Student/Parent Handbook 2015-16 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Class Trips 40 Head of School’s Introduction 3 Birthdays 40 IB Learner Profile 4 Lost and Found 40 House and Division 6 Babysitting and Tutoring 40 After-School Programs 40 ALL-SCHOOL POLICIES Summer Programs 41 Assessment Policy 7 Weather Closings 41 Homework Policy 10 Emergency Procedures 41 Language Policy 13 Community Health 43 Counseling at Dwight 18 Health and Medical Forms 43 Reporting Allegations of Child Medical Requirements 44 Abuse and Maltreatment 19 Medication Administration 45 Maintaining Professional Staff/ Chronic Medical Conditions 45 Student Boundaries 20 Use of Epinephrine 46 Reporting Harassment/Bullying 21 Important School Rules 23 School-Restrictable Disease 46 Attending School After Being Sick 46 Student Discipline Policy 24 The 24-Hour Rule 46 The foundation for a Dwight education can be found in the School’s Mission Statement and Student Conduct 24 Three Pillars. When viewed together with the IB’s Learner Profile and Mission Statement, they Technology Policy 25 Becoming Ill at School 46 provide a rich set of operating principles that underpin Dwight life. Appropriate Parent Behavior 28 Serious Injury or Illness 46 Parent Out of Town 28 Communicable Disease 47 Reporting Communicable Disease 47 DWIGHT SCHOOL’S MISSION STATEMENT Gift Policy 28 Student Party Guidelines 28 Accident/Injury Outside of School 47 Dwight School, an internationally recognized IB Open World School, is committed to Parents Association 29 Lice and Nit Policy 47 finding and igniting the “spark of genius” in every child. Kindling their interests, we develop Safety Patrol 30 Nut Products and Allergies 47 AED Machine 48 inquisitive, informed, self-aware, and ethical citizens who will build a better world. The Dwight School Foundation 32 School Administration/Governance 33 Neighborhood Emergency Contacts 48 Publications 33 DWIGHT SCHOOL’S THREE PILLARS LOWER SCHOOL Public Relations 33 Academic Policies 49 Personalized Learning: We focus on developing each student’s unique “spark of genius.” Billing 33 Grades and Report Cards 49 Whether connecting a student with an exceptional mentor, designing tailor-made enrichment, Withheld Contracts 33 Parent-Teacher Conferences 49 crafting a special study abroad opportunity, or providing a novel program or tutorial, Dwight Withdrawal from School 33 Scheduling Questions 49 goes out of its way to recognize and foster each student’s gifts and talents. No two student Custodial Arrangements 33 Physical Education 49 Visiting Students 33 journeys are the same. Performance Policy 50 EARLY CHILDHOOD DIVISION Outside Tutoring 50 Community: We inspire and educate our students through leadership training to improve Academic Policies 34 Dress Code 51 their communities. Dwight students undertake service projects locally and internationally and IB Programs 34 Community Health 53 produce written reflections to demonstrate their learning and their impact. Dwight students Assessment and Reporting 34 Health and Medical Forms 53 are prepared to serve their communities wherever they go. Parent-Teacher Communication 34 Complete Physical Examination 53 Immunizations Compliance 54 Global Vision: We encourage students to see challenges from a global perspective. Our Classroom Management 35 Kindergarten Placement 35 Chronic Medical Conditions 55 students interact with peers and faculty from forty countries, follow the rigorous International Dress Code 36 Carry and Use “Inhaler Law” 56 Baccalaureate curriculum, select from a wide array of foreign languages, and travel abroad for School Life 38 Use of Epinephrine 56 service projects, athletic competitions, and student leadership conferences. Dwight School in Daily Schedule 38 Reporting Illness 56 New York is the flagship campus and founding member of The Dwight Schools, including School Building 38 The 24-Hour Rule 56 campuses and programs in London, Canada, Seoul, and Shanghai. Drop-Off 38 Becoming Ill at School 56 Early Drop-Off Option 38 Serious Injury or Illness 57 Pick-Up 38 School-Restrictable Disease 57 Separation and Adjustment 39 Communicable Disease 57 Snack and Lunch 39 Reporting Communicable Disease 57 Toilet Training 40 Prolonged Absence 57 Clothing 40 Physical Activities Clearance 57 School Supplies 40 Special Accommodations Request 58 Libraries 40 Accident/Injury Outside of School 58 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Lice and Nit Policy 58 Immunizations Compliance 83 HEAD OF SCHOOL’S INTRODUCTION Nut Products and Allergies 58 Chronic Medical Conditions 84 AED Machine 59 Carry and Use “Inhaler Law” 84 Neighborhood Emergency Contacts 59 Use of Epinephrine 85 Social Education Programs 60 Reporting Illness 85 School Life 61 The 24-Hour Rule 85 Dear Students, Six-Day Cycle 61 Becoming Ill at School 85 Community Meetings 61 Serious Injury or Illness 85 Welcome to the 2015-16 school year at Dwight School. The year ahead should be an exciting Drop-Off/Pick-Up 61 School-Restrictable Disease 86 time filled with great memories and experiences. The Dwight faculty and staff are dedicated to Lunch 61 Communicable Disease 86 your success and we hope that you take the opportunity to make new friends, challenge your Storage 61 Reporting Communicable Disease 86 learning, and explore new horizons. Community Service 61 Prolonged Absence 86 Class Trips 61 Physical Activities Clearance 86 This handbook clearly outlines the policies, procedures, and organization of your school. It is After-School Activities 62 Special Accommodations Request 87 your responsibility as Dwight students to read, understand, and abide by this handbook. Good Extended Day 62 Accident/Injury Outside of School 87 luck and have a wonderful school year. Summer Programs 62 Lice and Nit Policy 87 In-School Operations 63 Nut Products and Allergies 87 Sincerely, School Building 63 AED Machine 88 Safety and School Crossings 63 Neighborhood Emergency Contacts 88 Ms. Drew In-School Operations 89 Absence/Attendance 63 Head of School Lost and Found 63 Community Mtgs and Bell Schedule 89 Telephone Usage 64 The Six-Day Cycle 90 Library 64 School Hours 90 Transportation 64 School Building 90 Weather Closings 64 Safety and School Crossing 90 Fire Evacuations 64 Lost and Found 90 School Contingency Plan 65 Telephone Usage 91 Library 91 Dear Parents, MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL Transportation 91 Honor Code 66 Weather and Emergency We believe that well-informed parents promote a positive school environment. This handbook Academic Policies 67 School Closings 91 IB Diploma Program Enrollment 67 outlines school policies, procedures and general information that will assist your children with Fire Evacuation and their time at Dwight. Please take the time to become acquainted with the handbook so that we Grades and Report Cards 67 Emergency Procedures 91 can all ensure a successful and memorable 2015-16 school year. IB Grading System 68 School Contingency Plan 92 Academic Awards 70 Student Conduct 93 Sincerely, P.E. Department 71 The Deans’ Council 93 Student-Athlete/Student- The Honor Council 93 Performer Policy 72 Dianne Drew Plagiarism 93 Head of School Performing Arts Policy 73 Absence/Attendance 94 Attendance and Extra- Student Life 95 curricular Activities 73 Activities and Athletics 95 Extended Time Off from School 73 CAS/Community Service 95 Parent-Teacher Conferences 73 Advisory Program 96 Scheduling Questions 73 Competitions, Activities, Examinations 73 Contests, External Awards 97 Extra Time Protocol 74 Domestic and Int’l Programs 97 Supervised Study 76 Summer Programs 98 Study Hall Rules 76 Class Trips 98 Outside Tutoring 77 Guidance and Support 98 Faculty Office Hours 77 Books and School Supplies 99 Dress Code 78 Senior Privileges 100 Middle School 78 Lunch 100 Upper School 80 Storage 100 Community Health 82 Student Leadership 101 Health and Medical Forms 82 Contact Information 102 3 INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION THE IB LEARNER PROFILE The aim of all IB programs is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their PRINCIPLED common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world. We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions The foundation for a Dwight education can be found in the School’s Mission and Three Pillars. and their consequences. These, in turn, are buttressed by the IB’s Learner Profile and IB’s Mission Statement. When viewed together, these provide a rich set of operating principles that underpin Dwight life. Dwight School’s Mission statement states that: CARING Dwight is dedicated to igniting the spark of genius in every child. Kindling their interests, we develop inquisitive, knowledgeable, self-aware, and ethical citizens who will build a better world. We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us. IB learners strive to be: INQUIRERS OPEN-MINDED We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to throughout life. grow from the experience. KNOWLEDGEABLE BALANCED We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives — intellectual, disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance. physical, and emotional — to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live. THINKERS REFLECTIVE We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyze and take responsible action on complex We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions. our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.