LOWER SCHOOL Student-Parent Handbook 2019-2020
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LOWER SCHOOL Student-Parent Handbook 2019-2020 TELEPHONES Lower School Office (610) 868-8571 Business Office (610) 868-4744 Transportation (610) 868-4744 Extended (after 4:00 p.m.) (610) 442-4326 1 MORAVIAN ACADEMY LOWER SCHOOL 422 Heckewelder Place Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018 Phone: (610) 868-8571 Fax: (610) 868-9319 www.moravianacademy.org Head of School Jeff Zemsky Interim Assistant Head of School Erica D’Agostino Interim Director of Lower School/ Assistant Head of School Ann Mindler Administrative Assistant & Database Manager Elizabeth Stitt Administrative Assistant Rachel Levin Director of Admissions Ingrid Gerber Assistant Director of Admissions Stephanie Falzone School Psychologist Elizabeth Zhe Student Support Team Director and School Counselor Kristi Johnson Moravian Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, religious affiliation or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational and admissions policies, financial aid awards, and athletic or other school administered programs. Applicants who are disabled (or applicant's family members who are disabled) requiring any type of accommodation during the application process, or at any other time, are encouraged to identify themselves and indicate what type of accommodation is needed. 2 LOWER SCHOOL HANDBOOK TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome Letter 4 Moravian History and Philosophy 5 Faculty and Administration 7 Academic and Student Life (Home/School Communication) 8 Attendance 15 Chapel Service 17 Child Safety 18 Dress Code 20 Guidelines and Conduct for Student 22 Health and Wellness 26 Inclement Weather 29 Programs Before and After School 31 Programs, Lovefeasts and Special Events 33 Technology 35 Transportation 40 Governance and Business 43 Index 45 3 Dear Students and Families, Welcome to the new 2019-20 school year! Moravian Academy is a special place where students develop strong relationships with peers and teachers, acquire confidence in academic and moral decisions, and enjoy so many meaningful experiences. We expect there to be close working relationships between students, parents and all faculty and staff members and encourage you to become involved in the life of the school. The Student-Parent Handbook contains helpful information on school policies, procedures, and a variety of topics that we hope you will find beneficial throughout the year. We request that you read it with care and take the time to familiarize yourself with the guidelines of our Lower School. We look forward to a great year! Sincerely, Ann Mindler Interim Director of Lower School Assistant Head of School Disclaimer: This handbook is designed to familiarize the reader with the major policies and practices in place at Moravian Academy Lower School at the time of publication. While every effort has been made to make this handbook as complete and encompassing as possible, it cannot address all situations and does provide general guidance in many areas. This handbook does not constitute a signed contract. The Lower School Administration reserves the right to revise, modify, delete, or add to any and all policies and practices stated in this handbook. Updated: August 2019 4 MORAVIAN ACADEMY SCHOOL HISTORY Moravian Academy traces its origins to the Moravians who settled Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1741. The Academy descends from the first school for girls founded in the American colonies in 1742. We are the ninth oldest independent school in the United States. Moravian Academy was incorporated in 1971 with the merger of Moravian Seminary for Girls and the Moravian Preparatory School. The early Moravians who founded our school viewed education as a sacred responsibility. They were guided by the wisdom of John Amos Comenius, a Moravian bishop who lived in 17th century Europe. Comenius is known to educators everywhere as the Father of Modern Education. Comenius envisioned an education in which all would participate, and an education that would allow each individual to develop fully in mind, body, and spirit. Early Moravian schools also emphasized music, which continues to be a vital part of our education. Moravian Academy’s goal is to create an atmosphere of love and understanding. As an independent school, we welcome people of all religious faiths, and live our religious identity in ways that honor and celebrate this diversity. As a church-related school, we value the beliefs and traditions of the Moravian Church, a heritage that both formed and informs our collective identity. 5 MORAVIAN ACADEMY SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY Moravian Academy is a church-related school whose Moravian tradition affirms that young people best realize their potential in an atmosphere of love and understanding. We seek to promote the child's full development in mind, body, and spirit. Since 1742 the school has encouraged sound innovations to meet contemporary challenges while recognizing the permanence of basic human values. The school will seek to fulfill its mission by pursuing these goals: ● Provide a strong academic foundation in preparation for college work. ● Help students develop self-respect, dignity, and concern and respect for others. ● Promote creativity and appreciation of aesthetic values. ● Help students to develop their physical skills and encourage positive attitudes about health and fitness. ● Encourage students in experiences that will develop maturity, independence, adaptability, integrity, and love of learning. ● Help students to become aware of the spiritual dimension of life and further their understanding of the Judeo-Christian tradition. ● Encourage students and their parents to recognize their responsibilities in the educational process and demonstrate their commitment to the purposes and goals of Moravian Academy. It is Moravian Academy Lower School’s expectation that all students will conduct themselves in the spirit of this philosophy. In keeping with their levels of development and maturity, all students are expected to respect themselves and others. 6 Lower School Faculty and Administration Head of School Mr. Jeff Zemsky Interim Director, Lower School/Assistant Head of School Mrs. Ann Mindler Associate Director of Admissions Mrs. Stephanie Falzone Administrative Assistant & Database Manager Mrs. Elizabeth Stitt Administrative Assistant Mrs. Rachel Levin School Psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Zhe Director of Student Support Services, P-8 Mrs. Kristi Johnson Primer Lead Mrs. Brooke Bauer Primer Mrs. Wendy Burcaw Prekindergarten Lead Ms. Melissa Hummel Prekindergarten Mrs. Becky Berkenstock Prekindergarten Lead Mrs. Holly Haines Kindergarten Lead Mrs. Amy Bowser Kindergarten Lead Sra. Melika Matlack Kindergarten Mr. John Whelan Kindergarten Sra. Damaris Torres Grade 1 Mrs. Emily Anglund-Nellen Miss Robyn Endress Srta. Veronica Pascuzzi Grade 2 Mrs. Shea Andriko Sra. Yuli Vanegas Grade 3 Mrs. Vanessa Norrell Sr. Marc Yerrington Grade 4 Mrs. Cheryl Hinkle Mrs. Beth Matlock Sra. Lisa Molina-Cheung Grade 5 Mr. George Andriko Mrs. Anne Fessler Srta. Veronica Guevara Science, Grades K-5 Mr. Bradbury Pomeroy Art, Grades K-5 Mr. Brian Elstein Educational Technology Specialist Mrs. Sara Polefka Global Languages Srta. Barbara Medina Mrs. Emily Quinn Mrs. Jane Wang Music Mr. Benjamin Wallace Mrs. Lou Carol Fix Instrumental Music Mrs. Christine Wetzel Ms. Chase Morrison Dr. Richard Fanning Librarians Mrs. Sarah Harshman, Mr. Matt Laubscher, & Srta. Barbara Medina Physical Education Mrs. Becky Miller Nurse Mrs. Toni Woods Maignan Director, Extended Session Ms. Gabbey Stone Security Mr. Bill Breckon & Mr. Michael Williams 7 ACADEMIC AND STUDENT LIFE Academic Curriculum Moravian Academy Lower School offers an enriched and nurturing environment where children develop academically, socially, and spiritually. The curriculum is built to inspire critical thinking, creativity, and reasoning through cooperative learning, small-group instruction, and discussion. Class projects, presentations, and performances allow children to share their learning with others both in person and in digital form. Intellectual risk-taking in all subject areas develops competence and confidence to become lifelong learners. The Lower School is proud of these and many other programming efforts: ● Dedicated teachers offering rigorous curricula in a loving, caring environment ● Physical education, art, vocal music, band, orchestra, science lab, and library classes taught by specialists in these fields ● Suzuki Method violin and cello instruction starting in kindergarten ● Global Language: Spanish Immersion kindergarten through fourth grade, Spanish instruction primer through fifth grade, introduction to French and Mandarin in fifth grade ● Science lab experiences for all students highlighting STEAM initiatives ● Frequent field trips at every grade level; Overnight trips in third, fourth, and fifth grade Homework Moravian Academy is a college preparatory school that believes in academic excellence. Homework is an extension of the academic day. Just as teachers make a conscious effort to assign meaningful homework, our scholars must meet the challenge with concerted effort. The amount of homework assigned increases as students progress through the grades. As a general guideline, students in first grade should expect to spend about 10-20 minutes a night, second grade 20-30 minutes, third grade 30-40 minutes, fourth grade 40-50 minutes and fifth grade 50-60 minutes. Homework may include a variety of assignments: reading, writing, memorizing, completing projects, board games, practicing math facts, and spelling