Sidwell Friends School / Community Handbook 2020/21
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SIDWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL / COMMUNITY HANDBOOK 2020/21 SIDWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL COMMUNITY HANDBOOK 2020/21 REV. 08/14/20 SIDWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL / COMMUNITY HANDBOOK 2020/21 About This Handbook Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students, As we prepare to begin the 2020/21 academic year, we do so with the key priorities of the safety and well-being of our community in mind while offering the best educational experience possible and lifting up our School’s mission. We aspire to be a dynamic educational community grounded by Quaker values in the pursuit of truth, knowledge, self-revelation, lifelong friendship, kindness, and the dignity of all. Our shared values sit at the heart of this education to help us foster healthy relationships and a productive learning environment. Please take a moment to read through the Community Handbook, which outlines the School’s expectations of conduct and behaviors. Additional information regarding the specific protocols and policies relating to the COVID-19 pandemic can be found in the School Plan for 2020/21 (posted at sidwell.edu/Fall2020). All parents, guardians, and students agree to read, understand, and abide by the terms of this handbook upon signing the enrollment contract. Beginning this school year, parents, guardians, and students who have reached the age of 18 must also sign an acknowledgment of this revised edition of the handbook before the academic year begins. In addition, students who will participate in in-person learning when the campuses reopen will be required to have parents/guardians sign a return-to-campus waiver. Parents are expected to support the School’s values and standards and, in their interactions with other mem- bers of the School community, to treat one another with openness, honesty, and mutual respect. Please read the general information section, which states basic policies and procedures for all three divisions, and then the section that pertains to specific guidelines for the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. While this book might not address every circumstance or situation, the policies and procedures outlined are intended to apply to general School life. From time to time, a scenario may require an immediate or nonstan- dard response. The handbook does not limit the School’s ability to deal with individual circumstances as they arise in the manner the School deems most appropriate, taking into consideration the best interests of the School, its students, faculty, employees, or overall community. The policies may also be revised or updated periodically, even during the academic year, as deemed necessary by the School. You will be advised of any changes as they are made through the weekly School newsletter. Any student, parent, or guardian with a ques- tion about any handbook policy or statement should feel free to speak with the appropriate division head, the assistant head of school for academic affairs, or me. I look forward to sharing the year with you and hope we all have a positive and productive year together. Bryan Garman Head of School DISCLAIMER Sidwell Friends School’s (“SFS” or the “School”) Community Handbook (the “handbook”) is published and distributed to members of the SFS community for the purpose of providing information on aspects of student and campus life so that students may gain as much as possible from their experience at the School. Students, parents, faculty, administration, and staff should all read and be familiar with the contents of the handbook so that each member of the community knows and understands our community expectations. While policies in this handbook will generally apply, the School may take actions that it determines to be in the best interests of the School, its faculty, and its students. This handbook does not limit the authority of the School to alter, interpret, and implement its rules, policies, and procedures before, during, and after the school year. This handbook is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to create, nor does it create, a contract or part of a contract in any way, including, but not limited to, between SFS and any parent, guardian, or student affiliated with or attending the School. SFS may, in its sole discretion, add, revise, and/or delete School policies before, ring,du and after the academic year. ABOUT / 1 SIDWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL / COMMUNITY HANDBOOK 2020/21 Contents 3 Snow, Inclement Weather, 38 Lower School and Emergency Policy 39 Logistics 41 Division Organization 4 General Information 41 Communication 5 Community Values 42 Academic Program 5 School Location 43 Academic and Behavioral Policies 6 Communication 45 Health Services 8 Health Services 45 Athletics 14 Accommodations and 45 Student Life Student Support Policies 46 Parent and Guardian Involvement 16 Athletics 47 Middle School 19 Community Life 21 Student Behavior and Discipline 48 Logistics 23 Harassment And Sexual Assault Policy 48 Middle School Transportation 26 Transgender and Nonconforming 49 Division Organization Student Policy 49 Communication 27 Technology At Sidwell Friends 50 Academic Program 30 Parent/Guardian Responsibilities 51 Academic and Behavioral Policies 31 Parents Association 53 Health Services 32 Transportation and Travel 53 Athletics 34 Facilities Access and Use 54 Student Life 35 Re-Enrollment and Withdrawal 56 Parent and Guardian Involvement 36 Philanthropy for Sidwell Friends 57 Upper School 58 Logistics 58 Division Organization 59 Academic Program 63 Academic Support 65 Disciplinary Policies 68 College Counseling and C ollege Visit Policies 69 Student Life 74 Health Services 74 Physical Education and Athletics Program 75 Parent and Guardian Involvement CONTENTS / 2 SIDWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL / COMMUNITY HANDBOOK 2020/21 Snow, Inclement Weather, and Emergency Policy The operating status of Sidwell Friends will be communicated through the following means: • SFS urgent notification system: email and text. For early closings or unexpected emergencies, phone messages will also be sent. • The School website: sidwell.edu. Early Closing Early closings will be determined by the administration and communicated via the methods listed above. Parents/guardians indicate emergency dismissal preferences during the annual enrollment process, including the designation of at least two persons authorized for emergency pickups, and for grades 5–12 only, alternate forms of transportation the student may take. To update emergency contacts throughout the academic year, use the “Update Household Information” form in QuakerZone. Aftercare Program If School campuses close early due to inclement weather or other emergency, Aftercare will not be held. If the School does not close early but after-school and evening events are canceled on campus, Aftercare and the Early Childhood Learning Center will close at 4:00 pm. After-School and Evening Events When School campuses are closed for a weather emergency, after-school and evening events are canceled. The head of school or a designee, however, may make some exceptions to this policy. Information about exceptions will be communicated directly to the participants or via the School website, sidwell.edu. Area-Wide Emergency In the event of an area-wide crisis, parents/guardians will receive communication through the SFS Urgent Notification System (email, phone, and text) with instructions on next steps. Depending on the situation, a scenario could occur where parents may not be able to pick up their children right away. In such situations, the School follows protocols stated in the School’s Crisis Management Plan. Snow Makeup Days Designated snow makeup days are February 15, 2021 (Presidents’ Day), and May 31, 2021 (Memorial Day). If required, additional makeup days may be added to the end of the academic year. SNOW, INCLEMENT WEATHER, AND EMERGENCY POLICY / 3 SIDWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL / COMMUNITY HANDBOOK 2020/21 GENERAL INFORMATION GENERAL INFORMATION / 4 SIDWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL / COMMUNITY HANDBOOK 2020/21 Community Values Meeting for Worship The practice of gathering for the traditional Quaker Meet- ing for Worship is an integral part of life at Sidwell Friends. Philosophy Meeting for Worship provides an opportunity to listen to Sidwell Friends School is a dynamic educational community inspiration from within as well as from those around us. grounded in the Quaker belief that there is “that of God in Formal meetings for students occur each week for about 30 everyone.” Individually and collectively, we challenge our- minutes. Meeting attendance is required for students and selves to pursue excellence in academic, athletic, and artistic faculty. Other gatherings, meals, and the School day itself realms. We are committed to the joys of exploration and dis- may also start with a shared period of silence. All-Com- covery. Differences among us enhance intellectual inquiry, munity Meeting for Worship, including current families, expand understanding, and deepen empathy. The Quaker alumni, parents of alumni, employees, and former faculty pillars of the School inspire active engagement in environ- and staff, occurs several times a year and is announced in mental stewardship, global citizenship, and service. We find the weekly newsletter. All are welcome to participate in the strength in reflection and shared silence. At the heart of each All-Community Meeting for Worship. More about Meeting endeavor, we strive to discern deeper truths about ourselves for Worship can be found under Quaker Values on the School and our common humanity, preparing students and adults website. “to let their lives