Allendale Columbia School Student and Parent Handbook 2020-2021 Rev. 09-16-2020 Table of Contents Disclaimer 7 Section 1: GENERAL SCHOOL-WIDE INFORMATION 8 Welcome from the Head of School 8 Mission 9 Core Values 9 Diversity Statement 9 History 9 Essential School/Parent Expectations 12 Parents Working with Schools 12 Schools Working with Parents 12 General Policies 13 Non-Discrimination Policy 13 Harassment Policy 13 Communication with Faculty 14 Dress Code 15 Privacy and Non-Solicitation Policy 15 Student Code of Conduct 15 Student Use of Personal Technology 16 Acceptable Use Policy 16 Social Media Policy 17 If you would not bring it into the classroom, do not post it online! 18 Health and Safety 19 Absence and Illness 19 Homework During Absences 20 Tobacco Free Campus 20 Pesticide Use Notification 20 Medicine Policy 20 Nut-Aware Policy 21 Immunizations 21 Health Appraisal Form 22 Allendale Columbia School Student and Parent Handbook Health Requirements for Sports 22 Crisis Planning and Management 22 Communication 23 Scenarios 23 Campus Map 24 Drop Off and Dismissal 26 Morning Drop Off 26 Afternoon Dismissal 26 Middle School 27 Upper School 27 Parking and Car Line Procedures 28 Bus Information 28 School Cancellation/Snow Days/Delays/Early Dismissal 29 Lunch Program 29 Allendale Columbia Special Events and Traditions 30 Homecoming 30 Lower School Socials 30 ​ Grandparents and Special Friends Day 30 Kindergarten Bake Sale 31 Holiday Breakfast 31 Upper School Cabaret 31 Evening of the Arts 31 TEDxAllendaleColumbiaSchool 31 Kite Day 31 Strawberry Breakfast 31 Lower School Moving On Ceremony 32 Middle School Recognition Ceremony 32 Upper School Honors Convocation 32 Commencement 32 AC Encore 32 Field Trips 32 Music Concerts by Division 32 Musicals by Division 32 Upper School Forums 32 Section 2: PARENTS OF ALLENDALE COLUMBIA KIDS (PACK) 34 PACK Officers for 2020-2021 34 ​ Class Liaisons and Traditional Class Responsibilities 34 Helping Hands Assistance 35 PACK By-Laws with Amendments 35 Section 3: PRE-PRIMARY AND LOWER SCHOOL 39 Allendale Columbia School Rev. 08-25-2020 Page 2 Allendale Columbia School Student and Parent Handbook Welcome and Introduction 39 Dress Code 40 Pre-Primary School Framework for Learning 40 Lower School Framework for Learning 40 Section 4: MIDDLE SCHOOL 41 Welcome and Introduction 41 Middle School Philosophy 42 Who’s Who 42 Common Situations and Who to Contact 43 General Information 45 Middle School Dress Code 45 Daily Schedule Explained 45 Food Service Hours 46 Expectations for Middle School Students at Different Times of the Day 46 Middle School Social Events 48 Lockers 48 Middle School Announcements 48 Communication Home from the Middle School 48 Contacting the School 48 Schedules and MyAC 48 Planners and Organizational Tools 49 Library 49 Attendance Policies 49 Reporting Absences 49 Excused Absences 49 Unexcused Absences 49 Sign-In and Sign-Out 50 Impact of Student Absences and Make-up Procedures 50 Health and Safety 50 Emergency Procedures 50 Illness During School 51 Medication at School 51 Chemical Substances Policy 51 Snow Days 52 Building Security and Student Fobs 53 Lost Fobs 53 Messages and Cell Phone Usage 53 Middle School Academic Program 54 Overview 55 Academic Integrity 55 Allendale Columbia School Rev. 08-25-2020 Page 3 Allendale Columbia School Student and Parent Handbook Homework 56 Books 56 1 to 1 Device Program at Allendale Columbia School 57 Philosophy 57 Partnership with Parents 57 Basic Program Agreements 57 General Rules and Guidelines for Students 58 Hallway and Classroom Expectations 58 Canvas Learning Management System 59 Grades and Reporting in the Middle School 59 Middle School Effort Rubric 60 Academic Warning 62 Academic Probation 62 Communication to Parents Regarding Academic Warnings and Academic Probation 62 When Are Grades Sent Home? 62 Honors and High Honors 63 Middle School Course Requirements and Credits 64 Electives 64 May Term 64 Promotion Requirements 64 HAC Sports Program 65 Participation 65 HAC Sports Information 65 Sportsmanship 65 Practices 65 Games 65 Weather 66 Sports Awards Assembly 66 Directions to Competitions 66 Middle School Advisory Program 66 Middle School Club Program 67 Advocacy Time 67 Middle School Disciplinary Policy 67 Allendale Columbia Discipline Statement 67 Introduction 67 Disciplinary Procedures in the Middle School 68 Core Values and the Discipline Policy 68 Referral to the Head of Middle School 68 Consequences 69 Application of Discipline Policy to Off-Campus, Non-School Activities 70 General Disciplinary Process 70 Allendale Columbia School Rev. 08-25-2020 Page 4 Allendale Columbia School Student and Parent Handbook Middle School Curriculum Guide 70 Section 5: UPPER SCHOOL 71 Welcome and Introduction 71 Whom to See 72 Academics 72 Advanced Placement Courses 72 Extra Help 73 Independent Study 73 Grading 73 Homework and Testing 73 Honors and Privileges 73 Academic Warning and Probationary Status 74 May Term 76 Senior Study and Internship Program 76 Study Hall 76 Add/Drop Policy 76 Advisory 77 Canvas Learning Management System 77 Upper School Laptop Program Policies 77 Usage 78 Additional Adapters 78 Device Malfunctions 78 Equipment Damage 78 Examples of repair costs set by Apple 78 Options for Insurance 79 Daily Schedule 79 Attendance Policy 80 Where Upper School Students Can Study Quietly When Not in Class 82 Dining on Campus 82 Expectations for Upper School Students at Different Times of the Day 82 Student Extracurricular Opportunities 83 Student Clubs 83 Student Publications 84 Upper School Policies/Rules 84 Books 84 Bicycles 84 Cell Phone Policy 84 Driving Privileges 86 Fire Drills 86 Lockers 86 Allendale Columbia School Rev. 08-25-2020 Page 5 Allendale Columbia School Student and Parent Handbook Lounges 86 Lunch 86 Personal Technology Devices 87 Upper School Overnight Trip Guidelines 87 Discipline 88 Expectations for All Students 88 Infraction Type and Process 89 Consequences 89 Discipline and the College Application Process 90 Academic Integrity 92 Chemical Substances 93 Definition 93 Philosophy 93 Policy 93 Procedure 93 Emergency Procedures 94 Residential Life 94 Introduction 94 Daily Schedule 94 Academic Day 94 Evenings – Study Hours and Quiet Hours 95 Weekends 95 Life in the Residences 95 Meals 95 Roommates 95 Furnishings 96 Decorating and Maintenance 96 Room Inspections 96 Appliances 96 Laundry 97 Student Possessions 97 Sustainability Best Practices 97 Residential Student Absences or Illness 97 Leaves and Permissions 97 General Provisions 97 In and Out Privileges 98 Weekend Leaves 98 Overnight Guests 98 Overnight Leaves 98 Vacations and Other Leaves 98 Transportation 98 Allendale Columbia School Rev. 08-25-2020 Page 6 Allendale Columbia School Student and Parent Handbook House Closures 98 Banking 99 Upper School Curriculum Guide 99 Disclaimer The Student/Parent Handbook provides essential information about the school for students and parents. It is meant to be both a reference and a guide for you. As a reference, the Handbook provides answers when a specific question arises. As a guide, the Handbook is where you will find the school’s expectations and the names of the people who can help you meet those expectations. This electronic document is also subject to change during the academic year to meet the needs of the school. The Allendale Columbia School Handbook is intended to provide information and guidance to all members of the Allendale Columbia School community. It is not a contract. Provisions may be changed at any time at the sole discretion of the administration of Allendale Columbia School. Allendale Columbia School Rev. 08-25-2020 Page 7 Allendale Columbia School Student and Parent Handbook Section 1: GENERAL SCHOOL-WIDE INFORMATION Welcome from the Interim Head of School Dear Students and Parents, Welcome to Allendale Columbia School for the 2020-2021 school year! We have been hard at work preparing for this unique school year, and are so excited to welcome our students, faculty and staff to campus. th Now in our 130 ​ year, we remain committed to educating and preparing our students for the ​ future. Students are at the center of everything we do, and as always it is our goal to provide leading-edge educational opportunities and ensure that we are educating children to make an impact locally and around the world. I’m sure that you have many questions as we begin the new school year. We have made an effort to compile many details that AC students and parents need to know into this one convenient handbook. Here you will find information about a variety of topics – such as important policies, health and safety information, details about our curriculum, dress code guidelines, and more – that will be helpful to you throughout the year. This guide has been designed to serve as a resource for you, and we encourage you to refer to it frequently. We truly appreciate you for putting your trust in us and for your commitment to AC. Please don’t hesitate to contact us as questions arise. Sincerely, Shannon Baudo Interim Head of School Allendale Columbia School Rev. 08-25-2020 Page 8 Allendale Columbia School Student and Parent Handbook Mission At Allendale Columbia, we prepare students for the world they will inherit. In our trusting and responsive environment, students in nursery through grade 12 grow in confidence and develop scholastic independence. Together, our students and teachers imagine, design, and create in order to make a positive impact locally and globally. Core Values We live our core values daily. At Allendale Columbia we believe in: ● The importance of connections. ● Mastering strategies for learning. ● Minds that are curious and creative. ● Developing a resilient spirit that dares to take risks. Diversity Statement Allendale Columbia is a community that affirms the dignity of each person. We believe the best education takes place when academic standards are high, individuality is supported, and diverse populations are understood and respected.