2023- 2024 Family Handbook

A Christ-Centered College Preparatory School

FAMILY HANDBOOK 2023-2024

Note: The sections designated with the “W” on the left denote a change in policy since the 2022-2023 school year.

Whitefield Academy has the right to update this handbook during the school year. Please refer to the handbook on the Whitefield Academy website for the most up-to-date version of the Whitefield Academy Family Handbook.

Revised 07.19.23

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Whitefield Academy Family Handbook 2023-2024 This Handbook describes Whitefield Academy’s expectations for its educational program as well as certain rules for student conduct and required procedures for parents. It is not intended as a legally binding contract except to the extent incorporated by reference in an enrollment contract. This handbook does not require Whitefield to impose discipline under any circumstances, nor limit the circumstances or the degree of discipline.

The contents of this Handbook are provided to acquaint Whitefield Academy students/parents with helpful information about life at Whitefield. Because the Handbook contains information about student rights and responsibilities, parents and students are responsible for knowing its contents. Please take the time to become familiar with the following information and keep this Handbook available for your use. It can be a valuable reference during the school year and a means to avoid confusion and misunderstandings when questions arise.

The School reserves the right to interpret the content of this Handbook, including the rules and regulations governing the academic and non-academic conduct of students. This Handbook is not a contract, nor is it intended to be so construed. Our School reserves the right to modify and/or amend the content of this Handbook at any time during the year. If any written modification or amendment is made to this Handbook, a copy of such modification or amendment will be distributed to students and parents.

Students who reach 18 years of age while enrolled in the School are bound by all student and parent obligations in this Handbook. A student’s continued enrollment after reaching 18 years of age evidences the student’s agreement with this requirement. In addition, even after the student turns 18, the School will continue to share all health/medical, disciplinary, grades, progress reports, and other information with the student’s parents/legal guardians throughout the student's enrollment at the School. Should a student have a concern about particular information being shared with his/her parents/legal guardians, the student should consult with the Upper School Principal.

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Whitefield School Wide Guiding Principles

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Mission Statement Core Values Statement of Faith The Apostles’ Creed Strategic Purpose Statement About George Whitefield Covenantal Community Matthew 18 Principle Limitation of the Matthew 18 Principle Statement of Expectations School/Family Cooperation

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Schoolwide General Information

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School Logo Academic Enrichment Center Accreditation Advisory Programs - Middle School and Upper School After School – Middle and Upper School Athletics Bible Version Campus Store Chapel Discipline Graphic Design Standards Informed Consent Payment of Tuition and Fees Personal Counseling Personal Injury/Emergency Photographs Re-enrollment Contracts Severe Weather and Emergency Closing Whitefield Parent Association (WPA)

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Whitefield School Wide Policies

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“24-7-365” Authority and Responsibilities Annual Physical Assault Authority Child Abuse Child Safety from Sexual Offenders and Predators Communication, Information, and the “Right to Know” Confidentiality Custody Policy Directory (School) Drugs and Alcohol Financial Accountability Policy Food Allergy Policy Fundraising Georgia Licensing

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Harassment/Bullying Hazing Health Information Sharing Health Policies Illness Lines of Authority Non-Discrimination Policy Parental Supervision Property General Guidelines Search and Inspection Services for Students with Learning Differences Severing the Relationship Sexual Misconduct Smoking/Vaping/Tobacco Products Student/Adult Interaction and Communication Technology Responsible Use Policy Weapons and Threats Youth Pastor and Ministry Visitation Policy

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Lower School

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Academic Honesty Attendance Late Arrival Early Student Dismissal Unplanned Absence (Illness) – Make-Up Work Planned Absence Award Assemblies Bible Memory Verses Birthdays Calendar Carpool – Morning and Afternoon Carpool Information Morning Drop-Off Afternoon Pick-up Student’s Vehicle Name Display Early Student Dismissal Dual carpool line pick-up Release for older sibling or carpool buddy's pick-up Release for Buckhead Shuttle Chapels and Assemblies Class Parties Clinic Communication Home and School Messages Community Service Conferences Conflict Between Students Cub Care Deliveries and Messages Discipline

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Drills Early Dismissal Electronic Equipment and Mobile Devices Field Trips Forms Fundraising Grading Homework and Tests Late Start Wednesdays Lost and Found Lunch Magnus/Medication Media Center Mileage Club Musical Events Partnering with Parents Personal Item Labeling Physical Education Requesting Student Placement Safety/Security School Supplies Snacks Standardized Testing Technology Textbooks Uniform Guidelines and Dress Code Non-Uniform Dress Day Guidelines for Personal Appearance Hair Guidelines Lower School Uniforms PreK Boys and Girls Kindergarten Girls Kindergarten Boys 1st - 4th Grade Girls 1st - 4th Grade Boys Visitors Water Bottles

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Middle School

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School Hours Academics Academic Awards Academic Excellence Dismissal for Academic Reasons Eighth Grade Courses with Upper School Credit Extra Help Final Exams Grades Grade Reporting Grading Scale

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Homework Honor Roll Honors Courses Late Work Semester Failure/Credit Recovery Subject Area Achievement Tests and Major Projects Attendance After School Check-In/Check-Out Excessive Absences Excused Absences Planned Absences Unexcused Absences Late Arrivals, Early Dismissals, and Tardies Make-Up Work Extracurricular Eligibility Community Service Discipline Detentions Repeated Detentions Major Offenses Saturday School Additional Explanation Regarding Selected Major Rule Violations Lying, Cheating, Stealing Fighting Investigations Cell Phones/Electronic Devices/Headphones Lunch Detention Classroom After School Detention Morning Detention Saturday Detention In-School Full Day Detention Out-of-School Suspension Expulsion Elastic Clause Temporary Self-Withdrawal Financial Responsibility for Students/Parents Field Trips Honor Code Dress Code Chapel Dress Guidelines Daily Dress Guidelines Hair Guidelines Boys’ and Girls’ P. E. Uniform “Whitefield T-shirt” Days Miscellaneous Dress Code Guidelines Inclement Weather Winter Jackets Free Dress Day Guidelines

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Eligibility for Extracurricular Participation Middle/Upper School Media Center Lockers and Storage Lost and Found Lunch Lunch Guests for Fifth through Eighth-Grade Students Medication Parties Recess, Recreational Activities, and Transition between Classes Transition Time between Classes Visitors

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Upper School

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School Hours Academic Information Academic Probation Academic Watch Advanced Placement/Honors Courses Awards and Honors Course Placement Curriculum Diplomas Dropping/Adding a Class Exams Exam Exemptions Eighth Grade Credits Eligible for Upper School Credit Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Eligibility GPA/Grading Scale Grading Policy Graduation Requirements Homework Late Work for Major Assignments Late Work Due to Unplanned Absence Late Work Due to Planned Absence Semester Failure/Credit Recovery Study Hall Tests and Multiple Assignments Weighted Grades Attendance Attendance Procedures Absences Unexcused Absences Excessive Absences Tardiness to School and to Classes Cellphones Chapel College Counseling College Counseling – Vocare at Whitefield Academy College Visits Community Service

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Criminal Activities Discipline General Conduct Student Conduct Alcohol, Drugs, and Other Harmful Substances General Testing On-Campus Alcohol or Drug Offenses Off-Campus Alcohol or Drug Offenses Investigations Specific Student Misconduct Minor Offenses Major Offenses Bullying Fighting Range of Disciplines Verbal Warning Warning with Parent Communication Detention Saturday School In-School Detention Out-of-School Suspension Probation Exclusion Expulsion Removal from School Withdrawal from School Temporary Self-Withdrawal Dismissal Procedures for Families with Students in Lower School Dress Code Chapel Dress Guidelines Daily Dress Guidelines Friday Wear, Exam Week, and AP Exam Uniforms Free Dress Hair Guidelines On-Campus Events Athletic Practices and Workouts Dress Code for P.E. Uniforms Miscellaneous Dress Code Guidelines Dress Code for Team Playoffs Dress Code for Homecoming Dance Dress Code for Prom Dress Code Violations Drug Testing Program Drug Testing Procedures Hair Collection/Drug Testing Procedures Confidentiality and Dissemination of Results Self-Referral Reasonable Suspicion Positive Test Results

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Refusing/Tampering with Tests Contesting a Positive Result Annual Universal Hair Tests of Upper School Students for Illegal Drug Use Periodic Random Hair Tests for Illegal Use Extracurricular Activities Field Trips Financial Responsibility for Students/Parents Honor Code and Honor Council Honor Pledge Honor Code Honor Council Mission Statement Honor Council Purpose Honor Council Advisors Honor Council Members Honor Council Case Standard Procedures J-Term Lockers and Storage Lost and Found Lunch Lying, Cheating, Stealing Media Center Medication National Honor Society Office Hours Online/Off-Campus Courses Physical Education Plagiarism Policy Privileges Driving and Parking Privileges Junior Lunch Privilege Junior Free Period Privilege Senior Privileges Senior Free Period Privilege Senior Lunch Privilege Reporting of Infractions to Colleges/Universities and Schools Restoration and Reinstatement Smoking/Vaping/Tobacco Products Student Leadership Institute Student Events Student Pregnancy Textbook Purchasing Truancy Visitors Visitors at School Dances Visitors during School Hours Weapons and Threats

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Whitefield School Wide Guiding Principles Introduction Whitefield is a community of faculty and students with a unique identity and purpose. This handbook outlines our purpose, as reflected in our mission and history, and summarizes the precepts that will guide students to a successful academic year. By complying with basic principles of decency, respect, and accountability in all things, our students can learn in an environment that is safe, wholesome, and enriching.

Mission Statement “Whitefield Academy, a Christ-centered college preparatory school, exists to bolster Christian families in rearing young people who go on to college and life with a passion for learning, for others ahead of self, and for the living and active Jesus.”

Core Values The school holds fast to its founding vision and core values: ● Academic excellence in a college preparatory program taught from a Biblical worldview ● Covenantal education in which the faculty, administrators, board of trustees, and parents form a partnership to educate, encourage, and instruct students in a Christ-centered community ● Enrollment reflecting the racial, ethnic, and economic diversity within the body of Christ ● Effective servant leadership as a characteristic of the Whitefield Academy graduates who are prepared to make a difference in their world for Christ ● Faithful stewardship of the talents and resources of the faculty, students, and the entire Whitefield community, so that God gets the glory ● Modeling excellent Christian education in the United States Statement of Faith

One of the most common words used to describe Whitefield is the word “community.” Whether people have been a part of Whitefield for a long time or have just been introduced to the community when stepping onto campus, they often notice a sense of something unique and attractive in how people relate to one another. At Whitefield, we believe that we enjoy such a strong sense of community because it is built on the truth and love of Jesus Christ. Since the founding of the school in 1997, all board members, faculty, staff, and families commit to the following Statement of Faith in Christ: I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I believe the essence of the gospel consists mainly of its doctrine of man’s sinful condition and need of salvation, the revelation of God’s grace in Christ, and the necessity of personal salvation through faith in Christ. I affirm that, as originally written in the books of the Old and New Testaments, the Bible is the complete, inspired, and infallible Word of God. I affirm all of the statements of faith set forth in the Apostles’ Creed.

The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

Amen.

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Strategic Purpose Statement Whitefield Academy enables the children of Christian parents to reach their academic potential in a joyous, Christ-honoring atmosphere that prepares them for the college of their choice. Whitefield students are challenged to pursue a mature faith in Jesus Christ and to develop a love for learning with the leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills necessary to enable them to make a positive contribution to the world and a difference for Christ.

About George Whitefield Whitefield Academy is named after George Whitefield, the great eighteenth-century Christian revivalist. A native of England, Whitefield helped launch the Great Awakening in Britain’s North American colonies. Preaching outdoors to thousands of people at a time, Whitefield reached a wide range of people with the good news of Jesus Christ, sharing the message of God’s grace in such a way that was clear and accessible to all people, regardless of their socioeconomic status or the color of their skin.

Like all people that God has used in powerful ways throughout history, and as seen repeatedly throughout Scripture, George Whitefield failed to live up fully to the glorious message that he proclaimed. For reasons that are difficult to understand in light of Whitefield’s work, particularly by modern standards, Whitefield committed the grievous sin of defending slavery. We unequivocally renounce and condemn his position on slavery. This aspect of his legacy is inconsistent with Christ’s teaching and how He calls us to live.

The life and ministry of George Whitefield, in both its triumphs and its failures, underscore the importance of Whitefield Academy continuing to pursue a diversity vision for unity in Christ. We believe that each person, uniquely created in the image of God, has inherent dignity and profound worth, and that God has created people with a diversity of cultural, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds. True to the best of George Whitefield’s legacy, the diversity of our school, cultivated in Christ, provides an opportunity for us to experience together what God has always intended for unity in His Son. Covenantal Community Whitefield Academy is a covenant school which means the school exists to educate and disciple the children of Christian families. The mission statement declares that Whitefield “exists to bolster Christian families,” and the missional values state that Whitefield stands for “covenantal education.” In contrast to acting on behalf of Christian families in the education of their children, many parochial and Christian schools are “missionary” in that they will accept anyone that wants to attend their schools. The mission of Whitefield Academy is different in that the school embraces and supports believers who wish to raise their children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord” and joyfully shares this responsibility with parents and the churches they attend. Accordingly, the school requires that at least one parent of a student be a Christian with an active faith.

The biblical basis for covenantal education extends from the Old Testament through the New Testament, and the school forms a cooperative and reinforcing alliance between believing parents and churches and executes this coordinated approach to educating and discipling young men and women. In this way, the faculty and staff serve not only in a teaching capacity, but also in a ministerial capacity as they support Christian families by integrating biblical worldview instruction and Christ-centered faith into all aspects of the curriculum, devotions, prayers, chapel discussions, and all other activities associated with the school.

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Matthew 18 Principle Often people liken the community at Whitefield Academy to a loving, Christ-centered family. We enjoy the benefits of being in such a community, but we also experience issues and conflicts, just like all families and communities in a fallen world. Though such situations are difficult and can cause significant damage to a community when handled poorly, they can be catalysts for strengthening a community and lead to closer relationships when handled properly.

As with all areas of life, Scripture provides great wisdom in these matters. Principles gleaned from a passage in Matthew 18 are particularly applicable.

“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church treat him as you would a pagan . . . “ Matthew 18:15-17 This passage is explicitly applicable to dealing with sin in the church, but sound principles are implied for other contexts as well, and we seek to apply them when dealing with issues and conflicts at Whitefield. Principles include honesty, gentleness, listening, reconciliation, confidentiality, opportunity to appeal to others, severing the relationship if reconciliation is not attainable, and proper lines of authority.

Limitation of the Matthew 18 Principle Dangerous Behavior: The principles described here do not encompass situations that pose a dangerous threat to the welfare of others in the community – those that involve illegal, immoral, unethical, or other dangerous behavior.

Such issues must be handled swiftly and may require a different path to resolution, including immediate contact with those with relevant expertise or at higher levels of authority.

Statement of Expectations At the heart of Whitefield Academy is a culture defined by Christian teachings, including, without limitation, respect, balance, integrity, curiosity, leadership, as well as our commitment to the safety and health of students. All members of the community have an obligation to know and uphold the school’s values and strive to embody them in word and deed.

We therefore expect that all members of the community will: ● Respect other people and their privacy and property, both within and beyond the school. ● Treat all human beings with dignity, refraining from behavior that intimidates, insults, threatens, bullies, coerces, abuses, exploits, harasses, humiliates, or demeans, acting with tolerance, courtesy, and thoughtful regard. ● Use words constructively, avoiding gossip and other inappropriate or unproductive sharing of information. ● Maintain high standards of honesty, avoiding deception, half-truths, and deliberately misleading words or behavior. ● Exemplify principles of responsibility and fairness in daily life. ● Observe safe behavior and report unsafe conditions or practices. ● Cultivate caring and compassion, seeking to serve others, both within and beyond the school.

Our school cultivates a school environment in which all members of the community feel valued and safe. Part of living our values includes every member’s responsibility to support a safe school environment by refraining from harmful and unsafe behavior and reporting such behavior when observed. In addition, we prohibit all boundary crossing behavior between adults and students (as outlined in our Student/Adult Interaction and Communication Policy) and sexual misconduct (whether between students or adults and students). Adults are expected to identify and report suspicions of harassment, abuse, and sexual or other misconduct and will not engage in such behavior themselves. In addition, school employees are mandated reporters of suspected abuse and neglect as specified by Georgia law. The school has conducted and will continue to conduct training for adults and students on these

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important issues and encourages all students and their parents to report any concern about boundary crossing behavior, sexual misconduct, or any other situation that impacts the safety, health, or security of any member of our community to their division head or the Head of School.

All adults have an obligation to model through both language and behavior the values and expectations we have as a school and Christian community, being especially conscious of their actions at times and places when students can observe them. Students must be mindful of the power they have in various roles at school. They must use their roles constructively, always avoiding intimidation and abuse of authority. Older and returning students must take seriously the power of their example on younger and newer students, accepting the responsibility to model and transmit our school and Christian values.

These community standards apply to our words and behavior not only in personal interactions, but also in all forms of electronic media and communications.

As members of this community, we acknowledge that our actions reflect not only on ourselves, but also on the school as a whole and therefore strive to live in a way that is consistent with our values.

School/Family Cooperation A positive and constructive relationship between the School and Family (Parent, Student, or other Family Member) is essential to the fulfillment of the School's educational purpose and responsibilities to its students. If any Family Member engages in behavior, communications, or interactions on or off campus (including during School-sponsored events), is disruptive, intimidating, or overly aggressive, or reflects a loss of confidence or serious disagreement with the School's policies, methods of instruction, or discipline, or otherwise interferes with the School's safety procedures, responsibilities, or accomplishment of its educational purpose or program, the School reserves the right in its discretion to dismiss the Family or Family Member from the community. In addition, the School reserves the right to place restrictions on a Family Member's involvement or activity at School, on School property, or at School-related events if the Family Member engages in behavior or has a status (such as a criminal conviction) that would reasonably suggest that such restrictions may be appropriate for the community.

There will be no refund of tuition where such enforced withdrawal occurs, and any unpaid balance is payable in full according to the terms of this Agreement. If, for any reason, it is in the best interest of the School, the School also reserves the right to withdraw an offer of enrollment or re-enrollment at any time, and to void an executed Enrollment Agreement.

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Schoolwide General Information School Logo

Academic Enrichment Center The Academic Enrichment Center (AEC) at Whitefield Academy exists to support and supplement regular classroom instruction for students who have been professionally diagnosed with learning differences and for students who could benefit from tutorial support or specific enrichment opportunities. For more information on the AEC and the services it provides for our families, please visit the website.

Accreditation Whitefield Academy is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). Whitefield Academy is a member of Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools (AAAIS), the Council for Educational Standards and Accountability (CESA), and the Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA). The Whitefield Academy athletic program participates in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA). The Whitefield Academy Middle School athletic program participates in the Metro 10 League.

Advisory Programs - Middle School and Upper School The mission of the Whitefield Academy Advisory Program is to provide an environment in which teachers can mentor and disciple Whitefield students by creating lasting relationships centered on the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

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beginning in fifth grade is assigned annually a Whitefield advisor. The goal of this advisory system is to ensure a one-on-one relationship for each student outside the classroom with a supportive member of the Whitefield community. The advisor provides a link between the advisee’s family and Whitefield Academy through which problems or concerns may be shared and better communication may occur.

After School – Middle School and 9th Grade Supervised After-School Study Hall (included with tuition): Available Monday through Friday from 3:30-5:30 p.m. for 5th through 9th grade students. Students not involved in practicing or competing in extracurricular activities are to be picked up at 3 p.m. unless they will be attending extra help. Students who remain on campus after 3:30 p.m. and are not involved in an extracurricular activity, must report to the school study hall. This study hall is provided for parents who are not able to pick their students up right away. Middle School students are not allowed to be in any other location on campus (including the gym, Upper School, Quad, Lower School, Innovation Lab, etc.) after school without parent or staff supervision. Students involved in extracurricular activities are to report to the after-school study hall if they are not picked up immediately following the activity.

All students remaining on campus after school hours who do not report to study hall will receive disciplinary consequences. Outside of participation in some extracurricular activities, no adult supervision is provided in the Middle or Upper School after 5:30 p.m., and all students must be picked up no later than that time. The school assumes no responsibility for students who are not picked up by this time. Other arrangements must be made if a student cannot be picked up by that time.

Athletics The purpose of athletics at Whitefield Academy is to develop and maintain an outstanding Christ- honoring program in which Upper School students have opportunities to use and develop their God-given athletic talents, strengths, and sportsmanship. The Athletics Program at Whitefield makes every effort to maintain and foster a fair and appropriate opportunity for each student to participate in the athletic program. As a member of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), Whitefield Academy adheres to and supports the rules/policies regarding proper decorum and conduct at all athletic events.

Upper School athletic opportunities for girls include basketball, cheerleading (fall), cheerleading (winter), cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swim/dive, tennis, track/field, and volleyball; Upper School athletic opportunities for boys include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swim/dive, tennis, track/field, and wrestling.

Middle School athletic opportunities for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls include basketball, cheerleading (fall), cheerleading (winter), wrestling (winter), cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swim/dive, tennis, track/field, and volleyball; Middle School athletic opportunities for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade boys include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swim/dive, tennis, track/field, and wrestling.

Fifth grade boys may participate in cross country, football, track, and swim/dive. Fifth grade girls may participate in cross country, swim/dive, track, and cheer for 5th/6th grade football.

Whitefield Academy athletes represent Jesus Christ and Whitefield to other teams and fans. People are watching to see if our athletes reflect a Christ-honoring behavior. The Middle and Upper School community at Whitefield is expected to demonstrate Christian principles and support and encourage our players as well as our athletic opponents. This demonstration is for not only the athletes but the fans as well. Failure to act in an appropriate manner may result in removal from the athletic event and/or further consequences by the coach, athletic director, and/or administration.

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Bible Version Whitefield recognizes that there are numerous versions of the Bible and that these different versions may be used at church, Bible studies, or in personal devotions. Whitefield has chosen the English Standard Version as the translation normally used in the classroom for study, quotation, and memorization.

Campus Store The Campus Store serves Whitefield families with approved uniform apparel and accessories.

Information on uniform requirements and hours of operation may be accessed on the Whitefield Academy website under the Parent and Students heading. Purchasing uniforms from the campus store is the most effective way to ensure they align with all uniform and dress code requirements. Questions may be directed to the Campus Store by dialing 678-305-1457.

Chapel The purpose of Whitefield Academy’s chapel program is to gather together as a worshiping community, to encourage spiritual growth, and to deepen understanding of our Christian faith and relationships with Jesus Christ.

Whitefield Academy has an ongoing commitment to enhance the spiritual growth and development of its students.

This growth and development take place through weekly chapel services, required Bible courses, guest speakers, musicians, prayer times, and devotions. Special times are set aside for spiritual renewal and refreshment. The objectives of chapels and other special spiritual events are to challenge, inspire, and motivate students and staff toward a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, each other, and the Whitefield community.

Discipline At Whitefield Academy, we view appropriate discipline not only as a vehicle for restoration but also as a form of care and partnership. When rules and policies are enforced consistently, fairly, and based on Christ-centered love, they can help clarify the distinction between right and wrong and motivate students to improve their behavior, where necessary.

The accumulation of minor offenses or one major offense before a behavior outcome (detention, loss of privilege, parent conference) allow for a few "warnings." For instance, a student can have dress code violations before having to serve a behavior outcome. Only the more severe behavior incidents receive a major offense, thus an immediate detention, loss of privilege, or parent conference.

The teacher of each class oversees the ordinary discipline in the classroom. The student is expected to comply with whatever regulations or disciplinary measures the teacher may impose. Faculty and staff members should always be addressed in a polite and respectful manner. Confrontational behavior with the teacher is at variance with conduct expected from all students and parents. Each situation will be handled at the school’s discretion in accordance with the school’s rules, policies, and practices, as well as general common sense.

Disciplinary matters, or incidents in violation of school rules and regulations, will be handled initially at the most immediate level possible. Violations will subject the student to disciplinary consequences. The level of disciplinary response for any violation of school rules will depend on a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to: ● Whether any person was harmed; ● Whether there was property damage or other loss of property; ● The level of any class or school disruption caused by the student's behavior; ● Whether the student has been previously disciplined; ● Whether there was illegal or prohibited substances (for example, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc.); ● Whether the student had been earlier warned about the same or similar conduct; ● Whether there was a weapon or other dangerous item involved; ● Whether the conduct is of the kind also prohibited by criminal law; and/or ● Whether the student was honest and cooperative in connection with the investigation of the behavior.

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In addition, the school may report to the appropriate governmental authorities any actions that appear to violate law.

Graphic Design Standards Very specific graphic design standards have been adopted at Whitefield Academy. Consistent use of elements such as logotype, color, typestyle, and layout all combine to give the organization a “face” that, ideally, is recognized instantly. Every publication, banner, advertisement, T-shirt, or other visible product should use, insofar as possible, the prescribed design elements in a consistent pattern. These standards apply to all constituencies (employees, coaches, parents, outside designers/printers, etc.). All promotional items, including but not limited to cups, T-shirts, bags, etc. must receive approval by the director of marketing and communications before printing. Any item printed that does not adhere to the graphic standards of Whitefield Academy will be confiscated.

Informed Consent When faculty or staff are made aware of any of the following behaviors through their conversations and interactions with students, they will be disclosed to the parents of the students involved. ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Student is harming and/or threatening harm to self or others.(including but not limited to terroristic thoughts) Student is in danger Student is engaging in risky behaviors that could harm the student Student is displaying elements of gender dysphoria Student is engaging in sexual behavior (including but not limited to sexual activity, homosexual behavior, sexual harassment, pornographic activity) Student is engaged in repeated rule violations or major disciplinary offenses Student is making frequent visits to, or having regular check-ins with the school counselor*

*In their roles at Whitefield, school counselors do not provide ongoing therapy to students but are available to assist parents in referrals if ongoing therapy is desired or needed Payment of Tuition and Fees The school strives to provide the highest quality education, and we depend on the timely payment of tuition and registration fees to cover our obligations. Enrolling your child requires a financial commitment much like any other major purchase. Please make school tuition a budget priority. Failure to make tuition/fee payments by the contractual dates may result in a child being removed from school. Transcripts and student records cannot be forwarded to another school if there is an outstanding balance in his/her account, or if there are other outstanding debts.

Personal Counseling The school counselor will work one-on-one and in small groups with students who are facing challenges. These range from simple matters of decision-making and adjusting to a new school, to issues involving difficult family relationships, stress, and grief. The counselor will also facilitate larger group meetings to offer strategies for dealing with typical adolescent challenges. Students may visit the counselor before or after school, between classes, lunch, or anytime in an emergency.

The level of counseling that Whitefield can provide is limited. All Whitefield counseling staff members will handle information provided to them discreetly to maintain confidentiality, to the extent consistent, in the counselor’s judgment, with ascertaining the truth, protecting the counselee or others, and providing or obtaining assistance for the counselee or others. Students dealing with problems beyond the scope of Whitefield's counseling capabilities will be referred to private counselors.

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Personal Injury/Emergency Whitefield Academy will make every effort to reach a parent in the event of an emergency. If a parent cannot be reached, the school is authorized to have the child treated by a physician at the nearest emergency clinic.

Photographs Included in the terms of the enrollment agreement, parents give permission to the school to allow their child’s picture in Whitefield publications, in social media, and on the website.

Re-enrollment Contracts The decision not to offer a re-enrollment contract will be made by the Principal with concurrence of the Head of School. The decision is based on several factors, which may include the student’s academic performance, attendance, work habits, behavior/attitude, and/or financial obligations Severe Weather and Emergency Closing Parent Notification Process for School Cancellation Due to Inclement Weather It is important to note that the administration makes every effort in keeping school open, but safety for our community is the number one priority. When a decision is made to close school, we have various means of communicating this announcement.

Once a decision is made to close school, an announcement will be posted on our website. In addition, you will also be notified by e-mail and phone.

The following radio and TV stations will announce the school’s closing: Radio Stations WSB 750AM Television Stations WSB-TV Channel 2 ABC WXIA Channel 11 Alive NBC FOX 5 Atlanta WGCL Channel 46 CBS Whitefield Parent Association (WPA) The Whitefield Parent Association (WPA) is the official parent group. The purposes of the WPA are: ● To provide more effective communication for and with the parents in order to inform the parents of school events. ● To provide a more effective organization of the parent community in order to utilize the parent volunteers to enhance and support the faculty and administration, and student body ● To provide an avenue where each parent can share his/her gifts and serve where he/she is needed so that as a school we will bring honor and glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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Whitefield Schoolwide Policies “24-7-365” Authority and Responsibilities Whitefield Academy students are expected to adhere to the rules stated in this handbook “24-7-365” (i.e., all day, each day of the year), which means that these rules are applicable to on-campus and off-campus activities from matriculation until graduation. Any activities that may adversely impact Christ-honoring behavior, the educational environment, endanger the safety and health of the Whitefield community, or that results in a negative impact on the Whitefield community are all a part of this expectation. It should be clearly understood that Whitefield Academy reserves the right to investigate all potential student disciplinary issues, regardless of whether the actions occur on campus, off campus, after school hours, online, or during recess breaks. For most off- campus incidents and behavioral violations during recess breaks, the school chooses to limit its supervisory authority to serious acts of student misbehavior (i.e., illegal, immoral, unethical, or damaging/embarrassing to Whitefield Academy).

Whenever student wrongdoing is established, the school reserves the right to respond in any/all manners detailed in this handbook, including requiring counseling and assigning appropriate disciplinary measures.

Annual Physical Prior to a student attending school or participating in any sport at Whitefield they must complete the following forms annually and upload them onto Magnus Health. ● Pre-participation Physical Evaluation (Appendix A): As per Georgia High School Association By-Law 1.41(c) and the new State of Georgia law, the “Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation” form may be signed by a licensed Nurse Practitioner or a Physician’s Assistant provided this person has been delegated that task by an M.D. or D.O. Alterations (edits) to this copyrighted document are not permitted. Therefore, the doctor or his/her designee may print and then sign his/her (their) name on the appropriate line(s) found on page 3 and page 4 of the physical form. ● Participant consent, release, and waiver ● Concussion Awareness Form ● Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Form Any student who has an annual physical completed after April 1st of a given year, that physical will remain valid for the entire following school year in accordance with GHSA. For Middle and Upper school students who play sports for Whitefield programs, once each sports respective season has begun, coaches, families, and students will be notified when their physical is within 30 days of expiration. They will be sent a second notification when their physical is within 7 days of expiration. They will receive a final notification when their physical expiration date has passed. Families and students will be given a 14 day grace period following that final notification to complete the required yearly physical.

If there is still no valid physical uploaded to Magnus following that 14 day grace period, student-athletes WILL BE withheld from participation in their sport until physical is updated and completed.

Assault Assault is defined as an attempt to commit a violent injury to another, or as committing an act that places another in apprehension of receiving violent injury.

Authority The Whitefield Academy Board of Trustees has charged the Head of School to deal with all student misbehavior/discipline matters, including developing and implementing appropriate disciplinary responses for various acts of student wrongdoing. The Whitefield Academy Head of School, in turn, delegates to the administrative team (e.g., the Middle School Principal and dean of students) day-to-day responsibility and authority to deal with issues. These administrative team members, with consent of the Head of School, are empowered to apply appropriate disciplinary measures in most cases of student misconduct. In any cases involving possible expulsions, the Head of School alone will render such decisions. If a case ever exists wherein a material dispute

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arises regarding facts or the proper application of the expulsion remedy, the Head of School may, at his/her request, call for the ad-hoc expulsion committee of the Board of Trustees to convene and review the case. This process, although rarely used, will be discussed with the appropriate parties at the proper time. The Head of School is charged by the Board of Trustees to be the final authority on all school issues, including student behavior issues.

Child Abuse School teachers and other personnel are mandatory reporters under the Georgia child abuse reporting laws. Please understand that we must take our obligations seriously and if we assess that a situation requires it, we will make a report to child abuse authorities of situations that we reasonably suspect constitute abuse, neglect, or abandonment.

Depending on the circumstances, we may not be able to communicate with parents about the report until authorized by child abuse authorities to do so. We ask for your understanding as we do our best to protect the children under our care.

Child Safety from Sexual Offenders and Predators According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), sexual perpetrators are commonly people the parents/guardians or children know, and these people may be in a position of trust or responsibility to a child and family.

Because of our concern for student safety, all employees, and those parents who volunteer for school activities with unsupervised access to our students, are screened through the school’s criminal background process. Although the school performs such screenings, the school cannot attest to the background of the various parents whom their child may associate with away from school.

To keep their children safer, parents should talk openly to their children about safety issues. Parents should know their children’s friends and be clear with their children about the places and homes that their children visit. Children should be taught that they have the right to say no to any unwelcome, uncomfortable, or confusing touching or actions by others and to get out of those situations as quickly as possible.

Parents should regularly visit the public registry to check out individuals for prior criminal records and sex offenses. Information concerning registered sex offenders and predators in Georgia may be obtained by visiting the State of Georgia Bureau of Investigation at http://state.sor.gbi.ga.gov/Sort_Public/SearchOffender.aspx.

Communication, Information, and the “Right to Know” All Whitefield Academy parties have a vested interest in student issues, including decisions of discipline. No information or incorrect information sometimes compounds communication challenges and often results in an unsettled school atmosphere. Therefore, whenever a specific misbehavior can be communicated, Whitefield Academy administration will do so with the highest degree of care, concern, and professionalism. There are other times, however, when the legal concept of “right to know” comes into play. Whenever such a situation exists, principles of professionalism, confidentiality, and individual/family rights will supersede the right/desire to be informed. Whitefield Academy does not divulge disciplinary information unless requested by an outside agency.

Confidentiality A common temptation is to share issues with other parents, teachers, or students. Strict confidentiality protects the community from gossip, slander, and incomplete or inaccurate views of issues and people.

Custody Policy In situations where a student is living with a guardian or one parent, copies of custody papers or guardianship papers MUST be on file in the Whitefield business office. The principal and administrative assistant, classroom Family Handbook 2023-2024

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teacher and counselor will be made aware of any details regarding communication, notifications, and carpool pickup arrangements if needed based on documentation provided in the business office. The school makes reasonable efforts to ensure that both natural parents (or legal guardians) receive substantially the same information (transcripts, records, appointments, etc.). The school must rely upon the correctness and completeness of parental information when the student is enrolled. In situations of divorced or separated parents, if one parent believes that the other parent is not entitled to receive certain information, the parent wishing to restrict information provided by the school must provide the school with a court order that is still in effect that specifically restricts the other parent from receiving such information. Likewise, unless Whitefield Academy has been provided with a court order that is still in effect that specifically restricts a parent from picking up a child or attending school activities, the school cannot prevent a natural parent from doing so.

Directory (School) The school directory is prepared and distributed for use only by Whitefield Academy families and employees. Any other use (e.g., political, commercial, etc.) is strictly prohibited and should be reported to the business office.

Drugs and Alcohol The Scriptures admonish believers to “not be drunk with wine but be filled with the Holy Spirit” but also grant Christians certain liberty regarding how they live. Bible-believing, Christian families have differed over how to handle this matter for their children. Unfortunately, we are all familiar with the reality of peer pressure to drink and the tragic consequences to body, life, and property from underage drinking. In addition, the use/abuse of drugs and other harmful substances is a major problem in society and extremely disruptive to the individual student and the total school community. All Whitefield Academy personnel are deeply concerned about the detrimental effects of alcohol, drugs and other harmful substances on the health, safety, happiness, and well-being of students. Thus, there is an unswerving commitment at Whitefield Academy to do whatever is necessary to help our students avoid the many pitfalls awaiting those who choose to make poor decisions relating to these items.

General: Students are prohibited from possessing, using, selling, or purchasing any alcoholic beverages or other mind-altering substances (including synthetic salts or other substances), or possessing drug paraphernalia on or near school property or at school-related activities. “Mind-altering” substances include any type of substance ingested, snorted, smoked, or inserted into one’s body that may impact the individual in some way. Such substances include, without limitation, alcohol, legal or illegal substances (including medical marijuana pursuant to a prescription or physician certification), over the counter salts, spices, vapors, or other similar items. Off-premises possession, use, sale or purchase of mind-altering substances and off-premises alcohol abuse is also prohibited.

Testing (See Upper School section for information pertaining to the Upper School): Students in the may be required to submit to urinalysis drug screens, blood alcohol tests, breathalyzer tests and medical examinations under the following circumstances: (a) when a student is suspected of attending school or school-related activities with intoxicants or mind-altering substances in his or her system; (b) when a student suffers an injury or is involved in an accident while at school; (c) on a periodic or random basis, including but not limited to, in connection with the student’s participation in extracurricular activities; or (d) when a student is placed under disciplinary contract and such screenings or examinations are terms of the contract. The presence of alcohol or the presence of any other intoxicants or mind-altering substances in the body is a violation of this policy. Refusal of a student (by the student or the student’s parent) to undergo testing or to cooperate fully with any of these tests (including signing consent forms or providing testing results promptly to the school) is also a violation of our policy and will result in expulsion.

This policy does not prohibit the proper use of medication under the direction of a physician, although the use of medical marijuana is prohibited in all circumstances. However, the misuse or abuse of such drugs is prohibited.

Students who are taking prescription or nonprescription drugs must notify the School Nurse of this fact when they report to school.

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Whitefield Academy Administrative personnel are more than willing to assist any student who, unbeknownst to the school (e.g., prior to an observable or reported infraction), is illegally consuming alcohol or using other mind-altering substances, or experimenting with other dangerous substances. A student who is sincerely seeking help will receive help by confidentially confessing such usage to the Dean of Students, the Upper School principal, or the Head of School (as opposed to confessing because he/she believes he/she will soon be “caught”).

Their response to self-reporting will align with Whitefield Academy’s policy for self-referral articulated within the Drug Testing procedures in this Handbook.

Consequences: In addition to determining the appropriate disciplinary action pursuant to the school’s disciplinary rules for a violation of this Drugs and Alcohol Policy, the school reserves the right to impose the following additional or different requirements as appropriate for the circumstances: determination of possible legal action; required professional counseling approved by the administration; removal from all elected or appointed positions of leadership in the school; required random and/or regularly scheduled drug and/or alcohol testing at a school-approved local clinic or doctor’s office for a time period and at intervals to be determined by the school’s administration. Refusal of a student (directly or through a parent/guardian) to undergo testing or to cooperate fully with any of these tests is considered a positive result and will result in automatic expulsion.

Parents of Whitefield Academy students shall not provide or knowingly facilitate access to alcoholic beverages or mind-altering substances to a Whitefield Academy student. “Facilitating access” will include a parent’s failure to adequately safeguard any alcohol or substances that he/she possesses. Violation of this policy may result in the immediate termination of the relationship between the family and Whitefield Academy or a determination not to offer re-enrollment contract(s) for the following year. * A violation of this policy will be disclosed according to the informed consent plan.

Financial Accountability Policy When any portion of any student’s account with the business office becomes greater than forty-five (45) days in arrears, the School may, in its sole discretion, deny class attendance and participation in other School activities, withhold academic reports, yearbook and transcripts, and revoke this contract.

Food Allergy Policy The school recognizes that food allergies, in some instances, may be severe and even occasionally life threatening.

The foods most likely to cause allergic reactions are peanuts, tree nuts, dairy products, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. Although most food allergies produce symptoms that are uncomfortable, persons with severe allergies to the above-listed foods can suffer more serious consequences.

The school cannot guarantee that a student will never experience a food allergy-related event while at school or at a school-sponsored event, but we are committed to student safety, and therefore have created this policy to reduce the risk that children with food allergies will have a serious allergy-related event.

The school prioritizes communication with children’s parents regarding food allergies as it believes that parents are a partner in ensuring the safety and health of all children. To that end, for children with severe food allergies, it is the family’s responsibility to notify the school, in writing, of the allergies. Working in conjunction with the family physician, the family should submit written protocols in the form of a Food Allergy Action Plan (FAAP). The Food Allergy Action Plan should be submitted annually to the MAGNUS Health Portal for the School nurse to review and implement as needed.

The school does not classify its environment as a nut-free facility. As a result, the school is not nut-free and children with severe food allergies must carefully monitor their food. Sage Dining Services is a nut-free kitchen that does not serve any products that contain peanut or tree nuts and does not purchase from any facilities where Family Handbook 2023-2024

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cross-contact is suspected. Sage Dining cannot guarantee that nut products will not be brought into the lunchroom by students or that cross-contact of other food allergens may occur at self-serve stations. Exposure to other types of allergens may occur as a full menu is made available for selection.

Changes in a child’s food allergy must be immediately provided in writing to the school nurse and updated in the MAGNUS Health Portal in the Vital Health Record section.

Fundraising School-wide fundraising along with our Capital Campaign and our Annual Fund, are handled by our Development Office. Anything related to fundraising must be channeled through the Director of Development.

Georgia Licensing Whitefield Academy is not a licensed childcare facility. As an independent school, we are not required to be licensed by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and our program is exempt from state licensure requirements.

Harassment/Bullying The school is dedicated to fostering an environment that promotes kindness, acceptance, and embraces differences among individuals. Therefore, the school will not tolerate any type of harassment or bullying by a student, employee, or any third party (including vendors, contractors, donors, volunteers, parents, and visitors). Students should be aware that their off-campus behavior is also covered under this policy, regardless of when and where the conduct occurred or who was affected by the student’s inappropriate behavior. Harassment is broadly defined to include unreasonable conduct or behavior that is personally offensive or threatening, impairs morale, or interferes with the educational environment of students and includes, but is not limited to, slurs, jokes, comments, teasing, and other offensive conduct relating to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, or disability. Harassment also includes sexual harassment.

Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to: ● Demanding sexual favors ● Requests for pictures of a sexual nature ● Taking, sending, or posting images of a sexual nature ● Spreading lies or information about another individual’s sexual activity ● Coercing sexual activity by threat of punishment or offer of reward ● Obscene or sexually suggestive graffiti ● Displaying or sending pornographic pictures or objects ● Offensive touching, pinching, grabbing, kissing, or hugging ● Restraining someone’s movement in a sexual way ● Sexual or lewd jokes, remarks, leering, whistling, brushing against the body, or other suggestive or insulting gestures or comments about another’s body ● Intimidating or suggestive remarks about an individual’s sexual orientation, whether actual or implied Bullying includes a variety of behaviors, but all involve a person or group trying to take advantage of the power they have to hurt or reject someone else. These behaviors can be carried out physically (hitting, kicking, pushing), verbally (calling names, taunting, teasing, threatening, ridiculing, spreading rumors, etc.), electronically, sometimes called “cyber-bullying” (posting or sharing defamatory remarks or photos, sending threatening emails, creating fake profiles, taking over an account and posting as someone else), or through relational aggression (harming or threatening to harm relationships or acceptance, friendship, or group inclusion) or emotional aggression (teasing, threatening, intimidating others).

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Bullying or harassment can occur through any type of communications method, including face-to-face communications, phone, text, email, postings on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, Snapchat, GroupMe, etc.), camera phones, or other forms of technology. The communications can be direct or indirect, such as through friends or others. Any type of offensive conduct, whether on or off campus, on a school bus, or at a school-related event, can create an uncomfortable school environment.

It is the responsibility of all members of the community to ensure that their words, actions, and interactions with others always reflect the intent to promote respect and trust. Attempts to justify behavior as a “prank” or “joke” do not change its harassing or bullying nature if the object of the joke or prank is not a willing participant. Whatever the basis for the harassment or bullying, it is prohibited.

All concerns relating to harassment or bullying should be reported immediately to the dean of students or the appropriate principal. We also expect that anyone, whether student, faculty, staff, or family member who witnesses, or has knowledge of an incident of bullying or harassment, will report the incident to the appropriate division principal.

When the school administration becomes aware of harassment or bullying, the situation will be promptly investigated. Any student found to have violated this policy will be subject to disciplinary action. Conduct need not meet the legal definition of harassment or bullying to violate the school’s expectations for appropriate behavior and be actionable. Retaliation in any form against anyone for making a complaint under this policy or for participating in an investigation is strictly prohibited. Any retaliation should also be reported pursuant to this policy and is itself a cause for disciplinary action.

Hazing Although we encourage students to participate in school-related athletics, clubs, associations, organizations and other groups, the school prohibits all forms of hazing. Hazing refers to any activity expected of a student to join or to continue membership or participation in any group where the activity produces or could be expected to produce mental, emotional, or physical discomfort, humiliation, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule to the student, regardless of the student's willingness to participate. Hazing activities include, but are not limited to, acts of personal servitude (i.e., forced labor or service), sleep deprivation, restrictions on personal hygiene, yelling, swearing, insulting or demeaning verbal abuse, being forced to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire, consumption of vile or other non-food substances, consumption of alcohol, smearing of skin with vile substances, brandings, writing or marking on one’s skin or clothes, physical beatings, paddling or other physical abuse, performing sexual simulation or sexual acts, stunts or dares that could result in physical injury or harm to a person’s mental, emotional or social well-being, any act in violation of the law or school policy, and any other activity that could fall within the definition of hazing. If you think a particular activity could possibly be hazing, then it probably is. If you are not sure, then you need to contact the dean of students or division principal and ask.

A student violates this policy whenever he or she engages, assists, or attempts to engage or assist in the planning or committing of any hazing activity, whether on or off school property. Each student is also responsible for immediately reporting any hazing activity or plans for any hazing activity to the dean of students or division principal. The failure to make such a report is also a violation of this policy.

When the school administration becomes aware of any actual or planned hazing activity, the situation will be promptly investigated. Any student found to have violated this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, including dismissal from the school for serious violations. No adverse action will be taken against any person who makes a good faith report of hazing activity.

Health Information Sharing Parents and students agree, as a condition of continued enrollment, to consent to the release of any of the student’s health related information, including information relating to drug treatment, testing, medical and mental health

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records, to employees or agents of the school, as determined by the Head of School or his or her designee, to meet the medical or safety needs of the student and the community or the legal responsibilities of the school.

The school will maintain appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security of all health-related information within its care or custody. While it is the obligation of the school to safeguard student medical information, we must also balance matters of privacy and confidentiality with safeguarding the interests and well-being of our students and our community. Thus, parents/guardians and students consent to allow employees and agents of the school, who have a need to know, to receive and/or share medical and/or psychological information necessary to serve the best interests of the student and/or community. In the event of a disclosure required by law, every effort will be made to notify the student and/or parents/guardians in advance.

Health Policies According to Georgia law, all students are required to have a completed and up-to-date Georgia Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231), GHSA Physical Evaluation Form, GHSA History Form, GHSA Clearance Form, and Permission for Emergency Treatment Form on file with the school prior to the first day of school. In addition, Whitefield Academy requires a Participant Release and Waiver Form. These forms must be updated each year. If these forms are not on file by the start of the school year, the student will not be allowed to attend classes. All these forms are available online. Completed forms should be submitted to your family MAGNUS account or to the school nurse. Whitefield Academy will make every effort to reach a parent in the event of an emergency. If a parent cannot be reached the school is authorized to have the child treated by a physician at the nearest emergency clinic.

Illness Covid-19 Pandemic Caveat: Due to the uncertainty surrounding the impact of the coronavirus on the 2023-24 school year, there is the potential of some adjustments being made to established policies. Administration will continue to evaluate the handbook and communicate changes in policy when necessary.

Students who become ill during the school day are required to report to the school clinic. Likewise, students who are deemed by the teacher or an administrator to have a potential contagious illness will be isolated from others, and the parent will be notified. Also, we ask the parent to inform the nurse’s office if your child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease such as Covid-19, chicken pox, the measles, influenza, Fifth Disease, or H1N1. If a student has had a fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher and/or experienced vomiting or diarrhea within the previous 24-hour period, the child should not attend school. Please abide by this directive for the health of our student body, faculty, and staff.

Lines of Authority Often issues arise between parents and teachers because they are the adults most closely engaged with the people most highly valued in a school environment. If parents have questions or concerns regarding their child’s experience with a teacher, the matter is best addressed directly with the teacher. While parents are expected to communicate directly with teachers on such issues, they are not in authority over the teachers. Lines of authority are clearly delineated, and the principal is charged with direct supervision of the teachers. Therefore, parents are not expected to confront teachers directly regarding issues of performance or professional conduct that are under the purview of the principal. Such issues are more appropriately addressed with the principal. The principal can provide guidance as to whether an issue is in the principal’s domain or is to be handled directly with the teacher.

Non-Discrimination Policy Whitefield Academy admits students of any race, color, disability, national and ethnic origin who possess the motivation, ability, and character which would enable them to succeed in our school community to the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does

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not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Parental Supervision All Lower and Middle School students attending an event on campus should be accompanied by an adult responsible for that student for that event.

Property General Guidelines ● All property, especially books, bookbags, and clothing, should be labeled with students’ names. Whitefield is not responsible for lost or stolen property. ● To encourage the development of personal responsibility and organizational skills, students are discouraged from asking parents to bring to school items left at home. Only in extraordinary circumstances should items be delivered to school. ● Books must be stored in lockers only. Any books left on benches, on floors, in stairwells, or anywhere other than inside lockers will be confiscated. ● Students may not deface school property or the property of others. Students are not allowed to write on the lockers or to place decals, stickers, or pictures on the exterior of lockers. Decorations of lockers must be restricted to the interior of the locker and must be removed at the end of school year. ● Lockers should be closed and locked during class and at the end of the day. Students should not tamper with the locks. ● Skateboards and rollerblades are prohibited on campus.

Search and Inspection The parents authorize the school to inspect and conduct a search of any place or item on school campus or at a school-related event including, but not limited to, a student’s locker, book bag, backpack, vehicle, computer, or personal electronic devices. Students may also be required to empty pockets and remove outer layers of clothing for inspection. Inspections and searches may be conducted on a routine or random basis or as deemed necessary.

Students must provide any passwords or other access required to inspect such places or items upon request by a school administrator. Inspection of electronic devices includes laptops, phones, cameras, and any other electronics, including the contents of the same (texts, emails, photos, images, address books, etc. whether such message or information was sent over the school’s system or any personal email account). Further, the parents authorize the school to seize and permanently retain property disclosed by an inspection or search which is considered potentially harmful, dangerous, illegal, or inappropriate, or the possession of which is a violation of the school’s rules, community standards, and/or local, state, or federal law.

Services for Students with Learning Differences We understand that there may be circumstances in which a parent may request that the school provide an adjustment or accommodation for a student’s medical needs or physical, mental, or learning disability. As the range of requests has grown over the years, the school believes that it is appropriate at this time to outline the school’s policy and general guidelines for addressing such requests.

General Policy: In general, it is our school’s policy to provide accommodations or adjustments for a student’s minor needs in circumstances in which the administration, in conjunction with the Director of the AEC, determines, in its sole discretion, that doing so is within the reasonable ability of the school and/or its staff and will not result in a significant disruption to the teacher’s ability to instruct other students, to classroom or school order and discipline, will not require a threat of harm to the safety of other students or employees, will not require a fundamental change to our educational environment or mission, and will not impose responsibilities on school employees for which they are not trained. We also ask parents to understand that, given the size of our school and our available support staff Family Handbook 2023-2024

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resources, we may not be able to provide all requested accommodations. To the extent we agree to provide accommodations, we may require a sharing of responsibility for the accommodation with the student, faculty, parents, and support staff.

Request and Documentation: For any type of accommodation, the parent must contact the director of the Academic Enrichment Center to discuss the need. The director will then advise the parent of the type of documentation needed, which generally will state the student’s diagnosis, how the condition limits the student, and the recommended accommodations.

Release for Communications with Physician: Sometimes, the documentation received from the physician may raise questions or be unclear as to the recommendations. For that reason, the parent(s) must sign a Release of Information form, permitting the school to contact the medical professional, when necessary. In addition, if there is any cost associated with the physician’s cooperation (i.e., to answer a set of questions submitted, etc.), the parent must agree to bear the cost of such process.

Assessment of Request: Once the parent’s request and medical documentation has been received by the school, appropriate persons within the administration and/or the Director of the AEC will meet with the parents to clarify information and to discuss whether the school will be able to implement the accommodations requested. In some cases, the parent may be asked to provide (at the parent’s cost) any special equipment needed, training for the school’s staff, or other associated matters. In addition, the school may advise the parent that the school will allow a particular accommodation, but the full responsibility for doing so will rest with the parent. For example, if the student needs to be tested or have certain types of medicines administered during the day that the school or nurse believe are beyond the scope of the school’s responsibility, the school may allow the parent to make arrangements to visit the campus for the purpose of testing and administering.

Limitations on Requests: Please understand that the school is not a medical facility and does not have the personnel, training, or equipment to handle certain types of medical procedures best left to the student, parent, or physician. Examples of accommodations made for students include appropriate classroom accommodations, extended time, and use of computers which are accommodations supported through the documentation provided to the Director of the AEC and are agreed upon accommodations between the parents and the Director of the AEC.

Severing the Relationship Even when these principles are followed, some issues must be addressed at the highest level of the school (Head of School). In such circumstances, the issue gets resolved at this level, or it becomes apparent that a family or staff member must leave the community. Such action becomes necessary if a person is unwilling to resolve the issue, accept a decision made, or follow these principles for healthy resolution. While removal from the community is rare and extremely painful, the passionate value placed on community takes priority.

Sexual Misconduct We are committed to creating a learning environment characterized by safety, trust, and respect for all. Sexual misconduct whether between students or adults and students is contrary to the standards and ideals of our community and will not be tolerated. Sexual misconduct includes any of the following types of activities: ● Any sexual activity between students and adults (See school’s Student/Adult Interaction and Communication Policy); ● Any sexual activity between or among students; ● Any act of sexual harassment, violence, or stalking; ● Any digital media stalking; or ● Undesirable verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. (See the school’s Harassment/Bullying policy for additional information on sexual harassment).

It is not our intent to discourage dating between students or appropriate physical contact between or among students in accordance with our spiritual teachings. However, sexual activity between or among students, whether it occurs

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on or off campus, is a violation of our school and Christian values. Thus, without limitation of the generality of the foregoing, Whitefield Academy, as a Christ-centered preparatory school, upholds a Biblical view of sexual morality (I Thessalonians 4:3-5). Therefore, students shall not engage in sexual activity (e.g., premarital sexual relations, homosexuality, etc.). Any confirmed case of sexual promiscuity is a violation of school policy.

Reports of sexual misconduct or sexual assault are taken seriously; the safety and well-being of our students is our first priority. Parents and students who become aware of any form of sexual misconduct, whether on or off campus, should immediately report the information to the division head or Head of School. In accordance with Georgia law, the school reports suspected instances of sexual misconduct to the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) Child Protective Services.

Upon a report of student-to-student sexual misconduct, including harassment, the school will provide interim support and reasonable protective measures to support the complainant and/or the accused party and the safety of the community. Until all procedures have been completed, the complainant and the accused must avoid all unnecessary contact. If the school determines at any stage that a student poses a threat of harm or disruption to the school community, the school may take immediate action, including removing the student from school, restricting the student’s movement on campus, and so on.

As stated elsewhere, the school expects that students will treat all persons with dignity both at school and beyond.

The school reserves the right to take action if it learns that a student’s actions violate the school’s rules and expectations, regardless of when and where the conduct occurred or who was affected by the student’s inappropriate behavior. *A violation of this policy will be disclosed according to the informed consent plan.

Smoking/Vaping/Tobacco Products School policy expressly forbids students from smoking, vaping, juuling, or using tobacco products, as well as possessing such products, at any time in or on school property, buses or other school vehicles, adjacent properties, or school-sponsored trips. All cigarettes (including electronic), vaping devices, smokeless tobacco, lighters, matches, etc. or other devices similar to cigarettes, lighters, matches, etc. brought on campus by students will be confiscated. Discipline will be imposed based on the circumstances existing at the time and may include suspension, probation, or expulsion. Depending on the circumstances existing at the time, a violation of this policy may also be a violation of the school’s Drugs and Alcohol Policy. *A violation of this policy will be disclosed according to the informed consent plan.

Student/Adult Interaction and Communication Our students and adults (teachers, administrators, staff members, parents, and visitors) are expected to interact with each other in a professional and respectful manner based on mutual respect and trust with an understanding of appropriate boundaries between adults and students.

If a student or the student’s parents become aware of any adult’s communications or actions toward one or more students that seems unusual, overly friendly, or otherwise inappropriate, such information should immediately be reported to the school counselor or administrator of the division.

Further, students and their parents should promptly notify the guidance counselor or administrator of the division if they believe an employee has engaged in any of the following prohibited behaviors or similar activities (regardless of the age of the student): ● Initiating or continuing communications with students for a non-school matter, including oral or written communications; telephone calls; electronic communications (emails, texts); social media communications, etc.

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● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Touching students or their clothing in non-professional ways or inappropriate places, or touching a student with aggression or in frustration; Making comments that are too personal (about a student’s clothing, hair, personal habits, etc.); Giving gifts to a student or exchanging cards and letters; Inviting a student into their home, visiting a student in his/her home or another location, or taking students off school property other than for approved field trips and school activities without parent consent Flirting or asking a student on a date; Excessive attention shown toward a particular student or students or call or referring to students by pet names or inappropriate nicknames; Visiting students to “hang out” in their hotel rooms when on field trips or sporting events; Socializing or spending time with students without parent consent (including but not limited to activities such as going out for meals, movies, shopping, traveling and recreational activities) outside of class or school-sponsored events; Asking students to sit on a teacher’s lap; Telling secrets or telling the student not to tell something that’s a secret; Swearing, making inappropriate sexual, racial/or ethnic comments; Inviting students to visit the employee’s social networking profile or become a “friend” or “follower” on a social network; Telling off-color or other inappropriate jokes or stories, or showing pornography to students; Providing students with alcohol or other mind-altering substances; or Vaping, smoking, or drinking with students.

Technology Responsible Use Policy Digital Stewardship Christian stewardship is a way of living in which we recognize that everything belongs to God and that we must use everything with which he has entrusted us for His glory - including technology. Whitefield Academy maintains that when students are learning with technology, it should be done “as working for the Lord.” Because of this responsibility we use the phrase “digital stewardship” when referencing our use of technology rather than “digital citizenship,” which has gained much more prominence in our world today. Technology brings with it both benefits and pitfalls, and students are to be instructed in appropriate use of technology and expected to exercise personal responsibility in their use of these resources. Our goals are to provide access to educational tools and resources, to improve communication, and to encourage innovation and collaboration. Our policies are intended to promote the most effective, safe, productive, and instructionally sound uses of these tools in a manner worthy of Jesus Christ.

All persons using the school’s computers, the school’s computer systems, or personal computers on school property or over the school’s systems are required to abide by the following rules. This policy also applies to the use of any personal electronic devices (computers, laptops, tablets, etc., cameras, iPhones, iPads, e-readers, smart watches, smart/cellular phones, video cameras, etc.) on school property or at a school-related event.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. - Colossians 3:23-24 Expectations and Rules The school expects all members of the school community to avoid computer activities which interfere in any way with the learning process. Some activities are expressly prohibited by law; other activities are inappropriate as defined by the administration of the school. The following rules are intended to clarify expectations for conduct, but should not be construed as all-inclusive, as we cannot outline every possible behavior with technology. We require students to use technology in accordance with general expectations for appropriate student behavior as outlined in various other school policies. Violating any portion of this policy may result in disciplinary review, including possible suspension or expulsion from Whitefield Academy, and/or legal action. Whitefield Academy will

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cooperate fully with law enforcement officials in any investigation related to any potentially illegal activities conducted through our network.

The school reserves the right to apply disciplinary consequences for digitally-related activities conducted off-campus as well, regardless of device or system used, if such activity adversely affects the safety or well-being of students, employees, or other members of our community, or constitutes behavior that reflects negatively on the school.

Limitations Whitefield Academy takes precautions to restrict access to objectionable material online, but it is not possible to have full control over access to resources and materials on the Internet. Whitefield Academy reserves the right to block content that negatively impacts the academic performance of students. Whitefield Academy cannot guarantee that network services will be without error. The school will not be responsible for any lost data or interrupted service caused by malfunction, negligence, or omission. Whitefield Academy is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through the network. The school will not be responsible for financial obligations arising from unauthorized use of the network.

Sexting “Sexting” is the term used to describe a minor’s sharing of photos of persons (themselves or other individuals regardless of age) engaging in sexually-related behavior, or touching private body parts over or under clothes, or of persons partially or wholly nude, typically with private body areas uncovered through any form of electronic distribution. Students are prohibited from engaging in sexting, whether over the school’s systems or using their own electronic devices regardless of where the student was when the sexting occurred. Any student receiving such a photo must immediately report the situation to an Administrator. Even seemingly joking or flirtatious sexting behavior is wrong and will not only lead to disciplinary action but could lead to a report to law enforcement. The school will comply with all state and local laws regarding sexting.

Social Media and Social Networking Policies and Procedures Social media encompasses a broad array of online activity including social networks/media such as Twitter, Flickr, Instagram, Facebook, GroupMe, and Snapchat, TikTok, blogs, and other similar online or Internet communications.

Because this form of communication is vast and growing, we feel it is important to communicate to you the School’s position regarding a student’s use of social media or networking.

Social Media Use Away from School Property It is not our goal to regulate a student’s personal online activities when not on School property or at a School-related event. Please understand, however, that certain activities might impact a student’s relationships with other students or school employees or School rights that we do reserve the right to regulate. All students should ensure that they are familiar with the School's conduct policies to avoid any online communications that might violate those policies.

For example, you should ensure that your online activities do not violate a School policy regarding bullying or harassment, or other similar policies pertaining to how students interact with each other. If you post or say something online that makes another student feel uncomfortable, your activity may result in an investigation and possible discipline.

Students should also be aware that teachers and administrators periodically check such sites and may determine that off campus behavior violates the School conduct code by making disparaging or negative comments about the School, administration, or faculty members in a manner that is disruptive to the School’s educational mission or activities.

Other than school sanctioned sites for schoolwork, students should not “follow” or be “friends” with any faculty member or other adult member of our community (other than the student’s parent) on any of these social networking sites. Any violation of this prohibition must be reported to the Administration immediately.

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In addition, postings on social networking or other Internet sites of students engaging in inappropriate behavior (such as drinking, smoking, vaping, sexual actions, etc.) is prohibited.

Students are not permitted to use the School’s name, logo, trademark, or service mark in online activities. Students are not permitted to create websites or social networking profiles to rate teachers, discuss aspects of the School, or otherwise disclose information online that the School would find offensive or inappropriate if posted. Finally, students are not permitted to disclose any confidential information of the School, employees, students, parents, or activities online.

Weapons and Threats The school takes all threats seriously, even when students make comments in jest, on the Internet, by text, or away from school toward or about another student, employee, or the school. Students are prohibited from bringing any type of weapon to school or school-sponsored events, including knives, guns (all types), fireworks, etc. Any such item may be confiscated and, if appropriate, turned over to law enforcement. Any pictorial depictions of weapons, or verbal or written comments that the administration determines in its discretion appear to be threatening in nature, or any behavior that is threatening, will result in disciplinary consequences.

Youth Pastor and Ministry Visitation Policy Whitefield Academy was founded as a covenant school that partners with Christian families not only in education, but also in preparing young people for life. As part of this mission, Whitefield desires to support students in their faith and to encourage families as they raise children as part of the larger Christian community. As we bolster our families, we encourage them to be connected to the local church and youth ministries.

Visitors who wish to come on campus and eat with Middle/Upper School students (youth pastors, ministry workers, etc.) must get initial approval from the Director of Christian Life. Please be able to provide a driver’s license upon sign in at the front desk.

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Lower School Academic Honesty Whitefield Academy seeks to nurture absolute respect for intellectual property. Any willful misrepresentation of another’s work or ideas as one’s own (i.e., cheating or plagiarizing) will be treated with utmost concern. Our teachers realize that students in the Lower School need guidance and help with these matters and will provide direct instruction with reminders to students.

Attendance Regular school attendance is important to a student’s academic success, promoting good work habits and self-discipline. If your child is going to be absent or arriving late due to an appointment, please e-mail the office (bwebb@whitefieldacademy.com) and copy the classroom teacher or call the office (678-305-3044) by 8 a.m.

In order to be given credit for a school day, a student must be present at least two-thirds of the day, defined as 4 hours and 30 minutes. In order to be given credit for a half-day, a student must be present for at least 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Late Arrival Please arrive to school on time. Punctuality provides your child time to settle-in and begin the day in a positive and unhurried manner. Excessive tardiness will result in a response from the administration.

Students in grades PreK through grade 4 arriving after 8:00 a.m. will be considered tardy. Park and escort your child to the office to sign-in.

Early Student Dismissal If you have made arrangements for an early dismissal with your teacher, you may park and sign out your child from the Lower School office. To avoid interfering with carpool, no early student dismissal occurs after 2:30 p.m.

Unplanned Absence (Illness) – Make-Up Work If your child is sick, getting well is the number one priority. Email the teacher in the morning to make arrangements regarding make-up work. Work will be available for pick up, in the Lower School office, after 1 p.m.

All work missed due to absenteeism must be completed. Students are allowed one day to make up work for each day of absence.

In case of an extended absence due to illness, parent and teachers should determine the best schedule for making up schoolwork within a reasonable time. Make-up tests will also be scheduled by the teacher.

Planned Absence When a student’s family is planning an absence (vacation, mission trip, etc.), a parent must notify the child’s classroom teacher at least one week prior to the student’s absence. Upon return, your child will need to have all class work completed and will need to be prepared to take any and all missed quizzes or tests.

Award Assemblies These assemblies occur four times a year. Students in grades 1-4 are recognized for various characteristics in keeping with our school mission: passion for learning, others ahead of self, and the living and active Jesus. Awards will be given in a predetermined order. You will receive an e-mail from your child’s teacher when your child is being recognized.

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Bible Memory Verses We strive to educate your child from a Christian worldview. A vital part of this goal includes Bible memorization.

Please encourage your child to memorize the verse each week and look for ways throughout the week to apply the Truth to everyday life.

Birthdays Notify the classroom teacher to schedule sending in a birthday treat. If your child would like to celebrate at school, a treat may be distributed to only your child’s class. We do not use instructional time for birthday parties. A nut-free birthday treat may be sent to school or parent may bring the treat if he or she comes for lunch. Please do not provide party favors or drinks.

If you would like to purchase a book and donate it to the Media Center in honor of your child’s birthday, please discuss this with the librarian.

Party invitations may only be distributed at school if everyone in the class is included. While dismissal from school to a party is acceptable, please be mindful of hurt feelings that can occur if all are not invited.

Children with summer birthdays enjoy celebrating a special day at school also. Talk to your classroom teacher to determine a time to celebrate.

Calendar Visit the website for the school-wide calendar. Calendars featuring upcoming events for the Lower School will be sent home monthly in Thursday folders.

Carpool – Morning and Afternoon Carpool Information In order for our carpool to move efficiently and safely, Lower School staff will assist your child in exiting the vehicle. After your child exits, remain in line and wait for the preceding vehicle to move and follow suit. For safety, avoid the temptation to “go around” the vehicle in front of you as we load and unload on both sides of the vehicle.

Morning Drop-Off Each day (M, T, Th, and F) ● Curbside drop off can be as early as 7:30 a.m., and all students will wait in the Dining Hall or Media Center until classroom doors open at 7:50 a.m. ● School begins at 8:00 a.m. ● After 8:00 a.m., students are considered tardy, and the parent is required to walk their child to the office.

On Wednesday Late Start Day (School begins at 9:00 a.m.) ● Morning Cub Care begins at 7:30 a.m. Parents are required to walk their child to the Lower School Office of Brostrand Hall. This service is available for a $10 fee unless already enrolled in Cub Care. ● Curbside drop off can be as early as 8:30 a.m., and all students will wait in the Dining Hall or Media Center until classroom doors open at 8:50 a.m. ● After 9:00 a.m., students are considered tardy, and parents are required to walk their child to the office.

Afternoon Pick-up ● PreK is dismissed at 1:00 p.m. Lower School faculty will be present to assist loading your child into your vehicle. ● Kindergarten is dismissed at 2:00 p.m. Lower School faculty will be present to assist loading your child into your vehicle. ● First through Fourth Grades (and PreK and kindergarten students who attended Cub Care) are dismissed at 3:00 p.m. ● Carpool ends at 3:25 p.m. and remaining students will be taken to Cub Care where a daily rate fee of $20 will be collected.

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Student’s Vehicle Name Display For afternoon carpool, please display a sign with the name(s) of your child(ren) and other children in your carpool. Lower School faculty use these signs to have students report to carpool, so please make lettering large and legible. Keep your sign displayed until your child is in the car.

Early Student Dismissal If you have made arrangements for an early dismissal with your teacher, you may park and sign out your child from the Lower School office. To avoid interfering with carpool, no early student dismissal occurs after 2:30 p.m.

Afternoon Pick-up Options for Families with Students in Two School Levels Dual carpool line pick-up ● If you have a student in Middle School or Upper School, that student may walk down to the Lower School to meet your child and exit to the car when the Lower School sibling’s car arrives. Plan to give the older sibling time to arrive.

Release for older sibling or carpool buddy's pick-up ● If you would like your Lower School child to be released to an older student or carpool buddy, please add their names to the “Lower School Carpool Pickup Authorization” form on your child’s Magnus profile. This will be valid for the entire school year. For safety reasons, your child will not be permitted to leave unless this form is on file in the office.

Release for Buckhead Shuttle ● If your family participates in the ride-share option called Buckhead Shuttle, forms and information will be provided by the coordinator of the program who will, in turn, inform the Lower School of your child’s participation in the shuttle.

Chapels and Assemblies Lower School chapels or assemblies are held each Thursday in the LSSAC (Lower School Student Activity Center) at 8:15 a.m. They usually include a time of reciting pledges and prayer, worshiping together in song, and receiving a message from fellow classmates or a guest speaker. Student uniform chapel dress is required. Parents and guests are welcome to attend. Occasionally, all divisions have a school-wide chapel or assembly.

Class Parties When helping with a class party, we ask that siblings do not attend.

Clinic Students who become ill during the school day are required to report to the school clinic. Ill students will be sent home if they have a fever, have vomited, or have had diarrhea. Likewise, students who are deemed by the nurse to have a potentially contagious illness will be isolated from others and the parent will be notified and the child sent home. Also, we ask you, the parent, to inform the nurse’s office if your child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease such as coronavirus, chicken pox, measles, lice, influenza, strep throat, or Fifth Disease. If a student has had a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and/or experienced vomiting or diarrhea within the previous 24-hour period (without the intervention of medication), the child should not attend school. If your child has been seen by a physician and/or was treated at an urgent care clinic or hospital, please give a copy of the physician’s release to return to school and the discharge instructions with any restrictions to the nurse in the Lower School office. This is critical for the health of our student body, faculty, and staff.

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Head Lice does not pose a serious health risk but is a condition that inconveniently disrupts classroom learning and home environments. Due to its contagious nature, every effort will be made to prevent transmission among children and families at school. Checking your child’s head periodically is the proactive measure.

If your child is identified to have lice through the visualization of head lice or nits while at school by the nurse, we will maintain student privacy by quietly removing the student from the classroom and contacting the parent to retrieve the child for treatment. After removal, the protocol is as follows: ● Students may return to school the same day after receiving a treatment but must be checked by the school nurse before returning to class. o If lice are detected, the student will not be allowed to return to class and will need to be treated again. o If lice are not detected and only nits (lice eggs) are found, the nurse will use discretion to either send the student to class or home for further treatment. In either case, follow-up with combing at home will still need to be conducted to remove the unhatched nits. o Upon returning to school, students with long hair should have it braided or pulled up. ● After initial discovery, other inspections by the school nurse will take place within the following 7-10 days to search for any new possible lice infestation. ● A note from the nurse is sent to the grade level, informing parents to check their child’s head when lice is found in that grade.

Communication The entire Whitefield Academy student and parent body is committed to addressing issues and solving problems by applying biblical principles. The “Matthew 18 Principle” describes one of our most important processes for dealing with such issues. (See Matthew 18 section.) If you are concerned about a situation, schedule a meeting with the teacher before addressing your concern with an administrator. If your child comes home with an unresolved issue or a story that is upsetting to you, please check with the teacher for further information.

Home and School Communication between home and school occurs via Google Classroom page, a weekly folder, phone calls, emails, and through notes written in your child’s assignment notebook. Students’ tests and graded papers are sent home on Thursdays in the weekly folder. Monthly calendars, Whitefield Parents Association information, and flyers about Lower School and school-wide events are also sent home in this folder.

Information related to the Whitefield community is also available in the WolfPack Weekly and principal newsletter.

Messages During the school day, teachers’ primary focus is on instruction and the students. They only check e-mail and messages during planning times, so be sure not to call during school hours. The phones in the classrooms ring, disrupting instruction. E-mailing the teacher early in the day enables them to respond when students are not in their care. If a critical or timely message needs to reach a classroom, please contact the Lower School office (678-305-3044) or email bwebb@whitefieldacademy.com as early as possible to give ample time to deliver the information.

Messages related to early dismissal need to be made by 8:00 a.m. via e-mail or phone call to the Lower School office and classroom teacher.

Community Service Following the tradition of Whitefield Academy by “putting others ahead of self,” the Lower School emphasizes community service. Each grade level class selects a project annually to serve in a meaningful way. Specific information will be shared by the classroom teacher. In some cases, grade-level projects may entail a collection of items. Across all three divisions, Whitefield conducts a “Great Day of Service” on a Saturday in August, in which students, families, and faculty participate in organized volunteer efforts for community-wide outreach.

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Conferences There are two regularly scheduled parent/teacher conferences per year – one in the fall and one in the winter for all grades in Lower School. Please refer to the school’s calendar for specific dates. Lower School students do not come to school on conference days. Cub Care is offered during conference days from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. as a service to students enrolled in Cub Care for no additional cost and is offered as a service to students not enrolled in Cub Care for a daily fee. For more information, see “Cub Care” section.

Your child’s teacher will notify you of your conference time. If you have more than one student in the Lower School, the teachers will seek to schedule your conferences back-to-back. Early morning appointments are available upon request via communication with your child’s classroom teacher. Report cards will be available online and your child’s academic, social, emotional, and spiritual development will be discussed.

Beyond the scheduled conferences that occur twice a year, additional conferences may be requested during the school year for a variety of reasons and in some cases may include other educators.

Conflict Between Students Our standard of conduct is the Golden Rule, yet conflicts will develop as children navigate the nuances of peer relationships. We help students resolve their differences by teaching them to use tools for more effective communication, to change behaviors, and to extend and receive forgiveness. Talk with your child’s teacher if you believe a conflict has not been resolved, or if you need to ask for understanding about the way a situation was handled.

Cub Care Cub Care is an after-school care program available to all Lower School students, PreK through fourth grade. During Cub Care, students play with friends on the playground, enjoy a snack, work on themed craft projects, or complete homework. They are supervised by faculty members or qualified staff. In addition to after-school care, Cub Care is available on late-start Wednesdays (7:30 – 9 a.m.) and parent-teacher conference days (7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.); in the fall and winter. Cub Care does not operate on half-school days, school holidays, school vacation days, or teacher in-service days.

Whitefield Academy’s Cub Care program is not licensed, nor is required to be licensed by the State of Georgia.

Registration for semester or annual Cub Care enrollment and payment can be found on the school’s website under the following options: ● PreK Cub Care: 1 – 2 p.m. or 1 – 3 p.m. or 1 – 6 p.m. ● K Cub Care: 2 – 3 p.m. or 2 – 6 p.m. ● 1st – 4th Grade Cub Care: 3 – 6 p.m. *Enrollment in these Cub Care times does not include Wednesday late-start or parent-teacher conference day enrollment. Additional drop-in rate applies. *Please see the website for appropriate costs for Cub Care.

It is requested that parents make a reservation for their child if they plan to utilize after school Cub Care by emailing the Administrative Assistant by 12:00 noon of the requested date. There is no reservation necessary for students to utilize Wednesday morning Cub Care.

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Eligible Student Registration for Cub Care All Lower School students currently enrolled at Whitefield Academy are allowed to register for Cub Care. Cub Care is not offered for students who are not enrolled at Whitefield Academy, nor is it offered for Middle or Upper School Whitefield students. Registration fees are non-refundable.

Deliveries and Messages Any item brought to school for a student should be dropped off at the Lower School office, and it will be delivered to the student by a faculty member. Flowers, balloons, and gifts for any event should not be delivered to school for students. Messages to students should be sent via phone or email to the administrative assistant in the Lower School office for dissemination.

Discipline The desired outcome of discipline for our school is to provide our students with a sense of security and safety.

Classroom and specialist teachers outline student behavior expectations through reasonable and attainable classroom management procedures. Students are encouraged and reminded to make wise choices as they meet the established behavior procedures. In the event the student chooses to make unwise choices regarding disruptive, disrespectful, or dangerous behavior, disciplinary action and consequences may be issued based on the severity and/or frequency in this order: 1. Gentle reminder 2. Discussion with the student about the unwise choices made and ways to make better ones 3. Loss of privilege along with an apology, if appropriate 4. Removal from the problem area (still in sight of teacher) and loss of privilege 5. Phone call to parent from student and/or teacher 6. Conference with parent and teacher (perhaps with student) 7. Conference with parent, teacher, administrator (perhaps with student) 8. In-house school suspension 9. Out-of-school suspension 10. Conference with Head of School 11. Dismissal When necessary, the principal may be involved in the corrective or restorative process. Behaviors that warrant principal involvement include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Inappropriate language 2. Disrespect towards others 3. Lying/Cheating 4. Bullying 5. Stealing 6. Defiance 7. An accumulation of small offenses Drills Whitefield Academy has a comprehensive crisis management plan. This plan includes specific procedures for fire drills, tornadoes, and lockdowns. Evacuation procedures are posted in each classroom. Teachers are instructed to review important procedures with their students on a regular basis. When the alarm or announcement is made, all students are to go quickly and quietly by class to the approved school location. Fire, tornado, and lockdown drills are held to practice safety procedures.

Early Dismissal There is no release between 2:30 p.m. and carpool time. Students who need to be dismissed early must be signed out by a parent/guardian. Call the office at 678-305-3044, send a note to the teacher, or e-mail the office at

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bwebb@whitefieldacademy.com (and include your child’s teacher) by 8:00 a.m. to coordinate early dismissal arrangements. Early dismissal for your child requires making prior arrangements unless, of course, there is an emergency.

Electronic Equipment and Mobile Devices Students are not permitted to bring electronic equipment to school such as laptops, tablets, cell phones, and Smartwatches unless approved by the Lower School Administration.

Field Trips All Lower School students participate in off-campus field trips that occur during the school day. Additionally, fourth grade participates in an overnight trip. Field trips are intended to enhance classroom curriculum by providing hands-on experiences to promote student learning, bolster relationships among students, and provide an opportunity for our community to show Christ to others. Parent volunteers serve as chaperones for field trips to assist Lower School faculty as needed. Siblings are not permitted to attend field trips.

Forms From time to time, parents may need the teacher to fill out a recommendation or an evaluation form of some type.

This document needs to be channeled through the Lower School office and given to the Administrative Assistant.

Please allow three school days for the form to be completed and processed. The school will send the completed form to the appropriate place.

Fundraising School-wide fundraising along with our Capital Campaign and our Annual Fund are handled by our Development Office. Anything related to fundraising must be channeled through the Director of Development.

Grading Feedback related to students’ progress is provided to parents through comments on work and from graded assignments. Thursday folders contain the work from the week. The numerical scale, where applicable, is as follows: A+ 97-100 C+ 77-79 A 93-96 C 73-76 A- 90-92 C- 70-72 B+ 87-89 F 0-69 B 83-86 B- 80-82 Additionally, report cards will be available to families three times a year (fall, winter, and end of the school year).

The purpose of the report card is to bolster Christian families by communicating the successes and areas for growth in developing students’ passion for learning. It, along with two scheduled parent-teacher conferences (fall and winter) serve as a means to share academic, spiritual, social, and emotional progress of students.

Homework and Tests Homework is assigned nightly, Monday through Thursday, for students in kindergarten through fourth grade. It is designed to reinforce classroom instruction through practice, reinforce student responsibility, scripture memorization, and for reading and math fact practice. Homework is outlined daily in a folder or planner which is used as an organizational tool for students and a communication tool for parents. No tests will be given on Mondays or after a break.

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Variables, (e.g., student ability, work ethic, the ability to sustain focus, and speed of completion) will impact the time frame for completion. If you are concerned about the amount of homework or the length of time it is taking, talk with the teacher.

Late Start Wednesdays On Wednesdays, the school day begins at 9:00 a.m. This late start allows for division and school-wide meetings and prayer gatherings. If a late start is not conducive to a Lower School family’s schedule, Cub Care is available for students starting at 7:30 a.m.

Lost and Found Lost items should be turned in and reclaimed in the lost and found area located in the lower level stairwell of Brostrand Hall. You can assist this retrieval process by labeling all clothing items with your child’s name. All items remaining at the end of the semesters will be turned into the used uniform committee for resale.

Lunch Lunch is provided by Sage Dining Services. Students may not bring their own food unless: 1) There is a dietary/medical need. In this case, a doctor’s note must be given to our school nurse and the information is included in the student’s Magnus Medical file.

2) There is an extenuating circumstance, which is approved by the administration.

All students are expected to eat one of the several daily lunch items provided, except when there is a dietary/medical need.

Parents are welcome to dine with their child at lunch once a month by signing in at the Lower School office and receiving a nametag to denote you as a visitor. Your driver’s license will be used to sign in. There is a lunch fee of $3.00 for each adult and is payable via debit or credit card when signing in at the office.

Magnus/Medication When possible, parents are encouraged to administer any necessary medication at home. Any medicine, either prescription or over the counter, brought to school must be in the original container, labeled with the child’s name and must be brought to the clinic by the parent. Ask your pharmacist for a “school bottle” – an empty bottle with the correct prescription label.

Medication may be administered at school by the school nurse with the following guidelines: ● The Authorization to give Prescription Medication form must be completed on Magnus when the prescription medication is to be administered. ● All prescription medications, with the exception of asthma inhalers and epi-pens, are to remain in the clinic.

Inhalers and epi-pens will be kept with the teacher in a designated red medical bag in the classroom. This “red bag” will accompany the student on and off campus. ● If your child is enrolled in Cub Care or any after school program, an additional inhaler or epi-pen must be provided to the school nurse prior to the start of the program. ● A record of administration will be noted in Magnus. ● Only over-the-counter medications approved on Magnus will be administered by the school.

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Media Center Lower School students may check out a certain number of books per week, depending on the grade level. Parents may also check out books. If a Media Center book is not returned by the due date, other materials may not be checked out by the student until overdue materials are returned. All fees must be paid before any school records will be released.

Mileage Club Before school on Monday and Wednesdays during the fall and spring, Lower School students have the option of walking/running the track. Students in PreK and kindergarten must have an adult accompany them, and any parent is welcome to join the fun on the track. On Mondays, Mileage Club takes place from 7:25-7:45 a.m. and on Wednesdays from 8:25-8:45 a.m. due to the late start. Students are given incentives in the form of tokens for accumulated laps. A text message is sent the morning of Mileage Club if it will be canceled due to weather.

Musical Events If your child is participating in a musical program, his or her attendance is required for that particular performance.

If there is a scheduling conflict, please notify the music teacher as quickly as possible. If your child is sick the day of a musical event, he or she may not perform.

Partnering with Parents Biblically, parents are the ones given the charge to educate, train, and instruct their children. We value the partnership with parents and ask for your prayerful support. Our desire is to build a relationship with parents built on trust and mutual respect as we make decisions which are in your child’s best interest for long-term academic, spiritual, social, emotional, and physical growth and development.

Personal Item Labeling All uniform wear, especially outerwear, should be labeled with your child’s name as soon as the item is purchased.

Additionally, label all notebooks, and bags. If items are found on the playground, every effort will be made to return them to the student’s classroom. Otherwise, the items will be sent to Lost and Found.

Physical Education The Lower School physical education program consists of motor skill development, movement, cardiovascular fitness, and health and nutrition awareness. PreK through fourth grade have no PE uniform requirement. If PE occurs on a chapel day, children will need to bring a pair of athletic shoes to school. Any day your child is scheduled for PE, it is recommended that athletic shoes are worn.

Requesting Student Placement Student placement is a prayerful process and one that requires focus on the needs of the individual, other classmates, and creating balance in a classroom. Social, academic, and relational factors are taken into account when placing students with teachers and classmates. Please do not request specific teachers. Should there be extenuating circumstances related to this process, please schedule a meeting with the principal to discuss.

Safety/Security The safety of our students is paramount. When coming on campus, even if you are just coming for lunch, please stop by the office to obtain a visitor’s badge. Your driver’s license will be required to sign in. This will help our school personnel identify you as a Whitefield guest. Inform your family members who may come to visit during the school day of this security requirement, please. We appreciate your compliance with this safety issue.

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All substitutes, volunteers who could potentially be with students without school personnel present, individuals who spend extended time with students, and overnight field trip chaperones are required to have a background check and participate in Ministry Safe.

School Supplies The supply list for each grade is posted on the Back-to-School Hub. Supplies may be purchased through EPI, an online vendor, during May and early June each year and will be delivered to classrooms before the beginning of school. Parents may also purchase items and bring them to school during Open House in August. PreK supplies are included in tuition.

Snacks In addition to lunch, a snack is provided once a day at a time designated by the teacher.

Standardized Testing We use the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) standardized test known as the Comprehensive Testing Program (CTP5). This achievement test is administered in early fall to grades 2-4. Additionally, the Otis-Lennon School Abilities Test (OLSAT) is given to first and third grades in late fall. Results of all tests are shared with parents.

Technology Students in third and fourth grades are taught technology skills including digital stewardship, keyboarding, and the educational features of the Google platform using Chromebooks. Additionally, iPads are used for classroom integration, starting in kindergarten and first grade. Google Classroom is utilized as a learning management system for older students and a communication tool for parents.

Textbooks Textbooks and workbooks are included in the cost of tuition. Hardback books are loaned to the students, who are responsible to properly care for these and return them at the close of the school year. Parents will be charged for any damage exceeding normal wear and tear or in the event books are marked in, lost, or stolen.

Lower School Uniform Guidelines and Dress Code Students are expected to be well groomed and properly dressed each school day. With your younger students, parents assume the responsibility to send their children to school wearing the correct uniforms and adhering to the guidelines. The school will address uniform violations.

Guidelines for uniforms Shoes Light-up tennis shoes, Heelys, flip flops, and Crocs are not allowed.

Daily Predominately white, gray, navy blue, or black shoes should be worn with the daily casual uniform; other colors are not permitted.

Chapel On chapel days, students should wear a brown, black, or navy dress shoe - low heel, closed toe loafers, Bucks, Sperry Top-Sider, Mary Janes, saddle shoes, or a solid oxford-type shoe are examples of acceptable choices.

Socks Socks are required daily (solid white, dark blue, dark gray, brown, or black).

Belts Belts must be worn in Grades 1-4; belts are optional for PreK and K students. ● ●

Shirts must be tucked inside the trouser, short, skort, or skirt.

A raincoat/ poncho (a parent’s choice) is to be worn on rainy days for carpool and for walking on campus.

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This item should be stored in book bags for the unexpected moment or left in the student’s cubby at school.

Uniform shorts may be worn when weather permits – there are no date parameters.

Teachers will inform the students of the uniform requirement for each field trip – red field trip t-shirts will usually be worn.

Tennis shoes are not to be worn with the dress/chapel uniform, unless PE special occurs on chapel day, in which case a change of shoe is acceptable.

Ladies may wear boots from December to Spring Break unless otherwise noted. Boots are to be a basic style, worn for warmth, not as a fashion statement. Cowboy boots are not allowed. Boots should be brown, gray, black, navy, or tan.

On Fridays, students may wear any Whitefield t-shirt along with the remaining required uniform items.

Any heavy coat can be worn when temperatures are below freezing, and any rain coat/poncho may be worn. Non-uniform coats/jackets may not be worn in the classroom.

Non-Uniform Dress Day Occasionally, students may be given a “Non-Uniform Dress Day.” On these days, students are required to dress modestly and tastefully following these requirements: ● Light-up tennis shoes, Heelys, flip flops, and Crocs are not allowed. Predominately white, gray, navy blue or black shoes or sneakers should be worn with the daily casual uniform; other colors are not permitted. ● Clothing should be neat, clean, and without holes. ● Belts should be worn if trousers or shorts have belt loops, except for PreK and K students. ● T-shirts should be tasteful. No tank tops. ● Skirts and shorts must be of modest length. ● Clothing and accessories should never include hate symbols or discriminating message (i.e., Confederate flag, swastika, etc.) ● Anything questionable should not be worn to school.

Guidelines for Personal Appearance ● Ladies’ hair items should match/complement the uniform. ● No over-sized earrings or large jewelry may be worn. Studs or dime-sized earrings are recommended.

Earrings are not permitted for boys. ● No make-up may be worn with uniform. Lip balm is permitted. ● Jumpers and skorts should be no shorter than 3 inches above the knee.

Hair Guidelines ● No hats of any style are to be seen or worn once a student arrives on campus for school until after the student leaves campus unless temperatures are below freezing. ● Students are to keep their hair neat, in good taste, and not a distraction. This includes, but is not limited to, any unnatural color, spikes, or unnatural colored tips. For young men and women, hair must be out of the face. ● For young men, hair must be cut so that it is above the eyebrows and collar. Gentlemen may not use ponytail holders or other accessories to pull hair back into a ponytail or bun style to ensure hair is the proper length. Discretion is given to the principal and other designees to decide whether hair is appropriate and consistent with Whitefield standards.

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Lower School Uniforms All items, unless specified, must be purchased at the Whitefield Campus Store, Uniform Resale, or Land’s End PreK Boys and Girls PreK students wear a uniform every day.

Daily Wear: Shirt: Skorts: Shorts: Pants: Socks: Tights: Belts: Shoes: Hair Accessories:

Navy polo shirt with Whitefield logo Khaki skorts (girls only) Khaki with W logo (boys only) Khaki appropriate fit pants with W logo (pants are optional for girls).

White, navy, tan, or black socks (not required to be purchased at Campus Store) Navy, gray, or white tights/leggings (not required to be purchased at Campus Store) Magnetic khaki/navy or leather black and brown (not required for PreK) Predominately white, gray, navy, or black athletic shoes or dress shoes (Not available at the Campus Store) White, navy, or light blue bows, Whitefield plaid hairbands, or any bow that matches the uniform colors. On Fridays, bows can be any color that match the Friday wear t-shirt.

Outerwear:

Cardigans, sweaters, vests, and jackets are available from the Campus Store

Sweatshirts:

Whitefield hooded or crewneck sweatshirts are available from the Campus Store

Friday Wear:

Whitefield t-shirt with uniform pants, shorts, or skort

Chapel Wear:

Second semester PreK students attend chapel, but they do not need a specific chapel uniform.

Required items for all PreK students: “Wolfie” bag serves as your student’s book bag and is provided by the school. ● Red field trip t-shirt may be worn on Fridays in addition to field trip days. *Plain white or navy t-shirt or turtleneck (no logos) may be worn under uniform shirt for warmth.

Kindergarten Girls Daily Wear: Shirt: Skorts: Pants: Socks: Tights: Shoes: Hair Accessories:

Navy or white polo shirt Striped oxford may not be worn with plaid skort for daily wear Navy shirt may be worn with khaki and plaid Khaki, navy, or plaid Khaki girls pants with W logo (optional) White, navy, tan, or black socks - required daily Navy, gray, or white tights or leggings (not required to be purchased at Campus Store) Predominately white, gray, navy, or black athletic shoes or dress shoes; those with sparkles or glitter do not comply.

White, navy, light blue bows, Whitefield plaid hairbands, or any bow that matches the uniform colors. On Fridays, bows can be any color that match the Friday wear t-shirt.

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Chapel Wear: Jumper: Shoes:

Navy with white Peter Pan collar blouse Black, brown, or navy closed toe and heel, leather shoes with low heel (saddle shoes, Mary Janes, and similar shoes are acceptable choices) Kindergarten Boys

Daily Wear: Shirt: Pants/shorts: Shoes: Socks: Chapel Wear: Shirt: Pants: Tie: Belt: Socks: Shoes:

Navy or white polo shirt with Whitefield logo Khaki with W logo Predominately white, gray, navy or black athletic shoes or dress shoes (Not available at the Campus Store) White, navy, tan, or black socks White button-down oxford – short-sleeve or long-sleeve Khaki pants with W logo Whitefield tie – no bow tie (purchased from Campus Store only).

Magnetic khaki/navy or leather black or brown (optional) Dark or tan socks Black or brown closed toe and heel, leather dress shoes (Bucks, loafers, Sperry Topsiders, and similar styles are acceptable choices)

Required items for all Kindergarten students: “Wolfie” bag serves as your student’s book bag and is provided by the school.. ● Red field trip t-shirt may be worn on Fridays in addition to being worn on field trip days. ● Friday wear includes a Whitefield t-shirt with uniform pants, shorts, or skort. ● Outerwear should be cardigans, sweaters, vests, and jackets available from the Campus Store. ● Sweatshirts should be Whitefield hooded or crewneck sweatshirts available from the Campus Store. *No sweatshirts allowed with chapel uniform. *Plain white or navy t-shirt or turtleneck (no logos) may be worn under uniform shirt for warmth. These are not available in the Campus Store.

1st - 4th Grade Girls Daily Wear: Shirt: Skorts: Pants : Socks: Tights: Shoes: Hair Accessories: Jewelry:

Navy or white polo shirt Navy shirt may be worn with khaki and plaid Khaki, navy, or plaid Khaki girls khaki pants with W logo (optional) White, navy, tan, or black socks - required daily (Not required to be purchased at Campus Store) Navy, gray, or white tights/leggings (not required to be purchased at Campus Store) Predominately white, gray, navy, or black athletic shoes or dress shoes; those with sparkles or glitter do not comply (not available at the Campus Store) White, navy, or light blue bows, Whitefield plaid hairbands, or any bow that matches the uniform colors. On Fridays, bows can be any color that match the Friday Wear t-shirt.

Small earrings may be worn. Other jewelry items should be modest and minimal.

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Chapel Wear for 1st-3rd grade: Jumper: Navy with white Peter Pan collar blouse Chapel Wear for 4th grade: Shirt: Blue oxford, long or short sleeve Skort: Navy Shoes: Black, brown, or navy closed toe and heel, leather dress shoes with low heel (Saddle shoes, Mary Janes, and shoes similar are acceptable choices) Required items for all 1st- 4th grade students: ● Red field trip t-shirt may be worn on Fridays in addition to being worn on field trip days (purchased at the Campus Store). ● Friday Wear should be a Whitefield t-shirt with uniform pants, shorts, or skort ● Outerwear can be cardigans, sweaters, vests, and jackets available at the Campus Store. ● Sweatshirts should be Whitefield hooded or crewneck sweatshirts available from the Campus Store *No sweatshirts allowed with chapel uniform *Plain white or navy t-shirt or turtleneck (no logos) may be worn under regulation uniform shirt for warmth. These are not available in the Campus Store.

1st - 4th Grade Boys Daily Wear: Shirt: Pants/shorts: Belt:

Navy or white polo shirt with Whitefield logo (Navy may be worn with khaki only) Khaki or navy purchased from Campus Store Magnetic khaki/navy or leather black or brown

Shoes: Socks:

Predominately white, gray, navy, or black athletic shoes or dress shoes White, navy, tan, or black socks

Chapel Wear: Shirt: Pants: Tie: Belt: Socks: Shoes: Inclement Weather:

White button-down oxford – short-sleeve or long-sleeve Khaki with W logo Whitefield tie for grades 1-4; bowtie is acceptable for 4th grade only Magnetic khaki/navy or leather black or brown Dark or tan socks Black or brown closed toe and heel, leather dress shoes (Bucks, loafers, Sperry Topsiders, and similar styles are acceptable choices.)

Any heavy coat can be worn when temperatures are below freezing, and any raincoat/poncho may be worn. Non-uniform coats/jackets may not be worn in the classroom.

Required items for all 1st-4th grade students: ● Red field trip t-shirt may be worn on Fridays in addition to being worn on field trip days. ● Friday Wear should be a Whitefield t-shirt with uniform pants or shorts. ● Outerwear can be cardigans, sweaters, vests, and jackets available from the Campus Store. ● Sweatshirts should be Whitefield hooded or crewneck sweatshirts available from the Campus Store. *No sweatshirts allowed with chapel uniform *Plain white or navy t-shirt or turtleneck (no logos) may be worn under regulation uniform shirts for warmth. *Ties, field trip shirts and jackets are only available at the Campus Store.

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Visitors All visitors, including parents, check in at the Lower School office to obtain a visitor’s pass. Your driver’s license will be used to sign in. This is for the safety of our student body.

Water Bottles Your child is encouraged to bring a water bottle to school daily for classroom use. Please label it with your child’s name.

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Middle School School Hours Middle School hours begin at 7:30 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; the first class of the day begins at 8:00 a.m. On late start Wednesdays, drop off begins at 8:30am and the first class of the day begins at 9:00 a.m. School ends at 3:00 p.m. each day. Optional after school extra help hours are from 3:00-3:30 p.m. each day except Friday.

Academics

Academic Excellence The student in each grade level with the highest overall average receives the Academic Excellence Award at a year-end ceremony.

Dismissal for Academic Reasons After the end of the second semester, re-enrollment for a student in 6th or 7th grade who fails two or more courses for the year is left up to the discretion of the Middle School Principal. A student in 8th grade failing two or more full year courses will not be re-enrolled the following school year. An exception will be considered for 8th graders failing foreign language or Algebra I, as those courses may be repeated in 9th grade.

Eighth Grade Courses with Upper School Credit The following courses are offered in 8th grade and carry with them Upper School credit if students meet the requirements of the courses: Algebra 1, Honors Algebra 1, Physical Science, French 1, Latin 1, and Spanish 1. Students passing these courses will receive Upper School credit, but the grades in these courses will not be included in Upper School grade point average calculations.

Extra Help Every teacher will be in the classroom from 3:00-3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday to provide extra help for any student. Students are encouraged to attend extra help if they have questions regarding assignments or would simply like to work on homework. Middle School practices and rehearsals do not begin until after 3:45 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays.

Students are encouraged to attend extra help as needed. This period allows time to ask questions, to clarify ideas, to practice or reinforce skills, to make up work or tests due to absences or to pursue a special topic of interest. It is a time to provide individualized help, although the number of students in attendance on any given day will necessarily affect the amount of individualized attention students can receive. Any student having difficulty scheduling extra help should see the grade chair for assistance. ● ● ●

Any student with a grade of 75 and below should seek extra help.

Any student with a grade below 70 will be required by the grade chair and subject teacher to report to extra help.

Any student, regardless of his or her average in the class, may be required to attend extra help at the teacher’s discretion.

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Final Exams Beginning in sixth grade, Middle School students take final exams at the end of each semester in all their core academic courses. The exam schedule is posted on the school calendar. Exam periods last 2 hours and will count as follows: ● 10% of the semester grade in 6th grade courses except Bible ● 15% of the semester grade in 7th grade courses and most 8th grade courses ● 20% of the semester grade in 8th grade courses with Upper School credit Grades Unlike the Upper School in which grades and passing or failure of a course are based on grades for each semester independently, the Middle School bases final grades, and whether a student passes or fails a course, on the grade at the end of the school year. The Middle School grade at the end of the school year is calculated by averaging the first and second semester grades for each course. At the end of each nine-week reporting period, a progress report is available on the Whitefield Academy website (click “Parents”). The site contains the student’s cumulative grades to that point in the semester.

Teacher comments regarding grades are also viewable on the Whitefield Academy website under the Parent Portal four times a year.

Grade Reporting Semester grades will be reported as follows: ● Mid-Semester Grading Period - grades with comments for all students ● Semester Grading Period - grades for all students and comments for students who failed a course Grading Scale ● 90-100 (A) ● 80-89 (B) ● 70-79 (C) ● Below 70 (F) Homework Homework is given to facilitate next-day classroom discussion or to prepare students for concepts to be presented in class. If this homework is not done on time, the student is ill- prepared to be a participant and learner in class. The consequences for late homework will be determined by the individual academic departments. Homework is a graded part of the curriculum.

Studying for a test or working on long-term projects will require longer amounts of homework time and essential time management skills. Middle School students are encouraged to review the notes from all their courses on a daily basis in order to build good study habits and to avoid procrastination. The Middle School planners are designed specifically for each grade level at Whitefield, and we will use these to build out executive functioning skills in all students.

The school recognizes that parents may and should be interested in and encourage their child’s efforts; ultimately, however, homework represents the student’s efforts and should not be done by parents. In addition, sharing of homework with another student, unless specifically permitted in certain cases of group work by teachers, breaks the Honor Code.

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Assignments are not given over Labor Day, Fall Break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Winter Break, Spring Break, Easter vacation, on the return from retreats, or on other occasions specified by the principal.

Meaning, nothing can be due on the day of the return from these times.

Honor Roll Each semester the Head of School’s list will consist of students with an overall average of at least a 94 with no failing grades. The Principal’s List will consist of students with an overall average of 90-93 with no failing grades.

Honors Courses Middle School 8th grade honors courses offer differentiated instruction designed to challenge Middle School learners with advanced abilities. The Middle School faculty evaluates a student’s grades, aptitude, standardized test scores, and work ethic to determine placement into an honors course. Algebra I honors helps prepare students to enter the Upper School Honors/Advanced Placement Program, but Middle School honors courses are not required in order to enter the program in Upper School.

At the end of the first semester, all students in an honors course will be evaluated on their ability to remain in the course based on the first semester grade. As a general rule, a student who scores a 75 or below will be placed in the non-honors course for the second semester, as long as the student’s schedule will allow.

In order to be placed in the Upper School Honors course, 8th grade students must have at least an 85 average or higher at the end of the year in honors courses. Exceptions to this policy will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Late Work Major assignments, whether papers or projects, are unlike daily homework in that they are not assigned in order to prepare the student for a particular class period. Major assignments will be accepted after the due date, but not without consequence. For Middle School students, the consequences for late homework will be determined by the individual academic departments. Best practices encourage faculty to not leave zeros in the grade book for incomplete homework; but rather, faculty should require students to complete any missing assignments to assess student learning.

Semester Failure/Credit Recovery A student must earn an average of 70% or higher in course work each semester to earn credit towards graduation. If the required course is a one-semester course, the student must repeat the failed course. If the course is a two-semester course, the student may have to repeat the failed semester(s) based on the rules outlined below: • If the student fails the first semester but earns a high enough passing grade for the second semester to bring the year-end average up to ≥ 70, the student will earn full credit for the year. In this case, the average of the semester one and semester two grades will be listed for each semester and factored into the student’s cumulative GPA. • If the student earns a passing grade for the first semester but fails the second semester, the student has not demonstrated mastery of the course expectations and will have to repeat the second semester of the course.

• If a student does fail a course, he or she has the option to repeat the course at Whitefield Academy (if the student’s schedule allows) or through Georgia Virtual School (GAVS), Sevenstar Academy, or another approved, accredited online/off-campus institution. The failing grade will remain on the transcript, but if the student earns credit through alternative means (described above), this passing grade will also be factored into the student’s GPA.

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Subject Area Achievement Several students are recognized for achievement in the various subject areas at a year-end ceremony.

Tests and Major Projects The Middle School tries to structure each grade to ensure that no student should have more than two tests administered and/or major projects due on the same day (this does not apply to quizzes or short papers).

Attendance Regular school attendance and punctuality are important to a student’s academic success. Such habits promote good work habits, self-discipline, allow for continuity of instruction, and enable a student to settle in and begin the school day in an effective and unhurried manner.

Students who do not attend at least half of the school day (3 ½ hours) may not participate in interscholastic activities for that day and are considered absent for the purpose of the attendance policy. More than ten absences in a semester are considered excessive.

A student is expected to attend school and meet all scheduled classes, assemblies, and activities unless properly excused. Students must remain on campus until officially excused or officially dismissed.

After School Supervised After-School Study Hall (included with tuition): Available Monday through Friday from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Students not involved in practicing or competing in extracurricular activities are to be picked up at 3 p.m. unless they will be attending extra help. Students who remain on campus after 3:30 p.m. and are not involved in an extracurricular activity, must report to after-school study hall. This study hall is provided for parents who are not able to pick their students up right away. This study hall is not to be used as a convenient location for other students to study. Middle School students are not allowed to be in any other location on campus (including the gym, Upper School, Quad, Lower School, Innovation Lab, etc.) after school without parent or staff supervision. Students involved in extracurricular activities are to report to the after-school study hall if they are not picked up immediately following the activity.

All students remaining on campus after school hours who do not report to study hall will receive disciplinary consequences (see the “Student Behavior” section of this handbook). Outside of participation in some extracurricular activities, no adult supervision is provided in the Middle School after 5:30 p.m., and all students must be picked up no later than that time. The school assumes no responsibility for students who are not picked up by this time. Other arrangements must be made if a student cannot be picked up by that time.

Check-In/Check-Out Students in Middle School arriving after 8:00 a.m. (or 9:00 on Wednesday) are considered tardy and must sign in at the Middle School Office before proceeding to class. Excessive tardies will result in disciplinary action.

Parents are urged to avoid early dismissals for their children unless absolutely necessary. Students who need to be dismissed early must be checked out of the Middle School Office by a parent/guardian. Please notify the office by e-mail or phone no later than 8:00 a.m. to prepare for a student to be checked out. Every effort will be made to have your child in the office to meet you at the designated release time. Please do not come to school and request an early dismissal for your child without making prior arrangements unless there is an emergency.

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Excessive Absences Irregular attendance is disruptive to a student’s academic progress. Parents are asked to see that absences are held to a minimum and that they are due to legitimate, unavoidable circumstances. Parents are asked to avoid taking or dismissing students from school. While the school realizes that there will be times when extenuating or special circumstances require a student to miss school, frequent or long absences from class for nonessential reasons are not conducive to an appropriate attitude toward learning.

Whitefield feels that class attendance is essential for academic growth and therefore reserves the right to refuse credit to students who miss eight (8) or more classes in any course during the semester unless the Administration determines that extenuating circumstances exist. The administration reserves the right to address each case individually and act appropriately. In the case of a prolonged or recurring illness, the school may require a medical explanation from the physician.

Excused Absences Excused absences include but are not limited to: ● Illness ● Emergency family matter ● Bereavement ● Dental or medical appointment, when appointment at another time is not possible ● Graduation or wedding of family member

Planned Absences Parents should send a note to the grade chair as early as possible for a planned absence, at the very latest two days before the absence is to occur. Upon receipt of the parental note, the student will need to get assignments from his/her teachers.

Unexcused Absences Absences for any reason other than those listed in the “excused Absences” section of this handbook are considered unexcused. The student who misses school for an unexcused reason must assume all responsibility for making up missed work.

Family trips that do not coincide with official Whitefield holidays are unexcused, except in cases that the principal deems extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime events.

Late Arrivals, Early Dismissals, and Tardies Tardies to school will result in disciplinary action as follows: ● After three (3) morning tardies in one semester – lunch detention and first offense parent email ● The sixth (6th) tardy in one semester - one morning detention and a phone call from dean of students ● Any additional tardies during one semester will be referred to the dean of students and may result in an in-school detention or out-of-school suspension.

Tardies to class during the school day will result in disciplinary action as follows: ● Three (3) tardies to any class within one week will result in a lunch detention and email to parent. ● Six (6) tardies to any class within semester – one classroom detention and phone call to parent ● Nine (9) tardies to any class within semester– one morning detention and a parent/student conference with the grade chair

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Any additional tardies to the class will be referred to the dean of students and may result in an in-house or out-of-school suspension.

If students sign in late and miss tests/quizzes, they must be prepared to make up those tests or quizzes after school the same day. Students who miss tests/quizzes because of appointments must have permission from the teachers before leaving and must arrange in advance the test or quiz makeup times.

Make-Up Work All work missed because of an absence must be made up to the satisfaction of the teacher. Students are allowed the same number of days as they were absent to complete the work due to illness or other types of excused absences. If the first day absent is a test/quiz day, the student can expect to make up the test/quiz on the day of return unless other arrangements have been made in advance with the grade chair or the teacher. If the student is absent for only one day, and the day that the student is absent is the test/quiz day, then the student is expected to take the test/quiz on the day of return. Also, if the day the student returns from a one-day absence is the test/quiz day, then the student is expected to take the test/quiz the day upon return.

Students who have been absent two (2) or more days and have a number of tests or quizzes and other assignments to make up should work with the grade chair and the classroom teachers to devise a schedule for making up the work.

Extracurricular Eligibility A precondition of participating in the extracurricular life of the school (games, plays, concerts, practices, etc.) is the attending of academic classes. Those who do not abide by this policy may not participate in the extracurricular activities on the day of the absence unless otherwise authorized by the principal. A student must be present for the academic day no later than 11:00 a.m. in order to participate in the day’s extracurricular events. If it is a half-day schedule, he/she must check in before 10:00 a.m.

Community Service

Whitefield Academy places very high value on service to our community. Most importantly, community service is an opportunity to build meaningful relationships with others both on and off campus, teaching our students the meaning of the portion of our mission statement that emphasizes “others ahead of self.”

Grades 5 & 6: Middle School students in the 5th and 6th grades will participate in grade-wide community service projects throughout the year. There is no reporting requirement for 5th or 6th grade students.

Grade 7: 7th grade students will document their service hours on the community service form provided by the grade chair and advisors. This form is also available on the web site at www.MobileServe.com.Seventh grade students should fill out their personal information on the forms and ask a supervisor for the community service activity to fill out the bottom half of the form and sign it. Completed community service forms should be submitted to the student’s 7th grade advisor who will verify the 10 completed hours. Five hours must be in service to a charitable organization (church, charity/nonprofit, etc.) outside of Whitefield Academy. Five hours may be for Whitefield Academy, for example working for the Used Uniform Sale, serving concessions at a sporting event, ambassador for admissions, etc. All hours may be in service outside of Whitefield Academy. The Grade Chair for grade 7 will make final determinations as to the alignment with Whitefield’s community service requirements.

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We encourage our 7th and 8th grade students to be involved in as many community service projects as possible. Whitefield students in grades 7 and 8 must complete 10 hours of community service per school year. Five hours must be in service to a charitable organization (church, charity/nonprofit, etc.) outside of Whitefield Academy. Five hours may be for Whitefield Academy. Please note that some off-campus opportunities are service to Whitefield Academy and will be counted as such. All hours may be in service outside of Whitefield Academy.

Grade 8 We encourage our 8th grade students to be involved in as many community service projects as possible. Whitefield students in grade 8 must complete 10 hours of community service per school year. Five hours must be in service to a charitable organization (church, charity/nonprofit, etc.) outside of Whitefield Academy. Five hours may be for Whitefield Academy. Please note that some off-campus opportunities are service to Whitefield Academy and will be counted as such. All hours may be in service outside of Whitefield Academy.

Community service hours for Whitefield students in grades 8 – 12 are documented on the website www.MobileServe.com. An adult with the church or charity / nonprofit who can verify that the service was performed must provide an email address for verification of hours served. The Grade Chair for grade 8 will make final determinations as to the alignment with Whitefield’s community service requirements.

Service to friends, family, or a business/profit making organization is important, but does not necessarily meet the requirements for Whitefield Community Service. Although Whitefield recognizes and values service performed within the family and for neighbors, generally, service hours which can be recorded at Whitefield will be only those related to non-profits and churches, including all service performed in school-related activities such as mission trips and local opportunities sponsored by teachers. The community service coordinator will make final determinations as to the alignment with Whitefield’s community service requirements.

Community service completed for merit badges or any other type of recognition for other organizations does not qualify for the Community Service Requirement for Whitefield Academy.

Mission trips will be counted as 10 hours per day in the locale, not including travel days.

Whitefield students are strongly encouraged to pursue community service opportunities in the summer.

Many students complete their hours through summer church and community opportunities because they know how busy they will be during the school year. All service hours completed during the summer must be documented no later than the end of the first quarter of school, Wednesday, October 11, 2023.

Community service hours for the year must be completed by the last school day of April, April 30, 2024.

Students who have not completed their service hours by the last school day of April will not be given access to final grades, transcripts, or yearbooks.

Community service hours for Whitefield students in grades 7 – 12 are documented on the website www.MobileServe.com . Beginning August 1, 2022, Whitefield 7th and 8th by grade students have an account at the website and will be instructed how to download the app, activate their accounts, and document hours. Many MS students will need to have their accounts verified by a parent or guardian due to being age 13 or younger. An adult with the church or charity / nonprofit who can verify that the service was performed must provide an email address for verification of hours served.

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The Ephesians Award The student who is the most enthusiastic about community service over the course of the school year will earn the Ephesians Award. Hours of service within the Whitefield community and the outside community will be considered.

Discipline

For minor offenses, the discipline progression will be as follows: Minor Issues (examples include excessive talking, disrespectful behavior, misbehavior in the hallways, being in the wrong place at the wrong time, etc.)

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First Offense: Teacher Warning + Teacher email to parents

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Second Offense: Teacher calls parent

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Third Offense: Teacher Assigns 30-minute detention in classroom (justification: restoration between teacher/student) and contact the parent

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Fourth Offense: If detention is missed or behavior persists, the student is referred to the Grade Chair. Grade Chair calls home; the Dean recommends a FLEX or fun activity to be withheld from the student

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Fifth Offense: If persists, student is referred to the Dean; Dean calls parents; Dean assigns Morning Detention ISD, Saturday School, or OSS

Detentions Detention would result from a few minor offenses or one major offense depending on severity. Middle School detentions will be held at a time designated by the Dean of Students. Detentions for timeliness to school are most likely held in the morning before school. Detentions for other minor offenses (i.e. unapproved cellphone use, dress code violations, minor classroom disruption, etc.) are most likely held during lunch or after school. Depending on the behavior infraction, students might have to serve only one detention or may have to serve two consecutive detentions. Students may not be late to any detention. If a student is late, he or she will be asked to serve at the next detention. Students who skip detention may serve a Saturday School. Students must sit silently for the full time of the detention without sleeping or distracting other students. Students may study during this time without the use of technology.

Detentions will be administered in 4 tiers. ● Lunch detentions will be held daily for dress code violations as well as minor tardy infractions. ● Classroom detentions will require attendance on one afternoon with the supervising classroom teacher; these detentions are restorative in nature. ● Detentions are assigned by the dean of students for more serious violations and discipline matters.

These are held on Tuesday mornings in the Middle School building from 6:45 until 7:45 am.

Students must sit silently for the full time of the detention without sleeping or distracting other students. Students may study during this time as long as they are not using technology. ● Major detentions occur on Saturday mornings.

Students must not be late to any detention. If a student is late, he/she will be asked to serve a second detention.

Examples of behaviors leading to lunch or classroom detentions include (Depending on the severity of these offenses, they may be considered “major offenses”). ● Classroom disturbance Family Handbook 2023-2024

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Disrespect to another person Minor disruptions of class, assemblies, or school sponsored events *The above list is not intended as exhaustive. ● ●

Examples of behaviors earning morning detention include (depending on the severity of these offenses, they may be considered “major offenses”.): ● Cutting class ● Inappropriate language, spoken or written ● Insubordination ● Defacing school property or the property of others ● Repeated minor offenses ● Excessive tardies ● Forgery ● Dishonesty/cheating *The above list is not intended as exhaustive.

When serving a Middle School detention, students are required to wear the appropriate uniform.

Repeated Detentions If a student has accumulated three (3) classroom, morning, or Saturday detentions over the course of the semester, he/she will require a parent conference with the principal and the dean of students. A further detention will possibly lead to suspension. Any subsequent detentions will then be evaluated by the principal, Dean of Students, and Head of School and may lead to expulsion.

Detentions are set so that they do not prove punitive to school team activities or obstruct extra academic help. Detentions may be postponed to the next week for: ● A previously planned family trip, ● A religious retreat or ● A school function.

This postponement may be granted only if a written explanation is submitted to the Dean of Students before 12:00 p.m. (noon) on the Thursday prior to the detention.

Major Offenses ● Lying, cheating, and stealing. These offenses attack the very foundation of the school’s Honor Code (see Honor Code and Honor Council). ● Plagiarism Policy (See Plagiarism Policy). ● Violation of the school’s Drug and Alcohol Policy. ● Assault, including threats of bodily harm and/or sexual assault, of teachers, administrators, other school personnel, other students, or persons attending school-related functions. ● Threats (even when made in jest). ● Disrespectful conduct towards teachers, administrators, other school personnel, other students, or persons attending school–related functions. ● Electronic disrespect. Any disrespectful words, pictures, or images in electronic or written form (including the internet, text messages, chat rooms, blogs, social networking, sexting, or similar forums for public exchange) that the school administration considers disrespectful to the school, its teachers, its administrators, parents, and other students. ● Gambling at Whitefield Academy or at school-sponsored events. ● Sexual harassment or sexual misconduct ● Racist comments or behavior ● Damaging or defacing personal property or school property (vandalism). ● Defiance, disorderly conduct, disobeying school rules, regulations, or directives; disobeying directives given by teachers, administrators, or other school staff. ● Unexcused absenteeism/truancy (“skipping class”)

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● ● ● ● ●

Vandalism Inappropriate language (minor or major) Fighting, pushing, hitting, tripping, physical horseplay, or roughhousing of any kind are prohibited and may lead to disciplinary consequences for all of the individuals.

Bullying The possession, viewing, or distribution of pornography in either electronic or hard copy form.

The school reserves the right to determine what material is pornographic.

A student who commits a major offense will be referred immediately to the dean for disciplinary action.

The Principal and/or a designee will impose consequences based upon the circumstances of the situation, which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following: detention, in-school detention, out-of-school suspension, school or community service, loss or restriction of privileges, behavioral probation, exclusion, or expulsion. Because Whitefield Academy reserves the right to administer discipline for all student misconduct and behavior whether the actions occur on campus or off campus, Whitefield Academy may conduct investigations and intervene when off-campus infractions occur, particularly when the infractions involve drinking, drugs, and other serious offenses.

Further, many of the major offenses listed above are also violations of state and/or federal law and may result in prosecution under the law. Whitefield Academy fully embraces its legal responsibilities as they relate to student protection and serious student misbehavior. Thus, appropriate Whitefield Academy administrative personnel will report every case of possible sexual abuse to the appropriate legal authorities (i.e., Child Protective Services). Additionally, Whitefield Academy administrative personnel may involve law enforcement officials in other cases of serious student misbehavior when evidence dictates such involvement is a prudent course of action and/or when there is a specific legal requirement to do so.

Saturday School Saturday School is a more serious consequence than a morning detention. Saturday School results from accumulating repeated detentions and/or minor offenses, skipping detention, or from a major offense.

Students serve Saturday School from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Saturday School is typically held one Saturday a month. Skipping a Saturday School will result in an In-School Detention.

Additional Explanation Regarding Selected Major Rule Violations Further clarification is provided below regarding some of the major rule violations.

If a student refuses to participate or cooperate at any stage of an investigation, or is unable to do so for whatever reason, including without limitation, pending criminal charges, the school reserves the right to take action, including proceeding without a statement from the student, or to require the student to withdraw from school.

Lying, Cheating, Stealing These broad areas of student indiscretion strike at the very core of trust, integrity, and honor. Violations of the honor pledge and code are handled by the Middle School Principal and the Dean of Students in consultation with the individual classroom teacher. Please note the following definitions: Lying Any action, appearance, or statement which an individual knows, or should know, to be untrue given with the intention to deceive.

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Cheating Using or attempting to use unauthorized assistance or advantage in academic work that is submitted as one’s own individual efforts or the giving of such assistance to others.

Stealing Taking or attempting to take property, whether physical or intellectual, without right or permission.

The Whitefield Academy Honor Code has been in existence since the inaugural year of the school (1997-1998). A constitution detailing all aspects of the Honor Code was prepared and is operating at Whitefield Academy. Each member of the Middle School student body receives a copy of that constitution. The three basic components of the constitution include the Honor Pledge, Honor Code, and Honor Council.

Fighting Students involved in an incident defined by the Principal as fighting will be suspended out of school. The number of days of suspension will depend upon the severity of the situation. All students involved in the fight will receive disciplinary consequences whether they contributed to starting or continuing the fight.

Investigations Students are expected to cooperate in investigations. Students are expected to be honest, but honesty is not necessarily a mitigating factor and students’ own statements may be used against them. Failure to cooperate with an investigation may be cause for disciplinary action.

If a student refuses to participate or cooperate at any stage of an investigation, or is unable to do so for whatever reason, including without limitation, pending criminal charges, the school reserves the right to take action, including proceeding without a statement from the student, or to require the student to withdraw from school.

Cellphones/Electronic Devices/Headphones To the extent that a student brings any electronic device to school (cell phones, headphones, iPad, MP3 players, smart watches, electronic gaming devices, computers (laptop, tablet, etc.), the student does so at his/her own risk. The school will not be responsible for the theft, damage, or loss of such devices.

With the exception of the laptop program or unless specific consent has been given by the faculty or administration, students are not allowed to use or have on their person electronic devices that connect to the internet, are able to utilize text messaging, or include games or other distracting elements during the school day (8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.).

Cell phones and other electronic devices may be utilized before or after school hours, but those devices should be used solely for the purpose of quick communication with parents, rides, or imperative activities.

When necessary, students may make phone calls in the Middle School office. If permission has been granted for use of a device during the school day, students must comply with the guidelines relating to such use. Whenever such use is permitted, students may not use electronic devices in any way that is inappropriate, harassing, or disruptive to the educational environment. The visible/audible content stored on a cell phone or any technology such as images, wallpapers, and ringtones are to be school-appropriate. Students are not permitted to use electronic devices to make threats, use camera

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features to take inappropriate pictures or videos, videotape, or record classes, send text messages to other students in class, or in ways that would otherwise violate a school rule.

Students who violate this policy will have their electronics confiscated and turned in to the dean of students. In such cases, the school reserves the right to inspect the device, including all contents.

Students must provide any passwords to inspect the device upon request by a school administrator. After a second occurrence, parents will be required to come to the school office to pick up confiscated items. The third offense will result in the student not being permitted to bring the device to school. Students will also be subject to disciplinary procedures for violation of this policy. ● First Offense: Device confiscated and returned after 3:00 p.m. ● Second Offense: Parents called. Student will be required to leave the device at home for 5 school ● days ● Third Offense: Parents called. Student will be required to leave the device at home for the rest of ● the semester.

Any student found to have an electronic device in his/her possession and turned on during a test or examination will be presumed to have used the device to cheat, sit before the Faculty Honor Council if in 7th or 8th grade, and will receive a zero for the test/examination.

The range of possible disciplinary consequences include one or more of the following: Lunch Detention Lunch detention will be served on the day the infraction occurs during lunch. These are assigned by the Dean of Students. This consequence is usually given for minor infractions.

Classroom After School Detention Teachers will assign and hold after school detentions one day a week, depending on their schedule. These are restorative in nature.

Morning Detention Middle school morning detentions will be held on Tuesday mornings from 6:45 a.m. until 7:45 a.m. Minor detentions will require attendance on one morning; major detentions will require attendance two consecutive Tuesday mornings. Detentions will be held in the Middle School. Students must not be late to any detention. If a student is late, he/she will be asked to serve time the following Tuesday at 6:45 a.m.

Students must sit silently for the full time of the detention without sleeping or distracting other students.

Students may study during this time without the use of technology. These detentions are assigned by the D Dean of Students.

Saturday Detention Students are assigned Saturday morning detentions from 8am to 10am in the Upper School. This detention is for repeated violations and infractions or as major disciplinary consequences. Saturday Detentions are assigned by the Dean of Students.

In-School Full Day Detention Students do not attend classes and spend the day under administrative or staff supervision. They may use the day to study but may engage in no recreational activity. Students serving in-school detention may not participate in or attend sports or school activities on the day(s) of in-school detention. All work incurred is

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eligible to be made up during the in-school detention, and/or according to arrangements made by the teacher. These detentions are assigned by the Dean of Students.

Out-of-School Suspension The student will not attend school and is responsible to turn in any missed work on the day he/she returns to school. Students on out-of-school suspension may not participate in or attend sports or school activities on the day(s) of suspension. All work incurred during the suspension is eligible to be made up on the day the student is eligible to return to class, and/or if prior arrangements have been made by the teacher. These detentions are assigned by the Principal and Dean of Students.

Expulsion Expulsion is the most serious disciplinary response of the school for an act or acts of misbehavior. The student’s career at Whitefield Academy will come to an abrupt end. All official school records will record this act as a part of the student’s permanent record file. Expulsion decisions are made only by the Head of School after consultation with the Middle School Principal.

Students may be expelled for serious first offenses; repeat infractions (even if not related); conduct resulting in harm, damage, or disruption to the educational environment; parent or family member causing disruption to the school or the school’s educational mission; non-payment of tuition or fees; not meeting academic requirements; or not meeting attendance requirements. Any matter taken under consideration by the Administration directly or considered serious enough by the Middle School Principal may be grounds for expulsion.

Students who have been expelled are not permitted to attend on-campus extracurricular events or other off-campus school functions.

In addition, the school may report to the appropriate governmental authorities any actions that appear to violate law.

Elastic Clause The administration reserves the right to initiate disciplinary procedures when, in their judgment, the health and welfare of an individual student or the community is best served by doing so. The School reserves the right to require students to withdraw for cause, medical or otherwise.

Temporary Self-Withdrawal The school must be a full partner in any situation that warrants a student temporarily withdrawing from Whitefield Academy for various physical/mental health treatments. This partnership includes full disclosure of the problem to the Middle School Principal and/or Dean of Students, a commitment on the part of all parties (e.g., student, parents, and school), a plan to address needs during the absence (e.g., prayer, counseling, tutorial help, etc.), and a specific plan to initiate the reinstatement process. Failure to comply with these requests will be construed to mean the student has no intention to return as a member of the Whitefield Academy student body.

Financial Responsibility for Students/Parents It should be clearly understood that in cases of temporary self-withdrawal, withdrawal, exclusion, or expulsion, all financial responsibilities remain in place.

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Field Trips Day and overnight field trips are part of the educational process. It must be stressed, however, that only those students who, in the administration’s sole discretion, have demonstrated good conduct during their classes will be permitted to attend.

Proper behavior during the trip continues to be of utmost importance. Parents of any student unable to follow the given guidelines will be notified. In severe cases, the parent will be requested to come and/or provide transportation home for the student.

Parents who are interested in volunteering to assist on field trips where allowed must have been cleared through the school’s criminal background process. This process is for the protection of all students and is not intended to hinder volunteerism or embarrass any family. We sincerely hope that you understand our concern for student safety and will willingly cooperate in this process.

Honor Code The Honor Code is the statement of integrity for the Whitefield Academy student body that deals specifically with all issues related to lying, cheating (including plagiarism), and stealing - in any form and to any degree. The following principles of operation apply to Honor Code issues: ● It should be clearly understood that every case of lying, cheating, and stealing is an Honor Code violation.

The Honor Code does not apply to any other areas of student conduct. ● Students are expected to uphold and support the Honor Code. If a student witnesses a violation of the Honor Code, the student has a duty, as difficult as it may be, to turn the matter over to the Middle School Principal by speaking with a Middle School faculty member or the Principal. ● Although failure to report such a matter is not considered a violation of the Honor Code, each student must realize that the Honor Code will only succeed to the degree that students support it.

In the Middle School, the Dean of Students, in conjunction with the Middle School Principal, will determine the consequences for any honor violation.

Middle School Uniforms and Dress Code All items, unless specified, must be purchased at the Whitefield Campus Store, Uniform Resale, or Land’s End All students at Whitefield Academy are expected to wear clothes that fit properly and are free from holes, tatters, frays, or excessive wear. All dress is to be tastefully modest, neat, and clean. While extensive direction regarding dress is given in this section, it’s not possible to list every possible item and dress code issue; therefore, discretion is given to the Principal or a designee to decide whether dress is appropriate and consistent with Whitefield standards.

Students who do not abide by the dress code will be subject to dress code discipline procedures.

All items are to be purchased at the Campus Store, Land’s End, or the WPA used uniform sale.

Chapel Dress Guidelines Boys’ Dress Uniform Pants Khaki pants with W logo Shirts White button-down collar oxford, L/S or S/S. *Shirts must be tucked in and long-sleeves must be worn down and buttoned. *Plain white t-shirt or turtleneck (no logos) may be worn under a uniform shirt.

Tie Navy and khaki stripe tie or bowtie (purchased in the Campus Store.

Belt Black, brown, or navy leather or navy or khaki stretch/adjustable belt.

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Socks Shoes Vest Jackets

Dark socks – solid dark blue, dark gray, brown, or black.

Black or brown leather dress shoes with closed toe and heel.

Navy fleece vest with embroidered school logo (optional).

Navy half-zip fleece with embroidered school logo, Adirondack by Charles River.

Navy/ black Evolux jacket by Charles River with embroidered school logo.

Navy nylon, fleece lined windbreaker with embroidered school logo, First in Class by Cobmex. Navy nylon, fleece lined jacket with embroidered school logo, Navigator by Charles River. *No sweatshirts or hoodies allowed with Dress (Chapel) uniform.

Girls’ Dress Uniform Skort Khaki full wrap skort, no shorter than 3” above the knee.

Skirt Khaki skirt, style #143, no shorter than 3” above the knee. *Navy shorts may be worn under skirts for modesty, but they must not be visible under hem when standing.

Shirt Blue button-down collar oxford, L/S or S/S. Shirts must be tucked in, and long sleeves must be worn down and buttoned. *Plain white t-shirt or turtleneck (no logos) may be worn under oxford shirt for warmth.

Socks Solid white, dark blue, dark gray, brown, or black.

Tights/Hosiery Solid navy, white, black, grey, or cream.

Shoes Black, brown or navy leather, closed toe and heel, dress shoe. No combat boots or tennis shoes.

Sweater Navy crewneck or V-neck cardigan with embroidered school logo (optional).

Navy full zip, hooded, sweater with embroidered school logo.

Vest Navy fleece vest with embroidered school logo (optional).

Jackets Navy Charles River jackets with no hood, purchased in the Campus Store. *No sweatshirt, sports pullovers, or hoodies allowed with Dress (Chapel) uniform.

Daily Dress Guidelines Boys’ Daily Uniform Slacks Khaki pants with W logo.

Shorts Khaki shorts with W logo no shorter than 3” above the knee.

Shirts White or light blue button-down collar oxford, L/S or S/S. White or navy polo with Whitefield logo, long or short sleeves are acceptable. *Shirts must be tucked in. Plain white t-shirt or white or navy turtleneck (no logos) may be worn under uniform shirts.

Belt Black, brown, or navy leather or navy or khaki stretch/adjustable belt.

Socks Solid white, dark blue, dark gray, brown, or black.

Shoes Any athletic shoe, black or brown leather shoes with a closed toe.

Vest Navy fleece vest with embroidered school logo (optional).

Jackets Navy Charles River jackets with no hood, purchased in the Campus Store.

Hoodies Hoodies and pullovers provided by Whitefield teams and organizations. *Shirts must be tucked in, and long sleeves must be worn down and buttoned. *Plain white or navy T-shirt or turtleneck (no logos) may be worn under uniform shirts for warmth.

Permitted: Non-Whitefield winter jackets and/or hats, allowed outside while going to and from class, are permitted only when temperatures are below freezing.

Girls’ Daily Uniform Skort Khaki, navy or gray full wrap skort, no shorter than 3” above the knee.

Skirt Khaki, navy, or gray skirt, no shorter than 3” above the knee.

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*Navy shorts may be worn under skirts for modesty, but they must not be visible under hem when standing.

Pants Feminine fit khaki pants with W logo, available only through Land’s End (optional).

Shirts White or navy polo with embroidered school logo, L/S or S/S. Socks White or navy. Socks must be worn.

Tights/Hosiery Solid white, dark blue, dark gray, brown, or black (optional).

Shoes Any athletic shoe. You may also wear black or brown leather shoes with a closed toe.

Belt Black, brown, or navy leather or navy or khaki stretch/adjustable belt (if wearing pants).

Sweater Navy crewneck or V-neck cardigan with embroidered school logo (optional).

Jackets Navy Charles River jackets with no hood, purchased in the Campus Store.

Hoodies Hoodies and pullovers provided by Whitefield teams and organizations.

Permitted: Non-Whitefield winter jackets and/or hats, allowed outside while going to and from class, are permitted only when temperatures are below freezing. Whitefield Academy sports team jackets and sweatshirts may be worn. Whitefield hoodies available in the Campus Store. *Shirts must be tucked in, and long sleeves must be worn down and buttoned. *Plain white or navy T-shirt or turtleneck (no logos) may be worn under uniform shirts for warmth.

Hair Guidelines ● No hats of any style are to be seen or worn once a student arrives on campus for school until the end of the school day unless temperatures are below freezing. Students may wear the hats outside on those days but must remove them indoors. ● Students are to keep their hair neat, out of their eyes, in good taste, and not a distraction. This includes, but is not limited to, any unnatural color, spikes, or unnatural colored tips. For young men and women, hair must be out of the face. ● For young men, hair must be cut so that it is above the eyebrows and collar. Hair must be out of the face. Gentlemen may not use ponytail holders or other accessories to pull hair back into a ponytail or bun style to ensure hair is the proper length. Discretion is given to the principal and other designees to decide whether hair is appropriate and consistent with Whitefield standards.

Boys’ and Girls’ P. E. Uniform Shirt T-Shirt Grey Whitefield athletics shirt or gray PE uniform t-shirt Shorts Navy mesh short with P.E. logo on left leg or navy non-spandex shorts distributed by a Whitefield Athletic team. Shorts must have a minimum 3” inseam. PE uniforms must be purchased in the campus store.

Socks White athletic socks Shoes Athletic shoes.

Sweatshirt Whitefield branded crew neck sweatshirt, no hood or pockets (optional).

Joggers Gray or navy, available in the Campus Store (optional).

*Crewneck sweatshirt and sweatpants w/ 2 color design available at the Campus Store “Whitefield T-shirt” Days ● Uniform bottoms with a Whitefield T-shirt ● Students may wear a Whitefield Academy T-shirt untucked. However, if not tucked in, shirts must be long enough so that when arms are lifted, skin remains covered. Form-fitting blouses and shirts are not permitted.

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Students who choose to wear the daily uniform instead of the t-shirt must abide by regular dress code guidelines.

Miscellaneous Dress Code Guidelines ● When temperatures are low, girls may wear solid white, gray, navy, black, or cream uniform color socks or tights. Neither sweatpants nor blue jeans are to be worn under girls’ skirts. ● Leggings, jeggings (jeans that fit like tights), short shorts, or short skirts are not permitted on free or casual dress days. Shorts should be no shorter than 3” above the knee. ● For reasons of safety, lace style shoes must be laced and secured, buckles buckled, and heel straps fastened. ● When heavy rain and/or standing water/snow is present, rain boots are permitted. Any time a student wears rain boots to school an extra pair of shoes (that are appropriate for the uniform dress that day) must be brought to school as well. Students will be asked to switch into shoes when in the teacher’s judgment the ground is dry enough for normal shoes. ● All accessories (rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc.) and makeup must be simple and not excessive or distracting. Large diameter hoop-style (larger than a quarter) or long dangling earrings may not be worn. Bright colored socks, stockings, or leggings, headbands or hair accessories are not permitted. ● Tattoos and visible body piercing, with the exception of earrings for girls, are not permitted. ● Clothing and accessories should never include hate symbols or discriminating messages (i.e., Confederate flag, swastika, etc.).

Inclement Weather Cold-Weather Boots Consistent with other dress code principles, the following guidelines are to be considered when wearing cold-weather boots: ● Boots are to be simple and not excessive or distracting. ● Boots are to be one of the following colors: brown, gray, black, navy, or tan. ● Boots are not permitted on chapel days. ● Discretion is given to the Principal or his/her designee to decide whether dress is appropriate and consistent with Whitefield standards.

Winter Jackets Non-Whitefield winter jackets and/or hats are permitted only when temperatures are below freezing. They can be worn outside but must be removed inside the school building.

Free Dress Day Guidelines General ● Clothes must fit properly, be tastefully modest, neat, clean, and free from holes, tatters, frays, or excessive wear. Undergarments should not be visible. ● Shoes must be worn at all times. For reasons of safety, lace style shoes must be laced and secured, buckles buckled, and heel straps fastened. Shower thongs and sandals are not permitted. ● Hats, caps, kerchiefs, and other head coverings are not to be worn indoors.

Boys ● Waists of pants or shorts should be worn at the natural waistline.

Girls

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● ●

Sleeveless tops, tank tops, and form-fitting blouses and shirts are not permitted. Shirts may be worn untucked. However, if not tucked in, shirts must be long enough so that when arms are lifted, skin remains covered. Necklines should not fall below the collarbone.

If specifically allowed by the Principal, pants, jeans, and Capri pants may be worn so long as they are not form-fitting or noticeably oversized. Skirts and dresses may be no shorter than 3” above the knee.

If shorts are worn, shorts should be no shorter than 3” above the knee, and must not be form-fitting.

Eligibility for Extracurricular Participation Middle School students must maintain strong academic progress in order to participate in extracurricular activities.

If a student’s grade falls below a passing grade (70 or above) in any class, extracurricular ineligibility will be considered by the Middle School Principal. If the student is declared ineligible, eligibility for extracurricular participation will be restored when the grades are raised to an acceptable level as determined by the Middle School Principal.

Middle/Upper School Media Center Mission Statement The Whitefield Academy Libraries exist to support the mission of Whitefield Academy by providing resources and services for research and reading materials for students and faculty. The Libraries seek to provide an atmosphere that will enhance and inspire learning and a love of reading.

Hours The Whitefield Academy Middle and Upper School Library is located on the second floor of Morris Hall. It is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm; and Wednesday 8:45 am to 3:30 pm.

During Exam Weeks, the library will maintain opening times, and will close 30 minutes after the end of the posted exam time when the Middle and Upper School campus closes.

Finding Materials The Library collection can be searched through the online catalogs in each library. Additionally, searching may be done through the Whitefield Academy website by scrolling over the “Academics” tab, and selecting the “Library” link. On the “Library” page, click on the link for “Morris Hall Library” and then “Whitefield Card Catalog”. Author, title, or keyword searches should retrieve a list of materials available in the Library.

Borrowing Materials Books may be borrowed for a period of three weeks. Middle and Upper School students will be reminded in advisory about overdue books. Reference books must remain in the Library.

Students are encouraged to return books on time and to handle library materials with care. The following rules apply to late returns: ● A fine of $0.10 per day will be charged for each overdue book. ● Students who do not return overdue books will not be able to check out additional books until the overdue books are returned and fines paid. ● Students who have not returned books or paid outstanding overdue fines by the Thursday before the yearbook pep rally in the spring, will not receive their yearbook at the pep rally. Students who have not returned books or paid outstanding overdue fines by the end of the spring semester will not receive their final grades until the books are returned and/or fines are paid. ● Students should notify the librarians whenever a book is damaged or missing. The student and parent will be notified of the replacement cost of the book.

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Computer Resources The Library staff provides instruction to students, faculty, and parents in the use of a wide selection of online databases available at both school and home to the Whitefield community. Students must sign an Acceptable Use Agreement in order to use the computers at school. This agreement clearly outlines the appropriate use of computers at Whitefield Academy. Computer privileges will be suspended for inappropriate nonacademic use.

The Whitefield Academy Library subscribes to a wide range of databases to enhance the learning and research opportunities for the students and community as a whole. All of the databases are accessible from on-campus computers, and most are available from home.

These databases can be accessed through the Whitefield Academy website by scrolling over the “Academics” tab, selecting the “Academic Resources” link, then the “Library” link. On the “Library” page, a list of databases passwords can be unlocked by entering Whitefield for the username and Wolfpack for the password. (These are NOT case sensitive.)

Conduct In addition to the daily use by students, the Middle/Upper School Library is also used for makeup tests, study, and research. The students are expected to maintain a quiet atmosphere.

Lockers and Storage Each student is provided a locker with an integral combination lock. Lockers should be kept locked and the combinations kept private. All books, supplies, backpacks, jackets, PE clothes, and other student belongings are to be stored in lockers when they are not in use. Items left on top of lockers, in hallways, in breezeways, on athletic and performing arts equipment storage shelves, etc. will be taken to Lost and Found, and students who repeatedly leave items out will receive disciplinary consequences.

Removing anything from another person's locker without permission is considered stealing. Opening another person’s locker will result in disciplinary consequences. All lockers are Whitefield property and subject to search at any time. Students may not swap lockers without approval through the Middle School Office. Students should also not tamper with the locks or combinations on the locker.

All of a student’s typical school-related belongings will fit in the lockers provided in the Middle School. Students may store instruments or athletic equipment for extracurricular activities (this does not include PE clothes) on the athletic and performing arts equipment storage shelves. Outside of these exceptions, other large items are typically not allowed on campus (skateboards, pogo sticks, electric guitars, etc.). If a larger item is needed at school temporarily, students may seek permission to store the item in the Middle School Office before bringing the item to school.

Final grades may be withheld if a student doesn’t clean and empty their locker by the Friday before finals.

Lost and Found A Lost and Found area is maintained in the Middle School. Found items may be dropped off or claimed there.

Periodically, unclaimed uniforms will be sold on campus by the Whitefield Parent Association (WPA), and other unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity.

Lunch

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Whitefield Academy provides lunch service to all students. Students may eat what they want and as much as they want other than a few restrictions in Middle School. Christian stewardship, however, requires that food not be wasted. The restrictions include no more than one dessert item on each day.

Students are to remain seated while eating in the Mezzanine. Fifth through eighth grade Middle School students are permitted to congregate outside of the lunchroom in the patio area after 15 minutes of the lunch period. No food or drink may be taken outside of the Athletic Center.

Lunch Guests for Fifth through Eighth-Grade Students Due to limited space in the cafeteria, combined with our overall sensitivity to the unique developmental needs of middle level students, Middle School parents/guests are asked to not eat lunch in the cafeteria with our Middle School students. Please communicate with your child’s teacher or contact the office regarding your family’s needs and options for spending time with your child during the school day.

Medication No medications, prescription or non-prescription, are allowed to be carried by a student. An exception is permitted for Middle School students to carry asthma inhalers and epi-pens when necessary for emergency use.

Permission regarding non-prescription medication is documented on the Permission for Emergency Treatment form. When possible, parents are encouraged to administer any necessary prescription medication at home. If your child requires prescription medication during school hours, an Authorization to Give Medication at School form must be completed and on file on MAGNUS. Specific instructions regarding medications to be administered at school are included on this form. Prescription medications will not be administered without this form on file.

Parties We do not allow students to bring food in school in order to celebrate birthdays. If you plan to have a party outside the school, please arrange for invitations to be distributed some way other than at school.

Recess and Recreational Activities Middle School students have the privilege of spending unstructured time outside before school, after lunch, and after school. Often students play informal games, throw and catch, or spend time talking to one another during these times. Recreational activity of this nature is highly encouraged as a way for students to take a recess from their rigorous studies.

At the same time, parameters are necessary to ensure the safety of our community. An exhaustive list is not possible, but some of the activities found to be problematic on campus are the following: playing in the pond when liquid or frozen, skateboarding, rollerblading, using lacrosse equipment, throwing baseballs, tackle football, rough horseplay, wrestling, and physical contact. None of these activities are permitted while on campus unless they are part of an organized extracurricular activity provided by the school. Students participating in such activities will be subject to disciplinary consequences.

Transition Time between Classes The time allotted for students to get from one class to the next is not to be used for recess and the recreational activities listed above. Students are to move without delay from one class to the next to prepare properly for class.

If students need to do something between classes that will take longer than the normal transition time, they are to report to the next class first and ask the teacher for permission to do so. Passes for being late to class will not be provided in the Middle School Office.

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Visitors All visitors must sign in and obtain a name tag in the Middle School Office for permission to be on campus. Parents wishing to see their child must first contact the Middle School Office. Parents wishing to see a teacher should make arrangements with the teacher in advance.

Student visits to classrooms will be arranged by the appropriate school administrator or assistant. Visitors are to stay with their host at all times and are subject to all school rules.

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Upper School School Hours Upper School office hours begin at 7:45 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; the first class of the day begins at 8:00 a.m. Students are expected to be in their classes and prepared for the school day when the bell rings at 8:00 a.m. On late start Wednesdays, the first class of the day begins at 9:00 a.m. There are no morning office hours on Wednesdays. School ends at 3:00 p.m. each day. Optional afterschool office hours are from 3:00-3:30 p.m. each day but Friday.

Academic Information Whitefield Academy seeks to serve the Christian community by providing a Christ-honoring, college preparatory education of the highest quality with an emphasis on excellence in academics. The entire academic program at Whitefield Academy is designed to prepare our students for college. Thus, a wide variety of rigorous academic challenges and learning experiences are at the core of the Upper School program. A successful academic experience at Whitefield requires all WA students to be familiar with academic policies and procedures, most of which are outlined in the sections that follow.

Academic Probation ● Any student who is failing two classes at the end of the first semester will be placed on Academic Probation for the semester and will potentially be considered ineligible for athletics as determined

by GHSA guidelines. ● Students on Academic Probation will be held accountable, at minimum, for the interventions as defined for Academic Watch. Students on Academic Watch are required to attend Office Hours in courses where their grade is a 72 or below and work together with the teacher to gain a greater understanding of the content not mastered. ● A student who is placed on Academic Probation following the fourth quarter, meaning he or she will begin the next school year on Academic Probation, will potentially be considered ineligible for athletics as determined by GHSA guidelines. ● This eligibility determination can be adjusted upon the completion of appropriate coursework for credit recovery prior to the first day of the next school year. ● A student placed on Academic Probation after the first semester will have his or her contract for the next school year held so that administration can continue to assess whether the school is the best fit for the student’s academic abilities. The Upper School Principal will make the ultimate decision regarding whether or not to extend a re-enrollment contract to students on Academic Probation.

Academic Watch ● Any student who has two grades at or below a 72 or one or more F’s after a grading period (or sooner if determined appropriate by administration) will be placed on Academic Watch. ● Students who are placed on Academic Watch will be expected to engage in established academic support structures, including Tier 2 support or another support plan as identified by the Upper School Principal. Tier 2 support pairs the student with a faculty member who serves as an academic mentor. The student meets with his or her academic mentor for support at a minimum of once a week at a time mutually agreed upon. ● Students on Academic Watch who consistently engage in the required Tier 2 support and demonstrate sustained academic improvement may be released from Tier 2 support. This determination will ultimately be made by the academic mentor.

Advanced Placement/Honors Courses Teachers recommend students to take Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors courses. Students taking these courses must be highly self-motivated, disciplined, and prepared to face academic challenges and Family Handbook 2023-2024

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requirements. Criteria for taking an Advanced Placement and/or Honors course require teacher approval and some require prerequisites. Students who take an AP course should expect additional required study sessions and class time at the discretion of the teacher. Course descriptions may be viewed online under the curriculum tab. The administration approves the number of AP and Honors courses a student may take.

Students taking an AP class are required to take the AP exam and pay the exam fee in order to receive the additional ten quality points (1.0 on 4.0 scale) factored into the cumulative GPA for AP courses.

Awards and Honors All academic awards are calculated using the end of first semester grades. All award decisions as left to the discretion of the Administration.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Cup Award is presented to a senior who excels in academics, community service, leadership, and is a pleasure to teach.

Carver-Wheatley Award is presented to the winners of the Carver-Wheatley Black History Month Essay Contest in both the Middle Division (grades 7-9) and the Upper Division (grades 10-12).

Departmental Awards will be presented, at the end of the school year, for outstanding achievement in each discipline that includes Bible, English, Foreign Language, Health, History, Physical Education, Science, Mathematics, Technology, and Fine Arts.

Ephesians Award is presented to the student who is most enthusiastic about community service hours over the course of the school year.

Excellence in Citizenship Award is presented to a senior who has reached out to help others and who has shared his/her time and talent within his/her community.

Head of School’s List and Principal’s List: Each semester the Head of School’s List will consist of students with an overall semester average of 94 or higher (no failing grades). The Principal’s List will consist of students with an overall semester average of 90-93 (no failing grades).

Jabez Award is presented to a student who has shown extraordinary leadership in the Upper School.

Salutatorian Award is presented to a senior who has attended Whitefield Academy Upper School for at least 5 semesters, who qualifies for the Summa Cum Laude Diploma, who has no Withdrawal Failures (WF) on the transcript, and who holds the second highest cumulative grade point average (based on total percentage) during his/her Whitefield Upper School career. The percent average GPA for Salutatorian is calculated at the end of the first semester of senior year.

Senior Achievement Award is presented to a senior who has demonstrated exceptional accomplishment through initiative. This young person has demonstrated consistent effort, hard work, steady academic progress, and a positive attitude throughout his/her Upper School career.

The George Whitefield Award is presented to a senior who best exemplifies the words of the mission statement: “A passion for learning, for others ahead of self, and for the living and active Jesus.”

The Charles L. Johnston Christian Leadership Award is presented to a senior who best lives out the Christian faith in relationship with his or her peers as well as within the adult community.

The University of Georgia Certificate of Merit is presented to juniors who are in the top 5% cumulative average in their class.

Senior Scholars: Seniors who qualify for Summa Cum Laude and Magna Cum Laude diplomas.

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The Valentine Family Scholarship Award is presented to a student who demonstrates leadership by providing mentoring to lower classmen as chosen by the Upper School faculty, coaches, and administration.

Valedictorian Award is presented to a senior who has attended Whitefield Academy Upper School for at least 5 semesters, who qualifies for the Summa Cum Laude Diploma, who has no Withdrawal Failures (WF) on the transcript, and who holds the highest cumulative grade point average (based on total percentage) during his/her Whitefield Upper School career. The percent average GPA for Valedictorian is calculated at the end of the first semester of senior year.

Course Placement Whitefield Academy reserves the right to place students in an alternate course when the student’s first choice request cannot be honored, or when the student’s previous academic achievement and learning characteristics suggest a particular level of study. The final placement decision is made by the school, based on the student’s mastery of basics skills, previous achievement, and level of maturity.

Curriculum The Upper School curriculum at Whitefield Academy is designed to meet the school’s mission and vision while preparing the students for further study at the college or university level. The curriculum provides a rigorous course of study and exceeds Georgia’s requirements for graduation. Course descriptions are available under the Academics/Upper School/Curriculum tab online.

Diplomas Seniors will be able to qualify for three distinct diplomas. The three distinct Whitefield diplomas are Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and College Preparatory Diploma: The Summa Cum Laude Diploma requirements are the following: 4.0 or above cumulative grade point average; a minimum of 4 Advanced Placement courses; four years of a foreign language (three years of foreign language if 5 Advanced Placement courses); no failing grades during the student’s Upper School career; and in good standing with the school.

The Magna Cum Laude Diploma requirements are the following: minimum of 3.75-4.0 cumulative grade point average; a minimum of 6 honors and/or AP courses (not including 8th grade credits); four years of a foreign language (three years of foreign language if 7 honors and/or AP courses); no failing grades during the student’s Upper School career; and in good standing with the school.

College Preparatory Diploma requirements are the following: the completion of all Whitefield Academy graduation requirements and in good standing with the school as stated in the Upper School Handbook.

Beginning with the class of 2026, the following requirements have been set for the three diploma distinctions.

The Summa Cum Laude Diploma requirements are the following: 4.30 or above cumulative grade point average calculated at the end of first semester senior year; a minimum of 4 Advanced Placement courses completed by the end of senior year; at least one year of World Language credit beyond the minimum graduation requirement (5 AP courses if only the minimum graduation requirement of World Language is met); no failing grades or courses earning a WF during the student’s Upper School career; and in good standing with the school.

The Magna Cum Laude Diploma requirements are the following: minimum of 4.10-4.29 cumulative grade point average calculated at the end of first semester senior year; a minimum of 6 honors and/or AP courses Family Handbook 2023-2024

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completed by the end of senior year (not including 8th grade credits); at least one year of World Language credit beyond the minimum graduation requirement (7 honors and/or AP courses if only the minimum graduation requirement of World Language is met); no failing grades or courses earning a WF during the student’s Upper School career; and in good standing with the school.

College Preparatory Diploma requirements are the following: the completion of all Whitefield Academy graduation requirements and in good standing with the school as stated in the Upper School Handbook.

Dropping/Adding a Class First Semester In order to drop or add a class during first semester, a student must see the Registrar within the first four weeks of the semester to discuss the potential change. Important to note, however, that students will not be permitted to add an AP or honors class during Drop/Add; rather, students who are not recommended for but desire to take particular honors or AP courses should engage in the appeals process during Academic Coaching to see if the honors or AP course(s) would be the best fit. Students must have parent, teacher, and Upper School principal approval to add or drop a class. Students can drop/add a class within this four-week window without penalty. After the four-week drop/add window, any dropped class is officially considered a withdrawal. If the student withdraws from a class in which he or she has a passing grade, the withdrawal will be identified as Withdrawal Passing (WP) on the student’s transcript. If the student withdraws from a class in which he or she has a failing grade, the withdrawal will be identified as Withdrawal Failing (WF) on the student’s transcript. Any withdrawals made after the first nine weeks of a school year will be identified as a WF on the student’s transcript regardless of a student’s grade in the class at the time of withdrawal. If a student maintains enrollment in a year-long class for the entire first semester but changes classes for second semester, there will be no WP or WF penalty on the transcript. Neither a WP nor a WF has any impact on a student’s GPA. Ultimately, all drop/add and withdrawal decisions are left to the discretion of the Upper School Principal.

Second Semester In order to drop or add a class during second semester, a student must notify the Registrar by the first day of second semester classes to discuss the change. Students must have parent, teacher, and Upper School principal approval to add or drop a class. Students can drop/add a class within the first week of second semester, including J-Term, without penalty. After the one-week drop/add window, any dropped class is officially considered a withdrawal. If the student withdraws from a class in which he or she has a passing grade, the withdrawal will be identified as Withdrawal Passing (WP) on the student’s transcript. If the student withdraws from a class in which he or she has a failing grade, the withdrawal will be identified as Withdrawal Failing (WF) on the student’s transcript. Any withdrawals made after the first nine weeks of second semester will be identified as a WF on the student’s transcript regardless of a student’s grade in the class at the time of withdrawal. If a student maintains enrollment in a year-long class for the entire first semester but changes classes for second semester during this drop/add window, there will be no WP or WF penalty on the transcript. Neither a WP nor a WF has any impact on a student’s GPA. Ultimately, all drop/add and withdrawal decisions are left to the discretion of the Upper School Principal.

Exams Exams are administered both first and second semester. All Upper School students are required to take all fall exams. Exam periods will last 2 hours, and exams will be weighted 20% for freshman and sophomore classes and 25% for junior and senior classes. Any student enrolled in an Advanced Placement class must take the AP exam. AP exam scores do not affect the grade in the course. Exam dress is Friday uniform dress.

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Exam Exemptions Seniors are automatically exempt from any second semester exams for any non-AP course for which they carry a second semester average of 90% or higher and in which they have no more than six absences from school or six absences from the particular class for the second semester.

Eighth Grade Credits Eligible for Upper School Credit Algebra I, Foreign Language I, and/or Physical Science taken and passed for the year in Middle receive 1 credit each towards Upper School graduation requirements but do not count for Upper School GPA calculations.

Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Eligibility Students participating in ANY extracurricular activity, whether GHSA sanctioned or not, are expected to maintain the following minimum standards established on the GHSA website.

In order to be eligible with the Georgia High School Association, student-athletes must meet certain basic academic requirements. All students must pass a minimum of 2.5 credits per semester to maintain eligibility. In other words, a student must pass 5 out of 7 classes each semester that they are taking to be eligible. In addition to earning 2.5 credits per semester, a student-athlete must also be on-track academically. To maintain eligibility students must possess the following number of credits: ● 9th Grade: all entering 9th graders are eligible. ● 10th Grade: All second-year students must have a minimum of 5 credits ● 11th Grade: All third-year students must have a minimum of 11 credits ● 12th Grade: All fourth-year students must have a minimum of 17 credits GPA/Grading Scale A 90 or higher B+ 87-89 B 83-86 B80-82 C+ 77-79 C 73-76 C70-72 F 69 or below

4.00 3.70 3.30 3.00 2.70 2.30 2.00 0.00

WP: Withdrawal Passing** WF: Withdrawal Failing** **WP and WF do not impact GPA. See “Dropping/Adding a Class” in this Handbook for more information.

Grading Policy The academic year is divided into two independent semesters. At the end of each nine-week reporting period, a report card is available on the Whitefield Academy website containing the student’s cumulative grades to that point in the semester. ● Any student in grades 9-11 failing 4 semester courses in any one school year may not be allowed to re-enroll for the following year. The Upper School Principal, with concurrence of the Head of

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●

●

School, will make all decisions regarding withholding re-enrollment privileges. All fees/deposits paid for the following school year will be forfeited.

Only 2 credits of make-up coursework can be made up in any one summer. All summer coursework requires pre-approval by the Upper School principal if the work is to be submitted toward Whitefield Academy graduation requirements.

A student who transfers into Whitefield Academy after his or her ninth grade year will have all previous grades and credits earned included on his or her Whitefield transcript. These grades and credits will not factor into the cumulative grade point average included on the Whitefield Academy transcript. The student's Whitefield Academy transcript will include a note explaining where the student earned the credits prior to attending Whitefield.

Graduation Requirements Whitefield requires a minimum 25 course units for graduation. All students must take at least SIX credit-bearing courses each year, except seniors who may take one free period and one study hall each semester. The minimum requirements are as follows: ● English – 4 units (must include American and British literature) ● Mathematics – 4 units (must include Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II) ● History – 3 units (must include U.S. History and Modern European History) ● Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics -and 1 additional) – 4 units * ● Foreign Language - 3 units (must be the same language) ● Biblical and Christian Studies –3 units ** ● Fine Arts – 1 unit ● Physical Education / Health – 1 unit ● Electives – 2 units *8th grade private school Physical Science can be counted for 1 unit. ** Special consideration will be given to transfer students regarding the Biblical and Christian Studies credit.

Homework Homework is given to facilitate next-day classroom discussion or to prepare students for concepts to be presented in class. If this homework is not done on time, the student is ill- prepared to be a participant and learner in class. The consequences for late homework will be determined by the individual academic departments. Homework is a graded part of the curriculum. Homework is posted on Schoology by 4:00 p.m. However, information communicated during class is the primary source of information; therefore, students should also refer to their planner for homework.

Assignments are not given over Labor Day, Fall Break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Winter Break, Spring Break, Easter vacation, on the return from retreats, or on other occasions specified by the principal.

Meaning, nothing can be due on the day of the return from these times.

Late Work for Major Assignments Major assignments submitted late will receive a ten percent deduction per school day that the assignment is late for up to three days late.

Late Work Due to Unplanned Absence In case of an unplanned absence, students are allowed the same number of days as the length of the absence in which to make up quizzes, tests, homework, and major assignments without penalty. Exception: Major

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assignments (defined as tests, projects, and papers) are due the day a student returns to school if the first day of the absence was the due date of the assignment.

Late Work Due to Planned Absence If a student has a planned absence and needs to miss a day of school (for example, a day to have wisdom teeth removed or to take a trip), the following steps must occur: ● At least three days prior to the day missed, a note from one of the student’s parents must go to the Upper School Principal stating the reason for the absence. ● The student must notify each of his/her teachers of the absence in advance in order to work out the details for making up work and/or taking tests missed during the period of absence. The teacher may require the student to submit missed work or to make up tests on the day the student returns from the absence. Any student missing school because of a school-sponsored event is responsible for notifying his or her teachers in order to make appropriate arrangements for making up the necessary work.

Semester Failure/Credit Recovery A student must earn an average of 70% or higher in course work each semester to earn credit towards graduation. If the required course is a one-semester course, the student must repeat the failed course. If the course is a two-semester course, the student may have to repeat the failed semester(s) based on the rules outlined below: ● If the student fails the first semester but earns a passing grade for the second semester, and the average of the first and second semester grades is ≥ 70, the student will earn full credit for the year. In this case, the average of the semester one and semester two grades will be listed for each semester and factored into the student’s cumulative GPA. ● If the student earns a passing grade for the first semester but fails the second semester, the student has not demonstrated mastery of the course expectations and will have to repeat the second semester of the course. ● If a student does fail a course, he or she has the option to repeat the course at Whitefield Academy (if the student’s schedule allows) or through Georgia Virtual School (GAVS), Sevenstar Academy, or another approved online/off-campus institution. The failing grade will remain on the transcript, but if the student earns credit through alternative means (described above), this passing grade will also be factored into the student’s GPA. Study Hall All students are eligible to take a study hall so long as they are making solid progress towards graduation requirements. Study hall is a course in the student’s schedule; however, it does not earn course credit. Study hall provides a quiet, focused, supervised learning environment. Study hall follows all standard attendance requirements.

Tests and Multiple Assignments As a general rule, no Upper School student should have more than two tests on any school day (this does not apply to quizzes, formal essays, or elective courses). If more than two tests or major assignments are scheduled on the same school day, the student should contact the appropriate teacher(s) to request a test scheduling adjustment by following the procedure outlined below. ● Obtain the “Postponing a Third Test” form from the Upper School Office. ● Complete the form and have the teachers sign the form for the two tests the student will take as scheduled. ● Present the completed form to the teacher of the class in which he/she would like to postpone a test.

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A student must submit this form at least two days prior to the day of the three tests.

The teacher and student will discuss when the student will take the postponed test. While the teacher will try to give the test at a time convenient for the student, the decision is up to the teacher and may be the next day. A student taking this opportunity must remember the Honor Code and not communicate in any way with anyone other than the teacher about the test. ●

Weighted Grades Beginning in 2020-2021 and applied retroactively to the classes of 2022 and 2023 students’ raw course grades in honors and AP courses will be shown for each individual course. Concurrent and comparable quality point adjustments will be reflected in the GPA calculation. While the GPA remains on the traditional 4-point scale, students with honors and/or AP courses will have the potential to achieve an overall GPA above 4.0. Advanced Placement (AP) courses will include a 10%-point adjustment for the course in the cumulative percentage average calculation with a concurrent 1.0 point adjustment for the course in the GPA calculation. Honors (H) courses will include a 5%-point adjustment for the course in the cumulative percentage average calculation with a concurrent 0.5-point adjustment for the course in the GPA calculation. Whitefield Academy reports the resulting weighted average to colleges and universities.

Students must successfully pass the AP and honors course with a 70% or higher to earn the weighting to their cumulative GPA. In addition, students in AP courses must take the AP exam in order to earn the weighting for second semester AP courses.

Attendance Consistent attendance is vitally important for success at Whitefield Academy. Missing class for any reason puts the student at a disadvantage. Parents should make every effort to minimize their child’s absences from school. Some of the most important lessons to learn in life involve regular attendance and punctuality. Without question, a school operates much more efficiently when students are present and on time.

A priority at Whitefield Academy is to use instructional time productively. Regular and punctual attendance is critical if the results of the teaching and learning tasks are to be maximized. It is essential for each student to recognize the sequential nature of instruction and that any unnecessary and/or excessive absenteeism/tardiness severely impedes the educational process. Therefore, Whitefield Academy students are expected to be present and arrive on time to school (and to class) in accordance with the Georgia Compulsory Attendance Law and the following Whitefield Upper School attendance policy.

Attendance Procedures When a student is absent from school, please contact the Upper School office via phone (678-305-3037) or email the assistant to the Upper School principal prior to 8:00 a.m. Teachers will take attendance at the beginning of each class. All absenteeism will be reported to the office for purposes of formulating a master attendance list. In the event that a student needs to be released from school early, the parent/guardian should notify the school office (e-mail, written note, or phone call) prior to 8:30 a.m. on or before the day in question.

Students who do not attend school for at least half a day, may not participate in any extracurricular activities on that day and are considered absent for the purposes of the attendance policy. All determinations related to this policy will be made by the Upper School Administration.

Absences There are, of course, legitimate reasons for being absent from school. Such reasons include, but are not limited to, personal illness of a student, death within a family, student emergencies, professional appointments, and college visits, etc. (Please review “college visits” section for further information about absences related to college visits.)

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Unexcused Absences Examples of Unexcused Absences include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Missing class without proper authorization.

2. Leaving the Whitefield Academy campus without signing out with proper school personnel.

3. Student illness not accompanied by a doctor’s note.

4. Travel for non-emergency reasons.

5. Being absent for reasons such as #1 or #2 listed above may result in a student being declared truant.

Truancy is defined as being absent from school without parental and school permission.

Please note: In cases such as reasons #3 & #4 above, Upper School Administration, not students or parents, will make all determinations regarding whether an absence is excused or unexcused.

Excessive Absences Unexcused absences exceeding five (5) days will be addressed with additional disciplinary measures as determined by Upper School administration. Students who exceed the ten (10) day unexcused absence limit per semester will receive an “F” for each and every class where the limit has been exceeded.

For purposes of this provision of the attendance policy, any student placed on homebound instruction will be dealt with on an individual basis. (Make-up work because of an absence: please see “Late Work” in the Handbook.)

Tardiness to School and to Classes Upper School students who are tardy to school or class without an approved excuse will be held accountable to discipline policies. The only exceptions for tardiness will be a dentist or doctor’s appointment (with note from the doctor) or by prior administrative approval.

It is of utmost importance that the school knows where all Whitefield students are during the school day. In addition, student timeliness to class is a contributing factor to a positive learning environment and student success. If a student is not in the classroom when the bell rings, he or she must obtain a pass to class. Please note, the pass in and of itself does not automatically excuse the tardy. If the tardy is unexcused, the student will be held accountable to discipline policies and will have to turn his or her phone in to the Dean of Students for the remainder of the school day.

Cellphones With the exception of specific consent given by the faculty or administration, students are not allowed to use electronic devices (cellphones, headphones, AirPods, electronic gaming devices, etc.) during school hours.

Cellphones, headphones, and electronic devices must not be in view after the first bell and before the last bell. If faculty or administrative permission has been granted, notification must be given to the Dean of Students. If electronic devices are visibly seen or heard during school hours: First Offense: Device confiscated and returned after 3:00 p.m.

Second Offense: Lunch detention assigned, student must turn in phone to the Dean of Students office by 8:00 a.m. for five school days.

Third Offense: Saturday School assigned, student must turn in phone to the Dean of Students office by 8:00 a.m. for five school days.

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Chapel The purpose of Whitefield Academy’s chapel program is to gather together as a worshiping community, to encourage spiritual growth, and to deepen our understanding of our Christian faith and our passion for the living and active Jesus. Chapel is one central component of our ongoing commitment to enhance the spiritual growth and development of our students. Other components include required Bible courses, guest speakers, musicians, prayer times, retreats, topical Bible studies and daily devotions. Our objective in each of these components is to challenge, inspire, and motivate students and staff toward a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, each other, and our community.

College Counseling The Whitefield Academy College Counseling office has developed a comprehensive and highly individualized program centered on the core belief that God has gifted each student with certain interests, talents, and passions, and that He has a unique plan and purpose for his or her life. As counselors and advisors, we come alongside our students to help them navigate all aspects of the college search process, with the ultimate goal of helping each student find a college or university where he or she will flourish.

The College Counseling program begins in the freshman year, with developmentally appropriate guidance progressing through the senior year.

College Counseling – Vocare at Whitefield Academy A hallmark of the Upper School experience is our signature college and career coaching program, Vocare, an extensive process through which junior students actively assess, explore, and evaluate their unique areas of giftedness PRIOR to navigating the senior year college application process. A dedicated counselor guides small groups of students through a comprehensive and highly personalized 10-week program where students take personality and aptitude assessments, define areas of interest, identify personal values, and establish meaningful goals.

At the end of the process, students have the opportunity to connect their results to real-life careers through “College and Career Roundtables,” a month-long series where a diverse group of community professionals come to Whitefield and share candidly their own college and career experiences with small groups of juniors. The entire program prepares and empowers students to seek college and career-related opportunities that are satisfying, fulfilling, and consistent with God’s calling for their lives.

College Visits Touring a college campus while school is in session is a great way to experience the culture and feel of the campus.

This is one valuable way for students to make an informed decision about their college choice. Seniors are allowed 3 excused absences and juniors are allowed 2 excused absences to make campus visits. Students must fill out the campus visit form on the Whitefield website or on Schoology prior to their visit. They are also required to make arrangements through the Assistant to the Upper School Principal and provide a note from a parent prior to their visit. The student must inform their teachers in advance of a visit and make up any course work assigned during this time.

Community Service The purpose of our community service requirement is to build within our students an awareness of the needs of the communities in which God has placed them and to gain understanding of how their gifts can be used by God to meet those needs.

The requirement is 15 hours per school year. Ten hours must be to the greater community beyond Whitefield, and five hours may be for the Whitefield community. All 15 hours can be to the greater community. Please note that

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some off-campus service activities are still in service to the Whitefield community and will be counted as such.

Mission trips can be recorded as 10 hours per day in the locale, not including travel days. If the student feels that this is not an accurate representation of service performed, he/she may certainly appeal for more hours, in writing, co-signed by the adult in charge.

Upper School students document community service hours on the app Mobileserve. Upper School students all have an account for this app, and all have been instructed how to log in and record their hours. Students, not parents, must enter their hours, because an “honor pledge” signed by the student is part of the recording process. An adult who can verify that the service was performed must provide an email address for verification. Students can view their hours at any time upon logging in to Mobileserve.

Note: when entering community service hours, the name of the nonprofit or church for whom the service was done must be recorded. Service to friends, family, or a business/profit making organization is important, but does not necessarily meet the requirements for Whitefield Community Service. Although Whitefield recognizes and values service performed within the family and for neighbors, generally, service hours which can be recorded at Whitefield will be only those related to non-profits and churches, including all service performed in school-related activities such as mission trips and local opportunities sponsored by teachers. The community service coordinator will make final determinations as to whether the act of service aligns with Whitefield’s requirements or not.

The reason for these parameters is two-fold. First, Whitefield wants to align student service with the purpose stated above. Second, community service is becoming an even more important part of a student’s transcript for college and scholarships, and therefore it must be documented in ways that are verifiable as authentic service to the community.

Community service completed for merit badges or any other type of recognition for other organizations does not qualify for the Community Service Requirement for Whitefield Academy.

Appeals for exceptions should be made in writing to the Director of Student Leadership.

Whitefield students are strongly encouraged to pursue community service opportunities in the summer. Many students complete their hours through summer church and community opportunities because they know how busy they will be during the year. All service hours completed during the summer must be turned in before the end of the first quarter.

Seniors must complete their community service hours and turn them in before March 29, 2024. To receive final grades, a transcript, a yearbook, and a diploma, seniors must complete their community service requirement for Upper School, which is a total of 60 hours (15 hours per year).

Grades 9-11 must be completed by and turned in by April 26, 2024. Students who have not completed their service hours by the last day of April will not be given access to final grades, a yearbook, or a transcript.

As an indication of how high a priority community service is at Whitefield Academy, the student who is the most enthusiastic about community service over the course of the school year will earn the Ephesians Award. Quality, quantity, and consistency of service, both within the Whitefield community and in the surrounding area, are considered when determining the winner of this award.

In addition, Whitefield Academy seniors who have gone above and beyond the required community service hours will be recognized with a Community Service Cord at commencement ceremonies. (A minimum of 100 hours between 9th and 12th grade is required for this recognition. Seniors will not receive a community service cord if their cumulative 100 hours (9th – 12th grades) are not turned in by March 31, 2024.

Sophomores and juniors who desire to qualify for the National Honor Society in the spring must complete 30 community service hours and turn them in by January 31, 2024. A minimum of 15 hours must be completed off campus.

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Criminal Activities A student engaging in conduct that is defined under law as a serious misdemeanor, a civil offense, or felony (whether charged by law enforcement or not) is grounds for expulsion. Violations of law that occur off-campus during the school day will be subject to review under school rules. Violations of law that occur after the school day may also be subject to review under school rules. In the case of offenses that occur at the end of the school year, the school may require punishments to be served during the summer. Transcripts and other reports pertaining to the student’s academic standing will be withheld until the completion of the assigned punishment. All decisions involving suspension or expulsion are subject to the final approval of the Head of School and the division head.

Discipline General Conduct Students and parents should be considerate and show respect toward other students, faculty, staff, all guests, and visitors. Students should respect School property and the personal property of other people. Students and parents, both as participants or spectators, are required to show good will, sportsmanship, and courtesy at all School-sponsored events (on and off campus). Any person showing unsportsmanlike conduct may be asked to leave the event and may not be allowed to attend future events.

Student Conduct Student conduct should be of such high caliber as not to disrupt or distract from the instructional or other procedures of the school. The use of ethnic slurs, name calling, and profanity are not permitted. The “Golden Rule” will be the foundation of all personal relationships.

In addition, the health and well-being of all students is of utmost importance to the School. We expect students, at all times, both on and off campus (including evenings, weekends, and school breaks) to avoid all types of behaviors that may be harmful to the student’s or another person’s body, self-esteem, or health. All students are expected to help create a school culture of respect for oneself and others. As examples, Internet activity, criminal activity, sexual activity, use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or other chemicals, or engaging in self-harming, may result in a student receiving disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from School.

Alcohol, Drugs, and Other Harmful Substances The Scriptures admonish believers to “not be drunk with wine but be filled with the Holy Spirit” but also grant Christians certain liberty regarding how they live. Bible-believing, Christian families have differed over how to handle this matter for their children. Unfortunately, we are all familiar with the reality of peer pressure to drink and the tragic consequences to body, life, and property from underage drinking. In addition, the use/abuse of drugs and other harmful substances is a major problem in society and extremely disruptive to the individual student and the total school community. All WA personnel are deeply concerned about the detrimental effects of alcohol, drugs and other harmful substances on the health, safety, happiness, and well-being of students. Thus, there is an unswerving commitment at WA to do whatever is necessary to help our students avoid the many pitfalls awaiting those who choose to make poor decisions relating to these items.

General Students are prohibited from possessing, using, selling, or purchasing any alcoholic beverages or other mind-altering substances (including synthetic salts or other substances), or possessing drug paraphernalia on or near School property or at School-related activities. “Mind-altering” substances include any type of

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substance ingested, snorted, smoked, vaped, or inserted into one’s body that may impact the individual in some way. Such substances include, without limitation, alcohol, legal or illegal substances (including medical marijuana pursuant to a prescription or physician certification), over the counter salts, spices, vapors, or other similar items. Off-premises possession, use, sale, or purchase of mind-altering substances and off-premises alcohol abuse is also prohibited.

Testing Students may be required to submit to urinalysis drug screens, blood alcohol tests, breathalyzer tests and medical examinations under the following circumstances: (a) when a student is suspected of attending School or School-related activities with intoxicants or mind-altering substances in his or her system; (b) when a student suffers an injury or is involved in an accident while at School; (c) on a periodic or random basis, including but not limited to, in connection with the student’s participation in extracurricular activities; or (d) when a student is placed under disciplinary contract and such screenings or examinations are terms of the contract. The presence of alcohol or the presence of any other intoxicants or mind-altering substances in the body is a violation of this policy. Refusal of a student (by the student or the student’s parent) to undergo testing or to cooperate fully with any of these tests (including signing consent forms or providing testing results promptly to the school) is also a violation of our policy and will result in expulsion.

This policy does not prohibit the proper use of medication under the direction of a physician, although the use of medical marijuana is prohibited in all circumstances. However, the misuse or abuse of such drugs is prohibited. Students who are taking prescription or nonprescription drugs must notify the School Nurse of this fact when they report to School.

Whitefield Academy Administrative personnel are more than willing to assist any student who, unbeknownst to the school (e.g., prior to an observable or reported infraction), is illegally consuming alcohol or using other mind-altering substances, or experimenting with other dangerous substances. A student who is sincerely seeking help will receive help by confidentially confessing such usage to the dean of students, the Upper School principal, or the head of school (as opposed to confessing because he/she believes he/she will soon be “caught”).

There will be no punitive response to this act of self-reporting (unless the situation is so serious that legal authorities need to be involved). A “go and sin no more” response with counseling and accountability is the preferred method to deal with student self- reporting. Please remember — self-reporting to a nonadministrative member will not be regarded as self-reporting, and the confidentiality and non-punitive guarantee is not activated in such cases.

On-Campus Alcohol or Drug Offenses On-campus alcohol or drug offenses are those that involve the use or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs/paraphernalia within the physical confines of the school campus, coming to school or going from school or at any school-sponsored or school-related event held on or off campus.

Alcohol use, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, etc. on the Whitefield Academy campus or at an official Whitefield Academy event will not be tolerated. It should be clearly understood that the Board of Trustees, the Head of School, and all Whitefield Academy employees will take any and all appropriate steps including, but not limited to, involving legal authorities to protect the safe and nurturing environment at Whitefield. Any student violating this policy on campus or at any official school activity will be subject to immediate discipline which may include expulsion.

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Off-Campus Alcohol or Drug Offenses Off-campus alcohol or drug offenses involve the use or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs/paraphernalia off school property and at activities unrelated to Whitefield.

It should be noted that the authority to discipline students for off-campus violation of the policy is clearly established (see “Guiding Principles”). Whitefield Academy administrators are charged to be “sufficiently aggressive” when investigating credible information that may lead to uncovering irrefutable facts. It is also acknowledged that parents are directly responsible for all off-campus indiscretions of their students. It is highly advisable that all parents familiarize themselves with various legal ramifications that come into play when an underage child violates alcohol and drug laws.

The first incidence of an off-campus drug or other harmful substance violation will result in parental notification, spiritual encouragement, a specific requirement (as per the Dean of Students and/or the Upper School Principal) for proper counseling, and disciplinary measures including suspension. Any subsequent off-campus violation will result in expulsion.

Investigations Students are expected to cooperate in investigations. Students are expected to be honest, but honesty is not necessarily a mitigating factor and students’ own statements may be used against them. Failure to cooperate with an investigation may be cause for disciplinary action.

If a student refuses to participate or cooperate at any stage of an investigation, or is unable to do so for whatever reason, including without limitation, pending criminal charges, the school reserves the right to act, including proceeding without a statement from the student, or to require the student to withdraw from school.

Specific Student Misconduct

Minor Offenses Generally speaking, minor offenses are handled with a few appropriate words of correction. Another common disciplinary measure is to assign the offending student a detention. Other consequences for various minor offenses (e.g., loss of special dress code privileges, loss of junior/senior privileges) will be utilized by the Dean of Students at the discretion of the Upper School Principal. A representative listing of minor offenses is as follows: ● Tardiness ● Dress Code violations ● Unauthorized cellphone or headphone/earbud usage ● Classroom disruptions ● Driving/Parking violations ● Unacceptable attitude ● Minor disrespect ● Public displays of affection ● Inappropriate language Major Offenses The following list provides examples of major offenses. This list is not intended to include all possible major offenses; it simply describes those that commonly occur in a school setting. Possession, sale, use in any

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amount, distribution, or being under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, alcoholic beverage, tobacco products, or other intoxicant. ● Sale, attempted sale, distribution, or being under the influence of a prescription or over- the- counter drug unless so ordered by a physician. ● Racist comments or behavior. ● Assault, including threats of bodily harm and/or sexual assault, of teachers, administrators, other school personnel, other students, or persons attending school-related functions. ● Disrespectful conduct towards teachers, administrators, other school personnel, other students, or persons attending school–related functions. ● Lying, cheating (including plagiarism), and stealing. These offenses attack the very foundation of the school’s Honor Code (see Honor Code and Honor Council). ● Plagiarizing (See Plagiarism Policy). ● Electronic disrespect. Any disrespectful words, pictures, or images in electronic or written form (including the internet, text messages, chat rooms, blogs, social media, sexting, or similar forums for public exchange) that the school administration considers disrespectful to the school, its teachers, its administrators, parents, and other students are subject to discipline by the Dean of Students and/or Upper School Principal. ● Gambling at Whitefield Academy or at school-sponsored events. ● Sexual Harassment or Misconduct. ● Damaging or defacing personal property or school property (vandalism). ● Weapons and other dangerous devices. ● Insubordination, disorderly conduct, disobeying school rules, regulations, or directives; disobeying directives given by teachers, administrators, or other school staff. ● Skipping class ● Bullying of any kind

Bullying In accordance with Georgia law, bullying is defined as an act which occurs on school property, on school vehicles, or at school related functions or activities, or by use of data or software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, computer network, or other electronic technology that is: 1. Any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person, when accompanied by an apparent present ability to do so, or 2. Any intentional display of force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm.

3. Any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, which a reasonable person would perceive as being intended to threaten, harass, or intimidate that causes another person substantial physical or visible bodily harm; 4. Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student's education; 5. Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school. ● Unexcused Absenteeism/Truancy (“skipping class”) ● Vandalism ● Majorly inappropriate language ● Alcohol-related, drug, and/or smoking/vaping/tobacco-related offenses

Fighting Fighting is defined as the involvement in a physical altercation. Students involved in an incident defined as fighting by the Upper School Principal and/or Dean of Students will be held accountable for a major office, including the potential for suspension. Additional days of suspension will be added depending upon the severity of the situation.

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A student who commits a major offense will be referred immediately to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action. The Principal and/or her designee will impose consequences based upon the circumstances of the situation, which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following: morning detention, Saturday School, in-school detention, out-of-school suspension, school or community service, loss or restriction of privileges, behavioral probation, exclusion, or expulsion. Because Whitefield Academy reserves the right to administer discipline for all student misconduct and behavior whether the actions occur on campus or off campus, Whitefield Academy may conduct investigations and intervene when off- campus infractions occur, particularly when the infractions involve drinking, drugs, and other serious offenses.

Further, many of the major offenses listed above are also violations of state and/or federal law and may result in prosecution under the law. Whitefield Academy fully embraces its legal responsibilities as they relate to student protection and serious student misbehavior. Thus, appropriate Whitefield Academy administrative personnel will report every case of possible sexual abuse to the appropriate legal authorities (i.e., Child Protective Services). Additionally, Whitefield Academy administrative personnel may involve law enforcement officials in other cases of serious student misbehavior when evidence dictates such involvement is a prudent course of action and/or when there is a specific legal requirement to do so.

Range of Disciplinary Consequences (from Least to Most Severe) This range of disciplinary consequences is intended to clarify Whitefield Academy's approach to progressive and restorative discipline. A restorative approach is employed so that students will be encouraged to reflect and take steps to correct their behavior. Depending on the severity of the offense, the Dean of Students and Upper School Principal have the discretion to institute higher-level consequences. In addition, for any identified pattern in minor or major offenses, the Dean of Students will require a conference between the Dean, parents, and student.

Verbal Warning For first-time minor offenses, the student will receive a verbal warning where the staff member addresses the infraction. This verbal warning will be documented.

Warning with Parent Communication For a second-time offense, the student will receive a documented verbal warning where the staff member addresses the infraction. In addition, the staff member will personally communicate with the child's parents.

Detention Detentions are a quiet time of reflection in which students must sit silently or perform service to the Whitefield community. If a student is more than three minutes late to detention, he or she will have to serve another detention. If a student skips detention, he or she will serve a Saturday School.

Classroom detention: Classroom detentions would result from a third-time minor offense in that class for which the student has already received a verbal warning and parent communication. In addition, a classroom detention could also be the result of an infraction that warrants a more elevated consequence than a warning (i.e. blatant disrespect for the teacher, destruction of classroom property, etc.).

Lunch Detention: A lunch detention would result from minor offenses that have occurred in the lunchroom (i.e. not cleaning up after oneself) or for 2nd dress code infractions.

Morning Detention: Morning detentions would result from the third unexcused tardy to school and/or class.

In addition, morning detention would result from the third documented dress code violation. Morning

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detentions would also result from other minor infractions at the discretion of the Dean of Students. Morning detentions are served on Thursdays at 7:00 a.m. or on another day as determined by the Dean of Students.

Saturday School Saturday School is a more serious consequence than a morning detention. Saturday School results from accumulating repeated morning detentions and/or minor offenses, skipping morning detention, skipping any portion of the school day or from a major offense. Students serve Saturday School on Saturday mornings at a time designated by the Dean of Students and/or the Upper School Principal.

In-School Detention In-School Detention would result from accumulation of repeated minor offenses and/or one or more major offense depending on severity. Students do not attend classes and spend the day under administrative or staff supervision. They may use the day to study but may not engage in recreational activity. Students serving in-school detention may not participate in or attend sports or school activities on the day(s) of in-school detention. All work incurred is eligible to be made up during the in-school detention, and/or according to arrangements made by the teacher.

Out-of-School Suspension Out-of-School Suspension would result from major offenses(s) depending on severity. The student will not attend school and is responsible to turn in any missed work on the day he/she returns to school. Students on out-of-school suspension may not participate in or attend sports or school activities on the day(s) of suspension. All work incurred during the suspension is eligible to be made up on the day the student is eligible to return to class, and/or if prior arrangements have been made by the teacher.

Please also see “Reporting of Infractions to Colleges, Universities, and Schools (pg 105).

Probation Probation is a disciplinary action that prohibits the student from participating in all extracurricular activities and prohibits the student from serving in all school-related positions to which he/she has been elected or appointed. The terms of the probation will be decided by the Upper School Principal.

Exclusion Exclusion is the removal of a student from the student body for a specified length of time (with or without homebound services). Exclusion is invoked by recommendation of the Upper School Principal with the concurrence of the head of school. All conditions of exclusion and reinstatement will be determined by recommendation of the Upper School Principal with the concurrence of the head of school. Any excluded student is prohibited from serving in all school-related positions to which he/she has been elected or appointed.

Expulsion Expulsion is the most serious disciplinary response of the school for an act or acts of misbehavior. The student’s career at Whitefield Academy will come to an abrupt end. All official school records will record this act as a part of the student’s permanent record file. Expulsion decisions are made only by the Head of School after consultation with the Upper School Principal.

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to the school or the school’s educational mission; non-payment of tuition or fees; not meeting academic requirements; or not meeting attendance requirements. Any matter taken under consideration by the Administration directly or considered serious enough by the Upper School Principal may be grounds for expulsion.

Students who have been expelled are not permitted to attend on-campus extracurricular events or other off-campus school functions.

In addition, the School may report to the appropriate governmental authorities any actions that appear to violate law.

Removal from School Removal is the official act of removing a student from normal classroom activities. Suspension, exclusion, determination not to offer a re-enrollment contract, and expulsion are forms of removal. It should be clearly understood that in cases of removal from school, all financial responsibilities remain in place. Further, the student is not permitted to attend any on-campus or off-campus Whitefield events and/or extracurricular activities.

Withdrawal from School Under certain circumstances, temporary or permanent withdrawal from school might be a prudent course of action. It should be clearly understood that in cases of withdrawal, all financial responsibilities remain in place.

Temporary Self-Withdrawal The school must be a full partner in any situation that warrants a student temporarily withdrawing from Whitefield Academy for various physical/mental health treatments. This partnership includes full disclosure of the problem to the Upper School Principal and/or Dean of Students, a commitment on the part of all parties (e.g., student, parents, and school), a plan to address needs during the absence (e.g., prayer, counseling, tutorial help, etc.), and a specific plan to initiate the reinstatement process. Failure to comply with these requests will be construed to mean the student has no intention to return as a member of the Whitefield Academy student body.

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Dismissal Procedures for Families with Students in Lower School Upper School students may walk down and wait by the Lower School carpool line until their sibling or carpool buddy is called. The Upper School student should report to the Lower School at the beginning of dismissal time.

Parental permission is required authorizing the Lower School student to be dismissed in this manner. The permission slip is to be turned in to the Lower School office prior to this dismissal arrangement. The note will be valid for the 2023- 2024 school year. Upper School and Lower School students may not walk across the parking lot during dismissal time.

Upper School Uniforms and Dress Code All items, unless specified, must be purchased at the Whitefield Campus Store, Uniform Resale, or Land’s End Whitefield Academy has adopted a uniform policy in an effort to make it simple and economical for families to provide school clothing for their families. The dress code is intended to clarify dress code issues and not present an exhaustive list of “do’s and don’ts” of student dress. When an interpretation of whether a student’s clothing complies with the dress code, the Dean of Students and/or the Upper School Principal are responsible for making a determination and their decision is final.

Whitefield Academy requires all students to be in uniform when they arrive on campus and to remain in uniform until the end of the school day. The school website provides a list of the school’s dress code requirements.

All students at Whitefield Academy are expected to wear clothes that fit properly and are free from holes, tatters, frays, or excessive wear. All dress is to be tastefully modest, neat, and clean. While extensive direction regarding dress is given in this section, it’s not possible to list every possible item and dress code issue; therefore, discretion is given to the Principal or his/her designee to decide whether dress is appropriate and consistent with Whitefield standards. Students who do not abide by the dress code will be subject to dress code discipline procedures.

Items may be purchased at the Campus Store, Lands End, or the WPA Used Uniform Sale. Uniform shirts and blouses must be tucked in.

Chapel Dress Guidelines Boys’ Dress Uniform Pants Khaki pants with the W or flag logo (or Whitefield navy pants for seniors) with black or brown belt Shirts White or light blue oxford shirt or long sleeved button-down, collared shirt (Long sleeves must be worn down and buttoned and all buttons in the front fastened during the entire day) Tie Whitefield tie or bow tie. Gold tie optional for seniors. All ties are available in the Campus Store only.

Belt Black, brown, or navy leather belt.

Socks Solid-colored, khaki, brown, navy, gray, or black socks.

Shoes Black, brown, tan, or navy leather or suede closed toe and heel dress shoes, no sneakers or casual shoes, including canvas tie or slip-in shoes.

Chapel Outerwear ● Navy Charles River jacket with logo and no hood (available in the campus store only). ● Fleece, full zip Land’s End vest ● The approved senior crew pullover purchased in the Campus Store is allowed on chapel days.

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●

The following attire is not permitted as Chapel Outerwear: team- or class-specific outerwear, sweatshirts, hoodies, dri fit, fleece pullovers and jackets with sports logos/insignias, sweatshirt jackets, etc.

Girls’ Dress Uniform Skirt Grey skirt, Senior girls only may wear a plaid skirt – no shorter than 3 inches above the knee.

Shirt Light blue short or long sleeve buttoned down collared blouse (Sleeves must be worn down and buttoned and all but the top button in the front fastened during the entire day) Socks Solid white, dark blue, dark gray, brown, or Tights and Leggings Black, navy, or white tights (optional) Shoes Black, brown, gray, or navy closed toe and heel leather dress shoes. Wallabees and Sperry type, original, 2-eye boat shoes are acceptable. No boots, sneakers or casual shoes or TOMS on Chapel Day. Cardigan/Vest Navy with Whitefield logo ( Chapel Outerwear ● Navy Charles River jacket with logo and no hood (available in the campus store only). ● Fleece, full zip Land’s End vest ● The approved senior crew pullover purchased in the Campus Store is allowed on chapel days. ● The following attire is not permitted as Chapel Outerwear: team- or class-specific outerwear, sweatshirts, hoodies, dri fit, fleece pullovers and jackets with sports logos/insignias, sweatshirt jackets, etc.

Daily Dress Guidelines Boys’ Daily Uniform Slacks Whitefield khaki uniform pants with the W or flag logo; Whitefield uniform navy pants for seniors only Shorts Khaki shorts with the flag logo, no shorter than 3” above the knee.

Shirts White or blue long sleeve buttoned down collared shirt. Long sleeve shirts must be worn with the sleeves down and buttoned and all but the top button in front fastened.

Navy or white polo short or long sleeve with Whitefield logo.

Solid navy or white turtleneck, worn only under other items (optional). *Plain white undershirt under regulation uniform shirt (no printing on shirt).

Belt Solid-colored black, navy, or brown belt.

Socks Solid white, navy, gray, brown, or black.

Shoes Any athletic shoe. Black or brown leather shoes with closed toe. No boots except on cold weather days in December through February. *Hats are not allowed on campus during the school day.

Outerwear ● Jackets and hoodies with Whitefield logo ● Non-Whitefield wear worn anytime during the school day will result in a disciplinary consequence except when it’s below freezing and students are outside.

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Girls’ Daily Uniform Skirt/Skort Khaki, gray, or navy uniform skirt no higher than 3 inches above the knee. *Seniors option only: Plaid uniform skirt, no higher than 3 inches above the knee (as measured from the ground when kneeling).

Pants Women’s fit khaki pants (optional) Shirts White or blue short or long sleeve buttoned down collared blouse or shirt (long sleeve shirts must be worn with the sleeves down and buttoned and all but the top button in front fastened).

Navy or white polo short or long sleeve with Whitefield logo Solid navy or white turtleneck (worn only under other items) Plain white undershirt under regulation uniform shirt (no printing on shirt) Sweater Whitefield cardigan sweaters (optional) Socks Solid-colored black, navy blue, gray, brown, khaki or white Tights may be worn under skirts.

Shoes Any athletic shoe. Black or brown leather shoes with closed toe. No boots except on cold weather days in December through February*.

Belt Black, brown, or navy belt with khaki uniform pants.

*Boots: Rain boots are allowed ONLY on rainy days if they are solid-colored black, navy blue, gray, brown, khaki or white. Modest, plain, neutral Ugg-style winter boots are acceptable from December through February except on Chapel Days. No combat-style or platform boots allowed.

No high heels.

Outerwear (for both boys and girls) ● Hoodies and jackets with Whitefield logo ● Non-Whitefield wear worn anytime during the school day will result in a disciplinary consequence except when it’s below freezing and students are outside Friday Wear, Exam Week, and AP Exam Uniforms Friday dress differs in that students are able to wear Whitefield t-shirts instead of the normal daily uniform top, and they are not required to be tucked in. In the Upper School, students may wear jeans or sweatpants in exchange for a monetary donation to the Ecuador Mission Team or another approved nonprofit at designated, communicated times throughout the year. Jeans must be free from holes or rips.

Free Dress On free dress day, students will be allowed to wear modest and appropriate clothes, including jeans (no holes or rips) as approved by the Dean of Students and/or the Principal. If students wear leggings or yoga pants, their tops must be long enough to cover their backside. Shorts should be no shorter than 3” above the knee. Clothing must be free from holes and rips. No undergarments should be visible.

Messaging on clothing must be school appropriate. Sleeveless shirts must have straps at least 4 fingers in width and the arm holes must be small enough to conceal undergarments.

Hair Guidelines ● No hats of any style are to be seen or worn once a student arrives on campus for school until the end of the school day unless temperatures are below freezing. Students may wear the hats outside on those days but must remove them indoors.

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Students are to keep their hair neat, in good taste, and not a distraction. This includes, but is not limited to, any unnatural color, spikes, or unnatural colored tips. For young men and women, hair must be out of the face.

For young men, hair must be cut so that it is above the eyebrows and collar. Hair must be out of the face. Gentlemen may not use ponytail holders or other accessories to pull hair back into a ponytail or bun style to ensure hair is the proper length. Discretion is given to the Principal and other designees to decide whether hair is appropriate and consistent with Whitefield standards.

The Dean of Students will make the final decision regarding the neatness of facial hair on senior gentlemen.

On-Campus Events This level includes on campus events and school sponsored events including but not limited to: Freshmen Orientation, grade-level retreats, Great Day of Service, and Athletic Events.

Street clothes are acceptable but must be free from holes and rips. Sleeveless shirts must have straps at least 4 fingers in width and the arm holes must be small enough to conceal undergarments. All shorts must reach the end of the thumb when arms are straightened at the side of the body. Shirts should reach the middle of the shorts at a minimum. Boys must wear a shirt at all times.

Athletic Practices and Workouts Shorts must reach the end of the thumb when arms are straightened at the side of the body. Sleeveless shirts must have straps at least 4 fingers in width and the armholes should be small enough to conceal undergarments. Shirts should reach the middle of the shorts at a minimum. Boys must wear a shirt at all times.

Dress Code for P.E. Uniforms Students are required to wear a gray Whitefield t-shirts and navy Whitefield shorts (or sweatpants and sweatshirt on colder days) during P.E. classes. Appropriate athletic shoes and athletic socks are also required. P.E. uniforms must be purchased through the Campus Store.

Miscellaneous Dress Code Guidelines ● All accessories (rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc.) must be simple and not excessive or distracting. Tattoos and visible body piercings, with the exception of earrings for girls, are not permitted. If a scarf or headband is worn, it must be in a solid color and be black, grey, brown, khaki, or white. ● Clothing and accessories should never include hate symbols or discriminating messages (i.e., Confederate flag, swastika, etc.).

Dress Code for Team Playoffs Any time a team makes the playoffs, the coach has the discretion to allow players of that team to dress in a team shirt and Whitefield uniform bottom. The coach could have a team spirit day on the day of each playoff game (Friday if the game is over the weekend). Only the team involved will be dressed in this manner; all other students on campus will be in normal school uniform dress. Teams in playoffs aren’t required to have spirit dress on playoff game days – it is completely up to the discretion of the coach.

Dress Code for Homecoming Dance

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The standard attire for gentlemen is a suit or a dress shirt and slacks. The shirt must have a collar.

Gentlemen may not wear shorts, jeans, or short-sleeved shirts. Clothing must be free of holes and rips.

No earrings are allowed.

The standard attire for ladies is semi-formal. Dresses may be strapless or one-shouldered or include spaghetti straps if the rest of the dress fits properly. While cocktail length dresses are appropriate, the length must be mid-thigh or fingertip length. Full-length dresses should not have a slit higher than mid-thigh or fingertip length. An appropriate dress does not reveal front or side cleavage, the flesh of the torso area, or the lower half of the back. If a dress is two pieces, the top must overlap the waist of the bottom. In addition, an appropriate dress should avoid being skintight for the full length of the dress.

Everyone will have the opportunity to have their attire approved prior to the dance (dates TBD). Select members of faculty and administration will be available on the predetermined dates and times to approve students’ intended attire. While preapproval is not mandatory, having attire approved will remove any question as to whether the student meets dress guidelines.

If we believe an outfit is inappropriate, we will address the situation at the dance and ask the student to correct the concern until the outfit has been approved.

If the student is unable to correct the concern, the student will be asked to change. If the student is not able to change, we will present the option for a parent to pick up the individual student or to utilize an attire alternative that we will have available to include shawls, cardigans, and/or safety pin adjustments for ladies and dress shirts and slacks for gentlemen.

These standards also apply to Whitefield students’ guests. If the guest’s attire does not meet established guidelines and he or she is unable to correct the problem, he or she will not be allowed to participate in the event. His or her parent will come pick him or her up from the event. It is the Whitefield student’s responsibility to make his or her guest aware of attire guidelines.

We will closely adhere to this established dress code. Homecoming is a semi-formal event for Whitefield Academy students. Our goal is to maintain the formality and integrity of this special event.

Thank you for your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Dean of Students and/or the Upper School Principal.

Dress Code for Prom The standard attire for gentlemen is a formal suit or tuxedo to include a tie or bowtie, dress shirt, and dress shoes. No shorts, sportswear, tennis shoes or athletic shoes, or earrings are allowed.

The standard attire for ladies is formal. Dresses may be strapless or one-shouldered or include spaghetti straps if the rest of the dress fits properly. While cocktail length dresses are considered formal, the length must be mid-thigh or fingertip length. Full-length dresses should not have a slit higher than mid-thigh or fingertip length. An appropriate dress does not reveal front or side cleavage, the flesh of the torso area, or the lower half of the back. If a dress is two pieces, the top must overlap the waist of the bottom. In addition, an appropriate dress should avoid being skintight for the full length of the dress.

Everyone will have the opportunity to have their attire approved prior to the dance (dates TBD). Select members of faculty and administration will be available on the predetermined dates and times to approve students’ intended attire. While pre-approval is not mandatory, having attire approved will remove any question as to whether the student meets dress guidelines.

If we believe an outfit is inappropriate, we will address the situation at the dance and ask the student to correct the concern until the outfit has been approved.

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If the student is unable to correct the concern, the student will be asked to change. If the student is not able to change, we will present the option for a parent to pick up the individual student or to utilize an attire alternative that we will have available to include shawls, cardigans, and/or safety pin adjustments for ladies and neckties for gentlemen.

These standards also apply to Whitefield students’ guests. If the guest’s attire does not meet established guidelines and he or she is unable to correct the problem, he or she will not be allowed to participate in the event. His or her parent will come pick him or her up from the event. It is the Whitefield student’s responsibility to make his or her guest aware of attire guidelines.

We will closely adhere to this established dress code. Prom is a formal event for Whitefield Academy students. Our goal is to maintain the formality and integrity of this special event. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Dean of Students and/or the Upper School Principal.

Dress Code Violations In order to eliminate confusion, achieve dress code enforcement consistency, and minimize the amount of administrator, faculty, and student time spent on dress code issues, students who are in violation of the aforementioned dress code will be held accountable according to discipline policies.

Class time lost due to exclusion for dress code infractions will be regarded as unexcused. All rules relative to unexcused absences will then take effect. It is highly recommended that each student considers equipping his/her locker with spare uniforms that fully comply with the dress code.

Drug Testing Program To support our mission of “bolstering Christian families,” the board of trustees and administration of Whitefield Academy has established a drug testing procedure that focuses on student wellness and partnership with parents.

The purpose of the universal drug testing program for grades nine to twelve is to deter student drug use. Drugs and alcohol are readily available in more potent and deadly forms than ever before. We believe a policy that supports early intervention and restoration is an effective tool to bolster the students of Whitefield Academy as they make important life choices. With the commencement of each school year (beginning in the school year 2019-20), a drug testing process will be initiated that may require each student to be tested.

Drug Testing Procedures The primary testing method will be hair analysis performed by a licensed clinical laboratory. Psychemedics Corporation as our testing company. Students will be scheduled for hair testing administered by the school nurse and a trained hair stylist. The hair samples will be sent directly to the clinical laboratory.

Hair Collection/Drug Testing Procedures 1. Each student will be assigned a unique identification number. The school will follow the chain-of-custody procedures established by the Psychemedics Corporation.

2. A sample of hair will be cut cosmetically from the crown of the student’s head. Students with insufficient head hair will have body hair collected, such as arm, leg, or underarm hair.

3. The sample will be sealed by a designated staff person and initialed by the tested student. The sample will then be sent directly to Psychemedics Corporation.

4. Hair samples will be tested for 20 illegal substances, including but not limited to, marijuana, opiates, phencyclidine, amphetamines, and cocaine. Illegal drugs for which hair samples are tested may be changed, or expanded, as deemed appropriate.

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Confidentiality and Dissemination of Results 1. All sample collections and results will be identified by the unique identification number of the student. No names will be recorded on the collection bag or the test results.

2. All individual negative results and the first positive individual result will be communicated directly and exclusively to the parents by a third-party designee, Secure Test Results (STR). Any subsequent positive results will be communicated to the school for further consideration.

3. Anonymous summary data including, grade, gender, drug(s) used, level of use, etc. will be confidentially provided by STR to the Head of School of Whitefield Academy.

4. Negative results will be communicated to parent contact via preferred email typically within two weeks following all testing.

5. Positive results, including those for prescription drugs, will be shared with the parent contact by phone following an email request to call Secure Test Results: 931-924-8378. When calling STR the parent contacts are asked to leave their student’s full name, their name, and their preferred phone number. The parent contacts will be asked to verify identity by using the Custody Control Form (CCF) and random student identification numbers found on their copy of the CCF form for their student. Parents are asked to call STR Monday-Friday during regular business hours excluding holidays. Calls will be returned in a timely fashion.

6. In the case of prescription drugs, STR will request proof of a valid prescription. If provided and cleared, the result will be officially negative.

7. The drug testing company will hold positive samples for no longer than two years and negative samples for 30 days.

Self-Referral Any student who, prior to being tested, admits to the Head of School or Upper School Principal that he or she has an issue with drug use, will be required to be tested, but the result will not be counted as the student’s first positive. The school desires to partner with the parents in getting help for the child and the family. The school counselor will be notified and will assist the family in finding assistance from an outside licensed professional specializing in drug and alcohol counseling. The student will be tested again within an agreed upon time frame. If the student receives another positive result it will count as the student’s first positive. There will be another mandatory test in a designated amount of time that must result in a negative result in order for the student to remain at Whitefield. In addition, any student who makes a self-referral will be included in periodic testing throughout the rest of his or her Upper School years.

Reasonable Suspicion The administrative team of Whitefield Academy may refer a student to the Head of School for testing if there is reasonable suspicion or cause to believe the student may be using drugs or alcohol illegally.

Positive Test Results In response to a student’s first positive drug test result, Whitefield Academy strongly encourages: 1. The student should be evaluated by a counselor who will assess the student's needs and develop a rehabilitation plan, including a recommendation for services, behavioral guidelines, and other appropriate conditions, and make referrals as needed.

2. Any second positive result for an individual student will be communicated to the Head of School at Whitefield Academy, and that student will be removed from Whitefield Academy.

Refusing/Tampering with Tests A student who refuses to provide a hair sample for testing, or attempts to tamper with the testing procedures, will be subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion from Whitefield Academy.

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Contesting a Positive Result All positive results are automatically subjected to retesting at Psychemedics before final confirmation and reporting of initial results. If a family requests an additional retest of a new hair sample, it can be performed. Parents may request a second hair sample test within three business days of being told the initial results. If the requested second test by Psychemedics confirms the positive results again, it will be considered final, and the family will be billed for the retest.

Annual Universal Hair Tests of Upper School Students for Illegal Drug Use Required tests for all Upper School juniors and seniors will occur in August of the school year.

Periodic Random Hair Tests for Illegal Use These tests for ninth through twelfth grade students will commence in September of each school year and will be conducted monthly through May of the same school year.

1. Students will be randomly selected by the drug-testing company, or another independent group, through the use of student identification numbers.

2. Whitefield Academy anticipates the periodic random hair tests will be administered to roughly 50 percent of Upper School students during each academic year.

Extracurricular Activities

All students are encouraged to participate in at least one major extracurricular activity. They may choose from a wide variety of options including drama productions, athletics, Student Leadership Institute (SLI) offerings, and councils, etc. Participation in extracurricular activities allows students to build strong community and relationships while developing their God-given gifts and interests.

Field Trips Throughout the school year, teachers could plan field trips for students that enhance and reinforce the objectives of a particular course. Prior to the field trip, information about the details of the field trip will be given to parents.

Financial Responsibility for Students/Parents It should be clearly understood that in cases of temporary self-withdrawal, withdrawal, exclusion, or expulsion, all financial responsibilities remain in place.

Honor Code and Honor Council Honor Pledge The Honor Pledge covers all academic work. It reads, “On my honor as a Whitefield student, I pledge that I have neither given nor received improper assistance in the completion of this assignment.” Some teachers require students to sign the Honor Pledge when submitting course assignments. Students are still held accountable to the Honor Pledge even if teachers do not require students to sign the Pledge on submitted work.

Honor Code The Honor Code is the statement of integrity for the Whitefield Academy student body that deals specifically with all issues related to lying, cheating (including plagiarism), and stealing – in any form and

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to any degree. Please note the following definitions: Any action, appearance, or statement which an individual knows, or should know, to be untrue given with the intention to deceive is considered lying.

Using or attempting to use unauthorized assistance or advantage in academic work, including having a cellphone, smart watch, or any other unauthorized electronic device out during an assessment, that is submitted as one’s own individual efforts or the giving of such assistance to others is considered cheating.

Use of any AI software that substitutes for original, intellectual work will constitute plagiarism and will be considered a violation of the Honor Code. Taking or attempting to take property, whether physical or intellectual, without right or permission, is considered stealing.

It should be clearly understood that every case of lying, cheating, stealing, and plagiarism is an Honor Code violation. The Honor Code does not apply to any other areas of student conduct.

Students are required to uphold and support the Honor Code. If a student witnesses a violation of the Honor Code, the student has a duty, as difficult as it may be, to report the matter to a trusted teacher. The student and teacher will then turn the matter over to the Honor Council - the judicial board which is responsible for presiding over affairs of honor at Whitefield – by speaking with an Honor Council faculty advisor. There must be two or more student witnesses for an accusation to be made. A teacher who observes an Honor Code violation in action is required to report the instance to the Honor Council advisors.

Honor Council Mission Statement The Honor Council exists to encourage honor and address any violations of the Honor Code in the Whitefield community, to build up Christian values in students, and to cultivate and maintain an environment bound by integrity.

Honor Council Purpose The Honor Council exists to educate students as to the purpose of the Honor Code and encourage growth of integrity. The primary means of educating students is through the Honor Code assembly that takes place at the beginning of each school year. The Honor Council also exists to make honor a central part of the school.

Honor Code violations will be processed on a case-by-case basis, and the consequences of the violation will depend on the severity of the case, the number of violations a student has accrued, and the impact sustained by other students. Although the act of plagiarism encompasses lying, cheating, and stealing, it is considered as one Honor Council violation.

The Honor Council members are not involved in investigating or determining if a student has violated the Honor Code. Teachers in partnership with the Dean of Students, Honor Council Advisors, and Upper School Principal hold the ultimate decision as to whether or not the Honor Code has been violated. The Honor Council exists as a peer group to recommend appropriate discipline consequences to the administration, to help a student build character, to encourage the student on how to avoid future infractions, and to deter other students from similar violations. The primary goal of the Honor Council process is to encourage students who have violated the Honor Code on a path to restoration.

Honor Council Advisors There will be two Whitefield staff advisors who will oversee the procedures of the Honor Council. Honor Council Advisors will work with the Honor Council members to facilitate the meetings but not to lead the meetings. In accordance with the desired role of leadership within the student body, the senior honor council members will collaborate in running the meetings and making sure that the students on the committee are appropriately involved.

Honor Council Advisors will be available to communicate with parents of students involved with violating the Honor Code and to stay in contact with faculty members regarding questions/concerns.

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Honor Council Members Qualities necessary for Honor Council members are personal integrity and maturity, as well as the ability to make judgments without prejudice, to maintain strict confidentiality, to resist peer pressure, to influence peers to live more honorably, and to devote time necessary for cases and other required meetings.

Whitefield students who are rising juniors may apply for the Honor Council by completing an application placed in the school’s office during the second semester, in order to serve a two-year term. Students on the current Honor Council, with advisor input, will select those students from the applicants who are in good academic standing (no failing grades), who have minimal discipline records and/or Honor Code violations.

All applications will be reviewed by the members of the Honor Council, including the faculty advisors, and then each applicant will be interviewed. The acceptance of the applicant is dependent on his/her application, interview, and character.

The acceptances and rejections for the prospective Honor Council members will be announced by letter.

The new Honor Council members will serve for the month of May in place of the current seniors on the council. Both a Secretary and a Vice-President will be elected by vote from the members of the Council.

Secretary elections will be held before the new Honor Council members are inducted. A junior will be elected Vice-President at the beginning of each school year, and in most cases will serve as President his/her senior year. The President, Vice President, and Secretary make up the Executive Committee on the Honor Council and may be called upon to make executive decisions at given times. Should a member of the Honor Council be found guilty of violating the Honor Code, the Honor Council will proceed with the same system as any other case.

All Honor Council members are to keep any Honor Council matter in strictest confidence. Names, cases, and details of the cases are to be shared with no one outside the members of the Honor Council, the Honor Council Advisors, or teachers involved in the case. This is to be strictly adhered to, and discovery of a breach of this confidentiality will mean automatic dismissal from the Council.

Honor Council meetings will be held (as necessary) before or after school, during lunch, or any other time necessary during the school day. Honor Council members are to attend all meetings of the Honor Council (excused absences must be obtained from advisors prior to a meeting) and are to participate in the discussion of identified Honor Code violations. Members are to carry out any discussions and Honor Council proceedings with maturity and respect for the student(s) in violation of the Honor Code.

Honor Council members are not involved in investigating and/or determining whether or not a student has violated the Honor Code. Rather, the relevant faculty/staff members in partnership with the Dean of Students, Honor Council advisors, and Upper School Principal determine whether or not a violation has occurred.

Honor Council Case Standard Procedures Step 1: When a teacher or administrator suspects a student of lying, cheating, stealing, or plagiarizing, the teacher is to speak with the student individually and then call the student’s parents to notify them of the situation. The teacher will report the issue to the Dean of Students, who will refer the student to the Honor Council if it is clear a violation has occurred.

It may be necessary for the Dean of Students and Honor Council Advisors to investigate further the circumstances of a case. This investigation may include talking to the students implicated in the case, students may be eyewitnesses (who will be given anonymity), and any other individual(s) involved.

Step 2: Once it has been determined that a violation has occurred, the Dean of Students will notify the student, his/her advisor, and parents, and a hearing date is scheduled. The Upper School Principal and the

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Dean of Students have the right to determine a case is not heard by the entire Honor Council due to an incident’s sensitive nature or the timing of the incident.

Step 3: The student appears before the Honor Council with a faculty/staff advocate of his or her choice in attendance. The faculty/staff advocate prepares the student for the hearing, supports the student during the hearing, and may remain to address the council after the student leaves the hearing in order to give a character witness and share his/her perception of how the student is responding to the situation. The student should be prepared to explain what happened, why it happened, and identify a plan of action to avoid future violations. Parents are not invited to attend the Honor Council hearing. All meetings and hearings of the Honor Council must be held with at least one Honor Council Advisor present.

Step 4: The Honor Council will recommend the disciplinary and restorative consequences by majority vote to the Upper School administration. The administration will make the final determination of the discipline assigned. The Dean of Students will meet with the student to inform him or her of the consequence and steps towards restoration. The student has a chance to make any comments that are appropriate to the situation. The Dean of Students will also communicate the consequences and steps towards restoration with the student’s parents.

Disciplinary consequences or actions will be assigned by the Dean of Students and Principal are on a case-by-case basis. The Honor Council’s recommendation is strongly considered in the ultimate determination of consequences. Please note, students must understand how Honor Code violations impact their obligation to report and update information in a student’s college application pursuant to the college’s or university’s reporting guidelines (see “Reporting of Infractions to Colleges/Universities and Schools”).

The student’s violation will be recorded by the Honor Council and Dean of Students and will be cumulative for the duration of time that the student is enrolled in the Upper School. The student is expected to complete the assigned discipline within the time-frame allotted by the Dean of Students.

A student involved in a case will follow these simple guidelines: 1. Discuss the matter immediately and completely with parents.

2. Do not discuss the case with other students, especially those who may be involved.

3. Be completely honest when speaking with the Dean of Students, Honor Council Advisors, and Honor Council members. Remember that the Honor Council is made up of students. They run the meetings, and their recommendations for consequences to the Dean of Students and Upper School Principal hold considerable weight as a final decision is made.

4. Bring a faculty/staff member advocate of their choice to accompany them during the Honor Council hearing.

J-Term J-Term is an opportunity for Upper School students to live out Whitefield’s mission by immersing themselves in topics of choice and engaging with faculty and peers in a deep exploration that expands upon the traditional classroom structure. International travel, domestic missions, local service, internships, on-campus intensives, exploration of the Atlanta area, and off-campus learning intensives are just a few of the available opportunities. All Upper School students are required to participate in J-Term. Students who successfully complete their J-Term course during spring semester will earn a P (pass) and .25 elective credit on their transcript. Students who do not successfully complete their J-Term course during spring semester will earn an F (fail) on their transcript, and they will not earn the .25 elective credit. Successful completion is based on attendance, engagement, and completion of the final project for the particular J-Term course. Pass/fail grades for J-Term courses do not factor into cumulative GPA.

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Lockers and Storage Each student is provided a locker with a combination lock. Lockers should be kept locked and the combinations kept private. Locker decorations must be appropriate to a Christian school atmosphere. Drawing on the locker itself or installing permanent artwork of any kind, including stickers, is not permitted. Removing anything from another person’s locker without permission is considered stealing and will be pursued as an Honor Code violation. Students must store all belongings in their lockers or in shelving located around the building. All athletic equipment should be stored in athletic locker rooms. No belongings should be stored or dropped on the floor or sidewalks of the Upper School building as it presents a fire code violation. All lockers are Whitefield property and subject to search at any time.

Lost and Found The lost and found area for the Upper School is located at the bottom of the main stairwell. A permanent lost and found area is maintained in the Middle School building. Found items may be dropped off or claimed before or after school. Periodically, unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity. Unclaimed uniform items will be passed on to the Whitefield Parents Association.

Lunch Whitefield Academy provides a daily lunch service. Students may eat what they want and as much as they want.

Christian stewardship, however, requires that we not waste food. With the exception of seniors, who may eat lunch outside the Athletic Complex, all students will eat lunch at the mezzanine inside the Athletic Complex.

Visitors who wish to come on campus and eat with Upper School students (youth pastors, ministry workers, etc.) must first get permission from the Director of Spiritual Life and should only come during the first week of the month. Visitors who come for lunch must pay $3 for their lunch.

Lying, Cheating, Stealing These broad areas of student indiscretion strike at the very core of trust, integrity, and honor. Please note the following definitions:

Lying Any action, appearance, or statement which an individual knows, or should know, to be untrue given with the intention to deceive.

Cheating Using or attempting to use unauthorized assistance or advantage in academic work that is submitted as one’s own individual efforts or the giving of such assistance to others. This includes the use of AI software.

Stealing Taking or attempting to take property, whether physical or intellectual, without right or permission.

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Media Center Mission Statement The Whitefield Academy Libraries exist to support the mission of WA by providing resources and services for research and reading materials for students and faculty. The Libraries seek to provide an atmosphere that will enhance and inspire learning and a love of reading.

Hours The Whitefield Academy Middle and Upper School Library is located on the second floor of Morris Hall. It is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. During Exam Weeks, the Library will maintain opening times, and will close 30 minutes after the end of the posted exam time when the Middle and Upper School campus closes.

Finding Materials The Library collection can be searched through the online catalogs in each library. Additionally, searching may be done through the Whitefield Academy website by scrolling over the “Academics” tab, and selecting the “Academic Resources” link, then the “Library” link. On the “Library” page, click on the link for “Atrium”. Author, title, or keyword searches should retrieve a list of materials available in the Library.

Borrowing Materials Books may be borrowed for a period of three weeks. Middle and Upper School students will be reminded in advisory about overdue books. Reference books must remain in the Library.

Students are encouraged to return books on time and to handle library materials with care. The following rules apply to late returns: • A fine of $0.10 per day will be charged for each overdue book.

• Students who do not return overdue books will not be able to check out additional books until the overdue books are returned and fines paid.

• Students who have not returned books or paid outstanding overdue fines at the end of the Spring semester will not receive their final grades or yearbooks until the books are returned and/or fines are paid.

• Students should notify the librarians whenever a borrowed item is damaged or missing. The student and parent will be notified of the replacement cost of the item.

Computer Resources The Library staff provides instruction to students, faculty, and parents in the use of a wide selection of online databases available at both school and home to the Whitefield community. Students must sign an Acceptable Use Agreement in order to use the computers at school. This agreement clearly outlines the appropriate use of computers at WA. Computer privileges will be suspended for inappropriate non-academic use.

The Library staff may issue a school-owned ChromeBook for temporary use for students who do not have a working laptop at school that day. ChromeBook checkout will be limited to three consecutive school days unless the student provides written parent notification that the student’s device is being serviced/repaired.

The Whitefield Academy Library subscribes to a wide range of databases to enhance the learning and research opportunities for the students and community as a whole. All of the databases are accessible from on-campus computers, and most are available from home.

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These databases can be accessed through the Schoology - Groups - Whitefield Academy Library Resources.

Conduct In addition to the daily use by students, the Middle/Upper School Library is also used for makeup tests, to study, and to conduct research. The students are expected to maintain a quiet atmosphere.

Medication No medications, prescription or non-prescription, are allowed to be carried by a student. An exception is permitted for Upper School students to carry asthma inhalers and epi-pens when necessary for emergency use.

Permission regarding non-prescription medication is documented on the Permission for Emergency Treatment form. When possible, parents are encouraged to administer any necessary prescription medication at home. If your child requires prescription medication during school hours, an Authorization to Give Medication at School form must be completed and on file on MAGNUS. Specific instructions regarding medications to be administered at school are included on this form. Prescription medications will not be administered without this form on file.

National Honor Society Per the National Honor Society (NHS) website, the organization “elevates a school’s commitment to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. These four pillars have been associated with membership in the organization since its inception in 1921. Whitefield Academy students in NHS demonstrate excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, character, and service in a Christ-honoring and Bible-centered manner both on and off campus. To be considered for membership, students must have an 87% GPA and meet school requirements for community service. To maintain membership students must have an 87% GPA or higher, 30 hours of community service (each year) and no major discipline referrals (including accrual of minor offenses).

Invitations to be considered as a candidate for National Honor Society membership are offered in September or October each school year. To be identified as a candidate for membership, a student must have attended Whitefield Academy for at least one semester prior to these invitations being offered. In addition, to be identified as a candidate, students must have an 87% GPA or higher and have no major discipline incidents, including Honor Code violations, the previous semester and current semester. Any sophomore, junior or senior student who has attended Whitefield Academy for at least one semester prior to these fall invitations has the opportunity to apply to become a member of the National Honor Society. These students who desire to apply to National Honor Society must submit an intention form by mid-October in order to initiate teacher evaluations. Each student must then submit a complete application along with 30 community service hours on or off campus by 3:00 p.m. with all required documentation

by January 15 of the school year in which they are applying. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Current members must perform a total of 30 hours of community service in each school year that they are a part of NHS. Hours must be submitted by March 31 for seniors and April 30 of each year for all other members. In addition, current members must maintain an 87% cumulative GPA. Members of NHS will be reevaluated by the NHS advisor through the lens of the NHS pillars throughout their term. NHS members who do not meet with GPA requirement, do not complete their required service hours, or who have major discipline, including Honor Code violations, will be placed on probation and/or will have their membership revoked. All membership requirements must be met in order for students to maintain membership and receive the graduation cord.

Office Hours All faculty members will be available in their rooms for office hours from 7:45 – 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. In addition to the morning office hours, faculty are available in their classrooms from 3:00 –

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3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday unless there are extenuating circumstances. If the informal office hours are not addressing the student’s needs, the student should schedule a specific appointment with the teacher.

Online/Off-Campus Courses It is Whitefield Academy’s strong desire to protect the integrity of its diploma by avoiding the replacement of Whitefield Academy programming with online or off-campus programming; however, in an effort to expand Whitefield academic programming, to help students earn the necessary credits for graduation, and to resolve scheduling conflicts, in some cases Whitefield Academy permits students to take courses online or off-campus through Sevenstar Academy, Georgia Virtual School (GAVS), or other pre-approved venues. There is a strict pre-approval process for students seeking to earn credits online or off-campus.

Please access Parent Portal (Academic Information Online/Off-Campus Courses) for the detailed policies and procedures for students taking online/off-campus courses.

Physical Education If a student is not able to participate in a P.E. class due to a physical or medical issue, that student must have a note signed by a parent or a doctor stating the reason. If the student cannot participate for more than one day, a note should indicate approximately when the student can begin participating. The student may be given an alternate assignment during the time of nonparticipation.

Plagiarism Policy According to Webster’s New International Dictionary of the English Language, to commit the act of plagiarism is “To steal or purloin and pass off as one’s own the ideas, words, artistic productions of another; to use without due credit the ideas, expressions or productions of another.” If a student is caught plagiarizing, the student will go before the Honor Council for the offense. ● Plagiarism comes from the Latin word plagiarius, which means “kidnapper” ● Plagiarism occurs when a student steals or takes another person’s work published or unpublished in the form of summary, paraphrase, quotation, data tables, graphs, charts, or other visual material and presents those ideas as his or her own. ● Plagiarism also occurs when a student takes ideas from another source with proper acknowledgement. This includes the use of Spark Notes website, any AI software, or other teaching resources on the internet.

Looking at these websites put students at risk for committing plagiarism. ● Plagiarism does not require intent, which means that students can commit plagiarism without purposefully deceiving the instructor. Plagiarism normally results from a lack of preparation. Do not be careless when consulting someone else’s work. Students will receive no leniency for carelessness. ● Because plagiarism does not require intent, students should be meticulous when taking notes. If a student does not correctly record quotations, he or she could accidentally plagiarize. If a student copies more than three words in a row, it requires quotations. If a student does not use quotations for using more than three words in a row, he or she is committing plagiarism. ● Common knowledge does not have to be cited; however, if a student is unsure whether a piece of information is common knowledge or not, the student should speak to his or her teacher. If there is no time to speak to the teacher, the student should include a citation.

Examples of plagiarism and other forms of cheating: ● Failure to properly cite direct quotations from the works of others ● Copying a friend’s work or sharing your work with a friend on any graded assignment (this includes homework) ● Completing homework by copying the answers from a book or Internet site ● Failure to properly cite paraphrases and summaries of the works or ideas of others

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● ● ● ● ●

●

Failure to properly cite facts that are not common knowledge Merely substituting synonyms for a few words in passages from sources that are being used Merely changing the order of words or passages from sources that are being used and presenting the ideas or information without proper documentation Buying and/or using an assignment such as a documented essay or research paper Presenting an assignment that was created by someone else, including a peer or parent, to a teacher for a grade Use of any AI software that substitutes for original, intellectual work

Please note that the above list is not all inclusive.

Follow these guidelines to avoid plagiarism in all of your assignments. ● Never include in your own essay a passage, an identifiable phrase (three words in a row), or an idea that you copied from someone’s work without acknowledging and documenting the source. ● Never use exactly the same sequence of ideas and organization of an argument as your source. ● Always put the author’s exact words inside quotation marks. ● Always cite the source of any summary or paraphrase. Not only exact words but also ideas need to be credited. ● Never simply substitute synonyms for a few words in the source or move a few words around. ● Never use sections that have been written or rewritten by a peer, parent, or tutor.

Generally, common knowledge does not have to be documented. Common knowledge refers to facts or judgments that are widely known by most readers. What is considered common knowledge is somewhat dependent on the audience that will be reading an assignment or paper.

For example: The fact that Abraham Lincoln was the president during the Civil War is an example of common knowledge that would not require documentation. The contention that Lincoln saw the bloody battle of Antietam, which is considered to have ended in a draw, as a sign from heaven that he should rally the Union troops by making public the Emancipation Proclamation is not common knowledge and would need to be properly documented (2000 Questions and Answers about the Civil War), Also, the results of a student’s original research, personal experiences, observations, or reactions do not need to be cited.

If a student is caught plagiarizing, the student will receive a zero for the plagiarized assignment and will also go before Honor Council for the offense.

Privileges Driving and Parking Privileges All Whitefield students who are planning to drive to school must attend a safe driving seminar conducted each year by the Director of Campus Security. The seminar dates and times will be on the website. Students who do not attend this required event will not be issued a parking sticker.

Driving on the Whitefield campus is a privilege, not a right. Each student who desires to park his/her car at Whitefield must have a valid driver’s license and completed permission form (including written parental permission) on file with the Dean of Students. If a driving privilege is granted, the car the student drives must have an official Whitefield parking sticker displayed at all times. All students with appropriate permission/parking stickers should park in the designated student lots. Seniors and juniors may park in the Athletic Center lot, with seniors parking closest to the Athletic Center and juniors parking farther away.

Sophomores may park in the lot by the athletic practice fields.

As we all know, with privilege comes responsibility. Therefore, any student who speeds or drives recklessly/dangerously on or near the Whitefield campus will be held accountable to discipline policies.

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Furthermore, any student who makes unauthorized visits to his/her car during normal school hours will be subject to appropriate school action according to discipline policies. Vehicles parked on Whitefield premises are subject to search. Students’ vehicles can never display hate symbols or discriminating messages (i.e., Confederate flag, swastika, etc.).

Those parking on Whitefield’s campus assume the risk for all damage to or loss of their vehicle and release Whitefield Academy from liability for the same.

Junior Lunch Privilege Beginning second semester, juniors may leave for off-campus lunch on Wednesdays if they have not had disciplinary issue(s) during the first semester and have passed all classes with a C+ (77%) or higher for the first semester. These privileges can be revoked at any time due to disciplinary issues. At the end of the nine-week grading period, any junior who has a 77% or lower average in any course and/or three or more unexcused tardies to school or to class will lose the junior lunch privilege. All juniors must return written permission from their parents to the Upper School office before they are eligible for off-campus lunch.

Students must sign in and out each time they leave for lunch.

Junior Free Period Privilege Beginning the last nine-week grading period of the second semester, juniors will be permitted to drop a study hall and take a free period if they have a 90% overall average during third quarter, no failing grades, no more than three tardies to school or to class, and are in good standing with the Upper School Administration. This privilege can be revoked at any time due to disciplinary issues.

Senior Privileges The senior class at Whitefield Academy is one of the school’s most important sources of leadership. An enthusiastic, community-minded senior class has a tremendous impact on the student body. Seniors at Whitefield have certain privileges as an encouragement to demonstrate maturity and leadership at Whitefield.

These privileges do not begin until the Upper School Principal formally launches them, usually within the first couple weeks of school. Each year, the Student Body President and/or the senior class representatives may present other privileges to the Upper School Principal for approval. All senior privileges are always subject to review by the Upper School Principal.

Senior Free Period Privilege Seniors are permitted to take a free period. In addition, beginning second semester, seniors may leave campus during their free period and lunch so long as those periods are back-to-back. Seniors must check in and out in the Upper School office. At the end of any nine-week grading period, any senior who has a 72% or lower average in any course and/or three or more unexcused tardies to school or to class will lose the free period and will attend study hall for the following nine-week period.

Senior Lunch Privilege Seniors may leave for off-campus lunch each day if they have not had major disciplinary issue(s) and have passed all classes with a 72% or higher for the first semester. These privileges can be revoked at any time due to disciplinary issues. At the end of any nine-week grading period, any senior who has a 72% or lower average in any course will lose the senior lunch privileges and will attend study hall for the following nine-week period. Students who have accumulated three tardies either to school or class will lose senior lunch privileges for two weeks. All seniors must return written permission from their parents to the Upper School office before they are eligible for off-campus lunch. Students must sign in and out each time they Family Handbook 2023-2024

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leave for lunch. Students who fail to sign in and out will be held accountable and will receive disciplinary consequences from the upper school dean of students.

Reporting of Infractions to Colleges/Universities and Schools Students and parents are responsible for understanding the obligation to report and update information in a student’s college application pursuant to the college’s or university’s reporting guidelines. Many colleges and universities require that students advise whether they have been subjected to discipline (probation, suspension, or expulsion) or have been arrested or convicted. Many colleges and universities also require that a student or school immediately report the following incidents which may have occurred after application and/or acceptance: (1) disciplinary matters for which a consequence has been given; (2) arrests, convictions, or other legal changes; and (3) circumstances under which a student was withdrawn from School to avoid the possibility of a disciplinary infraction. The student and/or parent are responsible for complying with the college/university requirements. Colleges and universities have a variety of practices regarding reporting. The School will not voluntarily report incidents to colleges and universities, but it is important for the student and parent to realize that if the college or university requests or requires us to do so, the School and/or the student’s college counselor will also inform the college or university of such an incident.

Restoration and Reinstatement Whenever a student is withdrawn or removed from school, there is the possibility of restoration and reinstatement in the future, if in the opinion of the Upper School Principal, with the concurrence of the Head of School, the student has demonstrated sincere repentance. Additionally, there must be sufficient probability that, after reinstatement, the student will remain in full compliance with all other Whitefield Academy conduct expectations.

Smoking/Vaping/Tobacco Products School policy expressly forbids students from smoking, vaping, juuling, or using tobacco products, as well as possessing such products, at any time in or on School property, buses or other School vehicles, adjacent properties, or School-sponsored trips. All cigarettes (including electronic), vaping devices, smokeless tobacco, lighters, matches, etc. or other devices similar to cigarettes, lighters, matches, etc. brought on campus by students will be confiscated. Discipline will be imposed based on the circumstances existing at the time and may include suspension, probation, or expulsion. Depending on the circumstances existing at the time, a violation of this policy may also be a violation of the School’s Drugs and Alcohol Policy.

Student Leadership Institute Whitefield Academy believes in equipping students to become strong servant leaders. In addition, Whitefield believes students should have opportunities to align leadership opportunities to their God-given passions, interests, and talents. Thus, the Whitefield Academy Student Leadership Institute exists to provide authentic opportunities for students to lead, serve, and engage in building positive, Christ-centered culture in the Upper School. The Student Leadership Institute consists of eleven leadership academies: Student Athletic Leadership Team (SALT), Student Government, Missions Support Team, Peer Mentoring, Hands and Feet, Worship Team, Broadcasting, Ten Thousand Reasons Leadership Team, Pack Pals, Pack Ambassadors and Chick Fil A Academy.

Criterion for participation in the Student Leadership include: strong academic standing (no failing grades), no major Honor Code or disciplinary offenses, and willingness to plan for and serve at school events. Most Student Leadership participants must be sophomores through seniors. These students are expected to be models of Christ-honoring behavior. Students who are not in strong academic standing and/or who have significant or multiple disciplinary issues may lose the opportunity to engage in the Student Leadership Institute.

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Each Student Leadership Institute academy has its own eligibility requirements (i.e., application, election, or open participation), organizational structure, purpose, and vision. Each academy has two faculty advisors. The Director of Student Leadership oversees the Student Leadership Institute.

Student Events Throughout the school year, various Upper School social events are sponsored by Whitefield Academy, including Meet the Teacher Night, Homecoming, and the Junior-Senior Prom. Every person in attendance, including students and their guests (when guests are permitted), are expected to abide by all Whitefield rules whether the event is on or off campus. Students who have been removed from Whitefield Academy or have been suspended are not permitted to attend any Whitefield functions.

Student Pregnancy Whenever sexual promiscuity results in a pregnancy, the involved students at Whitefield Academy responsible for the pregnancy will immediately be excluded from WA until the beginning of the new semester following the duration of the pregnancy. As in the case of any form of sexual promiscuity, regardless of whether such actions result in pregnancy, the student’s likelihood of rejoining the Whitefield Academy student body will then be contingent upon repentance, forgiveness, and restoration. In cases of pregnancy, the student(s) involved may or may not qualify for homebound services. Violation of these policies will result in either exclusion, a request that the student be withdrawn from Whitefield Academy, or a recommendation for expulsion.

Textbook Purchasing

Whitefield Academy Upper School does not provide textbooks to students. Textbooks may be purchased through BNC Services (Barnes & Noble College), other online vendors, or through the WPA textbook exchange. Whitefield requires textbooks to match the ISBN identified on the official textbook lists. Core textbooks for all English courses must be new and void of annotation and markings. Further information on purchasing textbooks can be found in the Veracross Parent Portal.

Truancy Truancy is defined as being absent from school without parental and school permission. Please see attendance policy including excused and unexcused absences.

Visitors

Visitors at School Dances Whitefield students are permitted to bring one guest who attends another high school to Homecoming and/or Prom. However, to bring this guest, students must fully complete and submit the required paperwork by the established deadline. No exceptions will be made for late or incomplete paperwork. All decisions regarding dance guests are left to the discretion of the Upper School administration.

Visitors during School Hours All visitors must sign in and obtain a name tag at the Upper School Office for permission to be on campus.

Parents wishing to see their child must first contact the Upper School office. Parents wishing to see a teacher should make arrangements with the teacher in advance. Student visits to classrooms will be arranged by the appropriate school administrator or his or her assistant. Visitors are to stay with their host at all times and are subject to all school rules.

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Weapons and Threats The School takes all threats seriously, even when students make comments in jest, on the Internet, by text, or away from School toward or about another student, employee, or the School. Students are prohibited from bringing any type of weapon to School or School-sponsored events, including knives, guns (all types), fireworks, etc. Any such item may be confiscated and, if appropriate, turned over to law enforcement. Any pictorial depictions of weapons, or verbal or written comments that the administration determines in its discretion appear to be threatening in nature, or any behavior that is threatening, will result in disciplinary consequences.

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