The Owl for The Oak Leaf for WISDOM GROWTH & STRENGTH

The Plow for The Beaver for CULTURE INDUSTRY

SOLEBURY SCHOOL HANDBOOK 2019-2020

Solebury School 6832 Phillips Mill Rd New Hope, PA 18938-9682

MAIN OFFICE NUMBER: 215-862-5261 Website: w​ ww.solebury.org

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY: Before 4:30 p.m., call 215-862-5261. From 4:30 p.m.—5:30 p.m., call the Administrator on duty at 215-783-0116.

From 5:45 p.m.—11:30 p.m., follow these steps: 1. Call one of the three faculty members on duty: 215-783-0114 (Holmquist Dorm) 215-783-0115 (Walter Lamb Hall Dorm) 215-783-0229 (Appledore)

2. If you cannot make contact, call the administrator on duty: 215-783-0116

3. Weekend duty cell phones: 215-783-0114 215-783-0115 215-783-0229 267-716-4976 267-716-4977 267-716-4978 267-716-4979

From 11:30 p.m.—8:00 a.m., call the Administrator on duty (step 2 above).

Please do not call your child during Evening Study hall from 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. or after 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

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SOLEBURY SCHOOL HANDBOOK

2019-2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction and Welcome page 3

Mission Statement page 4

Statement of Philosophy and Objectives page 4

Academic Information page 5

Student Leadership page 18

Student Support Systems page 20

General Information page 21

School Rules and Policies page 24

Boarding Student Information page 46

Day Student Information page 52

Whom to Call page 53

Index page 55

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Dear Solebury Students and Parents,

On behalf of the faculty and staff, I want to welcome you to the Solebury School community. At Solebury, you will find a casual, friendly atmosphere permeating the community, a school where teachers and students greet each other by their first names, a school dedicated to removing the barriers between students and teachers and replacing formality with a sense of “We’re in this together and it’s fun and exciting.”

Nestled on a rolling 140-acre campus in the Pennsylvania countryside, Solebury students and faculty pursue learning as an exciting, shared endeavor between teachers and students. This unique approach to education is not happenstance, but rather the cornerstone to Solebury’s educational philosophy, dating back to the vision of the four founders in 1925. To achieve and sustain this vibrant atmosphere, Solebury is crafted to be intentionally small. Our size fosters quality communication among our students, teachers, and parents, and enables our teachers to really get to know their students as individuals. At Solebury, the individual is prized. Solebury students do not fit a mold, but in their dress, their avocations, and their passions, they are encouraged to express themselves and to strive for their personal excellence, intellectually, artistically, and athletically. The result is a magical learning environment, characterized by a wonderful tension between creativity and diversity, balanced against an ethos of cooperative learning between students and teachers.

To sustain our community, it is important that we have a set of clear and fair expectations for us all. These expectations are set forth in this H​ andbook​, which reflects a great deal of work by administrators, faculty, and students over the years. Because the H​ andbook​ contains policies and information about student and parent rights and responsibilities, parents and students are responsible for knowing its contents. Therefore, please read the ​Handbook c​ arefully to become familiar with the rules in effect as we begin the school year. Please understand that the school reserves the right to interpret its contents and make changes at any time, and note also that this H​ andbook ​ is not a contract, nor is it intended to be so construed. P​ lease also note that all students and parents/guardians are on notice that class lectures may be audio recorded for accommodation purposes and continuing enrollment in Solebury School serves as consent for such recordings. T​ he most current version of the H​ andbook will always be available on the School’s website for your easy reference, and we encourage you to ask us any questions about its contents. (One area of the ​Handbook ​ that is especially helpful is the “​Whom to Call” ​ section.)

Solebury is a unique and exciting school—a community that will foster your learning and growth, academically and socially. We are a community where our many differences are both celebrated and nourished. I encourage you to seize the many opportunities we offer—in the classrooms, on stage, in the music and art rooms, on the playing fields and courts, and in community service—get involved! As we begin the new year, I encourage you to commit yourself to contribute your unique strengths and abilities toward achieving your personal excellence ​and​ enriching the Solebury School community.

Sincerely,

Tom Wilschutz Head of School

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Solebury School’s Mission

Solebury School’s mission is to create an environment of educational excellence that prepares students for success in college and beyond. In the Solebury community, we strongly value intellectual challenge and academic achievement, creative and independent thinking, mutual respect between students and teachers, deep respect for each individual, and diversity.

Statement of Philosophy & Objectives

Challenging and Innovative Academics We believe that all young people love to learn, and we view it as our responsibility to develop a challenging and creative curriculum that makes this curiosity a lifelong trait. We push students to investigate, to question, and to make connections between disciplines. Our academically demanding curriculum, high expectations, and the dedicated, personal involvement of our teachers ensure that every student is prepared for​ h​ igher learning.

Students and Teachers – A Partnership in Learning Strong and positive relationships between students and teachers are central to the Solebury School experience​. B​ y remaining small and eliminating some of the formalities that traditionally separate students and faculty, we create a culture of mutual respect within the Solebury community. At Solebury, learning truly becomes a joint venture. Energized by the close, working relationships they form with teachers, students perform at their highest level in the classroom and the art room, on the stage and the athletic field.​ ​ Mentored by faculty, students​ l​ earn to take responsibility for their own learning and lives, and so prove successful in college and adulthood.

Profound Respect for the Individual We are guided by a profound respect for the individual, as we recognize the need to balance individual freedom with responsibility to the community. Solebury students do not have to fit a mold. All are valued for the talents and traits they bring to the school; all are encouraged to explore their passions and to make the school stronger through their performance.

The Importance of Diversity At Solebury, there is a basic, inherent respect for differences,​ a​ nd we are dedicated to embracing diversity in an expansive way. The diversity of our student body and staff enriches our school and helps students see beyond stereotypes. This appreciation of differences is crucial in a world that increasingly demands that people live and work with those unlike themselves.

A Relevant Education ​During their years here, Solebury students develop habits of reflection and critical thinking that are crucial to an understanding of self and society. Because we understand that individual success is intertwined with the larger world, we actively encourage students to become engaged in improving their community. Solebury School offers an academic program relevant to the lives of students and to the social, economic, political, and environmental issues of the day. A Solebury education is a solid foundation for broad and long-lasting success in academics and in life.

4 ACADEMIC INFORMATION 2019—2020

The courses described in the bulletin comprise Solebury School's academic program. Although each discipline teaches its own skills and its own methods, they have common goals of teaching you how to learn, how to solve problems, and how to become as effective a person as you can be.

REQUIREMENTS A minimum of 109 credits is required for graduation, distributed in the following manner:

REQUIRED RECOMMENDED 24 English (required each trimester) 24 English 18 Mathematics * 24 Mathematics 18 World Language ** 18 World Language 12 Science (Conceptual Physics*** and Biology 18 Science required) 12 Social Studies (U.S. History required) 18 Social Studies 6 Arts 6 Arts 1 Health or Healthy Relationships **** 1 Health Electives to bring total credits to 108 Electives #​

* Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II & Trigonometry normally meet the mathematics requirement. ** Three years of the same World language are required. In extraordinary circumstances, this requirement may be modified or waived. *** Students in Math Support Program may substitute Chemistry in the Community for Conceptual Physics ****Required of all students who enter Solebury before eleventh grade. Only High School Health courses will be considered for transfer credit. # Students who apply to competitive colleges usually have 132 to 156 credits at graduation.

Every student must carry a minimum of 27 credits each year, or 9 each trimester. Most full-year and trimester courses earn 2 credits each trimester. Most Health, Computer, Chorus, Studio Arts, and Performing Arts classes earn 1 credit each trimester. In order to be guaranteed a spot in the senior class, juniors must be on track for graduation when the school year ends in June. For example, a junior who fails Spanish II is no longer on track to complete our foreign language graduation requirement by the end of senior year. Consequently, students in such positions may not be invited to return. Depending on the severity of the case, some students may be allowed to make up the credit in summer school; however, we cannot guarantee that their spot in the senior class will remain open.

NON-ACADEMIC GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Community Service ​ ​– ​ S​ ervice to our local and greater community is a core value of Solebury School and built into the fabric of our culture here. All students are required to participate in an all-school service day once a year, and Juniors and Seniors are required to participate in a service event in the fall term. There are school-sponsored service trips at least once a month that boarding and day students are encouraged to attend, and students are highly encouraged to engage in community service on an individual basis outside of school-run events. Solebury School offers two major prizes

5 each year to honor students who complete outstanding Community Service. Solebury's Service Society is a student-run club that facilitates many volunteer events including an annual MLK Service Day project. Solebury strives to bring service into the curriculum with service-based learning and bi-annual international or domestic trips with a significant service component.

Sports and Activities ​ –​ ​ All students are required to participate in a supervised after-school activity or interscholastic team sport each trimester. Activities meet Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, while athletic teams meet daily and may have weekend practices and games. Students select activities from a list of choices over the summer for the upcoming school year; however, students still have the opportunity to change activities at the beginning of each trimester during the drop/add period. Participation in a physical activity is required during at least two of the three trimesters. Activities and sports offered include, but are not limited to, the following:

● Theater and Musical Productions ● Soccer ● Basketball ● Newspaper ● Wrestling ● Yoga ● Baseball ● Ultimate Frisbee

Independent Activities, another option available, are opportunities for students to receive activity credit while continuing a physical activity or sport that they have been involved in prior to their time at Solebury and one that Solebury does not already offer (i.e. ballet, competitive swimming, or figure skating). Independent Activities are not intended as an alternative to the on-campus options but are instead a way for students to continue their pursuit of a passion in accordance with the school's philosophy. Proposals for Independent Activities must be submitted in letter form or email prior to the trimester and are subject to approval by the Director of Athletics. While the days and times of an Independent Activity do not have to necessarily mirror Solebury’s own after-school activity program, the hours involved per week should at a minimum be the same as a three-day activity (4.5 hours/week). Proposals must describe the activity or sport and include days and times of practices, location, and a contact name and number.

Team Sports Solebury School fields Varsity and Junior Varsity athletic teams who compete interscholastically. We encourage all students to participate because we believe that healthy competition and physical exertion are integral components of adolescent development. Toward these goals, the teams will generally play more experienced players and those with demonstrated talent and athleticism. Substitutions will be made both with an eye toward winning games and allowing students to grow and develop experience. However, teams do not guarantee playing time nor distribute it based on participation alone. Each student must earn playing time, and it can be a valuable life lesson for a student to learn that others have more ability in certain areas.

ATTENDANCE POLICIES

5-4-3 Attendance Rule Attendance in class is a requirement of all Solebury courses. Since missing an 80 minute class period will have a significant detrimental effect on learning, our attendance rule states that, in any trimester,

6 students may miss up to f​ ive ​class meetings for those classes in a rotating letter block, may miss only four ​Arts classes, and may miss only t​ hree c​ lasses during the spring term if they are going on Senior Project.​ This includes both excused and unexcused absences b​ ut does not include absences due to religious observations.​ ​The “5-4-3” rule gives our students an easy to remember guideline for our attendance expectations. A student missing more than that number of classes will not get credit for the course and will receive a grade of F for the trimester. If this produces a situation where a student may not be eligible to successfully complete an academic year, she/he/they may be required to withdraw from Solebury. In extraordinary cases, a student may appeal the application of this rule to the Head of School, who will appoint an ​ad hoc c​ ommittee to make a recommendation. Class sessions missed due to late enrollment still count against the Attendance Rule, so it is wise to learn as much as possible about each course prior to enrolling.

College Visitation Process ​– ​ Visiting colleges is essential. Ten minutes on a college campus talking with actual students will reveal more about the school than reading an entire admissions catalog. Schedule as many visits during Solebury vacations as possible, and try to visit when the college’s classes are in session. Summer visits are also encouraged to help minimize absences from Solebury classes. Some colleges offer Saturday tours and interviews during the academic year. In addition, we do recommend staying overnight during the college’s academic year because this is an excellent way to experience campus life. Many schools have overnight hosts to facilitate this process. Plan any visits early. At some of the more popular schools, appointments need to be scheduled at least 6 weeks in advance. Think ahead and plan an itinerary if visiting more ​ t​ han one school. If you cancel an appointment for any reason, call and let the college admissions office know immediately. In order to be excused from school for a college visit, students must meet with the College Counselor to discuss their plans and fill out the College Visitation Form. Students must have each of their teachers sign the form and then must return it to the College Counselor. As part of the final college visitation process, the student must give a note signed by the institution’s admissions department to Solebury’s College Guidance Director acknowledging their visit. Students must give a​ t least 2 weeks’ notice ​ before the visit, or they risk having any absence treated as unexcused.

Planned Absences from School –​ ​ Missing class is detrimental to students’ academic work. They miss important material, lose the opportunity to ask questions, and often fall behind on tests and quizzes. While some of this work can be “made up” (i.e., readings can be done at home and quizzes can be taken at a different time), many aspects of a class simply are lost. Science labs, for example, cannot be recreated for a single student, and class discussions or lectures cannot be reconstructed, no matter how many conference periods are attended. We do not ask our teachers to be responsible for remediation of a student who has missed school. Furthermore, most courses at Solebury include class participation in calculating an average, and absence from class weighs negatively in this area. Note: When students miss school, no matter the reason, they must realize that they are risking their academic success. We recognize, however, that on rare occasions situations arise that may necessitate an absence. When that happens, families need to request permission from the Director of Studies (or the College Counselor if the absence is for college visits) ​at least two weeks in advance.​ Even with this advance warning, the aforementioned difficulties still apply, but there will be no punitive consequence. If the request is made less than two weeks in advance, Solebury School may treat the absence as unexcused. If your request is short notice, please contact the Dean's office for assistance.

Sports and Activities –​ ​ Attendance in sports and activities is required at Solebury. A student who misses more than 5 days of an activity or 10 days of a sport will not receive credit, e​ ven if the absences are excused absences.​ In extraordinary cases, a student may appeal the application of this rule to the Head of School, who will appoint an a​ d hoc​ committee to make a recommendation.

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Senior Projects – On May 11, some seniors will leave campus to work as apprentices or volunteers, conduct independent research, or pursue creative projects. To qualify, a senior must be in good social and academic standing, have the permission of all his/her/their teachers, and have a proposal approved by the Senior Projects Committee. Seniors return to campus to present their projects to the school on June 1 and June 2. F​ or seniors on Senior Project, all coursework ends on May 8

Guidelines and Overview: Senior projects are intended to allow seniors in good academic and social standing (see notes below in Academic & Social Requirements) to spend the final 3 weeks of school exploring a career path they may be interested in pursuing; a career path they may not be interested in pursuing, but would like to experience; or perhaps a personal cause, among many other directions. The project requires that the student be actively involved learning experience—not just going to someone’s office, for example, and stuffing envelopes or answering the phone for 3 weeks. Students are encouraged to avoid working in a family business. Typically, we have students who intern with mentors in various areas of health care, politics, and agriculture (for example, a veterinarian or an organic farmer); with organizations such as Planned Parenthood, the SPCA, or environmental groups; and in various independent projects. The list is not limited to the areas mentioned​. The student’s academic work is completed before the beginning of the Senior Project.

Important Dates: Fri, February 28 Full description of the proposal due. Students will be notified soon after (and by the beginning of the Spring Trimester at the latest) if there is a significant problem with their proposal. Fri, April 24 ALL DETAILS COMPLETE, including signatures (parents, Senior Project Mentor, etc.)

Note: All project rewrites and permission forms must be returned by the deadlines. Failure to do so will result in cancellation of the project.

Friday, May​ 8​ All academic work must be completed. Monday, May 11 Projects begin. Friday, May 29 Projects end. Sunday, May 31 Boarders return Sunday evening, or earlier with permission from the Dean of Residence Life and the Dorm Head. Mon & Tues, Project presentations in the Abbe building June 1 & 2, at 7:00 p.m. All seniors participating in projects m​ ust​ attend A​ LL ​ sessions.

Permission: Permission must be obtained in writing from all of the following (forms will be provided at the meetings with seniors): 1. Senior Project Mentor 2. Parent/Guardian 3. All of the student’s teachers 4. Senior Project Supervisor

Academic and Social Requirements:

1. The student must meet all academic course requirements by May 8. 2. The student must fulfill all non-academic obligations.

8 3. To be eligible to go on Senior Project, a student must be in “good academic standing” at the time applications are due to the committee. “Good academic standing” means that the student is NOT on “Academic Warning”. Note: The attendance rule for class absences will apply to the seven weeks of classes that meet before projects begin, and include evening classes. According to the 5-4-3 Attendance rule, if a student misses 3 classes of the same subject, they will not get credit and will not be able to go on senior project. The committee will not consider the application of a student who is not in good academic standing. Furthermore, the student must remain in good academic standing throughout the Senior Project process. 4. The student must be in “good social standing”, which means that if a student goes before Judiciary Committee for breaking a major school rule during the school year, the project may be cancelled and the student will complete the year on campus. Senior projects will be referred to the Dean of Students; if there is a question, the committee will consult with the Dean. 5. Students whose projects have been cancelled can appeal to have their projects reinstated. They must write an essay stating why they should be allowed to continue to participate in Senior Project and give it to the Dean of Students, who will then appoint the appropriate committee to review the appeal.

Requirements: 1. The Senior Project Supervisor will call the student’s Senior Project Mentor during the project to see that all requirements are met. If not, the student must return to campus, where all academic work missed will be made up. 2. Each student will present during final presentations. 3. Students must work on average a minimum of 6 hours a day (30 hours per week) at the site and keep a journal/portfolio of experiences. These will be collected at the end of the presentations and are a part of the graduation requirement. 4. Students may not earn money for the work done on Senior Project. 5. Students must provide transportation to and from the project.

EARLY GRADUATION Occasionally, a student comes along who is so far advanced in several disciplines that he/she/they will be ready for college a year early. Such students have completed all requirements, exhausted all the opportunities of our curriculum, and essentially would have nothing to gain by a further year of high school. In these extremely rare cases, we recommend that the student skip the sophomore year of high school, rather than the junior or senior year because the college search process (including PSAT’s, SAT’s, etc.) is distorted by foreshortening and puts the student at a disadvantage. Such planning, therefore, needs to be done very early. The Director of Studies will not approve this plan if the student will be only minimally prepared for college. It is always wiser to remain in high school and be maximally prepared for college.

DROP/ADD POLICY In September, students may drop or add courses until September 13. At the start of the winter and spring trimesters, students may drop or add a new trimester course until the fifth day of classes. In rare cases, the Director of Studies may grant exceptions after consulting with the teacher. ​ ​ ​Class sessions missed due to late enrollment still count against the 5-4-3 Attendance Rule, so it is wise to learn as much as possible about each course prior to enrolling. Permission to withdraw from a course may in some cases be granted by the Director of Studies after the drop/add period is over; however, a student may not withdraw solely to avoid a failure. A

9 withdrawal appears permanently on the student's record (W) but does not affect the student's grade point average. A student who withdraws from a class with an Academic Warning range grade (D+ or lower) is placed on Academic Warning for the remainder of the trimester.

GRADING Grading is on a 4-point scale: A+ (97 - 100) = 4.333 A (93 - 96) = 4.000 A- (90 - 92) = 3.666 B+ (87 - 89) = 3.333 B (83 - 86) = 3.000 B- (80 - 82) = 2.666 C+ (77 - 79) = 2.333 C (73 - 76) = 2.000 C- (70 - 72) = 1.666 D+ (67 - 69) = 1.333 D (63 - 66) = 1.000 D- (60 - 62, lowest passing grade) = 0.666 F (59 or less) = 0.000

Four other grades are possible: P = Pass; NG = No Grade (used for audits); W = Withdrawn; and I = Incomplete. P, NG, and W are not used in grade-point-average (GPA) computations. The grade of I (incomplete) is converted to an F (failure) if the work is not made up within the deadline specified by the teacher. GPA computations are withheld until the Incomplete is converted to a standard (A - F) letter grade. Final Examinations Final examinations may count as much as 25% of the grade for the trimester in which they are taken.

GRADE WEIGHTING Students who undertake more challenging programs are rewarded in the computation of their grade point average. Honors and AP courses are weighted at Solebury School. The bonus will not be added to the course grade itself, but will be used in calculating the grade point average. The Honors bonus will be 0.333 and the AP bonus will be 0.666.

Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses will move at an accelerated and generally pre-determined pace. Teachers will not have the luxury of slowing the pace or providing inordinate extra help to remediate students who struggle beyond the norm. Seeking additional help in conference or through tutoring is the responsibility of the student. Frequently, we receive requests from students who do not meet the prerequisites to be allowed to join an Honors course. Occasionally, teachers will oblige that request, but students and families must understand the reality and nature of Honors courses.

AP: AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Chemistry AP English Literature & Composition AP European History AP French Language AP US History AP US Government and Politics AP Spanish Language AP Statistics AP Studio Art

10 ​Honors:​ ​Global:​ Honors Ethics Art History Honors Algebra I English 10 Honors Geometry Honors English 10 Honors Algebra II & Trigonometry World Religions Honors American Literature South African Stories Multivariable Calculus Honors Environmental Science History Thesis Moral Conflicts Honors Physics World History Honors Biology Ethics Honors Chemistry Honors Ethics Honors Environmental Science Cultural Anthropology Honors Pre-Calculus Linguistic Anthropology Honors English 9 Archaeology Honors English 10 Architecture and Design Honors English 11 All Language Classes Honors US Government and Politics Honors US History Honors Economics Creative Nonfiction Reading and Writing poetry Jazz Roots Elite Ensemble All Teach2Serve classes

​HONORS AND HIGH HONORS A student is placed on the Academic Honors for the trimester if he/she/they earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.000 (B) or higher. A student is placed on High Honors if he/she/they earn a GPA of 3.666 (A-) or higher. However, no student will be given Honors or High Honors recognition if a grade of D+ or lower is entered for that trimester. Students on Honors and High Honors are eligible for special privileges, including optional daytime study hall.

HOMEWORK AND STUDY TIME All students should expect to have 30-45 minutes of homework per school night, including Sunday night, in ​each ​ full-credit subject. Most students will have some daytime study hours available to do homework, but almost all students will find that they need to do homework in the evening as well. If your child is ill for a day or two, the work can be completed at home, as well as in conference, so that subsequent classes do not lose continuity​. ​Some teachers may assign homework over vacation. All parents have the right to help their children with homework, but it is sometimes hard to know the difference between “helping” and doing the student’s work oneself. In general, we would prefer that you show your child how to find the answer, and resist the impulse to tell him/her/them the answer. If you are in doubt about how much help to give, or if you have questions about your child’s study skills in a particular discipline, contact the teacher or call the Director of Studies. Note: Students who are ill are responsible for emailing or calling teachers and/or classmates to get assignments. Students should also check Canvas to get their assignments.

11 ACADEMIC HONESTY It is intellectually dishonest and unfair, both to yourself and your classmates, to submit as your own, the words, ideas, corrections, data, solutions, or opinions of another. Because intellectual honesty is the basis of scholarship, plagiarism and other forms of cheating cannot be tolerated in an academic community. Violators of the principles of Academic Honesty will face serious consequences, which may include expulsion. Any student who facilitates an act of academic dishonesty has committed the same offense, and thus will be subject to the same penalty as the violator. As a college preparatory school, Solebury has an obligation to train students in a way that will allow them to participate meaningfully in an academic community and in accordance with widely accepted standards. Each student therefore has the responsibility to learn and uphold these standards immediately upon entering Solebury. In order to help the student ​ ​achieve that end, we will do the following: ● Explain the importance of Academic Honesty during New Student Orientation. ● Address the issues of Academic Honesty in an all-school assembly. ● Review the Academic Honesty policy in all classes at the start of the year and discuss the type of transgressions that are typical of each subject. ● Distribute in all English classes a printed copy of the Academic Honesty Policy and answer any questions regarding it. We stress, however, that Academic Honesty spans the entire curriculum and is imperative in all disciplines and courses. All acts of academic dishonesty are s​ erious​, but some rise to the level of f​ lagrant ​dishonesty. Both for educational and disciplinary purposes, we have created two categories that are defined below. Each act of dishonesty will be evaluated by the Director of Studies and the teacher of the course to decide the severity of the offense and thus the appropriate punishment. Factors that may go into the categorization of the offense are the nature of the assignment, level of deception, age of the student, and prior offenses (including other classes and previous years). The consequences described below are illustrative of what one may expect although the Director of Studies and the Judiciary Committee are not bound by them.

Offenses –​ Type 1: Serious:​ Although undoubtedly violating the standards of Academic Honesty, such offenses may ​ result from inexperience, or occur on smaller assignments. We understand that, in some cases, the student does not intend to deceive, but ignorance does not excuse a violation of Academic Honesty. E​ xamples include​: ● Mild-to-moderate errors in paraphrasing or citation. ● Copying another student’s homework. ● Copying data for a lab report without acknowledging its origin. ● Getting unapproved help, or cheating, on a limited part of a paper, quiz, examination, lab, project, etc. ● Using a translator for a limited part of an assignment. ● Helping a student commit a “serious” violation.

Consequences for Serious Acts: First Time: 1. The student receives a zero on the assignment and other consequences to be decided by the teacher. 2. The student will meet with the teacher, advisor, and the Director of Studies to review all types of academic dishonesty. 3. A letter will be sent home informing parents of the incident and of the consequences for further acts of academic dishonesty.

12 Second Time: 1. The student receives a zero on the assignment and other consequences to be decided by the teacher. 2. The student will review all types of academic dishonesty with the advisor and/or another teacher. 3. The student will be sent to Judiciary Committee and face probable suspension. 4. If suspended, the student will have a re-entry meeting with the advisor, the Dean of Students, the Director of Studies, and parents. Third Time: 1. The student will be sent to Judiciary Committee and face possible expulsion.

Type 2: Flagrant:​ These are the most egregious offenses and result in the most severe penalties. The intent is willful and deceptive. Typically, these offenses are ones in which a large portion of an assignment is taken from another source without proper acknowledgement.

Examples include:​ ● Major errors in paraphrasing or citation. ● Cheating, including the use of prohibited materials during a quiz, test, exam, etc. ● Fabricating sources. ● Using a translator for a significant part of an assignment. ● Plagiarizing major portions of a written assignment, whether from online, electronic, or printed sources. ● Acquiring or distributing information on a quiz or test prior to that evaluation. ● Getting unapproved help on a major part of a paper, examination, lab, project, etc. ● Submitting the same major assignment for more than one course. ● Helping a student commit a “flagrant” offense. ● Any offense that has been preceded by a “serious” offense. Consequences for Flagrant Acts: First Time: 1. The student receives a zero on the assignment and other consequences to be decided by the teacher. 2. The student will review all types of academic dishonesty with the advisor and/or another teacher. 3. The student will be sent to Judiciary Committee and face probable suspension or possible expulsion. 4. If suspended, the student will have a re-entry meeting with the advisor, the Dean of Students, the Director of Studies, and parents. Second Time: 1. The student will be sent to Judiciary Committee and face probable expulsion.

ACADEMIC WARNING A student who is failing a course (F), who has received an Incomplete (I), or who has two or more grades below C- is placed on the Academic Warning List. ​ ​The Academic Warning List is prepared six times a year; however, a teacher may issue a warning at any time. Students on Academic Warning automatically lose any privileges they may have earned or are entitled to, may be given special study conditions, and remain on Academic Warning until the next time grades are formally collected. Students who withdraw from a class with a grade within Academic Warning range (D+ or lower) are placed on Academic Warning for the remainder of the trimester.

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ACADEMIC COMMITTEE The Academic Committee is made up of teachers and students. This group meets, at the discretion of the Director of Studies and chair of the committee, with certain students in need of academic counsel. The most important role of the Academic Committee is to work with these students to develop a plan for improvement (with the student’s and advisor’s input), which may include new obligations (such as mandatory teacher meetings and restricted free periods). The Academic Committee also may place a student on Academic Probation.

ACADEMIC PROBATION Academic Probation is the most serious academic status at Solebury School. Students on Academic Probation must demonstrate improvement, as measured by the school, or they may be subject to dismissal.

LEARNING SKILLS and THE BRIDGE PROGRAM For decades, Solebury School has recognized that not all college-bound students learn the same way. Our Learning Skills programs help students achieve their potential through understanding their strengths, overcoming weaknesses, and learning to advocate for themselves. Over the years, students with learning differences have often been honor students, outstanding artists, star athletes, and student leaders at Solebury School. We value these students and strive to support all Solebury students to achieve in a challenging academic community.

The Learning Skills (LS) English Program is designed specifically for students who have language-based learning differences. It exists within our college-preparatory school structure, with students taking mainstream classes (math, science, history, and art classes) in addition to their LS work. English is taught in a one-on-one tutorial and is specifically designed to address the student’s individual learning profile, to build on strengths and to bolster weaknesses in reading and writing. Learning Skills teachers also provide support for other classwork.

The Bridge Program helps students whose success is hindered by ADD/ADHD, executive functioning challenges, or difficulty expressing ideas in writing. Students take a full schedule of classes and meet with a learning specialist every other day in a small group setting to help them stay on track, complete assignments, and develop study and test taking strategies to achieve the success their intelligence merits.

ACCOMMODATION AND ADVOCACY

Solebury will make whatever reasonable and appropriate accommodations it can to help students meet our challenging academic standards. However, that does not mean changing the standards themselves. The Learning Skills teacher collaborates with the advisor to be the student’s primary advocate and to help the student arrange for the accommodations that will best help them acquire and demonstrate the skills and knowledge taught in their classes. A key goal of the program, though, is to give students the tools and the confidence to advocate for themselves, as they will need to do in college.

Because Solebury is a small independent school with an emphasis on creativity, innovation, and individuality, some features are commonly available to all students, whether or not they have learning differences. These include:

● Small class size 14 ● A safe learning environment of mutual respect ● Regularly scheduled extra help conferences ● Opportunities for peer tutoring or study groups ● Use of computers for word-processing or other tasks ● Creative, innovative teaching

Solebury teachers have a great deal of freedom to design their courses and establish classroom policies. Some teachers, for example, routinely allow extra time for tests; others only by special arrangement. Some teachers often give open-book tests; others never do. Below is a list of the sorts of accommodations that can be made, if appropriate for the individual and if arranged in advance.

ACCOMMODATIONS THAT MAY BE GRANTED BY ARRANGEMENT

● Extended (but not unlimited) time for tests ● Permission to copy another student’s class notes or, if available, the teacher’s notes ● Note-taking accommodations for students with a documented disability per the Note Taking Accommodations Policy (please see the Director of Studies to see the entire policy) ● Permission to use a laptop computer or other electronic aid in class ● Use of a word processor for tests and quizzes ● Test directions (or whole tests) read aloud ● Permission to take tests in a distraction-free environment ● Homework assignments in writing or assignment book checks ● Frequent reminders of deadlines ● Extra advance notice of written assignments ● Reasonable extensions of deadlines, if requested in advance ● Preferential classroom seating ● Conferences with teachers, as appropriate ● Regular telephone or email reports to parents by advisors or LS teachers ● Duplicate texts (available for purchase in the bookstore)

However, it is important to let families know that some accommodations will not be possible, either because we are such a small school or because we feel they could not be implemented without compromising standards. Below is a partial list.

SOME ACCOMMODATIONS THAT CANNOT BE GRANTED

● Texts of a reading level or difficulty lower than those used by the class ● Shorter assignments than those for other students in the class ● Written versions of classroom activities ● Adaptive testing that avoids course requirements or skills taught in the course ● Use of electronic aids when test security would be compromised (e.g., spell checker in a spelling test) ● Grades based primarily on effort or improvement rather than achievement ● Exemption from major course requirements, including homework and class attendance ● Formal written reports to parents beyond those provided for all students

For accommodations unrelated to learning differences, such as medical or physical disabilities, please contact the School Nurse or the Dean of Students.

15 LIBRARY Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Weekends, opened as needed by the On-Duty staff. On certain occasions, the library may be closed at the discretion of the librarian.

​The Founders Library offers the Solebury School community a wide array of resources. The circulating collection numbers approximately 10,000 items. All circulating material may be checked out for 4 weeks.​ ​Further renewals may be arranged. Solebury is a member of the AccessPA inter-library loan program, which allows borrowing from academic libraries statewide. Borrowing periods for inter-library loan materials are determined by the lending libraries. All online resources are accessible via the library’s page on the school website. Online subscriptions are regularly reviewed and may vary slightly from those listed. All of these resources are also accessible off-site, and the passwords for each database are available on the library’s website. Computers, both Chromebooks and desktops, are available for student use. When the computers are not in use by a class, students may use them for academic purposes. A printer, photocopier and scanner are available for student use.

Note: School computers are for school activities only. No non-school related gaming, social media, or video watching is allowed on school computers. ​ (For further library policies, please refer to the “Library” section under S​ chool Rules and Policies​.)

COMPUTERS

Solebury School uses instructional technology as one way of enhancing our mission to teach the skills, knowledge and behaviors students will need as responsible citizens in the global community. Students learn collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking in a variety of ways throughout the school day. In an effort to increase access to those 21st Century skills, all students are required to bring either a laptop or a similar device for use in classes, the brand and specs of which are up to the student and student’s family (technical requirements and recommendations are provided in our school ​ I​ ndividual Device Policy)​ . The Solebury School faculty recognizes that individual students will differ as to their preferences for devices and how they study, write, and create. Solebury School teachers constantly examine their own practices and make changes as necessary to deliver the best education possible to our students; technology plays an essential role in that process. Of course, there are still times where the best learning environment is free of technology, and we trust our teachers to make the day-to-day decisions about when and where technology is beneficial within specific curricula. We work to make available technologies that teachers need to improve the learning process in their classrooms. Our teachers model ethical, responsible and innovative uses of technology, and our goal is to cultivate the same attitude toward technology in our students. While a comprehensive list of all technologies used is impossible to put on paper, what follows here is meant to give a feel for many of the technological tools in use daily at Solebury.

● A robust, campus-wide wired and wireless network supplements and supports classroom instruction as well as student work. ● All teachers have a presence on Canvas, our learning management system. This offers a single place for students to access assignments and other online resources needed for

16 class. There are multiple walk-in spaces on campus where students may use a computer to print something out or check/work on an assignment. ● Teachers use various cloud-based software options for attendance, grading and communication with each other, students and parents. ● Solebury School has an​ I​ ndividual Device Policy​ that requires students to have a personal device for use in and out of class. Our goal is to allow students choice in their device, while also meeting basic technology needs for our classes. This policy is designed to expand learning opportunities for our students. ● As members of a G Suite school, every student, faculty and staff member has a solebury.org ​ account that is used for email and other Google services. These accounts can also be used to log in to myriad other cloud based services (such as Canvas) that our students and teachers use in the classroom. Many teachers also utilize Google Classroom as a center for class assignments.

DAILY EXPECTATIONS Advisory –​ ​ ​Advisory meetings are every Tuesday and Friday from 9:55 – 10:10a.m. with an occasional meeting on Wednesdays from 2:45 – 3:30 p.m. Advisory is a time when students have an opportunity to touch base with their advisor as well as other students who share the same advisor. Discussions, outings, and food are also a part of this meeting.

Assembly​ –​ ​ A​ ssembly takes place three times a week from 9:55 – 10:10a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays and on Wednesday from 2:45 - 3:30 p.m. Attendance is required, and you must sit with your advisor. Announcements are made, and details of school business and routine are carried out. Special programs involving outside resources, speakers, and performers are scheduled as often as feasible.

Classes –​ ​ ​Classes meet for approximately three periods, Monday – Friday. During the fall trimester, all new students will meet with Peer Leaders. Note: Food and drinks are not allowed in the classrooms or the library.

Conference Period and Office Hours​ – ​ ​Conference period meets four times per week on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3:00 – 3:30 p.m., and on Wednesday, from 1:55 – 2:40 p.m. During this time, all teachers will be in their classrooms, offices, or a designated place. Along with conference period, teachers have designated office hours where students can make an appointment, drop in, or be required to attend by a teacher. A student who misses a required conference appointment receives a detention or a demerit.

Daily Schedule ​– ​Details regarding the schedule will be addressed at student orientation or you can speak with the Director of Studies.

Day Student Drivers ​ – ​Any student that has a driver’s license, must notify the Dean of Students at which point, they ​ will be assigned to a parking area at the Athletic Center. ​All student drivers must park in the student parking area from their first obligation in the morning until the end of their last obligation Monday - Friday. The student’s car must remain parked until the day is over and the student may ​not​ drive to their activity or sport. Students are not allowed to park in the area between Walter Lamb Hall and the dining hall and that includes the grass by the tennis courts. A student is not allowed to go off campus before activity or sports have begun unless permission has been granted. Student drivers are not allowed to drop their passengers off in the main circle. On the weekends, student drivers are allowed to drop students off in the circle.

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Daytime and Evening Study Halls –​ ​“S​ upervised study hall during the academic day will be held in locations designated by the Director of Studies. A student must obtain a note from the teacher they will be meeting with to leave study hall. All students who do not have classes must attend, except seniors in good standing (i.e., ​not o​ n Academic Warning) and underclass-persons on Honors. Students exempted from study hall may study in the library, student lounge, or in empty classrooms.

Evening Study Hours –​ ​ The hours of 8:00 p.m. – ​ 9​ :30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, are designated for study. All boarding students are expected to be in a supervised study hall, including those who have earned “Room Study.” (See the D​ orm Handbook)​ Students who wish to miss evening study hall must speak with the Admin on Call, Dorm parents on duty or one of the Deans to obtain permission to miss study hall.

Headphone Use during Study Halls Brain science consistently shows that successful multitasking is not possible when one or more of the tasks involves higher level thinking. Consequently, the use of headphones during day or evening study halls is​ not allowed.​ On the occasions when a student needs to use headphones to complete an assignment (e.g. listen to a recorded book, assigned class videos, world language assignment, etc.), that student can request permission* from the Study Hall Proctor by explaining why headphones are needed and for how long.

*details of Permission ● Proctors will note when permission has been given so we can monitor over time who and how often permission has been requested. ● Proctors may ask the student to work in a different location to ensure quiet and that work is being done. ● Permission can be revoked if the student isn’t using headphones effectively.

Kitchen/Dining Hall Duty ​– ​ Every student is placed in a rotating schedule to serve, clean up, and assist in food service. Boarding students are split into groups, with each group doing kitchen duty for two weeks at a time. Students will meet prior to their two weeks of Kitchen Duty to select the job they would like. Weekends are also included in the rotation.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP Student involvement in the community is secured through a number of specific leadership positions. Although leadership is a quality that every member of the community can exert in many ways, through individual effort and good example, certain elected and appointed positions carry a formal commitment to our well-being.

Academic Committee – ​ Student Academic Committee Representatives are an important part of the Academic Committee, which reviews the status of students on the Academic Warning lists, or students in other academic difficulties. The Academic Committee may place a student on Academic Probation, or it may recommend suspension or dismissal. Student Academic Committee Representatives are thus involved in supporting their fellow students in academic matters.

Ad Hoc​ Committee ​ – ​An ​ad hoc ​ committee is named by the Head of School and meets in place of the

18 Judiciary Committee (JC) or the Academic Committee when the school’s calendar (vacations, etc.) prevents those two committees from meeting. An a​ d hoc ​ committee may also be formed under other special circumstances. The ​ad hoc ​ committee will take on the roles of the two committees as the case requires, and make recommendations to the Head of School, who will make the final decision.

Community Council ​– ​ Community Council is an organization comprised of elected representatives from each grade as well as a faculty advisor supporting each grade. The group is the primary means for students to express their needs and concerns, and to see that action is taken. It meets weekly to plan events, discuss problems, and present concrete solutions to genuine concerns of the school community. To propose a change of rules in the H​ andbook,​ a student would submit a proposal to their Community Council class representatives as well as the Community Council Presidents, who would then take it to the Head of School.

Diversity Committee​ –​ ​ The Diversity Committee consists of several faculty members. Its goals are to ensure that the school is striving for diversity and acceptance of diversity on all levels. Students and faculty should bring their concerns and ideas regarding diversity to the committee. The Diversity Committee oversees several clubs that all have leadership opportunities for students who are interested in that club.

Judiciary Committee ​– Judiciary Committee (JC) contains seven students and five faculty members. There are no more than two students and two faculty members present at a given JC meeting. Serious rule infractions are referred to JC for review and then after deliberations the committee recommends a consequence to the Associate Head of School. If expulsion is a possible outcome, then the Head of School will be in attendance. Student JC representatives are, therefore, an integral part of the disciplinary decision-making process. (See S​ chool Rules and Policies s​ ection.)

Peer Leaders ​ –​ ​ E​ ach year, a number of students are selected to become Peer Leaders. They receive special training to help their peers on the many different and complex issues that adolescents face. Peer Leaders meet as a group one day per week and then meet with new student groups during the fall trimester.​

Peer Tutoring ​– T​ he Peer Tutoring program has a number of student volunteers to tutor other students who are struggling in particular classes. Questions about or requests for this service should be directed to the Peer Tutoring Coordinator.

Proctors​ –​ Are student leaders who oversee the daily routines and guidelines in the dormitories. The proctor’s position is a very important one; he/she/they is a leader in this community whom we think will work well with the teachers and the students. The proctoring role is one that may be difficult at times, and requires a great deal of responsibility. ​Note: A student leader will be removed from office if he/she/they violates a major rule.​ (This includes the Presidents of Community Council, Judiciary Committee [JC], Diversity Committee, Proctors, Academic Committee members, et al.) A major rule violation is one that results in a JC meeting or suspension. A student who has been removed from office for a major rule infraction may appeal to the Dean of Students for reinstatement. The Dean will decide the appropriate body to receive the appeal.

STUDENT SUPPORT SYSTEMS

A Note on Confidentiality​: W​ e feel that students have a right to privacy, which adults at the school uphold and respect when a student comes to them for advice and counsel. However, if there is a potential for harm to the individual or to the community, confidentiality must yield to safety. 19

Advisor​ – ​Every student is assigned an advisor who is a teacher or an administrator who helps students navigate their Solebury School education. Your advisor will give you solid advice about course and activity selection, help you get familiar with the different clubs and groups around campus, and work with you to encourage you to participate in community service. There is a regular, designated “advisor group” meeting on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:55 – 10:10 a.m., as well as special meetings during assemblies. The advisor meetings are required.

Your advisor will also be there for you as a liaison if you have problems with a teacher or administrator. The advisor should be the first person you go to with a problem, and the first person your parents contact if they have a question about Solebury life. If you decide, for whatever reason, that you would want to work with a different teacher as an advisor, you should contact the Director of Student Advising to begin this process.​

College Guidance –​ ​The College Guidance Counselor works closely with juniors, seniors, and their parents to find the optimum college placement.

The Nurse ​ – A​ Nurse Practitioner is at school from 7:30 a.m. – ​ ​3:30 p.m. on weekdays and a second nurse is on duty from 2:30 – 8:00 p.m. Monday - Friday and on call from 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. Twice a month, the second nurse is on-duty on the weekend from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and then on call. If a student needs to see a doctor, he/she/they is taken to Phillips-Barber Family Health Center in Lambertville, New Jersey (3 miles from campus). Doctors at Phillips-Barber are on call 24 hours a day. After hours, the school will utilize the local Urgent Care facility or the hospital if needed. Finally, in an emergency, the Lambertville Rescue Squad is available to take students to either Doylestown Hospital (PA) or Hunterdon Medical Center (NJ). Although the Nurse Practitioner functions as the primary medical person on campus, she is also available for sexuality, drug, and other medically related counseling, as well as general counseling.

Pre-Discipline ​ ​– T​ he best way to help a troubled student, who could potentially become involved in a disciplinary situation, is early intervention. If the school and student work together and keep the lines of communication open, we can often prevent serious problems before they occur. We need to encourage students who fear they are in trouble with drugs or alcohol to seek the help of their advisor, the Nurse, or one of the Deans. It will be arranged for them to meet with a trained drug and alcohol assessor, who will make recommendations to the student, his/her/their parents, and the school. It is important for you to know that no disciplinary action will be taken based on these reports. The essence of a pre-disciplinary program is to instill trust in the student that we are here to help when needed. Limitations to the pre-disciplinary system are as follows: The pre-disciplinary system can only be honored if the student or family approaches the school before a rule violation occurs. The system will be honored as long as the student follows school rules (and any special guidelines that have been set up) while functioning under the system. In addition, the information provided about other involved students may not fall under the pre-disciplinary system. Finally, as always, we may not be able to honor confidentiality if the health and well-being of any person or group of persons are in danger.

Counseling Services –​ Solebury’s counseling support services include a school counselor whose primary role is to be available to boarding and day students that need emotional support and short-term crisis intervention during the academic day. The school counselor also maintains contact with the student’s therapist to make sure we are working together to support the student. If an issue arises that would require a referral, please contact Julie Liang, the School Counselor, and/or Carol Hey, the School Nurse. They are the primary staff members to contact when looking for professional 20 counseling. Annette Miller, Dean of Students is available to assist as well. Solebury’s counseling services are intended to maintain and enhance a student’s psychological health. However, the school is not equipped to handle psychological conditions that seriously impair a student’s ability to function in an academic and residential community.

Professional Counseling Services ​- Psychotherapists are available to meet with boarders on campus for long-term therapy. The psychotherapists that we use have a wide range of focus, including family, individual, and adolescent therapy. We also provide references for day students as well. Please contact Julie Liang, the School Counselor

Sexuality and Healthy Relationship Discussions ​ – ​This program has been created to meet the needs of students at Solebury as they develop as adolescents. Students will meet with one of the school Nurse’s to discuss sexual and relationship issues, which include hygiene, HIV/AIDS facts, acquaintance rape, and more. If you do not wish your child to participate in these conversations, please contact the School Nurse. The Nurse is the in-house consultants for advisors, and also provides outside referrals and resources. While at Solebury, students will have the opportunity to take Health and Healthy Relationship classes which include human sexuality.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Accident Insurance ​– A​ ll students are enrolled in a Student Accident Insurance Policy that is paid for by the School and provides coverage on an EXCESS basis. Under the plan, the first $100 of covered charges is paid without regard to any other applicable coverage that may be in effect. After the first $100 in covered charges are paid, expenses which are NOT covered by your personal or group insurance are eligible for coverage under this plan up to the policy limit. Contact the Business Office for information and claim forms.

Dining Hall ​ – ​The Boyd Dining Hall serves cafeteria-style meals at the following times: Monday through Friday Breakfast 7:30 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. Lunch 11:25 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Dinner 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday Cold Breakfast 9:00 a.m. Brunch 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Dinner 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Delayed Openings Breakfast 7:30 - 8:15 a.m. Cold Breakfast 8:15 - 9:00 a.m.

Home and School Association The Home and School Association is the formal organization of parents at Solebury School. Its main purpose is to promote communication within the school community and volunteer financial support for special school and student activities. The Association’s main fundraising event is the annual Dinner-Auction, held in May.

I.D. Cards –​ A​ ll students will be photographed for their student identification (I.D.) cards during registration. The student’s permission (driving and dorm visitation) information will also be listed in the card. Driving permissions will begin after Parents day in October and permission to visit dorms will start at the beginning of the second trimester. Students should carry the card with them at all times while on campus. The I.D. cards will also help students take advantage of student discounts for 21 airfare, museums, theaters, etc.

Lockers​ – ​Please see Greg Lewis, the Assistant Dean of Students for all questions concerning lockers, including lost locks or forgotten combinations. Lockers are available for day students in the Rec. Room, and the Performing Arts Center. Combination locks are provided for each student. Under special circumstances, boarders can acquire a locker. Gym lockers are available to athletes during each season and they are assigned by the Athletic Director. The school reserves the right to inspect a student’s locker at any time, without notice or cause.

Lounges and Recreation ​ – ​There are several areas provided for students’ recreational use. Students can get beverages and food in the dining hall. In addition, the gym, tennis courts, and playing fields are available at all times. The Fitness Center is open at designated times. The lounges in the dorms have a TV and DVD (for boarders only). The Quiet Lounge and the Crib are available to all students.

Messages ​– I​ f it is necessary to call the office to leave a message for a student, please do so by 9:55 a.m. (except in the case of an emergency).​ ​We will then send an email to your child, or contact the Dean’s office to find your child if the nature of the message is an emergency.

Religious and Cultural Holidays​ – ​Parents who wish to excuse their child from school for a religious or cultural holiday should inform the Director of Studies and the Assistant Dean of Students in advance of the holiday by telephone, email, or in writing.

School Closing and Late Opening​ – ​Please check the Solebury School website for school closing and late opening information. In addition to the website, school closings and late opening information will be announced to parents via text messages, emails, and phone calls.

We understand that day students commute on buses from surrounding school districts, which may make different decisions concerning closings and late openings. Also, some of our day students have to travel greater distances than others. Therefore, we realize that parents may occasionally need to make their own decisions regarding the safety and advisability of sending their children to school when school remains open, but their local weather is marginal. If your family decides it is not safe to travel to school, please follow the usual attendance procedure by calling the school and informing us.

Late Opening ​ – In the event of a late opening, all students are to report to their first obligation at 10:10 a.m. H​ owever, please note that both Solebury vans and public school buses will pick up only 2 hours later than your normal pickup times. Please call us if you have any questions about late openings or transportation-related issues.

Delayed Opening meal time: Hot/Cold Breakfast 7:30 - 8:15 a.m. Cold Breakfast 8:15 - 9:00 a.m. Delayed Opening Schedules All classes are 60 minutes.​

Special Schedule for Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri: 10:15 – 11:15: Period 1 11:20 – 12:50: Arts Block with sliding lunch Non-Arts Classes: Lunch from 11:20 am - 11:50 pm, Class from 11:50 am - 12:50 pm Arts: 11:20 am - 12:20 pm, Lunch 12:20 - 12:50 pm 12:55 – 1:55: Period 2 2:00 – 3:00: Period 3 3:05 – 3:30: Conference

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Special Schedule for Wednesday: 10:15 – 11:15: Period 1 11:20 – 12:50: Period 2 with sliding lunch Math/Science classes: Lunch from 11:20 am - 11:50 pm, Class from 11:50 am - 12:50 pm All other classes: 11:20 am - 12:20 pm, Lunch 12:20 - 12:50 pm 12:55 – 1:55: Class Flex Time/Conference 2:00 – 2:45: Period 3 2:50 – 3:30: Community Gathering (Assembly, Class Meetings, or House Meetings)

School Store​ – ​The School Store sells Solebury branded apparel and accessories. Purchases made by students are typically charged to their School Life Fund, but credit cards are also accepted. Transportation

Daily – ​Van service is available for day students that live in Princeton and surrounding areas in New Jersey and the Yardley area in Pennsylvania. There is an additional charge for this service. Please call the Director of Transportation for further information.

Weekend – ​Students ​ a​ nd/or parents must inform the Dean of Residence Life by Thursday morning, if they plan to use Solebury van transportation for the upcoming weekend, according to the schedule below.

Friday Trenton Van: ● Van leaves at 5:30 p.m. to take ​boarding ​ students to the Trenton Train Station.

Sunday Night: ● 5:00 p.m. pickup for students from the Trenton Train Station to Solebury School. Note: A student who misses the Sunday Trenton Train van must call the Administrator on Duty to arrange for pickup, which could include a taxi or being picked up by a teacher. We will try our best to arrange for transportation (at an additional fee of $50), but sometimes that is not possible. Parents, please make sure your child has emergency money in case they need to take a taxi to Solebury School (Approximately $70). If your child does not have the correct amount, the school will pay the balance and then bill your account.

Vacation Note: Students and/or parents must inform the Dean of Residence Life of their travel plans at least 3 weeks prior to vacation. ● Philadelphia or Newark Airports: Transportation can be provided either by the school, a taxi or limousine service. ● If you would prefer to take public transportation, Uber, or Lyft contact the Dean of Residence Life for further information. ● 5:00 p.m. pickup for students from the Trenton Train Station to Solebury School.

Unaccompanied Minors and Airport Travel –​ ​A child 14 years old or younger traveling alone must be accompanied through the airport by a member of our faculty or staff. In this situation, the faculty members will have to go through security and then stay with the student at the gate until his/her/their plane is in the air. The charge for the extra time will be $30 per hour and will be charged to your account.

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Solebury School Community Code

Solebury School strives to build a community guided by honesty, respect, and integrity. We seek to establish a safe and healthy environment, promote ethical behavior, and foster a spirit that furthers the well-being of all. To accept membership in this community is to accept and embrace responsibility to uphold the culture of Solebury School and carry these ideals into the larger world.

In order for members of the Solebury School community to be able to make the correct choices, the following questions serve as guidelines:

-Does this action mislead or deceive? -Does this action give me or others an unfair advantage? -Does this action deprive another person of his or her rightful property? -Is this action respectful and helpful to me or another person? -Does this action bring credit to Solebury School or its community?

SCHOOL RULES AND POLICIES

Our expectations and rules derive from our past experience, as well as from the philosophy upon which the school was founded. We know, for example, that our community cannot function without honesty towards oneself and others or without respect for everyone and for all our facilities. Further, we assume that academic achievement and personal responsibility are related to emotional and physical well-being. For the school to operate well, everyone needs to make the best effort possible toward meeting our standards. In special circumstances, a staff member may have to make a judgment concerning appropriate behavior that is not covered in this ​Handbook,​ or he/she/they may have to make a judgment regarding the interpretation of the spirit of the rules. Students must comply with these decisions.

Appeal Process ​ – The appeal process is designed to give a student a place to discuss either a disciplinary decision or a decision involving class attendance. If the consequence was given by the Judiciary Committee, the appeal must be submitted 1 week after the family learned of the decision. If it is regarding the 5-4-3 rule, then the appeal should be submitted before final trimester grades are

24 tabulated. There are several steps governing the process: 1. The student must write a letter to the Head of School to formally appeal the decision that was made. 2. In the letter, the student should state the reasons why Solebury should review the decision. 3. The Head of School will appoint an a​ d hoc ​ committee to review the situation and make a recommendation. 4. The Head of School will inform the student of the final decision.

Appropriate Attire for Solebury ​ ​– ​ W​ ithin the close-knit fabric of our community, we foster a place where students have the freedom to express themselves in many ways. As with any community, there is an inherent responsibility within this right of expression to be c​ onscious of others​. For many years, Solebury has not had a dress code, and we do not want to create one. We are asking each student to be responsible regarding their selection of clothing for school, during school functions, and in the dining hall for meals. If we (faculty and staff) feel that the clothing a student is wearing is not appropriate for Solebury’s campus, we will ask the student to alter their attire.

Appropriate Attire for Graduation ​ – ​Graduation is a time of celebration and with that celebration there are appropriate customs and expressions of self that mark the occasion for each student. How you identify personally or culturally only enhances your experience as well as those around you. With that said, students traditionally wear a jacket and tie, dress or dress slacks, in keeping with the importance of the day. Please do not wear jeans. Students should keep in mind that graduation is typically held outside when selecting their footwear. If a student has any questions about what is appropriate attire, he/she/they should ask well in advance of graduation day.

ATTENDANCE

Absences ​ – ​Attendance and accountability are vital to the success of our programs. Absences and lates must be excused in order to avoid penalties (and frequent absences are subject to severe penalties). Whenever a student is detained at home, please call the school before 8:30 a.m. Note:​ U​ pon returning to school, please sign in at the main office. The Assistant Dean of Students will also need some correspondence (phone call, email, or text) from parents excusing the absence. Failure to present this note to the Assistant Dean upon returning to school will mean that the student will receive the stated detention or consequence ​because he/she/they failed to account for his/her/their absence.​ Other excuses for missing attendance obligations while at school (e.g., missing activities or a class) must be presented the following day. Failure to do so will mean the student will receive the stated detention or consequence ​as a result of failing to account for his/her/their absence. Patterns of absenteeism can become quickly established and seriously jeopardize a student’s education. Therefore, if a pattern does begin to develop, more severe consequences can be expected (i.e., the school reserves the right to require a doctor’s excuse when chronic absenteeism develops). (See “Consequences” in S​ chool Rules and Policies ​section for further details.)

5-4-3 Attendance Rule Attendance in class is a requirement of all Solebury courses. Since missing an 80 minute class period will have a significant detrimental effect on learning, our attendance rule states that, in any trimester, students may miss up to f​ ive​ class meetings for those classes in a rotating letter block and may miss up to ​five a​ fter-school activities, may miss only f​ our ​Arts classes, and may miss only ​three ​classes

25 during the spring term if they are going on Senior Project. ​This includes both excused and unexcused absences but does not include absences due to religious observations.​ The “5-4-3” rule gives our students an easy to remember guideline for our attendance expectations. A student missing more than that number of classes will not get credit for the course and will receive a grade of F for the trimester. If this produces a situation where a student may not be eligible to successfully complete an academic year, he/she/they may be required to withdraw from Solebury. In extraordinary cases, a student may appeal the application of this rule to the Head of School, who will appoint an ​ad hoc c​ ommittee to make a recommendation. Class sessions missed due to late enrollment still count against the Attendance Rule, so it is wise to learn as much as possible about each course prior to enrolling. The Assistant Dean of Students, Dean of Residence Life, or the Dean of Students will call parents if a problem develops. If the problem continues, the student may be sent to the Judiciary Committee with probation, suspension, or expulsion as possible results.

Late to class –​ ​ I​ f a student is more than 10 minutes late to class and the late is unexcused, it is considered an absence and will be listed as a missed obligation. If a teacher does not arrive to class on time, the students should wait 10 minutes, and then send ​one ​ student to inform an administrator. The other students must stay in the classroom, and should use the time as a study hall.​ If you are late to school, you must go to the main office and sign-in first.

Student Transportation Policy –​ All students are required to go to and from all Solebury-sponsored activities (e.g., class trips, sports events) in a Solebury School van or chartered bus. Any other arrangement for transportation will need to be arranged by the student’s parent with the Dean of Students or Director of Athletics, and permission will only pertain to that particular student, date, and activity. The permission for alternate arrangements will not include permission for any other students.

Vacations and Extended Vacations –​ ​ Missing large blocks of class time is a sacrifice, and may result in a devaluing of the school year in skill development, performance, or grades. It is especially important not ​to extend school vacations when a student would miss the important first days or final examination periods of a class. It is very important to make vacation travel arrangements well in advance. If a student has to leave early or return late from vacation because of difficulty with travel arrangements, he/ she/they must inform Tom Wilschutz, Head of School, Steve Buteux, Assistant Head of School, or Annette Miller, Dean of Students of those difficulties by the following deadlines: ● September 13 for Thanksgiving Vacation ● October 11 for Christmas Vacation ● December 6 for Midwinter Vacation and Spring Vacation If a student does not clear their travel plans by these dates, they will not be excused to leave early or return late because airline or other tickets are unavailable.

Note: Permission must be obtained from Tom Wilschutz Head of School; Steve Buteux, Associate Head of School; Rick Tony, Director of Studies; or Annette Miller, Dean of Students, to extend vacations. Academic and social consequences will result if a student misses school, unexcused, around vacations.

Guide for Permissions Requests ​– The following is a guide to help students and parents determine whom to see when they want to obtain permission for a special activity.

Request Whom to See ● Leave of absence from school Director of Studies

26 ● Extend a vacation Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Director of Studies ● Permission to miss class or study hall Director of Studies/Nurse/ Deans’ Office ● Excused from evening study hall Dean of Residence Life/ Admin-on-call ● Excused from dorm for the evening Dean of Residence Life/Admin-on-call ● Permission to have visitors during the school day (8:30 a.m.​ –​ ​ ​5:30 p.m.) Director of Studies ● Permission to have visitors after The Dean’s Office end of the school day (5:30 p.m.) ● Permission to leave campus during The Dean’s Office the academic day ● Permission for overnight visitors Dean of Residence Life/Admin-on-call ● Permission to study in the library Study Hall proctor and On-Duty Faculty from 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. ● Room Study students On-Duty Faculty ● Permission for college visits College Guidance Counselor

Note: Any other requests or questions please call the Main Office and they will direct you to someone who can help you.

Long-Term Absences –​ If your child will miss school for a length of time, due to a medical condition or accident, please call the Associate Head of School or the Director of Studies.

Campus Grounds ​– ​ Students are free to roam the full extent of the campus during their free time. However, if they abuse this privilege, they will be confined to the immediate area of the buildings.

College Guidance Disciplinary Reporting Policy –​ Solebury School will report to colleges any disciplinary responses that result in suspension or expulsion. These reports will include disciplinary actions that occur during the student’s junior and senior year at Solebury School. Solebury will report the disciplinary actions that occur prior to the submission of a college application only when asked; any disciplinary action that occurs after submission of the application will be reported to all colleges to which the student has applied.

Computer Systems and Internet Access – Use and Misuse Computer systems, email, and access to the Internet at Solebury are provided to support the educational process, as an academic resource, and to facilitate other functions of the school. Students are given an email account and a folder on the server to save all personal documents. Students and others are expected to treat our systems and programs with the same respect due any community resource. Consequently, alteration, deletion, misuse, or damage of the school’s systems or software, including the introduction of a virus to any system, will be treated as vandalism of school community property. The Internet's diversity as a resource, coupled with its relative ease of access, make it a valuable source of information, but also a potential source of offensive material, viruses, and misinformation detrimental to the well-being of students, the computer system, and our school. Thus, Solebury reserves the right to monitor, limit, filter, or cancel access to any websites or networking media that it determines are offensive or may harm any members of our community. Solebury uses web filtering software to control what time of day and which Internet sites students are allowed to view. Overall, the program monitors: 1) Sites or categories available; 2) Specific sites or categories of sites that are

27 denied; and 3) Downloading—the length of time and file size. That said, no monitoring system or filtering software is foolproof, and the school believes that its educational purposes are best served by generally open access to the Internet. Thus, we expect users to act responsibly in their searches and to disengage from materials that are inappropriate, offensive, or labeled as not intended for minors. Communications or information sent over the school’s network, or the Internet generally, whether voice, email, text, or otherwise, are not private. The school reserves the right to access and inspect any such information, files, or communications, and to inspect any electronic devices brought onto campus, as well as any information on these devices. All persons using the Internet are cautioned never to give out personal information over the Internet, or meet with anyone contacted over the Internet. Safety in this regard is the responsibility of the student, parent, or person using the Internet, and the school is not liable in any way for Internet use which results in any risks, damages, or liability.

Examples of misuse of Internet access include, but are not limited to:

● Engaging in any kind of business activity unrelated to Solebury. ● Attempting to gain unauthorized access to any computer or communications system. ● Disabling security software or features, including virus protection software. ● Playing games or accessing entertainment unrelated to school activities. ● Cyber bullying - using Internet resources to bully others. ● Creating, maintaining, or accessing publicly accessible personal blogs on school computers. ● Publishing any information or opinion about any student, parent, employee, board member, or other members of our community on a publicly accessible blog. ● Downloading copyrighted documents, files, music, or other such information without written authorization or payment of required fees. ● Accessing, transmitting, receiving, or archiving illegal or sexually explicit material, or material which promotes hate, violence, discrimination, or illegal activity of any kind. Note: Students are not allowed to play computer games on the school’s computers. Cell phones and smartphones cannot be filtered by Solebury’s internet software.

Re-enrollment​ – In February, we send parents a contract for the following year. If we are concerned about a student’s performance, we will hold the contract. In this case, we will send a letter informing the parents that their child might not be invited to return to Solebury for the following year unless his/ her/their performance improves. If a student’s performance dramatically drops between February and the end of the year, the student may not be invited to return to Solebury. The actual decision is made in the year’s final faculty meeting, wherein the faculty discuss the student’s performance and make a recommendation to the Head of School, who makes the final decision.

CONSEQUENCES

The following is a summary of consequences that could result from some possible rule infractions. Please note that the school regards any behavior prejudicial to the best interests of the school or contrary to the school’s values, whether at school or elsewhere, as sufficient grounds for a disciplinary response. The policies and rules outlined in the H​ andbook​ should not be read as an all-inclusive description of the school’s standards, which are based on honesty, respect, trust, and safety. Note also that, in cases involving a major rule violation or behavioral problems, or if at any time a student’s influence or his/her/their presence in the school is considered harmful, the school reserves the right to require immediate withdrawal. Thus, while the Judiciary Committee (JC) process is the most frequent arbiter of consequences for violations of conduct, the Head of School is empowered to act apart from 28 the Judiciary Committee when, in his/her/their judgment, student OR parent behavior is unacceptable and separation from the school is determined by the Head of School to be required. This decision will most often come after consultation with the school’s senior leadership team.

Demerit The Demerit system has been put in place to respond to student behavior. We have developed two types of demerits, Daytime and Week-long. The Deans office, a Disciplinary Hearing or Judiciary Committee meeting will determine the length of the demerit. Consequences for the behavior could encompass any of the following elements community service, detention in the mornings, writing an apology or essay about the incident, loss of permission, and spending free time with the deans. Accruing Demerits could lead to expulsion.

The Demerit 1. Daytime - (Could be given by a teacher in conjunction with the deans office for classroom behavior). 2. Week-long - could give a number of weeks of demerit depending on the infraction

Daytime Demerit

● 7:55 - 8:25 am morning detention in the Dining hall ● Free time will be spent with the Deans (Schedule Dependent) ● Campused for the Day ● Writing assignment - Either apology letter or essay about what they learned ● Loss of permission during Demerit or for a determined period of time ● Demerit is done at 5:15 pm each day

Week Long Demerit (Monday - Friday)

● 7:55 - 8:25 am detention each morning in the Dining hall ● 3 hours of labor to give back to Solebury. This task needs to be done within the five day demerit schedule. The Deans will work with you to locate a job to do. ● Campused for five days - have sheet signed by their teacher after class ● Can’t leave campus for any reason during the school day ● Writing assignment - Either apology letter or essay about what they learned ● Demerit is done at 5:15 pm each day ● Day students must leave campus after their last obligation

Infraction Consequences Unexcused Absence Activities & Sports 1 detention and/or Demerit Class 1 detention and/or Demerit Daytime study hall 1 detention Assembly 1 detention Kitchen duty (day students) 1 detention Missing Detention Daytime Demerit More than 10 Minutes Late to Class Considered an absence.

Accumulated Unexcused Absences and Lates in Each Trimester

29 3 unexcused absences Contact parents either by phone or email. 5 unexcused absences Judiciary Committee (JC) meeting 10 unexcused lates A Deans’ Council and/or a call home 3 Lates accumulated after Deans’ Council JC meeting

Academic Dishonesty Ranges from zero on the work involved to expulsion*. (See “Academic Honesty” in A​ cademic Information​ section and also “Expulsion” section following this list.)

Being Dishonest to a faculty Ranges from detention, Disciplinary Hearing, or or staff member JC meeting, depending on the situation.

Condoning an Infraction The same punishment may be given to students who are in the vicinity of the infraction that has occurred.

Creating Fire Hazards, Ranges from Disciplinary Hearing to JC to expulsion,* especially in buildings depending on circumstances.

Strike – dorm punishment 5​ Strikes:​ “Campused” for one weekend. For breaking a dorm rule (“Campused” means that the student must sign in every hour, on the hour, during certain times.)

Drugs or Alcohol JC, possible required assessment, and/or probation, and/or expulsion*, or other consequence appropriate to the situation. Second violation leads to expulsion. Suppliers can expect to be expelled.

False Sign-Out (Boarders) Disciplinary Hearing, possible JC, possible expulsion*

Forgery Disciplinary Hearing, JC and possible suspension

Inappropriate Behavior Ranges from detention to JC, depending on the (e.g., verbal abuse) situation.

JC meeting after 2 suspensions Possible expulsion*

Late Violation (​ ​More than a JC and possible suspension half-hour late for check-in without calling)

Leaving Campus on the Campused, ​JC, and/or possible suspension Weekend (overnight stay) without signing out properly

Medical Restriction Violation Detention, “Strike”, or Demerit

Motor Vehicle​ P​ rivileges Dangerous/Major Violation: 1​st :​ Loss of privilege for 1 school week. 2​nd:​ Loss of privilege for 12 school weeks. 3​rd ​ : Loss of privilege for 12 months.

30 An extremely dangerous violation accelerates the above steps and results in possible JC.

Minor Violations: 1​st:​ Warning letter to parents and/or detention or Demerit. Excessive minor violations: Ranges from detention to the equivalent of the above major violations.

Noncompliance with a Considered a separate infraction. direction given by a staff Ranges from detention to JC, depending on member the situation.

Noncompliance with a Considered a separate and major rule ​ ​infraction; disciplinary action Probable JC.

Out of Dorm after Check-In Possible JC

Plagiarism Ranges from letter home and grade of zero to JC and possible expulsion*, depending on the situation. (See “Academic Honesty” in ​Academic Information.​)

Possession of False Ranges from Disciplinary Hearing to JC meeting. Identification

Physical Conflicts (including JC and possible expulsion* aggressive behavior)

Roughhousing on campus Ranges from Disciplinary Hearing to JC meeting

Stealing Disciplinary Hearing, JC, and probable expulsion*

Threat of Physical harm to Disciplinary Hearing, JC, and possible or probable a member of the community expulsion*

Tobacco use, Paraphernalia, Loss of Room Study, and Inner Campus Vaporizer, Juul, smokeless tobacco ​ Confinement for the remainder of the school year. A in any form, Nicotine delivery second ​ ​tobacco violation will result in a JC meeting and device possible suspension.

Trespassing Ranges from detention to expulsion*, depending on the (Quarry and local neighbors) situation. N​ ote: The police will prosecute anyone who goes on the property of the local Quarry.

Vandalism –Includes opening JC and possible suspension or expulsion, depending Doors (classroom or dorm) on the situation without permission

Violations by Visitors The ​ ​Dean’s office will handle this on an individual basis.

31

Visiting a dorm of the opposite JC and probable suspension sex between Check-In and before 8:00 a.m. weekdays (12:30 p.m. on weekends)

Visiting a single-sex area of Ranges from detention to JC, depending on the situation. the opposite sex dorm or visiting an opposite-sex area without parent’s permission

Visitation Violation Phone call to the parent will accompany each violation. (Other than above) 1​st:​ Banned from dorm for 1 week. 2​nd:​ Banned from dorm for 12 weeks. 3​rd:​ Possible JC.

Weapons Ranges from detention to expulsion*, depending on the situation.

*Expulsion ​ - If a student is expelled from school, he/she/they will be asked to leave school immediately. Students who are expelled will not be allowed to return to campus without p​ rior permission from the Dean of Students.

Car Accidents on Campus ​ – ​In the event of a car accident on campus, please notify the Dean’s office so that we can help with the necessary follow–up procedures.

Creating a Fire Hazard –​ ​Creating a fire hazard is treated seriously at Solebury School and could result in expulsion.

Damage to Property ​– S​ tudents must repair or pay for any damage done to school property. If the damage was intentional, the student(s) involved will be referred to the Judiciary Committee, with suspension a likely outcome. If there is damage in a dorm hallway or dorm bathroom, and it cannot be determined who caused it, all the residents of the hallway and/or living unit may be charged.

Detention –​ D​ etention will be assigned to a student for rule infractions such as unexcused absences from obligations, leaving campus without permission, inappropriate classroom behavior, etc. Repeated rule infractions can lead to serious consequences, including a Demerit or referral to the Judiciary Committee, which may lead to suspension. Detentions will be served at the discretion of the Deans during lunch on the day of the infraction, lunch the day after (if the infraction occurs after lunch), or Sunday morning. Students who have detention will have time to eat as well as complete the assigned detention. During lunch detention, students will be expected to perform chores that benefit the community. Weekend detention (Brunch Bunch) begins after brunch on Sunday and will end when all obligations are met. During this time, students will do chores around campus. Day students (and boarders who wish to go home for the weekend) who have detention must make their own transportation arrangements.

Dorm Visitation - General Rules and Procedures Senior and junior boarding and day students are allowed to visit the dorm of the opposite sex, while freshman and sophomores can visit the lounge areas only. D​ orm visitation starts at the

32 beginning of the winter trimester. Note: All students must have their parents' written permission regarding dorm visitation.

All students with the proper permission can visit the dorm of the opposite gender at the following times:

Junior and Senior Visitation Juniors and seniors may visit the opposite gender dorms and rooms with parental permission only, during the following times:

Monday – Thursday 7:00 p.m. – 7:55 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. – 10:20 p.m. Friday 7:00 p.m. – 11:20 p.m. Saturday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 11:20 p.m. (NO visitation from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m. – 7:55 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. – 10:10 p.m. (NO visitation from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.)

Freshman and Sophomore Visitation Freshman and sophomores cannot visit dorm rooms, only lounge areas.

Freshman and sophomore visitation times are as follows:

Monday – Thursday 7:00 p.m. – 7:55 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. – 10:10 p.m. Friday 7:00 p.m. – 11:20 p.m. Saturday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 11:20 p.m. (NO visitation from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m. – 7:55 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. – 10:10 p.m. (NO visitation from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.)

Identification and Permission card ​ – All students will need to have their Identification/Permission card if they plan to visit the dorm or get in a car. Students’ permission information will be added to their I.D. cards at the beginning of the year. The i​ talicized​ heading on the I.D. cards denotes the type of permission. After the ​italicized​ heading, there is an acronym that applies to the permission given by your parents. If parents want to change their child’s permission, please contact the Dean of Students, who will issue the student a new card. Non-Solebury visitors must sign the guest register when they visit the dorm and must indicate in the register whom they are visiting. Their host must introduce them to the ​On-Duty p​ erson. Visitors are expected to obey the rules of the school, and the visitor’s student host will be held responsible for the actions of their guest.

Disciplinary Hearing –​ is a meeting with the Head of School, the student’s advisor, and the student. Its purpose, like the Judiciary Committee, is to listen to the student and deliver a consequence to an infraction that has occurred. The Head of School may ask any of the following to attend the meeting: the Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, and the Dean of Residence Life.

Drugs and Alcohol ​ ​– ​ P​ ossession or use of drugs or alcohol is not permitted. The following rules and

33 policies apply to students both on campus and while under school jurisdiction off campus. This prohibition includes possession of such items as empty liquor bottles and drug paraphernalia, intoxicated or drugged behavior, and other indications of drug use. Students are also responsible for drug paraphernalia and prohibited items found in their rooms, lockers, and cars. All persons present in the immediate area where prohibited drugs or actions are evident will be held responsible. A supplier of drugs or alcohol can expect to be expelled. Note: Under Pennsylvania law, a person distributing drugs or alcohol will have 12–36 months automatically added to his/her/their sentence if he/she/they is distributing drugs or alcohol in a school zone. Violations of the above guidelines will be referred to the Judiciary Committee, which may recommend to the Head of School one or all of the following actions: l) A required evaluation by a drug assessor with whom the school will then consult to determine the appropriate course of action that the student must follow; 2) Probation, with the stipulation that another drug violation could result in expulsion; 3) Suspension; 4) Expulsion; 5) Other recommendations appropriate to the individual situation, which may include “Inner Campus Confinement”.

Bullying and Harassment​ – ​The diversity of the Solebury community is one of our greatest strengths. To understand others, we need to get to know them, and living with them offers the best opportunity to do this. Solebury is also committed to challenging all prejudices present in society at large, including those based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, ability, or learning differences. It is expected that each person at Solebury will treat all members of the community with respect and courtesy. While some disagreement is healthy, it is essential that every member of the community feel safe and supported. Consequently, harassment, bullying, or abuse, whether physical, verbal, or electronic, regardless of whether it takes place on campus or off campus, over the phone, on websites, or over the Internet, or whether it is done directly or indirectly through others, will not be tolerated. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, slurs, jokes, comments, teasing, rude behavior, and other offensive conduct relating to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, national/ethnic origin, citizenship, or ability. Harassment also includes uninvited, unwanted, or offensive sexual advances or conduct. Bullying includes, but is not limited to, physical or verbal aggression (hitting, kicking, taunting, teasing, threatening, ridiculing, etc.), relational aggression (harming or threatening to harm relationships or acceptance, friendship, or group inclusion) or emotional aggression (teasing, threatening, or intimidating). Such behavior may result in detention, mediation, or a Judiciary Committee (JC) referral, depending on the severity of the incident or incidents. A JC meeting could result in suspension or expulsion. If you have been harassed or bullied, or have witnessed or know of any harassment or bullying, please speak to the Dean of Students, the Dean of Residence Life, Assistant Dean of Students, or your advisor. It is a good idea to keep records about what happened, when it happened, and if there were any witnesses. The school’s administration will investigate. Confidentiality will be maintained to the fullest possible extent, although the appropriate people (e.g., a student’s advisor) may be informed for the student’s support and protection. Retaliation in any form against anyone for making a complaint under this policy, or for participating in an investigation, is prohibited, should also be reported, and would be a cause for disciplinary action.

Hitchhiking ​ – ​Hitchhiking is not permitted by state law.

HIV/AIDS Policy ​ Summary– ​Current medical research indicates that the risk of transmission of HIV

34 in the course of ordinary social interaction, such as school activities, is negligible. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most school-aged children and adolescents infected with HIV “should be allowed to attend school without restrictions and with the approval of the child’s physician”. Also, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Solebury School will not discriminate on the basis of handicap. Since HIV infection is a handicap, it is not a justifiable basis for discrimination if the employee or student is able reasonably to perform the duties of one’s job. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that decisions concerning an HIV-infected person are best made using a team approach, including the child’s physician, public health personnel, the child’s parent or guardian, and personnel associated with the proposed care or educational setting. Each case will be handled on an individual basis by Solebury’s AIDS Management Committee, which is made up of the Head of School, the School Nurse, and one faculty member. These two paragraphs are only a brief, unofficial summary of the HIV/AIDS Policy, which should be read in full. Copies of the full policy can be obtained in the school office.

Inappropriate Behavior Off Campus ​ – ​Students may be held responsible for inappropriate behavior off campus and be subjected to disciplinary action from the school.

Inner Campus Confinement​ –​ ​ A student will be confined within the designated boundaries of the school buildings as a response to breaking a major school rule (such as a tobacco or drug violation). Students who are given this response will be shown a map of the boundaries. If a student goes outside of the confinement boundaries without permission, they will come before the Judiciary Committee for violating the restriction. See the Dean of Students for an explanation of the confinement boundaries.

Judiciary Committee ​– ​Although the Head of School or the Associate Head makes the final decision for all school discipline, most serious infractions are referred to the Judiciary Committee (JC). Its recommendations are endorsed by the Associate Head of School or the Head of School but, if not, then an alternative decision is reached after dialogue with the JC. The committee consists of five faculty members and seven students, but only two faculty members and two students are present at a JC meeting. The student’s advisor is present for support. The Dean of Residence Life decides when a student needs to meet with the JC. A quorum for a JC meeting is three people. Parents will be informed promptly of the results by email, letter, telephone call, or both. In addition to other possible consequences, the JC may place a student on either a specific or general probation. A “specific probation” refers to consequences for a repeat violation of the same rule for which the probation was initially applied. “General probation” is a response to prior violation of several school rules as well as any major rule. A student with two prior suspensions who comes before the JC may be expelled. A student who is expelled or withdraws because of disciplinary problems may not visit campus. If the student wants to appeal this policy for a special reason or event, he/she/they should contact the Dean of Students, who will take the matter to the appropriate group for a decision. Note: The school may suspend (“Home”) a student pending a JC meeting.

An ​ad hoc c​ ommittee named by the Head of School meets in place of the Judiciary Committee or the Academic Committee when the school’s calendar (vacations, etc.) prevents those two committees from meeting. An a​ d hoc ​committee may also be formed under other special circumstances. The ​ad hoc committee will take on the roles of the two committees as the case requires, and make recommendations to the Head of School, who will make the final decision.

Leave of Absence ​– S​ tudents or parents seeking a Leave of Absence must apply. The School Nurse, the Dean of Students, and other school officials will normally grant temporary, short-term excuses from school, and may refer a student or a parent to the Director of Studies if they feel that an official

35 Leave of Absence is appropriate or required. Before returning from an official Leave of Absence, a student must be granted permission to return by the Head of School. Before making a decision, the Head of School will appoint an advisory committee, which will make a recommendation to him. A student might be told that he/she/they can return under special conditions. If any of the conditions are violated, the Head of School will reconvene the committee, and they will advise him as to the appropriate course of action (which could include dismissal from the school). If an illness or accident requires an extended absence, we may not have the resources to provide schooling for that student. In that case, the student may need to withdraw from Solebury, and reapply for the following year. The student may have to repeat the year or, with permission of the school, he/she/they may be granted credit for home-schooling with his/her/theirs local public school.

Leaving Campus –​ ​Students may not leave campus during the school day until they have met their last obligation, nor are they allowed to drive to their Activities/Sports. Students with independent activities must sign out in the office prior to leaving campus. For exceptions, a student may ask permission from the Dean of Students, Dean of Residence Life, or Assistant Dean of Students. Permission to miss class or study hall must be obtained from the Director of Studies. Note: If students must leave campus, they must sign out in the Main office upon departure and sign in if they are returning prior to the end of the academic day. In both instances, the student must contact Greg Lewis, the Assistant Dean of Students to let him know of their whereabouts.

Library –​ Non-circulating materials may not be taken from the library without prior arrangement. Any student found with non-circulating materials, or circulating materials that have not been properly checked out, may be given detention, have his/her/their library privileges denied, or be sent to the Judiciary Committee, depending on the situation. Students are encouraged and reminded to return their library materials when they are due. At the end of spring term, the librarian will send home written notification of any materials that have not been returned and the charges for them. All materials will be billed at replacement cost plus a ​$10 processing fee p​ er item​. For seniors, the deadline for returns is the last day of final exams. Final grade transcripts for seniors will not be released until library obligations are met. For all other students, the deadline for returns is June 30. After this date, a non-refundable charge will be made to the student’s account for the materials. ● Damage to library materials, including alteration of computer hardware or software, will be considered damage to school property. ● While quiet discussion is permitted, library users are reminded that respect for the area includes keeping noise at a level that does not disturb the study of others. ● The classroom “no food or drink rule” is strictly enforced in the library.

Medical Forms​ – ​No student will be allowed to come to campus without completed health forms.

Medical Restrictions ​– ​If a student misses more than one class because of illness, he/she/they will be placed on Medical Restrictions. Students on Medical Restrictions may not participate in sports or activities on that day unless they have permission from the Nurse, The Dean of Residence Life, and/or the Dean of Students. Please see “​ The Boarding Student” ​ section for further details regarding boarding students placed on medical restrictions.

Motor Vehicles ​ – ​Day students are allowed to have motor vehicles on campus, but we expect them to use their vehicles responsibly and to follow school guidelines. Students are not allowed to sit in or on their cars during the academic day.

36 1. Consequences for Dangerous Violations (acts that are potentially dangerous to oneself or to others): 1​st:​ Loss of car privileges for both the driver and the passenger for 1 week. 2​nd:​ Loss of car privileges for both the driver and the passenger for 12 school weeks. 3​rd:​ Loss of car privileges for both the driver and the passenger for 12 months. If a violation is extremely dangerous, the above steps may be accelerated or result in a Judiciary Committee meeting. 2. Consequences for Minor Violations (e.g., leaving school at an illegal time, driving an illegal passenger): ● Warning call or letter to parents and/or tangible consequences such as detention. ● Two or more minor infractions and/or warnings will result in detentions and/or in the equivalent of a major (dangerous) infraction. Boarding students may not have motor vehicles at school, nor drive motor vehicles while under school jurisdiction. Boarders may not sign out and return to campus with a car unless they have made prior arrangements with the Head of School

Non-Discrimination Policy Admission and participation in our educational programs, activities, financial aid, loans, scholarships, athletics, and other school-administered programs is open to all eligible students who meet our qualification requirements regardless of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, or ability.

Off-Campus Events​ – ​The school does not condone off-campus events where drugs and/or alcohol are present. We do not condone parties or gatherings at which parents serve or allow alcohol or drugs to be consumed. We strongly recommend that parents be present at all parties or gatherings, and that they monitor all activities. In any event, the school may hold students accountable for their behavior during and after such events.

Cell Phones, etc.​ –​ ​ Electronic equipment should be silenced or turned off when entering a classroom, study hall, library, or other venues where they are not appropriate.

Parent – School Relationship ​– ​ The ​Handbook ​ contains rules and information which are intended to facilitate communications, avoid misunderstandings, and sustain our community. If conflicts arise that cannot be resolved in a satisfactory manner, the school reserves the right, just as parents have the right, to terminate the student’s attendance at the school.

Parent – School Respective Boundaries ​– ​Solebury School is responsible for educating its students, and parents are responsible for parenting their children. While the student attends Solebury, ideally these two responsibilities can be conducted in a collaborative manner. Our expectation is that parents and school personnel will communicate and use their best efforts to resolve any conflicts that arise.

Parent – School Communication ​– ​Solebury has always believed in the importance of communicating with parents and working in partnership with them. With the advent of email and text messaging, instant or frequent communication has become increasingly easy; however, this is not healthy or reasonable, for two reasons: First, adolescents need to form their own work ethic and learn to be responsible on their own; second, rather than emailing parents about minor issues, we prefer teachers spend their time preparing classes and working directly with students. Therefore, we have developed the following guidelines:

● For occasional academic and behavioral slips, teachers will deal directly with the student without involving parents. Teachers may work in conjunction with the student’s advisor,

37 dorm parents, Learning Skills teacher, the Director of Studies, the Dean of Students, Dean of Residence Life, or whomever they think will be helpful. ● Teachers will inform parents when major problems occur, or if they see a pattern of minor lapses. The point at which teachers inform the parent will obviously be a judgment call involving the age of the student, past performance, and other factors. ● Academic Warnings are sent if a student is getting a D or an F in the middle of a trimester. If a student’s grades are above this level and there are no worrisome patterns, parents will receive feedback at Parents Day and the end of the trimester. ● Even when more communication is warranted, we advise our teachers as a general rule to limit their communication with families to once per week. ● If you have special concerns, please communicate these to the advisor at the beginning of the year to help prevent problems before they arise. ● Students are responsible for giving honest feedback to their parents. While the school may be able to help if this is not happening, ultimately this is an issue that should be addressed at home.

Please direct questions concerning faculty/parent communications to the Director of Studies.

Parent – School Financial Obligations All financial obligations are expected to be paid in accordance with the terms of the enrollment contract. No grades will be forwarded, no records will be sent to another school or college, and no diploma will be granted unless all accounts are current. (This includes tuition, library, school store, student bank, late fees, returned check fees and other obligations.) The school reserves the right to require withdrawal in the case of accounts which are significantly in arrears.

Pets ​– S​ tudents may not have pets at school. Please contact the Associate Head of School if you need Service Animal, Assistance or therapy Animal support.

Quiet Time during the Academic Day ​ – Quiet is maintained on campus during class periods. Radios and IPods must be set to a low volume during quiet time.

School Jurisdiction​ – ​When school is in session, boarders are under the school’s jurisdiction except when he/she/they has signed out overnight and left campus with a parent’s or guardian's permission, or when he/she/they has left campus with a parent or guardian. When school is in session, a day student is under school jurisdiction whenever on campus or at an off-campus, school-sponsored function (such as the prom) or a school-sponsored trip.

School-Sponsored Trips and Athletic Events​ –​ ​ All students must take school transportation when going on a school-sponsored trip or athletic event. Special permission may be granted by the Dean of Students and the Athletic Director in certain situations.

Search Policy ​ – ​The school reserves the right to search at any time, without notice, any person, place, or item on campus or at a school-related event including, but not limited to, students, cars, rooms, book bags, lockers, computers, phones, or any other items, and the contents or information found. Further, the school has the right to seize and retain property or information found during a search or otherwise which is in the School’s view potentially harmful, dangerous, illegal, or inappropriate.

Sexual Behavior Solebury School believes that sexuality is a natural and healthy part of life. Knowledge about and comfort with one’s sexuality are important components of a person’s overall health and stability. 38 Therefore, students will receive education, counseling, and/or support services to help them cope with various aspects of sexuality, including sexual identity, orientation, and expression. We believe that most adolescents are not prepared to successfully manage all of the possible emotional and physical outcomes of a sexual relationship. Therefore, general guidelines related to sexual behavior help maintain an atmosphere that supports the healthy personal and emotional development of each student and the best interests of all members of the school community. In keeping with this view and our commitment to provide a comfortable and safe environment for all students, faculty, and staff, the following behaviors are not allowed when under school jurisdiction:

● Sexual intercourse (oral, vaginal, and anal) ● Other intimate sexual behaviors between consenting partners in the presence of other students, faculty, staff, or member of the public ● Abusive or coercive sexual behavior ● Unwelcome sexual advances, requests, and other verbal, graphic, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is perceived as intimidating, hostile, or offensive (See “Sexual Harassment Policy” for more details.) ● Possession or distribution of sexually explicit images, including posters, drawings, photographs, screensavers, emails, cell phone pictures, DVDs, and other media.

If a student engages in any of the above behaviors, he/she/they may face consequences that include, but are not limited to: ● meeting with the Dean of Students or the Dean of Residence Life, Nurse, School Counselor and/or advisor. ● referral to health professionals. ● notification of parent(s) or guardian(s).

Abusive or coercive sexual behaviors or repeated violations of the sexuality policy will lead to disciplinary action. Students and parents are encouraged to speak with the Dean of Students, Nurse, advisor, or faculty member if they have questions about sexuality, Solebury School’s policy regarding sexual activity, or the state laws of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania State Law on Sexual Activity ​ –​ I​ n addition to being aware of the sexual behaviors that violate Solebury School policy, students should be aware that some sexual behaviors violate state laws, and school personnel are required to report students engaged in those behaviors to state or local authorities. According to Pennsylvania state law, sexual intercourse (oral, vaginal, or anal) with anyone below the age of 13 is statutory rape and is not permissible under any circumstances. Teens aged 13, 14, or 15, may not legally have intercourse with anyone four or more years older. See the following link for more in-depth details on the state law: h​ ttp://www.4parents.gov/sexrisky/statutoryrapelaws.pdf

Sexual Harassment​ ​– Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is intimidating, hostile, or offensive. The overriding factor in sexual harassment is that the behavior is uninvited and unwanted. Sexual harassment is not courting or social behavior, but an aggressive assertion of power. Sexual harassment (or harassment in general), of a person could result in detention, mediation, or a Judiciary Committee (JC) referral, depending on the severity of the incident. A JC meeting could result in suspension or expulsion. Solebury School takes an unequivocal stance about the proper boundaries between adults (faculty and staff) and adolescents (students in its educational community). This boundary is clearly drawn 39 and simply should never be crossed. Whereas the school’s philosophy states that the optimal conditions of education take place when there is a joint venture between the student and the teacher, this venture does not include personal relationships that lead to sexual activity. Along with establishing clear boundaries between adults and adolescents, we also strongly advocate for our students and desire to protect them from any instance of child abuse. In addition, we feel it is important to educate both our students and adults about issues surrounding child abuse. We also feel that sexual harassment has no place in our community, neither among adults in the workplace nor among students. In particular, deliberate harassment or intimidation of any kind based on ability, age, ethnic origin, gender, race, religion, sexual identity, or socio-economic status undermines the spirit of the community and is totally unacceptable.​ P​ ennsylvania statutes and laws will be brought to bear in these areas so that the Solebury School community will be an open and safe one for all of its members. If you have been harassed, it is suggested that you get advice from an advocate, your advisor, or an administrator. It is a good idea to keep records about what happened, when it happened, and if there were any witnesses. If the advocate you have chosen to work with is a member of the JC, s/he must step down from hearing your case if it is referred to the JC. Any form of retaliation will be referred back to the Dean of Students, who will determine consequences or appropriate referrals. Confidentiality will be maintained to the fullest possible extent, though the appropriate people (e.g., a student’s advisor) may be informed for the student’s support and protection. In an incident of sexual assault or any other alleged criminal act, it may be appropriate to contact outside agencies or authorities.

Skates (roller and in-line) Bicycles, and Skateboards​ – Any student riding a skateboard, skates, or bicycle ​must wear a helmet​. We do strongly recommend that you wear elbow and knee pads when on either a skateboard or skates.

Social Probation or General Probation​ –​ ​ A​ student may be placed on Social or General Probation if he/she/they has broken several major or minor rules. The Judiciary Committee (JC) or an a​ d hoc committee designated by the Head of School will determine what response is to be given to the student. When a student is on probation, he/she/they must adhere to the guidelines set by the committee. If these rules are broken, the student may either be sent before JC or asked to leave the school.

Stealing –​ ​Will result in either a Disciplinary Hearing or a Judiciary Committee meeting, with expulsion a possible or probable consequence, depending on the situation. The school cannot be held responsible for theft. We suggest that parents contact their homeowner’s insurance company for reimbursement.

Student Disability and Injury Accommodations Policy –​ ​We understand that there may be circumstances when a parent may request that the school provide an adjustment or accommodation for a student’s medical needs or physical or mental disability. The school’s policy towards such requests is to use reasonable efforts to provide accommodations or adjustments for a student’s needs in circumstances in which the school administration 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 an unacceptable impairment to the rights of other students or employees, or a fundamental change to our educational environment or mission. We ask parents to appreciate that, given the small size and modest resources of Solebury School, we may not be able to provide the requested accommodations, or may require a sharing of the responsibility for the accommodations. For any type of accommodation, the parent must inform the School Nurse of the need. The Nurse will then advise the parent of the type of medical documentation needed, which generally will state

40 the student’s diagnosis, how the condition limits the student, the recommended accommodations, and the length of time that the accommodations will be needed. The documentation received from the physician may raise questions or be unclear as to the recommendations. For that reason, the parent must sign a Release of Information Form, permitting the school to contact the physician, when necessary. In addition, if there is a cost associated with the physician’s cooperation, the parent must agree to bear the cost of such process. Once the parent’s request and medical documentation have been received by the school, appropriate persons within the administration will meet with the parents to clarify information and discuss whether the school will be able to implement the accommodations requested. In some cases, the parent may be asked to provide any special equipment needed, training for school 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 the 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. 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.

Study Hall and Class Violations ​ – Any student who is asked to leave class or study hall for disciplinary reasons will be sent directly to the Dean’s office.

Suspensions and Missed Academic Work –​ When a student is suspended from school, there are quantifiable and unquantifiable costs. Obviously, a suspension indicates a very serious rule transgression; by design, it separates the student from the community for a period of time and sends a message to the community about what actions will not be tolerated. While a suspended student is allowed to make up most written work, there are elements of a class that cannot be recovered. Though not an inclusive list, labs, group projects, presentations, discussions, class trips, and debates are examples of work that usually cannot be made up, and zeroes may be entered for that work. This is not intended to be an additional punishment, but rather is a reality of missing class. When a student is suspended, he/she/they is solely responsible for learning what work will be missed and completing as much as possible. Written work must be submitted the same day that the student returns for classes. If quizzes or tests have been missed, the student must arrange with the teacher to make them up within three class days, or they will be scored as zeroes. The student may attempt to arrange conference time with teachers before taking missed examinations, but that will not always be possible; nor are teachers obligated to meet with students about these matters.

Tobacco –​ (definition:​ Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, other smoking products or material, smokeless tobacco in any form, and ​any ​ n​ icotine​ delivery device) Tobacco use is prohibited within 2 miles of any campus boundary. Possession of tobacco or tobacco paraphernalia (including incendiary devices like matches and lighters) on campus is prohibited. Note: Tobacco use in cars on campus is prohibited. T​ his includes entering and leaving campus. All persons present in the immediate area where prohibited drugs, tobacco, or other prohibited actions are evident will be held responsible. Tobacco is prohibited on school-sponsored trips and functions. This includes informal trips to McDonalds’ and similar excursions. School rules apply on extended overnight trips away from campus. Solebury students must comply with tobacco rules when they are visiting other schools and other places where it is not appropriate to use tobacco. ​Note: ​ ​Violation of tobacco rules will result in​ b​ eing confined to the immediate area of the school buildings (See the preceding section on “Inner Campus Confinement”). Also see the Dean for a map

41 explaining “Inner Campus Confinement”.)

A second violation of the tobacco rules will result in​ a​ Judiciary Committee (JC) meeting and possible suspension. Consequences for possession of tobacco paraphernalia (including matches and lighters) can range from a detention to full consequences for tobacco rule violation. A “Room Study” student caught violating tobacco rules will lose his/her/theirs privileges and will not be able to request reinstatement of privileges for 60 school days. ​Tobacco use that creates a fire hazard, such as smoking in the dormitory, will result in a JC meeting. This is considered a major offense that could result in suspension for a significant period of time or expulsion. Repeated violations will most certainly lead to expulsion. Students having difficulty with tobacco use in any form and want help should contact the school nurse. She will connect you with the right resources to help you. Some of the resources are Smoke Enders, hypnosis, and the American Cancer Society classes.

Visitors​ – ​Guests on campus during the school day (8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) must have permission from the Director of Studies. From 3:30 – 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 – 10:20 p.m., visitors must have permission from the Dean of Students, the Deans of Residence Life, Administrator on call, or the On-Duty person (OD), if the Deans are not available. Visitors are not allowed between 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Weekend visitors must have permission from the Dean of Students, the Dean of Residence Life , or the OD person (if the Deans are not available), and must leave campus by 11:20 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. No overnight visitors are allowed during the week without special permission from the Dean of Residence Life or the Dean of Students. Overnight visitors are permitted on weekends with the permission of the Dean of Residence Life or the Dean of Students . (See the preceding section on “Dorm Visitation”.)

Walking on Roads after Dark ​ – ​Students are not allowed to walk or ride bicycles on the roads after dark.

Weapons​ – ​Knives, firecrackers, guns, weapons, and other dangerous articles are not allowed at school. Consequences for possession or use of weapons range from detention to expulsion, depending on the situation. The school may involve the police and other outside agencies. In extraordinary cases, the student may appeal the application of this rule to the Head of School, who will appoint an ​ad hoc committee to make a recommendation.

SOLEBURY SCHOOL’S POLICY ON TRANSGENDER STUDENTS

From the time of its inception in 1925, Solebury School’s philosophy has been predicated upon a profound respect for the individual and the value of diversity. We are a community of learners who recognize the importance of challenging our assumptions and acknowledging the similarities and differences between people.

INTRODUCTION

Solebury School is dedicated to the goal of providing a safe space for all students to express their identity authentically and supporting students’ emotional/ mental health. Thus, the school has adopted this policy to acknowledge the rights of those who openly identify as transgender or gender nonconforming. This policy does not anticipate every situation that might occur with respect to the needs of our transgender or gender nonconforming students and their interactions with other Solebury students. The needs of all Solebury students will continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis and supported through counseling, coaching, encouragement and all other appropriate

42 resources available at Solebury School.

The responsibility for determining a student’s gender identity rests with the student. Solebury School will honor a student’s assertion of gender identity when there is evidence that the student sincerely holds the gender identity as part of his/her/their core identity in a consistent, persistent and insistent manner. A student’s asserted gender identity will be acknowledged and supported by Solebury School upon receipt of written affirmation from the student. The concrete actions the school is able to take to support a transgender or gender nonconforming student will be significantly influenced by the degree to which the parent(s) or legal guardian are aware and supportive of the student’s desired changes. If the student has not yet informed the parent(s)/legal guardian, or if the parent(s)/legal guardian are not supportive, the student may seek the guidance and support of their advisor, teachers, school nurse, school therapist, or other trusted adults in the Solebury School community. This support and guidance, always available to all Solebury students, may include guidance on how to talk with his/her/their parents. Most concrete actions the school might take, however, (e.g., changing dormitories or altering a name in the school’s database or email) cannot proceed without the knowledge and support of the parent(s)/legal guardian. Solebury School does not require a medical or mental health diagnosis or treatment in order for students to have his/her/their gender identity recognized and respected by the school.

Once a student has been admitted to Solebury School, if they choose to share their needs with respect to his/her/their identity, he/she/they will be fully supported to the best of our ability in accordance with this Policy. Solebury School will review each student’s needs based on his/her/their particular circumstances. Relevant factors include, but are not limited to, the student’s preference, protecting student privacy, maximizing social integration, minimizing stigmatization of the student, the student’s age and/or maturity, the safety of the students involved, and the available facilities and/or accommodations. ​ L​ ike all members of the Solebury School community, transgender students have the right to decide when, with whom, and to what degree they share or do not share private information. Any student who needs assistance, including addressing concerns about student records, school facilities and other activities, should contact the school counselor, the school nurse, the Dean of Students, the student’s advisor, a member of the transgender committee, or another trusted member of the faculty or staff. When informed, that adult will ensure that all the appropriate individuals (primarily the school counselor and/or school nurse) are informed.

DEFINITIONS

These definitions are intended as functional descriptors to assist in understanding this policy. Students may or may not use these terms to describe themselves.

Gender:​ Attitudes, feelings, characteristics, and behaviors that a given culture associates with being male or female and that are often labeled as “masculine” or “feminine.”

Gender Expression: ​ A person’s gender-related appearance and behavior whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth. Gender expression refers to the external characteristics that are socially defined as masculine or feminine, including clothing, hairstyles, activities, mannerisms, speech patterns, and social interactions.

Gender Identity: ​ A person’s internal, deeply-rooted identification as male, female, or outside the gender binary, that may or may not correspond to the person’s external body or assigned sex at birth.

Gender Nonconforming: ​ Often used to describe people whose gender expression differs from

43 stereotypical expectations, such as “feminine” boys, “masculine” girls, and those who are perceived as androgynous.

Non-binary: ​ A person with a gender identity other than male or female.

Sex:​ In a dichotomous scheme, the designation of a person at birth as either “male” or “female” based on their anatomy and/or biology.

Sexual Orientation:​ A person’s physical, romantic, emotional and/or spiritual attraction to another person. Common terms used to describe sexual orientation include, but are not limited to, heterosexual, homosexual, lesbian, gay, asexual, and bisexual. Sexual orientation is distinct from sex, gender identity, and gender expression.

Transgender:​ A person whose sex assigned at birth is different from the person’s gender identity and/or gender expression. It can also be used to describe a broad range of identities and experiences that fall outside of traditional notions of gender.

Transition: ​ The process that people go through as they change their gender expression and/or physical appearance to align with their gender identity. This concept is very broad and varies depending on the person. For some transgender individuals, this process involves primarily a social transition, rather than any medical treatment, such as changing an individual’s first name, pronouns, clothing, and appearance.

NAMES/PRONOUNS

Upon request by a student, Solebury School will use the preferred name and pronoun that reflect the student’s gender identity. While inadvertent slips or honest mistakes in the use of preferred names or pronouns may occur, Solebury School will not condone willful disrespect of community members. The school’s harassment policy (found in the Solebury School handbook) will inform actions taken if abuse occurs.

SCHOOL RECORDS

Solebury School maintains official student records as required by applicable law. If a student requests that a preferred name and/or gender be used on school documents, including the official, permanent student record, Solebury School will make every effort to comply with this request within the law. This may include, but is not limited to, updating the student’s transcript, schedule, letters of recommendation, diploma, school medical documentation, and disciplinary records. We note that some of these “official” records cannot be changed unless the student legally changes his/her/their name.

Solebury School is sensitive to the private nature of discussions and documentation regarding students’ gender and/or name and is committed to protecting students’ confidentiality by restricting the use of, and access to, this information in accordance with applicable law. For example, if a student enters Solebury who has already transitioned and wishes to keep this confidential, the school will honor this by maintaining a separate confidential file.

RESTROOMS

Solebury School maintains separate restroom facilities for male and female students as well as 44 all-gender restrooms throughout campus. Transgender students may request access to the restrooms on campus that correspond to their gender identity.

Where available, a single stall, all-gender restroom may be used by any student who desires increased privacy. No student, however, is required to use this option.

Appropriate individuals (the school counselor, the school nurse, a member of the Dean’s Office, a member of the transgender committee) will meet with student making specific requests to discuss accommodations and preferences in order to maximize each student’s comfort.

DORMITORIES

Solebury School maintains separate dormitories for male and female boarding students, and supports boarding students in obtaining suitable, safe housing. Transgender students may request to be housed in the dormitory that corresponds with their gender identity.

Solebury School’s granting of a student’s housing request is based solely on the school’s judgment, the parental or legal guardian’s consent, and the availability of space in the dorms.

LOCKER ROOMS

Solebury School maintains separate locker room facilities for male and female students. Upon request, transgender students may have access to the locker room facility that corresponds to their gender identity.

Any student who has a need or desire for increased privacy may request and obtain access to a reasonable alternative changing area or locker room, if available.

SPORTS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES

Transgender students are permitted to participate in physical education classes and extracurricular activities in a manner consistent with their gender identity.

Transgender students are permitted by Solebury School to compete on interscholastic athletic teams in a manner consistent with their gender identity to the extent that their participation complies with the athletic competition rules and bylaws of the athletic associations and leagues in which Solebury School competes.

BOARDING STUDENT INFORMATION

There are four dormitories at Solebury: The Holmquist House (female large dorm), Appledore (female small dorm), and Walter Lamb Hall (Male dorm). Each has its own dormitory parents, student proctors, and support staff of faculty who assist by being on duty (OD) in the evening, and dealing with issues that may arise in the life of boarding students. There are established procedures for dealing with the details of daily life, positive interactions and minor infractions. A dorm faculty member could give “Stars” to a student who did a good thing such as supporting another student through a tough time or cleaning up the hallway, kitchen, or lounge without being asked. On the other side “Strikes” are given for situations that take away from the life of the dorm such as improper check-in, lights on after designated times, or disruptive behavior. These are described at greater length

45 in the D​ ormitory Handbook ​which is given to each boarding student when they arrive in September. The decision to give a “Star” or “Strike” is at the discretion of the dorm parent or on-duty faculty; if you accumulate “Stars” you get to use them for good things. If you accumulate too many “Strikes” other consequences will follow ​(See Dorm Handbook for further detail)​ However, repeated minor infractions can lead to more serious consequences.

Classroom Use After Hours ​ - S​ tudents are not allowed in classrooms unless supervised by an adult or given permission to be there. If a student is caught in a classroom without permission, he/she/they will meet with the Dean(s), who will give the appropriate punishment for the infraction.

“​Community Weekends” There are four weekends during the school year that are considered weekend that boarding students are ​not​ allowed to sign out and go home. The following weekends are closed: ● September 6 - 8 ● October 18 - 20 ● January 10 - 12 ● April 17 - 19

Dormitory Handbook ​ – A handbook covering the more detailed procedures in the dormitories will be distributed during dorm orientation at the beginning of each year. (See S​ chool Rules and Policies ​ for related boarding information.

Dormitories, Room Assignments, and Room Changes –​ ​Current students will give preferences of roommates and room locations to the Dorm Heads. The Dean of Residence Life and Dorm Head, along with the Admissions department, will place new students in the dorm. We will not consider changing roommates until the end of the first trimester. If a change is necessary, the Dean of Residence Life and the Dorm Head will work with the students to make the change. All students involved must agree to a change, and further room changes are strongly discouraged. Though it happens rarely, the school may require a room change in the general interest of dorm life. Boarders are urged to keep their rooms locked when unattended. The school is not responsible for stolen articles. Students are responsible for the condition of their room. No major physical changes can be made to the room, including painting. Room inspections occur weekly to make sure rooms are kept reasonably clean, safe, free of fire hazards, and damage. (See “Damage to Property” in S​ chool Rules and Policies s​ ection.)

End of the Year​ – Ninth and tenth grade boarders are encouraged to leave school the day of their last exam, but with permission can stay through graduation. Eleventh and twelfth grade boarders are allowed to stay in the dorm until graduation.

English As A Second Language Students ​ ​– Circumstances may occur in which we must communicate important information accurately (sometimes quickly) with parents of English as a Second Language (ESL) students. In these cases, we will employ the services of professional interpreters. The parents must reimburse the school for these services. Also, if an ESL student is suspended or expelled and must temporarily live off campus, parents must reimburse the school for any expenses that are incurred.

Evening Study Hall ​ –​ T​ here is an organized study hall in the dorm and other locations as needed, Sunday through Thursday evenings, from 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. When students arrive at their place of

46 study they must check in with the duty person at the b​ eginning of study hall. ​ All students who have obtained “Room Study” may study in their rooms or in another location on campus with permission from the dorm faculty member on duty. ​ (See “Room Study” in ​General Information​ section.)

Keys to Dormitory Rooms ​ –​ Each boarding student is issued a key for his/her/their room. If a key is lost, it is the student's responsibility to replace it in a timely manner. There will be a non-refundable charge of $20 to replace a lost key.

Leaving Campus​ – With proper permission, boarders may leave campus Monday - Thursday after their last school commitment, but must return by 7:50 p.m. On the weekend, boarders with the proper permission may leave campus, but must return by 7:50 p.m. on Sunday. Solebury utilizes the sign in sign out platform “Boardingware” to keep track of students whereabouts. All sign out requests must be approved by the Dean of Residence Life. Students must sign out on the Kiosk in one of these locations their dorm, Athletic Center, or the dining hall. If they are leaving with a person who lives off campus, that person’s name and cell phone number must be included in the sign-out. Those remaining on campus on weekends (Friday and Saturday) may also leave during the day, but must return by 11:10 p.m. A dorm parent will determine consequences for failure to sign out. A false sign-out could result in a Judiciary Committee meeting. (See S​ chool Rules and Policies ​ section.) Boarders may go out to breakfast with day student friends, but they must obtain permission to do so from the Dean of Residence Life or the Dean of Students the day before, and they must meet the day student in front of the theater. Weekday overnight sign-outs are not permissible, except on rare occasions like college visits or late sporting events. These sign-outs are by the Dean’s Office approval only. Boarders must fill out a Boardingware request in order to leave campus.

Late Lights –​ Students who have studied diligently during study hall may request “Late Lights”. They should make their “Late Lights” request by 9:45 p.m. Students may ask for “Late Lights” three times per week and, if needed, they may r​ equest ​ ​an additional night of “Late Lights” from the faculty member on duty. Students can only request “Late Lights” Monday through Thursday. Seniors have unlimited “Late Lights”. NO “LATE LIGHTS” ON SUNDAY. The main objective with “Late Lights” is to give students an opportunity to study after 11:00 p.m.; however, students who have “Late Lights” should not be up later than 12:30 a.m.

Lights Out –​ Sunday through Thursday, ​all lights​ m​ ust be turned out ​ (except students with “Late Lights” permission) by 11:00 p.m. This includes all overhead lights, desk lamps, reading lamps, computers, music, and TVs. All bathroom needs must be taken care of ​before ​this time.

Mail​ – is distributed regularly to each dorm, Monday through Friday. Letters can be mailed at the front desk in the office, and stamps can be purchased at the School store. Stationery is not available, however; each student should have their own supply.

Medical Care ​ – Boarding students who are too sick to go to their first class of the day must see the Nurse at least 10 minutes before the start of that class or receive an unexcused absence, regardless of the validity of their illness. Students who are too ill to go to the Nurse should inform a dorm parent, who will inform the Nurse. If a student needs immediate medical attention after 8:00pm, he/she/they should go to a dorm parent or an On-Duty person who will call the on-call nurse for advice depending on the situation. Boarding students on medical restrictions may not leave campus and must be in their room at 9:30 p.m., with the lights out.

It is recommended that students needing eyeglasses bring two pairs. A copy of the student’s prescription for eyeglasses should be attached to the health form. Students who use contact lenses

47 should bring a pair of eyeglasses. Major dental work should be completed at home. Bills for medical and dental care, except for the service of the school’s infirmary, are sent to the parents.

Transportation costs to clinics and hospitals, with a minimum charge of $5 plus mileage, are charged to parents. Students needing medical care are taken to one of the following medical facilities: Phillips-Barber Family Clinic, local Urgent Care, Doylestown Hospital, or the Hunterdon Medical Center. In the event of any kind of emergency, parents will be notified as promptly as possible.

Medical Restrictions ​– ​If a student misses more than one class because of illness, he/she/they will be placed on Medical Restrictions. Students on Medical Restrictions may not participate in sports or activities on that day unless they have permission from one of the school Nurses. However, a boarder must go to evening study hall and do his/her/their chores unless specifically excused by the Nurse or On-Duty person. Except for meals, boarding students on Medical Restrictions must remain in their dorm after the end of the school day (3:30 p.m.). Boarding students may not leave campus and must be in their rooms at 9:00 p.m., preferably with the lights out. They may not have visitors, nor may they request “Late Lights”. In extraordinary circumstances, exceptions may be made by the Dean of Students, in consultation with the Nurse or the relevant physician.

Medication Policy (Prescription and Non-Prescription) ​ – Boarding students will at times need to have access to prescription and over-the-counter medication while living at Solebury. It is strongly recommended that students utilize the support of our daytime or nighttime nurse to give the proper guidance when taking over-the-counter medications. We strongly discourage the purchase of over-the-counter medications and/or keeping the bottles in your dorm room because basic pain and cold medicine will be available in the dorm medicine kits or from the daytime or nighttime nurse. All medications prescribed through a health care professional must be given to the School Nurse, Dorm Parent or Administrator on Call when students return to school. P​ rescription medications are not allowed in the dorm. P​ rocedures for prescription medication are: 1) the medication must always be delivered in its ​original bottle with a pharmacy label attached,​ 2) the School Nurse must be notified by the parent or guardian that day or the following about the medication and situation requiring its dispensation, and 3) all over-the-counter medications must be in the original bottle.

Nightly Check-In –​ Boarding students must check in each evening in person with the On-Duty (OD) faculty member in their dormitory. Sunday through Thursday, check-in time for freshmen and sophomores is 10:15 p.m.; juniors and seniors is 10:30 p.m., and proctors must check in by 10:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday check-in time for all students is 11:15 p.m. Students must stay in their dorms after check-in until 6:00 a.m. A student who is going to be late for check-in and calls the school may receive consequences for being late. A student who is more than a half-hour late for check-in and does not call the school will probably meet with the Judiciary Committee, and could be given a demerit or suspended.

Quiet Hours –​ At 10:45 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, students must keep the noise in the dormitory down and respect the rights of students who may wish to go to sleep early. Playing loud music, wrestling, chasing each other up and down the halls, and screaming are examples of what should not happen after 10:45 p.m. Headphones are allowed. Offending equipment may be confiscated for certain periods of time at the discretion of the dorm parent.

Off-Campus Employment ​ – Boarders may not be employed off campus on weekdays (this includes Sunday night). Boarders are allowed to have weekend employment if it does not interfere with required study halls, detentions, and other school obligations. Parents must approve any job, and the

48 school cannot supply transportation.

Proctor Responsibilities​ – The proctor’s position is a very important one. A proctor is a leader in this community whom we think will work well with the teachers as well as the students. The proctor's role is one that may be difficult at times, and requires a great deal of responsibility.

Room Study ​– ​Room Study is when a student is allowed to study in their room during evening study hall. Students eligible for Room Study are senior boarding students (who are given this privilege automatically), and junior, sophomore, and freshman boarding students who have attained honors or high honors.

● Room Study is granted to the following persons: 1. Any student who has earned a B average or better on his or her last Solebury report card. 2. Proctors and seniors automatically receive Room Study. ● A student can lose Room Study in the following ways: 1. Placement on Academic Warning. 2. Falling below a B average (except for seniors and proctors). 3. Abuse of Room Study.

Senior “Late Lights” Privilege ​ – Seniors automatically receive the privilege to keep their lights on after 11:00 p.m., but they must stay in their rooms and may not have visitors. If seniors want to study with another student after 11:00 p.m., they must ask the On-Duty (OD) person for “Late Lights”, and follow the rules accordingly. If a senior has a non-senior roommate who does not have “Late Lights,” the senior may stay in the lounge of the dorm in which they reside. Seniors will lose this privilege for 60 school days if they: ● Leave his/her/their room or has a visitor. ● Violates a major school rule. ● Is placed on the Academic Warning List. ● Is repeatedly late for school obligations, or falls asleep in class. ● If an OD person decides that the senior is violating the privilege.

The second time a senior loses his/her/their privileges he/she/they will lose the privilege permanently. A senior may also lose this privilege permanently if he/she/they violate a major school rule while exercising this privilege (e.g., tobacco violations in dorm room).

Special Evening Events (Student Attendance) ​– O​ ur special events such as​ Coffee House, Theater Productions, Jazz Roots, Ensemble/Chorus, and Cookies and Carols ​are an integral part of our community. We encourage students to attend and support fellow students during the performances. While we would like all students to attend, we feel that a balance with academics must be maintained. All boarding students (including performers) must check-in during dinner with either the proctor or the faculty member on duty, the night of the performance, and must tell the dorm parent if they are going to the performance or going back to their dorm room for study hall. ​ S​ tudents attending a special evening event must check-out with the dorm parent and check-in with a designated person at the performance. Failure to check-out and check-in may result in Strikes. O​ nce the performance is over, all students must return to their dorm room for quiet hours unless told otherwise. A student that has an evening class or is on Medical Restrictions may not be able to attend the performance. O​ n special evening event nights there will be no Wawa/Giant van.

Student Bank ​ – It is suggested that students have an allowance of no more than $30 per week for 49 personal needs and toiletries. Families who wish to use the services of the student bank for disbursing personal funds should send money (in the form of wire transfers, checks, or money orders)​ directly ​ to the “Solebury School Student Bank”. (Money is ​not d​ isbursed from a student’s general school account for such personal expenses.)

Technology in the dorm ​ – ​In light of technology’s grasp on our lives day and night, Solebury has implemented a Technology Policy limiting internet access after hours. S​ ee the “Dormitory Handbook” for the entire policy.

Theft​ – It is important ​not​ to keep large sums of money in your dorm room. Keep your money with you if possible, and keep your room door or locker locked at all times. Be concerned about even small amounts of money. It is also important to take special care with cameras and other expensive articles. The school is not responsible for articles stolen from students. Large amounts of money should be put in your school store account, kept in the school safe, or given to the Dean of Students until you can put it in the bank. We suggest that parents contact their homeowner’s​ i​ nsurance company for reimbursement of lost or stolen property.

Vacation​ – ​Boarders may not remain at school during vacations​. ​School and dorms are closed from 5:30 p.m. the day vacation begins until 3:30 p.m. the day before school reopens. (Boarders must return by 9:00 p.m. the night before classes begin.) If a student must return earlier in the day, they must get special permission from the Dean of Residence Life. ​At the end of vacation, the Trenton Van will pick students up at 5:00 p.m. ​Dinner is n​ ot​ served the night before classes begin, but other offerings will be provided in each dorm at 8:00 p.m. Transportation to the Philadelphia and Newark Airports can be arranged for your child through the Dean of Residence Life. When students leave for the summer, they have a great deal of luggage, and they also leave at varying times. Therefore, the school can arrange transportation for students needing to go to the airport. Note:​ I​ t is important that your family plans do not include starting vacation early or extending it any later than our return date. ​ (See “Vacations” in ​Academic Information ​ section.)

Weekend Activities –​ ​The staff members who are on duty for the weekend will plan trips, create on-campus activities, and help students to find other interesting activities going on in the area. The weekend calendar will be posted by one of the Directors of Activities in the dorms as well as the dining hall. The Activities calendar displays the core weekend events. We encourage and accept activity suggestions from all members of our school community. A list of upcoming weekend activities will be posted in the dining hall during the week.

Weekends –​ A​ ll Boarding students are required to stay at school for at least 14 weekends. This includes the “Community Weekends”.​ On Friday afternoons, a van leaves for the Trenton Train Station at 5:30 p.m. Pickup at the Trenton Train Station is at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. When a student misses the van, we will do everything we can to pick up the student, for a fee of $50. However, if this is not possible, the student can get a taxi at the station. (A taxi from Trenton costs approximately $75, including tip.) Boarding students may leave on weekends only as specified by parents or guardians through Boardingware. In addition to required parents’ or guardians’ permission, students who are not going home, but to a host must have the adult host confirm the invitation on Boardingware. Students may leave after their last school commitment on Friday and must return by 7:50 p.m. on Sunday. (A van picks up at the Trenton Train Station at 5:00 p.m. Sunday evening.) Boarders signed out for the weekend must leave for their destination. If they wish to return to campus during the weekend, then they will have to stay on campus as if they hadn’t signed out at all. All Boarders leaving campus for the weekend (or overnight) must request a weekend leave

50 through “Boardingware”. This request must be made by the ​Thursday o​ f the week they wish to leave. This is an essential procedure, because the school is responsible for a student’s whereabouts. As always, students must also sign out at the kiosk in their dorm prior to leaving the school. A repeat offense may be referred to the Judiciary Committee (JC), with suspension or expulsion as a possible result. A false sign-out is even more serious, and will be referred to the JC, with expulsion possible.

Trenton Van ​ – Students who have signed up to return to Solebury via the Trenton van must call if they do not need the van. There will be a punishment levied if a student fails to call.

EXPLANATION OF PERMISSION FORM FOR BOARDERS When students leave campus for a weekend, they are no longer under the jurisdiction of the school. Therefore, it is important to consider carefully what sort of permission you will grant your child. You will receive a form in the summer mailing on which you will be able to indicate your choice. When making permission choices, please err on the side of allowing your child ​earn ​ their permission.

● Individual Permission for Each Weekend​: ​ The student’s parents must approve through Boardingware their child’s weekend plans before 9:00 a.m. on Thursday prior to the week your child wants to leave campus.

● Permission to go to a location other than Home​: Any boarding student who is not going directly home, must have a host approved invitation. If you have any questions, please contact the Dean of Residence Life.

Note:​ ​A student who falsifies a weekend or weeknight sign-out is subject to serious disciplinary action. ​(See “Consequences” in ​School Rules and Policies ​ section.)

● Blanket Permission to go anywhere (eleventh and twelfth grades only)​: ​ This option allows your child to leave campus any weekend for any destination, without confirmation from you, provided that he/she/they sign out properly. In addition to the parent’s or guardian’s blanket permission, if the student must have an approved invitation from the adult host. (See ​Note above.)

All weekends except our Community Weekends are “open” for students who have permission to leave as long as it does not exceed the 14 weekends a boarder is supposed to be on campus. If for any reason your child’s return to school will be delayed, please notify the on-duty person or the Administrator on call.

What to Bring​- All articles, including footwear, should be clearly labeled with the student’s name. We recommend labeling clothes for day students, too, because clothing can be misplaced. Dress is informal at Solebury School, but we reserve the right to question the appropriateness of an individual’s attire. (See “Regarding Appropriate Attire for Solebury” in ​School Rules and Policies section.) Pajamas are not allowed in the dining hall during meals. Winters can be severe, and warm outer clothing, including boots, is needed. Likewise, rainwear is necessary. Laundry facilities are available in the dormitories.

BRING: • Alarm clock • Backpack for books • Bedding and other linens (e.g., blankets, pillows, bedspreads, towels, washcloths) • Bicycle, with helmet and lock

51 • Clothes hangers • Identification (for cashing checks, taking SAT’s, etc.) • Lamps (e.g., standing i​ ncandescent​ lamps) • Lock box for valuables • Tape/thumbtacks (to hang posters—​no nails)​ • Sports equipment • Toiletries • Wastebasket • Winter clothing (e.g., boots, warm gloves, hat)

DO NOT BRING: • Candles and incense • Lava Lamps • Drug or alcohol paraphernalia • Tattooing or ear-piercing equipment • Heat-producing electric appliances (e.g., hot plate, refrigerator, toaster, heating elements, standing halogen ​lamps—See below.) • Weapons and fireworks

Electrical Appliances​ -​ Hair dryers, radios, stereos, and personal computers are permitted in the rooms. However, electric appliances that might overload the electrical system or create a fire hazard (e.g., hot plates, sun lamps, electric frying pans, heating elements, popcorn makers) are not allowed. We will allow pre-approved, automatic shut-off rice cookers and teapots; however, they must be approved by the Dean of Residence Life, Dorm Head, or maintenance or they will be confiscated.

DAY STUDENT INFORMATION

All day students at Solebury must reside with either a parent or guardian while enrolled as a student. If during the school year, we are notified that a student’s living situation is without a parent or guardian we will meet with the parents to resolve the situation.

Day Student Absences​ – It is best to make health care and other appointments at times when school is not in session. If an appointment is only possible during class time, again, please call the Director of Studies well in advance and then follow up with Greg Lewis the Assistant Dean. Note:​ ​If a student will be absent, a parent must call the school office (2l5-862-526l) before the start of the academic day. Please call each day that your child is ill, and then follow up with a note when the student returns to school. If a day-student becomes ill during the day, he/she/they should see the Nurse.

Dorm and campus Visitation ​ – From Sunday through Thursday, day students may visit campus. For dorm visitation times, see page 33.

Dorm Overnight (Weeknight or Weekend) ​ - If your child requests to stay a night in the dorm with a friend or you need your child to stay because of a vacation or weather related events, please contact the Dean of Residence Life at least one week in advance if it is non-weather related. If it is a weather related event, please contact the Dean of Residence Life to discuss staying overnight.

52 Meals ​ – Meals are available to all students with snacks available during the academic day.

Motor Vehicles –​ (See “Motor Vehicles” in S​ chool Rules and Policies​ section.)

On-Campus Hours​ – Once a day student arrives on campus, he/she/they may not leave campus before the end of his/her/their last commitment without permission from the nurse or the Dean’s Office. Day students are expected to leave campus by 8:00 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday and by 11:20 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. If a day student must stay after 8:00 p.m., he/she/they must get permission from the Administrator-on-call. Day students who​ a​ re on campus after 8:00 p.m. on a weeknight must attend evening study hall.

Out-of-School Employment –​ Students will not be excused from school obligations (activities, sports, detentions, etc.) for out-of-school employment. We feel that a student’s first priority must be academic work. Therefore, we recommend that parents carefully monitor out-of-school employment to see that it does not interfere with homework and other school responsibilities.

WHOM TO CALL

All of the following staff may be reached via the main school number, 215-862-5261, from 8:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m. if the following list does not help answer your question, call the main school number and the receptionist will direct your call.

Academics Rick Tony, Director of Studies Athletics & Activities Programs Rob Eichem, Athletic Director Admissions Scott Eckstein, Director of Admissions Advanced Placement Coordinator Tim Gallen, Director of College Guidance Advisors Britta Milks and Michelle Gavin, Directors of Advising Attendance Greg Lewis, Assistant Dean of Students (215-933-8625); Boarding Students Dorm Heads, Sasha Skulsky, Dean of Residence Life, Annette Miller, Dean of Students Bridge Program Kristy Raska, Director Business Office Steven Feld, Director of Finance Rachel Emde, Business Manager Global Education Angelo Coclanis and Maria Gil Gonzalez, Co-Directors of Global Education Class Representatives & 9​th ​ –TBA Chair – Diane Downs Grade Level Advising Chairs 10​th​ – Matt Baron Chair – Libby Fifer 11​th​ – TBA Chair – Kristina Bauman 12​th​ – Jordan Reed Chair – Peter Martino College Counseling Tim Gallen, College Counselor Community Council Kristina Bauman and Peter Martino, Co-Directors of Activities Community Relations Tom Wilschutz, Head of School Community Service Libby Fifer and Sarah May, Co-Coordinators of Community Service Computers Jon Freer, Director of Technology Counseling Services Julie Liang, School Counselor Day Students Annette Miller, Dean of Students; Sasha Skulsky, Dean of

53 Residence Life ; Greg Lewis, Assistant Dean of Students Development/Advancement Jennifer Burns, Assistant Head: Director of Advancement and External Affairs Discipline Annette Miller, Dean of Students; Sasha Skulsky, Dean of Residence Life ; Greg Lewis, Assistant Dean Diversity Stacie Anastasio and Annette Miller, Co-Diversity Coordinator Dorm Heads Appledore - Heather Gaghan; Holmquist - Hanna Howe; Walter Lamb Hall - Stacie Anastasio; English as a Second Language Cinnie Wappel, Director of ESL General Guidance Carol Hey, Nurse, Annette Miller, Dean of Students, Sasha Skulsky, Dean of Residence Life ; and Greg Lewis, Assistant Dean of Students Health Services Carol Hey, Nurse Practitioner; Leila Crooks, School Nurse Home and School HSA President: Colleen Schlegel P'20 ​[email protected] Vice president: Tia Cavallaro P’21 Treasurer: Rachel Emde ‘02 Secretary - Mike Lipsky P'21 and Meredith Borine P'21 Auction chair: Tia Cavallaro P’21 Human Resources Sherry Goulding, Director of Human Services Learning Skills Kristy Raska, Head of Learning Skills Program Peer Tutoring Kristy Raska, Director of Peer Tutor Program Public Relations Holly Victor, Director of Public Relations Residence Life Sasha Skulsky, Dean of Residence Life Senior Project Martin Smith, Senior Project Chair School Policies Tom Wilschutz, Head of School School Store Tom Cifelli, Manager Social Life of Students Deans, Advisor, Dorm Head, Co-Directors of Activities Student Bank Tom Cifelli, School Store Manager Transportation Peter Redmond, Director of Transportation Trustee Matters Tom Wilschutz, Head of School Weekend Events and Other Activities Kristina Bauman and Peter Martino, Co-Directors of Activities

54

INDEX

ABSENCES & ATTENDANCE 6-7, 25-27, 30, 53 ACADEMIC COMMITTEE 14​, 19 ACADEMIC HONESTY 12-13​, 30 ACADEMIC INFORMATION 5-17 ACADEMIC WARNING 13 Accident Insurance 21 Advisor 17, 20,​ 3​ 1 ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES 14-15 Accommodations for Students with a Disability or Injury 40 Appeal Process 20, ​24​, 37 Assembly 17 Attire 25 Automobiles (See ​Motor Vehicles.​ ) BOARDING STUDENT INFORMATION 45-51 Bullying and Harassment 35 Campus 27 Cars (See M​ otor Vehicles​.) 32 Classes 17 College Guidance 7, 20, 27 Community Code 24 Community Council 19, 53 Community Service 5​, 54 COMPUTERS 16​, 27 - 28 Conference Period 17 Consequences of Rule Infractions 29 - 33 Counseling services 21 Daily Schedule 17 Damage to Property 32 DAILY EXPECTATIONS 18 DAY STUDENT INFO. 52 Day Student Driving 17 Daytime and evening Study Hall 18 Delayed Opening Schedule 22 Demerit 29 Detention 30, ​33 Dining Hall 21 Disciplinary Hearing 33 Dorm Visitation 32, 52 Dorm Overnight (Day student or Friends) 53 DROP/ADD POLICY 9

55 Drugs and Alcohol Policy 30, ​33 EARLY GRADUATION 9 Electrical Appliances 52 Email 16, 27, 38 End of the Year for Boarders 46 English as a Second Language (ESL) 46 Evening Study Hours 18​, 46 Explanation of Permissions 51 Financial Obligations 38 GENERAL INFORMATION 21-25 Grade Weighting 10 Guidance 20, 27 Headphone Policy During Study Hall 18 Hitchhiking 35 HIV/AIDS Policy 34 HOME AND SCHOOL ASSN. 21 HOMEWORK AND STUDY HOURS 11 HONORS AND HIGH HONORS 11 I.D. Cards 22, ​33 Inappropriate Behavior Off Campus 35 Infractions of Rules 30 -32 Injury (​ Student Disability and Injury Accommodation Policy) 40 Inner Campus Confinement 35 Keys to Dormitory Rooms 47 Judiciary Committee (JC) 19​, 30, ​35-36 Kitchen/Dining Hall Duty 18 Late Opening Schedule 22 -23 Leave of Absence 26, 35 Leaving Campus 31, 36, 47 Learning Skills and Bridge Program 14, 15 Library 16​, 36 Lockers 22 Lounges and Recreation 22 Mail 47 Meals 21​, 52 Medical Care 37, 47 Medical Forms and Restrictions 31, 37, 48 Messages 22 Mission Statement 4 Motor Vehicles 31, ​36​, 52 Nightly Check-In and Lights Out 48 Non-Discrimination Policy 37 Nurse 20 Off-Campus Events 37 On-Campus Hours for Day Students 53 Out-of-School Employment 49

56 Parent-School Relationship 37-38 Peer Tutoring and Peer Leading 19 PERMISSIONS 27, 33-34, 51 Prescription Drug Policy 48 Pets 38 Philosophy 4 Physical Conflicts 31, 34-35 Plagiarism (See A​ cademic Honesty​.) 31 Pre-Discipline 20 Proctors 19, 48 Professional Counseling 21 Quiet Hours 38, ​48 Re-enrollment 28 Religious and Cultural Holidays 22 School Closing and Late Opening 22 School Jurisdiction 38 SCHOOL RULES AND POLICIES 24-45 School Store 23 Search Policy 38 Senior “Late Lights” Privilege 49 SENIORS and Senior Projects 8-9 Sexual Behavior Policy 38 Sexual Harassment Policy 34, 40 Sexuality and Sexuality Program 21, 39 Skates, Skateboards, and Bicycles 40 Snow Days (See S​ chool Closing and Late Opening​.) 22 Social and General Probation 40 Special Evening Events (Attendance) 49 Sports and Activities 6, 7, 27, 38, 45 Stealing and Theft 31, 40, 50 Student Bank 49 Student Disability and injury Policy 40 -41 STUDENT LEADERSHIP 18-20 STUDENT SUPPORT SYSTEMS 19-21 Study Halls 17-18, 4​ 1​, 46 Suspensions 41 Telephone 1 Tobacco/Nicotine Delivery Devices 31, 34, ​41 Transgender Policy 42-45 Transportation 23, 26, 51 Unacceptable Behavior 35 Unaccompanied Minor and Travel 23 Vacation 23, 26, 50 Visitors 27, 32, 42, 53 Walking on Roads After Dark 42 Weapons 32, 42

57 Weekends 27, 50 What to Bring 51 WHOM TO CALL 55-57

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