2012-2013 Upper School Student Handbook

Charleston Collegiate School A learning community where everybody matters

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-2013

Charleston Collegiate School 2024 Academy Drive John’s Island, South Carolina 29455 843-559-5506 FAX: 843-559-6172 www.charlestoncollegiate.org The mission of Charleston Collegiate School is to have a positive impact on our students, so that they may positively impact the world around them. The School prepares students in a progressive learning environment to face life's challenges with confidence, strong problem-solving skills, and a solid ethical foundation. Charleston Collegiate is a community of cultural and economic diversity which fosters compassion, social awareness, and respect for community and environment.

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

Charleston Collegiate Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13 Table of Contents 2012-13 School Calendar............................................................................................................................................4 Letter from the Upper School Head ...........................................................................................................................5 Upper School Faculty .............................................................................................................................................6 CCS Administration ................................................................................................................................................6 Parent-Teacher Organization .....................................................................................................................................6 Boosters’ Club ........................................................................................................................................................6 General Information ...................................................................................................................................................7 Campus Hours ........................................................................................................................................................7 Deliveries ................................................................................................................................................................7 Daily Schedules ......................................................................................................................................................7 Drop-Off and Pick-Up .............................................................................................................................................7 After School ............................................................................................................................................................7 Holiday Schedules ..................................................................................................................................................8 Visitors....................................................................................................................................................................8 Travel Liability and Insurance.................................................................................................................................8 Group Travel and School Trips ...............................................................................................................................8 Student Drivers/Parking .........................................................................................................................................9 Fundraising .............................................................................................................................................................9 Health Information .................................................................................................................................................. 10 Medical records................................................................................................................................................... 10 Medication Policy ................................................................................................................................................ 11 Academic Information ............................................................................................................................................. 11 Curriculum ........................................................................................................................................................... 11 Class Registration Procedures ............................................................................................................................. 11 Repeating a Class ................................................................................................................................................ 11 Repeating a Year ................................................................................................................................................. 11 Transfer Student Transcript Policy ...................................................................................................................... 12 Advisory............................................................................................................................................................... 12 College Counseling .......................................................................................................................................... 12 Grading System ................................................................................................................................................... 13 Honor Roll ........................................................................................................................................................... 13 Summer School ................................................................................................................................................... 13 Graduation Requirements................................................................................................................................... 13 Dual Credit and Outside Course Programs ......................................................................................................... 13 Senior Exhibition ................................................................................................................................................. 14 Winterim ............................................................................................................................................................. 14 Academic Rigor ................................................................................................................................................... 14 Textbooks ............................................................................................................................................................ 14 Homework and Testing ....................................................................................................................................... 15 Extra Help ............................................................................................................................................................ 15 Semester Assessments ........................................................................................................................................ 15 Report Cards/Transcripts .................................................................................................................................... 15 Academic Probation ............................................................................................................................................ 15 Sports Policy ........................................................................................................................................................ 16 aCCeSs ................................................................................................................................................................. 16 Outdoor Education Center (OEC) ........................................................................................................................ 16 Student Conduct and Guidelines ............................................................................................................................. 17 2

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

Attendance .......................................................................................................................................................... 17 Student Expectations .......................................................................................................................................... 18 Parent Expectations ............................................................................................................................................ 18 Parents and the Board of Trustees ................................................................................................................. 19 Parents, Faculty and Administration .............................................................................................................. 19 Parent Teacher Organization, Booster Club and the School .......................................................................... 20 Honor Code ......................................................................................................................................................... 20 Bullying and Harrassment ................................................................................................................................... 21 Alcohol and Other Illegal Substances .................................................................................................................. 21 Valuables ............................................................................................................................................................. 22 Vandalism ............................................................................................................................................................ 22 Weapons ............................................................................................................................................................. 22 Technology Use Agreement ................................................................................................................................ 22 Disciplinary Definitions ............................................................................................................................................ 24 Disciplinary Action............................................................................................................................................... 24 Examples of Disciplinary Referrals .................................................................................................................. 24 Student Dress Code Guidelines ............................................................................................................................... 26

3

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

2012-13 SCHOOL CALENDAR FIRST SEMESTER August 22 First day of school 24 All School Picnic, 6:00-8:00pm September 3 NO SCHOOL Labor Day 14 1st quarter interim October 8 NO SCHOOL Fall Break 19 End of 1st Quarter, ½ day November 1 NO SCHOOL Parent/Student/Teacher/Advisor Conferences, 2nd quarter interim 10 Fall Carnival/Oyster Roast, 1:00-5:00pm 20 LS/MS Thanksgiving Feast, ½ day 21-23 NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving Holiday December 18-20 Exams, Gingerbread House 21 End of 2nd quarter, Make-up Exams, Faculty workday 21-31 NO SCHOOL Semester Break

SECOND SEMESTER January 1-6 NO SCHOOL Semester Break 7 NO SCHOOL Faculty Workday 8 Students resume classes 21 NO SCHOOL MLK Day February 7 NO SCHOOL Parent/Student/Teacher/Advisor Conferences, 3rd quarter interim 18 NO SCHOOL President’s Day 19 NO SCHOOL Faculty Workday March 15 End of 3rd quarter, ½ day 18-22 Upper School Winterim 22 Day LS/MS Grandparents Day ½ day 25-29 NO SCHOOL Spring Break April 1 NO SCHOOL Easter Monday 2 Classes Resume 26 4th quarter interim May 16-18, 20 Senior Exams 20-22 US Exams 23 Make-up Exams, LS/MS/US Awards, 1:30pm 24 Last Day of School/Graduation, 9:00am

4

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

LETTER FROM THE UPPER SCHOOL HEAD Dear Upper School Students and Parents: Welcome to what promises to be an exciting year for you, a year full of new challenges, new responsibilities, and new freedoms.

The Charleston Collegiate Upper School serves students in Grades Nine through Twelve. These are critical years in a student’s educational journey when each student will be challenged to master new material which will add to his or her educational foundation. These years will also be fulfilling, as upper schoolers come to realize that they are capable students who know how to study and learn. The Upper School Faculty and I want your child’s upper school experience to be fun as he or she participates in all activities –academic, athletic, and social – that he or she will enjoy with classmates.

As an Upper School student your child will receive and earn new freedoms that were not a part of his or her Upper School experience. However, more freedom also means more responsibility as they learn their schedule of classes and remember to bring the proper books and materials to each class. Their teachers and advisors will lend a helping hand in teaching them how to meet these responsibilities.

The Upper School environment is nurturing, supportive, and structured. Teachers and advisors are there to help students navigate the many ups and downs that are common during the upper school years. We also know that upper school students perform better when they have a code of behavior and a set of standards to follow.

Please read through this handbook carefully, as it contains pertinent information that both parents and students will find useful throughout the year. Most important, please remember that the Upper School faculty and I are here to help you.

Sincerely,

Bobby Hemingway Head of Middle and Upper School

5

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

Upper School Faculty Head of Middle and Upper School, Bobby Hemingway (bhemingway@charlestoncollegiate.org) English, Jenny Pringle (jpringle@charlestoncollegiate.org) Physics & Chemistry, Rebecca Coulter (rcoulter@charlestoncollegiate.org) Biology, Molly Olson (molson@charlestoncollegiate.org ) School Counselor, Dan Miller (dmiller@charlestoncollegiate.org) Mathematics, Beth Lundquist (blundquist@charlestoncollegiate.org) Spanish, Mandy McDermott (mhoskins@charlestoncollegiate.org) Physical Education, Letitia Sowers (lsowers@charlestoncollegiate.org) History, Brian McDermott (bmcdermott@charlestoncollegiate.org) Chorus, Anne Warf (awarf@charlestoncollegiate.org) Art/Media, Austin Howell (ahowell@charlestoncollegiate.org) Art, Valery Sheers (vsheers@charlestoncollegiate.org) Outdoor Education, Brooke Haynie (bhaynie@ charlestoncollegiate.org) CCS Administration Head of School Head of Middle and Upper School Head of Lower School/Admissions Director of Marketing and College Counseling Director of Finance and Operations Director of Athletics and Dean of Student Behavior Assistant to the Head Admission Assistant and Registrar

Hacker Burr Bobby Hemingway Patricia Ferris Jean Pendleton Kendall Reilly Jay Godbolt Carolyn Lipcamon Tiffany Frank

PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATION All parents are members of the Parent-Teacher Association. The purpose of this organization is to support, financially and in other ways requested by the school administration, the institution and its strategic and operation goals. It will assist with the school’s logistical needs, as requested by the school’s administration, assist the school in raising of funds for the building and educational projects of the school, and promote activities that enhance school and community spirit.

President

Sharon Foster

Parents’ Association Projects Grocery Cards/Box Tops/Campbell Soup Labels, Hospitality, Fall Carnival, Oyster Roast & Chili Cook Off, Gingerbread House, Book Fair, Teacher Appreciation Week Boosters’ Club President Charlotte Smith The purpose of the Booster Club is to support the athletic program through ticket sales, concessions, and merchandise sales. All parents are welcome to join.

6

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

GENERAL INFORMATION Campus Hours Charleston Collegiate School maintains a closed campus, requiring all students to remain on campus during the school day. All students must be in their seats in their classrooms by 8:15 a.m.

Deliveries All deliveries, whether from parents or other sources, must be left with the Receptionist at the front desk. Items must not be taken directly to students. No messages will be given during class. Only in an absolute emergency will a parent request that the school interrupt class or find a student during break or lunch to deliver a message.

Lunches may not be delivered directly to the student. Please bring the lunch to the front desk and a staff member will ensure your child receives the lunch.

Daily Schedules The Upper School Day begins at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m. Extra Help is available from 3:15 to 3:45, Monday through Thursday. This is a time where students can make up missed tests and quizzes, and receive extra help from their teachers.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Charleston Collegiate believes that children will develop the habits of regular and prompt attendance, and it is important that the adults in children’s lives model appropriate habits. Attendance and punctuality are important habits to establish, even at the youngest age. During morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up parents are asked to stay in their vehicles as they move through the carpool lines.

Morning Drop-Off All Students will be dropped at the front of the Lower School building from 7:45 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Upper School students enter their advisor’s classroom upon arrival. Please refrain from entering the school when dropping off your child. If you have business in the office, drop your child off, park, and then come into the office where you will be asked to sign-in and receive a visitor’s pass. All drivers need to be cautious, watch for students crossing the parking lot, and not block the senior and faculty parking lot.

No cars may be left unattended in front of the Lower School or gym door or block walkways at any time.

Afternoon Pick-Up Dismissal for Upper School students is at 3:15. At this time all Upper Schoolers will be sent to their advisor’s room. If a student is being picked up at 3:15, they will be picked up at the Main Entrance through the carpool line. The teachers will notify the students when their ride has arrived and send the student to the front entrance.

If your child is to be picked up by someone other than you, you must put in writing or call the front desk with the following information: their name, make and color of vehicle. Upon arrival, the driver will need to show a picture ID. After School We are concerned for our young people, and we want to make sure all of our students on campus after school are supervised. Therefore, Upper Schoolers may not remain on campus after 3:45pm unless they are involved in a campus activity, event, club, or sport.

7

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

Holiday Schedules Students will plan to leave on holidays only at the hour and date officially designated in the school calendar or as designated by the division heads. Therefore, students and their families are requested to make plans and transportation reservations accordingly.

Visitors To ensure the safety of our students, Charleston Collegiate School requires that all parents and visitors to the campus check in with the Receptionist at the front desk before moving about the campus or entering other buildings. Visitors must obtain a visitor’s badge from the front desk and check out when they leave. In order to be respectful of classes in session, parents and visitors are asked not to enter any classrooms during the school day unless they have a scheduled appointment. If a parent wishes to meet with a teacher before, during, or after school, an appointment must be scheduled in advance.

Travel Liability and Insurance As much as possible, CCS provides transportation to athletic events and field trips via rented vehicles; however, for reasons of cost and convenience, parents and faculty sometimes transport students to activities in their own vehicles. This support is a great asset, but it is also important that parents know that by law, the school cannot assume liability. Whoever drives is liable for the safety of passengers and must be covered by liability insurance.

The school’s insurance company requires drivers to be insured to liability limits of $100,000 / $300,000 / $100,000. After that level of payment has been made, the school’s insurance may assume further liability.

Any parents who plan to drive on a field trip must complete the Field Trip Driver Form and provide a copy of their driver’s license and insurance card. For safety reasons, precautions need to be taken to ensure medical information and emergency contact information are close at hand. Students are not allowed to transport other students during school-sponsored trips. In addition, a teacher may not transport a single student unless specific permission has been obtained from the parent.

Group Travel and School Trips • A coach or school representative is responsible for the safe guidance of the entire group.

• All passengers in vehicles that have seatbelts must use them.

• All caravanning vehicles going to and from an activity must maintain visual contact with each other and observe the speed limit.

• The only stops made en route will be for food and fuel. The group will not stop for any nonessential reasons.

• Parents who volunteer to drive also assume liability for their passengers. The school’s insurance policy will not cover anyone not riding in a school vehicle. (See “Travel Liability and Insurance.”)

• Every CCS trip, whether it is travel to a game or on a field trip, should be governed by considerations of courtesy and safety. Students must be courteous to all, and the designated leader of the group will place safety above all else when making decisions about going on, stopping for the night, etc.

• When a school group leaves for an overnight trip, the leader of the group will give a written itinerary to parents and the appropriate division head before departing.

• Trip Itinerary: The group leader should make sure that every student receives a copy of the itinerary to take home at least one day prior to departure, and that the appropriate division head also gets a copy. The division head should give a copy to the Receptionist. It is essential that the following information be included in the itinerary: o Name of the event o Cost: fees and estimated spending money o Time and place of departure and return • Place where the group will stay and telephone number 8

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

• • •

Charleston Collegiate School

School where the group will compete and telephone number Trip leaders must take copies of Student Information and Permission Forms Whenever possible, the group leader will carry a cell phone and include that number on the trip itinerary.

Student Drivers/Parking Students are permitted to drive vehicles to and from school. Anyone driving on campus must have a valid South Carolina driver’s license. Vehicles entering the CCS campus must have minimum South Carolina liability insurance coverage with proof of such insurance maintained in the car. All students’ vehicles must be registered with the Head of Upper School and receive a parking permit, which must be clearly displayed. Reckless driving or speeding near or on campus will also cause students to lose driving privileges. Violators of vehicle regulations will lose the privilege to have vehicles on campus, and their vehicles may be towed at their expense. The parking lot is off limits to all students from 8:15 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. Students may not go to the parking lot without specific permission from a faculty or staff member. The sophomore and junior parking lot is in the field across from the Lower School. The senior parking lot is just beyond the faculty parking lot beside the gym.

Fundraising Independent Schools rely on the generous donations of donors, because tuition does not cover the full costs of the education. Charleston Collegiate believes that children should take part in community service activities beginning at a young age. One of our goals is to help students understand the importance - and experience the pleasure - of “giving back.” The vast majority of our service learning activities involve students working for a cause – such as making Valentines for soldiers, serving food at a homeless shelter, building Habitat homes, or visiting a nursing home. The school, with very few exceptions, does not raise money for other organizations.

We believe that families should choose where they direct their charitable contributions. Students will occasionally run “drives” (such as a canned good drive, coat drive, etc.) which do not require additional purchases. While donations certainly are not mandatory, we hope families will consider participating in these drives. The school builds service learning into the curriculum as a complement to our learning modules.

At Charleston Collegiate School, there are several established fundraisers throughout the year.

Annual Fund As its name implies each year the board of trustees, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, friends and alumni are asked to help defray the cost of operating the school. The Annual Fund drive generally starts in the opening weeks of school and concludes with the end of the school’s calendar year, June 30th.

Currently, the operating budget of the school relies on revenue from Annual Fund to cover 15% of the operating costs. All parents are expected to contribute including families who receive financial assistance and full paid scholarship or full funding from grandparents.

Golf Tournament Charleston Collegiate is located in the heart of the East Coast’s best golf courses. Our golf tournament raises funds from current parents and greatly relies on the participation from alumni, friends, grandparents and business community to raise awareness of the mission of the school, who we serve and our contributions to the community. All proceeds directly go to the operating budget.

Auction The school holds a Spring Auction to celebrate the year with opportunities to bid on high quality goods and services provided by local businesses, our vendors and parent services. The auction is held in the evening and is the highlight of the spring bringing our adult community together. It is one of the only events in the year where we celebrate without our children. All parents and faculty support this event, as well as grandparents, friends, the Board of Trustees and the Board of Visitors.

9

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

Scholarship Charleston Collegiate is a most diverse student environment. We educate students who represent different backgrounds representing racial, religious, ethnic, cultural, national origin, health and socio-economic status along with many different family units. The Scholarship Funding is a way for generous donors who may not be related to students at the school to contribute by extending full or partial scholarships. These students would not be able to attend the school if were not for the generous gift from donors. Scholarship students qualify for financial assistance by applying to School and Student Services and submitting their current year income tax returns. Scholarship funding supplements the School’s Financial Aid. (To read more about Financial Assistance, please refer to that section.)

Financial Assistance for Tuition All parents are expected to pay for a student’s education at Charleston Collegiate. There are parents who rely on the generosity of family members: grandparents or relatives to support the educational funding for their child. If a family cannot afford to pay the full tuition costs up front, it is recommended that the family go on a payment plan that ends in April. All tuition is expected to be received in a timely way.

If the family cannot provide full tuition for their children, there is some financial assistance available on a limited basis from the School’s operating budget and each family must apply in a timely way each year. The financial assistance process and the award are all kept confidential by members of the Financial Aid Committee. From time to time, generous donors step forward to fund a student who qualifies by need. Our donors provide “Scholarship Funding” to provide an opportunity for “qualified” students to receive this extraordinary opportunity to receive a Charleston Collegiate education. All “Scholarship” awards are based on a student’s family applying to School and Student Services as a means for financial qualification. The family’s income, assets and liabilities are considered in this process. Also, students are expected to maintain a “B” average and be a contributing member to the School community through one of the many avenues, such as, student government, athletics, arts and performing arts, math, science competitions as well as demonstrate good behavior.

Financial Aid is awarded to students who financially qualify, maintain a B average and contribute to the School community through participation in one of many avenues: Athletics, Arts and Performing Arts, Student Government, Math, Science or other Leadership opportunities and demonstrate good behavior. To qualify parents of the student submit an application to School and Student Services and the most recent copy of their Income tax forms and all schedules. A School committee reviews the profiles of all applicants. Award is based on an applicant’s financial need, academic status, contributions to the school community through athletics, arts or other areas, and behavior at school. Financial aid is awarded after all other avenues of assistance are exhausted and as long as funds are available.

HEALTH INFORMATION Medical records The following are the minimum requirements for the student health record. (Forms are found in the enrollment packet).

Emergency Medical Treatment Authorization: This form must be completed annually. Without this form on file a student may not participate in any athletics or off-campus activities.

Immunization Record: State law requires that all students provide proof of Immunization.

Documentation must include the month/day/year of all vaccinations and must be validated by a physician or clinic. Parents will be notified as students become due for boosters.

10

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

Physical Examination: This is required annually for all students who participate in the athletics program. The history section of this form requires the signature of both the student and the parent.

No student in may participate in sports without documentation of a current physical exam.

Medication Policy Charleston Collegiate discourages indiscriminate use of medicine. If a student must have it, the school requires a signed permission slip, and the medicine must be kept in its original prescription bottle in the school’s vault. This policy applies to nonprescription medication as well. The Receptionist will dispense it to the student. Students are not allowed to have any medication (prescription or non-prescription) in their possession at any time.

ACADEMIC INFORMATION Curriculum The academic year is divided into two semesters: from August to December and from January to May. Upper School Students must maintain a course load of seven classes each semester; in some circumstances, seniors may carry a course load of six courses each semester.

Class Registration Procedures Students choose their courses in the spring for the subsequent year. During the first week of each semester, students may add courses with the approval of the Head of Upper School and their parents. To add a course, students must fill out an add/drop form.

When a student wishes to drop a course, he or she must consult with his or her parents, the course instructor, and the Head of Upper School, and must fill out an add/drop form. A student has 10 days after the start of the year to request to drop a year-long course and five days after the start of the semester to request to drop a semester-long course. If a student wishes to be taken out of a class after the drop period has passed, he or she can request to be withdrawn from the course but a grade of withdrawn passing (WP) or withdrawn failing (WF) will be reflected on the student’s transcript. The Head of Upper School may remove students from courses at any time (especially in the case of Honors or AP classes) if they are not placed in the correct level course or if the student’s grade drops to an unacceptable range. Students may transfer to another level of the course with approval from the Head of the Upper School.

Repeating a Class If a student wishes to retake a class that was passed the first time it was taken, the student will receive a “P” on his/her transcript for the first time the course was taken. The grade earned the second time the course was taken will appear on the transcript and will be calculated into the student’s GPA. Only 1 credit will be earned.

If a student wishes to retake a class that was failed the first time it was taken, both the failing grade and the new grade will appear on the transcript and both will be calculated into the student’s GPA. A student may earn a high school credit for Algebra I (or a higher level math class) or Spanish I (or higher) class that was taken in 8th grade. The grades will appear on the student’s transcript and will be factored in to the student’s GPA. Whether the class was passed or failed, the student may retake the class if so desired. If the class is repeated, the course taken in the 8th grade will not appear on the high school transcript.

Repeating a Year If a student wishes to repeat an entire year of high school and take a 5th year, the courses taken in the year that was failed will appear on the student’s transcript with an “F” grade. These courses will not be factored into the student’s GPA and no credits will be awarded. The courses that were passed will appear on the student’s transcript with a “P” grade. These courses will not be factored into the student’s GPA and no credits will be awarded since the year is being repeated in its entirety.

11

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

If a student wishes to keep any credits from a given school year, then all grades from that school year must be calculated into the student’s GPA and appear on his/her transcript. In other words, a student may choose to include all or none of the courses in a failing year into the GPA calculation, but may not choose to include only some of the courses in that year.

Transfer Student Transcript Policy CCS can only be responsible for calculating GPAs and displaying information on transcripts for coursework completed at CCS. Therefore, students who come to CCS from another school during their high school years will have 2 transcripts as described below.

• The transcript from their former school(s).

• A transcript listing only courses taken at CCS. This transcript will include the yearly CCS GPA, the yearly SCUGS GPA (only for courses taken at CCS), the cumulative CCS GPA (only for courses taken at CCS), and the cumulative SCUGS for all high school level courses (taken at any institution).

Advisory Every student is assigned an advisor. Teachers, as advisors, are an integral part of Charleston Collegiate School’s student support program, and they serve as the student’s advocate. The advisor serves as the first point of contact between the school and the home. The advisor monitors the student’s academic progress, assists with curricular and extracurricular choices, represents the student in academic or disciplinary situations, advises on personal matters if requested, and provides regular and frequent communication with the parents. If an Upper School parent has a question about a particular class, the advisor will be contacted. She/he will be able to facilitate all communication. Advisory groups meet twice daily with his/her advisory group for activities and lessons related to character education, life skills, leadership, academic goal setting and planning, and organizational and study skills during the advisory period. He/she can coordinate any communication or meetings with the other academic teachers as well. If you ever have any questions or concerns, you can always contact your child’s advisor through email (see grid below). If a student is struggling in any way, advisors and the division head may refer him/her to work with the School Counselor. Students may also seek assistance from the School Counselor at any time during office hours.

Advisory 9th Grade 10th Grade Girls 10th Grade Boys 11th Grade Girls 11th Grade Boys 12th Grade Girls 12th Grade Boys

Advisor Mandy McDermott Molly Olson Brian McDermott Rebecca Coulter Beth Lundquist Jenny Pringle Liz Boyd

Room Annex 2 US 6 US 3 Annex 1 US 2 US 4 US 1

Email Address mmcdermott@charlestoncollegiate.org molson@charlestoncollegiate.org bmcdermott@charlestoncollegiate.org rcoulter@charlestoncollegiate.org blundquist@charlestoncollegiate.org jpringle@charlestoncollegiate.org eboyd@charlestoncollegiate.org

College Counseling Charleston Collegiate is a college preparatory school. As such, our curriculum is designed to prepare students for the rigors of post-secondary education. Throughout their Upper School years, students receive guidance on course and activity selections so as to best prepare them for college acceptance. Our goal is to help students understand themselves and explore their interests so that when it is time to apply to college, they have a good idea of what they are looking for in a school. At CCS, we hope to match every student with the college that fits them best, not necessarily the college that carries the most “prestige.” For some students, the best fit after high school is a “gap year” program which allows them to experience some independence while further preparing them for college.

College counseling at CCS is woven throughout the school’s academic and advisory curriculum, beginning in the eighth grade. College Nights for students (and their parents) in grades 9 through 12 are held throughout the 12

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

year; attendance at these is mandatory. The College Counselor meets individually with all junior and senior families and provides assistance with researching schools, navigating the standardized testing process, completing applications, understanding financial aid options, and making matriculation choices. The College Counseling Office offers a quiet environment where students can meet one-on-one with the College Counselor and peruse a variety of college materials. Representatives from a wide array of colleges and universities visit the CCS campus in the fall and spring so that students can learn more about schools firsthand. Parents of Upper Schoolers are encouraged to contact the College Counselor at any time about their child’s path to college.

Grading System Upper School academic courses at Charleston Collegiate School are graded on a numerical scale. Expectations for the grade in each course are established in a published syllabus for each course.

Grading Scale A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 65-69 F 0-64 Honor Roll Students in grades 4-12 are eligible for the Honor Roll that is published quarterly. Students earning an academic average of 90-100, with no grade less than 85 in CP courses or 77 in AP courses, are named to the Honor Roll.

Summer School If a student fails a course during the school year and retakes the course during summer school, both the original grade and the summer school grade will appear on the student’s transcript and will be factored into the student’s GPA. In the subject areas of math and Spanish, credit will only be given for a class that was already attempted; credit will not be given for new courses taken unless it is the last course in the sequence and/or special approval is granted by the Head of the Upper School. Summer school courses not taken at CCS must be approved in advance by the Head of Upper School. Summer school credit will only be given for courses that meet for 120 hours (or 60 hours for ½ credit).

If a student fails a course at the end of the school year, the credit may be recovered during a summer school class for less than 120 hours; however, the maximum grade that can be earned in this case is 70 for math and Spanish classes and 65 for classes in all other subject areas. The program must be pre-approved by the Head of Upper School.

Graduation Requirements The curriculum for the Upper School offers a challenging series of core subjects well suited for the college-bound student body. Students in the Class of 2013 and 2014 are expected to complete 25 credits for graduation.

Students need the following course credits for graduation: English 4 credits, Mathematics 4 credits, History 4 credits, Science 3 credits, World Language 3 credits, Business and Technology 1 ½ credits, Fine Arts 1 credit, Electives 2 credits, Senior Exhibition 1 credit, and Wellness Education 1 ½ credit (See Upper School Course Catalog for details). Transfer students may qualify for waivers only after the division head approves a request.

Dual Credit and Outside Course Programs Upper School students may enroll in online courses, courses at other high schools, courses at community colleges, or courses with a private tutor for credit on a Charleston Collegiate School transcript. Upper School students interested in taking courses outside of CCS must discuss their plan with the Head of Upper School and receive approval prior to enrollment. The Head of Upper School will consider alternative programs when a 13

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

student is interested in taking a course that CCS does not offer, when scheduling conflicts do not permit entry into a CCS course, or when a student wishes to advance his/her transcript. In such cases, the majority of the student’s course work for a given semester must still be done at CCS. Additionally, families are responsible for the full CCS tuition as well as any fees for the outside programs and course work. No tuition discounts will be given in these circumstances. Dual enrollment college courses will carry the same weight as AP courses for the SCUGS GPA. Senior Exhibition During the senior year, each Charleston Collegiate School student participates in an Exhibition of Mastery. The Senior Exhibition is a defining experience for Charleston Collegiate School's 12th grade students; it is a personal affirmation and a public celebration of what they have gained from their time at this school. Throughout the Senior Exhibition process, students meet demanding evaluation criteria and exhibit habits of mind and heart characteristic of inquisitive, responsible, and caring young adults ready for the demands of college. Supported by a joint committee of adults and peers, each senior pursues a self-defined, scholarly research project resulting in a paper and “product.” Please see the Senior Exhibition Handbook for further requirements and details.

Winterim Winterim is a weeklong program that provides Upper School students with a curriculum for learning outside the classroom. All Upper School students are required to participate in Winterim. Winterim courses will be designated by grade level.

Academic Rigor At Charleston Collegiate School we maintain high levels of academic expectations for our students in all divisions. We create our curriculum and develop our instructional methodologies to meet the needs of all learners, placing special emphasis on challenging high academic achievers. Academic rigor at Charleston Collegiate, however, may not look like the traditional framework that includes hours of homework and memorization of long lists of facts. Our students are empowered to become actively invested in their education and therefore contribute to their own learning process and the learning community at large. Therefore, through more demanding instruction in the classroom, a primary goal of CCS teachers is to inspire and instill in students the desire to take responsibility for their education and success and to think critically and problem solve. CCS provides an avenue for students to be challenged at high levels so that they become life-long learners invested in discovering, creating, and sharing knowledge.

In the Upper School, Honors or Advanced Placement (AP) levels are offered in each of the core academic subjects. Upper School students may enroll in Honors in the areas in which they meet the prerequisites and have a recommendation from the teacher. Students must apply to take AP courses. Upper School students must maintain an 80 average in an AP class to remain in the class.

Textbooks All textbooks are to be ordered by parents through MBS Direct or by the ISBN #, or traded between families.

MBS Direct is one of the largest mail-order textbook suppliers in the country, serving thousands of students nationwide. It maintains a current list of the textbooks your child will need listed by grade. MBS can be accessed: 1. at http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/charleston.htm.

2. through the Charleston Collegiate School website www.charlestoncollegiate.org.

3. via telephone at (800) 325-3252.

14

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

Homework and Testing Homework assignments are given to introduce new concepts or reinforce skills and knowledge gained during class; teachers balance the demands based on grade level and course load. Homework and daily work is counted as a substantial portion of a student’s overall course average, and students are expected to complete all assignments. Without student responsibility and cooperation, it is impossible to accomplish academic goals.

Students will be penalized for incomplete work. Mastery of material is tested regularly, and teachers coordinate testing so that students are not burdened unnecessarily.

Extra Help All teachers are in their rooms from 3:15-3:45 Monday-Friday to provide extra help for students. Extra help is provided for students who need additional aid in understanding a concept, additional practice with a skill, or would like additional support while preparing for an assessment. All students are welcome to attend.

Semester Assessments Formal examinations are given in grades 9-12 at the end of each semester. Exams account for 20% of the course grade. In some cases, these assessments take the form of an exhibition. The time period for each exam is two hours, and students take no more than two exams each day. In order to avoid disturbing classmates, students are not allowed to leave the room during the designated exam period. If a student is tardy to an exam, he/she will only have the remaining time in the designated time period to complete the exam.

Exam Exemptions All students must take the midterm examinations. Upper School students with an “A” average (90-100) for the final year end grade may exempt the final exam for that class. If a student earns an exam exemption, the year’s average is then calculated by averaging the two semesters. Only Upper School students are allowed to exempt exams based on their grades. Exams for one-semester courses are not eligible for exemption.

Report Cards/Transcripts Charleston Collegiate School values providing frequent communication with families regarding each child’s progress. Report cards (end of quarter and semester) are issued every nine weeks. Unless they request paper copies, parents will receive notification when reports may be accessed online. A hard copy of the end-of-year transcript is mailed home.

Academic Probation Charleston Collegiate is a college preparatory school, and we expect students to perform at the best of their ability in all of their courses and at a level that meets or exceeds the college-recommending grade. The following policy governs academic progress/probation: •

At the end of each quarter, any student who meets either of the following criteria is placed on Academic Probation, which may jeopardize continuing enrollment. a. Two or more courses are below 70, or b. The overall average of the grades is below 70.

A student on Academic Probation will be monitored closely during the term of probation and also may be restricted in his/her participation in extracurricular activities (athletic, theater, student government, senior privileges etc.). The division head will review each case, in consultation with the Academic Committee, at the end of the probationary period, and, on the basis of student progress and academic performance, will determine whether to remove the student from the probationary status or to recommend dismissal.

15

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

Sports Policy Sports are an integral part of the school’s program, and students are encouraged to participate. Academic considerations take top priority; however, the school’s policies follow the SCISA rules for athletic participation. aCCeSs Communicating homework assignments to students is done in a variety of ways including in-class postings and online through aCCeSs (http://bb.charlestoncollegiate.org/NetClassroom7). aCCeSs enables parents and students to stay up to date with the student’s current assignments and grades as well as discipline, attendance, and tardy records. Each parent (or couple) and each student receives a unique aCCeSs username and password.

Parents with multiple children in the Upper School can access all records through one log-in.

Outdoor Education Center (OEC) Charleston Collegiate School’s Outdoor Education Program aims to increase awareness of how we impact one another’s lives and the effect we have on our environment. The immediate goals of this program are to reconnect people with their natural surroundings and with their fellow man. These goals will be accomplished through an experiential and hands-on approach to learning. Students will acquire knowledge through participation, discussion, questioning, and immersion of the topic being covered. It is our mission to make stewards of our students and to help provide them with the tools necessary to be functioning members of society in our ever changing world. Subject material will run the gamut of biodiversity, sustainability education, teamwork, group dynamics, effective communication skills, and risk management. The OEC is located in the woods and contains challenge course elements. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the following guidelines for the use of the OEC are followed at all times: 1) Students and visitors must be accompanied by a CCS faculty member in order to enter the OEC. Failure to do so will result in an automatic Saturday school for all Upper School students.

2) Only trained staff members may supervise students and visitors on permanent challenge course elements.

3) No student, visitor, or staff member may stand on, sit on, or otherwise touch any permanent challenge course element without the direct supervision of a trained staff member.

4) Students, staff, and visitors are expected to respect their natural and manmade surroundings. These expectations include, but are not limited to: A) Throwing out all trash and recyclables in appropriate containers. Do not litter. If you pack it in, then pack it out.

B) The displacement of leaves, branches, vines, etc. on trees is prohibited unless directed to do so by a CCS faculty member.

C) There is always an inherent risk of injury while in the outdoors, so no horseplay is permitted in the OEC. D) Stay on designated trails unless otherwise directed by a CCS staff member.

5) The use of the shelter in the OEC is strongly encouraged to all classes; however, climbing on the structure and sitting on side rails is not permitted.

6) Proper use of the contents in the lock boxes is required. This includes: A) Taking inventory of materials being used before and after each activity.

B) If needed, cleaning of dirty and wet materials.

C) Proper storage of all materials when finished with activities. Put materials back where they were found.

16

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

STUDENT CONDUCT AND GUIDELINES Attendance There is a direct relationship between attendance and maximum academic achievement. It is the responsibility of the student and parent to attempt to attend all scheduled classes and activities. When a student is absent, the learning process is disrupted. Absences can create problems for both students and teachers, and excessive absences can result in the loss of course credit. The school discourages parents from taking children out of school on non-vacation days.

In the Upper School attendance is tracked by class. Students are allowed 10 absences for each class for the year. Students with more than 10 absences in any one class may be in jeopardy of not receiving course credit. If a student enrolls in Charleston Collegiate after the start of the school year, the allowed number of absences will be adjusted accordingly.

All information regarding reasons for absences will be directed to the front desk (559-5506) or tfrank@charlestoncollegiate.org. Parents are responsible for tracking their child’s attendance.

Tardiness School starts at 8:15 a.m. A student is considered tardy if he/she arrives at school after the 8:15 a.m. bell. Five tardies to school will result in a Saturday School Detention. Five tardies to any class after the beginning of the school day will result in an After School Detention. All students who are late to school must enter school through the Main Entrance to sign in and to receive a pass to class.

Early Dismissals If a student needs to be dismissed early, a parent will call the school to provide permission for a child’s dismissal.

Alternatively, a student can bring a note from the parent or an appointment card to the front desk. Students leaving early must sign out at the front desk.

Athletics Participation In order to participate in an athletic practice or game, a student must be present for a minimum of four periods of that day of school. Any student who is present for part of the day but is leaving early for a sporting event, field trip, community service outing, etc., is required to submit all work due that day in all classes.

ILLNESS While attendance is important, parents may not send children to school who have a fever over 100° F or have contagious symptoms. If a child contracts a communicable disease, the front desk will be informed so that parents and classmates may be advised of children’s exposure. A child must have no symptoms of fever, vomiting, and/or diarrhea for 24 hours nor need medications to relieve symptoms before re-entering school. If a child needs to take medication during the school day; a parent must give the medicine directly to the office staff and provide documentation for use of that medicine.

MAKE-UP/LATE WORK All teachers will outline clearly the dates and times assignments are due under the rules and guideline for their course. Late long-term assignments (not received at the start of class) will be penalized one letter grade (10 points) per class meeting; assignments not received by the beginning of the third class period will receive a zero.

Students who are absent during the days prior to long-term deadlines will still be responsible for meeting the established requirements and deadlines. Students missing assignments have the number of days absent to make up missed assignments.

17

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

Student Expectations In accordance with the school's philosophy and objectives, our school community has certain expectations of student conduct. Students are expected to be honest, to be responsible for their behavior, to demonstrate selfdiscipline, and to respect the faculty, staff, and fellow students. Students must recognize these students’ expectations, and represent Charleston Collegiate School in a positive manner, on and off campus. Students who fail to meet these expectations will jeopardize their participation in athletics, extracurricular activities, school events, and may receive disciplinary action.

Code of Conduct • Treat others with kindness and respect • Keep hands and feet to ones’ self • Listen politely to others • Use friendly words and a gentle tone of voice • Do what teachers ask the first time asked • Treat personal and school property with care • Ask permission to borrow or use others’ property • Turn in all found items to a teacher or to the front desk • Refrain from writing on school property • Refrain from overt displays of affection Middle and Upper School Core Values C - COMMUNITY & DIVERSITY C - COMMITMENT TO PERSONAL & ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE S - SERVICE Parent Expectations To be a successful school, we need and expect the cooperation of parents and guardians to understand and embrace the school’s mission, our core values and to fully support our curriculum, faculty and administrative staff. Joined by our common set of beliefs and purposes, we, the faculty and administration form a powerful team with a broad set of positive effects on our students and the school community.

Working together, we exert a strong influence on youth to become better educated: together we also help youth mature by the way we model adult working relationships based on trust, confidentiality, honesty and respect.

The greatest impediment to effective teamwork between and among the School and parents grows out of misunderstandings about decision- making processes. Who makes decisions in our school? How are those decisions made? We communicate our procedures to parents, who, in turn, share an important responsibility to become informed members of the Charleston Collegiate School community.

Parents, you are an important part of this community and therefore you need to understand what we expect of you.

My child will…

• • •

arrive at school on time and be dressed appropriately. maintain regular school attendance by attempting to plan doctor’s appointments and family trips during school holidays. have sufficient scheduled study time and a quiet environment for homework.

18

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

I will…

• • • • • •

inform my child’s teacher of any behavior patterns or change in attitude which may affect his or her school performance. not spread gossip or rumors, but instead will communicate directly with a teacher or the principal if I hear information from my child or another parent which causes me concern. demonstrate my interest by talking with my child about his or her schoolwork. reinforce, at home, the school’s core values. read the school’s publications and keep informed about school events. assist my child with homework when necessary, but will make sure it is their homework, not mine.

Parents and the Board of Trustees Decision-making authority at the highest level resides in the volunteer Board of Trustees whose membership includes current parents, former parents, business partners and community members who bring expertise to help our school meet its vision and secure a place in the future. The Board of Trustees does not intervene in the daily affairs of the school, such as, curriculum development, hiring, evaluating or firing the faculty and administrative staff. The Board focuses on three areas critical to the success of the school: it selects, evaluates and supports the Head of School, to whom it delegates authority to manage the School. It develops broad institutional policies that guide the Head in running the School and it is accountable for the financial well-being of the School. In conducting its official business, the Board acts only as a whole, individual Trustees, including the Board Chair, have no authority to act unless specifically authorized to do so by the Board acting as a whole.

(See the excellent Trustee Handbook by Mary DeKuyper, published by the National Association of Independent Schools) The School encourages parents who are interested in high-level decision making to stay informed about the work of the Board of Trustees by reading school publications, whether in print or in electronic form, by talking to the Head of School and by attending meetings where information is shared by the Head and board.

Parents with concerns about the school or with decisions made by the administration or faculty are encouraged to inquire about and follow the review process, but do not expect the Board of Trustees to act as an appeals board. Trustees sometimes interact with others within the school community and hear about the daily operations of the School. As a matter of good practice, the trustee reports those concerns to the Head of School.

Parents, Faculty and Administration We believe that parents and guardians play an essential and positive role in the life of our School. We hope that parents will be advocates for their children and support the faculty and administration through extensive volunteer activities and events.

The relationship between parents and the faculty and administration is formally governed by our enrollment contract, our handbook in which procedures are spelled out. As a parent enrolled in our school you have chosen to subscribe to our mission, follow our rules and abide by our decisions. Trust, honesty and mutual respect are the underpinnings of effective working relationships with parents.

We encourage parents to work productively with teachers and administrators by staying informed about your child and important events in the life of the School. Thoughtful questions and suggestions are welcomed. It is incumbent that we provide you with timely and pertinent information.

Parents best support our School climate of trust, honesty and respect by communicating concerns openly and constructively to the teacher or administrator closest to the problem. Efforts by parents to lobby other parents will be viewed by the School as counterproductive. It is the School’s responsibility to protect the confidentiality 19

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

of the students. Any effort to disclose or reveal information that could harm a student or disrespect a student as a member of our community will be considered a serious grievance.

While parents may not agree with every decision by the School, in most cases, the parent and School will find enough common ground in what can best serve the students to continue a mutually respectful relationship. In the extreme case, however, an impasse may be so severe that the parent cannot remain a constructive member of the community. In such cases, both the parent and the School will consider whether another school would be a better match for the family.

Parent Teacher Organization, Booster Club and the School The Parents Association provides a vital and much-appreciated service to school leadership and the entire school community. Because the Parent Teacher Organization and Booster Club are so important, and their volunteer activities potentially so wide-ranging the following steps help to clarify the Association’s role.

•

•

• •

•

The Board of Trustees, in consultation with the administration, should develop a set of written bylaws for the Association and periodically review the by-laws that make clear its procedures and role as a service organization.

The by-laws will clearly state the Association’s mission to support the decisions and policies of the Board and administration. The Parents Association neither participates in policy-making by the school, nor functions as a lobbying group.

The finances of the Parents Association are supervised and regularly monitored by the School and are part of the school’s annual audit process.

The Head of School will be closely involved in the Association nominating process. Cooperation and teamwork between the Head and the officers of the Parents Association are crucial to the health of the School community.

It is appropriate that the Parents Association advertise its activities and events. However, the Association is not a public relations arm of the school’s efforts to communicate about itself.

Honor Code I pledge that I will not lie, cheat, or steal, and I will not tolerate anyone who does. I will not do anything that might give the impression of lying, cheating, or stealing, regardless of my intent.

The Honor Code at Charleston Collegiate is the cornerstone of the school's social and academic life and requires a commitment from each individual in the school community. It is understood by all that the Honor Code is not limited to classroom application. It pervades the entire campus and establishes the basic parameters of all interpersonal relationships. The atmosphere created by a strong Honor Code engenders openness and mutual trust. The Honor Code states that there will be no lying, stealing, or academic dishonesty at Charleston Collegiate.

Each member of the school community is responsible for maintaining, upholding, and promoting honesty, trust, and respect for self and others. Not only does each Charleston Collegiate student pledge to behave honorably, but he/she also acknowledges his obligation to report any suspected violation of the Honor Code he/she has observed. The school believes it is right to tell the truth; it is wrong to lie or to deceive others. It is right to respect property; it is wrong to steal or to use another's property without permission. It is commendable to strive to do one's best at school; it is wrong to do so by cheating.

Being a part of the Charleston Collegiate School community presumes that students acknowledge and are bound by the Honor Code.

20

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

Honor Code Violations A student or teacher who observes an honor violation will report that violation to a teacher or directly to the appropriate division head. After consulting with the student and teacher, the Honor Council will determine the appropriate steps. Violation of Charleston Collegiate School’s Honor Code is a serious matter. In an attempt to clarify the definition of an Honor Code violation, several examples follow. Note that this is not intended to be an inclusive list: • • • • • • •

Copying another person's work (tests, quizzes, homework, etc.) or allowing someone to copy your work Asking for or giving questions and/or answers to tests, quizzes, or exams Forging a parent's signature on a progress report, test, attendance note, etc.

Using another person's password to gain access to the Charleston Collegiate School network or to the Internet Taking books from the library without checking them out Taking someone’s property without permission Plagiarizing (using another's ideas or words without crediting the source and/or presenting another's words or ideas as one's own)

Honor Code violations can affect a student's eligibility for certain awards, scholarships, or Student Council offices. Some Honor Code violations or repeated breaches of the Honor Code may result in dismissal from the school. When an Honor Code violation is suspected, the Honor Council will discuss the appropriate action with the Head of the Upper School.

Bullying and Harrassment Charleston Collegiate School considers any form of bullying - physical, verbal written, or emotional - to be harassment, and thus an inappropriate behavior that will be dealt with seriously. Please note that the School’s harassment policy stated below covers all forms of bullying.

Bullying in any form, including hazing and cyber bullying, will not be tolerated. Bullying occurs when a student is the target of negative actions, usually in the form of intentional, hurtful acts, words, or other behavior such as: intimidation, name-calling or threatening; social alienation, such as shunning or spreading rumors; physical aggression, such as spitting or pushing; or hazing of any kind; cyber bullying, including electronic comments posted in emails or instant messages, or on social networking site such as Facebook or Twitter, or in blogs, etc.

Any student who believes that he/she has been the victim of bullying shall report the incident(s) to the Head of the Upper School or School Counselor.

Any student found to have engaged in bullying shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary actions, which may include suspension or expulsion.

Alcohol and Other Illegal Substances The use of chemical substances is not compatible with the accomplishment of these goals. For this reason, CCS will take proactive steps when made aware of a student's use of chemical substances to ensure that the individual and the school community are not threatened or tarnished by that student's use.

In the beginning of the year, parents of students in grades 8-12 sign a waiver permitting the school to demand a drug test at any time. A member of the school administration or faculty will conduct the drug test. Positive drug testing results may lead the school administration to require one or more of the following activities: a schooldeveloped contract of behavior, outside counseling sessions, suspension, or possibly expulsion.

21

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

Any student under the influence, possessing, selling, distributing, or consuming alcohol or illegal substances, including prescription drugs at any school-related event on or off campus will be referred to the Head of Middle and Upper School with a recommendation of expulsion. Any student found to be involved in the possession or distribution of or under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances is subject to prosecution under the law.

Searches for illegal substances may be conducted, and CCS reserves the right to search any person, locker, book bag, belongings, or vehicle at any time.

Tobacco The school takes a strong position on the use of any kind of tobacco by adolescents because of the clear health risks. A student caught with tobacco on campus will receive a suspension. Electronic cigarettes are prohibited as well. Continuous offenses may result in dismissal from Charleston Collegiate School. All guests at Charleston Collegiate School, whether students or adults, are asked to respect the school's "smoke-free" campus. Smoking is not allowed anywhere on campus.

Valuables Charleston Collegiate School is a community that respects the property of others. However, students are advised to resist bringing valuables to school that cannot be safeguarded. Charleston Collegiate School will not assume responsibility for missing items.

Vandalism The school considers the misuse, defacement, and destruction of any property as vandalism, and will react strongly to all reported incidences. The Head of the Upper School will determine the consequences of vandalism.

Weapons It is a felony to have any type of weapon on campus. The school is obligated by law to summon the Charleston County Sheriff in any case involving possession or use of a weapon on campus. Possession of a weapon will result in suspension until a hearing by the Honor and Discipline Committee has clarified the circumstances. Such an offense can result in dismissal from the school.

Technology Use Agreement All students must read this Technology Use Agreement (TUA) before being granted access to the school’s computers and network. Charleston Collegiate School provides Internet access to students in an effort to promote educational excellence through use of the vast, diverse, and unique resources available on the Internet. All computing activities performed on Charleston Collegiate School equipment must be legal, ethical, and related to school activities. Participation in unethical or illegal activities is grounds for non-eligibility of use or disciplinary action that may result in dismissal from school.

1. AUTHORITY: The electronic information available to students does not imply endorsement of the content by the school, nor does Charleston Collegiate School guarantee the accuracy of information received online. Charleston Collegiate School is not responsible for any information that is retrieved via the Internet. Charleston Collegiate School is not responsible for any unauthorized changes or fees resulting from access to the Internet.

2. USE: All use of the computers, network, and Internet at school must be in support of education and research, consistent with the educational objectives of the school. Users must have a well-defined, documented reason for accessing the Internet. Students must have a topic or subject to be researched, and it must be directly related to a given assignment from one or more teachers.

22

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

3. CONDUCT AND PRIVACY: Charleston Collegiate School’s network is monitored by members of the Technology Department. A log of all network activity is maintained and analyzed. All files, email messages, etc., are visible to Technology Department staff and may be accessed if there is reason to do so. Students will be aware that nothing they do on the Charleston Collegiate School network is private.

Students are expected to act in a responsible, ethical, and legal manner in accordance with school policy, accepted rules of network etiquette, and federal and state laws. In all online communication, students will be polite and respectful specifically, the Charleston Collegiate School network (including the Internet) may not be used: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

to access social networks, chat rooms, messenger services, or games to access a web site that is a proxy server in order to bypass the school’s filter system for threatening, abusive, or inappropriate language to download or load any games, programs, files, or other electronic media onto a Charleston Collegiate School computer without permission from the Network Administrator to access, read, modify, or delete any file belonging to someone else without written permission of the owner, even if the file is unprotected to disrupt network communications. Disruptions would include downloading large files, sending mass e-mail messages, transmitting virus routines, or annoying other users. for hate mail, discriminatory remarks, or offensive or inflammatory communication for commercial or for-profit purposes for product advertisement or political lobbying to access obscene or pornographic material to transmit material likely to be offensive or objectionable to recipients for unauthorized or illegal installation, distribution, reproduction, or use of copyrighted materials for impersonation of another user, anonymity, and pseudonyms for destruction, modification, or abuse of network hardware and software. A student will be responsible for remunerating the school for any intentional damage done to school property, including computers and network components.

4. USE OF LAPTOPS: Upper School students are permitted to bring their personal laptop computers to campus.

5. PRIVILEGES: The use of the computers, network, and the Internet at Charleston Collegiate School is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate, unauthorized, and/or illegal use will result in the cancellation of those privileges and appropriate disciplinary action.

6. SECURITY: Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If a user feels he can identify a security problem on the network or the Internet, he must notify the Network Administrator. No student may log on to the network as another student nor may they log on as a faculty member. Attempts to log on to the network as the system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges and disciplinary action. Any user identified as a security risk may be denied access.

Electronic Devices Earphones, electronic music, and video devices are not allowed during the school day.

23

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

Cell Phone Use In Upper School, cell phones are not to be seen nor heard between 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. If caught on their person, cell phones will be confiscated and kept by the Head of the Middle and Upper School. They will be returned after parent communication. Continuous offenses will result in disciplinary action determined by the Head of the Middle and Upper School.

DISCIPLINARY DEFINITIONS Disciplinary Action Students and parents will be notified of disciplinary assignments, and faculty advisors will receive notice of student detentions. Disrespect and excessive tardies will result in a Saturday School detention. The appropriate division head and/or the Dean of Student Behavior handle major offenses immediately. If a student does not serve an assigned detention, Saturday School, or ISS, the consequences will be more severe.

Examples of Disciplinary Referrals INFRACTION Tardies to school Tardies to class Dress Code violation Chewing gum, eating during class Inappropriate use of technology and/or cell phones Misuse of personal and/or school property Disruptive behavior, unnecessary roughness Disrespect, inappropriate language or gestures Bullying

SERIOUSNESS 5 tardies = 1 Saturday School School 5 tardies = 1 detention Minor Minor Major Major Major Major Major

All discipline takes precedence over other obligations -- including sports, extracurricular activities, and academic assistance. Medical excuses are the only acceptable reasons for missing assigned discipline and must be approved in advance by the Dean of Student Behavior.

Detention If a student earns a detention, he/she will serve it at one of two times: Tuesday or Thursday afternoon from 3:45 to 4:15 p.m. If a student has been assigned two detentions, he/she must come to both detention periods. A missed detention is a serious offense, and consequences will range from additional assigned detentions, to Saturday School or suspension. During detentions, students will sit silently in a classroom and develop a written personal action plan that describes how they will correct the behavior that caused the detention, or may be asked to help with a project needing assistance within the school community. Students are not allowed to put their heads down or sleep during a detention, nor may they work on homework.

Each student is allowed a maximum of five (5) detentions. Once a student reaches this limit, all future discipline referrals will result in Saturday Schools or more serious consequences. It is likely that a meeting of the student, advisor, and parent(s) will be required at this time to determine ways the student can improve his/her behavior.

24

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

Saturday School Saturday School may be assigned to any student who violates the school's Codes of Conduct and Honor.

Students assigned Saturday School will remain on campus supervised from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and should come dressed in CCS Dress Code appropriate work clothes. A missed Saturday School is a major offense, and consequences will include receiving two Saturday Schools or suspension. Students’ disciplinary status will be reviewed after multiple Saturday Schools. Each Saturday School session requires a fee of $50.00, paid by the student.

Suspension Suspensions from school may be assigned to any student whose violations of the school's Codes of Conduct and Honor are of such a serious and/or chronic nature that he/she and the school need time for reflection about the student's ability and commitment to be a positive member of the Charleston Collegiate School community.

Suspension can result from an accumulation of offenses or one major offense. All academic work for the day missed will be completed and submitted to the respective teachers according to an individualized plan crafted by the Head of the Middle and Upper School.

Disciplinary Probation Disciplinary Probation is an indication that a student is in serious trouble with the school and he/she will prove, by a marked change in attitude and behavior, the desire to remain at Charleston Collegiate School. Except for especially serious offenses, the Head of the Upper School places a student on probation for a designated length of time. A student who is placed on Disciplinary Probation or who has accumulated repeated referrals may be restricted in his/her participation in extracurricular activities (athletics, theater, student government, senior privileges, etc.) and school-sponsored trips.

Threat or Act of Violence Members of the school community must be assured of safety. To this end, no written, verbal, or physical threats of violence against any person or property will be tolerated. In the case of suspected or reported threats, a student may be removed from normal school activities or asked to remain at home until the circumstances of the situation can be determined and appropriate consequences resolved. Consequences for issuing a threat of violence may include counseling, suspension, and/or immediate dismissal from school. Any student who knowingly or willingly threatens to cause or causes physical harm to another person on campus may be subject to immediate dismissal.

25

Upper School Student and Parent Handbook 2012-13

Charleston Collegiate School

STUDENT DRESS CODE GUIDELINES All Students •

Students must always be neatly dressed in appropriate attire. Clothing must be clean, ironed when needed, appropriately sized, and in good repair.

•

Hair must be neat and clean. Hair must be kept out of the eyes. Only natural hair colors are allowed.

•

Hats are not permitted in the school building. Sunglasses may not be worn in the school building.

•

In the Upper School, athletic/outdoor shoes and flip-flops are allowed.

•

Navy sweatshirt, V-neck pullover sweater, V-neck cardigan sweater, or front zipper fleece. Solid gray or navy crew-neck sweatshirts, sweaters, fleece, or jackets without designs or logos may also be worn.

•

CCS hooded sweatshirts are permitted.

•

White oxford cloth shirt, short or long sleeved (only the top two buttons may be open); white or navy short or long sleeved 3-button, polo style golf shirt with the school logo or a plain identical 3button, polo style shirt without the school logo.

•

Solid navy, stone, or khaki-colored pants, hemmed or cuffed. Pants must have pockets.

•

Solid navy, stone, black or khaki-colored shorts.

•

White oxford cloth shirt, short or long sleeves (only the top two buttons are permitted to be open) worn tucked in; white or navy short or long sleeved 3-button polo with the school logo or a plain identical 3-button, polo style shirt without the school logo. There may be no variation in style and no additional style elements.

•

Solid navy, stone, black or khaki-colored pants are required with waistbands resting at the waist.

Pants must have pockets.

•

Solid navy, stone, black or khaki-colored shorts (short length will be no shorter than one vertical credit card length above the knee).

•

Plaid, navy, stone, black or khaki-colored skirt (skirt length will be no shorter than one vertical credit card length above the knee).

Boys

Girls

Wellness Education and Sports During Physical Education, sports, Outdoor Education students must wear closed toe shoes. Students participating in Physical Education Class must wear Charleston Collegiate School t-shirts and navy mesh shorts, a navy or gray sweatshirt or navy sweatpants. Students participating in sports may wear uniforms to school on game days only.

Beyond the stipulations listed, the final judgment of acceptable attire and personal appearance is at the discretion of the Head of the Middle and Upper School.

26