2024 NMH Student Handbook

Last updated Aug. 1, 2023

The Northfield Mount Hermon (“NMH” or the “school”) Student Handbook (the “handbook”) is published and distributed to members of the NMH community for the purpose of providing information on aspects of student and campus life so that students may gain as much as possible from their experience at the school.

Students, parents, faculty, administration, and staff should all read and be familiar with the contents of the handbook so that each member of the community knows and understands our community expectations.

While policies in this handbook will generally apply, the school reserves the right to take actions that it determines to be in the best interests of the school, its faculty, and its students. In addition, any duties that are assigned to specific administrators in the handbook may be delegated, as the school determines appropriate.

This handbook does not limit the authority of the school to alter, interpret, and implement its rules, policies, and procedures before, during, and after the school year. This handbook is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to create, nor does it create, a contract or part of a contract in any way, including, but not limited to, between NMH and any parent, guardian, or student affiliated with or attending the school. NMH may, at its sole discretion, add, revise, and/or delete school policies before, during, and after the school year.

Updates and Amendments to Note for 2023–24:

● Student and Family Handbook Acknowledgement, p. 5

● Community Standards: Responsible Key Card Use, p.15

● Disciplinary Responses, p.20

● Medical Leave of Absence, p.33

● Non-Disciplinary Response to Drug, Alcohol, and Nicotine Use, p. 25

● Bicycles, Skateboards, and Scooters, p. 37

● Handheld Communication Devices and Other Technology, p.38

● Academic Integrity: Inappropriate Use of Technology, p. 51

● Students 18 and Older, p. 41

● Academic and Other Support, p. 52

● Disclosure of Relevant Information about the Student, Accommodations, Counseling Services, p. 52

● Outside Course Work during NMH Academic Year, p. 59

● Student Records and Transcripts, p. 61

● Room Searches, Search and Seizure, p.85

● Food Delivery Guidelines, p.71

● Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy, p. 76

● Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy, p. 78

● Health Center Isolation/Disciplinary Suspension Fee, p.91

● Technology Use, p. 97

● Surveillance Cameras on Campus, p.102

● Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, p.103

● Background Checks, p.103

● Animals on Campus, p.103

● Family Partnership and Support of School Policies, p. 105

● Multiple Households, p. 105

● Appendix C: Interpersonal Misconduct Definitions, p.120

● Appendix D: NMH Emergency Procedures, p. 125

● Appendix E: Health and Wellness, Mental Health, and Well-being Resources and Charts, p. 127

Student and Family Handbook Acknowledgement Form

All students and parents/guardians must sign and submit our “NMH Student Handbook 2023-24 Acknowledgement Form” in NMH Connect. This should be completed by Aug. 23 in order for students to attend NMH this year. The acknowledgement copy below is for your reference.

“By signing, I acknowledge that I have read the Student Handbook 2023-24, and that I understand the risks inherent in having the student listed above attend Northfield Mount Hermon during the 2023–24 school year, and that by sending the student to NMH, I accept those risks on behalf of myself, my student, and all household members.

I understand that, as NMH students and parents, we are asked to support the school and its mission and to acquaint ourselves with, and abide by, the school’s policies and procedures, as stated above. We understand that the handbook is for informational purposes only, and is only meant to be used by those affiliated with the school community. It is not intended to create, nor does it create, a contract or part of a contract in any way, including, but not limited to, between the school and any parent, guardian, or student affiliated with or attending the school. We understand that the terms and conditions of the enrollment agreement signed by us determine our relationship with the school. We further understand that the school may add, revise, and/or delete policies before, during, and after the school year and that such updates need not be in writing or incorporated into this handbook.

Our signatures below indicate that we have reviewed and familiarized ourselves with the contents of the handbook and agree to abide by the school’s policies and procedures as outlined in the handbook as well as any other expectations set forth by the school, and that failure to do so may result in appropriate consequences, as determined by the school.

I understand that this acknowledgement may be electronically signed, and by indicating my assent below, I am agreeing to the use of electronic signatures. I understand and agree that my electronic signature will have the same legal effect and validity as a written signature, and that this acknowledgement is valid and will be given the same legal effect as a written and signed acknowledgement. I understand that, if I do not wish to sign this document electronically, I can print the document, sign it, and return it to the school.”

Community Standards

As part of the enduring tradition of NMH, behavior must be considerate and respectful of the rights of all others living and working within the community and must reflect the pride we have in ourselves and in the school. Public (including online) language and behavior must be suitable for people of all ages and backgrounds. The use of profanity or obscene language is unacceptable, as is the use of any language or behavior that threatens or demeans others in any way, including on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, or disability, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

STATEMENT OF PERSONAL COMMITMENT

By becoming a member of the NMH community, I agree to abide by the school’s standards, policies, and procedures. On my honor, I will conduct myself according to the highest standards of integrity in all areas of school life, and I will treat others always with honesty, civility, and respect.

Each student in the NMH community will be expected to sign and comply with the above.

All members of the community, whether on campus or off campus and whether in person or online, are expected to live up to the Statement of Personal Commitment. Each member of the school community is responsible for helping ensure that all community standards are upheld and honored including and not limited to the following standards of conduct:

● It is expected that classrooms will be places where ideas can be freely exchanged. At all times, students should conduct themselves in a respectful and considerate manner. Teachers may establish specific guidelines for appropriate behavior in their classrooms, and students are expected to honor those standards.

● In the dorms, students are expected to respect the rights and needs of others with whom they live and work and to treat with consideration the buildings, their furnishings, and the

belongings of others. Dorm staff will communicate to students the specific guidelines for appropriate behavior in the dorms.

● At all times, the library must be a place conducive to quiet study and leisurely reading or research. All patrons of the library are expected to be quiet, to respect others working in the library, and to treat responsibly the library building and all library materials and furnishings.

● All members of the community are expected, through their language and their behavior, to act civilly in the student center facilities, and to respect the rights of others to enjoy and work in the facilities. Students must clean up after themselves and respect the space and its furnishings.

● In the dining hall, all diners must conduct themselves in a civil and respectful manner; dress must be appropriate; cutting into lines is unacceptable; and the use of profanity is not allowed. Diners must clear their own tables after use and must follow the cell-phone and technology-use guidelines articulated for this space.

● During school meetings, members of the community must be respectful of guests, speakers, and one another; hats may not be worn; cell-phone use is not permitted; and faculty and students must sit in the sections to which they have been assigned.

● The expectations in this handbook also apply when students are participating in athletics, cocurricular programs, and other school activities. This includes while on the playing fields or other environments where students may be representing the school.

● Any action that violates the community standards under normal circumstances will also be considered a violation when the activity involves the use of technology, including the school’s computer network. This includes, but is not limited to, copyright infringements, piracy, plagiarism, and bullying or harassing behavior. The school expects that everyone using the school’s network will uphold appropriate NMH community standards for respectful communication.

The school has the authority and responsibility to maintain community standards and to implement appropriate responses, including discipline, when members of the community violate these standards. Students play a role in furthering these goals when they enroll in NMH. Students who are involved in a disciplinary investigation are expected to cooperate and disclose all pertinent information requested to the appropriate school official and can be held accountable for failure to comply.

A student who breaks a rule or fails to meet established standards will be addressed directly. The school endeavors to deal with misbehavior clearly, justly, without exception, and without undue delay. In addition to penalties, the disciplinary process may provide support and counseling for the student. The associate deans handle each case individually, with due regard for both the circumstances of the offense and the well-being of the community.

Whenever a member of the staff or faculty discovers a student in violation of a rule or becomes aware of a specific rule violation, or when attention has been directed to a problem by campus safety or the police, the matter will be treated as a disciplinary case, and the parents or guardians may be informed. Students are expected to be honest about their behavior and to take responsibility for their actions. The school may, at appropriate times, make disciplinary responses public to the school community.

The procedures outlined herein shall be used as a guide. NMH may proceed with any disciplinary response detailed herein depending on the circumstances of the case, notwithstanding the procedures outlined in the handbook. None of the procedures or rights outlined herein is guaranteed. The school may use any or all disciplinary responses in conjunction with another response.

Students should be aware that they represent the NMH community at all times, both on and away from campus. While it is not the school’s intention to monitor students in all of their off-campus activities, NMH may take disciplinary action, including suspension and dismissal, in response to inappropriate conduct occurring outside of campus. (See Technology Use, page 97, and Interpersonal Misconduct, page 76.)

MAJOR SCHOOL RULES

Major School Rule: Act with Honesty and Integrity

Students are expected to act with honesty and integrity; therefore, dishonesty is considered a violation of the school’s standards. Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to: lying and deceitful behavior, cheating, plagiarism, falsification of permissions, overnight absence without appropriate permission, forgery, telephone/cell phone or online fraud, possession of false identification, paying others to do one ’ s workjob, using someone else’s email or social media account(s), or signing oneself or another student in and/or out of a workjob that has not been performed. The school does not tolerate dishonesty or noncooperation during an investigation or hearing.

MAJOR SCHOOL RULES IN BRIEF

ACT WITH HONESTY AND INTEGRITY

Violations include:

● Theft.

● Dorm closing non-compliance.

● Academic dishonesty (see academic policies).

TREAT OTHERS WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT & COMMIT TO RESPECTFUL AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

Violations include:

● Harassment, hazing, and bullying.

● Infringing on the rights of others.

● Sexual harassment.

MAINTAIN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS

Violations include:

● Use of alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs.

● Possession or use of a weapon or dangerous substance or item.

● Open flame.

BE A POSITIVE and COOPERATIVE MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY

Violations include:

● Visiting hours non-compliance.

● Other dorm rule non-compliance.

Students violating a major school rule for the first time may be subject to disciplinary probation and a three-to-five-day suspension. The school may, however, separate or dismiss students after their first violation at the discretion of the dean of students. A student who violates a major school rule for the second time may be dismissed from the school.

Theft: Students are expected to respect community property and the property of others. Theft includes, but is not limited to: the use or possession of stolen property, the use or possession of unauthorized keys, the use or possession of another’s property without permission, and the use or distribution of “pirated” or other copyrighted software.

Violation of Dorm Closing: Leaving the dorm after checking in is considered a breach of trust and thus a major school rule violation.

Major School Rule: Treat Others with Dignity and Respect and Commit to Respectful and Healthy Relationships

NMH is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for all members of its community. Such an environment precludes behaviors that are disrespectful of and physically and/or emotionally harmful to others or behaviors that infringe on the rights of others, including, but not limited to, harassment, bullying, hazing, or sexual misconduct. Every member of the school community plays an important role in maintaining these standards and intervening, as appropriate, when they witness or otherwise become aware of behavior that conflicts with community standards.

Awareness and acceptance of individual identity are central tenets of the school. The school expects all members of the NMH community to treat others with civility, respect, and dignity, and to interact (whether in person or electronically) politely and appropriately. Before acting, students should give careful consideration to how their communications whether through words, appearances, actions, or otherwise may negatively impact others.

All students, day and boarding, are valued members of the school’s residential community, which presents unique opportunities to develop lasting partnerships with peers, faculty, and staff. The school strives to help students develop such close connections. However, the school expects these relationships to be appropriate and healthy. The school endeavors to promote this through education and intervention.

With these goals and interests in mind, as well as the legal requirements of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the school has established policies to help students manage these interpersonal relationships safely and appropriately. Policies relating to interpersonal misconduct, including harassment, bullying, hazing, and sexual harassment, up to and including sexual misconduct, are described in greater detail under School Policies. (p. 75) Students are expected to understand and abide by these policies. Students or parents/guardians should communicate with 10

the dean of students, associate deans, the assistant head for campus life or other administrators with any questions or concerns regarding these policies. The school believes that open communication about these sensitive topics is integral to preventing serious misconduct from occurring and essential to fostering a culture of personal responsibility, mutual accountability, and positive peer leadership.

Sexual Intimacy and Affirmative Consent

At NMH, we strive to empower students to make educated and autonomous choices when it comes to all aspects of relational intimacy. The promotion of health and safety, as well as medically accurate safe-sex information in this area is paramount. Through the academic program, student-life programming, and health services, we strive to teach our students about respecting the rights of others, affirmative consent, resisting peer pressure, and limit-setting. Sexual health and well-being are fundamental aspects of an individual’s overall health and well-being, and it is our intention to prepare our students in this area so that they are able to make educated decisions about the types of intimacy that they are ready to engage in and to communicate that to others.

However, any level of sexual intimacy can bring with it physical, psychological, and emotional challenges that can be overwhelming to students. Moreover, in a residential community such as the school’s, there are special considerations that students must respect: the campus is a shared space, and all members of the community have the right to be free of unwanted exposure to the intimate, sexual behaviors of others. Therefore, the school does not endorse or condone sexually intimate activity by or among students and advocates postponing sexual intimacy until students are past adolescence.

Students who would like to talk about the meaning of sexual intimacy in a relationship, or who engage in sexually intimate activity and then want to report or discuss the situation, are encouraged to reach out to the school’s health and wellness center staff so that appropriate support may be provided. Under certain circumstances, the school may be obligated to report to government authorities (including the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the local police).

If students are found to have engaged in sexually intimate activity, or in a situation that suggests they have been sexually intimate, the school will generally first respond to the situation as a health issue. This may include notification to parents/guardians and, as appropriate, referral to the school’s health and wellness center. It is imperative that students understand and appreciate that certain sexual activity may violate the law and, therefore, is prohibited by the school.

Following Massachusetts law, the school prohibits students from engaging in non-consensual sexual activity, considering it to be egregious misconduct and a major disciplinary violation. Affirmative consent must be the basis for every sexually intimate encounter. Affirmative consent means the voluntary, positive agreement to engage in specific sexual activity. However, certain circumstances may make it impossible for a person to legally give consent.

● By law in Massachusetts, there can be no consent to sexual intercourse, oral sex, or any penetrative act if the individual is under the age of 16.

● By law in Massachusetts, there can be no consent to intentionally touching the buttocks, breasts, or genitals of an individual under the age of 14.

● Consent cannot be obtained from someone who is asleep or otherwise mentally or physically incapacitated (whether due to drugs, alcohol, or some other condition).

● Consent cannot be obtained by threat, coercion, or force. In other words, if threat, coercion, or force is used, any agreement does not constitute consent.

● Consent is not ongoing and may be withdrawn at any stage during an encounter.

● Consenting to one behavior does not obligate a person to consent to any other behavior.

● Consenting on one occasion does not obligate a person to consent on any other occasion.

Communicating Affirmative Consent Means:

● The person is legally capable of giving consent.

● An ongoing verbal interaction, taken one step at a time, to an expressed and honest “ yes. ”

● Asking permission to engage in specific activity and to progress to new, different, or more intimate activity, regardless of who initiated the contact.

● Being clear about desires and expectations, whether by words or overt actions.

● A clear “ yes. ” The absence of “ no ” should not be understood to mean that there is consent.

● Clear, non-verbal communications (e.g. a head nod, thumbs up, smiling, etc.).

● Remaining open to and respecting another’s expression of disagreement to engage in a particular activity. “No” means “ no ” in any sexual encounter.

The school will generally consider it a disciplinary offense for students under the age of 16 to engage in sexual intercourse, oral sex, or any penetrative act. The school may also consider it a dismissible offense for a student age 16 or over to engage in sexual intercourse, oral sex, or any penetrative act with an individual under the age of 16. Any of these acts may require mandatory reporting. Furthermore, when sexually intimate activity is accompanied by violations of other school rules (such as guest visitation rules, dorm closing rules, or technology rules), the school may respond with disciplinary action.

The school prohibits, and may be obligated to report, sexual activity that violates the law, including rape, sexual assault, and statutory rape. Sexual activity of all kinds is prohibited between any student or applicant and any school employee.

Major School Rule: Maintain a Safe Environment for Yourself and Others

Students are expected to maintain a safe and healthy environment for themselves and others. The school does not tolerate any behavior by students that violates the safety of oneself or others, threatens to violate the safety of oneself or others, or infringes on the rights of others.

Use of Alcohol, Nicotine, Marijuana, or Other Drugs:

Students are expected to obey state and federal laws, as well as the rules of the school, concerning the use of alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and other drugs, and not to endanger the health and well-being of themselves and others. Therefore, it is not acceptable to:

1. Possess, use, or provide alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, or any drug (please see policy on the possession and use of any CBD-containing product).

2. Misuse, provide, or share prescription or over-the-counter medications, supplements (like caffeine pills), or chemical substances, whether one ’ s own prescription or another’s.

3. Maintain prescription medication in one ’ s room without permission of the director of medicine.

4. Return to the school showing evidence of having been drinking or using drugs.

5. Possess, use, or provide paraphernalia related to alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, or drugs (paraphernalia includes but is not limited to: e-cigs, vaporizers, rolling papers, pipes, or any 13

bottle or container specific for the purpose of holding alcoholic beverages, marijuana, or any other drugs).

6. Test positive for use of alcohol or other drugs, whether used at school or not.

7. Possess or use any substance known to result in an effect similar to those of alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs.

8. Remain in the presence of an open violation of any of the foregoing rules.

Distributing as in selling alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, or other drugs — is considered a major rule violation and may also result in criminal prosecution.

Any student who violates this rule on substance use, first offense, should expect a five-day suspension. Students who are placed on disciplinary probation for an alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, or drug violation are required to meet with a licensed drug and alcohol counselor for a confidential assessment or evaluation. Parents will be billed for the consultant’s fee. At the discretion of the dean of students or associate dean, the student may enter a program to support sobriety/cessation, including referral to counseling, and/or drug testing. (See page 86.)

Possession or Use of Weapons or Dangerous Substances or Items: This includes fireworks, firearms, firearm or paramilitary paraphernalia, knives, any other weapons (or associated paraphernalia), or a dangerous item or substance that causes intimidation or threatens the safety and well-being of another.

Open Flame Violation: The use of any open flame, which includes, but is not limited to, lighted cigarettes, candles, incense, matches, and lighters, in any school building, except under faculty or staff supervision, is not permitted.

Major School Rule: Be a Positive and Cooperative Member of the Community

Students are expected to be positive and cooperative in their dealings with members of the school community. Unacceptable behavior includes but is not limited to: deliberate disobedience; the destruction or abuse of personal or community property; sexual activity in a public place; misuse of technology; and severe or frequent violation of dorm rules, community standards, or any additional regulations as set forth herein. Classroom behavior may not impede other students’ learning or hinder the learning

environment. If a student behaves in a way that is disruptive and detracts from the normal functioning of the class, the teacher may discuss the problem with the student and the student’s advisor. Should the behavior not improve, the associate dean will be consulted, and the result may be appropriate disciplinary action.

Visitation Policy:

Intra-Dorm (students within the dorm)

Students who reside in the same dorm may visit each other in dorm rooms and doors may be closed. However, all students must be in their own rooms during study hours and by the “in-room” time for their dorm. On Fridays and Saturdays, with permission from the deans’ office, day students may spend the night in the room of any student in the dorm with which they are affiliated. Please note: Day student overnights on weekends are permitted only during designated community weekends, in the case of inclement weather, and over the course of eight weekend nights per year at no additional charge. Stays on weeknights and in excess of this weekend limit must be approved through the deans’ office and will be charged to the student’s account at a fee of $50 per night.

Inter-Dorm (students from outside of the dorm)

Students are issued a key card that allows them access only to the dorm in which they reside (boarders) or with which they are affiliated (day students). Students are expected to use their own key cards responsibly, which includes not sharing them with anyone and not tampering with any dormitory door’s security. The school may issue disciplinary consequences for irresponsible key card usage. A student wishing to visit another dorm must be accompanied by a person from the dorm they are visiting. Students may visit other dorms in accordance with the visitation policy below.

Student Well-Being during Visitations

The primary purpose of inter-dorm visitation is for building healthy relationships with peers within the NMH community. Examples of this include visiting with friends, collaborating on school work, getting extra help, working together on club activities, and socializing. The faculty and students will work together to create a dorm community that promotes respectful behavior, inclusivity, and community safety. Dormitories should be places where every student feels comfortable. No space should feel unwelcoming and no activity in any dormitory space should feel exclusive.

To respect each other’s privacy and well-being, guests, regardless of 15

gender, are allowed only in dorm public lounges and only during posted hours. It is unacceptable, therefore, to be in the room of a student outside of one ’ s own dormitory, to have a person from outside of one ’ s dormitory in one ’ s room, or to be in the presence of a student from outside one ’ s dormitory in any area of the dorm, except during approved visiting hours or during open houses or other approved times/locations when express permission is given by the faculty on duty. Note: This policy applies to spaces outside the dorm as well. At no time and in no location should students be together behind a locked door. Violations of this policy constitute a major school rule violation and may be treated as such.

Common-Room Visitations

Designated common spaces may be used for dormitory visitations once the academic day has come to a close. Common spaces are closed to guests during the academic day and are reserved solely for day students affiliated with the dorm and residents of the dorm. Visits to dormitory common spaces should be purposeful (i.e. socializing with students who live in the dorm, working with peers, or receiving extra help from a faculty member). It is expected that guests check in and out of the dormitory via REACH. It is also expected that guests of a dorm have a host student or faculty member from that dorm with them at all times.

In-Room Visitations

Students may visit the dorm rooms of students outside of their own dormitory on Friday and Saturday evenings as outlined below. These visiting hours rules apply for all guests in the dorm and their hosts. No student is permitted in the room of another student unless accompanied by a resident of that room.

Visiting hours are for students in grades 10, 11, 12, and PGs who have parental permission on file. They may begin, at the discretion of the dorm staff, after fall midterm.

During visiting hours, hosts and their guests are expected to uphold the school’s standards of behavior in public spaces, observe all dorm policies, and respect the rights of roommates and other members of the dorm community. Violation of these expectations could result in the loss of visitation permission or other discipline. During open houses, all student rooms may be open to NMH guests, and guests need not be accompanied by student hosts.

Hours (subject to adult presence at these times)

● Friday and Saturday evenings from 7 pm until 30 minutes before dorm closing.

Procedures

● Guests must create a leave request via REACH in order to sign in to the dormitory, and must include the name of their host in their request.

● Guests must be greeted by their hosts in the public lounge area where the faculty member on duty can approve their REACH request. (If the duty faculty is not there, students must wait to seek permission.)

● Duty faculty have the discretion to limit the number of guests in the dorm at one time. The maximum number of guests per room is two students.

● Guests must be accompanied by their host at all times.

● Student guests may visit in their host’s room and, if accompanied by their student host, may also visit the rooms of other resident students. All students in the room where the guest is visiting must have visiting hours permissions on file.

● The door of the room in which the guest is visiting must remain open to 90 degrees and the room must be well lit at all times.

● Students may be seated side by side on the bed; they may do homework, talk, watch movies, cuddle, and kiss. They may not be under or behind any cover. They must be fully clothed and may not touch each other beneath their clothing.

● At the end of the visit, the host must accompany the guest to the public lounge area where the faculty member on duty can sign them out of the dorm via REACH. (If the duty faculty is not there, students must wait to sign out.)

MINOR SCHOOL RULES

Violations of dorm procedures and other minor school rules may be dealt with by dorm staff and will be reported to the associate deans or dean of students as appropriate.. Multiple or severe violations of these rules may 17

make a student liable for disciplinary probation or other discipline. Examples of such violations are:

● Being in an unauthorized place during study hall or during the academic day.

● Being off campus without signing out.

● Failing to sign in or out via REACH.

● Being uncooperative and/or disruptive within the community.

● Violating fire-safety regulations.

● Possessing or using pornography (excluding child pornography, which is a major school rule violation).

● Swimming in the Connecticut River, Shadow Lake, or any other body of water on or near campus.

● Gambling. Students may not be engaged in activities in which bets are wagered).

● Violating any other standard of conduct that is not a major school rule violation.

DISCIPLINARY PHILOSOPHY

NMH places great emphasis on the entire school community living and learning by our school’s shared values and community expectations. At the heart of these values is the development and maintenance of community and trust-based relationships among and between students and employees.

Our hope is that our students will learn critical values from living and working in a school community that values relationships, compassion, honesty, responsibility, and justice. NMH will strive to treat students who make a lapse in judgment with empathy, dignity, fairness, and respect. The overarching goal of the discipline process is to guide our students in recognizing their mistakes, taking responsibility for their mistakes, and developing tools to make effective decisions in the future. However, some situations, including multiple minor rule violations or major rule violations, do require serious consequences. The assistant head for campus life, the dean of students (or the dean of students’ designee) may impose disciplinary action, up to and including dismissing a student from school, as the dean of students determines appropriate.

The discipline process for rule violations may include steps such as meetings with the student, the student’s parents, the student’s advisor, the associate deans, and other appropriate administrators; a Judicial Council and/or Academic Honor Board meeting; and/or referral to the

dean of students. In addition, students may be subject to the disciplinary responses outlined below.

In all aspects of the disciplinary process, it is incumbent on the student to be forthcoming and honest. A student who is found to be dishonest in the process may expect a more serious consequence. NMH community members should demonstrate the ability to grow from their mistakes and not repeatedly violate community norms.

Students violating a major school rule for the first time may be subject to disciplinary probation and a three-to-five-day suspension. The school may, however, separate or dismiss students after their first violation at the discretion of the dean of students. A student who violates a major school rule for the second time may be dismissed from the school.

In addition, students may be placed on leave during the course of the investigation and disciplinary process, if determined appropriate by the school.

Administrative Responsibility for Discipline

The dean of students and associate deans are responsible for establishing and maintaining basic disciplinary policies and procedures.

The dean of students or their designee (or the assistant head for campus life) monitors all disciplinary matters and makes all decisions involving disciplinary dismissals and separations. Before making a decision about dismissal, the dean of students may, but is not required to, seek the recommendation of a Level Two Judicial Council. The council’s sole function is to make recommendations to the dean of students or a designee, who has the exclusive power to make final disciplinary decisions.

The associate deans respond to violations of minor and major school rules. They make day-to-day disciplinary decisions, maintain the school’s policies and procedures, and enforce the rules. They may, but are not required to, refer cases to a Level One Judicial Council. The council’s sole function is to make recommendations to the associate dean, who has the responsibility for the final decision.

The academic dean responds to any violations of the school’s academic integrity policy. Before making a decision, the academic dean may, but is not required to, refer cases to the Academic Honor Board. The board’s sole function is to make recommendations to the academic dean, who has responsibility for the final decision. If the academic integrity infraction is the student’s second major rule infraction at the school, the student may be subject to dismissal, and 19

the dean of students will oversee the discipline process as articulated above.

Dorm staff administer discipline in the dorm in response to minor dorm-based rule infractions; they explain and enforce rules and standards; and they work to achieve clarity and consistency in the application of these rules.

The assistant head of school for campus life may be involved in disciplinary matters, including dismissals, separations and leaves, when deemed necessary.

The Judicial Council may be called to make recommendations to the dean of students or a designee. The Judicial Council typically is composed of students and faculty.

The head of school and head of school’s office have overall authority for all disciplinary matters.

Appeals

Appeals by students or their families seeking reconsideration or review of a decision to separate or dismiss must be made in writing to the head of school’s office within seven days of separation or dismissal and must state the reasons for the request. Students or families who wish to request reconsideration of all other disciplinary decisions or required leaves of absence must do so in writing to the dean of students (or academic dean, for Academic Honor Board cases) within seven days of the disciplinary decision and must state the reasons for the request.

Appeals, reconsideration requests, or reviews will be based on the written appeal, the record, and any other information deemed appropriate by the head of school’s office, associate head of school, assistant head of school for campus life, dean of students, or academic dean. Appeals, reconsiderations, or reviews are rarely granted and only when significant new or different information comes to light that was not considered or known at the time of the original decision or if a substantive and prejudicial procedural error is determined to have occurred.

All decisions on appeals will be made by the school and will be considered final. In-person hearings or meetings will not be granted.

DISCIPLINARY RESPONSES

These responses include, but are not limited to, the following:

Restriction will be served on Saturday evening, beginning at 8 pm and lasting until 11:15 pm (10:15 pm for 9th-graders). Restricted students must check in with the faculty member on duty and must remain in restriction for the entire period. Students must bring appropriate work. Computers and other electronic devices are not allowed.

Students who miss an assigned restriction may receive a dean’s warning; students who miss a second assigned restriction may be placed on disciplinary probation. Students are expected to be positive and cooperative while serving restriction. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

Loss of Privileges may result when a student fails to meet the expectations associated with those privileges, in addition to the disciplinary consequence associated with the rule violation. For instance, students who fail to honor the room-visit standards may lose the visitation permission.

Loss of Leadership Positions may be a consequence of minor and major rule infractions when misconduct raises concerns about the student’s ability to be an appropriate role model or representative of the school. The loss of a leadership position may be in addition to the disciplinary consequence associated with the rule violation.

A Letter of Concern may be issued by an associate dean, the academic dean, or the dean of students in response to a student’s inappropriate behavior. This letter will articulate the reason for the concern as well as any conditions the student must meet. This letter will be sent to the student’s parent or guardian and will be taken into consideration if the student is subsequently involved in rule violations or continues to behave inappropriately.

A Dean’s Warning may be issued to a student for violation of community standards (including attendance). This letter of warning may come from a student’s associate dean, the academic dean, or the dean of students. It will outline the reasons for the warning as well as any conditions the student must meet. This letter will be sent to the student’s parent or guardian and will be taken into consideration if the student is subsequently involved in rule violations or continues to behave inappropriately. A second dean’s warning may make a student subject to heightened disciplinary consequences, including disciplinary probation.

Disciplinary Probation (DP) may be assigned to a student for violating a major school rule or for unacceptable behavior, including academic dishonesty. The probation period may include a

three-to-five-day suspension, as well as other conditions. Disciplinary probation is a period of final trial, during which the student is responsible for obeying all the school rules and for fulfilling the specific conditions of probation. It is a time when, through cooperative behavior and a positive attitude, the student must demonstrate a desire to remain a member of the school. A subsequent violation of a major school rule may render a student liable for dismissal. A student who reaches 12 unexcused absences in a term may be subject to disciplinary probation, and any absences accumulated after this point may lead to dismissal from NMH. Students may be obligated to report disciplinary probation status when applying to other educational institutions, including those at the college/university level. NMH will determine when/if the school will make such a report.

Restorative Practice for Disciplinary Probation Status: A student may petition to come off active disciplinary probation status no sooner than six months after being placed on disciplinary probation, provided they have met the relevant conditions of their disciplinary probation. Those conditions may include a period longer than six months before petitioning for removal from active disciplinary probation status. This process must be initiated by the student in a letter written to the associate dean of students. With support of the advisor and associate dean, members of the community may be solicited for input about the student’s current experience at NMH. The student’s parents/guardians also may be asked to write a letter of support. The Judicial Council may convene to review the feedback and to meet with the student. If the council and/or dean of students agrees that the student should come off active status, the following will be communicated:

● The student may still be obligated to report the initial infraction to next schools/colleges, as applicable. (See Reporting Discipline to Colleges and Next Schools, p. 23.)

● Should the student violate the same rule that resulted in the original disciplinary probation or a major school rule, the student may be subject to dismissal.

Separation: A student may be separated from the community by the dean of students following a major school rule infraction or an accumulation of concerns related to a student’s academic, attendance, or disciplinary record. A separation can be a suspension or a dismissal. A suspension may last three to five days, while a separation may last longer. At the time of separation, the dean of students will determine the type/duration of the separation as well as the conditions for the student’s return. For instance, a first-offense violation of the school’s rule on

substance use typically results in a five-day suspension and may require counseling.

Required

Withdrawal:

A student who is required to withdraw, including dismissal from the school, typically forfeits all rights to further academic evaluation by the school and may not receive credit for the semester in which the required withdrawal occurs. The transcript designates “withdrawal” with its corresponding date. If a student withdraws pending a disciplinary outcome, the transcript may include such designation.

Academic implications of separation or required withdrawal: A student who will not exceed the 20 percent rule (see page 27) through separation or withdrawal may request to finish coursework independently and receive credit for individual courses. The academic dean considers such requests in consultation with the dean of students, the student’s teachers, and appropriate department chairs. Decisions are based on the nature of the courses, remaining coursework, the student’s past performance, and the student’s ability to work independently. When a student receives permission to finish coursework for credit, the academic dean will facilitate the arrangements. Grading for courses completed after separation or withdrawal will be on a pass/fail basis. Seniors and PGs who are required to withdraw in the spring semester are not eligible for credit.

Senior/PG Suspension: Beginning on the Friday two weeks before Commencement, seniors/PGs who violate a major school rule for the first time in most circumstances will be suspended, and may be immediately separated, for the remainder of the school year. Upon completion of their academic work and other conditions as required by the dean of students, under most circumstances they may receive an NMH diploma by mail but will not be permitted to participate in Commencement or any other year-end events.

Reporting Discipline

to

Colleges

and

Next Schools: It is NMH’s policy to support students in reporting disciplinary consequences to next schools and colleges when they are required to do so. While disciplinary matters are a concern to colleges, our experience is that admission officers understand that young people make mistakes. Admission committees typically are more concerned with the manner in which students respond to disciplinary actions than the actual event leading to the consequences. An honest, humble, and graceful response to a discipline infraction can highlight a student’s growth and development as a young adult. Details about these expectations are outlined below. NMH

maintains and benefits from relationships with colleges, universities, and other schools based on openness and trust. NMH’s policies for reporting discipline to colleges follow.

● When a next school/college asks on the admission application about students’ disciplinary history during their high-school career (grades 9–12/PG), NMH expects that students answer the question honestly in a written statement to the school/college admission office. If the infraction occurs after the application has been submitted, the same expectation for notification applies.

● If a student withdraws or is separated from NMH, the school will notify those next schools/colleges to which the student has applied or has been accepted that require such a report. Prior to the notification from NMH, the student should inform those next schools/colleges of the reason for the departure.

● For students in the midst of the college admission process, within seven days of the disciplinary decision, students should initiate contact with those schools/colleges to which they have applied that require such a report. Students should also submit a copy of the statement to the NMH college counseling office before submission. The NMH college counseling office will follow up with those school(s)/colleges.

In all situations, NMH may communicate with next schools, colleges, and other educational institutions about a student’s experience at the school (including the student’s disciplinary record) as the school determines appropriate.

Physical

Education and Athletics

Training Rules: Athletes who violate school rules prohibiting the use and possession of drugs, alcohol, and nicotine will be considered to have violated the training rules set by the physical education and athletics program. In addition to school disciplinary responses to violations of these rules, athletes will be subject to the following penalties:

● They will be suspended for their team’s next scheduled athletic contest.

● They will not be eligible for any end-of-season or end-of-year athletic awards.

NON-DISCIPLINARY RESPONSE TO DRUG, ALCOHOL, AND NICOTINE USE

Sanctuary Policy

The use and abuse of alcohol and drugs can lead to serious health consequences. Because students’ health and safety are of paramount concern, the school encourages students to ask for help from adults should they find themselves or another student impaired, ill, or struggling with substance use or abuse. The school’s sanctuary policy provides students with a way to access support around alcohol- and substance-abuse issues without concern that reaching out for help will trigger the disciplinary process.

The school believes that students should be guided by their obligation to and respect for other members of the community in seeking help for themselves and others. The school endeavors to foster an atmosphere of trust on campus and views student-school conversations as vital to that effort. Students should seek guidance from any adults on campus whose judgment they trust and respect.

Limits of the Sanctuary Policy

If a student is already involved in the disciplinary process because of a violation of alcohol or substance policies, the sanctuary policy may not be invoked. This includes cases in which a student is suspected of violating the school’s rules on substance use. Students who misuse this emergency protocol to avoid disciplinary action for drug or alcohol abuse may be referred to the dean of students for discipline.

Determination as to whether a specific case has met the criteria for sanctuary rests with the school.

Invoking the Sanctuary Policy

Any student may invoke this policy on the student’s own behalf or on behalf of another student simply by contacting anyone on the faculty when a student is currently under the influence. Invoking sanctuary will initiate medical rather than disciplinary intervention.

For Medical Intervention in the Moment

In the case of present substance use or an apparent medical emergency, even if drug- or alcohol-induced, it is imperative for a medical evaluation and attention to begin as soon as possible. All students who present to the health and wellness center or who are referred under sanctuary are immediately assessed and treated by our nursing team and a medical provider.

For Non-Emergencies (Community Concern/s)

Any student may make referrals as “community concerns ” in non-emergency situations for themselves or another student whose health is at risk because of alcohol or drug use, including but not limited to chronic substance use or abuse or past use or abuse that may impair functioning at school. This referral is not intended to be used when a student is thought to be actively under the influence.

In either scenario described above, the request for assistance must be student-initiated and occur before any school administrator, teacher, or staff member suspects or learns of the student’s use or abuse of drugs or alcohol.

Assessment, Consultation, and Notification

If a student invokes this policy, the school will promptly determine any medical attention that is warranted, and the student’s advisor, the school medical staff, the counseling staff, the dean of students, the associate dean, the assistant head of school for campus life, the head of school, and the student’s parents may be notified. The cost of all evaluation, testing, and treatment will be at the family’s expense.

The school will determine whether follow-up evaluation or counseling is required in an off-campus medical or substance-abuse treatment program. In a case involving follow-up evaluation or counseling, the student’s advisor, the school medical staff, the counseling staff, the dean of students, the associate dean, the assistant head for campus life, and the head of school will be kept informed as appropriate. If lengthy follow-up is needed, the student may be allowed or required to take a medical leave.

Following treatment for any alcohol or drug use or abuse, the student must have an independent assessment within two weeks prior to returning to school. Before the student will be permitted back to the school, the medical professional conducting the assessment is required to complete an assessment of the student’s alcohol or drug use, make recommendations, and discuss those recommendations with the school. Students are expected to follow any recommendations resulting from that consultation.

The law may require notification of state and local authorities in specific cases, including those involving child abuse and neglect, even when the school offers a non-disciplinary response. As a result, it is important for students to understand that they may be subject to law enforcement investigation and response.

ATTENDANCE

Prompt, in-person attendance at all classes and other scheduled school commitments is required. The classroom experience is central to educating young people in the practice of articulating their ideas, expressing understanding, seeking clarification, and absorbing information. Classes missed cannot be replicated by copying notes, hearing a brief summary, or watching a recording. Regular attendance is part of the personal discipline that fosters strong academic achievement. Under the extended-period schedule, an academic course is completed during a single semester, and the academic consequences of missing a single class are significant. Students’ other commitments, such as arts and athletics, involve important contributions to the life of the community, which depends on the regular attendance and participation of all its members. Excused and unexcused absences will be reported on the progress reports sent home to parents at the middle and the end of each semester.

THE 20 PERCENT RULE

Students who miss more than 20 percent of any NMH obligation (counting both excused and unexcused absences) will normally be denied credit for the course, cocurricular, sport, or workjob. Denied credit appears as an F on the NMH transcript. In limited circumstances, students may be eligible for pass/fail credit if they have completed at least 80 percent of the work and in-class learning for a course. The decision to award credit or pass/fail grades in spite of violations of this rule rests with the academic dean in consultation with the instructor, appropriate department chair, and associate dean. The academic dean audits attendance at regular intervals each semester and communicates with students in danger of exceeding the 20 percent mark and their parents/guardians. However, students are responsible for monitoring their own attendance and compliance with the 20 percent rule.

Excused Absences

Students may request special permission from the associate dean to miss a scheduled obligation; such permission must be requested in advance of the obligation and is only granted in rare circumstances. Students may not request special permission if it will put them in jeopardy of surpassing the 20 percent mark before the end of the term or semester. Only under extraordinary circumstances may students obtain permission to miss an appointment after the fact. In such cases, students must contact the associate dean on the next class day following the absence.

Students who wish to fulfill religious obligations will not be penalized academically for doing so. Students may be absent from class, sports practice, music or drama practice, workjob assignment, or other types of cocurricular responsibility because of religious obligations provided that they speak with the associate dean prior to the proposed absence. While the student will not accrue absence points, they will be responsible for any class work that is missed. The student must speak with the teacher about the absence and about any make-up work. The chaplain or faculty advisor to the religious life group of which the student is a member will be able to advise faculty further concerning student religious obligations.

In matters pertaining to health, students may be excused from commitments by school medical or counseling staff. Students are only excused from a major assignment, evaluation, workjob assignment, athletics competition, or performance if the school’s medical or counseling staff determines that the medical illness warrants such an excuse. Excusals from major assignments and evaluations must be approved by the health center and the academic dean. Students and their advisors will receive an email notification for each recorded absence. If an error has been made, students are responsible for correcting it within 48 hours.

Students taking Advanced Placement tests at NMH will be excused from classes they miss on test days. However, the academic dean and dean of students may limit the number of AP tests a student can take. Students who have violated the 20 percent rule (or are close to violating it) cannot take AP tests.

ATTENDANCE

What does it add up to?

Major academic course

Workjob assignment

Sports practice

Sports game

PE class, single period

PE class, double period

Cocurricular activity

Major school events

2 points

1–4 points

2 points

3 points

1 point

2 points

1–4 points

3 points (Convocation, Mountain Day, Founder’s Day, Sacred Concert, Baccalaureate)

Required meeting

1 point (school meetings, dorm meetings, advising, other school appointments)

TARDINESS

3 short tardies

1 point (“short” meaning less than 10 minutes)

10–14 minutes tardy

.5 point

15–29 minutes tardy 1 point

30–44 minutes tardy

points

45+ minutes tardy 2 points

Points accumulated through missing commitments add to the following penalties:

3 points - The student serves one Saturday evening study hall restriction for every 3 points accrued.

6 points - Parents are notified by advisor.

9 points - The student is liable for a dean’s warning.

12 points - The student must meet with the associate dean and is liable for disciplinary probation. An appearance before members of the Judicial Council is also possible.

13+ pts - The student is liable for dismissal.

Absences, both excused and unexcused, will be recorded, and that record will be included with progress reports.

Students’ points will be cleared to zero at the start of each term but restrictions and penalties earned near the end of one term may carry over into the next.

Disciplinary status (dean’s warning or discipline probation) due to absence carries from one term and one year into the next and may be combined with other disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

Any student who misses 20 percent of any academic course or workjob may not receive credit for that course or workjob. Excused and unexcused absences count toward the 20 percent rule.

A restriction is assigned upon each accumulation of three additional points.

Restrictions served do not reduce point totals.

Failure to attend restriction as assigned may result in a dean’s warning and other appropriate consequences.

Unexcused Absences

The penalty for every three absence points accumulated from any commitment will be a Saturday night restriction. Students will be notified about their restriction by the deans’ office. Students who accumulate unexcused absences in the physical education and athletics program or in workjob will also be subject to grade penalties, including failure.

If a student accumulates six or more absence points in a given term, the advisor may communicate with the parents or guardians. When a student accumulates nine absence points, an absence review conference may be held with the student, the advisor, and the associate dean, and a dean’s warning may be issued. Conditions based on that conference will be sent to the student and parents or guardians by the student’s associate dean.

Students’ points will be cleared to zero at the start of each term. Students are, however, accountable to serve whatever attendance penalties were required of them from the previous term, be they restrictions or the conditions resulting from a dean’s warning or disciplinary probation. Additionally, two dean’s warnings in a year and two dean’s warnings for 30

attendance in consecutive terms make a student liable for disciplinary probation, and a second disciplinary probation offense (related to attendance or a major rule infraction) at any point in a student’s NMH career may make a student liable for dismissal.

Tardiness will be penalized in proportion to the time missed as outlined in the chart on pages 29–30.

Expectations Concerning Missing School Commitments When in the O’Connor Health and Wellness Center

● Under normal circumstances, students should come to the O’Connor Health and Wellness Center during free periods and not during time for class, PE, athletics, theater, dance, or workjob.

● If students are too sick to go to a commitment and need to come to the health center, they need to be in the health center before the beginning of the commitment to be excused from that commitment.

● If students are sick enough to miss all of their major classes, they must spend the night in the health center. (This includes Friday.)

● If students are unable to complete or hand in any assignments, take an announced test or quiz, give an oral presentation, or watch an assigned film because they are in the health center, they must contact their teacher to discuss making up the missed work. Excusals from major assignments and evaluations must be approved by the health center and the academic dean.

● If sports team athletes miss two or more major classes because of illness, they may not practice or play sports that day.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

For a variety of reasons and circumstances, time away from school may be necessary for students at some point in their career at NMH. We encourage open communication with families when such a time arises for their student, and together we will determine the nature and duration of a leave. The impact of a leave of absence on a student’s academic situation varies with the amount of class time missed. Teachers will take steps to help a student make up for missed work and, whenever appropriate or possible, to adjust expectations about the work necessary to complete a given course. If, however, students miss 20 percent of class meetings for a particular course, cocurricular, or workjob, they may not earn credit or only earn pass/fail credit (see page 27). The following

descriptions outline typical forms of leave, although individual circumstances may require other responses.

Short-Term Leave of Absence

Short-term leaves are typically fewer than five days in duration and made at the request of the family to attend to personal, family, or medical matters at home. Whenever possible, families must schedule personal and medical appointments during breaks so that they do not conflict with school commitments. Requests for a short-term leave need to be made in advance by parents directly to the student’s associate dean, director of medicine, or director of counseling, depending on the nature of the leave. Absences for approved short-term leaves will count toward the 20 percent rule.

Special Permission

Special permission for missing classes or other school obligations may be granted to allow students to pursue an “ area of excellence” in their academic, athletic, or cocurricular experience. In the past, students have requested permission to miss consecutive days of school to try out for a select athletics team or music ensemble or to attend a national conference in an area in which they have demonstrated interest and proficiency during their time at NMH. Students have also requested permission to miss commitments or obligations other than class at various times throughout the year (every Tuesday evening, for example). Special permission will not be granted to attend such events as a prom or class reunion, to extend vacations, or to accommodate travel plans, except in the most extreme situations.

To obtain special permission, a parent or guardian must contact the associate dean to request permission at least three weeks prior to the expected time of departure. Students will meet with their associate dean to receive a special permission form that requires the signatures of their teachers, coaches, and workjob supervisor to be sure all obligations are covered during the leave. Should parents take their student on a leave or extend a leave without school approval, the student will be expected to serve a restriction for each class day missed and may be subject to appropriate academic consequences. Even if a student receives special permission, the absences will count toward the 20 percent rule.

Long-Term Leave of Absence

Long-term leaves are typically medical in nature and may be requested by the family or required by the school. The decision to allow or require a long-term leave is made by the Leave Team, which includes the director of medicine, the director of counseling, the dean of students, the assistant

head for campus life and other health-services personnel and administrators as necessary.

Students also may request a long-term leave for non-medical reasons. The decision to allow a long-term leave is made by the dean of students, and (depending on the nature of the leave) in consultation with the academic dean and other administrators as necessary. Families must request the leave in writing and provide an explanation of why the student is requesting the leave.

Medical Leave of Absence

A medical leave from school may be appropriate in case of serious illness, bodily injury, or mental-health condition, as determined in accordance with this policy. Decisions about granting or requiring a medical leave, or reinstating a student who has been on leave, rest with the Leave Team. The Leave Team will be guided by the principal goal of a medical leave: to give the student an opportunity to regain health and thereby function consistently, productively, and safely at school. In the absence of a treatment plan that, in the school’s opinion, meets these needs, the school may decline to grant a medical-leave request or decline a request to return to school, and instead require the student to withdraw.

A student’s family may request medical leave. The school requires that any request for medical leave be accompanied by sufficient supporting documentation (as determined by the school, at its sole discretion) to allow the school to evaluate the leave request, including, but not limited to, at least the following information: (a) a recommendation from the student’s treating medical professionals that the student would benefit from taking a medical leave; (b) a description of how the student’s medical condition limits the student’s ability to participate in required academic or extracurricular activities; (c) the plan for treatment of the student’s medical condition; and (d) an anticipated date for the student’s return. In the case of a family request for a long-term medical leave, the director of medicine or the director of counseling works with the family and, when appropriate, the attending medical professionals at home.

Additionally, in certain situations, the school may require that the student take a medical leave. The school may also require an evaluation in certain circumstances and subsequently place the student on medical leave. The school may initiate a discussion of a leave of absence in circumstances including, but not limited to:

● When mental health or physical symptoms are or may be impeding a student from functioning appropriately at school.

● When a physical or mental health condition interferes with a student’s attendance at school.

● When a student behaves in ways that may be self-destructive or dangerous to themself or others.

● When a student is not engaged in treatment that the school has made a condition of attendance, after the student has been evaluated by medical and/or mental-health professionals, who have deemed such treatment appropriate.

● When a student exhibits symptoms or behaviors that are of concern to the school or when a student is beyond the scope of the school’s ability to treat or monitor.

Whenever it is determined that a student’s medical or mental-health needs are beyond the scope of care that NMH can provide, the school will require the student to take a medical leave. While the school may seek input from the student’s family and outside medical providers, this decision rests solely with the school. The director of medicine, the director of counseling, and the assistant head for campus life, in consultation with other medical personnel or administrators, determine the length of the leave, establish conditions for return, and set a schedule for review. Students who are on leave and miss 20 percent or more of the classes within a semester may not receive academic credit for courses in which they are currently enrolled. When a long-term leave is required, it is likely to be for the rest of the semester in which the leave is initiated, and may include the subsequent semester. If the conditions for a return to school cannot be met by the beginning of the next school year, the student may be required to withdraw.

In the case of a required leave of absence, the director of medicine, the director of counseling, and the assistant head for campus life will articulate the concerns necessitating the leave and will determine the duration of the required leave and the conditions for the student’s return to school.

● Consideration will be given both to the needs of the individual student and to community impact. The school may also solicit input from the advisor, dorm head, and other faculty in the student’s life.

● The assistant head for campus life will contact the family to inform them of the required duration of the medical leave as well as associated academic and financial implications. The school will also indicate the conditions required for the student to be approved to return, and will outline these conditions in written correspondence. The family will be referred to the director of

medicine or director of counseling for medical questions, the academic dean for academic questions, and the business office for financial questions.

● The medical leave of absence letter from the assistant head for campus life will detail the parameters of any leave, including specific dates by which conditions must be met for the student’s return to school. While the school will strive to minimize academic disruption, the school may require that a student drop a course or courses if a prolonged absence will make it difficult for the student to satisfactorily complete the requirements of the course or meet the 20 percent attendance rule.

● The director of medicine, director of counseling, assistant head for campus life, and other health-services personnel and the academic dean will be responsible for follow-up on the conditions articulated in the letter that pertain to their respective areas.

● The director of medicine, director of counseling, and the assistant head for campus life will review the student’s progress and will make a final determination on the student’s return to school, considering both the needs of the individual student and community impact. To return to school from a medical leave, a student must have met all conditions set by the school and have given the school a thorough, written professional evaluation of the student’s current mental health and/or medical condition from the physician, psychiatrist, or other professional who treated the student during the medical leave supporting the student’s ability to return to school and the NMH environment. The school may require additional evaluation by a physician or mental-health consultant of its choosing. If the student is approved for return, the assistant head for campus life will inform the family and refer them to the director of medicine, director of counseling, and academic dean for specific follow-up as needed.

The guiding principles of re-admission from a medical leave are that the school is confident that the student can return safely and that the student’s return will not compromise the student’s continued recovery, interfere with the school’s ability to serve other students’ needs, or place an undue burden on the school. The decision regarding any student’s return to the school from a medical leave rests solely with the school. As a corollary to this principle, a student who the school determines can safely participate in the regular school day may nevertheless be restricted from 35

participation in the residential program, overnight field trips, or other residential-style school activities or programs.

If, after returning from a medical leave, the student presents as requiring specific mental health, physical, or medical services inconsistent with or beyond the scope of services the school is able to reasonably provide, or if the student is not able to satisfactorily meet the school’s academic and behavioral expectations despite accommodations provided, the school will determine whether it is appropriate for the student to remain enrolled in NMH.

College Visits

Seniors and PGs are allowed a limited number of college-visit days: two days in the fall semester and two days in the spring semester. All college visits must be approved, in advance, by a college counselor. Once approved, students should complete the pink special permission form for college visits (aka “Pink Sheet”) available in the college counseling office and return the completed form to college counseling 48 hours in advance of departure.

Exceptions to the number of days can be made for unusual circumstances, e.g., performing arts auditions/portfolio reviews, under-represented group programs, or official athletics-recruitment visits. These exceptions must be approved in advance by the academic dean. The student should then follow the same procedures described above. Students should be aware of their attendance record so they do not exceed the 20 percent rule. Exceptions that would place students in jeopardy of missing 20 percent of any given class will not be approved. Please plan your visits accordingly.

Attendance Considerations for International Students

International students who are here on an F-1 student visa must be particularly careful about attendance, as it may have an impact on their immigration status. In order to maintain their student status, international students must meet the minimum attendance standards required by the school. If students violate the school’s attendance policy, they may be dismissed, and will be required by U.S. immigration laws to leave the United States immediately.

If international students here on an F-1 student visa require an extended leave from campus for any reason (e.g., medical, personal, or disciplinary leaves), it could impact their immigration status in the United States. They must notify the global engagement office’s international student program coordinator before they leave. United States immigration laws state that if the student is out of the U.S. for more than five months, their 36

F-1 student visa will terminate. If, after five months, they wish to return to the U.S. to continue their education, they will be required to request reinstatement of their F-1 student status, which may include applying for a new F-1 student visa.

ADDITIONAL STUDENT-LIFE PROTOCOLS (in alphabetical order)

Bicycles, Skateboards, and Scooters

At NMH, we encourage students to remain physically active, and many will choose to do so by bicycling, skateboarding, and inline skating. While these activities are excellent forms of exercise and recreation, they can be dangerous if students do not take appropriate safety precautions. The following guidelines exist for bicycling, skateboarding, inline skating, and use of scooters:

● Any student on a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, or inline skates must wear a helmet. Skateboarders and inline skaters should also wear protective pads.

● No bicycling, skateboarding, scootering, or inline skating is allowed after sunset.

● Skateboarders should not crouch or lie down.

● Pedestrians have the right of way.

● No bicycling, skateboarding, scootering, or inline skating is permitted in school buildings, on tennis courts, on building steps or walls, or in parking lots.

● Hoverboards, Segways, and any motorized transport are not allowed on campus.

Bicycle Registration/Storage: Bicycles must be registered at the campus safety office. They should be locked when stored on bike racks and in dorm basements. Bikes cannot be kept in student rooms or taken on buses. Bicycles still in storage on June 30 of each year may be donated, disposed of, or used for school purposes.

Dress Policy

The student dress policy is intended to be nondiscriminatory and non-punitive. However, a student’s attire and grooming must not endanger their education, health, or safety or that of others. Students are expected to be neat, clean, and orderly in appearance. When a particular form of dress is deemed offensive or contributes in any way to the disruption of the school, the student will be asked to change. These requirements and those articulated below are made in the interest of

health and safety as well as out of respect for the many cultural and religious perspectives represented in our community.

Dress At All Times (in Public Spaces)

● Hats and hoods may not be worn in the chapel. Hats may be worn in the classroom at the discretion of the teacher. Religious head coverings may be worn.

● T-shirts may be printed with logos and designs, but must not contain any obscenities, rude expressions, references to drugs or alcohol, or any representations that violate major school rules or community standards.

● Extremely short, loose, or tight clothing that may expose the undergarments or areas of the body, particularly private areas, may not be worn. At no time are students allowed to be topless/shirtless.

● No pajamas

● In science and visual arts classes (and some workjobs), students are required to wear closed-toe shoes for safety reasons.

● Attire for athletics practices, performing arts classes, and rehearsals is at the discretion of the coaches and teachers. This attire is generally not acceptable to be worn in other public spaces.

Special-Occasion Dress

● Dress pants, skirt, or dress. No jeans, sweatpants, or shorts.

● Jacket with turtleneck or collared shirt and tie, blouse, or sweater.

● Dress shoes or sandals. No sneakers or flip-flops.

Drone/Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Use

Use of UAV must be approved by the deans’ office prior to the first campus flight.

Handheld Communication Devices and Other Technology

Handheld communication devices (e.g., cell phones, smartphones, smartwatches, tablets) are important tools for students. They provide a way for students to stay connected to their families and are essential in difficult or emergency situations.

They also have the potential to become a public distraction. It is necessary for students to learn effective and responsible use of technology so that it supports their work and builds community.

Therefore, these items are allowed in certain contexts at school. At all times, all media content on any device, school owned or personal, is expected to be appropriate in nature. Such content may not violate major school rules or community standards.

Without direct instruction to the contrary, students may not use their devices:

● In the chapel.

● In classrooms.

● During workjob.

● In the dining hall, except for as outlined below.

● During study hall.

● After lights out.

In Alumni Hall:

● At no time is it appropriate for students to use their phones or devices for answering calls (audio or video) or listening to voicemails or music audible to others.

● Sundays–Thursdays:

○ No technology use is permitted during dinner. (This includes cell phones, laptops, headphones, and tablets.)

○ Laptops, cell phones, and tablets are permitted during breakfast, grazing hours, and lunch.

● During the weekend (Fridays starting at 5 pm, Saturdays all day, and Sundays until 5 pm):

○ Handheld devices, laptops, and tablets may be used. However, students should be mindful of their surroundings by using discretion and respecting others who are present.

In all other campus public spaces, including Blake Student Center and outdoors:

● Handheld devices are to be used sparingly and discreetly. A brief phone conversation, or a check of and response to an email or text, generally is acceptable.

● An extended conversation via voice, text, chat, email, or the like is not considered appropriate. When a more thorough conversation is necessary or a student needs to check voicemail, the student should move to a less public area and resolve the matter quickly.

Students may be asked to surrender their phone (or other technology) when they violate this policy; when they require repeated reminders; or are, in the judgment of an adult member of the community, using the phone inappropriately. Generally, phones are returned to students at the conclusion of the class, meeting, meal, etc. in which the device is confiscated. Repeated and egregious violations may be reported to the deans’ office for disciplinary action.

Computers and tablets in public spaces may be used for academic and social purposes, when appropriate. Without direct instruction to the contrary, computers and tablets should not be used in the chapel or after lights out.

Students may not use their communication devices to video, audio record, or photograph members of the NMH community without such individuals’ express permission.

School-Sponsored Off-Campus Activities

As a boarding school, NMH is committed to providing rich and varied experiences for students on the weekends as well as during the week in classrooms, on playing fields, and in numerous other ways. Throughout the year, students will be encouraged to participate in social, cultural, and educational activities, some of which require travel to off-campus locations.

Physical Education and Athletics Program

The physical education and athletics program is an integral part of an NMH education. The curriculum is dedicated to offering individual students, regardless of ability, the opportunity to experience meaningful growth, accomplishment, and success at their own skill level. Students who join a team are expected to participate in all practices and games throughout the season. NMH requires that students wear helmets or other safety equipment when the given activity warrants such use. Many games during the season will require travel to other independent and public high schools. Students travel in buses or vans and are accompanied by at least one coach. In addition, some physical education

courses require the use of off-campus facilities. For participation in these activities, additional permissions and releases may be required.

Service-Learning Program

Students may apply for placement in a community-service volunteer activity on campus or in the surrounding communities through the service-learning program. Students may serve as mentors or teachers for local children; host senior citizens; participate in a variety of work projects on campus; or work off campus in soup kitchens, elementary schools, shelters, nursing homes, churches, or other social-service agencies. Service vans transport students to a variety of placements. At times, students participating in service activities may not be supervised by NMH staff.

School-Sponsored Off-Campus Trips and Activities

On school-sponsored trips and activities, students are accompanied on the bus by faculty or staff chaperoning the trip/activities. On many of these trips and activities, once the students leave the bus, they are allowed to shop or explore the area on their own. Students are told when and where to meet the bus for the return trip. Examples are trips to shopping malls, ski areas, cities, amusement parks, and other schools for athletics and social events. Occasionally, trips to conferences or other special educational opportunities are offered; these trips may include faculty and staff who supervise the activities. Students are expected, at all times during off-campus trips, to follow all school rules and standards and to be positive ambassadors for the NMH community. Trips vary in price and may be paid for with cash or charged to the student’s tuition account. Additional permissions and releases may be required.

Students 18 and Older

Some students enrolled in the school will reach the age of 18 before graduation. In the United States, age 18 is the age of majority, which means that legally an 18-year-old student is able to enter into (and required to abide by) contractual obligations. The school requires all students, upon their 18th birthday, to review the enrollment agreement that their parents/legal guardians signed on their behalf and execute an addendum to that agreement, which provides as follows:

● Permission for the school to continue to discuss and release information and records to the student’s parents/legal guardians about any issues relating to the student’s enrollment, including, but not limited to, academic records, academic performance, health matters, disciplinary issues, and financial matters.

● Authorization for the school to interact with the student’s parent(s) and legal guardian(s) as if the student were under the age of 18.

The student’s parents/guardians will continue to be responsible under the terms of the student’s Enrollment Agreement, including being solely responsible for the payment of all tuition and fees.

Academic Life

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Graduation requirements are summarized in an overview in the online curriculum guide, but the following is the official statement of these requirements.

Students must be in residence throughout their NMH career; exceptions will be made if the student is participating in programs sponsored or approved by the school. Seniors are required to be in residence and enrolled in six credits for the entire school year, even if the student may have fulfilled subject-specific graduation requirements before the spring semester.

Credit Requirements

minimum total credits to graduate . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 minimum credits passed senior year at NMH . . . . 5 credits attempted per year at NMH . . . . . . . . . . . . .6* credits attempted in any one semester at NMH . . .3*

* In exceptional cases, a one-half-credit increase to the number of credits per semester may be approved by petition to the academic dean. The credit load may not exceed 7 credits per year. A student may take a maximum of 3 credits (not 4) per semester. A student may only take an increase if approved, if space permits, and if the other NMH requirements (work program, athletics and physical education, cocurricular, etc.) have been scheduled. If a student withdraws from the course outside of the add/drop period, a W may appear on the transcript.

Subject Requirements

It is important to distinguish between absolute graduation requirements and specific grade-level requirements. A graduation requirement (e.g., Algebra II) is one that is required of all students, regardless of how many years they are enrolled at NMH. A grade-level requirement

(e.g., Humanities II) is required only of those students who are at NMH for that grade.

1. ENGLISH: Students must earn at least four credits in English and take at least one full-credit English course per year. In exceptional circumstances, students can petition the academic dean and English department chair for an exception to the requirement that students complete the English course that aligns with their grade level, regardless of coursework completed at other institutions.

2. ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES: New students whose first language is not English may be required to enroll in the ESOL program. Students are assessed on their English recommendation, standardized-test scores, and in some cases, their performance on a placement exam. This assessment takes place online in the summer prior to entering NMH. Placement in ESOL will determine the graduation requirements to be met. ESOL students fulfill the history and religious studies requirement that matches the number of full years they are not enrolled in ESOL. For example, a four-year senior who is in ESOL classes for two years and whose junior year is the first year with no ESOL course must satisfy the same history and religious studies requirement as a student enrolled at NMH for two years. In English, ESOL students must pass a minimum of one major course in non-ESOL English at the 400 level (Senior English). Students enrolled in the ESOL program are exempt from the NMH foreign-language requirement.

3. MATHEMATICS: The graduation requirement is the successful completion of Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II.

4. WORLD LANGUAGES: The graduation requirement is the successful completion of a second-level course. Students whose native language is not English have fulfilled the NMH foreign-language requirement provided they have successfully completed at least one year of formal study of their own language at the secondary-school level. Students whose English skills require enrollment in our ESOL program are exempt from the NMH foreign-language requirement.

5. SCIENCE: The graduation requirement is 2 credits in lab science, one of which must be biology.

6. HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE: The graduation requirement is 2 credits, one of which must be in U.S. history. A 9th-grade U.S. history course taken prior to arriving at NMH does not satisfy the U.S. history requirement. For three- and four-year students, the second credit must be World History. Returning sophomores have the option of earning this credit as part of the Humanities II program

or in the stand-alone course. Entering sophomores take one full-credit World History course as part of the required Humanities II program.

7. RELIGIOUS STUDIES AND PHILOSOPHY: Students must complete requirements as follows:

a. Four-year students must earn 2 credits; one full-credit course is included in the required Humanities I program. The second credit can be either REL 211, earned as part of the Humanities II program and taken in the sophomore year, or REL 435, taken in the junior or senior year.

b. Three-year students must earn 1.5 credits; one full-credit course is included in the required Humanities II program. Students complete the remaining half credit with an elective course.

c. Two-year students must earn 1 credit; students entering as juniors fulfill the prescribed credit requirement with elective courses.

d. One-year students must earn one-half credit; entering seniors and postgraduates fulfill the prescribed credit requirement with an elective course.

8. THE ARTS ART, MUSIC, THEATER, AND DANCE: Students must complete requirements as follows:

a. Four-year students take the 9th-grade Arts Foundations course; in addition, they must take one half-credit academic course or two cocurricular courses in the arts.

b. Three-year students must take two half-credit academic courses or one half-credit academic course plus one cocurricular course in the arts.

c. Two-year students must take one half-credit academic course in the arts.

d. One-year students must take one half-credit academic course or one cocurricular course in the arts.

9. PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ATHLETICS (PE/A): Students may meet the physical education and athletics requirement in two ways. Students may participate in one athletics activity during one term and take a physical education class in each of the two other terms, or students may participate in two athletics activities over two terms with no physical education class required in the third term. Students may, of course, take three terms of athletics. To satisfy the graduation requirement, students must earn a passing grade in the

physical education class or athletics activity.

Athletics activity is defined as an interscholastic team sport or participation in the NMH Outdoor Team or Dance Companies. In addition, you may fulfill your athletics activity requirement for the year by enrolling in MUS 098 Music Concentration, THE 097 Theater Immersion, or THE 098 Musical Theater Immersion. PE classes can include dance classes and managing a sport.

The PE/A requirement may be met through managing a sports team for one term, but only after the first term of enrollment at NMH. Students who want to manage a second term also must take a physical education course that term.

Students must earn a passing grade in all but one term of participation to satisfy the graduation requirement and pass the spring term of the senior year. Grades for PE/A classes are determined by skill, knowledge, attitude, and attendance.

10. SWIM REQUIREMENT: Students are required either to complete the swim test successfully or to complete the Intro to Swim class.

Cocurricular Requirement

Fulfilling the cocurricular requirement is linked with a student’s participation in athletics. Students may either 1) participate in one athletics activity during one term, and then a physical education class and cocurricular in each of the two remaining terms; or 2) participate in two athletics activities with no physical education class or cocurricular required in the third term. To satisfy the graduation requirement, students must earn a passing grade in the cocurricular course or activity.

Work Program (Workjob) Requirement

Students must participate in the program and fulfill a work requirement with a passing grade each term they are enrolled at NMH. Work program supervisors use a grading system that evaluates attitude, dependability, performance, and punctuality at the job site. For example, students merit a grade of “good” when they are rarely absent or late and perform tasks adequately with minimal supervision. Students who receive a grade of “unsatisfactory” for any term, including spring term of the senior year, must correct this deficiency in accordance with the conditions listed in a current version of the work program policies.

9th- and 10th-Grade Requirements

Students in 9th grade must complete the 9th-grade health seminar (HEA 009). Students in 10th grade must complete the seminar in Diversity and Social Justice (DIV 010). Both courses are term-based and are not

included in a student’s overall credit count or GPA but will be included as part of the honors award criteria. They are evaluated using the same system as term-long academic courses, and the grades appear on the transcript as noncredit graduation requirements.

GRADES

Each full-credit course meets from 4.5 to 6 hours a week. Half-credit courses meet for half that time. Students take 3 credits each semester.

Academic courses are graded on a 4.0 scale in which the grades A+ through D- are passing and F is failing. The chart below explains the relationship among letter grade, percentage, and GPA scale. A+

97–100

93–96

90–92

87–89

83–86

80–82

77–79

73–76

70–72 67–69

63–66 60–62

59

Senior capstones are graded on a pass/fail basis. In rare circumstances approved by the academic dean, students may earn credit in other courses on a pass/fail basis. To earn passing credit, students must complete at least 80 percent of the assignments, assessments, and in-class learning for a course. The pass/fail grading scale appears below. Pass/fail grades do not impact GPA.

High Pass 80-100

Low Pass 60-79

Fail 59 and below

Students earn the following grades for cocurricular courses (except the 9th-grade health and 10th-grade diversity and social justice seminars), physical education, athletics, and workjobs:

O

Outstanding G Good

Preparation and engagement grades (PEGs) always accompany academic, PE/A, workjob, and cocurricular course grades. Below is an explanation of these grades for academic and cocurricular courses.

1. OUTSTANDING: Your preparation and engagement are consistently outstanding.

2. GOOD: Your preparation and engagement consistently meet expectations.

3. NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Your preparation and engagement are inconsistent and need improvement.

4. UNSATISFACTORY: Your preparation and engagement are consistently unacceptable.

Specific criteria for evaluating preparation and engagement vary by activity. See the “Work Program” section for an explanation of workjob grading. Physical education and athletics grades primarily depend on skill development, effort, attitude, and attendance. To receive credit for an academic, PE/A, workjob, or cocurricular course, students must earn a passing grade. A passing grade is a D- 3, Low Pass 3, NI 3, or better.

An “Incomplete” may be given in any marking period if a medically documented illness or other emergency prevents a student from completing the work of a course. All incomplete grades must be made up by the dates specified by the academic office.

AWARDS

Academic Honor Roll

Academic High Honors

GPA of 3.67 or above, with no grade less than A-

Academic Honors

GPA of 3.33 or above, with no grade less than B

Head of School’s List

Earning high honors both semesters

Dean’s List

Earning honors both semesters (or earning a mix of honors and high honors).

Moody Award

Students qualify for “Commendable Preparation and Engagement” if their average preparation and engagement grade for the semester is 1.5 or higher and no preparation or engagement grade falls below a 2 during the final semester or term marking periods for all courses, cocurriculars, workjobs, and athletics. Students qualify for the “Moody Award” by meeting the same standard in both semesters and all three terms.

ACADEMIC STATUS

After each marking period, the academic dean and associate deans review the grades of students and assign academic status as appropriate. The advisor and dorm staff counsel students on available supportive measures.

Good Standing:

● No academic or dean’s warning in current semester

● No academic or disciplinary probation in the current or previous semester

● Fewer than six absence points in the current term

Letter of Concern: Letters of concern are written when students do not demonstrate the level of involvement and constructive participation expected of students at NMH. Letters of concern may be written to students who earn a grade of NI or U in a cocurricular course, athletic activity, or workjob. Earning one 4 or two 3 preparation and engagement grades in any course, cocurricular, athletic activity, or workjob may also result in a letter of concern.

Academic Warning: Students who earn a grade of D+ or lower in any course at midterm will be issued an academic warning. A student may also be issued an academic warning at the end of the semester if the deans think that the individual has failed to make reasonable academic progress as evidenced by below-average academic grades and/or preparation and engagement grades.

Academic Probation: Students who earn a grade of D+ or lower in any course at the end of a semester will be placed on academic probation. In some instances, academic probation is assigned for persistent academic struggle either in academic grades and/or preparation and engagement grades. Once on probation, students will maintain this status until the end of the following school year. At the end of the spring

semester, if reasonable progress is not made, the student may be required to withdraw from school. (See below.)

Academic Separation and Required Withdrawal

At the end of each semester, if the associate dean, in consultation with the academic dean, determines that a student is in danger of not meeting the requirements for an NMH diploma, or if the student fails to make reasonable academic progress (such as, but not limited to, several marking periods on academic probation), the student’s record will be presented to an Academic Review Board. The board typically is composed of three department chairs, a representative from college counseling, the director of CASA, the dean of students, and the dean of faculty. The board will make a recommendation on required withdrawal, separation, or retention to the academic dean. The board may also set conditions for students who are retained or separated.

A student’s associate dean will generally inform the student and parents or guardians that the student’s record will be reviewed by the Academic Review Board. The associate dean will seek to explain to the student in person and in writing why the record will be reviewed and the date and time of the hearing. The student and advisor are allowed to attend the hearing. The student must submit a written statement and may invite other people to submit supporting statements. The associate dean will present the student’s case to the board. The board may also consider information and recommendations from the student’s advisor, teachers, coaches, and other involved faculty. After the meeting, the academic dean will inform the student and parents or guardians of the decision.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

One of the basic expectations of Northfield Mount Hermon students is that they act with honesty and integrity. In the area of academic honesty, the community is guided by the Academic Integrity Statement.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY STATEMENT

Acting with integrity is at the heart of the Northfield Mount Hermon mission statement and is a foundation for academic excellence. Students are expected to understand and abide by the

academic integrity standards outlined in the Student Handbook. This requires honest representation of student work and understanding what constitutes academic fraud.

By signing one ’ s name to an assignment, the student acknowledges completing the assignment in accordance with the directions and academic integrity expectations. In addition, students are asked to sign the following Academic Honor Pledge when they submit major assessments: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this assessment.”

Expectations for academic integrity can vary by class and assignment. For example, on one project a student might be encouraged to use information gleaned from internet research, and on another assignment a student may be asked to produce entirely original work. For this reason, the student must understand the guidelines for academic integrity and the expectations of the specific course and assignment. When in doubt, students should consult with their teachers, librarians, or advisor. Students are responsible for knowing and following the academic integrity expectations communicated to them.

Guidelines for Academic Integrity

Originality, proper source citation, and transparency are essential facets of academic integrity.

Originality: Unless otherwise instructed by the teacher, all work submitted for academic credit must be original. Representing the words and ideas of others as one ’ s own is a violation of academic integrity, as is providing or accepting unauthorized aid.

Source Citation: Accurate and comprehensive acknowledgment of sources must be included in an assignment whenever such sources are used. For information about citing sources, ask the teacher, consult with a librarian, or connect with the NMH library.

Transparency: Whenever possible, students must use platforms and processes that offer transparency (e.g. show editing history). In most cases, students should meet this responsibility by completing all digital work on Google platforms unless they have prior, explicit permission from the teacher who assigned the assignment.

Definitions of Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty occurs when a student does not meet basic or explicit standards for originality, proper source citation, and transparency. Violations also occur when a student completes academic work in ways that misrepresent or hide their true understanding, ability, or effort. Such actions produce an unfair advantage, negate accurate evaluation of student work, and interfere with the educational process.

The academic dean determines fair standards for establishing that an academic integrity violation has occurred. In instances where definitive proof of academic dishonesty is not possible (e.g., unauthorized use of an AI text generator or a failure to use a transparent editing process), reasonable suspicion of dishonesty will count as an academic integrity violation.

The following list illustrates basic types of academic fraud. Violations may include engaging in one or more of these activities or assisting another in doing so.

Cheating: using unauthorized resources or methods to produce work

Example: looking at another student’s work during a test, using a “cheat sheet,” or telling a friend what questions are on the test

Plagiarism: using someone else’s ideas, wording, or data without proper or complete acknowledgment

Examples: using a passage copied from another source without quotation marks and/or a direct citation; taking or purchasing another person ’ s work and submitting it as one ’ s own

Inappropriate Use of Technology: using technology, including but not limited to AI text generators and web-based translation tools, without explicit permission; using platforms for digital work that obscure editing history and process

Examples: using ChatGPT to write an essay without permission; using Google Translate to complete an assessment

Multiple Submissions: using work previously submitted at this or any other school to fulfill academic requirements in another class, without prior permission

Example: submitting a reworked English paper for a history class

Fabrication: inventing information, or knowingly providing false information, for any assignment

Examples: making up false data or altering results in a lab report; intentionally citing an incorrect source or a source that doesn’t exist

Unauthorized or Dishonest Collaboration: working with another student or tutor when independent effort is expected; misrepresenting one ’ s contributions to collaborative work

Examples: completing a take-home exam with another student when independent work is required; not indicating assistance on a project

Negligence: failing to use provided resources, instruction, and supports designed to help students complete work with integrity

Examples: submitting an essay without footnotes after lessons on proper citation; plagiarism resulting from the careless use of sources

Inconsideration: damaging, hoarding, or hiding materials or information to gain an unfair advantage

Appropriate and Inappropriate Parental and Adult Support

Students are encouraged to discuss what they are learning in class with their parents, guardians, academic coaches, or tutors. When it comes to completing coursework, students should discuss with their teacher if and how they can receive help on an assignment. If support is allowed and the student utilizes this support, that support needs to be acknowledged properly. If the student has been instructed to complete the work without additional support, students should not consult with parents, guardians, or tutors until after the work is submitted.

Although there are situations where obtaining a tutor is appropriate, sustained dependence on a tutor can prevent students from developing necessary skill and independence. In all cases, students must notify teachers that they are working with a tutor. Students must certify that all work is their own and not the result of inappropriate collaboration with a tutor. Submitting work completed with a tutor as if individually authored constitutes a violation of academic integrity expectations.

Academic Integrity and Electronic Communication Devices

Use of an electronic communication device, such as a cell phone, is prohibited during class unless the student is directly instructed otherwise by a teacher. Unauthorized use of an electronic communication device during a quiz, exam, or test will call into question the student’s integrity and may constitute an academic integrity violation.

Disciplinary Response and Academic Implications

Students suspected of violating academic integrity expectations may proceed through the NMH discipline process, as outlined above (page 20). In addition to the disciplinary response, the student may incur an academic penalty on the assignment(s). This penalty is determined by the teacher, in consultation with the academic dean and department chair.

ACADEMIC AND OTHER SUPPORT

Disclosure of Relevant Information about the Student

It is in the best interest of students for the school to be fully aware of their prior academic experiences and medical and emotional health history so that the appropriate supports can be put in place. Therefore, families are expected to disclose complete social, disciplinary, medical, and academic histories about their child, including psychological and educational evaluations, outpatient or inpatient treatments for emotional or psychological issues, and information about prescription medications.

Center for Academic Strategies and Achievement

The school offers academic support through the Center for Academic Strategies and Achievement (CASA). CASA’s mission is to nurture self-awareness, self-efficacy, self-advocacy, and self-agency in order to increase students’ academic confidence and efficiency.

Academic coaching through CASA is delivered in one of two ways:

● The CASA Tutorial: one-on-one sessions with an academic coach, held one hour per week;

● The CASA Lab: small-group sessions with 12 students, led by an academic coach and held twice a week, for two hours per session.

CASA support aims to boost academic achievement by improving students’ executive skills (such as time management, organization, and goal setting) and study strategies. Through this work, CASA helps students understand better how they learn and what they need to do to be more successful.

Accommodations

The school does not discriminate against qualified applicants or students on the basis of disabilities that may be reasonably accommodated. The school will discuss with families of applicants with known disabilities whether the school will be able to offer their students the appropriate accommodations to help them be successful at the school.

The school is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities are provided with equal access to the school’s programs and services, in accordance with applicable laws. For students who seek additional support or curricular adjustments, the school requires documentation indicating that the student’s disability substantially limits a major life activity. Students who present the school with appropriate documentation of disability will be granted those requested accommodations that are supported by the documentation and

considered reasonable in this educational setting. Any adjustments to the school’s program would be made through a collaborative process between the student’s family and the director of CASA.

NMH’s academic program is rigorous, and students are expected to meet high academic and community standards. As a primarily residential program, the school also expects students to demonstrate a good deal of independence and accountability. These pedagogical components are intended to help students develop for life at NMH and beyond and are fundamental to the school’s programming and services. The school takes into account the foundational expectations for students and the services and support it can provide when considering requests for accommodations.

Even after supportive services and accommodations have been put in place, a student still may not be able to satisfactorily fulfill the school’s academic or community requirements. In such instances, the student’s advisor, the associate dean, the academic dean, and/or other support personnel may decide that the accommodations put into place may not suffice to ensure the student’s success at the school. This includes when a student presents requiring specific mental health, physical, or medical services inconsistent with or beyond the scope of services the school is able to reasonably provide. At that time, the school will decide whether it is appropriate for the student to remain at the school or if a separation is required.

Counseling Services

School counselors are available to speak with students to help facilitate educational, social, and emotional support on an as-needed basis. In addition, the school may require a student to see a school counselor.

School counselors are part of a team of faculty members and administrators who collaborate with respect to students’ educational experience at the school. As part of this collaborative effort, school counselors may share information obtained from parents and students on a “need-to-know” basis with other employees of the school and a student’s parents. The school counselors are not engaged as any student’s private therapist.

Should the school determine that it is in the best interest of a student to obtain the services of a psychologist or other mental health professional

not employed by the school, a school counselor may assist in a referral for such services. Parents and students should understand that the school does not provide therapeutic services and if a student presents as requiring specific mental health services inconsistent with or beyond the scope of services the school is able to reasonably provide, the school may require the student to separate or withdraw from the school.

Other Counseling

The school maintains a list of referrals for educational, intellectual, psychological, or speech and language evaluations, should parents/guardians wish to consult with the school regarding such an evaluation. Families who need guidance in this area are encouraged to consult the director of counseling. It is the school’s expectation that the results of such evaluations be shared with the school so that appropriate recommendations can be implemented.

WORK PROGRAM

Students and adults work together to provide daily essential work to the school community. Participation in this work by all students has been an integral component of the curriculum since the founding of the school.

NMH Work Program Mission Statement

The mission of the NMH work program (also known as “workjob”) is to engage students in meaningful work that will help them to explore and understand the nature and value of work and to develop a strong work ethic. The work program also provides a labor force critical to accomplishing the essential work of the school. The work program fulfills its mission by:

● Fostering a positive work ethic, including punctuality, reliability, accountability, initiative, pride in work well done, and the importance of serving others and one ’ s community.

● Providing instruction in practical life skills.

● Developing respect for the dignity of labor, an appreciation for various types of labor, and a sense of responsibility to self and others.

● Strengthening students’ sense of community through shared experiences by participating in longstanding work traditions.

● Providing students with an evaluation of their work, opportunities to reflect on the meaning and quality of their work, and the identification of individual strengths and values.

● Providing opportunities and resources that enhance supervisors’ roles as mentors and teachers.

Work Program Requirement

● All students are assigned a job each term they are enrolled.

● Students must work approximately 33 hours each term, generally three to four hours per week. Some jobs require work to be done in different amounts of time over the course of the term.

● Students must not be absent for more than 20 percent of their work time each term. This includes both excused and unexcused absences.

● Students must receive one work program credit each term in attendance in order to graduate.

● Students who receive a failing grade of unsatisfactory (U) do not receive work program credit and must complete an additional work assignment the following term.

Work Assignment Information

● Assignments are rotated every term; some are yearlong.

● Students may receive multiple assignments in the same job or time slot.

● Supervisors often request specific workers. Students may request jobs, but due to competition and schedule, requests may be denied.

● All students in their first three to four terms at NMH are assigned to entry-level jobs in the custodial department, on the farm, or in dining services, unless requested by a supervisor to work in a specialized job.

● Day students are strongly encouraged to do work assignments in the summer and during spring break, but this is optional.

● Summer work is assigned by application on a first-come, first-served basis of available students, with each applicant receiving one week’s work before a second week is assigned. Day students are preferred on summer work assignments; local boarding students are assigned only after all day-student requests are filled.

Work Program Attendance

Work assignments are scheduled for seven days a week between 8 am and 10 pm. Absence points in workjob are assigned as follows:

Absences: Students accrue one point per hour or part of an hour missed.

Tardiness:

Up to 10 minutes tardy .5 point

11+ minutes tardy 1 point

Incomplete: One-half to three points, depending on the length of the shift. Incompletes are assigned for work that is deemed to be unfinished, including leaving early without permission. Incomplete points may be made up.

Unsatisfactory: One to three points, depending on the length of the shift.

When students have conflicts with other required school events such as athletics contests, performances, rehearsals, or aptitude/entrance exams, students must:

● Contact the work program office at least 48 hours in advance.

● Make every effort to find a substitute.

● Notify the work program office of the substitute’s name and identify the swapped shifts by work area, date, and time.

Failure to contact or notify the work program office of an assignment swap may result in the assigning of absence points, even though the conflict was the result of another required event.

It is a major school rule violation to receive payment or pay substitutes for work.

Expectations

● Be on time.

● Perform tasks to the best of one ’ s ability.

● Learn and be productive.

● Sign in when arriving at work and sign out when departing. Students are expected to record their time on sign-in rosters accurately, and to work for the amount of time specified on their schedules. Dishonesty in the recording of time is a major school rule violation regarding deceitful behavior.

Dress Code

● No heavy, dangling jewelry.

● Closed-toe shoes (no flip-flops).

● No tank tops or torn clothing.

● Long hair must be tied back.

● No headphones or cell phones.

● Dress appropriately for work assignment and weather.

● Hats must be worn while handling food (dining hall workers).

Grading: Grades are based on attendance, reliability, and attitude.

O: Outstanding worker

● No more than two unexcused absences (exceptions may be made if the student is a superior worker).

● Can be trusted to carry out assignments with minimal supervision.

● Always willing to help, does more than expected, shows initiative.

● Approaches job with positive, constructive attitude, team player.

● Communicates effectively with supervisors.

G: Good worker

● No more than four unexcused absences (exceptions may be made if the student is a superior worker).

● Can be trusted to carry out tasks; may require check-ins.

● Above-average worker, takes initiative, provides very good work.

● Displays a positive attitude and works well with others.

● Cooperates and communicates well with supervisors.

NI: Needs improvement (The supervisor must write a comment to explain and inform the work program director of specifics.)

● Five or more unexcused absences; often absent or late.

● Requires substantial monitoring to complete tasks successfully.

● Below-average worker; work is often not completed.

● Shows little interest in work.

● Frequently falls short of supervisors’ expectations.

U: Unsatisfactory – Failing grade (The supervisor must write a comment to explain. The work program director should be informed of specifics if the student will fail.)

● More than six unexcused absences (more than 20 percent); often late.

● Requires constant monitoring.

● Work is poor quality and/or rarely completed.

● Does not cooperate with the supervisor and shows no interest in the work.

● Consistently does not meet supervisor’s standards for satisfactory work.

STUDY-AWAY POLICIES and PROTOCOLS

Participation and Responsibilities

As members of an NMH study-away program, students are expected to be good ambassadors of the school who work to respect and understand local culture and customs at all times. Students must also remember and honor their own culture, including the rules and expectations of NMH.

Participation in an NMH study-away program is a privilege. Among the qualities sought in the selection process is the ability to represent NMH in an appropriate manner, and acceptance to any program is contingent upon a student’s ability to uphold and honor NMH rules and regulations as stated in the handbook. This expectation applies whether a student is away on the program or on campus prior to the departure of the trip.

If, after acceptance to a program, a student is found to be in violation of a major school rule, the dean of students, in consultation with the program leaders, will determine whether the student will be allowed to participate in the study-away program. Once determined, the dean of students will notify the student, family, and associate dean of the decision. If the violation occurs within three months of the trip’s departure, the student may lose the privilege of participating in the travel program.

Please note if the student loses the privilege of participation, their family will still be required to satisfy any financial obligations.

Expectations During Study-Away Programs

While on a study-away program, students must follow all NMH major school rules regardless of local laws, customs, or culture. Before every trip, students and families will receive a detailed description of the rules

and code of conduct, which are in addition to the general policies that apply to students while enrolled in the school.

Program leaders may respond immediately to rule violations and will communicate with the dean of students regarding such violations. The dean of students, in consultation with the program leaders, may determine if additional consequences for such violations are appropriate. In addition to the school’s standard disciplinary response for misconduct, violations of any school rules or trip-specific rules may result in the student being sent home at the student’s family’s expense.

POLICY ON OUTSIDE COURSEWORK DURING THE NMH ACADEMIC YEAR

NMH strongly discourages and does not support students taking courses with outside institutions during the academic year. The stress and pressure of outside academic work takes a serious toll on student health and well-being, which often undermines their learning and achievement at NMH.

Students are instead encouraged to use the CMAP schedule to dive deeply into their NMH courses each semester. In addition, they should take advantage of the full array of opportunities for learning and enrichment offered beyond the classroom at NMH. It is also important for students to leave space for healthy habits, plenty of sleep, and meaningful social connections.

Students who wish to take a course with an outside institution must share this interest with the academic dean advisor prior to starting the course. (Students who are already signed up for a course as of September 2023 must inform their advisor immediately.)

NMH will not recognize outside coursework as a mitigating circumstance in student absences, academic dishonesty, or disciplinary infractions. Students cannot miss any scheduled NMH meeting or responsibility because of outside coursework. Students cannot request modifications or accommodations for NMH responsibilities to support outside coursework, including:

● Extensions for NMH coursework.

● Exceptions to study hall expectations.

● Permission for “late lights” after study hall.

● Excused absences from any NMH obligation (e.g., classes, dorm meetings, workjob, or sports practices).

● Early or late arrival/departure for any break, including summer break.

Meetings with NMH-approved standardized test preparation resources and NMH tutors are not considered outside coursework. Nevertheless, students cannot miss scheduled NMH meetings or responsibilities for these purposes.

Student Records and Transcripts

Student records are kept on file at the school for at least seven years. Each student’s transcript includes grades, athletic involvement, and commendations. Each student’s file includes formal academic, athletic, and advisor comments; advisor letters; and letters involving any major discipline infractions.

Residential Life

At NMH, our housing structure is intentional and, above all else, seeks to provide a safe and comfortable space. We work hard to understand the physical, social, and emotional needs of the students in our care, knowing that these needs are unique to each person, as well as ever-evolving. However, as part of our curriculum, students are also expected to demonstrate a significant degree of independence and accountability in relation to their responsibilities and the expectations for the residential program.

Our dormitories are gender inclusive: supportive of boys, trans, and non-binary students, or supportive of girls, trans, non-binary students. We also offer housing that is all-gender (gender identities and experiences that represent the spectrum of gender identity). Students must apply for all-gender housing, and parental permission is required. All-gender housing is designated for students who have an expressed need for this kind of residential space to feel safe and supported and for those who identify as a trusted ally to students who identify outside of the gender binary.

In all of our dorms, we apply protocols, in addition to our major and minor school rules, to promote the safety and comfort of our students.

Students are issued a key card that allows them access only to the dorm in which they reside (boarders) or with which they are affiliated (day students). A student wishing to visit another dorm must be accompanied by a person from the dorm they are visiting. Students may visit other dorms in accordance with the Visitation Policy. (See p. 15.)

EVENING PROTOCOLS

Students learn to live with others and to appreciate their needs and differences in the dorms. Members of the dorm staff resident leaders, resident and nonresident faculty members, and the dorm head work closely with students to promote a quality of dorm life that reflects the high standards of the school. The dorm staff provides direction, accountability, and support for the residents. The staff also upholds and enforces the expectations and rules of the school. Students must be aware that their rooms are the property of the school, and, on occasion, school

personnel may enter rooms without the permission or knowledge of the students.

Quiet Hours

The daily schedule and academic rigor at NMH require that students remain healthy and alert, and are thus strongly encouraged to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night. The school has instituted times during the day and night when all dorms must observe quiet hours. During these hours, students must create conditions that are conducive to study or sleep. Music systems may not be used in such a manner as to create a noise nuisance on the campus.

Quiet hours are as follows:

Sunday: 7 pm to 8 am

Monday–Thursday: 8 pm to 8 am

Friday–Saturday: 11:30 pm to 8 am

Study Hall

Study hall exists for all boarding students on Sunday from 7:30 to 9:30 pm and Monday through Thursday from 8 to 10 pm. During study hall, students must be either working quietly in their rooms or signed out through REACH to an approved academic facility or an approved event (e.g., film showing, rehearsal). Students who abuse the privilege of studying in out-of-dorm locations will be required to study in their dorms until further notice. The following conditions prevail during study hall:

● All students must keep their doors open.

● Absolute quiet must be maintained.

● No socializing or wandering around the dorm or the campus.

● Music heard only with headphones.

● Computers must be used for academic purposes only.

Dorm staff may implement additional limitations.

Library Permission

Study hall in the library starts at 7 pm, Sunday through Thursday.

11th, 12th and PGs: May go to the library any time; must sign out of the dorm and into the library via REACH by 9 pm.

10th: May go to the library with a note from the teacher; must sign out of the dorm and into the library via REACH by 9 pm. At fall midterm, sophomores in good standing no longer need a note to study in the library.

9th: May go to the library with a note from the teacher; must sign out of the dorm and into the library via REACH by 8 pm. Students must return by 8:45 pm unless special permission has been granted.

Dorm Closing, Roll Call, and Lights Out

9th-grade Dorms:

Sun: 7:15 pm: dorm closing and roll call

7:30–9:3o pm: study hall

9:30 pm: dorm meeting and check-in

10:30 pm: in rooms, lights out and final check-in

Mon–Thurs: 7:45 pm: dorm closing and roll call

8–10 pm: study hall

1o pm: roll call

10:30 pm: in rooms, lights out and final check-in

Fri and Sat: 7:30 pm: roll call

10:30 pm: dorm closing and roll call

11 pm: in rooms with final check-in

11:30 pm: lights out

Dorm Closing, Roll Call, and Lights Out

All Other Dorms:

Sun: 7:15 pm: roll call

7:30–9:30 pm: study hall

9:30 pm: dorm closing, roll call, dorm meeting

10:45 pm: in rooms with final check-in

11:30 pm: lights out

Mon–Thurs: 7:45 pm: roll call

8–10 pm: study hall

10 pm: dorm closing and roll call

10:45 pm: in rooms with final check-in

11:30 pm: lights out

Fri: 7:30 pm: roll call

10:30 pm: dorm closing and roll call

11 pm: in rooms with final check-in

Midnight: lights out

Sat: 7:30 pm: roll call

11:30 pm: dorm closing and roll call

Midnight: in rooms with final check-in

12:30 am: lights out

At the start of the evening, and at dorm closing time, faculty may conduct a roll call via REACH to ensure that students are present in the dorm or to verify that they are absent with permission and have submitted the appropriate leave information in REACH (e.g., on a weekend away or in the health center). At lights out, faculty typically do a final check of the dorm to ensure that students are in their own rooms and that their space and conduct support a quiet and restful atmosphere for all. Students must be in their own dorms, and in their own rooms, between dorm closing and 6 am. The computer network is shut down from lights out until 6 am. Students may seek permission from the faculty member on duty to stay up past the designated time for work purposes. This constitutes “late lights” permission. A student must request this before sign-in. Late lights will not be granted for a Sunday evening.

ROOM REGULATIONS

Students may not:

● Have computer monitors that are larger than 21 inches; students may have only one monitor.

● Engage in electronic gaming during the academic day or during study hall.

● Remove any of the furniture supplied by the school.

● Use dorm lounge furniture in their own rooms.

● Dismantle beds, use homemade bed risers, or put beds or dressers on top of other school furniture.

● Bring to or keep pets of any kind at the school. The only exception is fish kept in a tank that is less than five gallons.

● Store bicycles or construction tools or materials in their rooms.

● Use liquor, beer, or wine bottles or cans, drug paraphernalia, or alcohol/drug/nicotine propaganda, or items with inappropriate messaging/images for room decoration. All decorations must uphold community standards and major school rules.

● Have in their rooms any furniture or items that violate standards for safety and cleanliness. Fire-retardant tags must be visible.

● Use nails, tacks, screws, duct tape, or glue on the walls, floors, doors, ceilings, or woodwork.

● Tamper with or install light fixtures, electrical outlets, wall switches, telephone, or any wiring.

● Tamper with ceiling tiles.

● Do anything that will endanger others or damage school property.

● Climb into or out of any windows (dormitory or classroom).

● Store items on their window sills.

● Bring hoverboards to campus.

Fire-Safety Regulations

Fire-safety rules will be explained by the dorm staff at the opening of fall term. Fire drills will take place throughout the year. For everyone ’ s safety, students must not:

● Smoke, use an open flame, or burn incense.

● Use multiple outlet adapters in a single outlet.

● Put extension cords under rugs or anywhere they might be stepped on. (Extension cords should carry current to only one item and be appropriately rated for that item.)

● Obstruct fire doors.

● Tamper with fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, sprinkler heads, or alarms. Charges will be levied against students who tamper with fire equipment, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

● Hang anything from the sprinkler system pipes.

● Use hair straighteners or curling irons in their rooms.

The following items are prohibited in student rooms because they create a fire hazard:

● Fireworks, candles, incense and burners, matches and lighters.

● Cloth on the wall, including shirts, hats, banners, and flags.

● Cooking or heating appliances, such as hot pots, hot plates, blenders, popcorn poppers, immersion heaters, toasters, camping stoves, microwaves, and plug-in oil diffusers.

● Dry floral arrangements or evergreens.

● Electric blankets.

● Foam padding, including foam mattress pads.

● Halogen, high-intensity, lava, or clip-on lamps.

● Irons, soldering irons, or propane torches.

● Paper or posters on either side of the door.

● Plastic, straw, shag, or rubber-backed floor coverings.

● Plastic, wicker, vinyl, or inflated furniture; upholstered, stuffed, or beanbag chairs/office furniture (e.g., futons, couches).

● Strings of decorative lights (even if LED), lighted signs, or items hung on strings such as photos.

● Any item that may constitute a fire hazard.

Electrical appliances such as radios, lamps, fans, and computers must be UL-approved and should be kept to a minimum so that the circuits in the dorms will not be overloaded. Students should also be sure that their appliances are safely connected and sensibly placed in their rooms. Students may use electric heating pads or humidifiers only with permission from the NMH health center. All other appliances that produce heat are prohibited. Air conditioners and refrigerators are not allowed.

Extension cords must be grounded, three-prong, UL-approved cords with minimum wire size of 16/2, and be no longer than 10 feet. In lieu of extension cords, students may use UL-approved, 15-amp breaker strips having multiple outlets. Students are urged to use LED bulbs in lighting fixtures to minimize electrical loads.

Wall coverings must be kept to the following standards: To minimize fire hazards, students may hang one 2’ x 3’ poster per wall, or 18 4” x 6” pictures per wall (not both!) The outside of room doors should have only the student’s name and a marker board, and the room number must be visible.

Room Inspections

Room inspections are conducted weekly (or more often) by members of the dorm staff and are a necessary part of the school’s obligation to ensure the following:

● Rooms and their contents are well cared for.

● Residents’ health and safety are well protected.

● Rooms are not repositories for illegal or dangerous contraband or stolen items (see Room Searches).

● Fire regulations are followed.

The associate dean or dorm staff may hold an unannounced room inspection during which they will check the overall standards of housekeeping and ensure that students are complying with safety regulations.

Students are responsible for the contents and condition of their rooms, which must be kept neat, clean, and free from fire hazards. Students must take good care of the furnishings; they should keep dirty laundry in a bag or basket and have it cleaned regularly.

The school reserves the right to require the removal of any items such as posters, DVDs, and garments that are offensive or contrary to the spirit of community standards, or that advocate behaviors specifically prohibited by the school rules and regulations.

A faculty member who notes a violation of a fire-safety rule will clearly warn the student responsible and will point out the severe consequences of a continued violation. Continued noncompliance will result in a dean’s warning, disciplinary probation, or, depending on the circumstances, separation or dismissal.

Associate deans, campus safety officers, and a member of the local fire department will also conduct regular fire inspections of dorm rooms throughout the year. Violations of fire regulations will be addressed by the associate dean or a member of the dorm staff. Failure to resolve issues and/or continued fire safety violations may result in disciplinary action. Campus safety officers and associate deans conducting inspections may remove any item they see on the list of prohibited items.

At the end of each term, the dorm staff and/or plant facilities personnel may inspect rooms. A violation of a school rule observed during a room inspection will render a student subject to disciplinary action. (During the year, plant facilities personnel may have to make unscheduled visits in order to make repairs. If they observe a hazard or find contraband, they may report it to the dean of students’ office.)

Plant facilities will assess any significant damage to school property, and the school will charge the costs to the student responsible or who is accountable for such property.

At the end of the year, the school will deduct $100 from a student’s miscellaneous fee if the room requires cleaning by plant facilities.

Room Searches

Dormitories are the property of the school. Students exercise control over their dorm room from other students but not from the school and its officials. The school may conduct a search of dormitory rooms or personal belongings (including bags, backpacks, cell phones, computers, and other effects) if the school suspects a student may be violating the law or a school rule or policies. School personnel and law enforcement officials may search dorm rooms as the school determines appropriate, which may include random searches. Searches may be conducted at any time and without advance notice to the student. When possible, the school employee conducting the search will describe to the student in question the items they are looking for before the search.

School and law enforcement officials may seize items that may jeopardize safety, constitute a health hazard, or are otherwise prohibited by the school’s policies.

Guests on Campus

To protect the safety of our students, NMH is a closed campus. While we invite visitors to be part of the community, it is not appropriate to host overnight guests on campus. Guests may be permitted, with special permission from the deans’ office, to attend special functions on campus. Guests will be expected, however, to comply with any and all restrictions placed with regard to all health and safety protocols.

Moving during the School Year

Room and dorm changes are rarely granted. In cases of roommate conflict, students are required to go through mediation before changes will be considered. Students should not expect to move more than once during the academic year. Changes will not be considered before the conclusion of the first semester.

PERMISSIONS AND CAMPUS BOUNDARIES

At sundown, students must remain within the bounds of the core campus. Specifically, students may not be in the wooded areas; on the lower fields or near the river; on the back loop; on the Overtoun playing fields; on any part of campus below Ridge Hall, Rhodes Art Center, and gym (i.e., the farm and lower playing fields); or on any construction sites. At no time may students be in or on a body of water unless they are with a faculty member.

Please note that NMH students may not walk, run, hike, bike, inline skate, rollerski, scooter, or skateboard, etc. beyond a 2.5-mile distance from the core campus without securing specific permission and signing out.

Students must sign out of their dorm via REACH:

● Whenever they will be out of the dorm during study hall.

● Whenever they go beyond campus boundaries. (This does not include travel with NMH programs, but does include biking and jogging/running.)

Cars and Driving Permission

Boarding students may not bring cars on campus or keep cars in the vicinity of campus for student use. Violating this rule is considered unacceptable behavior. Boarding students may not drive cars while on campus, except when accompanied by parents. Boarding students are not permitted to ride with day students. Boarding students may ride with day student parents/guardians only for off-campus trips and only with parental permission. These regulations are in effect whenever school is in session, on both weekdays and weekends. To leave campus by car, all students must sign out via REACH. Boarding students may ride in a car with a member of their family, a member of the faculty or staff, other NMH parents, or a person specified by their parents on a permission form.

Uber/Lyft (and similar rideshare options): Students are not allowed to use these services to leave or come to campus. As a private campus, we do not authorize these services to enter campus to transport our students.

Weekend and Overnight Permissions

Students may leave campus after their last commitment on Friday or Saturday, except on designated community weekends. All students must return by 7:30 pm on Sunday. The school may restrict weekends at the discretion of the associate dean. (COVID-19 testing may be required and will be determined by the school.)

Over the summer, forms for granting weekend permissions will be posted online. Parental permissions must be given in writing; must specify date, destination, and means of travel; and must be emailed directly to the dean of students’ office. Students wishing to take a weekend or overnight trip must complete the online permission request form by midnight on Wednesday. Parents should be copied on this request. In order to take a weekend away from school, but not at their own home, students must obtain a written invitation from their adult host. Once approved, students must check out via REACH before departing campus.

Students taking weekends or overnights must leave campus by 8 pm, unless a later departure time has been approved by the deans, and may not temporarily return. Students who return early may not leave campus again and must promptly notify the faculty on duty in the dorm.

Students who will be returning late to school or who have changed their plans must promptly notify by telephone the faculty member on duty in their dorm or the dean on duty (413-498-3326/DEAN). Students must check in via REACH immediately upon their return to campus.

Food Delivery Guidelines

Deliveries by approved local restaurants, as well as orders from DoorDash and Instacart, are now approved on campus during the following schedule:

● Monday through Thursday: No deliveries via restaurants, DoorDash, or Instacart are permitted.

● Friday and Saturday: Approved restaurants can accept orders from 5-10 pm. Ordering times will close one hour prior to these delivery times or at the discretion of the restaurant. DoorDash and Instacart orders also can be accepted during this time, with delivery completed within this time frame. Please be aware of estimated delivery times before placing your order and plan accordingly.

● Sunday: Approved restaurants can accept orders from noon to 6 pm. Ordering windows will close one hour prior to the above delivery times or at the discretion of the restaurant. DoorDash and Instacart orders also can be accepted during this time, with delivery completed within this time frame. Please be aware of estimated delivery times before placing your order and plan accordingly.

● All orders must be paid for via phone or online prior to delivery. No cash payments will be accepted.

● Food may not be delivered to dorms.

● Food must be delivered to Grandin or Mail Center. Signage is there for both restaurant deliveries and DoorDash and Instacart.

● For DoorDash and Instacart, you must use the address: 11 Conference Road

Please report to the Grandin/Mail Center parking lot and wait for your driver to arrive. NMH is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or spoiled food items. Students should contact the company directly with any complaints. Deliveries from DoorDash and Instacart that are not met by students will be delivered inside the campus mail center and placed on a designated shelf for deliveries.

DAY STUDENTS

Day students should plan to be at school from 8 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday when school is in session. Day students are expected to leave campus as described below, or when their commitments are done for the day.

● All grades, 9th–PG:

○ Sunday–Thursday: 7:30 pm unless in approved, non-dormitory study hall locations (library, math help, etc.)

● 9th grade:

○ Friday and Saturday: 10 pm

● 10th–PG:

○ Friday: 10:30 pm

○ Saturday: 11:30 pm

Status: Students who enroll at NMH as day students may request a change to boarding status during their school career. The admission office oversees this process. Students may also be required to meet with their associate dean to understand what this change of status means. Requests will be granted only as space allows and consideration for the appropriateness of the residential setting for the student. All billing will adjust accordingly to reflect boarding versus day status. If the student is receiving financial aid, there is no guarantee that additional financial aid will be available. When students request a change from day to boarding status, they must recognize that this change will remain in effect for the rest of their career at the school.

Attendance: When a day student is sick and cannot attend school, a parent must call the health services office (413-498-3407) to excuse the student. If the student is on campus and becomes ill, only the NMH health services personnel can excuse the student from NMH obligations.

Day students wishing to miss school obligations due to special circumstances must request permission to do so in advance through the special permission process in the deans’ office.

Driving: Day students are expected to meet with their associate dean to receive permission to drive on campus and to review driving rules and

expectations. They must register their car with campus safety and park in designated areas on campus. They must leave their car parked until they depart campus for the day. Day students are not allowed to drive boarding students. A violation of any of the driving policies may make a student subject to disciplinary action, including the loss of driving privileges.

Mail: Because teachers use campus mailboxes, voicemail, and email to notify day students of meetings, events, or schedule changes, day students should check their various mailboxes daily. Note: Do not send cash or valuables through the campus mail system (“the pony”). The mailroom is not responsible for items lost in the mail.

Meals: Day students pay an annual fee to cover lunch on weekdays and occasional meals in Alumni Hall.

Weekend Overnight Permission: Day students wishing to spend the night in their affiliated dorm on a weekend must complete the online permission request form by midnight on Wednesday. Parents will be copied on this request. Once approved, students must check in via REACH upon arrival to the dorm.

Please Note: Day student overnights on weekends are permitted only during designated community weekends, in the case of inclement weather, and on eight weekend nights per year at no additional charge. Stays on weeknights and in excess of this weekend limit must be approved through the deans’ office and will be charged to the student’s account at a fee of $50 per night.

In addition to their affiliated dorm, 10th-PG day students have the option to stay overnight in one additional dorm during the 2023-24 school year. Day students wishing to request an additional overnight dorm must be in contact with their associate dean via email, and must receive written approval from their associate dean. Once the additional dorm has been requested and approved, day students may not switch to another dorm, the selected dorm will be for the entirety of the school year. The dean of students’ office may deny any such request.

Interpersonal Misconduct Policies: Bullying, Harassment, Discrimination, Hazing, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct

The school does not tolerate verbal or physical behavior that constitutes bullying (including cyber-bullying), hazing or any form of harassment, discrimination, including sexual harassment, and any form of sexual misconduct (collectively referred to as “interpersonal misconduct”). NMH is dedicated to preventing interpersonal misconduct by fostering a positive school culture and providing a curriculum that encourages social-skills development. We work to enhance students’ abilities to develop healthy relationships and to take positive action when they witness or experience any form of interpersonal misconduct. The school is also committed to promptly addressing any behavior that impedes the learning of any student or interferes with the experience of any other member of the school community.

Interpersonal misconduct is prohibited on the school’s campus and the property immediately adjacent to school grounds, on school vehicles, and at school-sponsored events, activities, athletic contests, and off-campus trips. No technology, including school-owned technology, may be used to intimidate, harass, threaten, bully or discriminate against another student. In addition, interpersonal misconduct is prohibited at a location, activity, function, or program that is not school-related or through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by the school, if such conduct: (a) creates a hostile environment at school for a student, (b) infringes on the rights of a student at the school, or (c) substantially disrupts the educational process or the school’s orderly operations. Though interpersonal misconduct that occurs outside of the above locations/contexts may be outside of the school’s investigative and/or disciplinary reach, we still encourage families and students to share potential incidents with a trusted staff member (as discussed in more detail below) if the school may need to have a heightened awareness of how off-campus conduct may be impacting a student at school.

The school expressly prohibits retaliation against a student who reports potential misconduct (including but not limited to reports of alleged bullying, harassment, discrimination, hazing, sexual harassment, or

sexual misconduct), provides information during an investigation, or witnesses and/or has reliable information about such misconduct. Retaliation is defined as any form of intimidation, reprisal, or harassment directed against the other individual.

● Also see “Sexual Intimacy and Affirmative Consent” in “Major School Rule: Treat Others with Dignity and Respect and Commit to Respectful and Healthy Relationships, p. 10.

● Also see Appendix C for Interpersonal Misconduct Definitions

Legal Definitions and School Policies

In accordance with the school’s mission, values, and standards of conduct, the school has supplemented and/or provided broader protections against bullying, harassment, discrimination, and other inappropriate conduct than may be required under applicable laws. In essence, the school’s standards may be stricter than the law, and the school may impose discipline accordingly. For example, although the law defines “bullying” as the “repeated use ” of certain expressions, acts, and/or gestures, under the school’s policies, a single instance may be sufficient to rise to the level of bullying and, therefore, warrant disciplinary action or other corrective measures. The school’s efforts to enhance its protection of students in no way expand an individual’s rights under applicable laws. Further, the school may modify and amplify the standards set forth in its policies and use its discretion in the interpretative enforcement of all ideals and standards of conduct.

Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy

The school will not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind by or toward any student, faculty member, employee, or visitor to campus on the basis of the individual’s perceived or actual protected characteristic such as race, gender, gender identity, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, religion, or any other characteristic protected by law. Students whose behavior is found in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion.

As applied to students, discrimination and protected class harassment are defined as follows:

Discrimination is behavior that is pervasive and severe and has the purpose and effect of (a) creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; (b) interfering unreasonably with a student’s academic performance; or (c) creating a situation where academic decisions of a student depend on the student submitting to and/or not objecting to the behavior. Discrimination can take many forms. Examples include but are not limited to limiting opportunities to participate in certain clubs, team, or activities based on certain characteristics, as well as slurs, jokes, statements, remarks, questions, gestures, pictures, emails, texts, or cartoons regarding a legally protected status that are derogatory or demeaning to an individual’s or group ’ s characteristics or that promote stereotypes.

Employee-to-student discrimination means conduct of a written, verbal, or physical nature that is designed to embarass, distress, agitate, disturb, or trouble students when a student is a member of a protected class and:

● Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a student’s education or a student’s participation in school programs or activities.

● Submission to or rejection of such conduct by a student is used as the basis for decisions affecting the student.

● Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a student’s performance or creating an intimidating or hostile learning environment.

● Such conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive to create an intimidating or hostile learning environment.

Student-to-student discrimination means conduct of a written, verbal, or physical nature that is designed to embarass, distress, agitate, disturb, or trouble students when a student is a member of a protected class and:

● Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a student’s performance or creating an intimidating or hostile learning environment.;

● Such conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive to create an intimidating or hostile environment.

Conduct that may constitute harassment or discrimination may be verbal, non-verbal, or physical and may include online or in-person conduct or communications.

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy:

As with other forms of harassment and discrimination, sexual harassment or any form of sexual misconduct is a breach of community expectations. Northfield Mount Hermon’s policy against sexual harassment and sexual misconduct applies regardless of a person ’ s sex, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Any student who engages in sexual harassment or any kind of sexual misconduct is subject to discipline, up to and including dismissal from school.

This policy is in effect while students or employees are on school grounds, school property, or property within the jurisdiction of the school, (e.g. on school buses) or while attending or engaging in school-sponsored programs, activities, or employment.

Please note that while this policy sets forth our goal of promoting an environment that is free of harassment, including sexual harassment, the policy is not designed or intended to limit our authority to discipline or take remedial action for conduct that we deem unacceptable, regardless of whether that conduct satisfies the definition of harasment or sexual harassment. Furthermore, the school does not endorse or condone sexually intimate activity by or among students and advocates postponing sexual intimacy until students are past adolescence.

Sexual harassment is a type of protected class harassment. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcomed conduct on the basis of sex or sexual in nature that is so severe or pervasive and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the school’s education program, activities, or employment. It also includes unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment includes conduct by an employee making an educational benefit or service dependent on a person ’ s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct, often called quid pro quo harassment, and sexual assault as the law defines the crime.

While it is not possible to list all additional circumstances that may constitute sexual harassment, examples of behavior that may constitute sexual harassment (regardless of whether the intent or consequence of such behavior is to make the target feel uncomfortable) include:

● Offensive body language (staring and/or leering at a person ’ s body or standing/brushing too close).

● Offensive or unwanted sexual comments, abuse, jokes, or insults, delivered verbally or in writing; derogatory or pornographic posters, cartoons, or drawings.

● Pressure to engage in sexual activity (such as hazing or threats, as well as repeated requests after rejections).

● Offering favors or benefits in exchange for sexual acts or threatening mistreatment if one does not engage in sexual acts.

● Offensive or unwelcomed physical advances (including kissing, hugging, pinching, grabbing, groping, “playful” slapping, etc.).

Because the school takes allegations of harassment, including sexual harassment, seriously, we will respond promptly to complaints. Following an investigation in which it is determined that such inappropriate conduct has occurred, we will act promptly to eliminate the conduct and impose corrective action as is necessary, including disciplinary action where appropriate, up to and including suspension, expulsion, or employee termination. The school will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of harassment by an investigator appointed by the head of school or the head’s designees, such as the assistant head for campus life or associate head or other appropriate administrators.

Retaliation against someone because they have filed a harassment or sexual harassment complaint or against anyone who has assisted or participated in a harassment or sexual harassment investigation or proceeding is also prohibited. A student or employee who is found to have retaliated against another in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including student suspension or expulsion or employee termination.

The following provisions are specific to the sexual harassment policy:

Notice of Sexual Harassment and/or Sexual Misconduct

The school will respond when the school has notice of sexual harassment. The school has notice when an allegation is made known to any school employee. The school will treat seriously all reports of sexual harassment, whether or not the complainant files a complaint. The school will investigate every complaint and respond meaningfully to every known report of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, whether or not the complainant files a formal complaint. If the school receives information regarding alleged sexual harassment, up to and including sexual misconduct, it will review the information and determine if further investigation is warranted. In some instances, when allegations do not involve sexual violence or sexual assault, reports may be investigated and responded to through the school’s standard disciplinary process. In other

cases, however, if the allegations involve more egregious forms of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, the school may, at its discretion, utilize the process below in this policy.

The school understands the importance of supportive measures designed to preserve or restore access to the school’s education program, activities, or employment, with or without a complaint. Where there has been a finding of responsibility, the school will look to remedies designed to restore or preserve access to the school’s education program, activities, or employment.

Reporting Sexual Harassment and/or Sexual Misconduct

A student who has experienced sexual harassment or sexual misconduct; who has witnessed such an incident or any incident of retaliation; or who otherwise has relevant information about conduct prohibited by the school is expected to report the matter promptly (either orally or in writing) to an associate dean of students, an adviser, a dorm faculty member, or any other administrator or faculty member with whom the student is comfortable speaking. Although the head of school will designate one or more appropriate employees as the initial entity to receive reports and formal complaints of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, nothing in this policy shall prevent any person from reporting the prohibited conduct to someone other than the above designated complaint recipients. Oral reports made to a member of the faculty/staff will generally be memorialized in writing. An NMH staff member is required to report immediately to an associate dean of students any instance of interpersonal misconduct the staff member becomes aware of or witnesses.

Reporting Incidents of Sexual Assault

With respect to reporting sexual assault in particular, students are strongly urged to speak to a member of the health and wellness center staff or to a trusted external resource. When making such outreach, students may share as little or as much information as they would like.

Parents and/or Guardians Reporting on Behalf of a Student

Parents/guardians of a student who has experienced sexual harassment or sexual misconduct or of a student who has witnessed or otherwise have relevant information about such conduct are urged to notify immediately an associate dean of students or the director of counseling. Furthermore, any parent/guardian who has witnessed such harassment or misconduct or who has relevant information concerning such an incident or any incident of retaliation is strongly encouraged to contact one of these administrators immediately

Anonymous Reporting

The school urges students and parents/guardians not to make anonymous reports. Although there are circumstances in which an anonymous report can be better than none at all, it is far more difficult to determine the facts of what occurred if complaints are made anonymously, and disciplinary action will generally not be taken against an individual solely on the basis of an anonymous report. The school cannot promise absolute confidentiality to those reporting sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, as there may be a need to share information during an investigation or otherwise; however, the school will disclose such information with discretion, on a need-to-know basis.

Investigating Allegations of Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct

Where appropriate, the dean of students’ office (or assistant head for campus life office) will conduct an impartial, fact-finding investigation of the complaint. The extent of such an investigation will be based on the specific circumstances of the alleged conduct. The goals of an investigation and of any disciplinary or other remedial process imposed following the investigation are to correct the situation to the extent reasonably possible and to take steps to prevent repetition of the incident and retaliation. The investigator may receive the complaint orally or in writing, and the investigation shall be conducted in such a way to maintain confidentiality to the extent practicable under the circumstances and in compliance with applicable law. The investigation will be managed as expediently as possible while also upholding the need to be thorough and impartial.

The school may consult with faculty, the director of medicine, the director of counseling , the parents/guardians of the alleged complainant(s) and/or alleged respondent(s), or any other person deemed to have knowledge about the complaint or circumstances surrounding the complaint. The school expects students and parents to cooperate personally with the school’s investigations. The school does not communicate directly with legal representation on behalf of a student or family.

The school may employ an outside investigator as the situation demands for any sexual harassment or sexual misconduct investigation.

An investigation will include the following:

● A presumption of innocence throughout the investigation process, with the burden of proof on the school to demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence (i.e. more likely than not) that misconduct occurred.

● Investigator(s) who are unbiased and without conflicts of interest.

● A decision-maker separate from the investigator(s).

● A specific associate dean assigned to each party to support them through the process.

● Where possible, private interviews with the complainant, the respondent, and any other witnesses or parties who have information relevant to the alleged incident.

● An equal opportunity provided to both parties to review evidence after the investigation and before the investigator’s findings are shared with the decision-maker(s).

● An investigation report that will be provided to the decision maker(s).

● A written determination provided by the decision-maker(s) to both parties after the decision-maker has reviewed the investigator’s findings. The written determination shall explain each allegation and whether the respondent is responsible or not responsible, including the facts and the evidence on which the conclusion was based by applying the “preponderance of evidence” standard, subject to limitations. The written determination shall also include any accompanying disciplinary measures, where appropriate.

● The opportunity to appeal the decision-maker’s determination, in accordance with the procedures set forth for appeals of other student disciplinary matters.

● There will be no hearing for student-employee harassment.

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Outside of the School Jurisdiction

Students and families should understand that while off-campus conduct may be investigated by the school, there are limits to the school’s ability to investigate and to impose remedies and discipline in these situations. Therefore the school may notify the families of students involved in

complaints of off-campus misconduct so that they may pursue the matter privately with the appropriate authorities, as they determine appropriate.

Determination of Discipline

Upon completion of the investigation, the decision-maker(s) (most often the dean of students or the dean of student’s designee) will generally make the following determinations:

● Whether, and to what extent, the allegation of sexual harassment/sexual misconduct has been substantiated.

● Whether any disciplinary action and/or other remedial action is appropriate and, if so, how will it be implemented.

● Whether counseling or a referral to appropriate services should be offered to the parties or any other affected students.

Where there has been finding of responsibility, the dean of students or the dean’s designee will determine any appropriate disciplinary action consistent with the policies in the handbook. Such disciplinary measures may include suspension or expulsion pursuant to disciplinary codes. Information about consequences or other corrective action may be shared with the school community as deemed appropriate by the dean of students. Such announcements may be made in person, by electronic communication, or otherwise. Resources such as counseling or referral to appropriate services are available to all students – including the alleged complainant and the alleged respondent – during and after an investigation while they are members of the community.

Notification to Parents/Guardians

The school will generally notify the parents/guardians of the alleged complainant(s) and respondent(s) after a complaint has been filed and to report the results of the investigation.Parents/guardiansofthe complainant(s)willgenerallyalsobenotifiedofanyactiontobetakento helppreventfurtheractsofinterpersonalmisconductorretaliation.Inall situations,theamountofinformationsharedbytheschoolmaybe limitedbyconfidentialitylawsprotectingstudentandemployeerecords, otherconfidentialityorprivacyconsiderations,andconcernsregarding theintegrityoftheinvestigatoryprocesses.

Retaliation

The school neither tolerates nor engages in retaliation against an individual for filing a complaint about sexual harassment or sexual misconduct or for cooperating in an investigation of such a complaint. The school will not take adverse action against a student for making a good-faith report of such harassment or misconduct. Any individual who

is found to have engaged in retaliation against a student for filing a complaint or for participating in an investigation of a complaint may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including student suspension or expulsion or employee termination

False Complaints

All persons involved in a complaint or investigation should understand that false or exaggerated accusations can be extremely damaging to innocent persons; therefore, the school expects and requires the honest and full disclosure of facts by all involved. Any person who knowingly makes a false accusation of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, or retaliation may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including student suspension, expulsion, or employee termination. The fact that an allegation may not be substantiated does not mean the complaint was false or made in bad faith.

Sanctuary Policy Applicable to Sexual Misconduct

When sexually intimate activity is accompanied by violations of other school rules (such as dorm visitation rules, dorm closing rules, or technology rules), the school reserves the right to seek disciplinary action. However, student health and safety are more important than potential discipline. Therefore, a student should not refrain from seeking help for fear of discipline by the school. If a student who violating a school rule calls for help, the student will generally be granted sanctuary from discipline for the rule violation (unless, for instance, the student perpetrated the sexual assault). We reiterate that we expect students to promptly report to a school employee any incident where the health or safety of any student may be at risk.

Mandatory Reporting and Notification to Government Authorities

In appropriate circumstances, such as when the dean of students or the dean of students’ designee has a reasonable basis to believe that criminal charges may be pursued against the alleged perpetrator, or if a student may have been subjected to abuse or neglect of the type that is reportable under M.G.L. c. 119, § 51A, law enforcement or other appropriate government agencies may be notified. At any point after receiving a report of interpersonal misconduct or retaliation, the school may notify local law enforcement or other government agencies. If the school receives a complaint involving students from another school, the dean of students or the head of school may notify the appropriate administrator of the other school so that both may take appropriate action.

Record-Keeping Requirements

The school will create and maintain records documenting every sexual-harassment complaint. The school will keep records regarding the school’s response to every report of sexual harassment of which it becomes aware, including documentation of supportive matters offered and implemented for the complainant.

This policy shall be distributed by the school to its students and employees, and each parent or guardian shall sign a statement attesting that they have received and understand the policy.

The school’s complaint recipient is the director of counseling. The complaint recipient may be contacted at:

Phone: 413-498-3450

Campus Office Location: O’Connor Health and Wellness Center

Please note that the following entities have specified time limits for filing a claim.

The complainant may also file a complaint with:

● The Mass. Commission Against Discrimination, 436 Dwight Street, Suite 220, Springfield, MA 01103

Phone: 413-739-2145

● The Office for Civil Rights (U.S. Department of Education)

5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02109

Phone: 617-289-0111

● The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

John F. Kennedy Federal Building

15 New Sudbury Street, Room 475 Boston, MA 02203-0506

Phone: 800-669-4000

The school cannot promise absolute confidentiality to those reporting interpersonal misconduct, as there may be a need to share information during an investigation or otherwise; however, the school will act with a high level of discretion and only disclose such information on a need-to-know basis.

SEARCH & SEIZURE

The school may conduct a search of a student and/or the student’s belongings, including personal items such as bags and backpacks,

personal electronic devices, and other effects, if the school suspects a student may be violating the law or violating a school rule or code of conduct. Lockers are the property of the school and, therefore, the school, as well as law enforcement officials, may search lockers as the school determines appropriate, which may include random searches. Please refer to the Room Searches policy in the residential section of the handbook for information about searches of the school’s dormitories. The school and law enforcement officials may seize items that may jeopardize the safety of others or property, constitute a health hazard, or are otherwise prohibited by the school’s policies.

Parking on school premises is a privilege, not a right. Any person who operates a vehicle on NMH property or in connection with any school-related activity is agreeing that the school may inspect and search the vehicle and its contents without notice and without further consent.

DRUG TESTING

The use of alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and other drugs is against the law, and it threatens the health and safety of young people. At NMH, the use of alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and other drugs, whether on or off campus, is incompatible with school life. Our educational program proactively addresses the dangers of alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and other drug use and we have a firm and clear disciplinary response to such behavior. Drug testing can be a useful tool in determining a student’s use and in providing incentives for students to remain drug-free.

There are two situations in which NMH will use its authority to perform drug testing on students. The first is when a student is suspected, due to the student’s behavior or circumstances, of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The following procedures apply:

1. When a member of the NMH community suspects that a student has been drinking or using drugs, the student will be taken to the health center, and the dean on duty will be called. The dean on duty may require a toxicology test.

2. The dean on duty will attempt to notify parents before performing the test. It is hoped that parents will be supportive, but testing does not require the consent of parents.

3. Collection of samples will proceed in accordance with the health center policy. Samples will be sent to an outside laboratory for processing, and the results will be reported to the director of medicine and associate dean.

4. A positive test for alcohol or drugs will be evidence of a violation of a major school rule. We do not distinguish between on-campus and off-campus use; both are illegal and detrimental to the student’s mental and physical health.

5. Failure to submit a valid sample upon request may be treated in the same way as a positive test.

6. The cost of testing will be billed to the student’s tuition account.

The second situation where NMH will use its authority to require drug testing is when we feel prospective drug testing will be a useful deterrent to a student’s drug use. Such testing could be the result of a drug, alcohol, or nicotine disciplinary event, a sanctuary referral, a consultation with a drug and alcohol counselor, or a general community concern that a student may be using alcohol, nicotine, or other drugs. These concerns may be based on patterns of behavior that result in negative consequences for the student; such patterns may include (but are not limited to) general concern within the community about a student’s underachievement or inconsistency of academic performance, excessive absence points, or the inability to attend morning classes. For prospective drug testing, the following procedures apply:

1. Students who have received disciplinary probation for a drug or alcohol infraction will likely be placed on prospective drug testing for the remainder of the school year and the entirety of the next school year. Students who have been referred to sanctuary may be required to submit to drug testing for a period to be determined by the director of medicine.

2. The dean or director of medicine typically will not notify parents before performing the test. It is expected that parents will be supportive, yet testing does not require the consent of parents.

3. Once determined by a dean or director of medicine that prospective drug testing is required, the health center staff will collect the samples in accordance with the health center protocol. Samples will be sent to an outside laboratory for processing, and the results will be reported to the director of medicine and the dean of students. The dean of students or the director of medicine will determine which test to perform; students may be tested for multiple substances each time.

4. A positive test for a student whose testing is the result of a drug or alcohol disciplinary event will be treated as a violation of the student’s probationary status and will likely result in dismissal.

5. A positive test for a student whose testing is the result of sanctuary or of community concern may be treated as a medical issue. In this case, a medical response may be designed by the medical staff to meet the individual student’s medical and psychological needs. This response may include a long-term leave of absence to allow for involvement in an alcohol- and drug-treatment program.

6. Failure to submit a sample upon request may be treated in the same way as a positive test.

7. The cost of testing will be billed to the student’s tuition account.

HEALTH SERVICES PRACTICES

The staff at the O’Connor Health and Wellness Center values student privacy and adheres to best practices when their private health information is shared. The Permission to Treat form (which can be found by logging into NMH Connect, going to “Resources,” and selecting “Magnus Health Portal”) outlines how and when students’ private health information may be shared. It is important to understand that this information is shared only on a need-to-know basis with the most limited number of parties required to help ensure a student’s health.

Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information

Families and students will receive a copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices online along with other health services paperwork. Parents/guardians and students will be asked to acknowledge receipt of this document regarding use and disclosure of students’ protected health information for treatment, payment, and health care operations.

A student’s protected health information may be used by the health center and disclosed to treating providers and other outside services that are involved in the student’s care and treatment for the purpose of providing health care services to them. A student’s protected health information may also be used and disclosed to pay health care bills and to support the operation of the health center at NMH.

Below are examples of the types of uses and disclosures of protected health care information that the health services staff is permitted to make. These examples are not meant to be exhaustive but to help describe for families the types of uses and disclosures that may be made by health services.

Treatment: The health and wellness center staff may use and disclose a student’s protected health information to provide, coordinate, or manage the student’s health care and any related services. For example, the staff

may disclose a student’s protected health information to a physician or health care provider (e.g., a specialist or laboratory) who, at the request of the student’s physician or health services staff, becomes involved in the student’s care. Also, since the health center of NMH interacts with other adults in the NMH community who serve “in loco parentis,” the staff may share on a limited, minimal, “need-to-know” basis certain information about the student in an effort to promote their safety and well-being and the receipt of proper health care. This limited information may be shared by personal conversation, phone, or email and will be done only when judged to be essential by health services staff.

Payment: A student’s protected health information may be used, as needed, to obtain payment for the student’s health care services. For example, obtaining approval for a hospital stay may require that the student’s relevant protected health information be disclosed to an insurance plan.

Health Care Operations: The health and wellness center staff may use or disclose, as needed, the student’s protected health information in order to support the normal business activities of the health center of NMH. Examples of these activities include but are not limited to quality-assessment activities, employee-review activities, training, licensing, and conducting or arranging for other business activities.

The health and wellness center staff also may need to share a student’s protected health information with certain of our “business associates,” third parties that perform various activities (e.g., billing, transcription) for the health center. Whenever an arrangement between the health center and a business associate involves the use or disclosure of a student’s protected health information, the staff will have in place the legally required safeguards to protect the privacy of the student’s health information.

Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information Based upon Parent/Guardian Written Authorization

Other uses and disclosures of a student’s protected health information will be made only with written authorization, unless otherwise permitted or required by law as described below. This authorization may be revoked at any time, in writing, except to the extent that the health center has taken an action in reliance on the use or disclosure indicated in the authorization.

Other Uses and Disclosures That May Be Made and to Which Parent/Guardian May Agree or Object

In the circumstances listed below, the school may seek authorization for the use or disclosure of the protected health information. In the absence of agreement or objection, the health center may, using professional judgment, determine whether the disclosure of health information is in the student’s best interest. If such a determination is made, only the protected health information that is relevant to the student’s health care will be disclosed.

Others Involved in the Student’s Health Care: The health and wellness center staff may seek authorization to disclose to a member of a student’s family, a close friend, or any other authorized person the student’s protected health information that directly relates to that person ’ s involvement in the student’s health care. The staff may use or disclose protected health information to notify or assist in notifying a family member, personal representative, or any other person who is responsible for the student’s care of the student’s location, general condition, or death. Finally, the staff may use or disclose the student’s protected health information to an authorized public or private entity to assist in disaster-relief efforts and to coordinate use and disclosures to family or other individuals involved in the student’s health care.

Emergencies: In an emergency-treatment situation, the health and wellness center staff may have to use or disclose a student’s protected health information in a context in which authorization for the release of information has not already been given. If this happens, the health center will try to obtain authorization for the release of information as soon as reasonably practicable after delivery of the treatment. If the health center is required by law to treat the student and has attempted to obtain authorization but is unable to do so, it may still use or disclose the student’s protected health information for purposes of treatment.

Other Permitted and Required Uses and Disclosures That May Be Made Without Parent/Guardian Authorization or Opportunity to Object

There are other circumstances in which the health and wellness center staff may have to use or disclose a student’s protected health information, even without prior authorization. These include:

Disclosures Required by Law: The health and wellness center staff may use or disclose a student’s protected health information to the extent that the use or disclosure is required by law. The use or disclosure will be made in compliance with the law and will be limited to the relevant requirements of the law. The staff will notify the appropriate individuals, as required by law, of any such uses or disclosures.

Public Health: The health and wellness center staff may disclose a student’s protected health information, for public health activities and purposes, to a public health authority that is permitted by law to collect or receive the information. The purpose will be for controlling disease, injury, or disability. The staff may also disclose a student’s protected health information, if directed by the public health authority, to a foreign government agency that is collaborating with the public health authority.

Communicable Diseases: The health and wellness center staff may disclose a student’s protected health information, if authorized by law, to a person who may have been exposed to a communicable disease or may otherwise be at risk of contracting or spreading the disease or condition.

Health Oversights: The health and wellness center staff may disclose protected health information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law, such as audits, investigations, and inspections. Oversight agencies seeking this information include government agencies that oversee the health care system, government benefit programs, other regulatory programs, and civil rights laws.

Abuse or Neglect: The health and wellness center staff may disclose a student’s protected health information to a government authority that is authorized by law to receive reports of student abuse or neglect. In addition, the staff may disclose the student’s protected health information if the staff believe that the student has been a victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence to the governmental entity or agency authorized to receive such information. In this case, the disclosure will be made consistent with the requirements of applicable federal and state laws.

Food and Drug Administration: The health and wellness center staff may disclose a student’s protected health information to a person or company required by the Food and Drug Administration to report adverse events, product defects or problems, or biologic product deviations; to track products; to enable product recalls; to make repairs or replacements; or to conduct postmarketing surveillance.

Legal or Administrative Proceedings or Investigations: The health and wellness center staff may disclose protected health information in the course of any judicial or administrative proceeding or investigation; in response to an order of a court or administrative tribunal (to the extent such disclosure is expressly authorized); and, in certain conditions, in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process or request.

Law Enforcement: The health and wellness center staff may disclose protected health information, so long as applicable legal requirements are met, for law-enforcement purposes. These include:

● Legal processes, or as otherwise required by law.

● Limited information requests for identification and location purposes.

● Requests pertaining to victims of a crime.

● Suspicion that death has occurred as a result of criminal conduct.

● In the event that a crime occurs at the health center of NMH.

● A medical emergency (not at the health services) in which it is likely that a crime has occurred.

Coroners, Funeral Directors, and Organ Donation: The health and wellness center staff may disclose protected health information to a coroner or medical examiner for purposes of identification or determining cause of death, or for the coroner or medical examiner to perform other duties authorized by law. The staff may also disclose protected health information to funeral directors, as authorized by law, in order to permit funeral directors to carry out their duties. The staff may disclose such information in reasonable anticipation of death. Protected health information may be used and disclosed for cadaveric organ, eye, or tissue donation purposes.

Threat to Public Safety: Consistent with applicable federal and state laws, the health and wellness center staff may disclose a student’s protected health information if the staff believes that the use or disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public. The staff may also disclose protected health information if it is necessary for law-enforcement authorities to identify or apprehend an individual.

Immunizations

In accordance with Massachusetts law, the school requires all students to provide proof of up-to-date immunizations, or a certificate of exemption, before attending school. Proof of immunization should be recorded on a certificate of immunization form and signed by a medical professional. A student with a qualified religious and/or medical exemption must provide the school with an immunization exemption certification, pursuant to state law. A medical immunization exemption certification must be signed by a medical professional, attesting that the student is exempt from a specific vaccine(s) because of medical reasons. A religious immunization exemption certification must be signed by the student’s parent or guardian, attesting that immunization conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs. Students who do not provide proof of

up-to-date immunizations or qualify for an exemption will not be permitted to attend the school or participate in any school activities.

If there is a risk of a vaccine-preventable disease impacting campus or the school community, the school may exclude non-immunized students including those with valid religious or medical exemptions from school and all school activities. Excluded students will not be permitted to return until (1) the danger of the outbreak has passed; (2) the student becomes ill with the disease and completely recovers; or (3) the student is immunized. In determining whether there is a risk of a vaccine-preventable disease, the school may consult with appropriate medical professionals and/or the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Communicable Illnesses

The school may exclude any student who (a) has a communicable illness, (b) has been exposed to an infected person, and/or (c) has traveled to an area impacted by a communicable illness, if the school determines that such exclusion is appropriate for the welfare of the student or the school community. The school may also screen students or require students to be screened by appropriate medical professionals to determine whether they pose a risk to the community. The school’s decisions shall be based on current and well-informed medical judgments concerning the illness, the risks of transmitting the illness to others, the symptoms and special circumstances of each individual who has a communicable illness, and an analysis of the identified risks and available alternatives for responding to an individual with a communicable illness.

If and when appropriate, the school will disseminate information to students and families regarding campus health and safety issues through regular internal communication channels. For example, the school may provide families with information about the nature and spread of communicable illnesses, including symptoms and signs to watch for, as well as required steps to be taken in the event of an epidemic or outbreak. The school encourages parents and guardians to contact medical professionals with any questions or concerns about communicable illnesses or immunization issues.

COVID-19 Isolation/Disciplinary Suspension Fee: NMH will charge $200 per day to support costs related to care beyond two days specifically for COVID-19 isolation and disciplinary suspensions, either in O'Connor Clinic or another campus isolation space. (Please note: Students receiving financial aid may receive support for these expenses.)

MANDATED REPORTING

The school is committed to the highest standards of care for its students, which includes protecting students from inappropriate or hurtful actions by adults responsible for their care.

In accordance with Massachusetts law, the school’s employees (including, but not limited to, its faculty, staff, school administrators, counselors, etc.) are required to report to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) suspected abuse or neglect of children under the age of 18. This duty is triggered when there is reasonable cause to believe that a child is suffering from abuse or neglect. The responsibility to report rests both on the school and on school employees.

The following procedure is established to ensure that reports are made in a timely and effective manner, and that information about students and their families is treated respectfully. We ask that families understand that the school and its employees are sometimes required to make a report to DCF, and we ask that families support our decisions to do so.

If a school employee learns of a situation of possible abuse or neglect, the employee is expected to consult with the dean of students (or the head of school’s designee) about the situation, so that appropriate action can be taken to protect the student and timely reports can be made to DCF. The dean of students (or the head’s designee) will review the situation and, at the dean of students’ discretion, may consult with the school’s health-care providers, the student’s family, legal counsel, and/or a consultant specializing in the care and protection of children, as may be appropriate. If the abuse or neglect is suspected to come from the student’s family, the school will seek to identify an approach to help protect the student. In all instances, the school will protect the confidentiality of the student and the student’s family to the extent appropriate.

If the school determines that a report should be made to DCF, the dean of students (or the head’s designee) will generally make the first report to DCF by telephone call. As required by law, a written report will follow within 48 hours after making the oral report.

However, anyone who has a reasonable belief that a student is being abused or neglected may (and should) make a report to DCF at any time.

To fulfill the legal responsibility, faculty and staff members are invited to report suspected abuse or neglect to the dean of students, or another supervisor, who can report to DCF on their behalf, as necessary.

MEDICATION POLICY

All students must register with Athol Pharmacy, 290 Main Street, Athol, Massachusetts, 01331, tel. 978 830-0427.

Psychotropic prescription medications: Some students are on psychotropic medications initiated and prescribed by home providers for a variety of diagnoses including ADD, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Students on these medications will need to do the following:

● Complete the Controlled and Psychotropic Medication Consent Form, and submit the Prescription Medication Provider Order Form (which can be found by logging into NMH Connect, going to “Resources,” and selecting “Magnus Health Portal”).

● Have their prescriptions filled in blister packaging at the Athol Pharmacy in Athol, MA, unless an arrangement is made with the director of nursing or designee. If the prescriber is not able to fill prescriptions for a student while in school, a consulting psychiatrist is available at NMH who can assume responsibility for prescription management during the academic year.

● Bring their medications to the health center at the time of registration or as soon as they begin the medication. It is our policy that all psychotropic medications are dispensed within the O’Connor Health and Wellness Center. Any medications delivered by mail should be sent directly to the health center and not to the student’s attention.

● Meet with the medical staff per health center notification.

Controlled prescription medications: Students are not authorized to be on daily narcotics, medical marijuana, or benzodiazepines. If students have a need for a short-term treatment with this group of medications, this can be discussed with the director of medicine. These medications would be kept at the health center for administration to promote appropriate adherence and monitoring.

Non-psychotropic prescription medications: Students taking non-psychotropic chronic prescription medications (i.e., asthma inhalers, rheumatologic medications, insulin, etc.) need to have the O’Connor Health and Wellness Center Prescription Medication Provider Order Form (which can be found by logging into NMH Connect, going to “Resources,” and selecting “Magnus Health Portal”) completed for each prescription. At no time are students permitted to share medication with another student.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications: The health center has numerous OTC medications that can be administered to students, and the school encourages parents to direct students to visit the health center should they need any medications. We understand, however, that parents/guardians may send OTC medications to school with their students and/or that students may buy OTC medications at a local pharmacy. It is important to understand that OTC medications carry risks, and parents/guardians are expected to educate their students on the proper administration and storage of any OTC medication they allow their child to self-administer. Medications should be stored in a safe space and should never be shared with other students. We encourage any students or parents/guardians who have questions or concerns regarding OTC medications to come to the health center to speak with a nurse about these issues.

CBD: CBD use has not been widely studied in the adolescent population at large. The CBD industry is largely unregulated, and products are readily available for teenage use. Any student using or taking CBD-containing products must meet with an NMH medical provider prior to bringing the product onto campus, in order to review the medical indication for CBD use, as well as the safety of the product’s use and storage. All requests to use CBD are granted at the school’s discretion and may not be honored.

Mailroom policy: Any packages received in the NMH mailroom with pharmacy packaging or packages that are suspected of containing pills or medications may be sent to the O’Connor Health and Wellness Center for their review/inspection. The student whose name is on the package is typically notified that a package is at the nurses ’ station. The student is asked to open the package in the presence of a nurse to review the contents. Any over-the-counter supplements, vitamins, or prescription medications are held by nursing until parental consent is obtained. If parents do not consent within a week’s time or the school determines that such item(s) are not permissible on campus, the item(s) will be destroyed.

International students: NMH understands that outside the United States, many prescription medications are available over-the-counter. We ask that you do not send your student any such medications, including antibiotics. If students become ill, they can see a provider at the health center and we can assess the appropriateness of a prescription.

TECHNOLOGY USE

NMH is fortunate to have excellent resources for communication and research. Students are expected to remember that any exchange of information within this community must be made in line with the school’s general standards of conduct. Whether physically on campus or off campus, whether during the school day or at night, on vacation, or at any other time while enrolled in the school, whether linked to the school’s network while at school or from a remote location, or not linked at all, or using their own personal computer or communication device on or off campus, students are expected to comply with this Acceptable Use Policy. Students also are expected to comply with any other applicable policies and procedures as long as they are enrolled in the school, as set forth in this handbook and as further described below.

The school has explicit guidelines for using computers and other electronic devices, both on and off campus, using the school’s network, and accessing the internet, to which the school expects students and parents to adhere. The examples below are not an all-inclusive list of requirements and possibilities.

Students may:

● Use technology for school work or class projects and assignments, at the teacher’s discretion.

● Access the internet with teacher permission to enrich learning related to school work.

● Use technology in ways directed by the teacher.

Students may not:

● Post personal contact information about themselves or other people.

● Access or attempt to access network resources not intended for them.

● Share their passwords or others’ passwords with anyone, with the exception of parents/guardians and teachers.

● Alter electronic communications to hide their identity or impersonate another person.

● Communicate with or make plans to meet a stranger in person.

● Use inappropriate language or images in emails, web pages, videos, or social-networking sites.

● Be disrespectful by posting derogatory material (images, videos, etc.) via email, social-networking sites, live chat, web pages, or any other method.

● Engage in cyber-bullying, harassment, or sexting, in violation of the school’s policies prohibiting bullying, harassment, hazing, discrimination, and related policies as stated in the handbook.

● Access or attempt to access inappropriate information on the internet such as (but not restricted to) sites that bypass filtering, promote hate or violence, or contain sexually explicit or graphic, pornographic, or obscene material.

● Engage in “sexting,” as defined below.

● Plagiarize printed or electronic information. Students must follow all copyright, trademark, patent, and other laws governing intellectual property.

● Install or download software onto school computers from the internet, home, or by any other means.

● Create or use a mobile hotspot on the school campus.

● Use on the school campus any devices designed specifically for streaming media content from the internet, smart speakers, “personal assistants,” and devices classified as “internet of things” (everyday objects with a connection to the internet).

● Remove any school-owned computer equipment (including but not limited to network cables and keyboards) from the school without express permission.

● Store personal files on the network, except in their own network user account. Any information that a student leaves on a school-owned device may be deleted at any time, with or without notice.

● Use file-sharing software or peer-to-peer (P2P) software on the NMH network.

● Use cell phones or other personal electronic communication devices during classroom time, without the express permission of the teacher.

● Disclose confidential or proprietary information related to the school or recklessly disregard or distort the truth of the matters commented on.

● Access, change, delete, read, or copy any file, program, or account that belongs to someone else without permission.

● Use the network for illegal or commercial activities.

● Use AI technology for school-related purposes without explicit faculty permission.

● Vandalize, steal, or cause harm to the school’s equipment, network, or services (including but not limited to uploading or creating viruses, attempting to gain unauthorized access, changing hardware or software settings, or changing online materials without permission).

● Deliberately disrupt or attempt to disrupt the software or hardware of the school network.

● Be “friends” with or otherwise directly connect to, via online networks and services, any school employee on any social networking site that is not used primarily for educational purposes. If a student is contacted by a school employee via non-school channels for non-educational purposes, the student should immediately notify their advisor, a trusted adult, an associate dean, the dean of students, or a school administrator.

Students should understand that:

● The use of inappropriate language, harassment, and disrespectful comments in emails, texts, chat room, website, or social-networking site from either inside or outside the school, and whether during the school day, after hours, or during vacation time, as long as a student is enrolled in the school, is prohibited.

● There is no guarantee of privacy associated with their use of the school’s technology resources. Students should not expect that email, voicemail, or other information created or maintained on the school’s network, school-issued devices, or school-administered services (even those marked “personal” or “confidential”) will be private, confidential, or secure. The school has the right to access and monitor both student-owned and school-owned computers and communication devices connected to the school’s network. Each student consents to the school’s right to view and/or monitor the school’s network and all of its associated accounts.

● They will be held accountable for unattended accounts, and for use of their computer or communication device, if such equipment is left unattended and/or used by another individual.

Parents/guardians should understand that:

● It is the responsibility of all parents/guardians to read this policy and discuss it with the student.

● Teachers and administrators will strive to help students understand this policy at a level appropriate to their age and maturity.

● If a student damages the hardware or software of any school-owned technology, the parent/guardian may be responsible for paying for the repair or replacement of that technology.

The school may:

● Access, view, monitor, and track any information or communication stored on or transmitted over the school’s network, on or over equipment that has been used to access the school’s network, or on school-issued devices or school-administered accounts and services, and under certain circumstances, it may be required by law to allow third parties to do so. In addition, others may inadvertently view messages or data as a result of routine systems maintenance, monitoring, or misdelivery.

● Restrict the material accessed and not permit computers to be used for anything other than educational purposes.

Security and Viruses

Security on any computer network is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. Students must notify a system administrator if they identify a security problem. Students should not demonstrate the problem to other users. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to the school’s network.

It is each person ’ s responsibility to ensure that their computer is virus-free when they arrive at NMH. NMH supplies antivirus software for students if needed. Connecting a computer that has a virus to the NMH network may result in that system being banned from operating on the network. Faculty, staff, and students accessing the network are representatives of NMH and are expected to conduct themselves accordingly.

Internet Activity Daily Limit

The internet connection at NMH and other schools is shared by all members of the community. Often, activities that work well on home broadband networks are not appropriate when many people must share the same internet connection. The amount of internet capacity supplied by the school is sufficient to provide good performance unless it is used for file-sharing, large downloads or uploads, or a large quantity of streaming video and audio services. Each student has a daily limit for internet activity that is sufficient for extensive web browsing, messaging, and reasonable downloads. When the daily limit is exceeded, the system will send an email warning to the violating student. When these warnings accumulate, students may automatically be placed on internet suspension (internet privileges are revoked), and a conversation with their associate dean and/or IT may be required before access to the internet is restored.

Reporting Violations

If a student suspects a violation of this policy, or if a student feels nervous or uncomfortable about another school community member’s use of technology, the student should immediately report the suspicions, feelings, and observations to their advisor, associate dean, an administrator, or another trusted adult.

Some violations may constitute criminal offenses as defined by local, state, and federal laws, and the school may initiate or assist in the prosecution of any such violations to the fullest extent of the law.

Sexting and Sexually Explicit Material

The school prohibits students from creating, requesting, sending, or possessing any written message, image, or video that contains explicit representations of or references to sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or nudity. Massachusetts law prohibits anyone (regardless of age) from disseminating obscene or pornographic images of minors, and the school may contact law enforcement should any student violate this policy.

E-Safety Policy

NMH occasionally incorporates online and remote-learning programs in its curriculum and program. The purpose of this e-safety policy is to help ensure a safe, secure, and supportive online and remote-learning environment for students, employees, and all members of the school community, consistent with the school’s standards, mission, policies, and protocols. The school strives to create such an environment while also making it as effective and user-friendly as possible. At all times, however, the school’s online and remote-learning environment is subject to the requirements and limitations of the school’s online and remote-learning technology.

This e-safety policy is intended to work in concert with NMH’s other rules and policies, including those set forth in this handbook. Students and parents are therefore expected to comply with all school policies and standards of academic and social behavior as stated in the handbook and elsewhere, including, but not limited to, the school’s Technology Use, Social Media, Community Standards, and Attendance and Absences policies. This policy sets forth additional, modified, and/or clarified expectations for the school’s online and remote-learning environment.

● Dress Code: Whenever visible in the online and remote-learning environment, and in any related interactions, students are expected to be appropriately dressed, which requires that students adhere to the dress code policy as stated in the handbook.

● Cyber-bullying and Online Conduct: When participating in the online and remote-learning environment, and in any related interactions, it is of the utmost importance that students maintain and model the highest standards of conduct, respect, and integrity, including by refraining from any activity that might constitute or contribute to cyber-bullying or other prohibited interpersonal misconduct.

● One-on-one Interactions: School faculty, advisors, and administrators will provide virtual one-on-one meetings with students as appropriate. The school will seek to limit one-on-one interactions to those necessary to support the academic and social well-being of students and families.

● Recording: Online and remote-learning sessions and communications should not be considered confidential, and may be recorded. Recordings may be made to provide access to students unable to attend the session. Students are prohibited from (a) recording any part of any online and remote-learning program, and (b) sharing, broadcasting, and/or making public any materials created or recorded by the school, its employees, or anyone else in relation to the school’s online and remote-learning programs.

● Risk Management: All members of the school community are responsible for maintaining a safe online and remote-learning environment. In that spirit, while the school will strive to support and ensure students’ safety in the online and remote-learning environment, students and their families are also expected to employ appropriate safeguards and manage risks appropriately.

SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS ON CAMPUS

The school has installed video cameras at certain open and public spaces on campus, such as all official entrances to NMH’s campus as well as at key campus crossroads, parking lots, building entrances/exits, and walkways. The school seeks to balance the security, safety, and other benefits derived from the use of video surveillance with any privacy concerns of the school’s employees, students, families, and guests. In all cases, security equipment is used in a manner that adheres to legal statutes and ethical standards where the right of privacy is concerned and is not used where there exists a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as in restrooms, locker rooms, etc. In addition, all entrances to the school’s

campus are posted with signs notifying school community members and visitors that there are video surveillance cameras actively in use on campus. These surveillance cameras record visual footage in each location, but do not record any sound or other audio. The school may install new cameras throughout the year as it deems necessary.

ASBESTOS HAZARD EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACT

This notification is required by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA, 40 CFR Part 763 of Title II of the Toxic Substances Control Act). Asbestos Management Plans have been developed for the school. These plans are available and accessible to the public at the school’s office campus safety office. This notification is required by law and should not be construed to indicate the existence of any hazardous conditions in our school buildings.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

With student safety as a priority, the school conducts state and national criminal history and sex offender registry checks on all current and prospective faculty and staff of the school who may have “direct and unmonitored access to children,” including any individual who regularly provides school-related transportation to students.

The school requires any volunteers who will work independently with students to undergo a state criminal background or “CORI” (Criminal Offender Record Information) check and a state sex offender registry or “SORI” (Sexual Offender Registry Information) check. It is also school policy to require that volunteers with direct and unmonitored access to students undergo a fingerprint-based check, which is run through the Federal Bureau of Investigation and provides access to national criminal history databases. A background check is typically not necessary for volunteers involved with larger school functions at which many adults are typically present or in instances where there is only the potential for incidental unsupervised contact with students in commonly used areas of the school grounds.

These background checks require the completion of a brief application form and verification of a government-issued photographic identification and are only conducted with the consent of an individual employee or volunteer. A volunteer’s service or an individual’s employment is contingent upon successful completion of the checks, which may take several days or weeks to process. Completed CORI and fingerprint-based check forms must be returned to the Human Resources Office at least two weeks in advance of volunteering.

ANIMALS ON CAMPUS

Service Animals

A student or other visitor to campus who has a disability that requires the assistance of a service animal, as defined by applicable law, is generally permitted to bring the service animal to campus and school programs. When it is not obvious what service the animal provides, the school may ask whether the animal is required because of a disability and about the job or task the animal is trained to perform.

As soon as a student is aware of plans to bring a service animal to campus or to school programs, the student is expected to contact the dean of students office in advance to request authorization. The goal is to help ensure that the student and service animal have appropriate access to the school’s premises, facilities, and programs. If the service animal would fundamentally alter the school’s programs, services, or activities; create an undue burden; or present legitimate safety concerns, the school may limit or deny the service animal access to campus and school programs.

Service animals are generally permitted in all areas on campus where the student is allowed to go. However, there may be some locations and activities where service animals are not allowed for health and safety reasons, including facilities management areas, food service preparation areas, certain areas of the health and wellness center, and other areas where there is a danger or health concern to the service animal or another member of the NMH community.

Handlers are encouraged to use a leash, harness, cape, or other marker to help identify their animal as a service animal. The school expects authorized service animals to comply with the school’s requirements concerning compliance with licensing, medical, and behavioral requirements and expectations concerning the appropriate supervision, control, and care of the animal. A service animal must always be under the handler’s control and harnessed, on a leash, or otherwise tethered. If the handler cannot use a tether due to a disability or if the use of a tether would interfere with safe and effective performance of the duties the service animal must be under the handler’s voice control or signals. If there is a failure to meet these expectations or if there are concerns that the service animal presents a threat to the health, safety, or property of the school or members of its community, the school may exclude or restrict the service animal’s access to campus and school programs or impose other restrictions that the school determines appropriate. The school does not provide food or care for service animals. In addition, handlers should be aware that the school may use pesticides, pest control

devices, de-icing materials, cleaning supplies, and other materials to maintain and operate its campus.

Students and other members of the NMH community are expected to recognize that a service animal is not a pet. They should not approach or engage with a service animal unless the service animal is not working and they have the express permission of the handler to engage with the service animal.

Emotional Support Animals

Emotional support animals provide emotional support, comfort, or therapy that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person ’ s disability. Emotional support animals are not individually trained or certified to perform any disability-related task and therefore are not considered service animals. Therefore, emotional support animals are not allowed on campus or at school programs. A student with a disability that may be supported by an emotional support animal should contact the school in advance so that the school can engage the student and the student’s family in an interactive process to determine if effective participation can occur with reasonable accommodations.

FAMILY PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL POLICIES

At NMH, a positive relationship between the school and a student’s parents/guardians is essential to the fulfillment of the school’s mission. Effective family/school relationships are characterized by treating each member of the community with respect, assuming good will, and maintaining a collaborative approach when conflicts and challenges arise. As such, our expectations for families include supporting the school’s mission and philosophy, abiding by the school’s policies and procedures, maintaining positive attitudes toward the school, supporting the disciplinary process, and maintaining tact and discretion with regard to confidential information.

NMH may dismiss or refuse to re-enroll a student whose parent, guardian, family member, or any other individual involved with the student fails to comply with any policy or procedure of the school; engages in conduct that could undermine the authority of the school’s administration; or behaves in a manner that is unbecoming of a member of the school community, makes a positive, constructive relationship impossible, or otherwise may interfere with the school's accomplishment of its mission and/or educational goals.

MULTIPLE HOUSEHOLDS

In order for the school to communicate effectively with families and support each student, it is important for teachers and administrators to be aware of co-parenting arrangements. If there are court-ordered guidelines regarding parent involvement in a student’s education, access to school records, picking up a student from school, or other issues, please notify and provide proper documentation to the office of the registrar and the dean of students office..

NMH believes that a student’s educational experience is enhanced through active parent participation and partnership and therefore seeks to facilitate communication with all parents. Absent a court order to the contrary, all parents for whom the school has contact information will receive normal school mailings (i.e., grades, teacher comments, all-school email) and other school communications. As part of this commitment, it is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that any communication from the school is shared among their family members. Given the unique legal situation of each family, the school may make exceptions to this policy on a case-by-case basis.

Appendix A

BULLYING PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION PLAN

Introduction

Northfield Mount Hermon (“NMH” or the “school”) is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for all members of its community. Such an environment precludes behaviors that are disrespectful of, and physically and/or emotionally harmful to, others. Students, faculty, staff members, and others connected with NMH should expect to be treated with respect and consideration. As a community enriched by its diversity, we recognize and celebrate the differences in characteristics such as culture, race, age, ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and socioeconomic status, among others. All members of the NMH community play important roles in maintaining these standards and intervening, as appropriate, when they witness behavior that conflicts with community standards.

The Northfield Mount Hermon Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan (the “plan”), set forth below, is published in accordance with M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O, otherwise known as the Massachusetts Law about Bullying in Schools. This plan is consistent with broader protections against discrimination, harassment, and other inappropriate conduct as detailed in the Northfield Mount Hermon Student Handbook (“the student handbook”) and the Northfield Mount Hermon Employee Handbook (“the employee handbook”). This plan is designed to coordinate with the school’s existing policies and expectations for interpersonal student relationships (the “policies”).

It is important that this plan be understood well by all members of the NMH community. Ensuring adherence to the plan is the responsibility of the dean of students or the dean of students’ designee, as may from time to time be designated. Questions and concerns related to this plan may be referred to the dean of students.

Policy Against Bullying, Cyber-Bullying, and Retaliation

The school does not tolerate verbal or physical behavior that constitutes bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation. The school is also committed to promptly addressing any behavior that impedes the learning of any student or interferes with the experience of any other member of the school community.

Bullying, cyber-bullying, and retaliation are prohibited on the NMH campus and the property immediately adjacent to school grounds, on school vehicles, and at school-sponsored events, activities, athletics contests, and off-campus trips. No technology, including NMH-managed technology, may be used to intimidate, harass, threaten, or bully another student.

In addition, bullying, cyber-bullying, and retaliation are prohibited at a location, activity, function, or program that is not school-related or through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by the school, if such conduct: (a) creates a hostile environment at school for a student; (b) infringes on the rights of a student at the school; or (c) materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the school’s orderly operations.

Definitions:

Aggressor

A student or faculty/staff member who engages in bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation towards a student.

Bullying

Bullying is defined as the use of a written, verbal, or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, by one or more students or members of the faculty/staff directed at a target that: (a) causes physical or emotional harm to the student or damage to the student’s property; (b) places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s self or damage to the student’s property; (c) creates a hostile environment at school for the student; (d) infringes on the rights of the student at the school; or (e) materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of the school. The school recognizes that certain students may be more vulnerable to becoming targets of bullying or harassment based on actual or perceived differentiating characteristics, including race; color; religion; ancestry; national origin; sex; socioeconomic status; homelessness; academic status; gender identity or expression; sexual orientation; mental, physical, developmental, or sensory disability; or by association with a person who is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics.

By way of example only, bullying may involve, though it is not limited to, the following:

● Threatening behavior.

● Intimidation.

● Stalking.

● Cyber-stalking.

● Physical violence.

● Sexual, religious, racial, or any other type of harassment.

● Public humiliation.

● Destruction of personal property.

● Social exclusion, including incitement and/or coercion.

● The spreading of rumors or falsehoods.

Cyber-Bullying

Cyber-bullying is bullying through the use of technology or electronic communication, including, but not limited to, any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo-electronic, or photo-optical system, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, internet communications, instant messages, text messages, or facsimile communications. Cyber‐bullying includes, but is not limited to: (a) the creation of a web page, blog, or social-media profile in which the creator assumes the identity of another person, and (b) the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages, if the creation or impersonation constitutes bullying conduct as defined above. Cyber-bullying includes, but is not limited to, the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person, or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the distribution or posting creates any of the conditions included in the definition of bullying.

Faculty/Staff

Faculty/staff members include, but are not limited to, educators, administrators, counselors, school nurses, dining services workers, custodians, bus drivers, athletics coaches, advisors to extracurricular activities, support staff, and paraprofessionals.

Hostile Environment

A hostile environment refers to a situation in which bullying causes the school environment to be permeated with intimidation, ridicule, or insult that is sufficiently severe or pervasive so as to alter the conditions of a student’s education.

Retaliation

Retaliation is any form of intimidation, reprisal, or harassment directed against a student who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying.

Target

Any student against whom bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation has been perpetrated.

School Grounds

Any property on which a school building or facility is located or property that is owned, leased, or used by the school for a school-sponsored activity, function, program, instruction, or training.

School Policies

The plan is drafted in compliance with the school’s obligations with respect to bullying prevention under Massachusetts law. Further, in accordance with the school’s policies, values, and standards of conduct, the school has supplemented certain definitions and concepts provided by law in an effort to enhance the school’s anti-bullying curriculum. For example, although the law defines bullying as the “repeated use ” of certain expressions, acts, and/or gestures, this plan memorializes the school’s discretion to impose disciplinary measures and other corrective action in a case of a single expression, act, or gesture, if the school determines that it is of sufficient severity to warrant disciplinary measures or other remedial action or that the repetition of that expression, act, or gesture might reasonably result in bullying. The school’s efforts to enhance its protection of students and employees in the NMH community in no way expands an individual’s rights under the law. The school may modify the protocols set forth in this plan and use its discretion in the interpretive enforcement of all ideals and standards of conduct.

Prevention of Bullying and Cyber-Bullying at NMH

The school is proud to maintain a community in which bullying is actively discouraged, not only by involved adults, but also by a positive peer culture that does not tolerate such mistreatment. This handbook contains clear expectations for student conduct. All families receive copies of the handbook, and it is also accessible online via NMH Connect.

The school recognizes that certain persons may be more vulnerable to becoming targets of bullying or harassment based on actual or perceived differentiating characteristics, including race; color; religion; ancestry; national origin; sex; socioeconomic status; homelessness; academic status; gender identity or expression; physical appearance; pregnancy or parenting status; sexual orientation; mental, physical, developmental, or sensory disability; or by association with a person who has or is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics. The school’s comprehensive approach is intended to support all students and employees as well as provide age-appropriate training and education for the ways in which

bullying, cyber-bullying, and retaliation can be prevented and the ways in which participation in these prohibited behaviors is antithetical to the mission and core values of the school. Additionally, the approach is intended to educate NMH’s community regarding the steps one must take to respond to incidents of these prohibited behaviors.

The school provides annual training and other offerings for students in which they develop a greater understanding of their own decision-making and differences with others. For instance, all new students participate in orientation activities that introduce students to community expectations surrounding behavior, diversity, inclusion, and respect. Education may address issues of bullying, cyber-bullying, and retaliation and ways in which a student can prevent, identify, stop, and respond to these issues.

Access to Resources and Services

Members of the school’s administrative team will identify training, counseling, safety planning, and other services appropriate for members of the community or the community as a whole. The school provides student support on campus through the director of medicine and director of counseling. In the event that targets, alleged aggressors, and/or their family members require services that the school is unable to provide, the director of counseling may provide referrals to external counselors.

Reports of Bullying, Cyber-Bullying, or Retaliation

A student who is the target of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation, or who has witnessed an incident of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation, or otherwise has relevant information about bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation prohibited by this plan, is strongly encouraged to report the matter promptly, either verbally or in writing, to the dean of students, the dean of students’ designee, an associate dean, a dorm head, an advisor, or to any other administrator or faculty member with whom the student is comfortable speaking. If a student is uncomfortable contacting one of these individuals, the student may ask another adult or a classmate to help. The school also has an incident reporting duty dean phone number (413-498-3326/413-498-DEAN). Verbal reports made to a member of the faculty/staff will generally be memorialized in writing.

Parents or guardians who believe that their student is the target of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation, or whose student has witnessed or otherwise has relevant information about bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation, is urged to notify the dean of students, the dean of students’ designee, or the director of counseling immediately. Furthermore, any parent or guardian who has directly witnessed bullying, cyber-bullying,

or retaliation, or has relevant information concerning such an incident, is strongly encouraged to contact one of these administrators.

Any employee of NMH who witnesses or otherwise becomes aware of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation is expected to report it immediately to the dean of students. NMH employees should not make promises of confidentiality to a student or parent/guardian who informs them of an allegation of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation. Faculty, staff, and administrators may not make reports under this policy anonymously.

If a member of the faculty/staff witnesses an act of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation in progress, the faculty/staff member is expected to take reasonable steps to stop the act by communicating directly with the person whose behavior is considered unacceptable, offensive, or inappropriate.

Although Massachusetts law permits a student or the parent or guardian of a student to make a report of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation anonymously, we urge students and their parents/guardians not to make anonymous reports under this plan. While there are circumstances in which an anonymous report can be better than none at all, it is nonetheless far more difficult to determine the facts of what occurred if a report is made anonymously. No disciplinary action will be imposed solely on the basis of an anonymous report.

Students and parents are encouraged to bear in mind that the school takes this policy seriously. The school cannot promise absolute confidentiality to those reporting a case of bullying or retaliation, as there may be a need to share information during an investigation or otherwise; however, the school will disclose such information with discretion, on a need-to-know basis.

Responding to a Report of Bullying, Cyber-Bullying, or Retaliation

Preliminary Considerations

When a report of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation is brought to the attention of the dean of students or the dean’s designee, an assessment is made to determine the initial steps appropriate to protect the well-being of the students involved (including both the alleged targets and aggressors) and to prevent disruption of their learning environment while the investigation is undertaken. As appropriate, strategies such as increased supervision or stay-away mandates may be issued to prevent bullying, witness interference, or retaliation during an investigation. The requirement to report to the dean of students, dean’s designee, or other

administrator does not limit the authority of the faculty/staff member to respond to behavioral or disciplinary incidents consistent with school policies and procedures for maintaining safety, behavior management, and/or discipline in a way that is developmentally appropriate for the ages of the students involved.

Both during and after an investigation, the school is committed to protecting the physical and emotional well-being of all of its students, and faculty/staff and will take appropriate measures to do so. Thus, the school will be sensitive to the needs of both the alleged targets and the alleged aggressors. Responses to promote safety may include, but are not limited to, the following: creating a personal safety plan; predetermining seating arrangements for the target and/or the aggressor in the classroom, at lunch, in the dorm, or on campus; identifying a faculty/staff member who will act as a “safe person ” for the target; and altering the aggressor ’ s schedule and/or access to the target. The school may take additional steps to promote safety during the course of and after the investigation, as appropriate, including implementing protocols for protecting individuals who report or witness bullying, or who are interviewed regarding bullying.

At any point after receiving a report of bullying, cyber-bullying, and/or retaliation, the dean of students or the dean of students’ designee may notify local law enforcement and/or other government agencies in the event that the dean of students or the dean of students’ designee has a reasonable basis to believe that criminal charges may be pursued against the alleged perpetrator, or if a student may have been subjected to abuse or neglect of the type that is reportable under M.G.L. c. 119, § 51A.

If the school receives a report of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation involving students from another school, the dean of students or head of school may notify the appropriate administrator of the other school so that both may take appropriate action. If the school receives a report of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation on school grounds involving a former student under 21 years of age who is no longer enrolled in school, the school may notify law enforcement or other government agencies if criminal charges may be pursued against the aggressor or as otherwise required by law.

Notification of Parents/Guardians

The school will generally notify the parents/guardians of a student who is an alleged target of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation, and the parents/guardians of a student who may have been involved in the perpetration of such behavior, after a report of such behavior has been received by the school.

Investigation

The following is an overview of the protocols that will generally be followed once a report of behavior prohibited under this plan has been brought to the attention of the school.

An impartial, fact-finding investigation of the report will be conducted by the dean of students or the dean of students’ designee. This investigation may include (but is not necessarily limited to) interviews with the person or persons who made the report, the alleged target, witnesses to the incident, the person or persons against whom the report was made, and any other parties who witnessed or may otherwise have information relevant to the alleged incident. The investigator(s) may consult with teachers, the director of medicine, the director of counseling, the parents/guardians of the student or students who were allegedly targeted, and/or the parents/guardians of the student or students alleged to have been the aggressors, or any other person whom the investigator(s) deem to have knowledge about, or circumstances surrounding, the report.

While the school cannot promise strict confidentiality, all persons will be instructed to treat the investigation as confidential and not to discuss the allegations with other persons at the school. Although information must be shared to conduct an effective investigation, the school will only release information on a legitimate need-to-know basis.

The school neither tolerates nor engages in retaliation against an individual for filing a report of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation, or for cooperating in an investigation of such a report. No adverse action will be taken against a student or faculty/staff member for making a good-faith report of alleged bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation. An individual who is found to have engaged in retaliation against a student or faculty/staff member for filing a report, or participating in the investigation of a report, may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the school or termination of employment.

All persons involved in an investigation should understand that false or exaggerated accusations can be extremely damaging to innocent persons; therefore, the school expects and requires the honest and full disclosure of facts by all involved. Any person who knowingly makes a false accusation of bullying or retaliation may be subject to disciplinary action.

Resolution

Following interviews and any other investigatory information gathered, the dean of students or the dean of students’ designee will determine whether and to what extent the allegation of bullying, cyber-bullying, or

retaliation has been substantiated. If there is reason to believe this plan has been violated, the dean of students or the dean of students’ designee will determine any disciplinary action and/or other remedial action that may be appropriate and how it will be implemented. The dean of students or the dean of students’ designee will also determine whether counseling, or a referral to appropriate services, should be offered to targets, aggressors, or family members of the affected students or targets.

Upon completion of the investigation, the dean of students, the dean of students’ designee, and/or the person(s) who conducted the investigation will generally meet individually with the student or students who were the target of the alleged incident and the student or students against whom the report was made. The parents/guardians of all students involved will generally be contacted.

Information about consequences or other corrective action will be shared with the NMH community as deemed appropriate by the dean of students. The amount of information provided may be limited by laws protecting student records and/or the integrity of investigatory processes. When it is determined by the dean of students or the dean of students’ designee that the student body or faculty would benefit from reporting of the events and associated consequences of an incident of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation, an announcement may be made in person, by electronic communication, or otherwise.

In cases when it is determined that bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation has occurred, the school will assess the target’s need for protection and will make appropriate efforts to restore the target’s sense of safety. As noted above, in appropriate circumstances, law enforcement or other appropriate government agencies may be notified.

The goals of an investigation, and any disciplinary or other remedial process that is imposed following that investigation, are to correct the situation to the extent reasonably possible and to take such steps as can be taken to prevent repetition of the incident and to prevent the student or faculty/staff member targeted and others who participated in the investigation from being subject to retaliation.

If disciplinary or other corrective action is determined to be appropriate, the parties will be informed of the steps that will be taken to correct the situation. The amount of information provided in these meetings may be limited by confidentiality laws protecting student and employee records or other confidentiality or privacy considerations. Parents or guardians of the target(s) will generally be notified of any action to be taken to prevent any further acts of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation.

Follow-up communications may occur with any student found to have been targeted in violation of this policy (and with that student’s parents/guardians, as applicable) to inquire whether there have been any further incidents.

Resources, such as counseling or referral to appropriate services, are available to all students — including the alleged aggressor(s) and the alleged target(s) during and after an investigation.

Disciplinary Action

The dean of students or the dean of students’ designee will determine any appropriate disciplinary action (including, but not limited to, whether to convene a Judicial Committee hearing) for a student who is found to have committed an incident of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation. The range of disciplinary actions that may be taken against an aggressor for bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation will balance the need for accountability with the need to teach appropriate behavior, and may include:

• Loss of privileges.

• Written apology to another student.

• Close supervision of the student.

• Counseling.

• Suspension from the school.

• Dismissal from the school.

If, as the result of an investigation, the dean of students determines that faculty/staff should be subject to disciplinary action, such disciplinary action will be handled in accordance with the policies set forth in the Employee Handbook.

Conclusion

This plan, which is consistent with the school’s mission and policies that appear in the school’s Student Handbook and Employee Handbook, outlines the school’s bullying, cyber-bullying, and retaliation policy and is consistent with the school’s on-going commitment to fostering a safe, supportive, and respectful learning environment for all members of the NMH community.

The goals of this plan are:

● To prevent bullying, cyber-bullying, and retaliation among NMH students.

● To encourage students and parents/guardians to come forward promptly if they become aware of conduct that is prohibited by this or any other school policy.

● To promote confidence in the school’s procedures.

● To aid the appropriate implementation of discipline and other corrective measures, when warranted.

Questions regarding this document or other aspects of NMH’s prevention of and response to matters of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation should be directed to the dean of students.

Appendix B

HAZING LAW

The Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires that all entering students receive a copy of M.G.L. Chapter 269, Sections 17–19, as amended by Chapter 665 of the Acts of 1987, an act prohibiting the practice of hazing. This law was approved by the governor of Massachusetts on Jan. 5, 1988. The department also asks that each student acknowledge having received a copy of this law. Parents or guardians and students are therefore reminded to sign and return the memo from the dean of students indicating that they have read the rules and regulations in the school handbook. Hazing is considered by the school to be a form of harassment and is prohibited by policy.

According to Mass. Gen. Laws, Chapter 269, Crimes Against Public Peace

Section 17 — Crime of Hazing Definition; Penalty

Whoever is a principal organizer or participant in the crime of hazing, as defined herein, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $3,000 or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

The term “hazing” as used in this section and in sections 18 and 19, shall mean any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping; beating; branding; forced calisthenics; exposure to the weather; forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug, or other substance; or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity that is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to any prosecution under this action.

Section 18 Duty to Report Hazing

Whoever knows that another person is the victim of hazing as defined in section 17 and is at the scene of such crime shall, to the extent that such person can do so without danger or peril to themself or others, report such crime to an appropriate law-enforcement official as soon as reasonably practicable. Whoever fails to report such crime shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.

Section 19 Hazing Statutes to Be Provided; Statement of Compliance and Discipline Policy Required

Each institution of secondary education and each public and private institution of postsecondary education shall issue to every student group, student team, or student organization that is part of such institution or is recognized by the institution or permitted by the institution to use its name or facilities or is known by the institution to exist as an unaffiliated student group, student team, or student organization, a copy of this section and sections 17 and 18; provided, however, that an institution’s compliance with this section’s requirements that an institution issue copies of this section and sections 17 and 18 to unaffiliated student groups, teams, or organizations shall not constitute evidence of the institution’s recognition or endorsement of said unaffiliated student groups, teams, or organizations.

Each such group, team, or organization shall distribute a copy of this section and sections 17 and 18 to each of its members, plebes, pledges, or applicants for membership. It shall be the duty of each such group, team, or organization, acting through its designated officer, to deliver annually to the institution an attested acknowledgment stating that such group, team, or organization has received a copy of this section and said sections 17 and 18, that each of its members, plebes, pledges, or applicants has received a copy of sections 17 and 18, and that such group, team, or organization understands and agrees to comply with the provisions of this section and sections 17 and 18.

Each institution of secondary education and each public or private institution of postsecondary education shall, at least annually, before or at the start of enrollment, deliver to each person who enrolls as a full-time student in such institution a copy of this section and sections 17 and 18.

Each institution of secondary education and each public or private institution of postsecondary education shall file, at least annually, a report with the board of higher education and in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education, certifying that such institution has

complied with its responsibility to inform student groups, teams, or organizations and to notify each full-time student enrolled by it of the provisions of this section and sections 17 and 18, and also certifying that said institution has adopted a disciplinary policy with regard to the organizers and participants of hazing, and that such policy has been set forth with appropriate emphasis in the student handbook or similar means of communicating the institution’s policies to its students. The board of higher education and, in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education, shall promulgate regulations governing the content and frequency of such reports, and shall forthwith report to the attorney general any such institution which fails to make such report.

Appendix C

Interpersonal Misconduct Definitions:

Also see “Sexual Intimacy and Affirmative Consent” in “Major School Rule: Treat Others with Dignity and Respect and Commit to Respectful and Healthy Relationships, p. 10.

Aggressor

A student or faculty/staff member who engages in bullying (including cyber-bullying), harassment, discrimination, hazing, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or retaliation toward a student.

Bullying

Bullying is defined as the use of a written, verbal, or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, by one or more students or members of the faculty/staff directed at a target that: (a) causes physical or emotional harm to the student or damage to the student’s property; (b) places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s self or damage to the student’s property; (c) creates a hostile environment at school for the student; (d) infringes on the rights of the student at school; or (e) materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of the school. The school recognizes that certain students may be more vulnerable to becoming targets of bullying or harassment based on actual or perceived differentiating characteristics, including race; color; religion; ancestry; national origin; sex; socioeconomic status; homelessness; academic status; gender identity or expression; physical appearance; pregnancy or parenting status; sexual orientation; mental, physical, developmental, or sensory disability; or by association with a person who has or is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics. Please see the school’s Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan for more information, available on the school’s website and in Appendix A of this handbook.

Cyber-bullying

Cyber-bullying is bullying through the use of technology or electronic communication. Examples of electronic communication include e-mail, text message, including but not limited to any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo-electronic, or photo-optical system, including, but not limited to electronic mail, internet communications (such as webpage or blog), instant messages, or facsimile communications. Cyber‐bullying includes, but is not limited to:

(a) the creation of a web page or blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person, and (b) the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages, if the creation or impersonation constitutes bullying conduct as defined above. Cyber-bullying includes, but is not limited to, the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person, or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the distribution or posting creates any of the conditions included in the definition of bullying.

Faculty/Staff

Faculty/staff members include, but are not limited to, educators, administrators, counselors, school nurses, dining services workers, custodians, bus drivers, athletics coaches, advisors to extracurricular activities, support staff, and paraprofessionals.

Harassment and Discrimination

Harassment and Discrimination is behavior that is pervasive or severe and has the purpose or effect of: (a) creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for a student; (b) interfering unreasonably with a student’s academic performance; or (c) creating a situation where academic decisions of a student depend on the student submitting to and/or not objecting to the behavior. Harassment and Discrimination can take many forms. Examples include, but are not limited to, limiting opportunities to participate in certain clubs, teams, or activities based on certain characteristics, as well as slurs, jokes, statements, remarks, questions, gestures, pictures, emails, texts, or cartoons regarding a legally protected status that are derogatory or demeaning to an individual’s or group ’ s characteristics or that promote stereotypes. Harassmentalso includessexualharassment(asdefinedbelow).

Employee-to-student harassment and discrimination means conduct of a written, verbal, or physical nature that is designed to embarrass, distress, agitate, disturb, or trouble students when:

● Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a student’s education or of a student’s participation in school programs or activities.

● Submission to or rejection of such conduct by a student is used as the basis for decisions affecting the student.

● Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a student’s performance or creating an intimidating or hostile learning environment.

● Such conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive to create an intimidating or hostile learning environment.

Student-to-student harassment or discrimination means conduct of a written, verbal, or physical nature that is designed to embarrass, distress, agitate, disturb, or trouble students, when:

● Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a student’s performance or creating an intimidating or hostile learning environment, or

● Such conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive to create an intimidating or hostile environment.

Hazing

Hazing means subjecting a student to a physical or mental-health injury as part of an initiation into, or as a prerequisite to membership for, any organized school group, including any society, athletics team, fraternity or sorority, or other similar group. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to, whipping; beating; branding; forced calisthenics; exposure to the weather; forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug, or other substance; or any brutal treatment or forced physical activity that is likely to adversely affect the physical or mental health or safety of a student or any other person, or which subjects the student or any other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation. Please see the Hazing Law in Appendix B for a more detailed review of Massachusetts law defining and prohibiting hazing. Although Massachusetts state law covers the treatment and definition of hazing for secondary-school students, the school does not condone any form of hazing, whether consent is implied or given, or under any other circumstances whatsoever, regardless of the grade level of the student.

The following questions are intended to help students identify and understand what hazing is.

● Would you have any reservation describing the activity to your parents, a teacher, or a school administrator?

● Would you object to the activity being photographed for the school newspaper or local TV news?

● Is there a risk of injury or a question of safety?

● Is this a team or group activity in which members are encouraged or expected to attend and where minors are consuming alcohol?

● Will current members refuse to participate with the new members?

● Does the activity risk emotional or physical abuse?

Hostile Environment

A hostile environment refers to a situation in which certain discriminatory conduct causes the school environment to be permeated with intimidation, ridicule, or insult that is sufficiently severe or pervasive so as to alter the conditions of a student’s education.

Racial Discrimination

Racial discrimination involves treating a target unfavorably because the target is of a certain race or because of personal characteristics associated with race (such as hair texture, skin color, or certain facial features). Racial discrimination can occur when the target and the person who inflicted the discrimination and aggressor are the same race or color.

Retaliation

Retaliation is any form of intimidation, reprisal, or harassment directed against a student who reports misconduct (including, but not limited to, bullying, harassment, discrimination, hazing, sexual assault, or sexual harassment), provides information during an investigation, or witnesses and/or has reliable information about such misconduct.

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault occurs when a person is forced or coerced into sexual activity without giving consent. Sexual activity includes, but is not limited to, touching or fondling, either directly or through the clothing, of another’s intimate areas or any contact, intrusion, or penetration of another’s sex organs, anus, or mouth.

Sexual Violence

Sexual violence, as the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) uses the term, refers to physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person ’ s will or where a person is incapable of giving consent (e.g., due to the person ’ s age or use of drugs or alcohol, or because an intellectual or other disability prevents the person from having the capacity to give consent). A number of different acts fall into the category of sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual abuse, and sexual coercion.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is a type of protected class harassment (as defined above). Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct on the basis of sex or sexual in nature that is so severe or pervasive and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the school’s education program, activities, or employment. It also includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment

includes conduct by an employee making an educational benefit or service dependent on a person ’ s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct, often called quid pro quo harassment, and sexual assault as the law defines that crime.

While it is not possible to list all additional circumstances that may constitute sexual harassment, examples of behavior that may constitute sexual harassment (regardless of whether the intent or consequence of such behavior is to make the target feel uncomfortable) include:

● Offensive body language (staring and/or leering at a person ’ s body or standing/brushing too close).

● Offensive or unwanted sexual comments, abuse, jokes, or insults, delivered verbally or in writing.

● Derogatory or pornographic posters, cartoons, or drawings;

● Pressure to engage in sexual activity (such as hazing or threats, as well as repeated requests after rejections).

● Offering favors or benefits in exchange for sexual acts, or threatening mistreatment if one does not engage in sexual acts.

● Offensive or unwelcome physical advances (including kissing, hugging, pinching, grabbing, groping, “playful” slapping, etc.).

Target

Any student against whom bullying (including cyber-bullying), harassment, discrimination, hazing, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or retaliation has been perpetrated.

Appendix D

NMH Emergency Procedures

Campus Safety: 413-498-3544 or ext. 3544

EMERGENCY (Police/Fire/EMT): 911 or 8-911 from landline

LOCKDOWN

● Campus emergency siren will activate.

● Seek shelter indoors or a safe location as quickly as possible.

● Shut and lock windows/doors; barricade doorways that cannot be locked.

● Silence cell phones, radios, music devices, etc.

● Only leave a safe location when instructed to do so by the NMH emergency notification system via phone/email/text, local law enforcement, Campus Safety, and/or if the situation requires an immediate evacuation.

SEVERE WEATHER (Shelter-in-Place)

● Seek shelter indoors, away from windows.

● Take cover against an interior wall.

● Stay away from large objects that may fall.

● If unable to find shelter when storm hits, lie flat and cover head with hands.

● Wait for further instructions via Connect-Ed emergency notification system.

MEDICAL

● Call Campus Safety at ext. 3544 and/or 8-911.

● Provide the location, nature of injury or illness, current condition of the victim, and other requested information.

● DO NOT move the injured/ill person unless they are in immediate danger.

● If trained, administer first aid, CPR/AED. 126

FIRE

■ Activate nearest fire alarm pull station if alarm is not sounding.

■ Evacuate building using nearest exit. DO NOT use elevators.

■ Call Campus Safety at ext. 3544 and 8-911 to report location of fire.

■ Meet at designated checkpoint area.

SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR OR ACTIVITY

● DO NOT physically confront suspicious person(s) or handle suspicious packages.

● DO NOT let anyone into locked buildings/dorms.

● Note the person ’ s description and suspicious activity and call Campus Safety at ext. 3544.

Appendix E

Health and Wellness, Mental Health, and Wellbeing Resources

Medical Services O’Connor Health and Wellness Clinic

Health Services 413-498-3407 or nurses@nmhschool.org

● If a student is sick or has medical appointments and is unable to attend school, a parent or guardian must email nurses@nmhschool.org or call 413-498-3407.

● If you have medical concerns, please email nurses@nmhschool.org or call 413-498-3407. If you need to reach the medical director, email srourke@nmhschool.org or the director of nursing, tdoyle@nmhschool.org.

● If you have administrative questions, please email kgeercurtiss@nmhschool.org or call 413-498-3660.

Counseling Services counseling@nmhschool.org

● For urgent needs, students can walk into the health center and ask a nurse to connect them with a counselor. Counselors are on site Monday through Friday during school hours. A counselor is on call weeknights and weekends to meet with students with urgent needs.

● For less urgent concerns and make appointments, email counseling@nmhschool.org.

● Campus Duty Dean 413-498-DEAN (3326)

● NMH Dean’s Office 413-498-3423

● NMH Chaplain 413-498-3338 or lestrawn@nmhschool.org 128

Useful Local and National Hotlines:

Greenfield/Franklin County (MA) Crisis Intervention Hotline:: 1-413 774-5411 (emergency, crisis, and stabilization services)

Black Line: 1-800-604-5841

(provides space for peer support, counseling, reporting of mistreatment, and witnessing and affirming the lived experiences for those most impacted by systematic oppression with an LGBTQ+ Black Femme Lens

Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) (for people struggling with intimate partner violence/unhealthy relationships) www.thehotline.org

GLSEN Massachusetts

https://www.glsen.org/chapter/massachusetts#snt–1 (works to ensure safe schools for all students, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity)

LoveIsRespect: 1-866-331-9474 or text 22522 (online chat also available) (youth-centered resources for healthy relationships)

Teen Dating Hotline: 1-800-779–233 or text 88788

RAINN: Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) (free, confidential, anonymous; available 24/7/365 in English and Spanish to anyone affected by sexual violence in any way) www.rainn.org

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call 988 / 1-800-273-8255 (anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts, self-harm, depression) www.988lifeline.org

Steve Fund: Text STEVE to 741741 (to receive help if you are a young person of color in crisis or emotional distress)

Tapestry Healthcare Services/Greenfield: 1 -413- 586-2016 info@tapestryhealth.org (health care services for women, including LGBTQ+ community)

Transhealth Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860

Trevor Project Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386 or live chat at www.thetrevorproject.org (provides crisis intervention, suicide prevention services and support to LGBTQ+ young people, ages 13–24)

Appendix F

● Relationship Violence Flow Chart

● Non-Disciplinary Approaches to Drugs and Alcohol