STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK 2020-2021 CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT The information contained in this publication is privileged and confidential information intended for The Albany Academies school community. If you are neither the intended recipient nor the employee or agent responsible for delivering this information to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or taking of any action in reliance of this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this publication in error, please notify us immediately by telephone to arrange for the return of this document to us. COVID-19 STATEMENT The information contained in this publication represents processes and procedures for normal operation of the School. In some cases these processes and procedures are superseded by special policies and procedures developed as part of a reopening plan developed to mitigate the spread of the SARs-COV2 virus. This reopening plan is appended to this handbook and these special policies are noted in this handbook. INTRODUCTION 8 MISSION STATEMENT OF THE ALBANY ACADEMIES 8 CORE VALUES 8 CODE OF HONOR 8 COVID HONOR CODE 9 SUMMARY OF MEASURES TAKEN FOR THE PREVENTION OF SARs-COV2 TRANSMISSION 9 THE ALBANY ACADEMIES’ BOARD OF TRUSTEES STATEMENT REGARDING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 10 ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 11 Philosophy of Education 11 Freedom of Expression Statement 12 Graduation Requirements 12 Integrity 13 Assessments 13 Homework 14 Accomodations 15 Grading 15 Academic Policies for Upper School 17 Standardized Testing 18 College Preparation 19 Library 20 Study Hall Conduct 20 Acceptable Use of Technology Policy 22 Terms and Conditions for Teacher-Generated Digital Content (New for 2020-21) 25 ATHLETICS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION 26 GENERAL SCHOOL POLICIES 30 Bus Conduct 30 Classroom Conduct 31 Cell Phone Policy 31 Headphone Policy 32 Visitor and Guest Policy 32 1 Food and Beverage 33 Dress Code 35 Albany Academy for Girls Uniform Requirements 35 The Albany Academy Uniform Requirements 38 ATTENDANCE POLICIES 40 Excused Absences 41 Unexcused Absences 41 Tardy 41 College Visits 42 Community Service & Special Days 42 Make-up Work 42 Attendance & Course Credit 42 ARRIVAL POLICIES 42 Arrival Policies during COVID-19 43 District Buses 43 Private Buses 43 Private Car Student Drop-Off Procedures (Mornings) 44 Arrival Procedures After COVID-19 45 GENERAL DISMISSAL POLICIES 45 Emergency Dismissal Procedures 45 Illness at School 45 Inclement Weather Dismissal Procedures 46 Snow Days 46 Lower School Dismissal 46 Middle School Dismissal 46 Upper School Dismissal 47 ADDITIONAL UPPER SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS 48 Senior Privileges 48 Driving 48 Social Event Rules 48 Senior Lounge/Junior Lounge 48 DISCIPLINE GUIDELINES 48 Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy 49 Bullying Prevention 49 Sexual Harassment Prevention 50 2 Prohibition of Retaliatory Behavior 52 Reputational Harm 52 Lower School 52 Middle School 53 Upper School 54 Upper School Discipline Consequences 56 RECREATIONAL AND ATHLETIC FACILITIES 57 After School 58 HEALTH OFFICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 58 HIV/AIDS Policy 58 COVID-19 Policies and Practices 58 Health Offices 63 Safe Food Practice and Allergy Awareness 64 Substance Abuse Policy 65 LEADERSHIP 66 The Albany Academy 66 Albany Academy for Girls 67 GENERAL INFORMATION 68 Telephone and Voice Mail System 68 Parent Conferences 68 Parents’ Night 69 Special Meetings 69 Emergency Messages 69 Albany Academies Parents Association (AAPA) 69 Business Office 69 Miscellaneous Information 70 Bicycles 70 Lockers 70 Lost and Found 70 Accidents and Injuries 70 Early Dismissal Procedures 70 Field Trips 70 Student Assistance 71 Crisis Intervention Team 71 Medical Leave 71 3 OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT 72 PRINCIPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE FOR PARENTS, 73 FACULTY & STAFF AT THE ALBANY ACADEMIES: 73 A PARENT/SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP 73 2020 Reopening Plan 76 INTRODUCTION 77 PLAN GOALS 78 PLAN SUMMARY 78 APPLICABLE STANDARDS and PRINCIPLES 80 HEALTH GUIDANCE 83 At Home Practices for Families: 83 Contact Tracing and Reporting Protocols 83 COVID-19 Contact Person(s) 84 COVID-19 Testing 84 Daily Symptom Screening Survey 84 Daily Symptom Screening Survey Check 85 Health History and Contact Information 85 Identifying COVID-19 Symptoms at home 86 Physicals 86 Preemptive Testing for COVID-19 or Antibodies 86 Protocol for Positive Case of COVID-19: 87 Protocol for Suspected Case of COVID-19 88 Serving Medically Vulnerable Students and Families 89 Summer Practices for Families: 90 Symptom Monitoring During the Day 90 Vaccines 91 Wearing a Face Covering 91 HEALTH FAQs 92 IN-PERSON LEARNING and COMMUNITY MITIGATION PRACTICES 98 Academic Schedule 98 Arrival 99 Attendance 99 Automatic Fire Doors 100 Building Entrances & Security 100 Cleaning and Sanitizing 100 4 Cohorts 100 Albany Academy for Girls Lower & Middle School Cohorts 101 Albany Academy (Boys) Lower & Middle School Cohorts 101 The Albany Academies Upper School 102 Drinking Fountains 102 Fire and Safety Codes 102 Early Bird and Extended Day 102 Face Coverings 103 Faculty Lounges 104 Handwashing 104 Honor Code & Disciplinary Consequences 105 Ongoing Education 105 Outdoor Spaces 105 Physical Distancing 105 Physical Distancing in Classrooms 106 Physical Distancing in Large Gathering Spaces 106 Physical Distancing in Transitions (Campus Pedestrian Traffic) 106 Restroom Use 106 Safety Drills 107 Signage and Visual Cues 107 Student Lounges 107 Ventilation, Filters, and Air Handling 107 COMMUNITY MITIGATION and IN-PERSON LEARNING FAQ’S 108 REMOTE LEARNING PLAN 120 REMOTE LEARNING PLAN FAQ 123 COUNSELING & MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS 126 Contact Information for School Counselors 126 Proactive Approaches 126 Responsive Resources 127 STUDENT COUNSELING & MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FAQS 127 COUNSELING & MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYEES 128 OPENING CALENDAR 128 OPENING FAQ’S 129 TRANSPORTATION 130 District Buses 130 Private Buses 131 Private Car Student Drop-Off Procedures (Mornings) 132 5 Lower School Dismissal 133 Middle School Dismissal 133 Upper School Dismissal 133 Questions and Comments about Transportation? 134 FOOD SERVICE 134 Lunch 134 Allergies 135 COMMUNITY MITIGATION PRACTICES DURING LUNCH 135 Snacks 135 Breakfast 135 Bake Sales 136 Snack Shack 136 Concession Stand 136 Vending Machines 136 Coffee Service 136 FOOD SERVICE FAQS 136 PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS 139 PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS FAQ’s 139 VISITOR AND GUEST POLICY 139 Prior to arrival 140 Prior to entering a building 140 Entering a Building 140 After Your Visit 140 VISITOR AND GUEST POLICY FAQs 141 CONTINGENCY PLANS 141 Quarantining Individuals 141 Ceasing Physical Operations 142 Protocol for Ceasing Physical Operations 142 Distance Learning Plan 142 CONTINGENCY PLANS FAQ 143 Appendix 1) Emergency Response Team Members 144 Appendix 2) COVID-19 Honor Code 145 Appendix 3) Student Expectations for Face Coverings 146 Appendix 4) Consequences for Not Having a Face Covering in Upper School 147 Appendix 5) Consequences for Not Having a Face Covering in Middle School 148 Appendix 6) Facilities Cleaning Schedule 149 6 Appendix 7) Cleaning Chemicals 157 7 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this handbook is to provide an overview of the policies and guidelines that govern academics and student life at The Albany Academies. In this book, students and parents will be able to find information detailing responsibilities and expectations for students and descriptions of the discipline system, the leadership program, and other ancillary programs that impact Albany Academies’ students . This handbook represents our most current policies and procedures and supersedes all policies put forth in previous versions. MISSION STATEMENT OF THE ALBANY ACADEMIES The Albany Academies coordinate single-sex and coeducational learning environments to develop diligent students of high character who become curious, critical thinkers. CORE VALUES CODE OF HONOR As members of the Academies’ community, we acknowledge that our individual actions and attitudes affect the well-being of others as well as the school as a whole. We believe that our community must be built on the trust and mutual respect which will encourage each member to reach his or her unique potential. To this end, we will strive to foster the ideals of honesty, tolerance, and integrity both in ourselves and in others. We recognize that we must have the courage to support and affirm one another and to conduct ourselves with civility in all aspects of our lives. Through self-discipline, commitment, and mutual support, these goals of personal growth and pride in our school community will be achieved. 8 COVID HONOR CODE During this COVID-19 public health emergency, our individual actions and decisions will have a significant impact on the health of those around us. Each member of our community is personally responsible for following The Albany Academies 2020 Reopening Plan. Together we must agree to diligently follow a shared set of behaviors designed to keep us all safe: ○ Making sure our families accurately complete our daily symptom screening surveys. ○ Maintaining six (6) feet of physical distance between one another during normal activities. ○ Wearing a face covering as required by the School’s reopening plan. ○ Regularly washing or sanitizing our hands and being careful to sneeze or cough in a way that doesn’t affect others. ● If any one of us fails to do these things, that person risks infecting themselves, their friends, their family, and our community. ● Therefore, as a member of this