresses, side slits or cut-outs, and tight-fitting dresses. Cost should never stand in the way of participation. (See senior year additional expenses on p. 8.) Senior Recognition Assembly Attire (September) All seniors wear a white dress (no shorter than 3 inches above the top of the knee) and shoes or sandals which are white or neutral in color. Step Singing Attire (May) All seniors wear a white dress (knee-length or longer) or white skirt (knee-length or longer) and white blouse. Students must also wear shoes or sandals which are white or neutral in color. Graduation Attire (May) All seniors wear a white dress (ankle- or floor-length) and shoes or sandals which are white or neutral in color.
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SENIOR YEAR ADDITIONAL EXPENSES* *Please note: For families receiving financial assistance from Harpeth Hall, additional resources are available to help with expenses beyond tuition including senior year activities, events, and trips. For questions about the College Counseling Fund, contact Director of College Counseling Janet Weller at 615-346-0080 or janet.weller@harpethhall.org. For questions about The Adeline Fund or The Olivia Fund, contact Director of Admission and Financial Aid Jessica Viner at 615-346-0103 or jessica.viner@harpethhall.org. Advanced Placement (AP) Exams Students enrolled in an Advanced Placement course are required to take the Advanced Placement exam. The cost of each AP exam is $95. The cost of AP exams will be added to the student’s March Harpeth Hall bill. Class Ring (optional) Ordering information for class rings will be available in mid-September, and orders are due in early October. Cost is $300-$649. Harpeth Hall rings are signet or birthstone rings. Questions: Contact Mike Smiley at Herff Jones at 615-329-2504 or mike@mikesmiley.com. College Application Expenses Please note that due to COVID-19, many colleges have adopted a test-optional policy for the Class of 2022. Please talk to your College Counselor about whether or not you should send test scores or apply test-optional for each of your colleges. ● ACT registration fee: $60; fee for sending ACT scores (per college, per report): $16 ● SAT registration fee: $55; fee for sending SAT scores (per college, per report): $12 ● College application fees: vary by college ● College enrollment deposit: Once a student decides which college or university she will attend, there is usually an enrollment deposit as well as a housing deposit. Many colleges also have a required fee for orientation. Graduation Invitations (optional) In December, seniors will receive information about the Harpeth Hall graduation invitation, name card, and thank you note from Herff Jones. Questions: Contact Mike Smiley at Herff Jones, 615-329-2504 or mike@mikesmiley.com. Prom (optional) The ticket price includes dinner. Cost varies from year to year. Senior Yearbook Photos and Pages Harpeth Hall’s yearbook photos for seniors will be taken by our school photographer. Photos will be for yearbook purposes only. If you and your family would like professional senior photos taken for your relatives and friends, please connect with a photography company of your choosing. Each senior will have a page in the yearbook to fill with one quote and nine photos of friends, family, sports, activities, childhood memories, and baby pics. Parents and seniors will receive specific information via email. 8