Student Handbook Rules, Regulations, and Information for the Academic Year
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Student Handbook Rules, Regulations, and Information for the Academic Year { 2010-11 } Mission Statement Avon Old Farms School strives to be the best school for boys by cultivating young men of integrity who honor wisdom, justice, service, and the pursuit of truth. We promote intellectual, creative, and emotional growth in our students by providing a structured, supportive learning environment that encourages self-discovery and social responsibility. % Our core values are central to fulfilling our mission. On pages 37 and 38 we list and define these values. Each year we focus on one of our core values and strive to incorporate it into many of the programs we present. This year we are going to focus on the value of civility and hope to improve the quality of life on campus by promoting this value throughout our community. Civility is treating others with respect and valuing them. In the classroom, on the playing fields, and in all areas of residential life, members of the Avon community are expected to interact with each other respectfully. Because of the close community living that we experience at Avon, we will, on occasion, find ourselves in situations where conflicts arise. In the spirit of civility, these conflicts must be resolved without resorting to physical or verbal outbursts. In truly valuing the opinion of others, we will find emotional balance and civil resolutions to our conflicts. The Golden Rule, which advises us to “do unto others as we would have them do unto us,” has for centuries provided us with wise insight into the essence of civility. This year, we will regularly schedule programs and encourage discussions that will center on civility. Learning to think about others before one thinks about himself or herself will help to enrich the lives of the members of the school community. We trust that by defining, discussing, and imparting the essentials of civility, our school will become a better community and will provide our students with the insight to live better lives here and in the future. % Contents The Avon Old Farms Community...................................................2 Residential Life Information............................................................3 Dormitory Guidelines......................................................................7 Day Student Guidelines...................................................................9 School Rules...................................................................................10 Areas of Responsibility....................................................................18 Campus Map..............................................................................20-21 Academic Program..........................................................................22 Weekday Schedules...................................................................24-25 Weekend Schedule.........................................................................27 Campus Leaves...............................................................................28 Student Council.............................................................................30 Dormitory Monitors......................................................................31 Other Information.........................................................................32 School Calendar........................................................................34-35 Examination Schedule...................................................................36 Core Values.....................................................................................37 History & Tradition.......................................................................39 School Song..........................................................Inside Back Cover Avon Old Farms School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or disabilities in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs. The Avon Old Farms Community Welcome to Avon Old Farms School. Through the years, Avon Old Farms students have been known for their courtesy and friendliness to one another and to visitors to the school. Each of us is expected to display good manners and respect toward every member of the Avon community — students, faculty, and staff. We expect you will help us uphold our tradition of respect and fair play in athletic contests, and courtesy toward every visitor to campus. Each Man of Avon represents the entire Avon Old Farms community, whether he is on campus, at another school, in the surrounding Farmington Valley, or at home. Avon is a boarding school with a fully-integrated component of day students who are mandated by our Board of Directors to comprise about 25 percent of the student body. As a day student, you are expected to participate fully in the life of the school and are encouraged to join all social, recreational, and extracurricular activities. You will have lunch in the Refectory, and you are always welcome at breakfast and dinner. If you enroll as a boarding student, you will be expected to maintain that status for the duration of your career at the school. Whether boarding or day, you are expected to attend all of your classes, fulfill your school job commitment, and participate in an athletic or other school-sanctioned activity after classes. In order to get the most out of any experience, you must be prepared to invest in it fully. We hope that you will plan to “get involved” in whatever activities interest you and that you will become an integral part of our Avon Old Farms family. On the pages that follow you will find information that will be helpful to you as you begin and continue your career at Avon, as well as the official rules and regulations that spell out our expectations for your behavior in all aspects of your life at Avon Old Farms School. You and your parents should read these rules carefully and be sure you understand them. Keep this handbook for reference. These guidelines for behavior reflect years of experience educating young men and following these guidelines will enable you to enjoy a productive and rewarding school year. 2 Residential Life Information I. Laundry The schedule for personal laundry, dry cleaning, and bed linen is as follows: Drop Off: Wednesday 7:15 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. Hockey Rink Pick Up: Friday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Hockey Rink Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Hockey Rink II. Post Office First class mail and packages may be picked up daily, Monday through Saturday, at the school Post Office as listed below. Stamps may be purchased at the school store. Package Pick Up: Mon. – Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 12 Noon Student Fax: 860-404-4138 Parents may fax their sons at this number 24 hours a day. Students may use the fax during normal Post Office hours. III. Student Bank Students should observe the following regular banking hours: Hawk’s Nest: Mon. – Sat. 8:15 a.m. – 12 Noon IV. Allowances Weekly allowances may be drawn at the Hawk’s Nest from your account during posted hours. Students may accumulate up to three (3) weeks allowance. Written permission via fax or letter is needed for any special withdrawals (above and beyond allowance). Freshmen & Sophomores $40.00 Juniors & Seniors $50.00 V. Debit Card All students receive a debit card when they arrive on campus. The Avon Old Farms School debit card is a multipurpose card used to cover most areas of incidental and personal spending at school. A $15.00 minimum balance must be maintained at all times. Parents can replenish their balances by remitting checks to “Avon Old Farms Student Bank.” 3 Residential Life VI. Telephones Cellular phones are permitted on campus, but students cannot use them during restricted study times in the dorms, during class, or in the Refectory. The use of cell phones is also prohibited during presentations, concerts, plays, morning meeting, chapel, etc. Students violating the conditions of cell phone use may have their cell phones confiscated. VII. School Store The school store, The Hawk’s Nest, gives students the opportunity to purchase paper supplies, athletic clothing, personal articles, and food. The store is open in the mornings from Monday through Saturday from 8:15 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. It is also open after enrichment until 8:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. It is open after study hall until check on Friday and Saturday evenings. The store is open on most Saturday evenings. The book store sells books and will buy back used books at the close of school. VIII. Student Activities On Friday nights, there is often a bus run to scheduled events and food stores. After Saturday classes and athletic contests, each weekend brings social opportunities for the students. Among the many activities offered are dances on campus or at girls’ schools, off-campus and on-campus movies, concerts, events, and trips to plays and ski areas. On Sundays, a school bus leaves from the hockey rink circle and transports students to and from area girls’ schools, churches, and the Westfarms Mall, normally at 11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. IX. Meals Students are expected to attend meals. Please see the weekday and weekend schedules for mealtimes. Formal dress is required except for designated