2019-2020 Middle School Student and Parent Handbook
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2019-2020 Middle School Student and Parent Handbook David Baad, Head of School Ruth Burke, Associate Head of School Eric Boberg, Academic Dean The Reverend Amy G. Heller, Senior Chaplain Jonathan Chein, Head of Middle School Meg Fahrenbrook, Assistant Head of Middle School Scott Goetsch, 8th Grade Dean Cassie Nutter, 7th Grade Dean Allison Darnell, 6th Grade Dean th Ellen Neill, 5 Grade Dean The Episcopal School of Dallas 4100 Merrell Road Dallas, TX 75229 www.esdallas.org 214-358-4368 main The Episcopal School of Dallas 4100 Merrell Road Dallas, Texas 75229 August 2019 Dear Students and Parents, Welcome to the 2019-20 school year, Middle School! The Episcopal School of Dallas prepares young men and women for lives of intellectual discovery, integrity, and purpose. The School develops the unique talent and potential in each student and embraces sound learning, discipline, and faith as essential elements of an educated conscience. Students learn best through the active pursuit of knowledge and the relevant application of that knowledge. We believe this is best achieved in a community that fosters critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, personal responsibility, and intellectual risk-taking in a safe and open environment. ESD educators endeavor to guide students through inquiry-based, real-world learning experiences that yield enduring understanding and encourage students to become life-long learners in an ever-changing global society. The middle school handbook is designed to help support ESD’s Mission and Educational Philosophy. If you do not find the information you need in this handbook, our staff, administration, or faculty is available to assist you. Parent awareness of and support for school policies is essential to creating a partnership between students, families, and middle school faculty. We encourage parents to join their children in reading and discussing the entire handbook. Please note that as the year progresses, it may be necessary to change or amend the handbook. Any changes in policy or procedure will be announced and reflected in the online version found in the Private Parent Portal. We look forward to a very successful school year in which each student's intellectual, emotional, and social growth is accompanied by spiritual and moral growth. Warmly, Jonathan Chein Meg Fahrenbrook Head of Middle School Assistant Head of Middle School 1 Contents CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................................................ 2 HANDBOOK DISCLAIMER ................................................................................................................................... 8 SECTION 1: ALL SCHOOL INFORMATION AND POLICIES ....................................................................... 9 FOUNDING BELIEF ................................................................................................................................................... 10 MISSION STATEMENT .............................................................................................................................................. 10 FOUNDING TENETS .................................................................................................................................................. 10 OUR EPISCOPAL IDENTITY AT ESD ......................................................................................................................... 14 EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY ................................................................................................................................... 14 ESD CODE OF CONDUCT ......................................................................................................................................... 15 Principles of Honor, Respect, and Integrity ........................................................................................................ 15 ESD Code of Conduct in Summary ..................................................................................................................... 15 EXPECTATIONS OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT ............................................................................................................ 15 Honor, Respect, and Integrity in Academics ....................................................................................................... 15 Honor, Respect, and Integrity in the ESD Community and in Daily Life ............................................................ 17 Honor, Respect, and Integrity in Athletics .......................................................................................................... 18 Honor, Respect, and Integrity as a Parent ........................................................................................................... 18 Honor, Respect, and Integrity as Faculty and Staff .............................................................................................. 19 GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY (GNP) ............................................................................................................................ 19 ACCREDITATION AND MEMBERSHIP ....................................................................................................................... 20 The Episcopal School of Dallas is accredited by: ................................................................................................ 20 The Episcopal School of Dallas holds membership in: ........................................................................................ 20 SCHOOL HOURS ....................................................................................................................................................... 20 Middle and Upper School .................................................................................................................................... 20 Lower School ....................................................................................................................................................... 21 Inclement Weather ............................................................................................................................................... 21 LIBRARY SERVICES ................................................................................................................................................. 21 The Gill Library ................................................................................................................................................... 21 The Lower School Library ................................................................................................................................... 21 ENROLLMENT/RESIDENCY STATUS ......................................................................................................................... 21 CONTRACT HOLDS .................................................................................................................................................. 22 SHARING OF RECORDS AND INFORMATION ............................................................................................................. 22 ESD STATEMENT ON DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION .................................................................................................. 22 RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS .............................................................................................................................. 22 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY POLICY ........................................................................................................................... 22 PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO AND AUDIO RECORDING ON CAMPUS ........................................................................ 22 AUDIO AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE ........................................................................................................................ 22 SOCIAL MEDIA POSTING ......................................................................................................................................... 22 2 TEXTING .................................................................................................................................................................. 23 Texting Policy Regarding Lower and Middle School Students ........................................................................... 23 DRONES AND UNMANNED AIRCRAFT USE .............................................................................................................. 23 ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS FROM STUDENTS AND PARENTS ......................................................................................... 23 FUND RAISING ......................................................................................................................................................... 23 Student Fund Raising and Solicitation ................................................................................................................ 24 BUSINESS OPERATIONS ........................................................................................................................................... 24 LIFE STUDIES PHILOSOPHY ..................................................................................................................................... 24 RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEE ............................................................................................................................. 24 PUBLICATIONS REVIEW ..........................................................................................................................................