PHS Student Handbook 2025-26-1

STUDENT HANDBOOK

2025 – 2026

EARLY CHILDHOOD, LOWER SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL, UPPER SCHOOL

About This Handbook

This Student and Parent Handbook (the “Handbook”) is intended as a general guide for families to the policies, procedures and personnel at Pembroke Hill School (“PHS” or the “School”). Students and their families should take the time to carefully review this Handbook It is important that families understand the School’s expectations and policies, and that families know to whom they can direct their questions or concerns.

Please understand that this Handbook is intended only to highlight current policies, practices, and procedures The policies and procedures set forth herein are intended as general guidelines specific situations may call for handling a matter in a manner different from that described herein, depending upon the particular facts and nature of the situation. However, it would be nearly impossible to review every element of every policy, or every possible scenario and outcome Rather, this Handbook serves as a series of policy summaries to keep your family better informed.

In addition, circumstances will require that the policies, practices, and procedures described in the Handbook may change from time to time PHS reserves the right to modify or change any or all such policies, practices, and procedures in whole or in part, at any time, with or without notice The School will make every attempt to give timely notice of substantive changes in policy.

Should events which are beyond the School's reasonable control and which occur without its fault or negligence necessitate a closure, delay, or modification of its educational programs and activities, the family's obligations as outlined in this Handbook, as set forth in the Enrollment Agreement, and/or as otherwise established by the School shall continue. The School shall not be liable for any failure, delay, or modification of its programs or activities The School reserves the right to make modifications to the school year as necessary to account for any time lost due to any closure or delay, including without limitation the following: extending the school year for a period of time equal to the time lost due to any delay; conducting classes via distance learning; and/or scheduling weekend classes. Possible events which could necessitate closure, delay, or modification as described above include, but are not limited to, acts of nature, fire, pandemic, U.S. Government restrictions, wars, and insurrections.

This Handbook supersedes all prior policies (whether written or oral, expressed or implied) which in any way contradict with the policies herein. However, this document is not intended to supersede any individual written agreement between you and the School, including your Enrollment Agreement, or any applicable law. This Handbook is not intended to constitute a legal contract of any kind.

This Handbook is intended for the sole use of PHS faculty, staff, students and their families. Commercial use of this handbook is prohibited and permission for any other use must be secured from the Head of School’s Office.

Early Childhood Division............................................................................15

Early Childhood Division

A Preface to Families and Students from the Faculty and Staff

Pembroke Hill's motto is Freedom With Responsibility. This handbook contains policies that reflect this basic philosophical position We, the faculty and staff, endeavor to assist our students as they further develop their sense of responsibility for the well-being of the larger community. To that end, we encourage freedom, with reasonable limitations, and will enforce rules defining those limitations, rules necessary to maintain relative freedom for all.

We use the term community here in a very particular way. The learning experience at Pembroke Hill School extends well beyond the bounds of the formal classroom and the scheduled academic day. Therefore, we must consider the greater good of the community wherever and whenever we are involved in activities that are formally or informally related to the Pembroke Hill School community.

Students, faculty members, administrators, staff members and parents are committed to ensuring a healthy learning environment. Even when moments of discomfort, disappointment or tension arise, we all must commit ourselves to maintaining a healthy atmosphere at all times. From all members of the school community, including students and adults, we expect good will, mutual respect, honesty and behavior in and out of the classroom that brings honor to our school In choosing to enroll at Pembroke Hill School, you are agreeing to this expectation.

In this handbook, we attempt to define your privileges and responsibilities so you will know what is expected of you as a member of the Pembroke Hill community.

Parent and Guardian Tips

Parents are encouraged to read the entire handbook to have a fuller understanding of the responsibilities and rules of the early childhood school community.

At Pembroke Hill we believe that the quality of education a young person receives is dependent on the school environment, as well as the home environment. If the expectations of students are consistent in and out of school, they will develop more rapidly and with more self-confidence. With this in mind, we invite, and expect, parental involvement in the school community. The best interest of students should always be the primary concern of parents and educators. In order to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings that result in confused messages to students, we have structured the school community to help ensure open lines of communication among faculty, students and parents Please do not hesitate to call us with any questions or concerns

Division Hours

● Early Arrival | 7:45 - 8:10 a.m.

● Arrival | 8:10 - 8:30 a.m.

● Early Childhood School Day | 8:30 - 3 p.m.

● Preparation for Dismissal | 3 - 3:10 p.m.

● Student Dismissal

○ Mid-Day Dismissal | 12:45 - 1 pm

○ Full-Day Dismissal | 3:10 - 3:25 p.m.

● Extended Day Hours | 3:10 - 6 pm

● Early Childhood Office Hours: 7:40 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Before School Begins

New Families

New families will be contacted by Parents Association volunteers. These volunteers serve as our new family liaisons They will be glad to answer any questions you have about Pembroke Hill and offer suggestions for play dates during the summer.

Class Placement

There are numerous factors taken into consideration when making placement decisions such as gender balance, social/emotional factors, learning and teaching styles, and academic ability. Pembroke Hill grade level teachers work as a group, in collaboration with division heads, learning specialists and resource teachers, to determine classroom placement for their students and ensure that all children are placed thoughtfully into the next year's class/homeroom/section. Our teachers know their students very well and will make a placement that they consider to be in the best interest of your child. Therefore, we do not accept teacher requests from parents. We ask that you adhere to this policy. To learn more about our philosophy please click here.

On-Campus Family Visits

To help your child feel comfortable and connected from their very first day, we offer Family Visits – a special opportunity for early childhood students to meet their new teachers with their very “first teachers,” (their parents) present During the Family Visit, we invite our students to explore their classroom and begin building relationships with a small group of future classmates through play

These visits also foster personal connections within our community, welcoming a few families at a time This is a special day for your early childhood student! With this in mind, please plan to make care arrangements for lower school siblings.

For you as parents, the family visit serves as a valuable opportunity to get to know each other and to prepare for the year in a personalized way. It's a chance to share important information about your child with their teachers and pose any questions you may have

The size and length of the family visit differ by grade level:

● Early Years: 2 families for 20 minutes

● Preschool: 3 families for 20-25 minutes

● Prekindergarten: 3-4 families for 20-25 minutes

Following the family visit, we encourage you to stay and play at either the sand playground beside the Wornall Campus Dining Hall or to continue off campus at Loose Park. The schedule for Family Visits will be shared in the summer.

Family Visits will take place in early childhood classrooms Your classroom teaching team will coordinate the scheduling of these visits through an emailed sign-up. They will also send a brief conference questionnaire beforehand to help guide our conversation

Important Notes about Family Visits:

● Family visits are encouraged but not required Please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teachers if you have any questions or concerns about scheduling your family visit

● During the Family Visits, lower school teachers will be involved in professional learning meetings The Primary and Intermediate Buildings will be closed to visitors Lower school siblings of early childhood students may not be on campus unsupervised

Ice Cream Social | Wornall Campus

The ice cream social is a time to make connections with other families, your child’s teachers and enjoy a sweet treat The date and time of the ice cream social will be announced during the summer.

Staggered Return

To ensure a comfortable and supportive start to the school year for our early childhood and lower school students, we will once again be implementing a staggered return in August This means students will be divided into two smaller groups for their initial day back. This allows our teachers to dedicate more individual attention to each child, helping them settle into classroom routines and understand their unique interests right from the beginning.

You can find your child's assigned group (A or B) on the class list next to their name. For families with multiple young learners, all early childhood and lower school children will be in the same group. The schedule for the staggered return and Stop-By and Drop Off will be announced each year.

Stop-by and Drop Off

On your child's assigned first day, we invite parents to stop by the early childhood building and drop your child off in their classroom between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. This time allows you to greet teachers and help your child feel comfortable before saying goodbye and leaving them in the care of their teachers and new friends for the rest of the day.

Please Note:

● Early care will not be offered

● Please walk your child into their classroom between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m.

● Carline drop-off will be available as an option between 8:10 and 8:30 am

● We kindly ask that all parents depart the classroom by 9:00 a.m.

Arrival and Dismissal Times

Early Arrival | 7:45 - 8:10 a.m.

Parents/Guardians need to park and walk children inside the early childhood building to the Early Room The Early Room is located on the playground in the center of our building. Please dress your child appropriately. In the event of extreme temperatures,

thunderstorms, or poor air quality, the Early Room will be located in the Early Childhood Multipurpose Room (Art Studio).

Dismissal

Early Childhood has two dismissal times Procedures are the same for both dismissal times.

● Midday Dismissal | 12:45 - 1 pm

● Full Day Dismissal | 3:10 - 3:25 p.m. early childhood students and lower school siblings

All-School Late Start Days | Arrival Time | 10 a.m.

There are seven school-wide late start days when class begins at 10 a.m. These days are used to provide professional learning opportunities for all Pembroke Hill faculty and staff On late start days, carpool begins at 9:40 a.m. Because all faculty and staff will be involved in the school-wide professional learning sessions, we are not able to offer childcare on these dates. Students may NOT be dropped off before 9:40 a.m. Late start dates will be announced in the school calendar each year

Extended Day | 3:10 - 6 p.m

We offer an after-school program from 3:10 - 6 p.m. The Extended Day program is a multi-age setting and is located in the art studio and in an early years classroom The teaching staff provides the children with age-appropriate activities, outdoor fun, arts, crafts and music Parents need to complete the Extended Day Enrollment Forms for student(s) to participate in this program.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures

General Drop-Off and Pick-Up

Safety Rules

For the safety of our students, faculty and staff, all drivers are expected to:

● Enter from the eastbound lanes (left turn entry) during arrival and dismissal periods

● Obey the driveway speed limit of 5 miles per hour;

● Drive cautiously at all times;

● Follow the directions of our security personnel and faculty/staff;

● Adhere to the designated traffic flow patterns;

● Refrain from using cellphones;

● Load and unload children on the curbside of cars only (driver’s side).on the side away from traffic; and

● Demonstrate patience, respect and courtesy.

Expectation for Students to Buckle and Unbuckle Car Seats

● Early childhood students must be able to buckle and unbuckle car seats and seat belts independently for parents/guardians to utilize car line drop off or pick up.

● For safety reasons, adults must stay in vehicles and should not exit vehicles to assist If your child is not yet able to buckle/unbuckle, please park and walk your child into the school building

● Teachers will open car doors to greet students at arrival and say goodbye at dismissal For safety reasons, faculty and staff may not enter vehicles to secure or unfasten safety belts or car seat buckles.

Morning Arrival | 8:10 - 8:30 a.m. Carpool

● Parents dropping off in the carpool lane should enter the 51st Street driveway Morning carpool line drop-off is in the lane closest to school - the left lane when entering the campus.

● Please pull forward to the first available unloading space.

● Please do not stop over any of our crosswalks.

● Stay in your car.

● An early childhood staff person will warmly greet your child as they help them out of the cars and walk them to their classrooms Many early childhood children take great pride in walking to class by themselves. Please know we always check to be sure they do get to the classroom safely!

Arriving On Foot

● If you choose to walk your child(ren) to the class, please park at Loose Park and use the designated crosswalk

● If a student drops an item while crossing, please alert the patrol officer for support.

● Parents walking with children across the carline, must hold their child’s hand and model safety practices.

● Parents should leave the classrooms by 8:25 am

Late Arrivals

● Please park, walk your child to the front door and use the buzzer.

● Walk your child into the building and to their classroom or specialist class as needed (i.e., PE, Library, Music).

Early Departure Procedure*

If a student needs to leave early, please notify your child’s teacher and the division office in advance, so your child can be ready when you arrive. When you arrive, please check in with the division office For safety reasons, our administrative assistants will need to sign students out when they are leaving campus.

*Early childhood students will not be dismissed between 2:45 - 3:10 pm If a student needs to leave early for an appointment, they will need to be picked up prior to 2:45 p.m.

Safety and Traffic Flow

When dismissal is not actively occurring, we must keep our drivelines open and accessible to emergency vehicles and PHS employees traveling between campuses. We also need to minimize the disruption our dismissal process causes on 51st Street Therefore, we expect that all Wornall Campus families will adhere to the following policies:

● All vehicles must enter the driveline from the eastbound lane of 51st Street

● Vehicles may NOT enter the driveline for dismissal until 3 p.m.

● Vehicles may NOT wait in the traffic lanes on 51st Street prior to the start of dismissal at 3:10 p.m. This is a main thoroughfare and blocking it creates a safety hazard for you and other drivers

Dismissal Procedures

Early Childhood has two dismissal times (mid-day and full-day). Procedures are the same for both dismissal times

Carpool

● Early childhood uses the lane closest to school for dismissal.

● As you enter the carpool lane, flip down your visor so your attached name placard is visible through the windshield. Your name placard helps us quickly identify you and have your child(ren) ready as you pull forward. (Name placards will be distributed at Stop-By and Drop-Off.)

● Stay in your car.

● At full day dismissal, Wornall Campus early childhood and lower school siblings will stand together, so cars only stop once to pick up children.

Picking Up On Foot

● Please stand to the side of the fenced area (not in front of the fenced area) and an early childhood teacher will walk your child(ren) to you.

● Notify the classroom teacher before taking your child

Late Pick Up*

When you arrive past the times listed below, you are considered late.

● Morning Dismissal - no later than 1 pm

● Afternoon Dismissal - no later than 3:25 p.m.

● Extended Day Dismissal - no later than 6 pm

*Please understand that young children become anxious and worried when their parents are late picking them up The teacher will bring your child to the front office if you are late. Your school account will be charged $1 per minute, per child.

School Closures

Scheduled School Closures

Childcare is available (7:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.) for the following dates only. *

● Fall Professional Day

● Fall and Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences

● Thanksgiving Break (only on days when offices are open)

● Winter Break (first two days only)

● Winter Professional Day

● Spring Break (second week only)

Before each childcare day the early childhood extended day coordinator will send an email with a link where you may sign up for care. Any cancellations made after the deadline stated in the registration email will still be charged for prearranged staffing. Late reservations will incur an additional $20 fee

Childcare will be available in a building to be determined. Please watch the newsletter for the location. Childcare for full days is from 7:45 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Additionally, if there are less than three children, services will have to be canceled.

Childcare is not available on these dates, which will be confirmed on the school calendar:

● Labor Day

● The last three days of Thanksgiving Break

● The last day of the semester prior to Winter Break (after dismissal)

● Winter Break (on days when offices are closed)

● Martin Luther King Jr Day

● Presidents’ Day

● The first week of spring break

● Memorial Day

● Late Start Mornings

Late Start Days

There are seven school-wide late start days when class begins at 10 a.m. These days are used to provide professional learning opportunities for all Pembroke Hill faculty and staff On late start days, carpool begins at 9:40 a.m. Because all faculty and staff will be involved in the school-wide professional learning sessions, we are not able to offer childcare on these dates. Late start dates will be announced in the school calendar each year.

School Closings Due to Inclement Weather

We hold school whenever possible. While inclement weather conditions can disturb normal school routines, families are even more disrupted when they have to make alternative supervisory arrangements for their children on short notice.

Rather than cancel school or risk driving during early morning traffic when road conditions are at their worst, we may occasionally delay the start of school until 10 a.m.

Announcements concerning school closures are made by 6:15 a.m. Parents receive an email, text message and voicemail about emergency school closures, including delayed starts. Please note that during high cell phone use time periods, the receipt of text messages may be delayed. Messages are also placed on the school’s website, www.pembrokehill.org, school portals and social media channels. Parents may call the school’s main number (816-936-1200) to hear a recording. Additionally, announcements are made through local television, radio and news outlets. In the event no announcement is made, school will be in session.

Reporting Student Absences

It is important for families to keep the school informed when their child is going to be absent from school.

For unanticipated absences (ie, illness, family crisis, etc ) - please email your child’s homeroom teachers (lead and assistant) as well as the administrative assistant for your child’s building by 8:30 am

For anticipated absences - please email your child’s homeroom teachers (lead and assistant) as well as the administrative assistant for your child’s building as soon as you know about the absence. This will allow your child’s teachers to prepare appropriately.

Religious Observance

Pembroke Hill is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all students We recognize and respect the diverse religious beliefs and practices within our school community. In accordance with this commitment, the school will make reasonable accommodations for students whose religious observances conflict with scheduled academic requirements.

Students and families are encouraged to notify the division head and their teachers in advance of any religious holidays or observances that may affect attendance, homework due dates, or scheduled assessments Upon timely notification, teachers work with students to make reasonable exceptions for assignments and tests, ensuring that students are not penalized for observing their religious beliefs and have an equitable opportunity to complete missed work or assessments within a mutually agreed-upon timeframe.

Early Childhood School Day

Daily Schedule

The following sample schedules provide age-appropriate organization and structure for young children. All of these elements happen in a day, but the times for each depend on what is happening in “Project Work” or the needs of the children for the day Teachers balance small group and large group activities, as well as quiet and active times.

MORNING

8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Arrival/Greeting

Class Meeting

Resource Class*

Uninterrupted Playtime

Snack / Restroom**

Outside

Project Work

Small Group Work

Read Aloud

Lunch / Restroom**

Outside

Dismissal OR Day Continues into the Afternoon Schedule

AFTERNOON

1 - 3:10 p.m.

Nap or Rest / Restroom**

Read Aloud

Circle Time

Small Group

Dismissal OR Day Continues into the Extended Day Schedule

* Resource classes: Spanish, Art Studio, Library, Music, PE

EXTENDED DAY 3:10 - 6 p.m.

Meeting Snack / Restroom**

Outside or Movement Activity / Play Time

Pick Up

**Water and using the restroom are available at all times for the children.

Arrival and Greeting

As children arrive, they follow a morning routine that typically includes greeting the teacher, putting belongings (coat, backpack, etc.) away into their cubby, checking in and washing hands Parents may help their child become engaged in an activity before saying goodbye. Families are encouraged to share any applicable information that may affect the child's disposition for the day (the child went to bed late, didn't eat breakfast, mom is on a business trip this week, etc.).

Class Meeting

Morning Meeting is a special time where children and teachers connect at the start of the day. Teachers might review the daily schedule, engage children in language, math, science, or social-emotional activities, and sing songs together. It's also a chance for children to share their play plans and contribute ideas for ongoing projects, fostering a

sense of community and active learning It builds a strong foundation of belonging, citizenship, and care as children think, form new understandings together, and participate in classroom traditions and learning routines

Snack Time

Snacks are at set times in early years and the whole class eats together. Preschool and prekindergarten snacks are open for a 45-minute time period, and children can eat when they are ready. Please see the Special Dietary Needs and Meals Modifications section, as needed

Lunch

Lunch time is a valuable time to teach social graces and self-help skills. The children take turns setting the table using napkins, dishes, glasses and silverware They learn to say, “Please," and "Thank you,” “Please pass,” and “No, thank you.” They also practice conversational skills. Lunch is served family-style. Eating family-style facilitates learning about healthy food choices. Everyone learns to serve themselves a little of each food at every meal. Teachers eat with the children. Please see the Special Dietary Needs and Meals Modifications section, as needed.

Outside and Playground

The beautiful grounds of Pembroke Hill School offer early childhood children a number of places to play, explore and learn about the natural world. There are three classic playgrounds (the early childhood playground, sand playground and kindergarten playground) providing spaces for climbing, sliding, riding, swinging and digging. The courtyard, Wornall Campus fields and Founders Hall hill are additional areas where children love to run, look for bugs, play with balls and scarves, or joyfully roll down the hill Preschool, prekindergarten and second semester early years children also visit Loose Park with the Rose Garden, duck pond and many trees and open areas

Rest/Quiet Time

Rest and naps are an important part of child development. Research suggests that physical and mental development takes place when children sleep - both at night and during the day. Additionally, children who nap have longer attention spans and tend to sleep longer and more peacefully at night All children who stay past 1 pm have a 2 hour rest/quiet time. After 30 - 45 minutes, children who have not fallen asleep may select from a variety of quiet time activities

Small Group Time

Small group time facilitates the development of cooperative and collaborative skills as well as supporting language development Children work in small groups for art studio and project work. These small groups provide opportunities for the teacher to introduce new materials, facilitate conversations and problem-solving The teacher serves as a model of collaboration and as a facilitator. By providing various opportunities for small group work, we send the message that cooperation and relationships are valued

Uninterrupted Play Time

Research shows child-directed, unstructured play supports a child's social, emotional and cognitive development Free play is important because it is the way children have been wired to learn. In order for children to reach a higher level of thinking they need at least

90 minutes of continual play to fully engage critical thinking skills Because teachers have thoughtfully and carefully selected all materials for the classroom, wherever a child plays there are opportunities to learn Children may choose from block building, dress-up play, art, science, writing, literacy, sensory, manipulatives and music learning areas in the classrooms.

Teachers use this time to facilitate the children’s learning as well as observe, document and assess developmental learning Teachers use these observations to plan future activities and to select additional materials to extend learning.

Personal Items for School

Bookstore

Pembroke Hill has a Bookstore on the Ward Parkway Campus where parents can purchase spirit wear, such as T-shirts, sweats and polo shirts with the school name and logo for children to wear on Spirit Day with jeans or shorts.

Dressing for School

Please dress children for play. Comfortable, inexpensive clothing and tennis shoes are best Daily classroom work includes not only using markers, paints and clay, but many other educational, but messy materials. We use mostly washable markers and paint, but we do have permanent black pens and watercolor markers Though the children are encouraged to wear smocks, it is not a guarantee that your child's clothes will stay clean. Crocs, jellies, flip flops and sandals do not stay on the children's feet and make outside play dangerous! Please always send your child in tennis shoes so that they will be prepared for outdoor play.

As accidents and spills may occur, all children need to bring an extra set of clothing: underwear, pants, shirt and socks, which are weather appropriate. Clothing is stored in a child's cubby above their coat hook. Please remember to put the child's first full name and last initial on their clothing and bedding, in case there are duplicates.

Classes go outside every day unless there is severe weather, "ozone alert" days or the wind chill temperature is below 15 degrees. Please be sure to provide appropriate outside weather clothing. At the beginning of school, stock your child's cubby with a sun hat, boots and raincoat. As the days turn cooler, be sure your child has a winter hat and mittens/gloves Snow boots and snowsuits can either be left in your child's cubby or brought to school whenever it is cold, or there is snow on the ground.

Lost and Found

Please mark all your child's belongings with their name. If an item becomes lost, you may check with the teacher and look through the lost-and-found basket in the entry hall beside the water fountain

Personal Space

All children have their own cubby where they can put their coats, hats, boots and backpacks The cubbies are labeled with names and/or pictures

Raincoat and Boots

We ask that each child brings a set of rain boots and a raincoat to leave at school for outdoor play

Rest Mats or Blankets

Each child who stays past 1 p.m. will need a small sleeping bag labeled with their name for rest time. Each child has their own plastic-covered floor mat that the school provides. Children's sleeping bags will be sent home weekly for cleaning.

Tissues

Each child needs to bring two boxes of soft tissues for the classroom.

Wipes

Children are encouraged to clean their own faces after snacks and lunch using a baby wipe Your teacher will send home a list detailing the number of boxes to bring to school For children who are not toilet trained, please bring in a box of wipes every other week or per the teacher's request

Waterbottles

Students should bring a refillable water bottle to school each day. Filling stations are available throughout the early childhood school. Water bottles should contain only water. Other beverages, such as juices, sodas, teas, and sports drinks are not allowed. Spill-proof water bottles with a straw and covered lid are preferred

Parents Association and Early Childhood Parent Council

Parents Association

The purpose of the Pembroke Hill Parents Association is to foster a sense of community within our school in which all families are encouraged to engage, connect and support each other.

All parents who have a student enrolled at PHS automatically become members of the Parents Association. Membership dues are included as part of tuition and fees and go toward benefitting all students and families at PHS Parents of Pembroke Hill students of all ages are encouraged to become involved in the school by volunteering through Parents Association committees and activities. Please visit the Parents Association tab on the parent portal for more information. Additionally, you may contact our director of parent programs with any questions.

Early Childhood Parent Council

The Parents Association sponsors the council, whose primary mission is to support the early childhood school by:

● Recruiting and supporting parent volunteers to serve as officers for the council.

● Recruiting and supporting parent volunteers to serve as room parents from every grade. Room parents help with:

o New family hospitality

o Class parties

o Communicating with their class on a regular basis on happenings at the school.

● Recruiting and supporting parent volunteers to serve as representatives in the four standing committees of the Parents Association:

o Raider Arts Council

o Parents Inclusion Council

o Raider Club

● Recruiting and supporting parent coordinators for: Wonderful Wednesdays for teachers

The council will have four meetings during the school year. All officers, room parents and the principal attend these monthly meetings.

● Meeting dates are posted on the parent portal.

● All parents are welcome to attend and will receive reminders to attend division coffees.

Separation Anxiety

Children feel safe when they have consistent, predictable drop-off routines. When it is time to leave, follow the “good-bye ritual” you planned and discussed with your child If a child has separation anxiety problems, and this happens at all ages and stages, parents should listen to the teachers and remember that consistency is vital Separation anxiety can occur when:

● Children are younger and it takes longer for them to accept a parent leaving; or

● There are changes at home, i.e., moving to a new home, a new baby, visitors in the home for a short period, not feeling well, not getting enough sleep

While separation anxiety is emotionally difficult for both the child and parent, the majority of time, with the teacher’s help, children become engaged in activity before parents leave the building. When families and teachers work together, we are able to support children through difficult times

Communication

We are dedicated to open and honest communication with our families and students and we want to be sure our families understand the best way to deal with a problem or concern It is important to us to hear from parents regularly If parents have questions or concerns about our program, they should not hesitate to contact their child’s teacher or division head

If they do not feel the conflict has been resolved after speaking with their child’s teacher, then parents should bring the issue to the division head If they still cannot resolve the problem, they will discuss it with the associate head of school or the head of school. Please understand that the school honors this organizational flow, and parents will be sent to the appropriate person.

Communication Philosophy and Expectations

Pembroke Hill School values the home school relationship, and therefore, strives to maintain open, effective communication with our families. Our faculty and staff work

diligently to keep families informed about classroom activities as well as students’ progress. We believe in a proactive, “no surprises” approach to communication.

Families are likewise encouraged to communicate regularly with the school In keeping with our promise that “Pembroke Hill is a place where every child is known, cared for and valued,” it is helpful for families to keep their child’s teachers informed of any circumstances that may affect their child’s physical or emotional wellbeing or their ability to focus on learning during the school day Examples include chronic illness, loss of a pet or loved one, stress or changes in family life, sleep difficulties, etc. Any information shared is kept confidential and shared only on a need to know basis with the family’s permission.

Messages of gratitude and positive feedback are always appreciated by our faculty and staff Teachers treasure handwritten notes from students and their families, and often keep them for many years. Families are encouraged to remember our staff who support their children “behind the scenes” as well, such as the members of our dining, facilities and grounds teams, and our administrative staff in development, communication, admissions and the business office.

While email and text messages can provide an effective way to communicate straightforward, logistical questions and information, they are not effective ways to discuss significant questions or concerns There is too much chance of unintentional miscommunication We value our relationships with you and your child too much to take this chance. It is important that we understand one another clearly, particularly when addressing a question or concern. Additionally, we want to make sure that we can give you the undivided attention you and your child deserve. Therefore, we ask that you schedule a meeting (virtual or in person) or phone conversation to discuss any significant questions or concerns Please understand that if you communicate a significant question or concern in an email, text or “while I see you” conversation, we will respond with an invitation to schedule a time. Again, we want to ensure we are giving you the time and attention you deserve and that we are communicating clearly.

Methods

of Communication

Parent Newsletters | Divisional Family Updates

The school publishes a bi-weekly family newsletter to share important schoolwide news and updates regarding general happenings within the school and division. On the alternating weeks, each division sends a Family Update with division-specific information, news and updates. These updates are shared via email, typically on Fridays.

Email

Email is our primary method for school-to-home communication Our teachers are fully present and actively engaged with students during the school day, checking email during their planning periods and breaks Staff will respond to your messages within 24 hours For urgent matters or unexpected dismissal changes, please contact the school office by phone rather than email to ensure immediate attention. We encourage open communication and welcome your questions, concerns, and updates about your child.

Class Newsletters and Journals

Teachers at our school provide two essential communications twice a week to keep families informed and connected: Class Newsletters and Class Journals The newsletters, sent via email, offer crucial grade-level and classroom information, news, and updates, including important announcements about field trips and other special events that won't be communicated elsewhere. It's vital to read these promptly and thoroughly. Also sent electronically via email, often linked within the newsletter, are the Class Journals. These journals come in various formats, such as PDFs, links to Google albums, videos, or slideshows. Journals are designed to document your child's learning journey and offer a glimpse into their classroom experiences Reviewing these journals together with your child can be a wonderful way to spark meaningful conversations, encourage reflection, and inspire further questions about their school day

Seesaw

Early childhood uses Seesaw as an electronic portfolio to document student learning . Recognizing the importance of limiting screentime, we are intentional about our use of technology as a teaching and learning tool. Early childhood and lower school teachers will use Seesaw for occasional student independent practice or formative assessments and, most often, as a tool to share student work with families. Students in preschool and prekindergarten may upload photos of their work Parents can access Seesaw to view documentation of student work and learning artifacts following fall and spring conferences If you need assistance logging into your Seesaw parent account(s), please contact the Pembroke Hill Helpdesk at helpdesk@pembrokehill.org.

Telephone Calls and Messages

All staff members have classroom phones and voicemail Parents may contact the teacher by their direct line, through the administrative assistant or the main school number. If they are unavailable to speak, please leave a message and they will return the call as soon as possible. Teachers are generally not able to answer phones during the school day due to teaching responsibilities If your call is urgent in nature, please call the divisional office

Website and Parent Portal

Our website and Parent Portal are the main information outlets for the school. You will find school events, athletic events and general information about the school on the website. In the Parent Portal, accessed through the website, parents will find class information, the parent and student directory, school forms and more

Family Conferences

Family conferences are an important part of our early childhood program, providing a dedicated time for teachers and parents/guardians to discuss a child's growth and development Formal conferences are scheduled in the fall and spring During these meetings, we reflect on progress and set goals for continued learning. A detailed assessment and portfolio will be shared with the family at this time

Parents are encouraged to maintain open communication with their child’s teacher and early childhood school division head throughout the year Families or teachers may schedule additional meetings to meet the needs of individual children and/or families. These conferences may take place in person or by telephone Please ask that specific

resource teachers or the division head be present if needed Arrival and dismissal, field trips, class parties and other events are not the appropriate times for conferencing with teachers

Progress Reports

Progress reports are issued each trimester in the early childhood school In the fall and spring, teachers will share children’s progress reports with parents at their conference. A winter goal update will be published on the Parent Portal at the end of the second trimester. Our faculty dedicate significant time and careful thought to these reports. Teachers provide feedback on student’s progress toward grade level benchmarks with the indicators of meeting expectations (M), developing skills (D), requires support (R) or not applicable (N/A)

Families access their child’s progress reports through their portal on the school’s website. The dates on which they are posted vary slightly from year to year and are communicated each trimester in the Early Childhood School Family Update.

Current Family Contact Information

Parents and guardians are expected to keep the School informed of contact information for emergency situations, and should keep the School informed of any necessary changes to contact information Parents should update their information in the Parent Portal as necessary.

Parents Out-Of-Town

When parents are out-of-town, the school should be notified in writing of the dates, the name and telephone number of the adult responsible for the child during the parents’ absences Please give appropriate emergency phone numbers to the building administrative assistant and homeroom teacher

Multiple Households and Custody Orders

The School does not seek to become involved in parental disputes. However, in order for the School to communicate most effectively with parents and support each student, teachers and administrators must be aware of any court-ordered guidelines regarding primary households, visitations, picking up a student from school, parent involvement in field trips, or other such similar issues.

Parents are responsible for informing the School of any living, custody, or financial arrangements that may affect the student’s enrollment or experience at PHS. Custody orders or settlement agreements should be provided to the appropriate Division Head, with clear instructions for the School regarding how to carry out the court’s orders. While PHS endeavors to comply with court-ordered living, custody, and financial arrangements to minimize disruption to students’ educational experiences, the School cannot do so without clear instructions from parents

Parent Comportment and Support for School Policies

At PHS, we believe that a positive relationship between the School and a student’s

parents or guardians is essential to the fulfillment of the School’s mission We recognize that effective relationships are characterized by clearly defined responsibilities, a shared commitment to collaboration, open lines of communication, mutual respect, and a common vision of the goals to be achieved.

PHS may dismiss a student whose parent, guardian, family member, or other adult involved with the School by virtue of their relationship with the student fails to comply with policies or procedures of the School; engages in conduct, either on or off the School’s property, that could undermine the authority of the School’s Administration; and/or otherwise behaves in a manner that is unbecoming of a member of the School community Similarly, the School may refuse re-enrollment of a student if the School believes the actions of a parent, guardian, family member, or other affiliated individual, on or off the School’s property, make a positive, constructive relationship impossible, or otherwise may interfere with the School’s ability to accomplish its mission and/or educational goals.

Security and Safety

We take our responsibility concerning your child's safety very seriously.

● We are ever vigilant and always remain in the appropriate ratios in and around our campus.

● All the doors to our building are locked except at drop-off and pick-up times, when security is present.

● All visitors must check in at the school office.

● All our employees are screened through the Missouri Family Child Care Registry and our human resources department also runs a background check upon hire.

● Faculty members have a cell phone with them whenever they are out of the building with children.

● All employees have identification cards with emergency phone numbers on them

● Anyone picking up a child who is not part of the immediate family or pick-up routine must be listed on your child’s emergency sheet and have a photo ID

● The school has a transportation policy that requires parental permission for students to be transported by bus to school-sponsored events

● Security officers are available on both campuses. A security officer is in the driveway/parking lot area during drop-off and pick-up times

● Faculty/staff greet students as they arrive at drop-off and supervise them at pick-up time

Student Release

Students are not to anyone other than a parent/guardian without the parent/guardian’s written permission Parents should notify their child’s teacher and the administrative assistant in the child’s building if someone other than a parent/guardian is picking the child up from school That individual should be prepared to show identification, if asked, when picking up the student..

If you need to pick your child up during the school day, please be sure to allow plenty of time and sign your child out with the appropriate administrative assistant (Primary Building for K-2 and Intermediate Building for 3-5)

Visiting Campus

The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority. To this end, it is important that we know who is on campus and in our buildings at all times Visitors, including students’ family members, are expected to sign in and out with the administrative assistant when entering and leaving a building. Even when just popping in to drop something off, parents should check in with the front office of the building when they arrive.

Crisis Plan

The school has a comprehensive crisis plan that is put into effect in the case of a crisis. If it is necessary to evacuate the campus, the school follows this agreed upon plan. Please know that the primary contact information provided by the parents is vital. Parents should check the Parent Portal regularly to ensure that their contact information remains current.

Safety Drills

Safety drills are scheduled monthly at various times of the day. Parents are encouraged to practice fire and tornado drills at home. Your child may come home and discuss the drills with you. If you have concerns or questions about drills, please contact the division head. Evacuation routes are posted in each classroom for fire and tornado drills

Weapons

No student or visitor to campus or school-sponsored functions, regardless of whether the function is occurring on or off of campus, may possess, transport, display, offer for sale, barter, use, threaten to use or exchange any gun, bomb, knife, mace or other dangerous weapon, or any object that might have a reasonable “look-alike” resemblance to a dangerous weapon. A dangerous weapon may be defined as any object that may cause a serious injury or fatal wound The School has the sole authority to determine whether it considers an object to be a dangerous weapon.

This policy does not apply to uniformed members of law enforcement who may carry a visible weapon.

Violations of this policy will result in discipline consequences and could include notification of the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and permanent separation.

Health Safety and Supplemental Student Insurance

Accidents

If your child sustains an injury at school, you will receive a copy of an accident report which includes details of the accident and the first aid/care your child received.

Other than for minor injuries, your child’s teacher or the school nurse will call to notify you You will always be called when the accident involves the head or face. We will give you the school nurse’s appraisal, but want you to make the decision on how to proceed In the event of a serious accident, we will call 911 immediately. Our staff is trained in CPR and first aid

Supplemental Student Insurance

A supplemental student accident insurance policy is provided to assist families with out-of-pocket expenses resulting from an injury at school or at official school events The policy is structured to cover expenses after existing insurance policies have responded. When an injury occurs that is likely to result in the family seeking medical treatment (i.e. emergency room or doctor’s visit), a claim form will be sent along with a copy of the student accident report. Claims need to be filed directly with the policy administrator within 90 days of the injury. Please contact the division head’s office. if you did not receive a claim form for an injury that required professional medical treatment. If you have questions about the policy itself, please contact our chief financial officer

Biting

Biting is a natural developmental stage for many children It is most common between 13and 24-months of age, however young preschool children will occasionally bite. The safety of the children at the school is our primary concern The school's biting policy addresses the actions teachers and staff will take if a biting incident occurs.

Children bite other toddlers for many different reasons A child might be teething or overly tired and frustrated. He or she might be experimenting or trying to get the attention of the teacher or their peers Young children can be impulsive Sometimes biting occurs for no apparent reason. The school will encourage the children to "use their words" if they become angry or frustrated The staff members will maintain a close and constant supervision of the children at all times.

The following steps will be taken if a biting incident occurs at our school:

● The biting will be interrupted with a firm "No…biting hurts. It is not okay to bite people!"

● Teachers will stay calm and will not overreact.

● The bitten child will be comforted

● Teachers will remove the biter from the situation.

● The wound of the bitten child shall be assessed and cleansed with soap and water If it is determined that there was blood exposure, the School will follow the guidelines as implemented by the Jackson County Health Department.

● The biter will be encouraged to help comfort the child who was bitten - getting an ice pack, using gentle touches, etc.

● The teacher will talk with both children to determine the cause and then help the children solve the problem. Teachers will consistently use the following phrases to help children during a conflict: "This is a safe school" "How does feel?" "Use your words." "Listen to your friend's words." and "Get a teacher when you need help."

● Teachers will shadow a child (keep the child close) after two biting incidents

● Confidentiality of all children involved will be maintained.

● The parents of both children will be notified of the biting incident The appropriate forms will be filled out (Incident Report) and sent home and to the school nurse’s office

● This is a developmental stage, and we do not remove children from the classroom who bite

Outdoor Play Safety

The outdoors is the very best place for children to practice and master emerging large motor skills Outside play supports young children’s cognitive and social development; and children develop an understanding and appreciation of nature through daily outside play. Because we value time spent outside, our students play outdoors daily when weather and air quality conditions do not pose a significant health risk. Children will not play outside when the wind chill is at or below 15 degrees, there is an extreme heat index as identified by the National Weather Service, air quality is poor or there is thunder/lightning.

In addition to regular clothing, children shall be protected from the sun by using shade and sunscreen with UVB-ray and UVA-ray protection of SPF 30 or higher. We ask that parents apply sunscreen before sending children to school in the morning. Teachers will reapply sunscreen as needed. Please send sunscreen labeled with your child's name in permanent marker We will apply sunscreen to children using gloves Sunscreen sticks are helpful for the facial area.

In warm weather, children will be encouraged to drink plenty of water to maintain their hydration. Children’s clothing in warm weather should be light colored, lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate the evaporation of sweat Children should also wear hats, long sleeves and pants if playing outdoors between 10 a.m. and 2 pm In cold weather, children’s clothing shall be layered and dry Coats, hats, gloves, snow pants or suits are required if the temperature is below 20 degrees F.

Code of Conduct and Philosophy of Student Discipline

PHS Code of Conduct

As members of the Pembroke Hill School community, we desire to promote an environment in which all individuals can realize their greatest potential. To achieve this goal, we expect students to learn about, recognize and work to uphold the essential values of respect, compassion and integrity. We should always act in accordance with these guiding values:

● Be honest in their behavior;

● Abide by all school rules;

● Respect the property of others, including the school’s property;

● Use classroom technology appropriately and in alignment with school values; and

● Treat other members of the school community with civility and respect, and avoid actions that are hurtful to others.

Never permissible are bullying, hazing, discrimination, harassment, academic dishonesty, stealing, destruction/defacing of property, use of inappropriate language, possession of a dangerous weapon, threats of violence, violence or any behavior not in accordance with the school’s mission or core values.

A student’s actions outside school that exhibit a propensity or possibility of danger or harm to the members of the school community, the community at large, school property or educational activities and/or which result in serious damage to the reputation of the school are a breach of contract between the family and the school. In such instances, the

division head and the head of school will determine whether to take action that could result in disciplinary consequences, including, but not limited to, temporary separation or permanent separation

Students are expected to learn to follow these guidelines and to learn how to engage in behavior that is consistent with the school’s motto of Freedom With Responsibility Students should also recognize that there are other rules necessary for the effective functioning of this community

Philosophy of Student Discipline

Pembroke Hill’s discipline philosophy for students is a developmental process. As an educational institution, we view discipline as a teaching and learning opportunity with a focus on restoring any harm caused. As our students progress from early years through senior year, we model our core values and provide intentional instruction regarding the behavioral expectations of our community. Our students' ability to demonstrate the expectations independently grows over time. In general, we engage students in conversation, apply natural and/or logical consequences, and encourage both reflection and restoration.

This section is intended to provide a general guideline of PHS’ behavior expectations of its students, outlining conduct that is considered outside the scope of acceptable behavior as a member of the community. It is important to remember that the below list of inappropriate conduct should in no way be considered an exhaustive list of the conduct which may result in disciplinary consequences. No list is or can be comprehensive; it is possible that a student may act or behave in a manner that is not included in the policies below, yet still disrupts the school community.

Further still, students and families should understand that conduct which is inconsistent with the School’s expectations for students as outlined in other sections of this Handbook may similarly result in disciplinary consequences.

In addition to violating explicit school policies, and at the sole and exclusive discretion of the school, a student may be disciplined for engaging in conduct (a) deemed to be detrimental to the school or its mission; (b) which is inconsistent with the School’s values; or (c) which is harmful to themselves or other members of the school community. For the avoidance of doubt, even in situations in which there is no finding that a policy violation has occurred, the School may impose behavioral consequences and requirements as a means of educating the student to understand the impact of their behavior, language, or actions.

When a student’s behavior causes harm (physical, mental or emotional) and/or significantly disrupts the learning environment, we are compelled to consider the safety of our community and take appropriate action While we value families as partners in their child’s education, the school plays the primary decision-making role in all disciplinary matters In recommending or determining disciplinary action, the administration may consider the student’s present demeanor and past disciplinary record, the nature of the infraction, the severity of any damage, injury or harm resulting therefrom, while taking into account the best interest of the school. If deemed

appropriate, the administration may choose to impose one or more of the following actions that are applied with a restorative lens:

● Conversations

● Reflection

● Restorative acts (e.g., apology, service to others, etc.)

● Loss of privileges

● A probationary period

● Required additional services outside of the school (e.g., counseling or evaluation)

● Contract hold or non-renewal of contract

● Other action determined appropriate by the school

● Temporary removal from the classroom or the school community

● Permanent separation from the school community

The School respects the privacy of its individual students and, for that reason, treats disciplinary matters as confidential Confidentiality balances our commitment to helping individuals learn from their mistakes, because we are educators above all else, and promoting a culture of open and timely discussion of important and challenging topics

Bullying

The Pembroke Hill early childhood school seeks to provide and maintain a community marked by compassion and respect The bullying policy set forth is designed to fairly and effectively address bullying.

This plan is intended (1) to create an inclusive environment for all students; (2) to reduce bullying among our students; (3) to encourage students and their parents to come forward promptly whenever a student is subject to conduct that is prohibited by this or any other school policy; and (4) to implement appropriate discipline and other corrective measures when they are found to be warranted

General Policy Against Bullying

Bullying in any shape or form (verbal, physical, electronic, etc ) at Pembroke Hill is prohibited on any school grounds and at school-sponsored events, activities, functions and programs This prohibition also extends beyond the campus, online and offline, particularly if off-campus behavior disrupts the daily educational process within the school community

What Constitutes Bullying

Bullying refers to any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act(s) or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student or students that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following

● Causing physical or emotional harm to the targeted student or damage to the targeted student’s property;

● Placing the targeted student in reasonable fear of themself, or of damage to their property;

● Creating a distracting, antagonistic environment at school for the targeted student;

● Infringing on the rights of the targeted student at school; and

● Materially and substantially disrupting the educational process or the orderly operation of the school.

Bullying may take various forms, including but not necessarily limited to threats, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, public humiliation, or destruction of property.

Violence

Fighting, physical violence, or any threat of physical violence is strictly prohibited as is any kind of rough-housing that demeans another member of the community or puts a community member at risk of harm or injury

Retaliation

Retaliation means any adverse action taken against a person for raising a concern about a violation of this Handbook or because of their participation in the administration’s response to a concern. Encouraging another to engage in such conduct may also be retaliation Retaliation will be treated as a separate handbook violation

Every member of our community (including parents/guardians) should recognize that discussing or criticizing a person’s decision to report what they believed, in good faith, was a violation of the policies established by the School even in circumstances where it is determined that no Handbook violation occurred may have the purpose or effect (unintended or intended) of retaliating against the person who came forward, harming the reputation of those involved, and/or discouraging others from reporting concerns.

Reporting Violations of the Code of Conduct

If a student believes they have experienced misconduct, has witnessed such behavior, is concerned about retaliation, or has relevant information about prohibited conduct, the student is urged to report the matter promptly to a teacher, the Division Head, or to an administrator or faculty member with whom the student feels comfortable. If a student is uncomfortable contacting a trusted adult alone, the student may ask an advisor, another adult, or a classmate to help.

Parents or guardians who have relevant information concerning prohibited conduct are urged to immediately notify the Division Head.

When a student misconduct is reported, promises of confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, as it is far more difficult to determine the facts of what occurred if complaints are made anonymously

Any report that provides sufficient information about a possible incident of misconduct will result in follow-up. If the information provided in the report is insufficient to allow for meaningful and productive follow-up, an attempt will be made to learn more Generally, follow-up will include inquiry or investigation, followed by fact-finding and a decision about consequences Throughout, PHS’ goals are to ensure a safe and supportive school environment, to prevent repetition of misconduct, and to support all students involved.

The Head of School, or someone designated by the Head of School, will conduct an impartial investigation This may be another administrator or it may be an impartial third party. The investigation may include, but is not limited to, interviews with the complainant(s), respondent(s), reporting person(s), and any other persons who may have relevant information, including faculty, staff, and students’ parents/guardians.

Investigations will be as prompt and thorough as possible. Students are required to participate in any investigation, when requested.

In keeping with the School’s values and guiding principles, investigators are committed to working with students and others in a respectful, compassionate manner. Every effort is made to ensure the process is non-threatening and that it provides the student the opportunity to look critically at their own actions in a manner that allows for growth and increased awareness. Throughout an investigation, efforts will be made to keep all parties informed, to the extent that confidentiality, impartiality and the integrity of the investigation will allow.

The school releases information concerning complaints of misconduct, and the disciplinary action taken only on a legitimate, need-to-know basis.

Student Services

School Counseling

The early childhood school counselor supports students’ social and emotional needs through classroom lessons, individual short-term counseling, small group counseling, and consultation with the students’ families and teachers While the counselor does not provide long-term counseling services to students, recommendations for outside resources can be made. The counselor has an ethical and professional obligation to maintain confidentiality, except when breaking confidentiality is legally required or necessary to prevent serious harm. Parents can consult with the counselor regarding areas of concern, such as, developmental, family issues, behavior changes, skill building, etc. The counselor is able to provide referrals to additional sources, if needed.. Finally, the early childhood counselor serves as part of the early childhood leadership team along with the division head, the Wornall Campus assistant head and the instructional coach.

Speech, Hearing and Occupational Therapy Screenings

Speech, hearing and occupational therapy screenings are offered each fall to students recommended for screening by their classroom teachers. The school covers the cost of these screenings A speech pathologist and an occupational therapist from St Luke's Hospital work on the Wornall Campus. If your child should need speech or occupational therapy, time may be arranged for during school hours Payment for work with the speech pathologist and occupational therapist will be arranged through St. Luke's Hospital

Accommodations

The School is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities are provided with equal access to the School’s programs and services, in accordance with applicable law For students who need additional support or curricular adjustments, the School may require medical documentation regarding the student’s condition In all instances, the School will make reasonable accommodations to enable a student to participate in the program and where doing so does not pose an undue burden to the School, or a threat to the safety of its students.

Wellness

Pembroke Hill School has a dedicated team of nurses and school counselors to manage wellness and health issues for our students

PHS Wellness Team

Wornall Campus Nurse (Early Childhood + Lower School + Summer)

McKenzie Beattie, BSN, RN

Email | mckenziebeattie@pembrokehillorg or nurse@pembrokehillorg

Office | (816) 936-1351

Work Cell | (816) 550-2224

Ward Parkway Campus Nurse (Middle School + Upper School)

Shelby Swickard BSN, RN

Email | sswickard@pembrokehillorg or nurse@pembrokehillorg

Office | (816) 936-1531

Work Cell |(816) 447-0564

Director of Counseling and Community Wellbeing, Early Childhood Counselor

Lindsay Kobolt

Email | lkobolt@pembrokehillorg

Office | (816) 936-1320

Work Cell | (816) 878-0503

Lower School Counselor

Beth Walker

Email | bwalker@pembrokehillorg

Office: (816) 936-1305

Middle School Counselor

Whitney Kauffman

Email | whitney.kauffman@pembrokehill.org

Office | (816) 936-1526

Upper School Counselors

Aja Pence (Class of 2027, Class of 2028)

Email | apence@pembrokehillorg

Office | (816) 936-1414

Kelsey Polk (Class of 2029, Class of 2030)

Email | kpolk@pembrokehillorg

Office | (816)936-1550

Magnus Health

Pembroke Hill uses Magnus Health (an Electronic Health Record) to collect and store your students’ health and medical information for the upcoming school year. Magnus Health streamlines the collection of students’ health information as well as provides a way for our school nurses to submit treatment notes based on the students’ health office visits.

You can access your account by logging into the Parent Portal and clicking the orange “Magnus Health” button under the “Quick Links” sidebar. This will take you to the Magnus homepage and should automatically log you in.

Once you have logged into your Magnus Health account, you will see items marked with a “To Do” flag if you need to take action.

Treatment Notes

Throughout the school year, you may receive an email from Magnus Health with the subject: “New Treatment Note for *Your Student’s Name*.” It will instruct you to click the link and log into your Magnus Health account to view the note These treatment notes are written by our nurses as students are seen in the health office. If anything occurs that is not a minor injury, resolved problem, or simple office visit, then the nurse will call the student’s parent/guardian instead of emailing the treatment note.

Medical Documentation and Forms

Immunization Records

The Missouri Department of Health requires that we have a copy of immunization records on or before the first day of school The school does not provide a specific form for this Parents/guardians should obtain a copy of their students’ immunization records from their physician to upload to Magnus Health before the first day of school

Consistent with Missouri law, all students are required to be immunized unless they have a religious exemption or are medically contraindicated from receiving vaccinations Students claiming an exemption must provide documentation to the school regarding the same Please understand that students who are not fully immunized may be excluded from school in that they have a contagious or infectious disease, or are likely to be able to transmit a contagious or infectious disease after having been exposed to one

The School reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to require that students obtain additional vaccinations to attend in-person classes to protect the health and safety of the School community.

The full immunization record should be uploaded to the “Immunization Form” requirement on the student’s Magnus Health account. After a full copy of immunizations is received, the record only needs to be updated as the student receives more immunizations.

Physical Evaluation Form

Physical/medical examinations are required at the following intervals:

● Early Childhood - Annually (Early Years, Preschool, Prekindergarten)

● Kindergarten

● 3rd Grade

● 5th Grade

● 7th Grade

● 10th Grade

● All New Incoming Students

● Middle and Upper School Student-Athletes

○ MSHSAA Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Form MUST be used This form can be found on Magnus Health and the MSHSAA website.

○ The “MSHSAA Medical Eligibility Form - Step 3” (page 5) is the ONLY page that should be uploaded to the “Medical Eligibility Form” requirement on Magnus Health

○ These physicals are valid for two years unless otherwise stated by the physician

All forms must be uploaded to Magnus Health by the first day of school, and parents should keep a copy at home. The general “Physical Examination Record” form can be found on the Parent Portal and Magnus Health It may be used for any grade level and division, with the exception of student athletes. You may also use any document that is preferred by your doctor’s office.

NOTE: If your student is in 7th or 10th grade AND a student athlete, then the completed MSHSAA Medical Eligibility form will fulfill their grade-level physical requirements If your new, incoming student is in middle or upper school and knows they will want to participate in a sport, then they should use the “Medical Eligibility Form” as well. These can be uploaded to both the “Medical Eligibility Form” and “Physical Evaluation Form” requirements on Magnus Health.

Early Childhood | Evidence of Blood Lead Testing Form

Missouri Revised Statute 701.344 requires early childcare and education programs in areas at high-risk for lead poisoning to obtain annual proof of lead testing for all children less than 6 years of age who are enrolled in the facility.

The “Evidence of Blood Lead Testing” form should be completed for all early childhood students. The form can be found on the Parent Portal and Magnus Health.

NOTE: The “Receipt of Test” portion of the form should be completed at your physician’s office by a healthcare professional. There is also a “Refusal of Test” option at the bottom of the form.

Over-the-Counter Medications

If you would like your students to receive over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, Benadryl, etc. from our health offices, then please update the “Over-The-Counter Medication” requirement in Magnus Health.

These medications are given according to the written instructions on the label, i.e., the child’s age and weight. Medication requests that exceed the recommended dose or guidelines for recommended usage require written permission from a physician.

The parent/guardian may be notified if an OTC medication is administered, or if it is sought by a student but not administered due to nursing judgment. Certain OTC medications can mask pain or other symptoms and result in a delay of a diagnosis and treatment of an underlying health problem. The overuse of these medications may also lead to liver damage, kidney damage, or gastrointestinal complications.

Please do not send OTC medications with students to school as they are provided through the health office, unless it is a prescription dose. Prescription-strength OTC medications will be handled with the same protocol as any other prescription medication.

Prescription Medications

Medication administration to students during school hours shall be restricted to necessary medication that cannot be given on an alternative schedule Parents should always administer the first dose of a new medication. Please contact the nurse on your

student’s campus to notify them of a new medication that needs to be taken at school and any dosage changes.

Students are not permitted to self-carry medications unless they are emergency/rescue medications (see “Emergency Medications” section below). All medications need to be entered in Magnus Health by the parent and turned into the nurse’s office at the beginning of the school year. All medication details must be entered in Magnus before the medication will be dispensed at school

For prescription medication to be administered at school, it must be in a current (not expired) pharmacy container with a label affixed by the pharmacy with the following information:

● Student’s Name

● Medication Name

● Prescribing Physician

● Expiration Date

● Dosage/Route/Schedule of Administration

A parent, guardian, or adult designee must bring the medication and any refills to the nurse’s office. Above conditions must be met for medication to be administered at school.

Any substances not regulated by the FDA will need a physician’s order to be administered at school. By law and school policy, nurses are prohibited from administering homeopathic remedies, nutritional supplements and essential oils

All medications administered and documented will follow the Six Rights of Medication Administration:

● Right Dose

● Right Time

● Right Route

● Right Student

● Right Medication

● Right Documentation

Controlled Substances

Controlled substances will be kept in appropriate lockboxes/locked cabinets. They will be counted with every dispense, and the current count included in every dose documented Any discrepancies will be immediately reported to the Health Services staff, Division Head, and the affected student’s parents. Ingestion will be witnessed with all medications.

Emergency Medications

Students requiring emergency medications, such as epinephrine injections (ex. EpiPen, Auvi-Q, etc.), rescue inhalers, seizure medications, insulin, etc. must have a corresponding action plan on file and have their necessary medications on them at all times. The action plan forms for allergies, asthma, diabetes, and seizures can be found on the Parent Portal and should be uploaded to their requirement on Magnus Health.

Early Childhood and Lower School teachers will carry their students’ emergency medications in an emergency bag that will follow the student throughout their school

day Some Lower School students may be allowed to self-carry their emergency medications upon request of their parent/guardian and with permission from their physician Middle School and Upper School students should self-carry their emergency medications and keep them on their person at all times.

Allergies

If your child has severe food or other allergies, then we must be aware by the first day of school or the first school day following diagnosis. Please have your doctor fill out the “FARE Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan” form so we can safely care for your student. This form can be found on the Parent Portal and Magnus Health. It will show up as a requirement on Magnus Health once you answer “Yes” to the Conditional Question: “Does your child have a severe allergy requiring emergency medication?”.

Once you have completed and uploaded this document, it does not need to be re-uploaded unless there are changes. Magnus Health may prompt you to review and approve the document annually

If your child’s allergy requires an epinephrine injection (ex. EpiPen, Auvi-Q, etc), please provide the school with two injection devices The epinephrine must be in the original container and labeled by the pharmacy with your student’s information. Please see the “Emergency Medications” section above which describes storage of emergency medication.

Asthma

If your child has been diagnosed with asthma that requires a rescue inhaler, then please have their physician complete the “My Asthma Action Plan for Home and School” form This form can be found on the Parent Portal and Magnus Health. If your physician has a school medication letter or other document that they provide schools, then that may be uploaded in place of the action plan. It will show up as a requirement on Magnus Health once you answer “Yes” for the Conditional Question: “Does your child have asthma requiring an inhaler?”.

Once you have completed and uploaded this document, it does not need to be re-uploaded unless there are any changes. Magnus Health may prompt you to review and approve the document annually

Early Childhood and Lower School parents should bring their student’s rescue inhaler to the health office in its original container and labeled by the pharmacy with your student’s information and dosage. Please see the “Emergency Medications” section above which describes storage of emergency medication

Special Dietary Needs and Meal Modifications

Flik dining services accommodates students with religious or medically necessary dietary needs. If your child has dietary restrictions for any reason INCLUDING food allergies, then we must be aware by the first day of school or the first day following a prescribed change in their diet. Please have your doctor complete the “Meal Modification” form, so our staff can inform the dining team of your student’s needs. This form can be found on the Parent Portal under each division’s tab and Magnus Health It will show up as a requirement on

Magnus Health once you answer “Yes” to the Conditional Question: “Does your child have any dietary restrictions?”.

Once you have completed and uploaded this document, it does not need to be re-uploaded unless there are any changes. Magnus Health may prompt you to review and approve the document annually

Please be as thorough with the student’s special diet as possible. For example, if the student is allergic to eggs, but can have food with eggs baked in it, please state that in section 2 of the meal modification form. Failing to provide this information may lead to unnecessary restrictions in the student’s choices at mealtime

Illness Guidelines

Please do not send your student to school ill Keep them home until they are fever-free without medications for 24 hours. This reduces sharing germs, giving your child extra time to rest and fight off the illness. If your child was not well the night before or during the night, then they should stay home. Your child may unnecessarily expose other children to a communicable disease by coming to school.

Students should stay home if they have diarrhea or are vomiting. Usually, they feel physically drained if they have had these symptoms. They may want to return to school when symptom-free after 24 hours. Please consider keeping them home to regain their strength. Keeping students home for an extra day is a healthy investment for you and them

Children will be sent home at the school nurse’s discretion if they exhibit symptoms including but not limited to:

● A fever of 100.4 degrees or higher

● Vomiting more than once or in combination with another symptom

● Diarrhea

● Unknown rash or bumps

● Mattered, red, or tearing eyes

● Sore throat or trouble swallowing

● Headache and stiff neck

● Severe cough to the point of choking

● Persistent/disruptive cough

● Unusual or tea-colored urine

● Infected or crusty patch of skin

● Severe itching in case of head or body lice

● Gray or white stools

● Behaving cranky or less active as usual

● Cries or is fussy for an unusual amount of time

● Loss of appetite

When the school nurse contacts you that your child is sick, please arrange to pick up your child within 45 minutes. This helps the school decrease the spread of germs. Children may return when free of the above symptoms for 24 hours. These guidelines are for the well-being and protection of your child and their classmates.

For specific illness exclusion guidelines, our school uses these protocols

Updated COVID-19 Guidance

The CDC has updated its guidance concerning COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory illnesses. The CDC’s updated guidance reflects how the circumstances around COVID-19 in particular have changed. While it remains a threat, today it is far less likely to cause severe illness because of widespread immunity and improved tools to prevent and treat the disease.

COVID-19 or Influenza Positive Individuals

Pembroke Hill faculty, staff, and students can now return to normal activities when symptoms are improving overall, and after being fever-free without the aid of medication for at least 24 hours. The CDC no longer recommends a 5-day isolation period. This applies to both COVID-19 and influenza

While on campus, faculty, staff, and students must still wear a well-fitting mask for 5 days after returning to normal activities

COVID or Influenza Exposure (Household and Non-Household Contact)

Please monitor your health If you develop symptoms or a fever, we recommend seeing a medical provider and testing for COVID and Influenza. If an individual tests positive, please adhere to the guidance above

Head Lice

The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) position is that managing head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) in the school setting should not disrupt the educational process. The leadership provided by the registered professional school nurse can impact the reduction of the stigma associated with head lice by providing proper health education, including anticipatory guidance to the school community, and implementing evidence-based strategies for the management of head lice in schools

When a child is identified with having active head lice at school, the child’s parent/guardian is notified and provided with information about treatment. Students will be sent home at the end of the day and may return to school after receiving treatment at home School nurses will work with families to ensure proper treatment and management of head lice. Pembroke Hill follows the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics and does not exclude students from school because of head lice or nits.

Head lice are a common issue for school-aged children Parents should be proactive and complete regular and thorough checks for lice throughout the year, regardless of known exposures These checks would be especially important following sleepovers, extracurricular activities, vacations, holiday gatherings, summer camps, etc.

Head lice are considered a nuisance, but they do not spread disease They do not reflect on your family's hygiene or grooming habits lice do not discriminate between clean or dirty hair Head lice are mainly transmitted through prolonged head-to-head contact with an individual who has active lice. Lice do not jump or fly; they are crawling insects.

The school nurse will inform parents/guardians when there is an unusual clustering of head lice cases in a particular classroom, grade level, or building. Continued communication and collaboration with the school nurse will reduce the stigma of head lice, clarify myths, and provide accurate information about effective treatment options.

Child Abuse and Neglect

The safety of our children is of utmost importance to us. All PHS faculty and staff members are mandated reporters and are leagally required to report to the Missouri Division of Family Services Child Abuse Hotline whenthey have reasonable suspicion that a child has been or may be subjected to abuse or neglect.

Confidentiality of Medical Information

Confidential medical information regarding a student may be shared on a need-to-know basis with teachers, administrators, school counselors, learning specialists, athletic coaches, athletic trainers, school nurses and other individuals If an injury has occurred on School property or during a School-sponsored event, medical information may be provided to non-PHS medical personnel providing medical support as well as the insurance company that receives a copy of the claim form.

School and Classroom Events

Picture Day

In the fall, a photographer will take each child’s photo for the yearbook. If a child misses photo day, there will be a make-up day Parents may choose to purchase these photos However, every child’s photo will be included in the yearbook whether photos are purchased or not Each child will receive a yearbook the last week of school

Assemblies

Cultural events are planned throughout the year in Curry Theatre or Deramus Field House. Some of the dates will be on the school calendar, and others are to be announced Prekindergarten will also attend assemblies with the lower school, when age appropriate.

Back To School BBQ

This event is scheduled soon after school begins The barbeque is followed by an athletic competition – usually a varsity football or varsity soccer game - on the Stadium Field. All parents and children are encouraged to attend this event

Back To School Night

PHS invites parents to Back-To-School Night each year. This date will be announced in the school calendar Please understand that this evening is for parents only

Ghost Walk/Halloween Parade and Celebration

Students in preschool through second grade have a great time during our Ghost Walk in the courtyard Preschool and prekindergarten children should arrive in their costumes The children parade around the inside courtyard, and parents who attend encircle the outside of the sidewalks The children stop for a group picture on the Dining Hall steps Early years children do not participate in this event. Following the Ghost Walk, all early

childhood classes, early years through prekindergarten, celebrate Halloween in their classroom. Parents are invited to participate.

Classroom Celebrations, Birthdays and Parties

Child Celebration/Birthdays

Birthdays are an opportunity for the classroom community to recognize and celebrate each child as an individual Celebration traditions are unique in each of our classroom communities and can vary from year to year. Please contact your teacher to schedule your child's celebration Because of food allergies, the teacher must approve snacks for the celebration. Please do not have flower arrangements or balloon bouquets delivered to school

Please do not distribute birthday party invitations at school. Mail them to each child's home using the family directory located in the Parent Portal Parents are encouraged to include all of the children from the classroom.

Class Party Planning

Party planners for each classroom must contact the teacher before making any party plans. They will be glad to help you plan an appropriate party for the age of children in the class

Due to food allergies in our building, teachers must be consulted about party snacks, which must include a healthy element Our teachers are the perfect resource for ideas concerning snacks, games and activities. Once the party planner and the teacher have determined a date and time, the division's administrative assistant should be contacted so the event can put it on the master calendar.

● Please do not provide decorations or use confetti, popcorn, balloons, silly string or anything else that will be hard to clean up.

● Please do not have flower arrangements or balloon bouquets delivered to school

● Surprise parties for teachers/assistants need to include notification to the school office to assure there is not a conflict with date/time of other school functions

● We would greatly appreciate parents making childcare arrangements for siblings on party days Classrooms are not always safe for young children, and strollers take up space. If that is impossible, the room parent coordinator can ask the teacher to create a space in the room where the siblings can play, and parents of the children can rotate watching them and participating in the party.

End-Of-The-Year Celebrations

Each early childhood class will have an end-of-the-year celebration in May Parents and children watch a video of their time together. Teachers will notify parents of the date and time.

Field Experiences and Student Transportation

Early years generally do not take off-campus field experiences other than the occasional second semester trip to Loose Park.

Preschool and prekindergarten classes may take two or more field experiences per year We use the school vans or buses equipped with seat belts. Only faculty and staff of PHS drive the school vans; parent volunteers may follow in their cars The children must be in the appropriate child safety seat (provided by the child’s family) for the trip. The preschool and prekindergarten classes may also take walking trips to the Country Club Plaza and post office. Families provide permission for children to go on field trips by completing the necessary forms accessed through the Parent Portal on the website.

Parents who volunteer for field trips must make other arrangements for siblings. Total concentration on the children is a must. Parents are asked to turn off cell phones and refrain from texting while supervising children on field trips.

Division Coffees and Parent Meetings

Division Coffees

Division coffees are family education events which precede most Early Childhood Council meetings. Our knowledgeable staff as well as guest speakers present on topics which are selected to support parenting and the understanding of our early childhood program Past topics have included: “What is project work?” “Supporting sensory processing,” “Preparing your child for the path,” and the “Reggio Approach” Topics are announced well in advance of each coffee.

Parent Meetings

Parent meetings will be held as needed to discuss project work or parent education topics.

Prekindergarten Bridging Ceremony

Parents are invited to the Pembroke Hill prekindergarten bridging ceremony occurring on a date to be announced by the School. This is a joyful and sweet celebration to represent the transition from the early childhood division to the lower school division. Invitations are limited to parents in order to assure the ceremony doesn't become an intimidating and scary experience for the children. Because our desire is to keep the bridging ceremony pure and the focus on the children, please do not bring flowers, balloons or gifts to the ceremony. However, you are welcome to bring cameras, smiles and perhaps a tissue if you are prone to shed sentimental tears

Project Culmination Event

Classes may have culminating events with families at the end of a project. This is a time for the children to share what they have studied and learned.

Lower School Division

A Preface to Families and Students from the Faculty and Staff

Pembroke Hill's motto is Freedom With Responsibility This handbook contains policies that reflect this basic philosophical position. We, the faculty and staff, endeavor to assist our students as they further develop their sense of responsibility for the well-being of the larger community. To that end, we encourage freedom, with reasonable limitations, and will enforce rules defining those limitations, rules necessary to maintain relative freedom for all.

We use the term community here in a very particular way The learning experience at Pembroke Hill School extends well beyond the bounds of the formal classroom and the scheduled academic day Therefore, we must consider the greater good of the community wherever and whenever we are involved in activities that are formally or informally related to the Pembroke Hill School community

Students, faculty members, administrators, staff members and parents are committed to ensuring a healthy learning environment Even when moments of discomfort, disappointment or tension arise, we all must commit ourselves to maintaining a healthy atmosphere at all times From all members of the school community, including students and adults, we expect good will, mutual respect, honesty and behavior in and out of the classroom that brings honor to our school In choosing to enroll at Pembroke Hill School, you are agreeing to this expectation.

In this handbook, we attempt to define your privileges and responsibilities so you will know what is expected of you as a member of the Pembroke Hill community.

Parent and Guardian Tips

Parents are encouraged to read the entire handbook to have a fuller understanding of the responsibilities and rules of the lower school community

At Pembroke Hill we believe that the quality of education a young person receives is dependent on the school environment, as well as the home environment. If the expectations of students are consistent in and out of school, they will develop more rapidly and with more self-confidence. With this in mind, we invite, and expect, parental involvement in the school community The best interest of students should always be the primary concern of parents and educators. In order to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings that result in confused messages to students, we have structured the school community to help ensure open lines of communication among faculty, students and parents Please do not hesitate to call us with any questions or concerns

Division Hours

● Early Room | 7:45 - 8:10 am

● Student Arrival/Homeroom | 8:10 - 8:30 a.m.

● School Day | 8:30 am - 3 pm

● Preparation for dismissal | 3 - 3:10 p.m.

● Student Dismissal | 3:10 - 3:25 pm

● Extended Day hours | 3:10 - 6 p.m.

● Primary and Intermediate Buildings Office Hours | 7:40 am - 4 pm

Before School Begins

New Families

New families will be contacted by Parents Association volunteers These volunteers serve as our new family liaisons. They will be glad to answer any questions new families have about Pembroke Hill and offer suggestions for making connections with new classmates during the summer.

Class Placement

Numerous factors are taken into consideration when making placement decisions such as gender balance, social/emotional factors, learning profiles, and teaching styles Pembroke Hill grade level teachers work as a group, in collaboration with division heads, learning specialists, school counselors, and resource teachers, to determine classroom placement for their students and ensure that all children are placed thoughtfully into the next year's class/homeroom/section. Our teachers know their students very well and determine placements that they consider to be in the best interest of each child. Therefore, we do not accept class placement or teacher requests from parents. To learn more about our philosophy please click here.

Ice Cream Social | Wornall Campus

The ice cream social is a time to make connections with Wornall Campus families and enjoy a sweet treat. The date and time of the ice cream social is announced during the summer

Staggered Return

To ensure a comfortable and supportive start to the school year for our early childhood and lower school students, we begin the school year with a staggered return Students are divided into two smaller groups for their first day of school. This allows teachers to dedicate more individual attention to each child, getting to know them and helping them settle into classroom routines more quickly.

Students on the Wornall Campus are assigned to A or B Group, and each group has a designated first day of school Wornall Campus students from the same family are assigned to the same group. Group A/B assignments are communicated via an email from The Center for Teaching & Learning in early June

Stop-by and Drop Off

On a child's assigned first day, we invite parents to stop by and drop their child off in the classroom between 8:00 and 8:30 am Parents may stay to greet teachers and help their child settle in. We ask that all parents depart by 9 a.m. so that teachers and students may begin their day together

Please Note:

● Early room will not be offered.

● Parents may walk students into their classroom between 8:00 and 8:30 am OR drop off in the carline between 8:10 and 8:30 a.m..

● We kindly ask that all parents depart the classroom by 9:00 am

Arrival and Dismissal Times

Early Room | 7:45 - 8:10 a.m.

Pembroke Hill School offers a complimentary early room option beginning at 7:45 a.m. for lower school families who need before-school childcare Kindergarten through second grade students gather in the Primary Building's McNeely Library, and third through fifth grade students gather in the Intermediate Building's Dickey Library Pembroke Hill faculty and staff provide supervision for the early room on a rotating basis.

School Day | 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Lower school students begin their school day at 8:30 am and end at 3 pm Lower school classes begin their morning meetings and classwork promptly at 8:30 a.m. Arriving late can cause unnecessary stress for your child and result in lost learning time A late arrival can also be disruptive to the classroom learning environment. It is important that families develop morning routines that allow for a prompt arrival each day, ideally by 8:25 am, so students have time to walk to their classrooms and put their belongings away.

All-School Late Start Days | 10 a.m.

- 3 p.m.

There are seven school-wide late start days when class begins at 10 am These days are used to provide professional learning opportunities for all Pembroke Hill faculty and staff. On late start days, carpool begins at 9:40 am Because all faculty and staff will be involved in the school-wide professional learning sessions, we are not able to offer childcare on these dates Students may NOT be dropped off before 9:40 am Late start dates will be announced in the school calendar each year.

Extended Day | 3:10 - 6 p.m.

The Pembroke Hill School offers an Extended Day program to students on the Wornall Campus from 3:10 to 6 p.m., each day. The purpose of this program is to provide a safe, nurturing environment with a wide variety of age-appropriate activities for students

Extended Day includes indoor and outdoor play, the opportunity to complete homework, and other age-appropriate activities Students in kindergarten through fifth grade may enroll in after-school enrichment classes and clubs. These classes are designed to engage students in activities with their peers and include a variety of topics

Multiple types of Extended Day contracts are available in the Parent Portal. Families who wish to use Extended Day on a drop-in basis should contact the auxiliary programs office, as well as the student’s teacher.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures

Locations and Loading Zones*

Wornall Campus has two carline locations and three loading zones.

Carline Locations

● Front Lot | The front lot is accessed from 51st Street It has two separate loading zones - Front Lot Early Childhood Zone and Front Lot Intermediate Building Zone. Vehicles must enter from the eastbound lanes (left turn entry) during arrival and dismissal periods.

● Back Lot | The back lot is accessed from 50th Street. It has a single loading zoneBack Lot Primary Building Zone. Vehicles must enter from the eastbound lanes (right turn entry) and exit into the eastbound lanes (right turn exit) during the arrival and dismissal periods.

*To allow for safe and efficient traffic flow and ensure appropriate levels of adult supervision, families with multiple Wornall Campus students are assigned to a single arrival and dismissal zone.

Loading Zones

● Front Lot - Early Childhood Zone

○ Early childhood (EC) students

○ K-5 students with EC siblings

● Front Lot - Intermediate Building Zone

○ 3-5 students without EC or K-2 siblings

● Back Lot - Primary Building Zone

○ K-2 students without EC siblings

○ 3rd-5th grade students whose youngest sibling is in K-2

General Drop-Off and Pick-Up Safety Rules

For the safety of our students, faculty and staff, all drivers are expected to:

● Obey the driveway speed limit of 5 miles per hour;

● Drive cautiously at all times;

● Follow the directions of our security personnel and faculty/staff;

● Adhere to the designated traffic flow patterns;

● Refrain from using cellphones;

● Load and unload children on the curbside of cars only (passenger side for the back lot and driver’s side for the front lot).and

● Demonstrate patience, respect and courtesy

Morning Arrival Procedures | 8:10 - 8:30 a.m.

Children should be dropped off at the appropriate loading zone (see above). To facilitate a safe and efficient process, families should drop off all siblings at their assigned zone rather than making multiple stops. Parents should remain in their cars. Teachers are on duty at both locations to greet children and assist them as needed Please note that faculty and staff may not secure safety belts. It is important to ensure your child knows how to do this independently

The environment of the hallways and classrooms during “drop off” sets the tone for the rest of the day Teachers need to be available to greet and connect with students Students need the opportunity to develop independence, take responsibility for their belongings, greet friends, and settle into the morning routine To ensure our students and

teachers are able to attend to their responsibilities in a calm, focused environment, students should be dropped off and enter the building independently.

For their safety, students must exit on the curbside of the car (passenger side for the back lot and driver’s side for the front lot). Students may NOT enter or exit a vehicle from the traffic lanes

Do not leave cars unattended in the drop-off zone or park in the fire lane.

Afternoon Dismissal Procedures | 3:10 - 3:25 p.m.

When dismissal is not actively occurring, we must keep our drivelines open and accessible to emergency vehicles and PHS employees traveling between campuses. We also need to minimize the disruption our dismissal process causes on 50th and 51st Streets Therefore, we expect that all Wornall Campus families will adhere to the following policies:

● Name placards are sent home with students on first day of school)

● Attach the placard to your visor so it is easily visible.

● As you enter the carpool lane, flip down your visor Your name placard helps us quickly identify you and have your child(ren) ready as you pull forward.

● All vehicles must enter both the front and back lots from the eastbound lanes

○ Right turn entry for 50th Street

○ Left turn entry for 51st Street

● Vehicles may NOT enter the driveline for dismissal until 3 p.m.

● Vehicles may NOT wait in the traffic lanes on 51st Street prior to the start of dismissal at 3:10 p.m. This is a main thoroughfare and blocking it creates a safety hazard for you and other drivers.

● Beginning at 3 p.m., overflow traffic from the back lot may line up along the curb of 50th Street.

○ Pull as close to the curb as possible to allow thru traffic to pass safely

○ Do NOT block neighbors’ driveways.

Students Who Walk/Bike Home from School

Pembroke Hill must have a parent or guardian’s written permission to release a child to walk or bike from school without their parent or guardian. This permission may be provided via a letter or email and must include specific information about the days on which this will occur (i.e., daily, every Tuesday, etc.). Note: In the case of inclement weather, students are NOT released to walk or bike The parent or guardian must arrange alternative transportation and communicate that plan to the child's homeroom teachers and the administrative assistant in the child’s building

Late Arrival Procedure

If you arrive after the regular drop off times, accompany your child to the front office in the appropriate building (Primary for K-2 and Intermediate for 3-5) Please do NOT go directly to the classroom. To ensure our students safety and accurate attendance records, all students need to check in with the administrative assistant in their building before going to class. To minimize the disruption of a late arrival, students will go to the classroom on their own or with a member of our staff once they are checked in

Early Departure Procedure*

If you need to pick your child up during the school day, please notify your child’s homeroom teachers and the division office in advance, so your child can be ready when you arrive. When you arrive, come to the front office in the appropriate building (Primary for K-2 and Intermediate for 3-5) to pick up your child. Please do NOT go directly to the classroom, playground, etc. For safety reasons, our administrative assistants need to sign students out when they are leaving campus.

*Lower school students will not be dismissed between 2:45 - 3:10 pm If a student needs to leave early for an appointment, they will need to be picked up prior to 2:45 p.m.

School Closures

Scheduled School Closures

Childcare is available (7:45 am - 5:30 pm) for the following dates only *

● Fall Professional Day

● Fall and Spring Parent-Teacher Conference Days

● Thanksgiving Break (only on days when offices are open)

● Winter Break (first two days only)

● Winter Professional Day

● Spring Break (second week only)

Before each childcare day(s) the director of auxiliary programs will send an email with a link where you may sign up for care. Any cancellations made after the deadline stated in the registration email will still be charged for prearranged staffing. Late reservations will incur an additional $20 fee.

Childcare will be available in a building to be determined. Please watch the newsletter for the location. Childcare for full days is from 7:45 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Additionally, if there are less than three children, services will be canceled.

Childcare is not available on these dates, which will be confirmed on the school calendar:

● Labor Day

● The last three days of Thanksgiving Break

● The last day of the semester prior to Winter Break (after dismissal)

● Winter Break (after the first two days of break)

● Martin Luther King Jr. Day

● Presidents’ Day

● The first week of spring break

● Memorial Day

● Late Start Mornings

Late Start Days

There are seven school-wide late start days when class begins at 10 am These days are used to provide professional learning opportunities for all Pembroke Hill faculty and staff. On late start days, carpool begins at 9:40 am Because all faculty and staff will be involved in the school-wide professional learning sessions, we are not able to offer childcare on these dates Late start dates will be announced in the school calendar each year

School Closings Due to Inclement Weather

We hold school whenever possible. While inclement weather conditions can disturb normal school routines, families are even more disrupted when they have to make alternative supervisory arrangements for their children on short notice.

Rather than cancel school or risk driving during early morning traffic when road conditions are at their worst, we may occasionally delay the start of school until 10 a.m.

Announcements concerning school closures are made by 6:15 am Parents receive an email, text message and voicemail about emergency school closures, including delayed starts Please note that during high cell phone use time periods, the receipt of text messages may be delayed. Messages are also placed on the school’s website, www.pembrokehill.org, school portals and social media channels. Parents may call the school’s main number (816-936-1200) to hear a recording. Additionally, announcements are made through local television, radio and news outlets. In the event no announcement is made, school will be in session.

Attendance

Lower school teachers engage their students in rich and meaningful experiences. As they observe and work with the students, they adapt their instruction to meet group and individual needs. Discussion and collaboration enrich the learning experience as students learn from and build off of each other’s contributions The power of these interactions cannot be replicated when a student misses school. Therefore, we expect students to attend school regularly and arrive promptly

While regular attendance is important, your child should NOT attend school when ill. In addition to putting other community members at risk, children are not able to do their best learning when they do not feel well. In case of illness, please follow the absence reporting procedures in this Handbook.

We expect families to prioritize regular attendance and plan travel during scheduled school vacations However, we recognize that extenuating circumstances (ie, weddings, funerals, graduations) may necessitate time away from school. In the case of an anticipated absence, please notify your child’s homeroom teacher and the lower school division head as early as possible. Because lower school teachers continually adapt and adjust instruction to meet students’ needs, it is impossible to anticipate everything your child will miss. While your child’s teachers may provide some work to complete during the absence, your child will have additional work to complete upon return to school and some of the learning experiences your child misses will be impossible to “make up”

The school strongly encourages you to schedule appointments for your child outside of the school day. Even partial day absences result in missed learning opportunities. Regularly occurring appointments that result in repeatedly missing the same instructional periods should be avoided

Reporting Student Absences

It is important for families to keep the school informed when their child will be absent from school

For unanticipated absences (ie, illness, family crisis, etc ) - please email your child’s homeroom teachers (lead and assistant) as well as the administrative assistant for your child’s building by 8:30 am

For anticipated absences - please email your child’s homeroom teachers (lead and assistant) as well as the administrative assistant for your child’s building as soon as you know about the absence. This allows your child’s teachers to prepare appropriately.

Religious Observance

Pembroke Hill is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all students We recognize and respect the diverse religious beliefs and practices within our school community. In accordance with this commitment, the school will make reasonable accommodations for students whose religious observances conflict with scheduled academic requirements.

Students and families are encouraged to notify the division head and their teachers in advance of any religious holidays or observances that may affect attendance, homework due dates, or scheduled assessments Upon timely notification, teachers work with students to make reasonable exceptions for assignments and tests, ensuring that students are not penalized for observing their religious beliefs and have an equitable opportunity to complete missed work or assessments within a mutually agreed-upon timeframe

Homework

In the lower school, we recognize that our students are actively engaged in learning throughout the day and need time for play time, downtime, and family time. However, we also know that homework offers students the opportunity to:

● Study for tests;

● Practice skills;

● Learn time management;

● Learn self-discipline;

● Gain organizational skills;

● Research or expand knowledge base;

● Read for enrichment; and

● Go above and beyond what can be accomplished during the school day

Time Guidelines

As a general rule, teachers should assign no more than 10 minutes X the child’s grade level for homework tasks each night. For example, a second grader should expect no more than 20 minutes of homework (10 X 2), while a fourth grader should expect no more than 40 minutes of homework (10 X 4).

Because each child’s learning process is unique, the exact amount of time spent on homework may vary slightly. However, if your child is consistently spending more than the expected amount of time on homework, please reach out to the teacher so you can work together to determine a solution.

Reading is also an essential part of learning Students are strongly encouraged to make reading a part of their daily routine. This routine may include reading independently, reading to/with an adult and/or being read to by an adult

Student’s Role

The ultimate responsibility for homework lies with the student. Students should write down homework assignments, make sure they understand expectations, take home the necessary materials, complete their homework and return it to school.

While completing homework, students are expected to organize assignments, including reading and studying for tests, and self-regulate the completion of all homework, whether it is written or not Students are also expected to produce quality work -- work that demonstrates understanding of the assignment and is legible, complete, neat, and accurate

Students who desire to use assistive technologies and/or AI-based technologies in the completion of homework should check with teachers before doing so; the use of any such technologies should be disclosed when submitting final work. Submitting work which has been created using AI tools, without prior approval and/or without acknowledging their use, may be considered academic dishonesty. Unless otherwise noted, all work submitted by a student should be their own.

Teacher’s Role

The teacher assumes certain responsibilities to ensure that students transfer knowledge and skills learned in school to solving problems outside of school The teacher should:

● Remind students of the characteristics of quality work;

● State expectations clearly and outline procedures to ensure successful completion of each assignment;

● Help students learn to use their planners to become more organized, independent and proficient;

● Individualize assignments for some students when necessary;

● Communicate with resource teachers to avoid overlap of tests or major projects; and

● Assign homework that is meaningful and purposeful.

Family’s Role

Parents and caregivers’ attitudes about homework and their support in providing the time and place to complete homework assignments greatly affect a child’s success with this ongoing responsibility.

Suggestions for helping your child with homework assignments:

● Read and understand the school’s general homework policy

● Share any concerns you may have about the amount or type of homework assigned with your child’s teachers

● Provide a regular time, suitable study area and the necessary tools (for example: paper, pencils and reference books) for your child to complete homework assignments.

● Strike a reasonable balance among extracurricular activities, leisure activities, family time and time for homework.

● Be available to help with an occasional question and to review completed assignments if asked.

● Be attentive to your child’s use of technology and consider which technologies might be distracting, which technologies might aid their learning, and which technologies may allow them to skip over the work necessary for a true understanding of the material.

● Praise your child’s efforts.

● Remember: It’s your child’s homework, not yours! Direct parental involvement in specific assignments should be kept to a minimum.

Field Experiences and Student Transportation

Extending students’ learning beyond the classroom is an important component of the lower school program. Teachers plan field experiences throughout the year to extend students’ learning, allow students to apply their learning to the “real world” and build a stronger classroom community.

We use buses or school vans to transport the students and teachers on field trips If the destination is nearby (i.e., Loose Park or Country Club Plaza), students and teachers may walk rather than use vehicular transportation.

Details about the date, time and location of the field trip as well as the mode of transportation will be communicated to families in advance Permission slips are NOT necessary for each trip. Rather families give permission to participate in field trips and be transported according to the school’s Student Transportation Policy through the Parent Portal as a part of the enrollment/re-enrollment process. It is each family’s responsibility to ensure these permissions are updated each year.

Some field trips offer the opportunity for volunteer helpers. For safety reasons, only parents or guardians may serve in this role; volunteers may not bring additional children or guests with them. Volunteers are expected to remain fully focused on the children and engaged in the planned activities throughout the trip.

Food and Drinks

Water Bottles

Students should bring a refillable water bottle to school each day Filling stations are available throughout the lower school. Water bottles should contain only water. Other beverages, such as juices, sodas, teas, and sports drinks are not allowed

Daily Snacks

The school provides a daily snack for primary students (K-2). Intermediate students (3-5) enjoy the privilege and responsibility of bringing a snack from home. These snacks must be nut-free and stored in a sealed bag or container. Families should select nutrient-dense snacks that will satisfy the student’s hunger and fuel their child’s body and mind for learning. Examples include fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, cheese,

granola/protein/breakfast bars, sausage or cold cuts, crackers or pretzels Students may NOT bring gum, candy, cookies (or other baked treats), or donuts.

Lunch

Shared mealtime offers an opportunity to build community, develop conversation skills, and expand taste palettes by exploring new food choices. To support a shared mealtime experience, Pembroke Hill provides lunch for all students; students may NOT bring lunches from home. The dining services team makes accommodations to the menu, as needed, for documented food allergies and dietary restrictions Parents must inform the school of any food allergies or dietary restrictions and provide additional documentation as required via the Meal Modification form in Magnus Health Once this form is complete, the dining services team and school nurse determine appropriate accommodations and may seek additional information from a parent or guardian Please note that changes to the menu items cannot be made for food preferences. The dining services team designs menus that offer a variety of options and appeal to varying tastes Students with limited food preferences are encouraged to explore new foods and expand their palettes.

Special Celebrations

Due to the prevalence of food allergies, dietary restrictions, and family preferences, we strive to minimize celebrations that involve food. Treats for celebrations, such as classroom parties, should be coordinated with and approved by your child’s homeroom teacher in advance. All food brought to school must be nut free.

Lost and Found

Please clearly label all clothing and belongings with your child's first and last name. Items with names can easily be returned to the student Items without names will be delivered to one of three lower school lost and found areas located inDeramus Field House, the Primary Building, and the Intermediate Building Families are encouraged to check the lost and found areas regularly. Unclaimed items are donated to charity at the end of each trimester

Security and Safety

We take our responsibility concerning your child's safety very seriously

● All the doors to our building are locked except at drop-off and pick-up times, when security is present

● All visitors must check in at the school office.

● All our employees are screened through the Missouri Family Child Care Registry and our human resources department also runs a background check upon hire.

● Faculty members have a cell phone with them whenever they are out of the building with children.

● All employees have identification cards with emergency phone numbers on them

● Anyone picking up a child who is not part of the immediate family or pick-up routine must be listed on your child’s emergency sheet and have a photo ID.

● The school has a transportation policy that requires parental permission for students to be transported by bus to school-sponsored events.

● Security officers are available on both campuses A security officer is in the driveway/parking lot area during drop-off and pick-up times.

● Faculty/staff greet students as they arrive at drop-off and supervise them at pick-up time.

Student Release

Students are not to anyone other than a parent/guardian without the parent/guardian’s written permission. Parents should notify their child’s teacher and the administrative assistant in the child’s building if someone other than a parent/guardian is picking the child up from school. That individual should be prepared to show identification, if asked, when picking up the student..

If you need to pick your child up during the school day, please be sure to allow plenty of time and sign your child out with the appropriate administrative assistant (Primary Building for K-2 and Intermediate Building for 3-5).

Visiting Campus

The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority To this end, it is important that we know who is on campus and in our buildings at all times. Visitors, including students’ family members, are expected to sign in and out with the administrative assistant when entering and leaving a building. Even when just popping in to drop something off, parents should check in with the front office of the building when they arrive.

Crisis Plan

The school has a comprehensive crisis plan that is put into effect in the case of a crisis. If it is necessary to evacuate the campus, the school follows this agreed upon plan. Please know that the primary contact information provided by the parents is vital. Parents should check the Parent Portal regularly to ensure that their contact information remains current.

Safety Drills

Safety drills are scheduled monthly at various times of the day. Parents are encouraged to practice fire and tornado drills at home. Your child may come home and discuss the drills with you If you have concerns or questions about drills, please contact the division head Evacuation routes are posted in each classroom for fire and tornado drills.

Weapons

No student or visitor to campus or school-sponsored functions, regardless of whether the function is occurring on or off of campus, may possess, transport, display, offer for sale, barter, use, threaten to use or exchange any gun, bomb, knife, mace or other dangerous weapon, or any object that might have a reasonable “look-alike” resemblance to a dangerous weapon A dangerous weapon may be defined as any object that may cause a serious injury or fatal wound. The School has the sole authority to determine whether it considers an object to be a dangerous weapon

This policy does not apply to uniformed members of law enforcement who may carry a visible weapon.

Violations of this policy will result in discipline consequences and could include notification of the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department and permanent separation.

Health Safety and Supplemental Student Insurance

Accidents

If your child sustains an injury at school, the supervising teacher will complete an accident report which includes details of the accident and the first aid/care your child received All accident reports are kept on file at the School.

Minor injuries, such as scraped knees, occur frequently in a school environment. For these minor situations, the supervising teacher will help your child clean the scrape and apply a band aid They may also offer an ice pack to a student For anything beyond a minor scrape or bump (including any injury to the head no matter how minor), students are assessed and treated by the school nurse If the nurse feels additional medical attention is needed, they contact a parent or guardian. If emergency medical services are necessary, the school contacts 911 as well as the parent or guardian

For any injury that necessitates a visit to the school nurse, the student’s parent or guardian receives an email notification from Magnus Health directing them to a treatment note. If the injury is such that the student’s condition may worsen and/or needs monitoring, the school nurse will also call the student’s parent or guardian to discuss next steps and provide directions for home care/monitoring. Any injury that involves the head (including facial injuries) results in a call to the student’s parent or guardian

Supplemental Student Insurance

A supplemental student accident insurance policy is provided to assist families with out-of-pocket expenses resulting from an injury at school or at official school events. The policy is structured to cover expenses after existing insurance policies have responded. When an injury occurs that is likely to result in the family seeking medical treatment (i.e. emergency room or doctor’s visit), a claim form is sent along with a copy of the student accident report. Claims need to be filed directly with the policy administrator within 90 days of the injury Please contact your Division Head’s office if you do not receive a claim form for an injury that requires professional medical treatment. If you have questions about the policy itself, please contact our chief financial officer

Outdoor Play Policy

Students should come to school dressed for changes in the weather. All students are expected to participate in recess Generally, if a child is too sick to go outside for recess, the child is too sick to be in school. There will be occasional exceptions to this rule, but it is a reasonable guideline There will be no outdoor recess when:

● The temperature is 15 degrees Fahrenheit or below;

● The wind chill index is below zero; or

● There is significant falling moisture.

● There is an extreme heat index as identified by the National Weather Service

Code of Conduct and Philosophy of Student Discipline

PHS Code of Conduct

As members of the Pembroke Hill School community, we desire to promote an environment in which all individuals can realize their greatest potential To achieve this goal, we expect students to learn about, recognize and work to uphold the essential values of respect, compassion and integrity We should always act in accordance with these guiding values:

● Be honest in their behavior;

● Abide by all school rules;

● Respect the property of others, including the school’s property;

● Use classroom technology appropriately and in alignment with school values; and

● Treat other members of the school community with civility and respect, and avoid actions that are hurtful to others.

Never permissible are bullying, hazing, discrimination, harassment, academic dishonesty, stealing, destruction/defacing of property, use of inappropriate language, possession of a dangerous weapon, threats of violence, violence or any behavior not in accordance with the school’s mission or core values.

A student’s actions outside school that exhibit a propensity or possibility of danger or harm to the members of the school community, the community at large, school property or educational activities and/or which result in serious damage to the reputation of the school are a breach of contract between the family and the school. In such instances, the division head and the head of school determines whether to take action that could result in disciplinary consequences, including, but not limited to, temporary separation or permanent separation.

Students are expected to learn to follow these guidelines and to learn how to engage in behavior that is consistent with the school’s motto of Freedom With Responsibility. Students should also recognize that there are other rules necessary for the effective functioning of this community.

Philosophy of Student Discipline

Pembroke Hill’s discipline philosophy for students is a developmental process. As an educational institution, we view discipline as a teaching and learning opportunity with a focus on restoring any harm caused As our students progress from early years through senior year, we model our core values and provide intentional instruction regarding the behavioral expectations of our community Our students' ability to demonstrate the expectations independently grows over time. In general, we engage students in conversation, apply natural and/or logical consequences, and encourage both reflection and restoration.

This section is intended to provide a general guideline of PHS’ behavior expectations of its students, outlining conduct that is considered outside the scope of acceptable behavior as a member of the community. It is important to remember that the below list of inappropriate conduct should in no way be considered an exhaustive list of the

conduct which may result in disciplinary consequences

No list is or can be comprehensive; it is possible that a student may act or behave in a manner that is not included in the policies below, yet still disrupts the school community

Further still, students and families should understand that conduct which is inconsistent with the School’s expectations for students as outlined in other sections of this Handbook may similarly result in disciplinary consequences.

In addition to violating explicit school policies, and at the sole and exclusive discretion of the school, a student may be disciplined for engaging in conduct (a) deemed to be detrimental to the school or its mission; (b) which is inconsistent with the School’s values; or (c) which is harmful to themselves or other members of the school community For the avoidance of doubt, even in situations in which there is no finding that a policy violation has occurred, the School may impose behavioral consequences and requirements as a means of educating the student to understand the impact of their behavior, language, or actions.

When a student’s behavior causes harm (physical, mental or emotional) and/or significantly disrupts the learning environment, we are compelled to consider the safety of our community and take appropriate action. While we value families as partners in their child’s education, the school plays the primary decision-making role in all disciplinary matters. In recommending or determining disciplinary action, the administration may consider the student’s present demeanor and past disciplinary record, the nature of the infraction, the severity of any damage, injury or harm resulting therefrom, while taking into account the best interest of the school. If deemed appropriate, the administration may choose to impose one or more of the following actions that are applied with a restorative lens:

● Conversations

● Reflection

● Restorative acts (eg, apology, service to others, etc )

● Loss of privileges

● A probationary period

● Required additional services outside of the school (e.g., counseling or evaluation)

● Contract hold or non-renewal of contract

● Other action determined appropriate by the school

● Temporary removal from the classroom or the school community

● Permanent separation from the school community

The School respects the privacy of its individual students and, for that reason, treats disciplinary matters as confidential. Confidentiality balances our commitment to helping individuals learn from their mistakes, because we are educators above all else, and promoting a culture of open and timely discussion of important and challenging topics.

Bullying

The Pembroke Hill lower school seeks to provide and maintain a community marked by compassion and respect. The bullying policy set forth is designed to fairly and effectively address bullying and retaliation.

This plan is intended (1) to create an inclusive environment for all students; (2) to reduce bullying among our students; (3) to encourage students and their parents to come forward promptly whenever a student is subject to conduct that is prohibited by this or any other school policy; and (4) to implement appropriate discipline and other corrective measures when they are found to be warranted.

General Policy Against Bullying

Bullying in any shape or form (verbal, physical, electronic, etc.) at Pembroke Hill is prohibited on any school grounds and at school-sponsored events, activities, functions and programs. This prohibition also extends beyond the campus, online and offline, particularly if off-campus behavior disrupts the daily educational process within the school community.

What Constitutes Bullying

A person is bullied when they are exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons, and they have difficulty defending themself. This action:

● Causes physical or emotional harm to the targeted student or damage to the targeted student’s property;

● Places the targeted student in reasonable fear of themself, or of damage to his or her property;

● Creates a distracting, antagonistic environment at school for the targeted student;

● Infringes on the rights of the targeted student at school; and

● Materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of the school.

Hazing

Hazing refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (eg, athletic team, co-curricular or extra-curricular activity, student publication), grade, or the school itself or expected of someone to maintain any status in a group, grade, or the school that: (1) humiliates, (2) degrades, or (3) risks emotional and/or physical harm or embarrassment to the individual or the PHS community, regardless of the person's willingness to participate and regardless of its intended result or effect.

Discrimination and Harassment

Harassment as a form of unlawful discrimination means any conduct that is based on a protected characteristic, that is so severe or pervasive and that has the purpose or effect of: (a) creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment; (b) interfering unreasonably with a student’s academic performance; or (c) creating a situation in which academic decisions of a student depend on the student submitting to and/or not objecting to the behavior. Protected characteristics include race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, religion, and any other status protected by law. Inappropriate comments or jokes about any of the protected characteristics listed above are never permissible.

Harassment includes sexual harassment, which is harassment that is based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Examples of behavior that may constitute sexual harassment include (regardless of whether the intent or consequence of such behavior is

to make the target feel uncomfortable): (a) offensive body language (staring and/or leering at a person’s body or standing/brushing too close); (b) offensive or unwanted sexual comments, abuse, jokes, insults, delivered orally or in writing; (c) derogatory or pornographic posters, cartoons or drawings; (d) pressure for sexual activity (such as hazing or threats as well as repeated requests after rejections); (e) offering favors or benefits in exchange for sexual acts, or threatening mistreatment if one does not engage in sexual acts; and (f) offensive or unwelcome physical advances (including kissing, hugging, pinching, grabbing, groping, “playful” slapping, etc.).

Academic Integrity

According to our school’s Code of Conduct, students are expected to act with integrity. This includes integrity and honesty in all areas and in all work presented as one’s own. Academic dishonesty encompasses a number of behaviors. For example, academic dishonesty can take the form of giving, receiving, or attempting to give or receive unauthorized help on an assignment that could result in an unfair advantage. This can occur through the use of unauthorized tools such as smart phones, watches or other technological devices, bringing study aids into a testing environment whether or not they are used, giving or receiving information about a test or quiz, or violating a teacher’s test rules or procedures.

Similarly, having others prepare work that is expected to be the student’s own, copying another student’s work, submitting work that includes the words and/or the ideas of a person giving help to the student, and fabrication of information or citation also constitute academic dishonesty. In addition, submitting work in which a student has used artificial intelligence tools, without proper attribution, is another form of academic dishonesty.

Plagiarism is also a form of academic dishonesty Plagiarism is the representation of the words, ideas, compositions, or images of another person or source as one’s own. Students are expected to provide acknowledgment of material that is not their own with a proper citation.

Stealing

Students are not permitted to take something that does not belong to them and without permission. A student suspected of theft may be subject to a search of a locker, backpack, or other personal belongings

Destruction of Property

Students cannot deface or destroy private or public property in school, on school grounds, or at a school-sponsored activity

Violence

Fighting, physical violence, or any threat of physical violence is strictly prohibited as is any kind of rough-housing that demeans another member of the community or puts a community member at risk of harm or injury.

Unauthorized Photos, Videos or Recording

Taking photos or recording (video or audio) faculty, staff, or students without their expressed permission is forbidden.

Weapons

No student or visitor to campus or school-sponsored functions regardless whether the function is occurring on or off of campus, may possess, transport, display, offer for sale, barter, use, threaten to use or exchange any gun, bomb, knife or other dangerous weapon, or any object that might have a reasonable “look-alike” resemblance to a dangerous weapon. A dangerous weapon may be defined as any object that may cause a serious injury or fatal wound. The School has the sole authority to determine whether it considers an object to be a dangerous weapon. This policy does not apply to uniformed members of law enforcement who may carry a visible weapon.

Violations of this policy will result in discipline consequences and could include notification of the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and expulsion.

Inappropriate Language

Abusive, foul, threatening or harassing language is an inappropriate way to communicate with others. Hate speech is any form of expression through which an individual intends to vilify, humiliate, or incite hatred against a group or a class of persons on the basis of race, religion, sexual identity, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, or national origin, or another category protected by law Hate speech can include the use of song lyrics, gestures, or symbols of any kind meant to denigrate an individual or group and will not be tolerated.

Retaliation

Retaliation means any adverse action taken against a person for raising a concern about a violation of this Handbook or because of their participation in the administration’s response to a concern Encouraging another to engage in such conduct may also be retaliation. Retaliation will be treated as a separate handbook violation.

Every member of our community (including parents/guardians) should recognize that discussing or criticizing a person’s decision to report what they believed, in good faith, was a violation of the policies established by the School even in circumstances where it is determined that no Handbook violation occurred may have the purpose or effect (unintended or intended) of retaliating against the person who came forward, harming the reputation of those involved, and/or discouraging others from reporting concerns.

Reporting Violations of the Code of Conduct

If a student believes they have experienced misconduct, have witnessed such behavior, are concerned about retaliation, or have relevant information about prohibited conduct, the student is urged to report the matter promptly to a teacher, the Division Head, or to an administrator or faculty member with whom the student feels comfortable. If a student is uncomfortable contacting a trusted adult alone, the student may ask an advisor, another adult, or a classmate to help.

Parents or guardians who have relevant information concerning prohibited conduct are urged to immediately notify the Division Head.

When student misconduct is reported, promises of confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, as it is far more difficult to determine the facts of what occurred if complaints are made anonymously

Any report that provides sufficient information about a possible incident of misconduct will result in follow-up. If the information provided in the report is insufficient to allow for meaningful and productive follow-up, an attempt will be made to learn more Generally, follow-up will include inquiry or investigation, followed by fact-finding and a decision about consequences. Throughout, PHS’ goals are to ensure a safe and supportive school environment, to prevent repetition of misconduct, and to support all students involved.

The Head of School, or someone designated by the Head of School, will conduct an impartial investigation. This may be another administrator or it may be an impartial third party. The investigation may include, but is not limited to, interviews with the complainant(s), respondent(s), reporting person(s), and any other persons who may have relevant information, including faculty, staff, and students’ parents/guardians. Investigations will be as prompt and thorough as possible. Students are required to participate in any investigation, when requested.

In keeping with the School’s values and guiding principles, investigators are committed to working with students and others in a respectful, compassionate manner. Every effort is made to ensure the process is non-threatening and that it provides the student the opportunity to look critically at their own actions in a manner that allows for growth and increased awareness Throughout an investigation, efforts will be made to keep all parties informed, to the extent that confidentiality, impartiality and the integrity of the investigation will allow

The school releases information concerning complaints of misconduct and the disciplinary action taken only on a legitimate, need-to-know basis

Dress Code

Pembroke Hill School believes that standards of neatness and appropriateness in clothing encourage an atmosphere that is conducive to learning, working and discipline. Student dress should reflect the school’s core values of respect, compassion, scholarship and integrity.

The aim of the lower school dress code is to create an inclusive, accepting and reasonably informal atmosphere in which students feel comfortable to express individuality.

Lower school students should dress in clothing that allows them to participate fully, safely, and comfortably in school day activities Clothing should be in good repair and fully cover private body areas, including during active play and movement. Clothing may not display any words, pictures or designs that are violent, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate for an elementary school environment.

Footwear must allow children to run, jump and play safely. Athletic shoes are best for this purpose. If children wear non-athletic shoes, they must have rubber-soles, flat heels and be closed at the toe and heel. Athletic shoes are necessary for physical education class.

Hats, hoods and other headwear are not permitted inside school buildings except for religious or medical reasons. Students may wear hats and hoods during outdoor activities as long as their faces are not obscured.

Students should come to school dressed for changes in the weather Recess is held outdoors unless:

● The temperature is 15 degrees Fahrenheit or below;

● The wind chill index is below zero; or

● There is significant falling moisture

● There is an extreme heat index as identified by the National Weather Service.

Technology

Pembroke Hill's intent is to make Internet access available to further its educational goals and objectives PHS does not have control of the information on the Internet Certain sites have been blocked, but we realize it is impossible to limit access to all potentially objectionable material Pembroke Hill believes that the benefits to educators and students having access to the Internet far exceed any disadvantages of inappropriate use. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the student to use technology and the Internet in an acceptable and ethical manner.

The use of the technology and Internet at school is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use results in disciplinary action Any unauthorized use that includes, but is not limited to, hacking of the PHS computer network, the school's servers, computers or others' files are viewed as a major violation of privacy and result in disciplinary action

It is suggested that students accessing or using web products and technology for assignments keep personal information out of their postings.

Students are not permitted to log into the network or web tool accounts as another person, including classmates

It is expected that students using web tools and technology view them as an extension of the classroom space and conduct themselves as they would in the classroom. Using web or digital tools for speech that is inappropriate, harasses or discriminates against others is not appropriate. Students are expected to abide by policies and procedures in the Student Handbook, including those policies regarding plagiarism and general conduct

Basic artificial intelligence tools like Grammarly and Google Translate as well as generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude may not be used for school work unless otherwise specified by teachers

Information stored in school-issued accounts should have no assumption of privacy. Information in these accounts will only be viewed when a concern of acceptable use is determined by school administrators

Technology Acceptable Use Policy for School Issued Devices and Software

Wornall Campus Technology Acceptable Use Policy Guidelines

● Technology devices issued to students by the school should be used for educational purposes only.

● Students are solely responsible for the care and safekeeping of any technology devices issued to them. If damage or loss occurs, students should immediately report the situation to the homeroom teacher Students are not permitted to repair, modify or replace technology devices. All iPads are covered by insurance, which covers accidental damage or theft; In the case of theft, a police report is required for the device to be replaced at no cost; however, parents are responsible for any intentional damage or loss other than theft.

● The School reserves the right to monitor/access electronic activity, communication and data on, or generated from, school issued technology. Under some circumstances, these items may be subject to disclosure in legal situations. School personnel may inspect and/or confiscate any school issued device without prior notice. Note that deletion of messages or files may not fully eliminate the data from the system.

● Any viewing, sharing, or transmission of material containing inappropriate content, offensive language, derogatory rumors/gossip, or other content not in keeping with Pembroke Hill School’s handbooks are prohibited

● Student issued devices, cases, chargers, and other accessories are the property of the Pembroke Hill School, and students are expected to return all school issued items at the end of the school year. If a student withdraws from Pembroke Hill or leaves the school, all school issued items are to be returned to the technology department. Parents will be billed for any technology items not returned at full replacement cost

● If an iPad is broken, or lost, the school will try to recover all data on the iPad, although the school cannot guarantee data will be recoverable It is the responsibility of the student to backup and maintain storage on the iPad via iCloud and Google Drive in case a restore is needed

● While on campus, internet provided by Pembroke Hill School is filtered for inappropriate content When devices are off campus it is our recommendation to only allow use on a secure filtered internet connection. Pembroke Hill is not responsible for providing filtered internet access off campus

● Students at Pembroke Hill School are assigned a license to use Google Applications which consist of but not limited to the following: Docs, Sheets, Slides, Photos, Maps, and Google Earth. By signing this acceptable use policy, the student’s parent/guardian gives consent for their student to access these applications and services.

Additional Student Responsibilities

● The student will charge the electronic device regularly so it is usable for a full day of school

● The student will know his/her password and any other usernames and passwords associated with the school technology

● The student will turn off all notifications and sounds.

Cell Phones and Other Personal Electronic Devices

Purpose:

Our cell phone policy is intended to foster an environment of personal engagement, social connection, and academic focus within the Pembroke Hill community. This policy gives students the freedom to be fully present and engaged in their learning environment, encouraging face-to-face interactions, and limiting distractions.

Policy Overview:

● Cell phones should be turned off and must be stored in a Yondr pouch when students arrive at school. Cell phones are to remain in the locked Yondr pouch throughout the school day until dismissal

● Cell phones, and any other audio devices connected to personal technology (including headphones and earbuds), are prohibited during school hours in all school spaces, including: restrooms, locker rooms, hallways, the library, the dining hall, the Commons, and during gatherings such as assemblies, morning meetings, etc.

● Electronics, including, but not limited to, phones, cameras, computers, and tablets (including school-issued devices) are not permitted in the dining hall, in restrooms, or in locker rooms at any time for any reason.

● Under no circumstances may a student, faculty member, or staff person be video recorded, audio recorded, or photographed without the express permission of the individual Students are only allowed to record and/or photograph under the direction of a teacher as it relates to an assignment. Furthermore, recordings and photographs taken for class are the property of the school and should only be used for school-related projects. Any misuse of video, audio, or photography will result in disciplinary action

● Our dining hall is a technology-free space during lunch periods. Computers, tablets and other technology (including school-issued devices) are not allowed in the dining hall during lunch.

● Students participating in after-school activities, sports practices or other extracurriculars may unlock their Yondr pouches at dismissal and are then permitted to use their cell phones and other personal electronic devices Early room (lower school), dismissal (lower school), extended day (lower and middle school), and extracurricular activities (lower and middle school) will continue to be cell-phone free spaces. If electronics are in a student's backpack after school hours and the student is using a locker room or restroom, electronic devices should remain in their backpack and should never be used in spaces that require personal privacy.

School-Issued Technology:

School-issued computers, iPads, Chromebooks and other electronic devices should only be used for school-related activities. These devices are provided as part of the educational process and are not to be used for personal browsing, games, or personal communication. Any misuse of school-issued devices will result in disciplinary action.

Each student in the upper school and middle school will be issued an individual Yondr pouch. The pouches will be treated the same as other school-issued devices. If the pouch

is lost or damaged, the replacement cost will fall to the student and their family

Replacement costs for lost or damaged pouches will be $40.

Smartwatches and Other Personal Electronics:

Consistent with the cell phone policy, smartwatches (including Apple Watches) and any other personal electronic devices are not allowed during the school day. We encourage students not to bring these devices to school If they are worn or brought to school, they must be removed and stored in the Yondr pouch during the school day. If these items do not fit in the Yondr pouch, they should be turned off and stored in the student’s locker

Special Considerations:

Medical Usage: The administration will consider individual exceptions to our cell phone policy on a case-by-case basis for medical or other circumstances that require the use of electronics during the school day. In some cases, a velcro Yondr pouch will be issued. A meeting with the family, student and division head will be required prior to approval of any exception.

Consequences for Non-Compliance:

If a student’s cell phone is outside of their Yondr bag and/or a student is found to be using a phone or other personal electronic device during the school day:

● First offense: The device will be placed in the division school office for the remainder of the day. Their parent or guardian will be notified and expected to retrieve the device after school.

● Second offense: The device will be placed in the school office for the remainder of the day. In order to retrieve the device, a parent or guardian will be required to come to the office to collect the device The student will need to check their device(s) into the office for five school days. If a student fails to deliver their device to the office, the five day period will reset to day zero

● Third or more offenses: A meeting between the student, their parent or guardian, and division administration will be required to explore the reasons behind this behavior pattern and establish strategies for improvement. More serious consequences will be determined by the administration based on the code of conduct.

Communication During the School Day:

We recognize that parents/guardians and students may need to communicate during school hours. For upper and middle school students, please use their Pembroke Hill email as the first option

In addition, we will assist you in communicating with your student when needed Likewise, if a student needs to communicate with you in a timely manner, we have phones located in all classrooms and in the school office for student use

We ask that parents/guardians partner with us by limiting communication during the school day and being mindful of the frequency and timing of their communication, understanding that students may not respond immediately

For all divisions, you can communicate with your student during the school day by contacting the following:

● Upper school office | 816 936 1403

● Middle school office | 816 936 1502

● Lower school office | 816 936 1302

● Early childhood school office | 816 936 1372

Other useful numbers if you need immediate assistance contacting your student:

Division Heads

● Upper school division head | Mike Hill | 816 936 1401

● Middle school division head | Brian Bartelli | 816 936 1501

● Lower school division head | Karen Boyle | 816 936 1301

● Early childhood school division head | Sherri Danyali | 816 936 1241

Division Counselors:

● Upper school counselor | Aja Pence | 816 936 1414 and Kelsey Polk | 816 936 1550

● Middle school counselor | Whitney Kauffman | 816 936 1526

● Lower school counselor | Beth Walker | 816 936 1305

● Early childhood school counselor | Lindsay Kobolt | 816 936 1320

Urgent Communication Needs:

For urgent situations when a student needs to speak privately with a parent, caregiver, or trusted adult, each division has designated places for students to go. At these locations, faculty and staff will allow the students to unlock their Yondr pouches and use their cell phones to contact adults. These events should be limited to urgent and private situations.

Policy Summary:

This policy seeks to create an environment conducive to learning, social interaction, and overall well-being. By implementing clear guidelines regarding cell phone usage during school hours, we aim to empower our students to be present, engaged, and fully immersed in their educational journey. We believe this policy will contribute to a more enriching and fulfilling educational experience for all members of our community. Thank you for your partnership.

Parents Association and Lower School Parent Council

Parents Association

The purpose of the Pembroke Hill Parents Association is to foster a sense of community within our school in which all families are encouraged to engage, connect and support each other

All parents who have a student enrolled at PHS automatically become members of the Parents Association. Membership dues are included as part of tuition and fees and go toward benefitting all students and families at PHS Parents of Pembroke Hill students of all ages are encouraged to become involved in the school by volunteering through Parents Association committees and activities Please visit the Parents Association tab on the parent portal for more information. Additionally, you may contact our director of parent programs with any questions

Lower School Parent Council

The PHS Parents Association sponsors the council, whose primary mission is to support the lower school by:

● Recruiting and supporting parent volunteers to serve as officers for the council

● Recruiting and supporting parent volunteers to serve as grade parents from every grade Grade parents help with:

o New family hospitality

o Class parties

o Communicating with their grade on a regular basis regarding happenings at the school.

● Recruiting and supporting parent volunteers to serve as representatives in the four standing committees of the Parents Association:

o Raider Arts Council

o Parents Inclusion Council

o Raider Club

● Recruiting and supporting parent coordinators for Wonderful Wednesdays for teachers

The council members meet four times a year and attend division coffees during the school year

● Meeting dates are posted on the parent portal under the Parents Association tab.

● All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend the division coffees Dates are posted on the school calendar.

Family Involvement

We value the partnership between home and school and enjoy having our families participate actively on campus. For the safety of our entire community, all visitors should check in with the administrative assistant in the front office of the Primary Building or Intermediate Building.

We expect that all visitors will contribute positively to the learning environment and avoid causing any disruptions. This includes catching your child’s teacher for a “quick conversation” during the school day. Our faculty are always more than happy to schedule a conversation with you for a time when they can give you their undivided attention.

Our families have a wealth of knowledge, skills and personal experiences, and we love when you share these with our students. Please contact your child’s teacher or the lower school division head if you have a topic or area of interest/expertise that you would like to share with our students. Other opportunities to participate in your child’s classroom experience, such as being a Mystery Reader or helping with a special project, will be communicated by the classroom teachers.

Involvement in, and support of, school programs strengthens the entire curriculum and school community. There are many opportunities to volunteer in our classrooms and special programs, including both one-time and ongoing commitments. Please contact the director of parent programs for more information

Lunch Visits

During the year, each student may have one special "lunch date" with up to two guests. Whenever possible, we encourage you to plan this visit for your child's birthday, or in the case of a summer birthday, your child's half birthday. We recognize that not all parents are available to come for lunch on their child's actual birthday or half-birthday In that case, parents/guardians may choose a different day throughout the year.

So that teachers can adjust table assignments to ensure there is enough seating, please email your child's homeroom teachers (both lead and assistant) to coordinate your lunch visit at least two days in advance, even if you are joining us on your child's actual birthday.

Also, remember to sign in before heading to the dining hall.

Finally, we recognize there are a variety of family structures within our school community. If you have special circumstances that may necessitate an additional guest or two separate visits, please contact the lower school division head so we can support your family's needs for this special experience

Communication

We are dedicated to open and honest communication with our families and students and we want to be sure our families understand the best way to deal with a problem or concern. It is important to us to hear from parents regularly. If parents have questions or concerns about our program, they should not hesitate to contact their child’s teacher or division head.

If they do not feel the conflict has been resolved after speaking with their child’s teacher, then parents should bring the issue to the division head. If they still cannot resolve the problem, they may discuss it with the associate head of school or the head of school. Please understand that the school honors this organizational flow, and parents will be sent to the appropriate person.

Communication Philosophy and Expectations

Pembroke Hill School values the home school relationship, and therefore, strives to maintain open, effective communication with our families. Our faculty and staff work diligently to keep families informed about classroom activities as well as students’ progress. We believe in a proactive, “no surprises” approach to communication.

Families are likewise encouraged to communicate regularly with the school. In keeping with our promise that “Pembroke Hill is a place where every child is known, cared for and valued,” it is helpful for families to keep their child’s teachers informed of any circumstances that may affect their child’s physical or emotional wellbeing or their ability to focus on learning during the school day Examples include chronic illness, loss of a pet or loved one, stress or changes in family life, sleep difficulties, etc. Any information shared is kept confidential and shared only on a need to know basis with the family’s permission

Messages of gratitude and positive feedback are always appreciated by our faculty and staff Teachers treasure handwritten notes from students and their families, and often keep them for many years. Families are encouraged to remember our staff who support

their children “behind the scenes” as well, such as the members of our dining, facilities and grounds teams, and our administrative staff in development, communication, admissions and the business office

While email and text messages can provide an effective way to communicate straightforward, logistical questions and information, they are not effective ways to discuss significant questions or concerns There is too much chance of unintentional miscommunication. We value our relationships with you and your child too much to take this chance. It is important that we understand one another clearly, particularly when addressing a question or concern. Additionally, we want to make sure that we can give you the undivided attention you and your child deserve. Therefore, we ask that you schedule a meeting (virtual or in person) or phone conversation to discuss any significant questions or concerns Please understand that if you communicate a significant question or concern in an email, text or “while I see you” conversation, we will respond with an invitation to schedule a time. Again, we want to ensure we are giving you the time and attention you deserve and that we are communicating clearly.

Methods of Communication

Parent Newsletters | Divisional Family Updates

The school publishes a bi-weekly family newsletter to share important schoolwide news and updates regarding general happenings within the school and division On the alternating weeks, each division sends a Family Update with division-specific information, news and updates These updates are shared via email, typically on Fridays

Grade-level and Classroom Newsletters

Homeroom teachers send regular updates (typically weekly) to families with grade-level and classroom information, news, and updates These are sent via email and often include important announcements about field trips and other special events, which will not be communicated elsewhere Please be sure to read all classroom communications promptly and thoroughly.

Seesaw and Schoology

Pembroke Hill School uses Seesaw (EC & LS) and Schoology (5th-12th) as its learning management systems. Recognizing the importance of limiting screentime, we are intentional about our use of technology as a teaching and learning tool Lower school teachers use Seesaw for occasional student independent practice or formative assessments and, most often, as a tool to share student work with families Intermediate students, specifically fifth graders, use Schoology more frequently as they prepare to transition to middle school Teachers will communicate their expectations regarding students’ use of Seesaw and/or Schoology in their classroom communications. If you need assistance logging into Seesaw or Schoology parent accounts, please contact the Pembroke Hill Helpdesk at helpdesk@pembrokehill.org or by calling 816.936.1234.

Telephone Calls/Messages

All staff members have classroom phones and voicemail. Parents may contact the teacher by their direct line, through the administrative assistant or the main school number. If they are unavailable to speak, please leave a message and they will return the call as soon

as possible Teachers are generally not able to answer phones during the school day due to teaching responsibilities. If your call is urgent in nature, please call the divisional office.

Website and Parent Portal

Our website and Parent Portal are the main information outlets for the school You will find school events, athletic events and general information about the school on the website In the Parent Portal, accessed through the website, parents will find class information, the parent and student directory, school forms and more.

Family Conferences

In the fall and spring, our students have the day off school to allow for formal conferences. Each family has a scheduled conference with their child’s homeroom teacher to discuss the child’s progress and goals. Parents/guardians may also schedule conferences with a resource teacher or their child’s learning specialist, the lower school counselor or the division head during this time, if they desire.

While there are no other times set aside in the school calendar for formal conferences, either a parent/guardian or teacher may schedule an additional meeting whenever necessary

Arrival and dismissal, field trips, class parties and other events are not the appropriate times for conferencing with teachers They are unable to give the conversation thoughtful and undivided attention during those times, which may result in miscommunication and unnecessary misunderstandings

Progress Reports

Progress reports are issued at the end of each trimester in the lower school. Our faculty dedicate significant time and careful thought to these reports. Teachers provide feedback on student’s progress toward grade level benchmarks with the indicators of proficient (P), developing skills (D) or requires support (R).

Families access their child’s report cards through their portal on the school’s website The dates on which they are posted vary slightly from year to year and are communicated each trimester in the Lower School Family Update

Current Family Contact Information

Parents and guardians are expected to keep the School informed of contact information for emergency situations, and should keep the School informed of any necessary changes to contact information. Parents should update their information in the Parent Portal as necessary

Parents Out-Of-Town

When parents are out-of-town, the school should be notified in writing of the dates, the name and telephone number of the adult responsible for the child during the parents’ absences. Please give appropriate emergency phone numbers to the building administrative assistant and homeroom teacher.

Multiple Households and Custody Orders

The School does not seek to become involved in parental disputes However, in order for the School to communicate most effectively with parents and support each student, teachers and administrators must be aware of any court-ordered guidelines regarding primary households, visitations, picking up a student from school, parent involvement in field trips, or other such similar issues.

Parents are responsible for informing the School of any living, custody, or financial arrangements that may affect the student’s enrollment or experience at PHS. Custody orders or settlement agreements should be provided to the appropriate Division Head, with clear instructions for the School regarding how to carry out the court’s orders. While PHS endeavors to comply with court-ordered living, custody, and financial arrangements to minimize disruption to students’ educational experiences, the School cannot do so without clear instructions from parents.

Parent Comportment and Support for School Policies

At PHS, we believe that a positive relationship between the School and a student’s parents or guardians is essential to the fulfillment of the School’s mission We recognize that effective relationships are characterized by clearly defined responsibilities, a shared commitment to collaboration, open lines of communication, mutual respect, and a common vision of the goals to be achieved.

PHS may dismiss a student whose parent, guardian, family member, or other adult involved with the School by virtue of their relationship with the student fails to comply with policies or procedures of the School; engages in conduct, either on or off the School’s property, that could undermine the authority of the School’s Administration; and/or otherwise behaves in a manner that is unbecoming of a member of the School community Similarly, the School may refuse re-enrollment of a student if the School believes the actions of a parent, guardian, family member, or other affiliated individual, on or off the School’s property, make a positive, constructive relationship impossible, or otherwise may interfere with the School’s ability to accomplish its mission and/or educational goals.

Student Services

Learning Lab

Each student at Pembroke Hill School brings various strengths, needs, interests and learning profiles to the classroom Research-based programs and assessments are utilized to monitor progress so teachers can support and challenge students appropriately. Lower school students who are identified to need specific academic intervention beyond the classroom attend Learning Lab in lieu of Spanish class. Three interventionists provide targeted intervention in small groups All intervention efforts are directly linked to the results of assessment data and students are monitored in 6-8 week cycles to determine growth As soon as a student demonstrates appropriate academic growth, they return to full participation in Spanish class.

The Learning Lab team works in collaboration with the teachers to ensure that each child’s individual needs are met. This may include any of the following:

● Observing and assessing the student;

● Generating student profiles to help individualize instruction;

● Providing intensive academic support at the student’s specific zone of proximal development;

● Guiding students in the appropriate use of technology to assist learning;

● Identifying next steps for support that may include outside services; and

● Facilitating transitions between grade levels or divisions for the student.

School Counseling

The lower school counselor supports students’ social and emotional needs through classroom lessons, individual short-term counseling, small group counseling, and consultation with the students’ families and teachers. While the counselor does not provide long-term counseling services to students, recommendations for outside resources can be made The counselor has an ethical and professional obligation to maintain confidentiality, except when breaking confidentiality is legally required or necessary to prevent serious harm Parents can consult with the counselor regarding areas of concern, such as, developmental, family issues, behavior changes, skill building, etc The counselor is able to provide referrals to additional sources, if needed Finally, the lower school counselor serves as part of the lower school leadership team along with the division head, the Wornall campus assistant division head and the instructional coach

Mental Health Related Absence Support

Following an extended mental health related absence or inpatient hospitalization, it is our practice for the school counselor to meet with the student and the family prior to the student resuming class attendance. At this meeting, relevant documentation may be requested, a release form may be requested and a student care plan may be put into place.

Speech, Hearing and Occupational Therapy Screenings

Speech, hearing and occupational therapy screenings are offered each fall to students recommended for screening by their classroom teachers. The school covers the cost of these screenings Speech pathologists and occupational therapists from St Luke's Children’s SPOT provide services on the Wornall Campus. If your child should need speech or occupational therapy, time may be arranged for this during school hours Payment for these services will be arranged through St. Luke's Hospital.

Wellness

Pembroke Hill School has a dedicated team of nurses and school counselors to manage wellness and health issues for our students

PHS

Wellness Team

Wornall Campus Nurse (Early Childhood + Lower School + Summer)

McKenzie Beattie, BSN, RN

Email | mckenzie.beattie@pembrokehill.org or nurse@pembrokehill.org

Office | (816) 936-1351

Work Cell | (816) 550-2224

Ward Parkway Campus Nurse (Middle School + Upper School)

Shelby Swickard BSN, RN

Email | sswickard@pembrokehillorg or nurse@pembrokehillorg

Office | (816) 936-1531

Work Cell |(816) 447-0564

Director of Counseling and Community Wellbeing, Early Childhood Counselor

Lindsay Kobolt

Email | lkobolt@pembrokehillorg

Office | (816) 936-1320

Work Cell | (816) 878-0503

Lower School Counselor

Beth Walker

Email | bwalker@pembrokehillorg

Office: (816) 936-1305

Middle School Counselor

Whitney Kauffman

Email | whitney.kauffman@pembrokehill.org

Office | (816) 936-1526

Upper School Counselors

Aja Pence (Class of 2027, Class of 2028)

Email | apence@pembrokehillorg

Office | (816) 936-1414

Kelsey Polk (Class of 2029, Class of 2030)

Email | kpolk@pembrokehillorg

Office | (816)936-1550

Magnus Health

Pembroke Hill uses Magnus Health (an Electronic Health Record) to collect and store your students’ health and medical information for the upcoming school year Magnus Health streamlines the collection of students’ health information as well as provides a way for our school nurses to submit treatment notes based on the students’ health office visits.

You can access your account by logging into the Parent Portal and clicking the orange “Magnus Health” button under the “Quick Links” sidebar. This will take you to the Magnus homepage and should automatically log you in.

Once you have logged into your Magnus Health account, you will see items marked with a “To Do” flag if you need to take action.

Treatment Notes

Throughout the school year, you may receive an email from Magnus Health with the subject: “New Treatment Note for *Your Student’s Name*” It will instruct you to click the

link and log into your Magnus Health account to view the note These treatment notes are written by our nurses as students are seen in the health office. If anything occurs that is not a minor injury, resolved problem, or simple office visit, then the nurse will call the student’s parent/guardian instead of emailing the treatment note.

Medical Documentation and Forms

Immunization Records

The Missouri Department of Health requires that we have a copy of immunization records on or before the first day of school. The school does not provide a specific form for this. Parents/guardians should obtain a copy of their students’ immunization records from their physician to upload to Magnus Health before the first day of school.

The full immunization record should be uploaded to the “Immunization Form” requirement on the student’s Magnus Health account. After a full copy of immunizations is received, the record only needs to be updated as the student receives more immunizations.

Physical Evaluation Form

Physical/medical examinations are required at the following intervals:

● Early Childhood - Annually (Early Years, Preschool, Prekindergarten)

● Kindergarten

● 3rd Grade

● 5th Grade

● 7th Grade

● 10th Grade

● All New Incoming Students

● Middle and Upper School Student-Athletes

○ MSHSAA Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Form MUST be used. This form can be found on Magnus Health and the MSHSAA website

○ The “MSHSAA Medical Eligibility Form - Step 3” (page 5) is the ONLY page that should be uploaded to the “Medical Eligibility Form” requirement on Magnus Health.

○ These physicals are valid for two years unless otherwise stated by the physician.

All forms must be uploaded to Magnus Health by the first day of school, and parents should keep a copy at home The general “Physical Examination Record” form can be found on the Parent Portal and Magnus Health. It may be used for any grade level and division, with the exception of student athletes You may also use any document that is preferred by your doctor’s office.

NOTE: If your student is in 7th or 10th grade AND a student athlete, then the completed MSHSAA Medical Eligibility form will fulfill their grade-level physical requirements. If your new, incoming student is in middle or upper school and knows they will want to participate in a sport, then they should use the “Medical Eligibility Form” as well. These can be uploaded to both the “Medical Eligibility Form” and “Physical Evaluation Form” requirements on Magnus Health.

Over-the-Counter Medications

If you would like your students to receive over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, Benadryl, etc. from our health offices, then please update the “Over-The-Counter Medication” requirement in Magnus Health.

These medications are given according to the written instructions on the label, i.e., the child’s age and weight. Medication requests that exceed the recommended dose or guidelines for recommended usage require written permission from a physician.

The parent/guardian may be notified if an OTC medication is administered, or if it is sought by a student but not administered due to nursing judgment. Certain OTC medications can mask pain or other symptoms and result in a delay of a diagnosis and treatment of an underlying health problem. The overuse of these medications may also lead to liver damage, kidney damage, or gastrointestinal complications.

Please do not send OTC medications with students to school as they are provided through the health office, unless it is a prescription dose. Prescription-strength OTC medications will be handled with the same protocol as any other prescription medication.

Prescription Medications

Medication administration to students during school hours shall be restricted to necessary medication that cannot be given on an alternative schedule Parents should always administer the first dose of a new medication. Please contact the nurse on your student’s campus to notify them of a new medication that needs to be taken at school and any dosage changes.

Students are not permitted to self-carry medications unless they are emergency/rescue medications (see “Emergency Medications” section below). All medications need to be entered in Magnus Health by the parent and turned into the nurse’s office at the beginning of the school year. All medication details must be entered in Magnus before the medication will be dispensed at school

For prescription medication to be administered at school, it must be in a current (not expired) pharmacy container with a label affixed by the pharmacy with the following information:

● Student’s Name

● Medication Name

● Prescribing Physician

● Expiration Date

● Dosage/Route/Schedule of Administration

A parent, guardian, or adult designee must bring the medication and any refills to the nurse’s office. Above conditions must be met for medication to be administered at school. Any substances not regulated by the FDA will need a physician’s order to be administered at school. By law and school policy, nurses are prohibited from administering homeopathic remedies, nutritional supplements and essential oils

All medications administered and documented will follow the Six Rights of Medication Administration:

● Right Dose

● Right Time

● Right Route

● Right Student

● Right Medication

● Right Documentation

Controlled

Substances

Controlled substances will be kept in appropriate lockboxes/locked cabinets. They will be counted with every dispense, and the current count included in every dose documented. Any discrepancies will be immediately reported to the Health Services staff, Division Head, and the affected student’s parents. Ingestion will be witnessed with all medications.

Emergency Medications

Students requiring emergency medications, such as epinephrine injections (ex EpiPen, Auvi-Q, etc.), rescue inhalers, seizure medications, insulin, etc. must have a corresponding action plan on file and have their necessary medications on them at all times The action plan forms for allergies, asthma, diabetes, and seizures can be found on the Parent Portal and should be uploaded to their requirement on Magnus Health

Early Childhood and Lower School teachers will carry their students’ emergency medications in an emergency bag that will follow the student throughout their school day. Some Lower School students may be allowed to self-carry their emergency medications upon request of their parent/guardian and with permission from their physician. Middle School and Upper School students should self-carry their emergency medications and keep them on their person at all times

Allergies

If your child has severe food or other allergies, then we must be aware by the first day of school or the first school day following diagnosis. Please have your doctor fill out the “FARE Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan” form so we can safely care for your student. This form can be found on the Parent Portal and Magnus Health. It will show up as a requirement on Magnus Health once you answer “Yes” to the Conditional Question: “Does your child have a severe allergy requiring emergency medication?”.

Once you have completed and uploaded this document, it does not need to be re-uploaded unless there are changes. Magnus Health may prompt you to review and approve the document annually.

If your child’s allergy requires an epinephrine injection (ex. EpiPen, Auvi-Q, etc), please provide the school with two injection devices. The epinephrine must be in the original container and labeled by the pharmacy with your student’s information. Please see the “Emergency Medications” section above which describes storage of emergency medication

Asthma

If your child has been diagnosed with asthma that requires a rescue inhaler, then please have their physician complete the “My Asthma Action Plan for Home and School” form. This form can be found on the Parent Portal and Magnus Health. If your physician has a school medication letter or other document that they provide schools, then that may be uploaded in place of the action plan. It will show up as a requirement on Magnus Health once you answer “Yes” for the Conditional Question: “Does your child have asthma requiring an inhaler?”

Once you have completed and uploaded this document, it does not need to be re-uploaded unless there are any changes Magnus Health may prompt you to review and approve the document annually.

Early Childhood and Lower School parents should bring their student’s rescue inhaler to the health office in its original container and labeled by the pharmacy with your student’s information and dosage Please see the “Emergency Medications” section above which describes storage of emergency medication.

Special Dietary Needs and Meal Modifications

Flik dining services accommodates students with religious or medically necessary dietary needs If your child has dietary restrictions for any reason INCLUDING food allergies, then we must be aware by the first day of school or the first day following a prescribed change in their diet Please have your doctor complete the “Meal Modification” form, so our staff can inform the dining team of your student’s needs. This form can be found on the Parent Portal under each division’s tab and Magnus Health It will show up as a requirement on Magnus Health once you answer “Yes” to the Conditional Question: “Does your child have any dietary restrictions?”

Once you have completed and uploaded this document, it does not need to be re-uploaded unless there are any changes Magnus Health may prompt you to review and approve the document annually.

Please be as thorough with the student’s special diet as possible For example, if the student is allergic to eggs, but can have food with eggs baked in it, please state that in section 2 of the meal modification form Failing to provide this information may lead to unnecessary restrictions in the student’s choices at mealtime.

Illness Guidelines

Please do not send your student to school ill. Keep them home until they are fever-free without medications for 24 hours. This reduces sharing germs, giving your child extra time to rest and fight off the illness. If your child was not well the night before or during the night, then they should stay home. Your child may unnecessarily expose other children to a communicable disease by coming to school

Students should stay home if they have diarrhea or are vomiting. Usually, they feel physically drained if they have had these symptoms. They may want to return to school when symptom-free after 24 hours. Please consider keeping them home to regain their

strength Keeping students home for an extra day is a healthy investment for you and them.

Children will be sent home at the school nurse’s discretion if they exhibit symptoms including but not limited to:

● A fever of 1004 degrees or higher

● Vomiting more than once or in combination with another symptom

● Diarrhea

● Unknown rash or bumps

● Mattered, red, or tearing eyes

● Sore throat or trouble swallowing

● Headache and stiff neck

● Severe cough to the point of choking

● Persistent/disruptive cough

● Unusual or tea-colored urine

● Infected or crusty patch of skin

● Severe itching in case of head or body lice

● Gray or white stools

● Behaving cranky or less active as usual

● Cries or is fussy for an unusual amount of time

● Loss of appetite

When the school nurse contacts you that your child is sick, please arrange to pick up your child within 45 minutes. This helps the school decrease the spread of germs. Children may return when free of the above symptoms for 24 hours These guidelines are for the well-being and protection of your child and their classmates.

For specific illness exclusion guidelines, our school uses these protocols

Updated COVID-19 Guidance

The CDC has updated its guidance concerning COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory illnesses. The CDC’s updated guidance reflects how the circumstances around COVID-19 in particular have changed While it remains a threat, today it is far less likely to cause severe illness because of widespread immunity and improved tools to prevent and treat the disease

COVID-19 or Influenza Positive Individuals

Pembroke Hill faculty, staff, and students can now return to normal activities when symptoms are improving overall, and after being fever-free without the aid of medication for at least 24 hours The CDC no longer recommends a 5-day isolation period This applies to both COVID-19 and influenza.

While on campus, faculty, staff, and students must still wear a well-fitting mask for 5 days after returning to normal activities.

COVID or Influenza Exposure (Household and Non-Household Contact)

Please monitor your health. If you develop symptoms or a fever, we recommend seeing a medical provider and testing for COVID and Influenza If an individual tests positive, please adhere to the guidance above.

Head Lice

The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) position is that managing head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) in the school setting should not disrupt the educational process. The leadership provided by the registered professional school nurse can impact the reduction of the stigma associated with head lice by providing proper health education, including anticipatory guidance to the school community, and implementing evidence-based strategies for the management of head lice in schools.

When a child is identified with having active head lice at school, the child’s parent/guardian is notified and provided with information about treatment. Students will be sent home at the end of the day and may return to school after receiving treatment at home. School nurses will work with families to ensure proper treatment and management of head lice Pembroke Hill follows the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics and does not exclude students from school because of head lice or nits

Head lice are a common issue for school-aged children. Parents should be proactive and complete regular and thorough checks for lice throughout the year, regardless of known exposures. These checks would be especially important following sleepovers, extracurricular activities, vacations, holiday gatherings, summer camps, etc

Head lice are considered a nuisance, but they do not spread disease. They do not reflect on your family's hygiene or grooming habits lice do not discriminate between clean or dirty hair. Head lice are mainly transmitted through prolonged head-to-head contact with an individual who has active lice Lice do not jump or fly; they are crawling insects

The school nurse will inform parents/guardians when there is an unusual clustering of head lice cases in a particular classroom, grade level, or building Continued communication and collaboration with the school nurse will reduce the stigma of head lice, clarify myths, and provide accurate information about effective treatment options

Child Abuse and Neglect

The safety of our children is of utmost importance to us All PHS faculty and staff members are mandated reporters and are legally required to report to the Missouri Division of Family Services Child Abuse Hotline when they have a reasonable suspicion that a child has been or may be subjected to abuse or neglect.

Middle School Division

A Preface to Families and Students from the Faculty and Staff

Pembroke Hill’s motto is Freedom With Responsibility This handbook contains policies that reflect this basic philosophical position. We, the faculty, intend to help you further your sense of responsibility for the well-being of the larger community To that end, we encourage freedom, with reasonable limitations, and will enforce rules defining those limitations, those necessary to maintain relative freedom for all

We use the term community here in a very particular way. We believe that the learning experience offered to you at Pembroke Hill School extends well beyond the bounds of the formal classroom and the scheduled academic day. Therefore, we must consider the greater good of the community wherever and whenever we are involved in activities that are formally, or informally, related to the community.

Students, faculty members, administrators and staff members must commit themselves to ensuring a healthy learning environment. We all realize that there are many pressures in such an environment, and we all must commit ourselves to maintaining a healthy atmosphere at all times. From you, the student, we expect respect, compassion, scholarship and integrity in and out of the classroom

In this handbook we attempt to define your privileges and responsibilities so you will know what is expected of you as a member of the Pembroke Hill community

Parent and Guardian Tips

Parents are encouraged to read the entire handbook to have a fuller understanding of the responsibilities and rules of the middle school community.

At Pembroke Hill we believe that the quality of education a young person receives is dependent on the school environment, as well as the home environment If the expectations of students are consistent in and out of school, they will develop more rapidly and with more self-confidence With this in mind, we invite, and expect, parental involvement in the school community. The best interest of students should always be the primary concern of parents and educators In order to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings that result in confused messages to students, we have structured the school community to help ensure open lines of communication among faculty, students and parents. Please do not hesitate to call us with any questions or concerns.

Division Hours

● Early Room | 7:45 - 8:15 a.m.

● Student Arrival | 8:15 - 8:30 am

● School Day | 8:30 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.

● Student Dismissal | 3:05 - 3:30 pm

● Extended Day hours | 3:30 - 6 p.m.

● Office Hours | 7:45 am - 4 pm

Before School Begins

Bookstore Hours - Families may sign up for a time slot to visit the bookstore prior to the start of school The link for sign up will be sent via email a few weeks prior to the first available time slot.

Sneak Peek - This is a drop in session for students to get help with their lockers and schedules Student ambassadors and members of the middle school leadership team will be available in the halls to assist students in testing their lockers, finding their classes and answering any questions students might have The date and time of this event will be shared in summer division emails.

6th Grade Orientation and New Student Orientation - This event will occur from 1:10-3:05 on the first day of school Sessions will include navigating the schedule to find classrooms, locker practice, technology setup, and general information about middle school

Student Schedules - The first Friday of August, student schedules are published in the student and parent portals. Please see the “Schedule Change” section of this handbook for more information regarding requests for elective schedule changes

Arrival and Dismissal Times

In an effort to ensure the supervision and safety of all students, please be mindful of the school hours.

Early Room | 7:45 - 8:15 a.m.

Unless previously arranged, students are to arrive no earlier than 7:45 a.m. When students arrive prior to 8:15 a.m., they should report directly to the early room (library).

Late Start Thursdays | 9:45 - 10 a.m.*

On late start Thursdays, if students arrive before 9:45 a.m., they are to immediately report to the early room for attendance.

*There is no early room on all-school late start Thursdays. The all-school late start dates are published on the school calendar

Dismissal | 3:05 - 3:30 p.m.

All middle school students are dismissed at 3:05 Students should be picked up no later than 3:30 p.m.

Extended Day | 3:30 - 6 p.m.

At 3:30 p.m., students who are on campus and not working with a coach or teacher will be asked to go to Extended Day study hall. Students who stay beyond 3:30 p.m., will be charged the daily drop-in rate if they are not signed up for the yearly Extended Day contract

Drop Off and Pick Up Guidelines

For the safety of the children and to facilitate the best traffic flow, please follow these guidelines:

● Students may not be dropped off or picked up in the center lane

● Please do not “cut” in line.

● Please do not leave your cars to visit with people in other vehicles This causes traffic jams.

● Students should only exit cars “curbside.” This is for student safety and smoother traffic flow.

● Drivers should watch and yield to pedestrians.

● Drivers should be attentive to cars moving forward. When the car in front moves up, you move up.

● Drivers should pull up to the sign or the vehicle in front to drop off students

● Students should be prepared to exit the car quickly at the drop-off point. Backpacks and other books should be organized

● Give last minute instructions earlier so that long goodbyes do not interrupt the flow of traffic

● Drivers should drive slowly and cautiously.

School Closures

All-School Late Start Days

There are seven school-wide late start days when class begins at 10 a.m. These days are used to provide professional learning opportunities for all Pembroke Hill faculty and staff. On late start days, our campuses are closed until 9:40 a.m. Because all faculty and staff will be involved in the school-wide professional learning sessions, we are not able to offer supervision for early arrivals on these dates. Late start dates will be announced in the school calendar each year

School Closings Due to Inclement Weather

We hold school whenever possible. While inclement weather conditions can disturb normal school routines, families are even more disrupted when they have to make alternative supervisory arrangements for their children on short notice.

Rather than cancel school or risk driving during early morning traffic when road conditions are at their worst, we may occasionally delay the start of school until 10 a.m.

Announcements concerning school closures are made by 6:15 a.m. Parents receive an email, text message and voicemail about emergency school closures, including delayed starts. Please note that during high cell phone use time periods, the receipt of text messages may be delayed. Messages are also placed on the school’s website, wwwpembrokehillorg, school portals and social media channels Parents may call the school’s main number (816-936-1200) to hear a recording. Additionally, announcements are made through local television, radio and news outlets In the event no announcement is made, school will be in session.

Absences, Attendance and Tardies

Students are expected to attend school every day, except in cases of illness. When students are absent, they limit their abilities to do their best in both their classes and extracurricular activities. When at school, students must attend class unless they have permission to be absent from their teacher or an administrator. If a student is absent from

school due to illness, a parent should call the office (816-936-1502) before 8:30 am that day.

If students are absent for two or more days, they may need to confirm that they have all their assignments and know what work they have missed. Students should refer to Schoology first then contact their teachers with any additional questions If additional assistance is needed, please contact the appropriate grade level team leader.

● Sixth grade team leader - Mike Christensen, mikechristensen@pembrokehillorg

● Seventh grade team leader - John Emery, jemery@pembrokehill.org

● Eighth grade team leader - Montana Miller, montanamiller@pembrokehillorg

Students are expected to arrive at school and class on time. If students show a pattern of tardiness, parents will be contacted and students may be subject to disciplinary action.

Religious Observance

Pembroke Hill is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all students. We recognize and respect the diverse religious beliefs and practices within our school community In accordance with this commitment, the school will make reasonable accommodations for students whose religious observances conflict with scheduled academic requirements

Students and families are encouraged to notify the division head and their teachers in advance of any religious holidays or observances that may affect attendance, homework due dates, or scheduled assessments. Upon timely notification, teachers work with students to make reasonable exceptions for assignments and tests, ensuring that students are not penalized for observing their religious beliefs and have an equitable opportunity to complete missed work or assessments within a mutually agreed-upon timeframe.

Leaving Campus

Once students arrive on campus, they are not permitted to leave unless they are checked out by a parent or guardian. A parent or guardian needs to communicate with the front office when a student is expected to leave during the school day (written request, email or phone call). The student should sign out in the office before leaving. Before and after the school day, students are not allowed to leave campus and return unless they do so with a parent or guardian.

Parents Association and Middle School Parent Council

Parents Association

The purpose of the Pembroke Hill Parents Association is to foster a sense of community within our school in which all families are encouraged to engage, connect and support each other

All parents who have a student enrolled at PHS automatically become members of the Parents Association. Membership dues are included as part of tuition and fees and go

toward benefitting all students and families at PHS Parents of Pembroke Hill students of all ages are encouraged to become involved in the school by volunteering through Parents Association committees and activities Please visit the Parents Association tab on the parent portal for more information. Additionally, you may contact our director of parent programs with any questions.

Middle School Parent Council

The PHS Parents Association sponsors the council, whose primary mission is to support the middle school by:

● Recruiting and supporting parent volunteers to serve as officers for the council.

● Recruiting and supporting parent volunteers to serve as grade parents from every grade. Grade parents help with:

o New family hospitality

o Class parties

o Communicating with their grade on a regular basis regarding happenings at the school.

● Recruiting and supporting parent volunteers to serve as representatives in the four standing committees of the Parents Association:

o Raider Arts Council

o Parents Inclusion Council

o Raider Club

● Recruiting and supporting parent coordinators for: Wonderful Wednesdays for teachers

The council members meet four times a year and attend division coffees during the school year.

● Meeting dates are posted on the parent portal under the Parents Association tab

● All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend the division coffees. Dates are posted on the school calendar

School and Division Events

Back-To-School Night

The purpose of Back-To-School Night is to provide an opportunity for our parents/guardians to meet teachers and discover what our students will learn during the year. This event occurs during the first few weeks of school and is a parent-only event.

Conferences

The middle school hosts parent conferences each fall to provide parents with an update on student work. The focus will not be on your student’s grades; rather, the intention of the conference is to set goals and provide feedback for student growth and improvement.

Fall Play

All students in grades 6-8 have the opportunity to audition for the middle school play. Rehearsals start in October, and the final performances are in November This is a great opportunity for students to get involved in a collaborative experience.

Fall and Winter Festival

In partnership with the middle school Parent Council, we host an annual fall and winter festival with themed activities and food These events are held on a selected date during our Tuesday community time each Fall and Winter.

Winter Concerts

The instrumental and choral music classes perform winter concerts in December These concerts are held separately from each other.

Showcase

Each spring, the seventh and eighth grade choral music class has a performance Students sing a variety of songs from different genres and engage in various dances with solos and group ensembles

Spring Instrumental Music Concert

The instrumental music class hosts a spring concert during the first weeks of May.

Spring Fling

On a selected evening in the spring, the middle school Parent Council hosts a middle school get-together. The event varies each year, but typically has games, food and a DJ for students to enjoy time with friends.

Gallery Visits

Twice a year, parents and students are invited to the middle school during a late start Student performances, demonstrations, and displays of their course work will be available for parents to observe. Classrooms will be open and time for families to visit these spaces.

Middle Schoolers At Evening Activities

If you drop your child off at an all-school activity such as an athletic contest, there will be administrators or faculty present. However, there will be no specific supervision for your child as there is during a school day It is especially important that students remain at the site of the activity and not wander elsewhere on campus where there is no supervision.

Student Transportation

The school has adopted a student transportation policy that dictates how students will be transported to and from school-sponsored events (This policy only applies to participants, not spectators, and to situations in which students leave from one of our school campuses) All parents have received transportation permission information during the contract signing. This information must be updated in the Parent Portal in order for students to be transported to an event

Policy Highlights

● Parents may transport their own children to activities

● PHS parents may transport students who are not their own if the parents of the students being transported provide the school written permission

● PHS faculty may drive students if the parents of the students being transported provide the school with written permission

Chromebook and Textbook Programs

With the Chromebook Program, your Bookstore account will be charged for insurance and apps ($125) Ebooks vary depending on the classes your student is taking and will also be charged to the Bookstore account. Some classes have a hardcopy workbook or a reading book that the student will need to purchase, as well

Bookstore

Students may charge books, school supplies, clothing and athletic gear in the Bookstore. When you pay tuition, a deposit for Bookstore charges is included. If your child has spent less than the deposit, you will receive a credit. When a student exceeds the deposit, a bill will be mailed by the business office. You should establish a clear understanding with your child about this privilege Parents may call the Bookstore at 816-936-1426 or email the Bookstore manager, Joanna Kubicki, at jkubicki@pembrokehill.org, to check on their account or request a detailed printout

Additional Expenses

Parents of children at PHS, like parents of children at all schools, will encounter expenses in addition to enrollment expenses (tuition, Bookstore deposit for books and supplies, lunch, Parents Association dues and class dues) as their children progress through school. The school has worked to minimize these extra costs while creating a tuition structure that is as inclusive of these costs as possible.

Some additional expenses are required of students if they choose to participate in an activity such as athletics, co-curriculars or a specific course. Other expenses are for items that are voluntary with the degree of student involvement and family decision. Parents are always encouraged to contact the school if they have a concern about an expense.

Food and Drink

Lunch is included in tuition and is served daily in the Patterson Dining Hall. Salads and fruits are available as well as hot entrees Students on special diets may request accommodation for their specific diet; the school will work to accommodate the request, but may not be able to do so in all instances Food and drink not provided by the dining service team is prohibited during lunch without prior approval by the division head. Off-campus food and deliveries are prohibited during the school day without prior permission.

Students are expected to bus their own dishes and to leave the dining space (tables, chairs, and floor) clean.

We consider having refreshments (drinks or snacks) in other buildings on campus a privilege and a responsibility. Students must be responsible for cleaning up after themselves or this privilege will be lost. In the spirit of respect – especially respect for those who will be using the space after you and respect for property and the environment – all should clean the space they used before leaving.

Homework

Although there are many variables in establishing guidelines for the amount of time a sixth, seventh or eighth grade student should spend on schoolwork outside of class, our experience tells us that 1 to 2 1/2 hours per night is about average. This will increase with above average or accelerated course loads and when students are preparing for major exams.

Care should be taken that students not overextend themselves with outside activities to the point of encroaching on time needed to study. In addition, time for fun and relaxation is also needed Students cannot continuously work under pressure Parents should be concerned also when students regularly have no homework. If there is a concern, we suggest that you contact the school

Parents and tutors should take care when providing guidance with homework assignments The help should be limited to assistance, encouragement and support

Students who desire to use assistive technologies and/or AI-based technologies in the completion of homework should check with teachers before doing so; the use of any such technologies should be disclosed when submitting final work. Submitting work which has been created using AI tools, without prior approval and/or without acknowledging their use, may be considered academic dishonesty. Unless otherwise noted, all work submitted by a student should be their own

Homework Policy For Absences

If your child is absent from class, they should review Schoology first, then contact the teacher with any questions.

If a student is absent, they may have two days to make up a test Students may have a day for every day absent to make up daily work. Due dates for long-term papers, reports and projects should be discussed with the teacher

When students are absent for an extended period of time and have a significant amount of work and tests to make up, they should consult with their teacher and adviser, and schedule the make-up work.

Report Cards and Progress Reports

Report cards are available online at the end of each semester. In addition to the end of semester report cards, all students will receive a progress report at mid-semester. Written comments from the teacher are included on the mid-semester progress report to provide feedback on possible areas of improvement as well as commendations At the end of the semester, written comments will be used as a summative report. The grading system in the middle school is A, B, C, D and F Plus and minus grades may be used with A, B, C and D.

Interim reports are available online when students are working below their capabilities, when students’ overall class performances have dropped significantly or a grade is below C- All new seventh and eighth grade students will receive an interim report on the first interim report date.

Communication will be sent directly from faculty anytime there is a concern with student behavior or academic performance.

Academic Probation

A student is considered for academic probation if, at the end of the semester, the student:

● Has failed a course;

● Has a grade point average in the academic courses (English, math, science, history, worldlanguage) below C-;

● Inappropriately uses technology tools in academic work or demonstrated academic dishonesty; or

● There is a determination by the probation committee that academic concern warrants probation

Students considered for probation are evaluated by a committee of administration and faculty, which can include a combination of teachers, administration, counselor or other faculty deemed appropriate The committee examines all aspects of the student’s record, both curricular and co-curricular, before recommending that a student be placed on probation The committee is chaired by the division head and the final decision regarding probation is the responsibility of the division head.

The parents of all students who are considered for academic probation will receive a letter from the division head informing them of the reasons that their student was considered and the decision on the probation The letter will communicate the concerns of the faculty and make specific suggestions on how to improve. Contingent on improvement, a student on probation could be reassessed at the end of the probationary term and a determination will be made to extend the probation, end the probation, not issue future student contracts, permanent separation from the school or other actions determined by the administration.

Failures and Incomplete

Students who fail a course must retake the course, receive tutoring or make it up in summer school In the case of summer school or tutoring, the student must retake a final exam and or complete a comparable task assigned by the administration to show completion of the course material The student will receive a maximum grade of D- for the course.

A grade of incomplete will be allowed only in the case of extreme hardship (illness, death in the family). It is the student’s responsibility to talk with teachers and arrange to make up the incomplete work within a reasonable length of time

Grading Scale

A+ 97-99

A 93-96

A- 90-92 B+ 87-89

B 83-86 B- 80-82

C+ 77-79

C 73-76

Failing Below 60

Scheduling and Elective Course Policy

Students are required to take year-long courses in math, science, social studies, English, world language, and wellness education. In addition to these courses, students are provided with additional courses by grade level, which are listed below

Sixth Grade

● Required is on of the following

o One semester of art and one semester of general music, or

o Year-long course in Band

Seventh and Eighth Grade

● Students choose from a list of semester elective courses, which can include art, drama, robotics, computer science, advanced vocal performance, strength and conditioning, and debate. The elective choices can vary from year to year. Placement in courses is not guaranteed Depending on the demand and maximum number of students per course, some students may not get their first choice in electives

● Year-Long Encore Elective - Students select between choral music, band, art, technology/engineering, and physical activities.

Schedule Changes

Our policy is not to accept requests for specific teachers when scheduling classes If a parent would like to discuss any concerns with scheduling, assigned courses, or instructors, they should contact the middle school division head Schedule request changes regarding elective courses:

● Students must complete a form which requires signatures from teachers, administration and parents.

● Schedule changes for semester elective courses will not be granted after the second full week of school. .

● For year-long elective courses, a schedule change can be requested prior to the start of second semester.

● Changes to elective courses will depend on availability and the maximum number of students allowed in a course.

● The division head has the final say in any schedule change requests.

Eligibility for Extracurricular Activities

According to the Missouri State High School Activities Association ruling on student eligibility, the below requirements apply to all middle school students who participate in extracurricular activities We follow this policy for all extracurricular activities, including

sports, practices, rehearsals, games, sport competitions, academic competitions, performances, etc.

● Students must be enrolled in a normal course load for their grade level

● A "grading period" is a period no less than six weeks and no greater than nine weeks where progress is determined and reported to students/parents A student must have been promoted to a higher grade at the close of the previous year. However, any such student who failed more than one scheduled subject shall be ineligible for the following grading period regardless of promotion to the higher grade. Contact the Athletic Department for more details.

● Students must attend all of their classes on the day of the scheduled activity unless an excused absence has been approved by the athletic director or division head prior to that day. An illness/injury will NOT meet the excused absence requirement that allows participation in extracurricular activities or contests. Keeping a student home for extra rest in the morning will NOT meet the excused absence requirement. Medical appointments, with a confirmation note from the doctor's office, are excused and students may participate in their activity These activities include practices, rehearsals, games, sport competitions, academic competitions and performances

In order to receive an exemption for a tardy or early dismissal, the athletic director or division head must be contacted prior to 8:30 am on the day of the activity The athletic director and division head will review each request and will consult with the appropriate coach and/or activity sponsor Exemptions will only be granted after careful review and only in extraordinary cases.

Communication Philosophy

We are dedicated to open and honest communication with our families and students. It is important for us to hear from parents regularly. If parents have questions or concerns about our program, encourage them to contact their child’s teacher or the division head.

The school encourages parents to start with their child's teacher. If they do not feel the question or concern has been resolved, then they and the teacher should bring the issue to the division head If they still cannot resolve the problem, they will discuss it with the head of school. Please understand that the school honors this organizational flow, and parents will be sent to the appropriate person

Methods of Communication

Parent Newsletters | Divisional Family Updates

The school publishes a bi-weekly family newsletter to share important schoolwide news and updates regarding general happenings within the school and division On the alternating weeks, each division sends a Family Update with division-specific information, news and updates. These updates are shared via email, typically on Fridays.

Conferences

Student-Centered Conferences will be held each fall with the student, family and teachers The purpose of student-centered conferences is to provide an opportunity for

students to share relevant and personal learning information with individual teachers to increase student-to-teacher-to-parent relationships. The goal of the conference is to learn from the student to best support the student's growth

Telephone Calls/Messages

All staff members have classroom phones and voicemail. Parents may contact the teacher by their direct line, through the administrative assistant or the main school number If they are unavailable to speak, please leave a message and they will return the call as soon as possible Teachers are generally not able to answer phones during the school day due to teaching responsibilities. If your call is urgent in nature, please call the divisional office.

Website and Parent Portal

Our website and Parent Portal are the main information outlets for the school You will find school events, athletic events and general information about the school on the website. In the Parent Portal, accessed through the website, parents will find class information, the parent and student directory, school forms and more.

Current Family Contact Information

Parents and guardians are expected to keep the School informed of contact information for emergency situations, and should keep the School informed of any necessary changes to contact information. Parents should update their information in the Parent Portal as necessary.

Parents Out-Of-Town

When parents are out-of-town, the school should be notified in writing of the dates, the name and telephone number of the adult responsible for the child during the parents’ absences. Please give appropriate emergency phone numbers to the building administrative assistant and homeroom teacher

Multiple Households and Custody Orders

The School does not seek to become involved in parental disputes. However, in order for the School to communicate most effectively with parents and support each student, teachers and administrators must be aware of any court-ordered guidelines regarding primary households, visitations, picking up a student from school, parent involvement in field trips, or other such similar issues.

Parents are responsible for informing the School of any living, custody, or financial arrangements that may affect the student’s enrollment or experience at PHS Custody orders or settlement agreements should be provided to the appropriate Division Head, with clear instructions for the School regarding how to carry out the court’s orders. While PHS endeavors to comply with court-ordered living, custody, and financial arrangements to minimize disruption to students’ educational experiences, the School cannot do so without clear instructions from parents

Parent Comportment and Support for School Policies

At PHS, we believe that a positive relationship between the School and a student’s

parents or guardians is essential to the fulfillment of the School’s mission We recognize that effective relationships are characterized by clearly defined responsibilities, a shared commitment to collaboration, open lines of communication, mutual respect, and a common vision of the goals to be achieved.

PHS may dismiss a student whose parent, guardian, family member, or other adult involved with the School by virtue of their relationship with the student fails to comply with policies or procedures of the School; engages in conduct, either on or off the School’s property, that could undermine the authority of the School’s Administration; and/or otherwise behaves in a manner that is unbecoming of a member of the School community Similarly, the School may refuse re-enrollment of a student if the School believes the actions of a parent, guardian, family member, or other affiliated individual, on or off the School’s property, make a positive, constructive relationship impossible, or otherwise may interfere with the School’s ability to accomplish its mission and/or educational goals.

Guardianship

While students are enrolled in the school, they must live with a parent or legal guardian. If, for some reason, students must live outside the home, the school should be consulted and a mutual agreement reached We are concerned with the welfare of our students at all times.

Security and Safety

We take our responsibility concerning your child's safety very seriously

● All the doors to our building are locked except at drop-off and pick-up times, when security is present.

● All visitors must check in at the school office.

● All our employees are screened through the Missouri Family Child Care Registry and our human resources department also runs a background check upon hire.

● Faculty members have a cell phone with them whenever they are out of the building with children

● All employees have identification cards with emergency phone numbers on them.

● Anyone picking up a child who is not part of the immediate family or pick-up routine must be listed on your child’s emergency sheet and have a photo ID.

● The school has a transportation policy that requires parental permission for students to be transported by bus to school-sponsored events.

● Security officers are available on both campuses A security officer is in the driveway/parking lot area during drop-off and pick-up times.

● Faculty/staff greet students as they arrive at drop-off and supervise them at pick-up time.

Student Release

Students are not to anyone other than a parent/guardian without the parent/guardian’s written permission. Parents should notify their child’s teacher and the administrative assistant in the child’s building if someone other than a parent/guardian is picking the

child up from school That individual should be prepared to show identification, if asked, when picking up the student..

If you need to pick your child up during the school day, please be sure to allow plenty of time and sign your child out with the appropriate administrative assistant (Primary Building for K-2 and Intermediate Building for 3-5)

Visiting Campus

The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority. To this end, it is important that we know who is on campus and in our buildings at all times Visitors, including students’ family members, are expected to sign in and out with the administrative assistant when entering and leaving a building Even when just popping in to drop something off, parents should check in with the front office of the building when they arrive.

Crisis Plan

The school has a comprehensive crisis plan that is put into effect in the case of a crisis. If it is necessary to evacuate the campus, the school follows this agreed upon plan Please know that the primary contact information provided by the parents is vital. Parents should check the Parent Portal regularly to ensure that their contact information remains current.

Safety Drills

Safety drills are scheduled monthly at various times of the day Parents are encouraged to practice fire and tornado drills at home. Your child may come home and discuss the drills with you. If you have concerns or questions about drills, please contact the division head. Evacuation routes are posted in each classroom for fire and tornado drills.

Weapons

No student or visitor to campus or school-sponsored functions, regardless of whether the function is occurring on or off of campus, may possess, transport, display, offer for sale, barter, use, threaten to use or exchange any gun, bomb, knife, mace or other dangerous weapon, or any object that might have a reasonable “look-alike” resemblance to a dangerous weapon. A dangerous weapon may be defined as any object that may cause a serious injury or fatal wound The School has the sole authority to determine whether it considers an object to be a dangerous weapon.

This policy does not apply to uniformed members of law enforcement who may carry a visible weapon.

Violations of this policy will result in discipline consequences and could include notification of the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and permanent separation.

Health Safety and Supplemental Student Insurance

Accidents

If your child sustains an injury at school, the supervising teacher will complete an accident report which includes details of the accident and the first aid/care your child received. All accident reports are kept on file at the School

Minor injuries, such as scraped knees, occur frequently in a school environment For these minor situations, the supervising teacher will help your child clean the scrape and apply a band aid They may also offer an ice pack to a student For anything beyond a minor scrape or bump (including any injury to the head no matter how minor), students are assessed and treated by the school nurse. If the nurse feels additional medical attention is needed, they contact a parent or guardian. If emergency medical services are necessary, the school contacts 911 as well as the parent or guardian.

For any injury that necessitates a visit to the school nurse, the student’s parent or guardian receives an email notification from Magnus Health directing them to a treatment note. If the injury is such that the student’s condition may worsen and/or needs monitoring, the school nurse will also call the student’s parent or guardian to discuss next steps and provide directions for home care/monitoring. Any injury that involves the head (including facial injuries) results in a call to the student’s parent or guardian.

Supplemental Student Insurance

A supplemental student accident insurance policy is provided to assist families with out-of-pocket expenses resulting from an injury at school or at official school events. The policy is structured to cover expenses after existing insurance policies have responded When an injury occurs that is likely to result in the family seeking medical treatment (i.e. emergency room or doctor’s visit), a claim form will be sent along with a copy of the student accident report. Claims need to be filed directly with the policy administrator within 90 days of the injury. Please contact your Division Head’s office if you did not receive a claim form for an injury that required professional medical treatment. If you have questions about the policy itself, please contact our chief financial officer.

Code of Conduct and Philosophy of Student Discipline

Middle School Code Of Conduct

As members of the Pembroke Hill School community, we desire to promote an environment in which all individuals can realize their greatest potential. To achieve this goal, we expect students, faculty, parents, administrators and staff members to recognize and agree to uphold the essential values of respect, compassion, scholarship and integrity We should always act in accordance with these guiding values Therefore, we expect and require students to:

● Conduct themselves at all times in ways that will honor the school;

● Be honest in their behavior and in their school work;

● Abide by all school rules and abstain from the possession, use, or being under the influence or in possession of alcohol or other illegal chemical substances on campus or at school-related functions;

● Respect the property of others, including the school's property;

● Use technology appropriately and in alignment with school values; and

● Treat other members of the school community with civility and respect, and avoid, at all times, actions that are hurtful to others.

Never permissible are bullying, hazing, discrimination, harassment, academic dishonesty, stealing, destruction/defacing of property, use of inappropriate language, possession of a

dangerous weapon, threats of violence, violence, possession, use or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol or any behavior not in accordance with the school’s mission or core values

A student's actions outside school that exhibit a propensity of danger or harm to the members of the school community, the community at large, school property or educational activities and/or which result in serious damage to the reputation of the school area breach of contract between the family and the school In such instances, the division head and the head of school will determine whether to take action that could result in disciplinary consequences, including, but not limited to, temporary separation or permanent separation.

Students are expected to follow these guidelines and to engage in behavior that is consistent with the school's motto, Freedom With Responsibility. Students should also recognize that there are other rules necessary for the effective functioning of this community. They must understand and accept the rules and observe them.

Philosophy Of Student Discipline

Pembroke Hill’s discipline philosophy for students is a developmental process. As an educational institution, we view discipline as a teaching and learning opportunity with a focus on restoring any harm caused. As our students progress from early years through senior year, we model our core values and provide intentional instruction regarding the behavioral expectations of our community. Our students' ability to demonstrate the expectations independently grows over time In general, we engage students in conversation, apply natural and/or logical consequences, and encourage both reflection and restoration

This section is intended to provide a general guideline of PHS’ behavior expectations of its students, outlining conduct that is considered outside the scope of acceptable behavior as a member of the community. It is important to remember that the below list of inappropriate conduct should in no way be considered an exhaustive list of the conduct which may result in disciplinary consequences. No list is or can be comprehensive; it is possible that a student may act or behave in a manner that is not included in the policies below, yet still disrupts the school community.

Further still, students and families should understand that conduct which is inconsistent with the School’s expectations for students as outlined in other sections of this Handbook may similarly result in disciplinary consequences.

In addition to violating explicit school policies, and at the sole and exclusive discretion of the school, a student may be disciplined for engaging in conduct (a) deemed to be detrimental to the school or its mission; (b) which is inconsistent with the School’s values; or (c) which is harmful to themselves or other members of the school community. For the avoidance of doubt, even in situations in which there is no finding that a policy violation has occurred, the School may impose behavioral consequences and requirements as a means of educating the student to understand the impact of their behavior, language, or actions

When a student’s behavior causes harm (physical, mental or emotional) and/or significantly disrupts the learning environment, we are compelled to consider the safety of our community and take appropriate action While we value families as partners in their child’s education, the school plays the primary decision-making role in all disciplinary matters. In recommending or determining disciplinary action, the administration may consider the student’s present demeanor and past disciplinary record, the nature of the infraction, the severity of any damage, injury or harm resulting therefrom, while taking into account the best interest of the school. If deemed appropriate, the administration may choose to impose one or more of the following actions that are applied with a restorative lens:

● Conversations

● Reflection

● Restorative acts (e.g., apology, service to others, etc.)

● Loss of privileges

● A probationary period

● Required additional services outside of the school (eg, counseling or evaluation)

● Contract hold or non-renewal of contract

● Other action determined appropriate by the school

● Temporary removal from the classroom or the school community

● Permanent separation from the school community

The School respects the privacy of its individual students and, for that reason, treats disciplinary matters as confidential Confidentiality balances our commitment to helping individuals learn from their mistakes, because we are educators above all else, and promoting a culture of open and timely discussion of important and challenging topics

Bullying

The Pembroke Hill middle school seeks to provide and maintain a community marked by compassion and respect The bullying policy set forth is designed to fairly and effectively address bullying and retaliation.

This plan is intended (1) to reduce bullying among our students; (2) to encourage students and their parents to come forward promptly whenever a student is subject to conduct that is prohibited by this or any other school policy; (3) to implement appropriate discipline and other corrective measures when they are found to be warranted, and (4) to create an inclusive environment for all students

General Policy Against Bullying

Bullying in any shape or form (verbal, physical, electronic, etc.) at Pembroke Hill is prohibited on any school grounds and at school-sponsored events, activities, functions and programs. This prohibition also extends beyond campus, online and offline, particularly if the off-campus behavior disrupts the daily educational process within the school community.

What Constitutes Bullying

Bullying refers to any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act(s) or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student or students that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the

following:

● Causing physical or emotional harm to the targeted student or damage to the targeted student’s property;

● Placing the targeted student in reasonable fear of harm to themselves, or of damage to their property;

● Creating a distracting, antagonistic environment at school for the targeted student;

● Infringing on the rights of the targeted student at school; and

● Materially and substantially disrupting the educational process or the orderly operation of the school.

Bullying may take various forms, including but not necessarily limited to threats, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, public humiliation, or destruction of property.

Harassment and Discrimination

Harassment as a form of unlawful discrimination means any conduct that is based on a protected characteristic, that is so severe or pervasive and that has the purpose or effect of: (a) creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment; (b) interfering unreasonably with a student’s academic performance; or (c) creating a situation in which academic decisions of a student depend on the student submitting to and/or not objecting to the behavior. Protected characteristics include race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, religion, and any other status protected by law. Inappropriate comments or jokes about any of the protected characteristics listed above are never permissible

Specifically, these behaviors may include, but are not limited to, the following:

● Repeated, unwanted/unsolicited contact that includes face-to-face contact, telephone calls, voice messages, text messages, electronic video and/or photography, deepfakes (imagery or audio), electronic mail, instant messages, written letters or unwanted gifts;

● Verbal or written abuse, threats, harassment, coercion, or any other conduct that places another individual in reasonable fear of their safety through words or actions, directed at that person, or substantially interferes with the educational or personal environment of the individual; or

● Persistent offensive, threatening communication through the internet via email, social media, and other electronic devices.

Harassment includes sexual harassment, which is harassment that is based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Examples of behavior that may constitute sexual harassment include (regardless of whether the intent or consequence of such behavior is to make the target feel uncomfortable): (a) offensive body language (staring and/or leering at a person’s body or standing/brushing too close); (b) offensive or unwanted sexual comments, abuse, jokes, insults, delivered orally or in writing; (c) derogatory or pornographic posters, cartoons or drawings; (d) pressure for sexual activity (such as hazing or threats as well as repeated requests after rejections); (e) offering favors or benefits in exchange for sexual acts, or threatening mistreatment if one does not engage in sexual acts; and (f) offensive or unwelcome physical advances (including kissing, hugging, pinching, grabbing, groping, “playful” slapping, etc.).

In order to raise general awareness, members of the school community must be educated on the topic of harassment on a continuous basis. Methods of an educational component may include speakers, corporate panels, videos and assemblies

Hazing

Hazing refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (e.g., athletic team, co-curricular or extra-curricular activity, student publication), grade, or the school itself or expected of someone to maintain any status in a group, grade, or the school that: (1) humiliates, (2) degrades, or (3) risks emotional and/or physical harm or embarrassment to the individual or the PHS community, regardless of the person's willingness to participate and regardless of its intended result or effect.

Weapons

No student or visitor to campus or school-sponsored functions regardless whether the function is occurring on or off of campus, may possess, transport, display, offer for sale, barter, use, threaten to use or exchange any gun, bomb, knife or other dangerous weapon, or any object that might have a reasonable “look-alike” resemblance to a dangerous weapon. A dangerous weapon may be defined as any object that may cause a serious injury or fatal wound. The School has the sole authority to determine whether it considers an object to be a dangerous weapon This policy does not apply to uniformed members of law enforcement who may carry a visible weapon.

Violations of this policy will result in discipline consequences and could include notification of the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and expulsion.

Academic Integrity

According to our school’s Code of Conduct, students are expected to act with integrity. This includes integrity and honesty in all areas and in all work presented as one’s own. One should not copy or allow homework, tests, quizzes, papers or any academic work to be copied. Working together on problems or making editorial suggestions on a paper is a good learning process, but loaning or making use of another’s finished work is dishonest

Plagiarism is always dishonest. If one uses the exact wording or paraphrased wording, or even the ideas of another writer without giving proper credit in a footnote or other form of documentation, that person is guilty of plagiarism.

Possession or use of unauthorized notes or copying answers from another on an exam or making unauthorized material available to others is dishonest.

Basic artificial intelligence tools like Grammarly and Google Translate as well as generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude may not be used for school work unless otherwise specified by teachers. The use of any such technologies should be disclosed when submitting final work. Unless otherwise noted, all work submitted by a student must be their own

In a case of academic dishonesty, a grade of F can be assigned to the work and violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action If students are found guilty of academic dishonesty a second time, they will be considered for expulsion.

Stealing

Students are not permitted to take something that does not belong to them and without permission A student suspected of theft may be subject to a search of a locker, backpack, or other personal belongings.

Destruction of Property

Students cannot deface or destroy private or public property in school, on school grounds, or at a school-sponsored activity.

Violence

Fighting, physical violence, or any threat of physical violence is strictly prohibited as is any kind of rough-housing that demeans another member of the community or puts a community member at risk of harm or injury

Inappropriate Language

Abusive, foul, threatening or harassing language is an inappropriate way to communicate with others Hate speech is any form of expression through which an individual intends to vilify, humiliate, or incite hatred against a group or a class of persons on the basis of race, religion, sexual identity, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, or national origin, or another category protected by law. Hate speech can include the use of song lyrics, gestures, or symbols of any kind meant to denigrate an individual or group and will not be tolerated.

Malicious Publication

Publications (print, online, video, etc.) that hurt others and are malicious in intent, whether they were created while at school or not, are inappropriate. Publishing anonymously or with an invented name for malicious purposes is prohibited. Malicious publication does not include communications made to promote student positivity, wellness or the student experience, or to otherwise draw attention to concerns regarding the student experience.

This policy covers postings from any electronic device – school computers or any electronic device inside or outside of school, including private networks, due to the disruption to the education environment. For the avoidance of doubt, this policy also includes any communications or postings made via social media (such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok)

Unauthorized Photos, Videos or Recording

Taking photos or recording (video or audio) faculty, staff, or students without their expressed permission is forbidden.

Smoking and Use Of Tobacco or Nicotine

Students may not smoke, use or be in possession of any tobacco or nicotine product, electronic cigarette or “vaping” paraphernalia on school property, at school-sponsored activities, programs or events, or on school-sponsored transportation. If a faculty member, staff or administrator suspects a student is using tobacco or nicotine in any manner, the student’s locker and personal belongings may be searched, if warranted. If a student is found violating the policy, the student's parents will be contacted immediately

Alcohol and Illegal Drugs

The School is committed to providing a learning environment that fosters physical and mental health so that students may become healthy, productive citizens who contribute positively to the school and the community. Use of alcohol and other drugs is illegal and is also inconsistent with healthy growth and development. Possession, use, and/or being under the influence of the following substances is forbidden. The School reserves the right to require students suspected of using and/or being under the influence of such substances to undergo testing.

Parents are often concerned about the use of alcohol and drugs by students and the social acceptability of its use. Parents are expected to reinforce the School’s policy at home, including by discussing it with their children, and are expected to refrain from hosting or permitting parties where alcohol is served or students are using drugs or tobacco.

Alcohol: It is illegal for persons under the age of 21 to purchase, possess, or drink alcohol. Possession, distribution or consumption of alcohol during the school day, on campus at any time, and at school-sponsored events is prohibited.

Illegal Drugs: The possession, use, or distribution (selling or sharing) of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia is prohibited during the school day, on campus at any time, and at school-sponsored events.

Prescription Drugs: The distribution (selling or sharing), possession or use of prescription drugs by someone other than the person for whom the drug was prescribed is prohibited. Asking another student to use their prescription drugs, or using someone else’s prescription drugs is also prohibited.

Retaliation

Retaliation means any adverse action taken against a person for raising a concern about a violation of this Handbook or because of their participation in the administration’s response to a concern. Encouraging another to engage in such conduct may also be retaliation. Retaliation will be treated as a separate handbook violation. Every member of our community (including parents/guardians) should recognize that discussing or criticizing a person’s decision to report what they believed, in good faith, was a violation of the policies established by the School even in circumstances where it is determined that no Handbook violation occurred—may have the purpose or effect (unintended or intended) of retaliating against the person who came forward, harming the reputation of those involved, and/or discouraging others from reporting concerns.

Reporting Violations of the Code of Conduct

If a student believes they have experienced misconduct, has witnessed such behavior, is concerned about retaliation, or has relevant information about prohibited conduct, the student is urged to report the matter promptly to a teacher, the Division Head, or to an administrator or faculty member with whom the student feels comfortable. If a student is uncomfortable contacting a trusted adult alone, the student may ask an advisor, another adult, or a classmate to help.

Parents or guardians who have relevant information concerning prohibited conduct are urged to immediately notify the Division Head. When student misconduct is reported, promises of confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, as it is far more difficult to determine the facts of what occurred if complaints are made anonymously.

Any report that provides sufficient information about a possible incident of misconduct will result in follow-up If the information provided in the report is insufficient to allow for meaningful and productive follow-up, an attempt will be made to learn more. Generally, follow-up will include inquiry or investigation, followed by fact-finding and a decision about consequences. Throughout, PHS’ goals are to ensure a safe and supportive school environment, to prevent repetition of misconduct, and to support all students involved.

The Head of School, or someone designated by the Head of School, will conduct an impartial investigation. This may be another administrator or it may be an impartial third party. The investigation may include, but is not limited to, interviews with the complainant(s), respondent(s), reporting person(s), and any other persons who may have relevant information, including faculty, staff, and students’ parents/guardians. Investigations will be as prompt and thorough as possible. Students are required to participate in any investigation, when requested.

In keeping with the School’s values and guiding principles, investigators are committed to working with students and others in a respectful, compassionate manner. Every effort is made to ensure the process is non-threatening and that it provides the student the opportunity to look critically at their own actions in a manner that allows for growth and increased awareness. Throughout an investigation, efforts will be made to keep all parties informed, to the extent that confidentiality, impartiality and the integrity of the investigation will allow.

The school releases information concerning complaints of misconduct, and the disciplinary action taken only on a legitimate, need-to-know basis.

Cell Phones and Other Personal Electronic Devices

Purpose:

Our cell phone policy is intended to foster an environment of personal engagement, social connection, and academic focus within the Pembroke Hill community This policy gives students the freedom to be fully present and engaged in their learning environment, encouraging face-to-face interactions, and limiting distractions.

Policy Overview:

● Cell phones should be turned off and must be stored in a Yondr pouch when students arrive at school. Cell phones are to remain in the locked Yondr pouch throughout the school day until dismissal

● Cell phones, and any other audio devices connected to personal technology (including headphones and earbuds), are prohibited during school hours in all school spaces, including: restrooms, locker rooms, hallways, the library, the dining hall, the Commons, and during gatherings such as assemblies, morning meetings, etc.

● Electronics, including, but not limited to, phones, cameras, computers, and tablets (including school-issued devices) are not permitted in the dining hall, in restrooms, or in locker rooms at any time for any reason

● Under no circumstances may a student, faculty member, or staff person be video recorded, audio recorded, or photographed without the express permission of the individual. Students are only allowed to record and/or photograph under the direction of a teacher as it relates to an assignment. Furthermore, recordings and photographs taken for class are the property of the school and should only be used for school-related projects. Any misuse of video, audio, or photography will result in disciplinary action

● Our dining hall is a technology-free space during lunch periods. Computers, tablets and other technology (including school-issued devices) are not allowed in the dining hall during lunch.

● Students participating in after-school activities, sports practices or other extracurriculars may unlock their Yondr pouches at dismissal and are then permitted to use their cell phones and other personal electronic devices Early room (lower school), dismissal (lower school), extended day (lower and middle school), and extracurricular activities (lower and middle school) will continue to be cell-phone free spaces. If electronics are in a student's backpack after school hours and the student is using a locker room or restroom, electronic devices should remain in their backpack and should never be used in spaces that require personal privacy.

School-Issued Technology:

School-issued computers, iPads, Chromebooks and other electronic devices should only be used for school-related activities These devices are provided as part of the educational process and are not to be used for personal browsing, games, or personal communication. Any misuse of school-issued devices will result in disciplinary action.

Each student in the upper school and middle school will be issued an individual Yondr pouch. The pouches will be treated the same as other school-issued devices. If the pouch is lost or damaged, the replacement cost will fall to the student and their family. Replacement costs for lost or damaged pouches will be $40.

Smartwatches and Other Personal Electronics:

Consistent with the cell phone policy, smartwatches (including Apple Watches) and any other personal electronic devices are not allowed during the school day. We encourage students not to bring these devices to school. If they are worn or brought to school, they must be removed and stored in the Yondr pouch during the school day. If these items do not fit in the Yondr pouch, they should be turned off and stored in the student’s locker.

Special Considerations:

Medical Usage: The administration will consider individual exceptions to our cell phone policy on a case-by-case basis for medical or other circumstances that require the use of electronics during the school day. In some cases, a velcro Yondr pouch will be issued. A meeting with the family, student and division head will be required prior to approval of any exception

Consequences for Non-Compliance:

If a student’s cell phone is outside of their Yondr bag and/or a student is found to be using a phone or other personal electronic device during the school day:

● First offense: The device will be placed in the division school office for the remainder of the day. Their parent or guardian will be notified and expected to retrieve the device after school.

● Second offense: The device will be placed in the school office for the remainder of the day. In order to retrieve the device, a parent or guardian will be required to come to the office to collect the device. The student will need to check their device(s) into the office for five school days If a student fails to deliver their device to the office, the five day period will reset to day zero.

● Third or more offenses: A meeting between the student, their parent or guardian, and division administration will be required to explore the reasons behind this behavior pattern and establish strategies for improvement More serious consequences will be determined by the administration based on the code of conduct

Communication During the School Day:

We recognize that parents/guardians and students may need to communicate during school hours For upper and middle school students, please use their Pembroke Hill email as the first option.

In addition, we will assist you in communicating with your student when needed. Likewise, if a student needs to communicate with you in a timely manner, we have phones located in all classrooms and in the school office for student use.

We ask that parents/guardians partner with us by limiting communication during the school day and being mindful of the frequency and timing of their communication, understanding that students may not respond immediately.

For all divisions, you can communicate with your student during the school day by contacting the following:

● Upper school office | 816 936 1403

● Middle school office | 816 936 1502

● Lower school office | 816 936 1302

● Early childhood school office | 816 936 1372

Other useful numbers if you need immediate assistance contacting your student:

Division Heads

● Upper school division head | Mike Hill | 816 936 1401

● Middle school division head | Brian Bartelli | 816 936 1501

● Lower school division head | Karen Boyle | 816 936 1301

● Early childhood school division head | Sherri Danyali | 816 936 1241

Division Counselors:

● Upper school counselor | Aja Pence | 816 936 1414 and Kelsey Polk | 816 936 1550

● Middle school counselor | Whitney Kauffman | 816 936 1526

● Lower school counselor | Beth Walker | 816 936 1305

Urgent Communication Needs:

For urgent situations when a student needs to speak privately with a parent, caregiver, or trusted adult, each division has designated places for students to go At these locations, faculty and staff will allow the students to unlock their Yondr pouches and use their cell phones to contact adults These events should be limited to urgent and private situations

Policy Summary:

This policy seeks to create an environment conducive to learning, social interaction, and overall well-being By implementing clear guidelines regarding cell phone usage during school hours, we aim to empower our students to be present, engaged, and fully immersed in their educational journey We believe this policy will contribute to a more enriching and fulfilling educational experience for all members of our community. Thank you for your partnership.

Backpacks and Lockers

Students are not permitted to carry backpacks in Boocock Middle School unless they are leaving the building or they have just entered the building and are on their way to their lockers Backpacks are not allowed to be carried into classrooms Exceptions to our backpack policy will be considered by the administration based on medical or other circumstances that require the use of a backpack during the day

Students are provided with a locker to store their personal belongings. All materials must be stored in the locker and should not be left unattended anywhere on campus Materials left unattended will be placed in the office, and the student will be assigned an after-school reflection to create a plan to organize their materials and use of locker

Lockers should be locked anytime not in use. Lockers are the property of the school and students should take proper care of their assigned locker The school reserves the right to search lockers at any time for any reason. There should be no assumption that items stored in a school-issued locker are confidential The safety of any valuables stored in a locker can not be guaranteed. Students/families assume the risk of any valuables brought to school, and the school will not be held responsible for missing or lost materials

Solicitation

In order to maintain a productive educational environment, students are not allowed to sell items on campus for personal or philanthropic measures. If students are promoting a community service project, they need permission from the division head to fundraise or promote a charitable organization.

Deliveries

Students are not allowed to have food or other materials delivered to campus by third-party vendors such as Uber Eats, Postmates, etc.

Dress

The Pembroke Hill middle school believes that standards of neatness and appropriateness in clothing encourage an atmosphere that is conducive to learning, working and discipline. Student dress should reflect the school’s core values of respect, compassion, scholarship and integrity

The aim of the dress code is to create an inclusive, accepting and reasonably informal atmosphere where students feel comfortable to express individuality

Furthermore, it is felt that pride in one’s school and in one’s self is, in part, influenced by appearance The student dress code supports our goal of inspiring students to learn while leaving primary decisions around student clothing and style to students and their parent(s)/guardian(s), who are responsible for ensuring a student’s clothing is a positive representation of their family and school.

At school and any school-sponsored event, student clothing must be worn in a way that private body areas are fully covered at all times with opaque fabric. Students are to be neat, clean and well-groomed Students must wear:

● A shirt with opaque fabric in the front, back and on the sides under the arms which covers private body parts and appropriately covers undergarments;

● Pants/jeans or the equivalent (a skirt, leggings, a dress or shorts) that cover all private parts and appropriately covers undergarments; and

● Shoes.

The following clothing items may not be worn at a school or any school-sponsored event:

● Any article or apparel that displays obscene words, pictures or designs;

● Any article that conveys a sexually suggestive remark, a pro-alcohol message or a tobacco and/or drug message;

● Any item of clothing that exposes underwear;

● Hats while inside school buildings and in classrooms (except for medical or religious reasons) This includes stocking hats, bandanas and other head coverings (hairbands may be worn);

● Any item that obscures the face, ears or head (except for medical or religious reasons); and

● Any item that impedes the learning process

Physical education students are required to wear a uniform for class. This uniform is available in the PHS Bookstore On game days, students will dress up in accordance with the coach's recommendation.

Students will be informed of a dress code violation via email or in person Students in violation will be provided three options to meet dress code standards:

1 A student will be asked to put on their own alternative clothing, if readily available at school, for the remainder of the day.

2 A student will be provided with temporary school clothing for the remainder of the day.

3 If necessary, a student's parents may be called to bring alternative clothing for the student to wear for the remainder of the day.

Penalties:

● First Violation: Warning

● Second-Fourth Violations: After school reflection or restoration determined by administration. Parents will also be notified.

● Fifth or more: To be determined by administration

Technology

Technology devices and accounts issued to students by the school should be used for educational purposes only. Misuse of technology will result in disciplinary action. For minor infractions, students will receive a warning, then each additional infraction will result in the student being assigned an after-school reflection. If serious or repeated minor infractions occur, the administration will determine the appropriate consequences The IT Department maintains an Acceptable Use Policy which also applies to all students.

Internet Acceptable Use Statement

In support of the educational mission of the school and to enhance learning, collaboration, communication and productivity, PHS provides a wide range of computing resources. These resources include linked computers and software, peripheral devices (e.g., printers, projectors), shared data storage, wireless and Internet access, a school website, electronic mail and a variety of other electronic tools (collectively, the “PHS Information Network”)

Student use of PHS Information Network resources is a privilege and not a right. All users must respect the rights of other users, respect the integrity of the physical facilities and controls, and respect all pertinent license and contractual agreements As with all other policies in this Handbook, failure to adhere to the expectations for use of the PHS Information Network as outlined below may result in a suspension of privileges and/or disciplinary action.

Pembroke Hill’s intent is to make Internet access available to further its educational goals and objectives PHS does not have control of the information on the Internet Certain sites have been blocked, but we realize it is impossible to limit access to all potentially objectionable material Pembroke Hill believes that the benefits to educators and students having access to the Internet far exceed any disadvantages of inappropriate use. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the student to use the Internet in an acceptable and ethical manner. The use of the Internet at school is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in disciplinary action Any unauthorized use that includes, but is not limited to, hacking of the PHS computer network, the school's servers, computers or others' files will be viewed as a major violation of privacy and will result in disciplinary action.

Students are not permitted to share their passwords, or log into the network or web tool accounts as another classmate or PHS employees.

It is expected that students using web tools and technology will treat the tools as a classroom space. Using web or digital tools for speech that is inappropriate, harasses or discriminates against others is not appropriate Students are expected to abide by policies and procedures in the Student Handbook, including those policies regarding plagiarism and general conduct.

Basic artificial intelligence tools like Grammarly and Google Translate as well as generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude may not be used for school work, unless otherwise specified by teachers.

Students have no expectation of privacy in their use of computers and other electronic devices while using the School’s network The School may monitor the activity and contents (including email, documents, and other files) of computers and schoolmanaged online accounts on campus and/or connected to the School’s network, to ensure student safety and that the guidelines are being followed.

Use of the PHS Information Network is intended primarily for educational use related to the academic or extracurricular program of the School Members of our school community have the privilege of using the PHS Information Network for non-school purposes provided, however that such use does not interfere with the operation of the PHS Information Network or otherwise constitute a violation of PHS’ expectations for student conduct.

The School prohibits illegal copying, distribution, reverse assembly, reverse compiling, translation, or alterations to computer software used at PHS, whether on a personal computer or the School’s network. It is also against PHS policy for any student to load unauthorized software onto a PHS device PHS either owns all software that is provided to students, or is permitted to use such software consistent with a license granted to PHS Students and their parents are not permitted to use such software in a manner which would jeopardize PHS’s license or otherwise constitute a violation of the Terms of Use of any given program

Student Services

Middle School Advisory Program

All middle school students are assigned to advisers and to a 10-to-12 student advisory group made up of sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. Students meet three days a week with advisers and advisory groups.

The primary purpose of the advisory groups is to provide mutual support, encouragement and assistance in making progress in all areas of school life. This group is a source of long-term, caring peer relationships with a commitment to each other’s success. We expect students to learn and practice important social and collaborative skills. We hope that advisory activities will also provide a degree of monitoring, accountability and constructive peer pressure

There will be regular, specific tasks assigned to all advisees such as taking care of routine school business. In addition, there will be discussion and collaborative activities designed

to achieve developmental and affective objectives The role of the adviser and the counselor is to facilitate the activities and provide assistance and support.

School Counseling

The middle school counselor is available to assist advisers, teachers, parents and students

The counselor is a source to help with problems that prevent students from succeeding. This support is provided through classroom lessons, individual short-term counseling, small group counseling, consulting with faculty and parents, and being active in school-wide initiatives While the counselor does not provide long-term counseling services to students, recommendations for outside resources can be made.

Middle school students may access the counselor in several ways They can stop in for a short visit; they can make an appointment for a more extensive visit; or they can be referred by a teacher, an adviser or a parent.

During a student’s first visit to the counselor, they are orally advised of the rule of confidentiality Information divulged to the counselor is confidential except in cases when breaking confidentiality is legally required or necessary to prevent serious harm.

Parents can consult with the counselor regarding parenting issues and adolescent concerns. The counselor is able to provide referrals to additional sources, if needed.

Mental Health Related Absence Support

Following an extended mental health related absence or inpatient hospitalization, it is our practice for the school counselor to meet with the student and the family prior to the student resuming class attendance At this meeting, relevant documentation may be requested, a release form may be requested and a student care plan may be put into place.

Middle School Learning Specialist

The learning specialist works with faculty, staff, administration, students and families to evaluate student records/testing The learning specialist makes recommendations and write accommodation plans to assist teachers in providing students with an effective educational program. The learning specialist also provides training and support for all students and faculty.

Wellness

Pembroke Hill School has a dedicated team of nurses and school counselors to manage wellness and health issues for our students

PHS Wellness Team

Wornall Campus Nurse (Early Childhood + Lower School + Summer)

McKenzie Beattie, BSN, RN

Email | mckenziebeattie@pembrokehillorg or nurse@pembrokehillorg

Office | (816) 936-1351

Work Cell | (816) 550-2224

Ward Parkway Campus Nurse (Middle School + Upper School)

Shelby Swickard BSN, RN

Email | sswickard@pembrokehillorg or nurse@pembrokehillorg

Office | (816) 936-1531

Work Cell |(816) 447-0564

Director of Counseling and Community Wellbeing, Early Childhood Counselor

Lindsay Kobolt

Email | lkobolt@pembrokehillorg

Office | (816) 936-1320

Work Cell | (816) 878-0503

Lower School Counselor

Beth Walker

Email | bwalker@pembrokehillorg

Office: (816) 936-1305

Middle School Counselor

Whitney Kauffman

Email | whitney.kauffman@pembrokehill.org

Office | (816) 936-1526

Upper School Counselors

Aja Pence (Class of 2027, Class of 2028)

Email | apence@pembrokehillorg

Office | (816) 936-1414

Kelsey Polk (Class of 2029, Class of 2030)

Email | kpolk@pembrokehillorg

Office | (816)936-1550

Magnus Health

Pembroke Hill uses Magnus Health (an Electronic Health Record) to collect and store your students’ health and medical information for the upcoming school year. Magnus Health streamlines the collection of students’ health information as well as provides a way for our school nurses to submit treatment notes based on the students’ health office visits.

You can access your account by logging into the Parent Portal and clicking the orange “Magnus Health” button under the “Quick Links” sidebar. This will take you to the Magnus homepage and should automatically log you in.

Once you have logged into your Magnus Health account, you will see items marked with a “To Do” flag if you need to take action.

Treatment Notes

Throughout the school year, you may receive an email from Magnus Health with the subject: “New Treatment Note for *Your Student’s Name*.” It will instruct you to click the link and log into your Magnus Health account to view the note These treatment notes are written by our nurses as students are seen in the health office. If anything occurs that is not a minor injury, resolved problem, or simple office visit, then the nurse will call the student’s parent/guardian instead of emailing the treatment note.

Medical Documentation and Forms

Immunization Records

The Missouri Department of Health requires that we have a copy of immunization records on or before the first day of school. The school does not provide a specific form for this. Parents/guardians should obtain a copy of their students’ immunization records from their physician to upload to Magnus Health before the first day of school.

The full immunization record should be uploaded to the “Immunization Form” requirement on the student’s Magnus Health account. After a full copy of immunizations is received, the record only needs to be updated as the student receives more immunizations.

Physical Evaluation Form

Physical/medical examinations are required at the following intervals:

● Early Childhood - Annually (Early Years, Preschool, Prekindergarten)

● Kindergarten

● 3rd Grade

● 5th Grade

● 7th Grade

● 10th Grade

● All New Incoming Students

● Middle and Upper School Student-Athletes

○ MSHSAA Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Form MUST be used.

■ This can be found on Magnus Health and the MSHSAA website

○ The “MSHSAA Medical Eligibility Form - Step 3” (page 5) is the ONLY page that should be uploaded to the “Medical Eligibility Form” requirement on Magnus Health.

○ These physicals are valid for two years unless otherwise stated by the physician.

All forms must be uploaded to Magnus Health by the first day of school, and parents should keep a copy at home. The general “Physical Examination Record” form can be found on the Parent Portal and Magnus Health. It may be used for any grade level and division, with the exception of student athletes. You may also use any document that is preferred by your doctor’s office.

NOTE: If your student is in 7th or 10th grade AND a student athlete, then the completed MSHSAA Medical Eligibility form will fulfill their grade-level physical requirements. If your new, incoming student is in middle or upper school and knows they will want to participate in a sport, then they should use the “Medical Eligibility Form” as well. These can be uploaded to both the “Medical Eligibility Form” and “Physical Evaluation Form” requirements on Magnus Health.

Over-the-Counter Medications

If you would like your students to receive over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, Benadryl, etc from our health offices, then please update the “Over-The-Counter Medication” requirement in Magnus Health.

These medications are given according to the written instructions on the label, i.e., the child’s age and weight Medication requests that exceed the recommended dose or guidelines for recommended usage require written permission from a physician.

The parent/guardian may be notified if an OTC medication is administered, or if it is sought by a student but not administered due to nursing judgment Certain OTC medications can mask pain or other symptoms and result in a delay of a diagnosis and treatment of an underlying health problem The overuse of these medications may also lead to liver damage, kidney damage, or gastrointestinal complications.

Please do not send OTC medications with students to school as they are provided through the health office, unless it is a prescription dose Prescription-strength OTC medications will be handled with the same protocol as any other prescription medication.

Prescription Medications

Medication administration to students during school hours shall be restricted to necessary medication that cannot be given on an alternative schedule Parents should always administer the first dose of a new medication. Please contact the nurse on your student’s campus to notify them of a new medication that needs to be taken at school and any dosage changes.

Students are not permitted to self-carry medications unless they are emergency/rescue medications (see “Emergency Medications” section below) All medications need to be entered in Magnus Health by the parent and turned into the nurse’s office at the beginning of the school year All medication details must be entered in Magnus before the medication will be dispensed at school.

For prescription medication to be administered at school, it must be in a current (not expired) pharmacy container with a label affixed by the pharmacy with the following information:

● Student’s Name

● Medication Name

● Prescribing Physician

● Expiration Date

● Dosage/Route/Schedule of Administration

A parent, guardian, or adult designee must bring the medication and any refills to the nurse’s office. Above conditions must be met for medication to be administered at school.

Any substances not regulated by the FDA will need a physician’s order to be administered at school By law and school policy, nurses are prohibited from administering homeopathic remedies, nutritional supplements and essential oils.

All medications administered and documented will follow the Six Rights of Medication Administration:

● Right Dose

● Right Time

● Right Route

● Right Student

● Right Medication

● Right Documentation

Controlled Substances

Controlled substances will be kept in appropriate lockboxes/locked cabinets. They will be counted with every dispense, and the current count included in every dose documented. Any discrepancies will be immediately reported to the Health Services staff, Division Head, and the affected student’s parents. Ingestion will be witnessed with all medications.

Emergency Medications

Students requiring emergency medications, such as epinephrine injections (ex. EpiPen, Auvi-Q, etc ), rescue inhalers, seizure medications, insulin, etc must have a corresponding action plan on file and have their necessary medications on them at all times. The action plan forms for allergies, asthma, diabetes, and seizures can be found on the Parent Portal and should be uploaded to their requirement on Magnus Health.

Early Childhood and Lower School teachers will carry their students’ emergency medications in an emergency bag that will follow the student throughout their school day. Some Lower School students may be allowed to self-carry their emergency medications upon request of their parent/guardian and with permission from their physician. Middle School and Upper School students should self-carry their emergency medications and keep them on their person at all times.

Allergies

If your child has severe food or other allergies, then we must be aware by the first day of school or the first school day following diagnosis. Please have your doctor fill out the “FARE Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan” form so we can safely care for your student. This form can be found on the Parent Portal and Magnus Health. It will show up as a requirement on Magnus Health once you answer “Yes” to the Conditional Question: “Does your child have a severe allergy requiring emergency medication?”.

Once you have completed and uploaded this document, it does not need to be re-uploaded unless there are changes Magnus Health may prompt you to review and approve the document annually.

If your child’s allergy requires an epinephrine injection (ex. EpiPen, Auvi-Q, etc), please provide the school with two injection devices The epinephrine must be in the original container and labeled by the pharmacy with your student’s information. Please see the “Emergency Medications” section above which describes storage of emergency medication.

Asthma

If your child has been diagnosed with asthma that requires a rescue inhaler, then please have their physician complete the “My Asthma Action Plan for Home and School” form This form can be found on the Parent Portal and Magnus Health. If your physician has a school medication letter or other document that they provide schools, then that may be uploaded in place of the action plan. It will show up as a requirement on Magnus Health once you answer “Yes” for the Conditional Question: “Does your child have asthma requiring an inhaler?”.

Once you have completed and uploaded this document, it does not need to be re-uploaded unless there are any changes Magnus Health may prompt you to review and approve the document annually.

Early Childhood and Lower School parents should bring their student’s rescue inhaler to the health office in its original container and labeled by the pharmacy with your student’s information and dosage. Please see the “Emergency Medications” section above which describes storage of emergency medication

Special Dietary Needs and Meal Modifications

Flik dining services accommodates students with religious or medically necessary dietary needs. If your child has dietary restrictions for any reason INCLUDING food allergies, then we must be aware by the first day of school or the first day following a prescribed change in their diet. Please have your doctor complete the “Meal Modification” form, so our staff can inform the dining team of your student’s needs This form can be found on the Parent Portal under each division’s tab and Magnus Health. It will show up as a requirement on Magnus Health once you answer “Yes” to the Conditional Question: “Does your child have any dietary restrictions?”.

Once you have completed and uploaded this document, it does not need to be re-uploaded unless there are any changes Magnus Health may prompt you to review and approve the document annually.

Please be as thorough with the student’s special diet as possible. For example, if the student is allergic to eggs, but can have food with eggs baked in it, please state that in section 2 of the meal modification form. Failing to provide this information may lead to unnecessary restrictions in the student’s choices at mealtime

Illness Guidelines

Please do not send your student to school ill. Keep them home until they are fever-free without medications for 24 hours. This reduces sharing germs, giving your child extra time to rest and fight off the illness. If your child was not well the night before or during the night, then they should stay home. Your child may unnecessarily expose other children to a communicable disease by coming to school

Students should stay home if they have diarrhea or are vomiting. Usually, they feel physically drained if they have had these symptoms. They may want to return to school when symptom-free after 24 hours. Please consider keeping them home to regain their

strength Keeping students home for an extra day is a healthy investment for you and them.

Children will be sent home at the school nurse’s discretion if they exhibit symptoms including but not limited to:

● A fever of 1004 degrees or higher

● Vomiting more than once or in combination with another symptom

● Diarrhea

● Unknown rash or bumps

● Mattered, red, or tearing eyes

● Sore throat or trouble swallowing

● Headache and stiff neck

● Severe cough to the point of choking

● Persistent/disruptive cough

● Unusual or tea-colored urine

● Infected or crusty patch of skin

● Severe itching in case of head or body lice

● Gray or white stools

● Behaving cranky or less active as usual

● Cries or is fussy for an unusual amount of time

● Loss of appetite

When the school nurse contacts you that your child is sick, please arrange to pick up your child within 45 minutes. This helps the school decrease the spread of germs. Children may return when free of the above symptoms for 24 hours These guidelines are for the well-being and protection of your child and their classmates.

For specific illness exclusion guidelines, our school uses these protocols

Updated COVID-19 Guidance

The CDC has updated its guidance concerning COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory illnesses. The CDC’s updated guidance reflects how the circumstances around COVID-19 in particular have changed While it remains a threat, today it is far less likely to cause severe illness because of widespread immunity and improved tools to prevent and treat the disease

COVID-19 or Influenza Positive Individuals

Pembroke Hill faculty, staff, and students can now return to normal activities when symptoms are improving overall, and after being fever-free without the aid of medication for at least 24 hours The CDC no longer recommends a 5-day isolation period This applies to both COVID-19 and influenza.

While on campus, faculty, staff, and students must still wear a well-fitting mask for 5 days after returning to normal activities.

COVID or Influenza Exposure (Household and Non-Household Contact)

Please monitor your health. If you develop symptoms or a fever, we recommend seeing a medical provider and testing for COVID and Influenza If an individual tests positive, please adhere to the guidance above.

Head Lice Policy

The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) position is that managing head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) in the school setting should not disrupt the educational process. The leadership provided by the registered professional school nurse can impact the reduction of the stigma associated with head lice by providing proper health education, including anticipatory guidance to the school community, and implementing evidence-based strategies for the management of head lice in schools

When a child is identified with having active head lice at school, the child’s parent/guardian is notified and provided with information about treatment Students will be sent home at the end of the day and may return to school after receiving treatment at home School nurses will work with families to ensure proper treatment and management of head lice. Pembroke Hill follows the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics and does not exclude students from school because of head lice or nits.

Head lice are a common issue for school-aged children Parents should be proactive and complete regular and thorough checks for lice throughout the year, regardless of known exposures These checks would be especially important following sleepovers, extracurricular activities, vacations, holiday gatherings, summer camps, etc.

Head lice are considered a nuisance, but they do not spread disease They do not reflect on your family's hygiene or grooming habits lice do not discriminate between clean or dirty hair Head lice are mainly transmitted through prolonged head-to-head contact with an individual who has active lice. Lice do not jump or fly; they are crawling insects.

The school nurse will inform parents/guardians when there is an unusual clustering of head lice cases in a particular classroom, grade level, or building. Continued communication and collaboration with the school nurse will reduce the stigma of head lice, clarify myths, and provide accurate information about effective treatment options.

Child Abuse and Neglect

The safety of our children is of utmost importance to us. All PHS faculty and staff members are mandated reporters and are legally required to report to the Missouri Division of Family Services Child Abuse Hotline when they have a reasonable suspicion that a child has been or may be subjected to abuse or neglect.

Upper School Division

A Preface to Families and Students from the Faculty and Staff

Pembroke Hill's motto is Freedom With Responsibility This handbook contains policies that reflect this basic philosophical position. We, the faculty and staff, endeavor to assist our students as they further develop their sense of responsibility for the well-being of the larger community. To that end, we encourage freedom, with reasonable limitations, and will enforce rules defining those limitations, rules necessary to maintain relative freedom for all.

We use the term community here in a very particular way The learning experience at Pembroke Hill School extends well beyond the bounds of the formal classroom and the scheduled academic day Therefore, we must consider the greater good of the community wherever and whenever we are involved in activities that are formally or informally related to the Pembroke Hill School community

Students, faculty members, administrators, staff members and parents are committed to ensuring a healthy learning environment for nine intensive months We all realize that there are many pressures in such an environment, and we all must commit ourselves to maintaining a healthy atmosphere at all times From all members of the school community, including students and adults, we expect good will, mutual respect, honesty and behavior in and out of the classroom that brings honor to our school In choosing to enroll at Pembroke Hill School, you are agreeing to this expectation.

In this handbook, we attempt to define your privileges and responsibilities so you will know what is expected of you as a member of the Pembroke Hill community.

Parent and Guardian Tips

Parents are encouraged to read the entire handbook to have a fuller understanding of the responsibilities and rules of the upper school community

At Pembroke Hill we believe that the quality of education a young person receives is dependent on the school environment, as well as the home environment. If the expectations of students are consistent in and out of school, they will develop more rapidly and with more self-confidence. With this in mind, we invite, and expect, parental involvement in the school community The best interest of students should always be the primary concern of parents and educators. In order to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings that result in confused messages to students, we have structured the school community to help ensure open lines of communication among faculty, students and parents Please do not hesitate to call us with any questions or concerns

Division Hours

● Student Arrival | 7:45 - 8:45 am

● School Day | 8:45 a.m. - 3:20 p.m.

● Student Dismissal | 3:20 pm

● Office Hours | 7:45 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Student Expectations of Building Hours

General Hours and After-School Dismissal

School buildings are open to students from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students may be on campus during these hours. After regular dismissal at 3:20 p.m., students who remain on campus must be with a teacher, advisor, or coach, or working in the library.

Extended After-School Hours

If students are still on campus after 4:30 p.m., they must report to the library to read or study. They can remain in the library until 6:00 p.m., unless they are with a teacher, advisor, or coach.

Consistent After-School Presence

Students who consistently stay on campus after the 3:20 p.m. dismissal without being involved in a teacher- or coach-sponsored activity must check in with the upper school office. For these students to remain on campus after regular dismissal, an agreement must be made among the school, parents, and the student.

Emergencies

For emergencies after 4:00 p.m., parents may call 816-918-4462.

Before School Begins

Bookstore Hours

Families may sign up for a time slot to visit the bookstore prior to the start of school The link for sign up will be sent via email a week prior to the first available time slot.

Freshman Orientation

This event will occur from 8:40 am -2:00 pm the day before school begins Sessions will include meeting your Link Crew mentors, navigating the schedule to find classrooms, locating your locker, meeting your 9th grade teachers, technology setup, and general information about upper school.

New Student Orientation (Grades 10 - 12)

This event will occur from 12:00 pm -2:00 pm the day before school begins Sessions will include building tours, navigating the schedule to find classrooms, locating your locker, technology setup, and general information about upper school

Drop-Off, Pick-Up and Parking Procedures

To help dismissal run smoothly in the Bellis Athletic Center and State Line parking lots, please remember a few simple procedures and please refrain from using cell phones while driving:

● The traffic flow in both parking lots is one-way.

● From State Line Road, cars must enter the south entrance and move toward the north exit

● It is important to pull as far forward along the curb to allow as many cars as possible into the lot

● If the carpool consists of a combination of middle and upper school students, the students should be picked up in the State Line parking lot.

● Arrange to pick up students in your carpool at the same place in the parking lot every day.

● If the student is not ready to be picked up, please find a parking place or pull your car to the right or left so traffic flow will not be impeded.

● Please do not pick up your students at the south entrance of the State Line parking lot. It is dangerous and impedes the flow of traffic.

● Please do not arrive before 3:10 p.m. for regular student pick-up.

If a student drives to school:

● Freshmen, sophomores and juniors should park in the Hall Student Center/Bellis Athletic Center lot off of 51st Street.

● Seniors park in the east lot or the Kroh Campus lot located across State Line Road.

● Freshman, sophomores and juniors may not return to the parking lot or be in their cars unless a note is obtained from the dean of students, assistant division head or division head

DO NOT PARK in the driveways, or in the visitors’, handicapped or reserved spaces. The lot behind Jordan Hall is reserved for faculty members. Violations will result in detentions and/or an appearance before the Honor Council.

The State Line entrance or the Hall Student Center/BAC entrance can be used when letting off students.

Student Parking Permit Rules and Regulations

Student parking is a privilege. All students who park on the Pembroke Hill - Ward Parkway Campus are required to register their vehicle(s) and obtain a parking permit. A student driving a borrowed/loaner vehicle onto campus must have their parking pass displayed in that vehicle as well. Any student parking on the Pembroke Hill Campus must follow all rules and regulations

All students driving to school must be registered:

● Students can apply for a parking permit using this form. Additional hard copies of the Parking Permit Application Form can be obtained in the Upper School Office.

● Students must register a car to park on campus during school hours If the student is driving a different vehicle for any reason, their approved student parking permit must be clearly visible hanging from the mirror of the vehicle parked on campus

● Student Parking Permits are issued on a first come/first served basis.

● Each application must be completed accurately False or incomplete applications will be denied or canceled with the termination of parking privileges.

● The possession of a parking permit does not imply or guarantee a parking space on campus.

● Parking permits are valid for one school year Students must apply for a new permit each year.

● There is no registration fee

Assigned Parking Areas:

● Students may park in one of the following lots:

● Kroh - Seniors only

● Senior drivers are required to park in the Kroh lot each morning.

● Senior members of PHS Athletic and Academic teams may park in the BAC lot in the morning if their school-sponsored activity takes them away from campus for the entire school day.

● All student vehicles must display the appropriate PHS Parking Permit when parked on the Ward Parkway campus.

● Senior students parking in the BAC lot are required to present their senior ID to security when arriving on campus or in case they need to return to their vehicle prior to the end of the school day

● BAC - Grades 9-11

● Student parking permits must ALWAYS be displayed on the vehicle's rearview mirror.

● Failure of students to park in their designated areas may result in the loss of on-campus parking privileges.

Students are not permitted to:

● Loiter in or around parked cars, before, during, or after school.

● Underclassmen are not allowed to return to their cars, move or drive a vehicle off campus without permission from the dean of students, assistant division head or division head during the school day

We expect all Pembroke Hill students to drive responsibly and respectfully while on campus

Failure to comply with the Driving and Parking Regulations could result in the following:

● Warning letter

● Vehicle towed from the premises at the owner’s expense

● Termination of on-campus parking privileges

Students and parents/guardians should note that Pembroke Hill School is not responsible for theft, damage, or vandalism to any vehicles parked on the school lot or streets close to the school. Car doors should always be locked, with items of value removed from plain sight

School Closures

All-School Late Start Days

There are seven school-wide late start days when class begins at 10 a.m. These days are used to provide professional learning opportunities for all Pembroke Hill faculty and staff. On late start days, our campuses are closed until 9:40 a.m Because all faculty and staff will be involved in the school-wide professional learning sessions, we are not able to offer supervision for early arrivals on these dates Late start dates will be announced in the school calendar each year.

School Closings Due to Inclement Weather

We hold school whenever possible. While inclement weather conditions can disturb normal school routines, families are even more disrupted when they have to make alternative supervisory arrangements for their children on short notice.

Rather than cancel school or risk driving during early morning traffic when road conditions are at their worst, we may occasionally delay the start of school until 10 a.m.

Announcements concerning school closures are made by 6:15 am Parents receive an email, text message and voicemail about emergency school closures, including delayed starts Please note that during high cell phone use time periods, the receipt of text messages may be delayed. Messages are also placed on the school’s website, www.pembrokehill.org, school portals and social media channels. Parents may call the school’s main number (816-936-1200) to hear a recording. Additionally, announcements are made through local television, radio and news outlets. In the event no announcement is made, school will be in session.

Parents Association and Upper School Parent Council

Parents Association

The purpose of the Pembroke Hill Parents Association is to foster a sense of community within our school in which all families are encouraged to engage, connect and support each other

All parents who have a student enrolled at PHS automatically become members of the Parents Association. Membership dues are included as part of tuition and fees and go toward benefitting all students and families at PHS Parents of Pembroke Hill students of all ages are encouraged to become involved in the school by volunteering through Parents Association committees and activities Please visit the Parents Association tab on the parent portal for more information. Additionally, you may contact our director of parent programs with any questions.

Upper School Parent Council

The PHS Parents Association sponsors the council, whose primary mission is to support the upper school by:

● Recruiting and supporting parent volunteers to serve as officers for the council.

● Recruiting and supporting parent volunteers to serve as grade parents from every grade. Grade parents help with:

o New family hospitality

o Class parties

o Communicating with their grade on a regular basis regarding happenings at the school.

● Recruiting and supporting parent volunteers to serve as representatives in the four standing committees of the Parents Association:

o Raider Arts Council

o Parents Inclusion Council

o Raider Club

● Recruiting and supporting parent coordinators for: Wonderful Wednesdays for teachers

The council members meet four times a year and attend division coffees during the school year.

● Meeting dates are posted on the parent portal under the Parents Association tab

● All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend the division coffees. Dates are posted on the school calendar

Attendance

Students are expected to attend school every day unless they are ill. When students are absent, they are limiting their ability to do their best in both their classes and extracurricular activities When at school, students must attend class unless they have permission to be absent from their teacher or an administrator. If students are aware of an upcoming absence of one-half of a school day or more, they need to obtain a Request For Absence form from the school's website or the upper school office, and complete the outlined steps in advance of their absence If a student is absent from school due to illness, a parent should email the office before 8:30 a.m., that day.

If students are absent for two or more days, they may need to confirm that they have all their assignments and know what work they have missed. Students should refer to the course syllabus, Student Portal or contact their teachers directly If additional assistance is needed, students should consult with their advisers for help. We are especially concerned if students’ absences, for illness or other non-school sponsored activities, cause them to fall below the 85 percent class attendance level. Therefore, at mid-term, and the end of each semester, the attendance secretary will compile the attendance records and provide a copy of the records to the dean of students.

The dean of students and the upper school counselors will meet to discuss these records and will forward any concerns to the student's adviser. Within one week, an upper school counselor will notify the student's adviser and the division head of any student with attendance concerns to be reviewed. The division head and academic dean will review the information and decide the terms the student must follow for the successful completion of any classes involved. The division head may also determine additional consequences, which could include the lowering of the student's course grade.

Students must be in class by 8:45 a.m. (10 a.m. for Thursday late starts), when school begins. Students check in with the office to get a late slip if they arrive after 8:45 a.m. Chronic lateness, as defined by the teacher, may result in after-school detentions, loss of honors study halls, lunchroom clean up or other restrictions. Excused tardies include illness and scheduled medical appointments.

Seniors must arrive for their first class or by 9:30 a.m., (10:30 a.m. for Thursday late starts), whichever comes first. Seniors may leave campus during their unscheduled time. They can check-out , and in, using the class roster located in the upper school office . Seniors in good standing are the only students with off-campus privileges Any other student must be excused by a note or phone call from a parent to the upper school office. Students

missing a class due to a doctor’s appointment will be required to show confirmation from the doctor or the doctor’s office.

Eligibility For Extracurriculars

To be eligible to participate in an extracurricular activity, students must be in school by 9:15 am (or 10:30 am on late start Thursdays) and attend all of their classes on the day of the scheduled event, unless an excused absence has been approved by the athletic director or division head prior to that day An illness/injury will NOT meet the excused absence requirement that allows participation in athletic practices or contests. Keeping a student home for extra rest in the morning also will not suffice as an excuse. Routine medical appointments (with a confirmation note from the doctor’s office) are excused and students may participate in their activity. These activities include practices, rehearsals, games, speech and debate competitions, academic competitions and performances.

In order to receive an exemption for a tardy or early dismissal, the athletic director or division head must be contacted prior to 9:15 a.m. on the day of the activity. The athletic director and division head will review each request and will consult with the appropriate coach and/or activity sponsor. Exemptions will only be granted after careful review and only in extraordinary cases

Summary Of Consequences For Violating Attendance Rules

If a student is marked “tardy unexcused” 5 times in a quarter (start of the semester to mid-semester or mid-semester to end of semester) they will receive one detention. After 5 tardies, for each subsequent tardy before the end of the quarter, they will receive an additional detention. Teachers record class tardies and they are combined with first hour tardies

Students who cut class or do not attend Morning Meeting or assembly will, in addition to the academic consequences outlined by the advisor, receive:

● First offense – two after-school detentions, parents will be notified, and students will be assigned to proctored study halls, lunchroom duty and/or meetings period restrictions;

● Second offense – one day suspension and parents will be notified; or

● Third offense - student will appear before the Honor Council

The following consequences will apply to students who violate the off-campus rules:

● First offense - demand study hall (proctored study hall with permission to leave the study hall room given only by the dean of students, assistant division head or division head) for three weeks, meetings period time restricted and parents contacted; or

● Second offense - one-day suspension, four weeks demand study hall, meetings period time restricted and parent conference arranged.

● Three or more offenses - Further violations will result in serious disciplinary action after review by the Honor Council.

Religious Observance

Pembroke Hill is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all students We recognize and respect the diverse religious beliefs and practices within our school community. In accordance with this commitment, the school will make reasonable accommodations for students whose religious observances conflict with scheduled academic requirements.

Students and families are encouraged to notify the division head and their teachers in advance of any religious holidays or observances that may affect attendance, homework due dates, or scheduled assessments Upon timely notification, teachers work with students to make reasonable exceptions for assignments and tests, ensuring that students are not penalized for observing their religious beliefs and have an equitable opportunity to complete missed work or assessments within a mutually agreed-upon timeframe

Graduation Requirements

The upper school provides a four-year, 20-unit program that leads to graduation and receipt of a Pembroke Hill School diploma. The graduation requirements, curriculum and descriptions of all course offerings are set forth in the upper school Program of Studies, which can be found on the PHS website.

Upper School Schedule

All upper school students may view their specific class schedules on their student portal pages. These schedules will be available in early August.

Grade Reporting System

Students and their parents will receive a report including comments and a letter grade for each course four times per year: one at each mid-semester and one at the conclusion of each semester.

Furthermore, interim reports may be sent upwards of four additional times per year (roughly every four weeks). These reports will only be sent if a student’s grade is C- or less, has changed as much as one letter grade since the previous reporting period, or if there are other improvements, shortcomings or special achievements that need to be noted. We welcome and encourage parent-teacher communication Parents can contact their student's individual instructor or adviser to request a grade update when necessary. Semester and final grades will be held until all library materials and athletic equipment have been returned.

The grading system in the upper school is A+ (97 - 100%), A (93 - 96%), A- (90 - 92%), B+ (87 - 89%), B (83 - 86%), B- (80-82%), C+ (77 - 79%), C (73 - 76%), C- (70 - 72%), D+ (67 - 69%), D (63 - 66%), D- (60 - 62%) and F (59% and below). The grades earned during the first semester, combined with the first semester final assessment, are used to calculate the first semester grade; similarly, the grades earned during the second semester, combined with the second semester final assessment, are used to calculate the second semester grade. These two semester grades are equally weighted to calculate the year-end/final

grade Only the year-end/final grade earned is recorded on a student’s transcript The semester grade is recorded for courses one semester long.

Note: Faculty members are not required to weigh all assignments equally during any given semester. For example, as tasks become more sophisticated as the semester goes on, faculty members might weigh them more heavily, meaning work at the end of the semester counts more than work done at the beginning. Similarly, the weighting of end-of-semester assessments will be at each individual teacher’s discretion

All courses pursued beyond the first mid-semester grading period must be satisfactorily completed or an equivalent substitution approved by the probation committee Seniors may take a course on a pass/fail basis provided that the senior and their teacher agree to this grading system and the course is not required for graduation. This agreement must be approved by the parents, department chair and the division head prior to the end of the first grading period.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Students and parents frequently have questions about grade point averages (GPA) in the upper school. The following will explain the school’s method of calculating GPAs: A student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA) is computed/updated at the conclusion of each semester only. This is true for both the student’s internal and external GPA.

Internal GPA

Since semester and year-end grades are calculated by Pembroke Hill faculty using the 100-point scale, a student’s internal grade point average for any given semester is simply the mathematical average of all the classes they complete in that semester Similarly, a student’s cumulative GPA is the average of all the grades they have compiled in their upper school career (Note: with the exception of grades earned through the Swiss Semester Program, grades earned at schools other than Pembroke Hill will NOT be included in a student's cumulative GPA calculation.)

External GPA

Because we prefer that outside institutions, particularly colleges and universities, not reduce our students to a mere number or use that number to “rank” one of our students up against another of our students, Pembroke Hill reports grade point averages (GPA) as letter grades to these outside institutions.

The following conversion table is used to determine a student’s external GPA:

B+ 86.5-89.4

B 82 5-864

B- 79.5-82.4

C+ 76.5-79.4

C 72.5-76.4

C- 69.5-72.4

D+ 66 5-694

D 62.5-66.4

D- 595-624

F 0-59.4

For both internal and external grade point averages, Pembroke Hill calculates an unweighted average. However, a weighted grade point average is calculated in three specific instances:

● To determine the school’s valedictorian each spring;

● To determine the winner of the Hovey Tablet (highest overall grade point average) for each school year; and

● To determine which juniors and seniors shall be inducted into the Pembroke Hill chapter of the Cum Laude Society each spring.

When calculating a weighted GPA, five additional points are added to the final numerical average in any class labeled as Accelerated or Advanced Placement (AP). For example, a student earning an 89 in Accelerated Chemistry would receive a 94 in the weighted GPA calculation.

Grade Point Averages On The 4.0 Scale

Because the 4.0 scale is widely used and understood, students and parents often ask what a Pembroke Hill GPA would be if it were expressed on the 4.0 scale. Although the following conversion chart is not official, or exact, it does provide a rough estimate and will suffice for many purposes:

Honor Roll

At the end of each semester, students are eligible to be placed on the honor roll

The numerical averages a student receives in each class are added together and divided by the total number of courses the student has taken This determines that semester's grade point average.

Courses are NOT weighted to determine honor roll and GPA Courses are weighted to determine valedictorian, the Hovey Tablet recipient, and Cum Laude Society induction. Certain courses, such as physical education, are not considered in determining grade point average. Pass/fail courses are given a “C” weight to determine GPA. The minimum grade point average required to qualify for the honor roll is 795 The minimum grade point average to qualify for the high honor roll is 89.5. The same standard applies whether a student is taking five, six or seven courses in a marking period.

No student may be on the honor roll or high honor roll who has a grade below C- or who has been guilty of a violation of the academic policies (ie, cheating, plagiarism) of the school.

Academic Probation

A student will be considered for academic probation if, at the end of a semester, the student:

● Has a 69 percent (D+) or less average for all courses taken during the semester;

● Is failing one or more courses;

● Inappropriately uses technology tools in academic work; or

● Has a significant drop in performance or other academic concerns deemed by the division head to warrant review.

Students considered for academic probation are evaluated by a committee consisting of the assistant division head, upper school counselor, the learning specialist, director of college counseling and department heads The division head chairs the committee The committee will examine all aspects of the student’s record, both curricular and extracurricular, before recommending that they be placed on probation

The division head reviews the recommendations of the academic probation committee and makes the final determination of consequences and actions that may include placing a hold on the student’s contract for the coming academic year. Students reviewed by the

committee will receive a letter from the division head stating the reasons the student was reviewed; the decision made regarding probation; the consequences of academic probation; and suggestions and recommendations that may lead to improvement in the student’s performance. This letter will be sent to the parents and student, adviser and head of school, and a copy is placed in the student’s file.

Failures and Incompletes

Other matters concerning the satisfactory completion of work:

● In grades 9-11, students who fail a course must retake the course or make alternative arrangements that are deemed satisfactory to the teacher and the probation committee. The probation committee determines the appropriate method of satisfying the minimum standards for a failed course

● Seniors must complete work in all courses five courses are required each semester and an F must be taken care of in a manner satisfactory to the probation committee, and the teacher before a diploma is granted. One-semester classes must be passed for the semester Year-long classes must be passed for the full year.

● A grade of Incomplete will be allowed only in cases of extreme hardship (eg, illness, death in the family) and must be approved by the division head. The Incomplete must be rectified as soon as possible, and in a manner that meets the approval of the probation committee and division head.

● Students who have Honors Study Hall privileges will forfeit this privilege if they are failing a course at mid-semester or semester.

Independent Study, Non-Credit

The Independent Study Program gives students the opportunity to take charge of their own learning, demonstrate important qualities such as initiative and intellectual curiosity, learn in an alternative style outside the classroom, share a personal passion with faculty and peers, and receive recognition for their work

Non-credit independent study projects can be short or long-term (from one week to a year) Past examples include internships, shadowing professionals, creating works of art, composing and recording songs, creating business plans, and writing and directing plays to name a few

Students must be sponsored by a faculty member and must submit their project proposal to the Independent Study Program Committee for approval (Independent study for credit guidelines are outlined in the Program of Studies book).

Testing and Assessments

We believe that students learn from various means of assessment. Testing is one of the assessment tools that we want our students to learn how to use We also know that the best learning occurs when tests are returned to students as soon after the taking of the test as possible Each department has a test return policy that is given to parents in the open house course handout, which is also available online. This policy refers to major

papers as well as tests If you have a question or concern, please call the teacher, the department chair or the division head.

No more than two tests should be assigned on any given day Major tests and major papers are assigned by the teacher, and should be announced in advance. If students have more than two major tests and/or major papers due the same day, they should notify the teachers immediately upon the third assignment so alternative arrangements can be made Waiting until the day of the test conflict is too late! Students must inform the teacher at least 24 hours before the test to resolve the conflict, or they will be required to take the test.

This rule does not apply to daily quizzes (less than full-period evaluations). Students should contact the division head or academic dean to resolve situations that violate this policy.

Exams

A semester-ending assessment will be given in all upper school courses except in visual and performing arts courses and AP classes. These assessments are given on a special schedule at the close of each semester. Students will have no more than two assessments each day. Each teacher or department will determine the weight of these semester assessments as they relate to the semester grade. Students must not be absent during final assessments.

A reading day occurs the day before semester-ending assessments. No tests may occur and no assignments may be due on this day. Faculty members are available at school to assist students with exam preparation, and review sessions are announced (some are mandatory). Students are only required to attend the mandatory review sessions but are welcome to attend school to study and prepare for their semester assessments.

On exam days, students need only be present for their scheduled exams.

Second-semester seniors may be exempt from exams provided they have an honors average (B) or better in the course. This exemption policy is subject to the discretion of the teacher. Therefore, a teacher may choose to apply a stricter guideline, i.e., raise the grade average required for an exemption, or may choose to require that all seniors take the exam.

In Advanced Placement courses, second-semester final exams are given at the teacher’s discretion.

Courses that enroll both seniors and juniors shall have the following second-semester exam policy:

● Except in classes that have fewer than three juniors enrolled, separate exams will be given to seniors and juniors during their respective exam periods. In classes that have one or two juniors, the juniors shall take the exam with the seniors if it does not cause them to miss other classes. If there are class conflicts, the exam can be given after school.

● Students must be very careful to clear their calendar of any other commitments during exams. This is a time of rigorous testing. They should plan only to review and to rest during the time before and between exams

Student Trips and Long-Term Absences

The school’s generous vacation at semester’s end (December/January), Spring Break (March) and other school holidays are announced in advance, usually one year prior. We hope that family vacations can be scheduled during these school breaks and not while school is in session. If there is a need for students to be absent, and parents approve and know in advance, students should obtain and follow the steps outlined on the Request For Absence Form in the Parent Portal under Upper School Forms. The division head, assistant division head or dean of students can approve the scheduled absence If students have planned absences and do not follow these procedures, they will be assigned lunchroom duty or detention (Refer to the College Counseling section for college trip guidelines.)

Guardianship

While students are enrolled in the school, they must live with a parent or legal guardian. If, for some reason, students must live outside the home, the school should be consulted and a mutual agreement reached. We are concerned with the welfare of our students at all times

Parents Out-Of-Town

If you are planning to be out of town and your child is going to be staying with a sitter, relative or friend, please notify the school. We need this information in case of emergencies.

Multiple Households and Custody Orders

The School does not seek to become involved in parental disputes However, in order for the School to communicate most effectively with parents and support each student, teachers and administrators must be aware of any court-ordered guidelines regarding primary households, visitations, picking up a student from school, parent involvement in field trips, or other such similar issues

Parents are responsible for informing the School of any living, custody, or financial arrangements that may affect the student’s enrollment or experience at PHS. Custody orders or settlement agreements should be provided to the appropriate Division Head, with clear instructions for the School regarding how to carry out the court’s orders. While PHS endeavors to comply with court-ordered living, custody, and financial arrangements to minimize disruption to students’ educational experiences, the School cannot do so without clear instructions from parents

Parent Comportment and Support for School Policies

At PHS, we believe that a positive relationship between the School and a student’s parents or guardians is essential to the fulfillment of the School’s mission We

recognize that effective relationships are characterized by clearly defined responsibilities, a shared commitment to collaboration, open lines of communication, mutual respect, and a common vision of the goals to be achieved

PHS may dismiss a student whose parent, guardian, family member, or other adult involved with the School by virtue of their relationship with the student fails to comply with policies or procedures of the School; engages in conduct, either on or off the School’s property, that could undermine the authority of the School’s Administration; and/or otherwise behaves in a manner that is unbecoming of a member of the School community. Similarly, the School may refuse re-enrollment of a student if the School believes the actions of a parent, guardian, family member, or other affiliated individual, on or off the School’s property, make a positive, constructive relationship impossible, or otherwise may interfere with the School’s ability to accomplish its mission and/or educational goals.

Tutoring Policy

Frequently, a student will need help beyond classroom instruction. Individual meetings between student and teacher are a valuable teaching tool We encourage and expect students to ask teachers or advisers for help when they are having problems; parents should also encourage their child to do this The adviser serves as the resource and school liaison for students and parents (see Role of the Adviser).

The teacher/student connection should occur before tutoring for academic-related issues is considered. When the school, parents or student thinks the student would benefit from ongoing remedial assistance, the learning specialists and adviser should be contacted to coordinate and to ensure that there is frequent communication between the tutor and the school.

Upper school students will not be tutored for academic-related issues for monetary compensation by upper school faculty during the academic year unless an exemption is granted by the department chair and the division head. Families are asked to respect this policy and not request that PHS faculty tutor their child.

Morning Meetings and Assemblies

Morning Meetings occur on Tuesdays at 10:05 am and Thursdays at 11:20 am

Announcement assemblies will be called, as needed. Assembly duration varies. Students are required to arrive promptly, sit in assigned seats and be respectful to speakers. Backpacks, books and notes must be left outside the gym or auditorium. Class sponsors and advisors take attendance at the start of Morning Meetings or the assembly Unexcused absences are reported to the Honor Council chair. If absences are anticipated, students should notify class sponsors or their advisor

During assemblies, students may make announcements for school-sponsored events, but they must be in good taste Students who violate this condition will lose the right to make announcements for at least two weeks.

The division head, assistant division head or the dean of extracurricular and student activities may approve/disapprove announcements. All club meeting times must be put on the student activities calendar before being announced in assembly During short assembly periods, simple announcements regarding the time and place of a club meeting should be made by the student government president. Special skits and unusually long presentations must be approved by the dean of extracurricular and student activities at least a day prior to the assembly.

Our program is enriched by special assemblies throughout the year. Arts presentations and the Hazard Lecture Series are examples of these special assemblies. These may occur at the 11:20 a.m. assembly period or during Raider Hour on Tuesday afternoons. Special assemblies are coordinated through the dean of extracurricular and student activities office. Parents and alumni are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Free Time On Campus

Students are to conduct themselves appropriately on campus, remembering that classes are in session and that students and faculty are working even if an individual student has free time. Therefore, quiet, school-appropriate and respectful behavior is required. Boocock Middle School is reserved for middle school students and faculty Upper school students should not be in the middle school unless they have permission and specific business.

Quiet Study Time

When not in class or assigned study hall, students may quietly study in the Commons, hallways, Hall Student Center and Patterson Hall (when there are no activities scheduled there), Boocock Gallery, Kemper Library, Pierson Lobby, courtyard and the student lounge on the third floor of Jordan Hall.

Study Hall

All freshmen and sophomores who have not been granted honors study periods will be scheduled into study hall during unscheduled periods. Students must remain in the study hall room except when they need to visit a teacher or work in the library. Students must obtain a pass to leave the study hall, and students should return before the period ends Failure to follow these guidelines will result in demand study halls, thus restricting future trips to the library

Honor Study Period

As students mature and prove themselves capable of wisely organizing their time, they will be granted honors study period. All juniors and seniors are granted honors study privileges with the exception of those on academic or disciplinary probation, or those who have lost the privilege as a result of disciplinary or academic difficulties. This privilege will be reviewed at the end of each semester

Faculty members select sophomores to receive this privilege at the start of each semester. Students may earn honors study hall if they receive approval from the majority of the teachers (three out of five if taking five classes; four out of six if taking six classes); are not opposed by a study hall proctor, adviser, librarian or administrator; do not earn a

D+ or below in any course at the mid-semester marking period; and do not receive more than one detention or have excessive school tardiness during the applicable semester.

The names of sophomores earning semester honors study privileges will be determined at the end of the second semester of the freshman year and at the end of the first semester of the sophomore year

Failure to perform responsibly at any time, however, could result in immediate loss of this privilege

Senior Responsibilities and Privileges

In its position as the oldest, most mature class and as the class most familiar with the school, the senior class carries responsibility distinct from and exceeding that of underclass students The tone and general atmosphere of the school is largely established by their example and leadership, both as a group and as individuals.

Seniors have the following privileges as long as they act responsibly, following the school rules and expectations. These privileges may be withdrawn.

1. Seniors must arrive for their first class or by 9:30 a.m. (10:30 a.m. for Thursday late starts), whichever comes first, and are allowed to leave campus during unscheduled time Seniors are issued IDs to confirm their senior status This ID must be shown to security upon request. They must check out and check-in using the class roster in the upper school office They must observe school rules and guidelines while off campus during school hours. If a senior fails a course, falls below a C- average or fails to meet other academic expectations (eg, due dates for major papers), the senior will lose this privilege.

2 Seniors may be exempt from second semester exams at the discretion of their teachers, provided they have a B average or better in the course. (See Exams)

Student Transportation

Transportation

For all away school events, participants are required to take school-provided transportation to the competition, unless otherwise told in advance of the competition. Returning to school on school-provided transportation from away competitions is not required, as further outlined below

Important to note: Transportation authorizations are in the Parent Portal and must be confirmed at the beginning of the new school year.

The following modes of transportation will be used based on the number of individuals (coaches, athletes, trainers and/or managers) that are traveling:

● 1-8 = 1 twelve (12) passenger van driven by a coach

● 9-12 = 1 fifteen (15) passenger van driven by a coach

● 13-19 = 2 vans driven by coaches

● 20+ individuals = regular-sized school bus or small school bus when traveling in the KC metropolitan area

Charter buses will be considered and may be used under the following circumstances:

● 24+ individuals; and

● Traveling outside of the KC metropolitan area (125 miles or greater)

Athletes, managers and competitors may ride home from an away competition with their parent or guardian, provided that parent/guardian have signed the parent release form

Athletes, managers and competitors may ride with another student's parent/guardian if their parent/guardian has advised the coach in writing (email will suffice) PRIOR to the competition.

● Parents cannot give authorization for students other than their own

When Pembroke Hill does not provide transportation to an athletic event or other competition, the following policies apply:

● A coach will inform the team AND their parents that students must find their own transportation to the event This can include parents, students or other parents/students driving the athletes at the parents' discretion with applicable permission on file

● School conduct rules apply at all times when students are driving themselves, and students are subject to discipline when necessary

The complete transportation policy is available from the business office.

Shuttle Service To/From School

An optional transportation service is offered to shuttle students to/from school and centralized stops. Three routes are offered: one to areas north of the Missouri River and the other two serve areas south of PHS in Johnson County, Kan Details about the service can be obtained on the Pembroke Hill website or by contacting the business office.

January Interim Week

The first week following winter break is an interim week dedicated to alternative and experimental course offerings, which provide non-traditional learning opportunities for students. The primary purpose of the January Interim (Jan Term) is to enrich students' learning experiences by giving them opportunities to study in areas and in ways not available in the regular curriculum. Jan Term promotes interdisciplinary learning, independent study and provides opportunities for community service and travel.

Jan Term is a vital part of the academic year. In many ways, it provides a creative, collaborative and experiential complement to the academic rigor of the rest of the school year. A Jan Term committee reviews and approves courses and trip proposals. Jan Term trips provide opportunities for educational experiences outside of the traditional classroom. Jan Term travel opportunities are announced to the students during assemblies and usually require early sign-up Proposals for independent study or community service and engagement are reviewed and approved by the Independent Study Program Committee

Full participation in the Jan Term week program is required. School academic, conduct and attendance policies will be enforced during the week Failing an interim course

results in assignment to study halls/detentions for a minimum of three weeks for each failed course.

Additional Expenses

Parents of children at Pembroke Hill, like parents of children at all schools, will encounter expenses in addition to enrollment expenses (tuition, Bookstore deposit for books and supplies, lunch, Parents Association dues and class dues) as their children progress through school Over the past several years, Pembroke Hill has worked to minimize these extra costs while creating a tuition structure that is as inclusive of these costs as possible. Parents are always encouraged to contact the division head or the director of admissions and financial aid if they have a concern about an expense.

Some of these additional expenses are required of a student if they choose to participate in an activity (such as athletics) or a specific course. Other expenses are for items that are voluntary with the degree of student involvement becoming a family decision

The following lists of expenses are included here to help parents/guardians get a sense of the activities and events that have costs associated with them They are listed by categories such as school-wide and by division. Within these categories, items are listed as required or optional These lists should not be considered complete, but it is hoped that most items have been included so that families may plan accordingly.

Expenses (Required)

● Specific course expenses (art supplies, textbooks, calculators, choir attire, etc )

● AP Tests (if in AP courses)

● SAT/ACT standardized tests (mostly grades 11 and 12)

● January Interim expenses (trips have different costs; some courses have costsmany do not)

● Advisory treats

● Parents Association Dues (includes membership in the Raider Club and Arts Council)

Expenses (Optional)

● Annual Fund

● Arts/sports performance videos

● Choir trip (school pays a portion)

● Drama and musical productions - shoes

● Parent/Guardian gatherings

● Projects supporting charitable organizations

● School photos

● Student club fundraising (bake sales, candy sales, etc )

● Snacks/food for various events

● Thespian trip (school pays a portion)

● Interscholastic sports - personal gear (Additional costs vary by sports. An outline of specific costs will be presented to families during the team meeting at the beginning of the season. Complete lists also will be available in the athletic office prior to these meetings)

● Academic competitions (Varies by program Most expenses paid by school Some travel costs are shared with school.)

● Prom/dances - ticket, attire, dinners, flowers

● Letter jacket

● Class ring

Additional Senior Year Expenses (Required)

● College application fees (varies by school)

● Senior photo

Senior Year Expenses (Optional)

● College trips

● Celebrate Our Senior events

● Graduation announcements/merchandise

● Yearbook ads

● Senior video

Bookstore

Students may charge books, school supplies, clothing, book bags and athletic gear at the Bookstore Parents/guardians should establish a clear understanding with their child about this charge privilege.

Included in your tuition bill is a deposit ($650) for Bookstore charges. If a student has charged less than the deposit, parents will be credited through the business office at the end of May. If the charges exceed the deposit, parents are required to pay the difference. Each time a student exceeds the deposit by $200, a bill will be mailed by the business office. Parents/guardians may call the Bookstore at 816-936-1426 or email Bookstore manager Joanna Kubicki at jkubicki@pembrokehillorg, to check on their account or request a detailed printout.

The Bookstore hours until school starts will be 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The bookstore hours throughout the school year are 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday Any questions should be directed to Joanna Kubicki, Bookstore manager.

All graphing calculator serial numbers should be registered with the Bookstore, whether purchased there or not The student’s name should be on the calculator

School-Issued Laptop Computers

Upper school students are issued Surface Pro laptop computers at the start of the school year. Students are expected to bring them to each class, charged and ready for use. Loaner devices are not available The use of personal laptops in lieu of the school-issued device is prohibited. With the Surface Pro Program, your bookstore account will be charged for insurance and ebooks This year, the insurance fee will be $125 Ebooks vary depending on the classes your student is taking. Most textbooks are ebooks on the Surface Pro Some classes have a textbook, a workbook or a reading book that the student will need to purchase as well. At the end of the school year, we do take back a few of the

English reading books These books are on consignment You will get a small credit when we sell the book the following school year. If we don't sell the books, we will donate them.

The school Bookstore has cases for the Surface Pro, which are mandatory for all upper school students and come with a warranty that extends through the end of that school year The school technology department will help file a claim if needed

If a student is using this Surface Pro case, the first break/damage will incur a cost of $150. The second will be charged $300 All subsequent repairs will be charged at the full replacement cost ($950 at present). These breaks/damages are cumulative for the student’s time in the upper school and do not reset yearly If a student is not using the case from the Bookstore, the repair/replacement will be charged at the full replacement cost on all breaks.

The device comes with a keyboard. The first break/damage to the keyboard will incur a cost of $25, The second will be charged at $75 All subsequent replacements will be charged at the full replacement cost ($110 at present). These breaks/damages are cumulative for the student’s time in the upper school and do not reset yearly.

Technology

Technology devices and accounts issued to students by the school should be used for educational purposes only. Misuse of technology will result in disciplinary action. For minor infractions, students will receive a warning, then each additional infraction will result in the student being assigned a detention. If serious or repeated minor infractions occur, the administration will determine the appropriate consequences, which may include an appearance before the Honor Council. The IT Department maintains an Acceptable Use Policy which also applies to all students

Internet Acceptable Use Statement

In support of the educational mission of the school and to enhance learning, collaboration, communication and productivity, PHS provides a wide range of computing resources These resources include linked computers and software, peripheral devices (e.g., printers, projectors), shared data storage, wireless and Internet access, a school website, electronic mail and a variety of other electronic tools (collectively, the “PHS Information Network”).

Student use of PHS Information Network resources is a privilege and not a right. All users must respect the rights of other users, respect the integrity of the physical facilities and controls, and respect all pertinent license and contractual agreements. As with all other policies in this Handbook, failure to adhere to the expectations for use of the PHS Information Network as outlined below may result in a suspension of privileges and/or disciplinary action

Pembroke Hill’s intent is to make Internet access available to further its educational goals and objectives. Pembroke Hill does not have control of the information on the Internet. Certain sites have been blocked, but we realize it is impossible to limit access to all potentially objectionable material. Pembroke Hill believes that the benefits to educators and students having access to the Internet far exceed any disadvantages of inappropriate

use Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the student to use the Internet in an acceptable and ethical manner. The use of the Internet at school is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in disciplinary action

Any unauthorized use that includes, but is not limited to, hacking of the PHS computer network, the school's servers, computers or others’ files will be viewed as a major violation of privacy and will result in disciplinary action.

Students are not permitted to share their passwords, or log into the network or web tool accounts as another classmate

It is expected that students using web tools and technology will treat the tools as a classroom space Using web or digital tools for speech that is inappropriate, harasses or discriminates against others is not appropriate. Students are expected to abide by policies and procedures in the Student Handbook, including those policies regarding plagiarism and general conduct.

Basic artificial intelligence tools like Grammarly and Google Translate as well as generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude may not be used for school work, unless otherwise specified by teachers.

Students have no expectation of privacy in their use of computers and other electronic devices while using the School’s network The School may monitor the activity and contents (including email, documents, and other files) of computers and schoolmanaged online accounts on campus and/or connected to the School’s network, to ensure student safety and that the guidelines are being followed.

Use of the PHS Information Network is intended primarily for educational use related to the academic or extracurricular program of the School Members of our school community have the privilege of using the PHS Information Network for non-school purposes provided, however that such use does not interfere with the operation of the PHS Information Network or otherwise constitute a violation of PHS’ expectations for student conduct

The School prohibits illegal copying, distribution, reverse assembly, reverse compiling, translation, or alterations to computer software used at PHS, whether on a personal computer or the School’s network It is also against PHS policy for any student to load unauthorized software onto a PHS device. PHS either owns all software that is provided to students, or is permitted to use such software consistent with a license granted to PHS. Students and their parents are not permitted to use such software in a manner which would jeopardize PHS’s license or otherwise constitute a violation of the Terms of Use of any given program.

Lost and Found

There is a lost and found box in the Bookstore and language hallway Please label all articles of clothing and books with the student’s name to expedite their return. Items are

kept in lost and found for one month and then donated Other places to check for lost items are the gyms, the library, the upper school office, and the dining room.

Security and Safety

We take our responsibility concerning your child's safety very seriously.

● All the doors to our building are locked except at drop-off and pick-up times, when security is present.

● All visitors must check in at the school office

● All our employees are screened through the Missouri Family Child Care Registry and our human resources department also runs a background check upon hire

● Faculty members have a cell phone with them whenever they are out of the building with children

● All employees have identification cards with emergency phone numbers on them.

● Anyone picking up a child who is not part of the immediate family or pick-up routine must be listed on your child’s emergency sheet and have a photo ID.

● The school has a transportation policy that requires parental permission for students to be transported by bus to school-sponsored events.

● Security officers are available on both campuses. A security officer is in the driveway/parking lot area during drop-off and pick-up times.

● An adult greets the children as they arrive at drop-off.

Student Release

Students are not to anyone other than a parent/guardian without the parent/guardian’s written permission. Parents should notify their child’s teacher and the administrative assistant in the child’s building if someone other than a parent/guardian is picking the child up from school. That individual should be prepared to show identification, if asked, when picking up the student

If you need to pick your child up during the school day, please be sure to allow plenty of time and sign your child out with the appropriate administrative assistant (Primary Building for K-2 and Intermediate Building for 3-5).

Visiting Campus

The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority. To this end, it is important that we know who is on campus and in our buildings at all times. Visitors, including students’ family members, are expected to sign in and out with the administrative assistant when entering and leaving a building. Even when just popping in to drop something off, parents should check in with the front office of the building when they arrive.

Crisis Plan

The school has a comprehensive crisis plan that is put into effect in the case of a crisis If it is necessary to evacuate the campus, the school follows this agreed upon plan. Please know that the primary contact information provided by the parents is vital Parents should check the Parent Portal regularly to ensure that their contact information remains current

Safety Drills

Safety drills are scheduled monthly at various times of the day. Parents are encouraged to practice fire and tornado drills at home Your child may come home and discuss the drills with you. If you have concerns or questions about drills, please contact the division head. Evacuation routes are posted in each classroom for fire and tornado drills.

Weapons

No student or visitor to campus or school-sponsored functions, regardless of whether the function is occurring on or off of campus, may possess, transport, display, offer for sale, barter, use, threaten to use or exchange any gun, bomb, knife, mace or other dangerous weapon, or any object that might have a reasonable “look-alike” resemblance to a dangerous weapon. A dangerous weapon may be defined as any object that may cause a serious injury or fatal wound. The School has the sole authority to determine whether it considers an object to be a dangerous weapon.

This policy does not apply to uniformed members of law enforcement who may carry a visible weapon.

Violations of this policy will result in discipline consequences and could include notification of the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and permanent separation.

Health Safety and Supplemental Student Insurance

Accidents

If your child sustains an injury at school, the supervising teacher will complete an accident report which includes details of the accident and the first aid/care your child received All accident reports are kept on file at the School.

Minor injuries, such as scraped knees, occur frequently in a school environment For these minor situations, the supervising teacher will help your child clean the scrape and apply a band aid They may also offer an ice pack to a student For anything beyond a minor scrape or bump (including any injury to the head no matter how minor), students are assessed and treated by the school nurse If the nurse feels additional medical attention is needed, they contact a parent or guardian. If emergency medical services are necessary, the school contacts 911 as well as the parent or guardian

For any injury that necessitates a visit to the school nurse, the student’s parent or guardian receives an email notification from Magnus Health directing them to a treatment note. If the injury is such that the student’s condition may worsen and/or needs monitoring, the school nurse will also call the student’s parent or guardian to discuss next steps and provide directions for home care/monitoring. Any injury that involves the head (including facial injuries) results in a call to the student’s parent or guardian.

Supplemental Student Insurance

A supplemental student accident insurance policy is provided to assist families with out-of-pocket expenses resulting from an injury at school or at official school events. The policy is structured to cover expenses after existing insurance policies have responded When an injury occurs that is likely to result in the family seeking medical treatment (i.e. emergency room or doctor’s visit), a claim form will be sent along with a copy of the

student accident report Claims need to be filed directly with the policy administrator within 90 days of the injury. Please contact your Division Head’s office if you did not receive a claim form for an injury that required professional medical treatment If you have questions about the policy itself, please contact our chief financial officer.

Code of Conduct and Philosophy of Student Discipline

Upper School Code Of Conduct

As members of the Pembroke Hill School community, we desire to promote an environment in which all individuals can realize their greatest potential To achieve this goal, we expect students, faculty, parents, administrators and staff members to recognize and agree to uphold the essential values of respect, compassion, scholarship and integrity. We should always act in accordance with these guiding values. Therefore, we expect and require students to:

● Conduct themselves at all times in ways that will honor the school;

● Be honest in their behavior and in their school work;

● Abide by all school rules and abstain from the possession, use, or being under the influence or in possession of alcohol or other illegal chemical substances on campus or at school-related functions;

● Respect the property of others, including the school's property;

● Use technology appropriately and in alignment with school values; and

● Treat other members of the school community with civility and respect, and avoid, at all times, actions that are hurtful to others.

Never permissible are bullying, hazing, discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct,, academic dishonesty, stealing, destruction/defacing of property, use of inappropriate language, possession of a dangerous weapon, threats of violence, violence, possession, use or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol or any behavior not in accordance with the school’s mission or core values.

A student's actions outside school that exhibit a propensity of danger or harm to the members of the school community, the community at large, school property or educational activities and/or which result in serious damage to the reputation of the school are a breach of contract between the family and the school. In such instances, the division head and the head of school will determine whether to take action that could result in disciplinary consequences, including, but not limited to, suspension or expulsion.

Students are expected to follow these guidelines and to engage in behavior that is consistent with the school's motto, Freedom With Responsibility. Students should also recognize that there are other rules necessary for the effective functioning of this community. They must understand and accept the rules and observe them.

Philosophy of Student Discipline

Pembroke Hill’s discipline philosophy for students is a developmental process. As an educational institution, we view discipline as a teaching and learning opportunity with a focus on restoring any harm caused As our students progress from early years through senior year, we model our core values and provide intentional instruction regarding the behavioral expectations of our community Our students' ability to demonstrate the

expectations independently grows over time In general, we engage students in conversation, apply natural and/or logical consequences, and encourage both reflection and restoration

This section is intended to provide a general guideline of PHS’ behavior expectations of its students, outlining conduct that is considered outside the scope of acceptable behavior as a member of the community. It is important to remember that the below list of inappropriate conduct should in no way be considered an exhaustive list of the conduct which may result in disciplinary consequences. No list is or can be comprehensive; it is possible that a student may act or behave in a manner that is not included in the policies below, yet still disrupts the school community.

Further still, students and families should understand that conduct which is inconsistent with the School’s expectations for students as outlined in other sections of this Handbook may similarly result in disciplinary consequences.

In addition to violating explicit school policies, and at the sole and exclusive discretion of the school, a student may be disciplined for engaging in conduct (a) deemed to be detrimental to the school or its mission; (b) which is inconsistent with the School’s values; or (c) which is harmful to themselves or other members of the school community. For the avoidance of doubt, even in situations in which there is no finding that a policy violation has occurred, the School may impose behavioral consequences and requirements as a means of educating the student to understand the impact of their behavior, language, or actions.

When a student’s behavior causes harm (physical, mental or emotional) and/or significantly disrupts the learning environment, we are compelled to consider the safety of our community and take appropriate action. While we value families as partners in their child’s education, the school plays the primary decision-making role in all disciplinary matters. In recommending or determining disciplinary action, the administration may consider the student’s present demeanor and past disciplinary record, the nature of the infraction, the severity of any damage, injury or harm resulting therefrom, while taking into account the best interest of the school If deemed appropriate, the administration may choose to impose one or more of the following actions that are applied with a restorative lens:

● Conversations

● Reflection

● Restorative acts (e.g., apology, service to others, etc.)

● Loss of privileges

● A probationary period

● Required additional services outside of the school (eg, counseling or evaluation)

● Contract hold or non-renewal of contract

● Other action determined appropriate by the school

● Temporary removal from the classroom or the school community

● Permanent separation from the school community

The School respects the privacy of its individual students and, for that reason, treats disciplinary matters as confidential

Confidentiality balances our commitment to helping individuals learn from their mistakes because we are educators above all else, and promoting a culture of open and timely discussion of important and challenging topics

Academic Integrity

According to our school’s Code of Conduct, students are expected to act with integrity. This includes integrity and honesty in all areas and in all work presented as one’s own Such violations seriously call into question the right of the offender to remain a part of the Pembroke Hill community

Because any kind of academic dishonesty is a grave offense that could result in suspension or expulsion, students, parents, and faculty share the responsibility to ensure that our school community is, at all times, acting with integrity and honesty. Any concerns should be reported directly to the faculty member or to an administrator. Generally, academic dishonesty is defined as intentionally using or giving unauthorized aid on any work for which a grade is given. In summary, students should observe the following guidelines:

● Students should not copy, or allow to be copied, homework or other papers. Working together on problems or making editorial suggestions on a paper is a good learning process, but loaning or making use of another’s finished work is dishonest.

● Plagiarism is always dishonest. If students use the exact wording, paraphrased wording or even the ideas of another writer without giving proper credit in a footnote or other form of documentation, they are guilty of plagiarism.

● Possession or use of unauthorized notes, or copying answers from another student on an exam, test, or quiz is blatant cheating.

● Communicating information or content from tests or quizzes to other students is unauthorized. Students who engage in such conduct are guilty of academic dishonesty

● Basic artificial intelligence tools like Grammarly and Google Translate as well as generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude may not be used for school work unless otherwise specified by teachers. The use of any such technologies should be disclosed when submitting final work Unless otherwise noted, all work submitted by a student must be their own.

Students found cheating on quizzes, tests, homework or research papers will be given a grade penalty determined by the department for the first offense. Additional acts of academic dishonesty will be reported by the teacher to the department chair and reviewed by the Honor Council chair. The parents and adviser will also be notified. Additional consequences may be decided at this time or the division head may convene the Honor Council. The Honor Council may recommend additional consequences, which may include:

● An F grade will be assigned to the work;

● Honors study hall and honor roll (if applicable) be terminated for that semester. If the violation is sufficiently close to the end of a semester, the next semester may begin with these restrictions;

● Disciplinary probation; or

● Suspension or expulsion.

Cheating on a semester exam may result in a failure in the course

Upper School Honor Council

The Honor Council is composed of four to six students and four to five faculty members and a chair appointed by the upper school division head The students are members of the junior or senior class. Students are nominated by the faculty in the spring of the upcoming academic year and are subsequently appointed by the chair for a one-year term. Faculty members are also appointed.

The Honor Council is an important collaboration between the students and adults to support the goal of academic integrity at Pembroke Hill School. Service on the Honor Council requires meaningful dedication and time commitment from all members Maintaining confidentiality of all proceedings and one's own personal record of integrity are essential requirements for participating on the Honor Council

In order to ensure fair and equitable disciplinary action for students, the Honor Council may be called into session at the request of the division head or by student petition to the Honor Council chair. The student, with their adviser, appears before the Council.

Generally, offenses that could lead to a suspension or dismissal will be brought before the Honor Council, however, the Division Head and the Head of School have the discretion to determine whether a matter is inappropriate to come before the Honor Council. In such matters, PHS will follow the procedures outlined above.

Responsibilities of The Honor Council

The Council:

● Hears cases regarding student disciplinary action that are serious or chronic in nature;

● Makes recommendations to the division head concerning student violations of school policy. The council may recommend that a student be suspended from school for one to 10 days. Suspensions are usually served off-campus, and the student is required to make up major tests, papers and course requirements;

● Makes recommendations concerning placing a student on disciplinary probation who has committed serious or repeated violations of school policies. Disciplinary probation means a repeat of the violation that caused the student to be placed on probation could result in the student’s dismissal. Hears recommendations for changes in disciplinary policy and procedures Recommended changes will be subject to approval by the division head; and

Honor Council Hearing Procedures

● The Honor Council chair welcomes all participants and calls the meeting to order Participants may include reporting individual(s) and student(s) in question and their faculty adviser(s) (Parents are not invited to attend Honor Council hearings)

● The Honor Council chair explains the case to all present.

● The student in question is invited to give his or her statement in the presence of their adviser, and follow-up questions from the Honor Council are heard.

● The student's adviser is invited to give a statement regarding the character of the student.

● The student in question is dismissed so that the Council can review the case

● Honor Council members discuss the case and agree on a recommendation to forward to the division head.

The division head reviews the recommendations of the Honor Council and makes the final determination of consequences and actions The Honor Council chair will notify the student and the parents of the consequences, and a record of the incident and the consequences will be kept on file.

Pembroke Hill is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and supports NACAC’s Statement of Principles of Good Practice. Therefore, the school will, when requested on the institution’s application, report student conduct records to colleges and notify colleges of any significant changes in the student’s academic or personal status between the time of application and graduation. This includes, but is not limited to, serious disciplinary violations, honor violations, probation, suspension, dismissal or a significant drop in grades

Harassment and Discrimination

Harassment as a form of unlawful discrimination means any conduct that is based on a protected characteristic, that is so severe or pervasive and that has the purpose or effect of: (a) creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment; (b) interfering unreasonably with a student’s academic performance; or (c) creating a situation in which academic decisions of a student depend on the student submitting to and/or not objecting to the behavior Protected characteristics include race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, religion, and any other status protected by law Inappropriate comments or jokes about any of the protected characteristics listed above are never permissible.

Specifically, these behaviors may include, but are not limited to, the following:

● Repeated, unwanted/unsolicited contact that includes face-to-face communication, repeated derogatory comments about a student or students to (a) third party or parties, telephone calls, voice messages, text messages, direct messages via social media platforms, electronic video and/or photography, deepfakes (imagery or audio), electronic mail, instant messages, written letters or unwanted gifts;

● Verbal or written abuse, threats, coercion or any other conduct that places another individual in reasonable fear of their safety through words or actions, directed at that person, or substantially interferes with the educational or personal environment of the individual; or

● Persistent offensive and/or threatening communication in person, via email, chat rooms or other electronic devices

Harassment includes sexual harassment, which is harassment that is based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity Examples of behavior that may constitute sexual harassment include (regardless of whether the intent or consequence of such behavior is to make the target feel uncomfortable): (a) offensive body language (staring and/or leering at a person’s body or standing/brushing too close); (b) offensive or unwanted

sexual comments, abuse, jokes, insults, delivered orally or in writing; (c) derogatory or pornographic posters, cartoons or drawings; (d) pressure for sexual activity (such as hazing or threats as well as repeated requests after rejections); (e) offering favors or benefits in exchange for sexual acts, or threatening mistreatment if one does not engage in sexual acts; and (f) offensive or unwelcome physical advances (including kissing, hugging, pinching, grabbing, groping, “playful” slapping, etc.).

In order to raise general awareness, members of the school community must be educated on the topic of harassment on a continuing basis Methods of an educational component may include speakers, panels, videos and assemblies.

Bullying

The Pembroke Hill upper school seeks to provide and maintain a community marked by compassion and respect. The bullying policy set forth is designed to fairly and effectively address bullying and retaliation.

This plan is intended (1) to reduce bullying among our students; (2) to encourage students and their parents to come forward promptly whenever a student is subject to conduct that is prohibited by this or any other school policy; (3) to implement appropriate discipline and other corrective measures when they are found to be warranted, and (4) to create an inclusive environment for all students.

General Policy Against Bullying

Bullying in any shape or form (verbal, physical, electronic, etc.) at Pembroke Hill is prohibited on any school grounds and at school-sponsored events, activities, functions and programs. This prohibition also extends beyond campus, online and offline, particularly if the off-campus behavior disrupts the daily educational process within the school community.

What Constitutes Bullying

Bullying refers to any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act(s) or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student or students that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:

● Causing physical or emotional harm to the targeted student or damage to the targeted student’s property;

● Placing the targeted student in reasonable fear of harm to themselves, or of damage to their property;

● Creating a distracting, antagonistic environment at school for the targeted student;

● Infringing on the rights of the targeted student at school; and

● Materially and substantially disrupting the educational process or the orderly operation of the school.

Bullying may take various forms, including but not necessarily limited to threats, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, public humiliation, or destruction of property.

Hazing

Hazing refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (eg, athletic team,

co-curricular or extra-curricular activity, student publication), grade, or the school itself or expected of someone to maintain any status in a group, grade, or the school that: (1) humiliates, (2) degrades, or (3) risks emotional and/or physical harm or embarrassment to the individual or the PHS community, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate and regardless of its intended result or effect.

Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Assault

PHS does not permit intimate sexual behavior among students, including but not limited to, oral sex, anal sex, or vaginal sex on campus, at any school-sponsored event, or on school- supported transportation to or from campus or events.

Sexual assault occurs when a person is forced or coerced into sexual activity without giving consent For the purpose of this policy, “coercion” means the student has been persuaded to engage in sexual activity by using pressure, alcohol, or drugs by forcing one to engage in sexual contact against their will. Sexual coercion also includes persistent attempts to have sexual contact with one who has already refused. Sexual activity includes, but is not limited to, rape (here defined as forced vaginal, anal, or oral penetration), as well as groping, touching or fondling, either directly or through the clothing of another’s intimate areas.

Consent is a critical factor in determining whether sexual abuse or misconduct has occurred. Consent does not vary based upon a person’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Consensual sexual activity happens when each participant willingly chooses to participate in sexual activity. Consent occurs when there is a voluntary, active and clear agreement, communicated by words or actions to participate in sexual activity It is the responsibility of the person, who wants to engage in a sexual activity to obtain the consent of the other person for that sexual activity.

Lack of consent occurs when one is physically or verbally forced or intimidated into doing something sexual or submitting to a sexual act, or when one has explicitly indicated a lack of consent, or when the circumstances make it obvious that consent has not been given

Alcohol and Illegal Drugs

The School is committed to providing a learning environment that fosters physical and mental health so that students may become healthy, productive citizens who contribute positively to the school and the community. Use of alcohol and other drugs is illegal and is also inconsistent with healthy growth and development Possession, use, and/or being under the influence of the following substances is forbidden. The School reserves the right to require students suspected of using and/or being under the influence of such substances to undergo testing.

Parents are often concerned about the use of alcohol and drugs by students and the social acceptability of its use Parents are expected to reinforce the School’s policy at home, including by discussing it with their children, and are expected to refrain from hosting or permitting parties where alcohol is served or students are using drugs or tobacco.

Alcohol: It is illegal for persons under the age of 21 to purchase, possess, or drink

alcohol Possession, distribution or consumption of alcohol during the school day, on campus at any time, and at school-sponsored events is prohibited.

Illegal Drugs: The possession, use, or distribution (selling or sharing) of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia is prohibited during the school day, on campus at any time, and at school-sponsored events.

Prescription Drugs: The distribution (selling or sharing), possession or use of prescription drugs by someone other than the person for whom the drug was prescribed is prohibited Asking another student to use their prescription drugs, or using someone else’s prescription drugs is also prohibited

Whenever a school employee reasonably believes that this policy may have been violated, the school may conduct a search of school property, private vehicles on school property or students and their backpacks, bags, purses, coats and other items of personal property. The school may also test students for drug or alcohol usage and may require any student suspected of violating this policy to submit to a screening test at school or immediately proceed to a testing center chosen by the school with the full report sent immediately to the division head Testing will be done at the expense of the parents and parents will be notified of the test results. Refusal to submit to such a test will result in immediate disciplinary consequences.

The Board of Trustees established the following policy:

“The Board reminds parents that, in planning social events in any way related to school activities and involving students, steps must be taken to prevent the serving of alcoholic beverages to or the consumption of such beverages by students. The Board further encourages parents to give careful consideration to the elimination of the serving of alcoholic beverages to adults at such functions if students are to be present.”

Smoking and Use Of Tobacco or Nicotine

Students may not smoke, use or be in possession of any tobacco or nicotine product, electronic cigarette or “vaping” paraphernalia on school property, at school-sponsored activities, programs or events, or on school-sponsored transportation If a faculty member, staff or administrator suspects a student is using tobacco or nicotine in any manner, the student’s locker and personal belongings may be searched, if warranted If a student is found violating the policy, the student's parents will be contacted immediately.

Weapons

No student or visitor to campus or school-sponsored functions, regardless of whether the function is occurring on or off of campus, may possess, transport, display, offer for sale, barter, use, threaten to use or exchange any gun, bomb, knife, mace or other dangerous weapon, or any object that might have a reasonable “look-alike” resemblance to a dangerous weapon A dangerous weapon may be defined as any object that may cause a serious injury or fatal wound. The School has the sole authority to determine whether it considers an object to be a dangerous weapon

This policy does not apply to uniformed members of law enforcement who may carry a visible weapon.

Violations of this policy will result in discipline consequences and could include notification of the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and expulsion.

Stealing

Students are not permitted to take something that does not belong to them and without permission. A student suspected of theft may be subject to a search of a locker, backpack, or other personal belongings

Destruction of Property

Students cannot deface or destroy private or public property in school, on school grounds, or at a school-sponsored activity

Violence

Fighting, physical violence, or any threat of physical violence is strictly prohibited as is as is any kind of rough-housing that demeans another member of the community or puts a community member at risk of harm or injury.

Inappropriate Language

Abusive, foul, threatening or harassing language is an inappropriate way to communicate with others. Hate speech is any form of expression through which an individual intends to vilify, humiliate, or incite hatred against a group or a class of persons on the basis of race, religion, sexual identity, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, or national origin, or another category protected by law Hate speech can include the use of song lyrics, gestures, or symbols of any kind meant to denigrate an individual or group and will not be tolerated.

Malicious Publication

Publications (print, online, video, etc ) that hurt others and are malicious in intent, whether they were created while at school or not, are inappropriate. Publishing anonymously or with an invented name for malicious purposes is prohibited Malicious publication does not include communications made to promote student positivity, wellness or the student experience, or to otherwise draw attention to concerns regarding the student experience.

This policy covers postings from any electronic device – school computers or any electronic device inside or outside of school, including private networks, due to the disruption to the education environment. For the avoidance of doubt, this policy also includes any communications or postings made via social media (such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok).

Unauthorized Photos, Videos or Recording

Taking photos or recording (video or audio) faculty, staff, or students without their expressed permission is forbidden. Permission is not required for public events such as athletic competitions or plays. School assemblies are not public events.

Retaliation

Retaliation means any adverse action taken against a person for raising a concern about a violation of this Handbook or because of their participation in the administration’s response to a concern. Encouraging another to engage in such conduct may also be retaliation. Retaliation will be treated as a separate handbook violation.

Every member of our community (including parents/guardians) should recognize that discussing or criticizing a person’s decision to report what they believed, in good faith, was a violation of the policies established by the School even in circumstances where it is determined that no Handbook violation occurred—may have the purpose or effect (unintended or intended) of retaliating against the person who came forward, harming the reputation of those involved, and/or discouraging others from reporting concerns.

Reporting Violations of the Code of Conduct

If a student believes they have experienced misconduct, has witnessed such behavior, is concerned about retaliation, or has relevant information about prohibited conduct, the student is urged to report the matter promptly to a teacher, the Division Head, or to an administrator or staff member with whom the student feels comfortable. If a student is uncomfortable contacting a trusted adult alone, the student may ask an advisor, another adult, or a classmate to help.

Parents or guardians who have relevant information concerning prohibited conduct are urged to immediately notify the Division Head. When student misconduct is reported, promises of confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, as it is far more difficult to determine the facts of what occurred if complaints are made anonymously. Any report that provides sufficient information about a possible incident of misconduct will result in follow-up. If the information provided in the report is insufficient to allow for meaningful and productive follow-up, an attempt will be made to learn more Generally, follow-up will include inquiry or investigation, followed by fact-finding and a decision about consequences Throughout, PHS’ goals are to ensure a safe and supportive school environment, to prevent repetition of misconduct, and to support all students involved

The Head of School, or someone designated by the Head of School, will conduct an impartial investigation. This may be another administrator or it may be an impartial third party The investigation may include, but is not limited to, interviews with the complainant(s), respondent(s), reporting person(s), and any other persons who may have relevant information, including faculty, staff, and students’ parents/guardians Investigations will be as prompt and thorough as possible. Students are required to participate in any investigation, when requested

In keeping with the School’s values and guiding principles, investigators are committed to working with students and others in a respectful, compassionate manner. Every effort is made to ensure the process is non-threatening and that it provides the student the opportunity to look critically at their own actions in a manner that allows for growth and increased awareness Throughout an investigation, efforts will be made to keep all parties informed, to the extent that confidentiality, impartiality and the integrity of the investigation will allow.

The school releases information concerning complaints of misconduct, and the disciplinary action taken only on a legitimate, need-to-know basis.

Diversion

If a student is arrested or receives a ticket for breaking a state rule or is placed on a diversion or immediate intervention contract by the court system, the student must

inform the school authority that this has occurred The student should notify the division head.

MSHSAA By-Law 212.0

For students participating in any school activities, athletics or otherwise, MSHSAA By-Law 212.0 also stipulates that “a student who commits an act for which charges may be or have been filed by law enforcement authorities under any municipal ordinance, misdemeanor or felony statute shall not be eligible until appropriate proceedings with the legal system have been concluded and any penalties ( ie jail time, fines, court costs, etc.) or special condition of probation (i.e. restitution, community service, counseling, etc.) has been satisfied." In addition, “if the student does not notify the school of the situation prior to the school’s discovery, then the student shall be ineligible for up to 365 days from discovery, pending review by the MSHSAA Board of Directors."

The division head will:

1. Meet with the student to review the conditions of diversion;

2 Inform the student’s adviser, the school counselor, the Honor Council chair, the coach or club sponsor and the athletic office;

3 Confirm with the student’s diversion officer that the school has been notified of the diversion status;

4 Cooperate with the diversion officer regarding any requests or suggestions; and

5. Review with the student MSHSAA By-Law 212 and school activities restrictions. The student should confirm with the division head when all of the conditions of the diversion contract have been completed and the student has been dismissed by the court

The school will treat this information confidentially and will notify only the student’s adviser, the school counselor, the athletic department and the Honor Council chair, unless other academic or discipline issues occur. The student will be considered “in good citizenship standing” and allowed to participate in MSHSAA activities when the division head has determined that, in accordance with MSHSAA By-Law 212, the major conditions of diversion are fulfilled or are being fulfilled

Dress Code

The upper school student dress code encourages Freedom with Responsibility by supporting equitable educational access and does not reinforce stereotypes. The dress code reflects our four core values: Respect, Compassion, Scholarship and Integrity

● The student dress code supports our goal of inspiring students to learn while leaving primary decisions around student clothing and style to students and their parent(s)/guardian(s). Our expectation is that students will be responsible and held accountable for abiding by the dress code and for compliance with the policy during school hours and school activities.

● All students should be able to dress comfortably for school and engage in the educational environment without fear of body shaming.

● Student dress code enforcement should not result in unnecessary barriers to school attendance.

● A "distraction" policy will not be tolerated Students will not receive violations on the grounds that they are a “distraction.”

● Teachers will focus on teaching without the additional and often uncomfortable burden of dress code enforcement. If a student is in violation, they will be electronically reported.

● Inconsistent and/or inequitable discipline should be minimized whenever possible.

Basic Principle:

Certain body parts must be covered for all students at all times. Clothes must be worn in a way in which private areas are fully covered with opaque fabric.

Students Must Wear:

● A shirt with opaque fabric in the front, back and on the sides under the arms, which covers to the top of pants or equivalent at all times; AND

● Pants/jeans or the equivalent (for example, a skirt, sweatpants, leggings, a dress or shorts); AND

● Shoes.

Students May Wear:

● Hats must allow the face to be visible to staff and not interfere with the line of sight of any student or staff;

● Religious headwear;

● Hoodie sweatshirts (wearing the hood overhead is allowed, but the face and ears must be visible to school staff);

● Fitted pants, including opaque leggings and “skinny jeans”;

● Ripped jeans, as long as underwear and buttocks are not exposed; or

● Athletic attire.

Students Cannot Wear:

● Violent language or images;

● Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity);

● Hate speech, profanity or pornography;

● Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class or consistently marginalized groups;

● Any clothing that reveals visible undergarments; or

● Any item that obscures the face or ears (except as a religious observance)

Dress Code Enforcement

Students will be informed of a dress code violation via email or in person before receiving any formal action Students in violation will be provided three (3) options to meet dress code standards:

● A student will be asked to put on their own alternative clothing, if readily available at school for the remainder of the day.

● A student will be provided with temporary school clothing for the remainder of the day.

● If necessary, a student's parents may be called to bring alternative clothing for the student to wear for the remainder of the day.

Penalties

● First Violation: A warning will be given if the violator adheres to dress code standards after responding to the violation notice. If the violator fails to respond, the violation will be treated as a second violation

● Second Violation: two lunch duties.

● Third, Fourth, Fifth Violation: one detention per violation

● Sixth or more: Two weeks demand study hall, loss of meetings or loss of off-campus privileges.

These dress code guidelines shall apply to regular school days and sponsored activities, excluding dances and sporting events. Students who have questions about the dress code or enforcement issues should contact the dean of students.

Cell Phones and Other Personal Electronic Devices

Purpose:

Our cell phone policy is intended to foster an environment of personal engagement, social connection, and academic focus within the Pembroke Hill community. This policy gives students the freedom to be fully present and engaged in their learning environment, encouraging face-to-face interactions, and limiting distractions.

Policy Overview:

● Cell phones should be turned off and must be stored in a Yondr pouch when students arrive at school. Cell phones are to remain in the locked Yondr pouch throughout the school day until dismissal

● Cell phones, and any other audio devices connected to personal technology (including headphones and earbuds), are prohibited during school hours in all school spaces, including: restrooms, locker rooms, hallways, the library, the dining hall, the Commons, and during gatherings such as assemblies, morning meetings, etc.

● Electronics, including, but not limited to, phones, cameras, computers, and tablets (including school-issued devices) are not permitted in the dining hall, in restrooms, or in locker rooms at any time for any reason.

● Under no circumstances may a student, faculty member, or staff person be video recorded, audio recorded, or photographed without the express permission of the individual Students are only allowed to record and/or photograph under the direction of a teacher as it relates to an assignment. Furthermore, recordings and photographs taken for class are the property of the school and should only be used for school-related projects. Any misuse of video, audio, or photography will result in disciplinary action

● Our dining hall is a technology-free space during lunch periods. Computers, tablets and other technology (including school-issued devices) are not allowed in the dining hall during lunch.

● Students participating in after-school activities, sports practices or other extracurriculars may unlock their Yondr pouches at dismissal and are then

permitted to use their cell phones and other personal electronic devices Early room (lower school), dismissal (lower school), extended day (lower and middle school), and extracurricular activities (lower and middle school) will continue to be cell-phone free spaces. If electronics are in a student's backpack after school hours and the student is using a locker room or restroom, electronic devices should remain in their backpack and should never be used in spaces that require personal privacy.

School-Issued Technology:

School-issued computers, iPads, Chromebooks and other electronic devices should only be used for school-related activities. These devices are provided as part of the educational process and are not to be used for personal browsing, games, or personal communication. Any misuse of school-issued devices will result in disciplinary action.

Each student in the upper school and middle school will be issued an individual Yondr pouch. The pouches will be treated the same as other school-issued devices. If the pouch is lost or damaged, the replacement cost will fall to the student and their family. Replacement costs for lost or damaged pouches will be $40.

Smartwatches and Other Personal Electronics:

Consistent with the cell phone policy, smartwatches (including Apple Watches) and any other personal electronic devices are not allowed during the school day. We encourage students not to bring these devices to school. If they are worn or brought to school, they must be removed and stored in the Yondr pouch during the school day. If these items do not fit in the Yondr pouch, they should be turned off and stored in the student’s locker.

Special Considerations:

Medical Usage: The administration will consider individual exceptions to our cell phone policy on a case-by-case basis for medical or other circumstances that require the use of electronics during the school day. In some cases, a velcro Yondr pouch will be issued. A meeting with the family, student and division head will be required prior to approval of any exception

Consequences for Non-Compliance:

If a student’s cell phone is outside of their Yondr bag and/or a student is found to be using a phone or other personal electronic device during the school day:

● First offense: The device will be placed in the division school office for the remainder of the day Their parent or guardian will be notified and expected to retrieve the device after school.

● Second offense: The device will be placed in the school office for the remainder of the day. In order to retrieve the device, a parent or guardian will be required to come to the office to collect the device The student will need to check their device(s) into the office for five school days. If a student fails to deliver their device to the office, the five day period will reset to day zero

● Third or more offenses: A meeting between the student, their parent or guardian, and division administration will be required to explore the reasons behind this behavior pattern and establish strategies for improvement. More serious

consequences will be determined by the administration based on the code of conduct.

Communication During the School Day:

We recognize that parents/guardians and students may need to communicate during school hours. For upper and middle school students, please use their Pembroke Hill email as the first option

In addition, we will assist you in communicating with your student when needed Likewise, if a student needs to communicate with you in a timely manner, we have phones located in all classrooms and in the school office for student use

We ask that parents/guardians partner with us by limiting communication during the school day and being mindful of the frequency and timing of their communication, understanding that students may not respond immediately

For all divisions, you can communicate with your student during the school day by contacting the following:

● Upper school office | 816 936 1403

● Middle school office | 816 936 1502

● Lower school office | 816 936 1302

● Early childhood school office | 816 936 1372

Other useful numbers if you need immediate assistance contacting your student:

Division Heads

● Upper school division head | Mike Hill | 816 936 1401

● Middle school division head | Brian Bartelli | 816 936 1501

● Lower school division head | Karen Boyle | 816 936 1301

● Early childhood school division head | Sherri Danyali | 816 936 1241

Division Counselors:

● Upper school counselor | Aja Pence | 816 936 1414 and Kelsey Polk | 816 936 1550

● Middle school counselor | Whitney Kauffman | 816 936 1526

● Lower school counselor | Beth Walker | 816 936 1305

● Early childhood school counselor | Lindsay Kobolt | 816 936 1320

Urgent Communication Needs:

For urgent situations when a student needs to speak privately with a parent, caregiver, or trusted adult, each division has designated places for students to go. At these locations, faculty and staff will allow the students to unlock their Yondr pouches and use their cell phones to contact adults. These events should be limited to urgent and private situations.

Policy Summary:

This policy seeks to create an environment conducive to learning, social interaction, and overall well-being By implementing clear guidelines regarding cell phone usage during school hours, we aim to empower our students to be present, engaged, and fully immersed in their educational journey We believe this policy will contribute to a more

enriching and fulfilling educational experience for all members of our community Thank you for your partnership.

Food and Drink

Lunch is included in tuition and is served daily in the Patterson Dining Hall. Salads and fruits are available as well as hot entrees Students on special diets may request accommodation for their specific diet; the school will work to accommodate the request, but may not be able to do so in all instances Off-campus food and deliveries are prohibited during the school day without prior permission.

Students are expected to bus their own dishes and to leave the dining space (tables, chairs, and floor) clean.

We consider having refreshments (drinks or snacks) in other buildings on campus a privilege and a responsibility. Students must be responsible for cleaning up after themselves or this privilege will be lost In the spirit of respect – especially respect for those who will be using the space after you and respect for property and the environment – all should clean the space they used before leaving

Visitors

If students meet unescorted visitors in the halls, they should always direct them to the upper school office or notify a PHS faculty/staff member immediately. Visitors to the school should be introduced to the division head, assistant division head, or dean of students. All visitors to school, including parents/guardians, are to register in the upper school office and receive visitor badges or name tags

If students wish to bring a visitor or guest to school, or to a school social function, they need to obtain advance (72 hours) permission from the dean of extracurricular and student activities. The name of the visitor/guest, and a school reference contact name and telephone number are required

Child Abuse and Neglect

The safety of our children is of utmost importance to us. All PHS faculty and staff members are mandated reporters and are legally required to report to the Missouri Division of Family Services Child Abuse Hotline when they have a reasonable suspicion that a child has been or may be subjected to abuse or neglect.

Chaperoning Guidelines

During the upper school years, PHS offers a variety of activities designed to allow students to socialize with each other These include dances and after-game mixers Many of these activities require parent/guardian volunteers to chaperone. Without the parent volunteers, these events, which many of our students enjoy, would not be possible.

Faculty and administrators also chaperone at each school-sponsored event. When parent/guardian chaperones arrive, they should locate the event faculty sponsor The sponsor will introduce parents and guardians to faculty chaperones, explain school

rules to be enforced during the event and assign areas to be chaperoned

Parents/guardians should arrive approximately 10 minutes prior to the event and remain until all students have gone. In some instances, it will not be necessary for all chaperones to stay that late The faculty sponsor will let you know if that’s the case Report suspicious or inappropriate behavior to a faculty member or administrator. Parents/Guardians are not expected to take action themselves in response to such behavior.

School rules that are enforced at all school-sponsored activities are: no alcohol/drug use during or prior to the event; no tobacco use or smoking; no re-admission to an event by any student after leaving the event; no admission to the event for anyone but PHS students and their dates or registered guests If chaperones believe a violation of one of these rules has occurred, they should report the concern to a faculty member or administrator. If there is conclusive evidence of violations of rules concerning tobacco/alcohol/drug use, the student’s parents/guardians will be called and asked to come to school and pick up their child, and subsequent school discipline consequences will be considered.

Communication Philosophy

We are dedicated to open and honest communication with our families and students and we want to be sure our families understand the best way to address a problem or concern. It is important to us to hear from parents directly. If parents have questions or concerns about our program, they should not hesitate to contact their child’s teacher or division head.

If they do not feel the conflict has been resolved after speaking with their child’s teacher, then parents should bring the issue to the division head. If they still cannot resolve the problem, they will discuss it with the associate head of school or the head of school Please understand that the school honors this organizational flow, and parents will be sent to the appropriate person.

Methods of Communication

Parent Newsletters | Divisional Family Updates

The school publishes a bi-weekly family newsletter to share important schoolwide news and updates regarding general happenings within the school and division. On the alternating weeks, each division sends a Family Update with division-specific information, news and updates. These updates are shared via email, typically on Fridays.

Weekly Student Announcements and Updates

A schedule of weekly meetings and student announcements is posted on the Parent Portal each Monday during the school year as well.

Telephone Calls/Messages

All staff members have classroom phones and voicemail Parents may contact the teacher by their direct line, through the administrative assistant or the main school number. If they are unavailable to speak, please leave a message and they will return the call as soon

as possible Teachers are generally not able to answer phones during the school day due to teaching responsibilities. If your call is urgent in nature, please call the divisional office.

Website and Parent Portal

Our website and Parent Portal are the main information outlets for the school You will find school events, athletic events and general information about the school on the website In the Parent Portal, accessed through the website, parents will find class information, the parent and student directory, school forms and more.

Student Services

Upper School Advisory Program

Goal: The goal of the upper school advisory program is to foster student growth and development with a supportive group of peers

Every upper school student has an adviser who can answer questions about any aspect of school life, assist with enrollment, review grades and academic goals, be an advocate in any area of school life, especially disciplinary actions, and work to resolve problems. Advisers will meet individually with advisees two to three times per semester, more often as deemed necessary by the adviser or advisee. The entire group of advisees meets twice a week

Parents should consider the adviser as their primary contact at school, calling on the adviser for help with concerns or for information relevant to the areas listed above The adviser will either take appropriate action or direct parents to the appropriate resource person

Similarly, students should use the adviser as an advocate and source of information. While students new to the upper school are assigned an adviser, returning students have an opportunity in the spring to request another teacher as their adviser. Students who do not request a change remain in the same advisory group all four years of upper school

The Student Services Team (the upper school counselor, learning specialist, Ward Parkway nurse, division head,assistant division head, and dean of extracurricular and student activities) assists advisers when an advisee needs extra academic assistance or accommodations This team works with the adviser, the student, the parents and the faculty to develop a plan to help the student improve and become academically successful

Class Sponsors

In addition to the advising program, each class has two faculty members serving as class sponsors The class sponsors work with the class and its officers to plan activities, supervise elections, discuss special issues and assist the class with community service projects

School Counseling

The upper school counselors are available to assist advisers, teachers, parents and students The counselor is a source to help with problems that prevent students from succeeding. This support is provided through classroom lessons, individual short-term counseling, small group counseling, consulting with faculty and parents, and being active

in school-wide initiatives While the counselor does not provide long-term counseling services to students, recommendations for outside resources can be made.

Upper school students may access the counselor in several ways They can stop in for a short visit; they can make an appointment for a more extensive visit; or they can be referred by a teacher, an adviser or a parent

During a student’s first visit to the counselor, they are orally advised of the rule of confidentiality Information divulged to the counselor is confidential except in cases when breaking confidentiality is legally required or necessary to prevent serious harm.

Parents can consult with the counselor regarding parenting issues and adolescent concerns. The counselor is able to provide referrals to additional sources, if needed.

Mental Health Related Absence Support

Following an extended mental health related absence or inpatient hospitalization, it is our practice for the school counselor to meet with the student and the family prior to the student resuming class attendance At this meeting, relevant documentation may be requested, a release form may be requested and a student care plan may be put into place

Upper School Learning Specialist

The upper school learning specialist works individually with students referred by the Student Services Team They evaluate student records/testing, make recommendations and write accommodation plans to assist teachers in providing students with a successful educational experience The learning specialist, whose office is located in the upper school Learning Lab (Commons 227), is available to provide support for faculty and advisers and offer college counselors suggestions that might be appropriate for students with learning issues.

Accommodations

The School is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities are provided with equal access to the School’s programs and services, in accordance with applicable law. For students who need additional support, the School may require medical documentation regarding the student’s condition. In all instances, the School will make reasonable accommodations to enable a student to participate in the program and where doing so does not pose an undue burden to the School, or a threat to the safety of its students.

Student Services Team and Learning Lab

The Student Services Team (SST) is composed of the upper school Learning Specialist, the counselors, the nurse, the dean of extracurricular and student activities, assistant division head and division head. This team collaborates to provide support for students who show signs of struggle in academics or interpersonal relationships. Advisers, teachers, students or parents/guardians who feel a student is having difficulty are encouraged to contact any team member to make a referral to the team

Students who submit professional documentation may be eligible for academic accommodations and services The SST considers all documentation on an individual basis. Once a student is deemed eligible for learning support services, the SST will

determine appropriate accommodations based upon the documentation provided Accommodations and services may include (but are not limited to):

● Extended time;

● Quiet non-competitive setting to test;

● Audiobook or other technology supports; or

● Guidance on the appropriate use of technology.

A current psycho-educational assessment completed within the last three years by a qualified professional is required to validate eligibility for support.*

The records kept in the Learning Lab are strictly confidential and are not part of a student's academic record.

Note: A school plan, such as an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) or a doctor's note for a non-medical diagnosis, is not adequate documentation.*

Guidelines for Documentation of Temporary Disabilities

Students may present a temporary disability, such as a concussion or physical injury, which may impact their academic performance. Access to accommodations through the Learning Resource Center may be deemed appropriate to support those needs

If students require assistance with participation in the academic program due to such circumstances, they must furnish the SST with a statement on letterhead completed by a qualified clinician, which provides:

● A description of the impairing condition;

● An assessment of how the injury compromises academic performance;

● Recommended accommodations for the academic setting (updated by a physician every four weeks if the student is still impacted); and

● Requirements for return to academic and/or athletic activity (concussion)

Students who cannot – due to intervening circumstances – meet academic expectations with the support of (annual or provisional) accommodations and/or the learning specialist, may be recommended for an alternate program and/or setting (such as extended absence) Such cases are referred to the upper school counselor and academic dean, who will work with the family and student's outside team to develop an appropriate plan

Test Proctoring

The Learning Lab, managed by the upper school Learning Specialist, is located in the upper school Commons (room 227) The Learning Lab offers test proctoring for students who have documented learning issues and for whom test accommodations are approved, from 8:45 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday This is provided should students request test accommodations, and faculty support for such requests occur in a timely fashion.

College Counseling Program

The college counseling program includes private, as well as group counseling, for both students and parents This is conducted by the college counseling staff and begins with

group meetings during the ninth and 10th grades Students are assigned an individual counselor in the spring semester of the sophomore year and this relationship will continue all the way through graduation The college counseling conference room offers current information on hundreds of colleges and universities and is a valuable resource. The college counseling section of the PHS website contains a number of useful links and resources as well.

Nearly 100 colleges visit Pembroke Hill each fall With teachers’ permission, juniors and seniors may be excused from class to visit with college representatives. If students plan to attend such a meeting, they should sign up in advance online.

Seniors should plan college visits with the help of their college counselors. In addition, counselors and all teachers should sign a permission form available in the upper school office or in the Parent Portal at least one week prior to the senior’s departure. A maximum of five days is allowed for senior college visits. Additional days will be considered as not approved. Faculty members are not required to provide extra help or give make-up tests if the absences are not approved.

As a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), PHS expects its students to honor and adhere to NACAC’s Statement of Students’ Rights and Responsibilities, and Statement of Principles of Good Practice, especially with regard to the May 1 candidates reply date, early decision agreements and any required reporting of disciplinary infractions

Community Service and Engagement

Pembroke Hill students are imbued with the responsibility to do good for the benefit of all. To this end, we envision community service as engagement–engagement with the community at large and within Pembroke Hill School. Engagement is premised upon relationships that are both mutually beneficial and long-term It is our goal to cultivate meaningful opportunities that ground classroom knowledge with real-world issues, believing that exposure results in greater awareness and compassion

From our early years program, nested in a Reggio Emilia approach, to upper school community engagement, experiential opportunities are woven into the fabric of engagement both inside and outside of school, reflecting the foundational inspiration of John Dewey’s experiential, hands-on approach This approach, too, extends contemporary models of service learning where “students use academic knowledge and skills to address genuine community needs”

In the spirit of engagement, students are encouraged to actively engage in direct experiences with interpersonal contact, to serve those in need and to step outside of their comfort zones of familiarity.

Our graduates complete at least 60 hours of service over four years, of which 40 hours must be outside of Pembroke Hill. For transfer students, at least 15 hours of service is required per year Most of this work will take place with a nonprofit organization There are many worthwhile volunteer and service needs but not all qualify for credit under the Pembroke Hill vision of community engagement Hours will not be awarded for meeting

time, fundraising or religious practice (eg, acolyte) Hours earned in pursuit of another goal (e.g., Scouts) do not simultaneously count towards the Pembroke Hill requirement.

Service hours will be tabulated each semester and will be reported on semester report cards. We employ a digital service hour tracking platform, x2vol, and it is the student’s responsibility to enter and update their service hours in a timely manner Hours may be submitted up to one year (June 1 to May 31). Recognition for the President’s Volunteer Service Award will occur every May; therefore hours must be submitted with ample time in order to receive this recognition.

Community Awareness Bulletin Board

In order to create a greater awareness of extracurricular activities in the Kansas City community, the student government (StuCo) maintains the bulletin board outside of the upper school office.

Announcements such as job opportunities, extracurricular activities of fellow classmates, art fairs, poetry symposiums, and science exhibitions would be appropriate. The student government sponsor monitors the board and confirms that the guidelines are followed

Leadership Program | Leadership Advisory Board | LAB

Our mission embodies the Pembroke Hill Leadership Program -- together, cultivating the best in each, for the benefit of all. The program cultivates student leaders who reflect our values of respect, compassion, scholarship, and integrity To nurture these traits, the leadership program functions within the academic and extracurricular framework of the upper school

The Leadership Advisory Board (LAB), a team of students selected through an application and interview process, works to identify the needs of the school and to affect change within the school community. It is the school’s goal that ultimately students will be self-aware, inclusive, and engaged members of their scholastic and extracurricular communities through service, retreats, curriculum, athletics, speakers, advisory and discussion.

Wellness

PHS Wellness Team

Pembroke Hill School has a dedicated team of nurses and school counselors to manage wellness and health issues for our students.

Wornall Campus Nurse (Early Childhood + Lower School + Summer)

McKenzie Beattie, BSN, RN

Email | mckenziebeattie@pembrokehillorg or nurse@pembrokehillorg

Office | (816) 936-1351

Work Cell | (816) 550-2224

Ward Parkway Campus Nurse (Middle School + Upper School)

Shelby Swickard BSN, RN

Email | sswickard@pembrokehillorg or nurse@pembrokehillorg

Office | (816) 936-1531

Work Cell |(816) 447-0564

Director of Counseling and Community Wellbeing, Early Childhood Counselor

Lindsay Kobolt

Email | lkobolt@pembrokehill.org

Office | (816) 936-1320

Work Cell | (816) 878-0503

Lower School Counselor

Beth Walker

Email | bwalker@pembrokehill.org

Office: (816) 936-1305

Middle School Counselor

Whitney Kauffman

Email | whitneykauffman@pembrokehillorg

Office | (816) 936-1526

Upper School Counselors

Aja Pence (Class of 2027, Class of 2028)

Email | apence@pembrokehill.org

Office | (816) 936-1414

Kelsey Polk (Class of 2029, Class of 2030)

Email | kpolk@pembrokehill.org

Office | (816) 936-1550

School Nurse

Ninth-grade students and all new upper school students must have a current physical on file at the school before they begin classes They must also have a current immunization record on file before the first day of school.

The school nurse is available from 8:45 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., in the upper school Commons on the Ward Parkway Campus The nurse provides medical services to students including health appraisals, health education and first aid.

Emergency Information Forms are completed for each student at the time of enrollment. Updates can be made in the Household Profile Update in the Parent Portal Please include student allergies and special health concerns on this form.

Consistent with Missouri law, all students are required to be immunized unless they have a religious exemption or are medically contraindicated from receiving vaccinations Students claiming an exemption must provide documentation to the school regarding the same Please understand that students who are not fully immunized may be excluded from school in that they have a contagious or infectious disease, or are likely to be able to transmit a contagious or infectious disease after having been exposed to one.

The School reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to require that students obtain

additional vaccinations to attend in-person classes to protect the health and safety of the School community.

Magnus Health

Pembroke Hill uses Magnus Health (an Electronic Health Record) to collect and store your students’ health and medical information for the upcoming school year. Magnus Health streamlines the collection of students’ health information as well as provides a way for our school nurses to submit treatment notes based on the students’ health office visits.

You can access your account by logging into the Parent Portal and clicking the orange “Magnus Health” button under the “Quick Links” sidebar. This will take you to the Magnus homepage and should automatically log you in.

Once you have logged into your Magnus Health account, you will see items marked with a “To Do” flag if you need to take action.

Treatment Notes

Throughout the school year, you may receive an email from Magnus Health with the subject: “New Treatment Note for *Your Student’s Name*.” It will instruct you to click the link and log into your Magnus Health account to view the note These treatment notes are written by our nurses as students are seen in the health office. If anything occurs that is not a minor injury, resolved problem, or simple office visit, then the nurse will call the student’s parent/guardian instead of emailing the treatment note.

Medical Documentation and Forms

Immunization Records

The Missouri Department of Health requires that we have a copy of immunization records on or before the first day of school The school does not provide a specific form for this Parents/guardians should obtain a copy of their students’ immunization records from their physician to upload to Magnus Health before the first day of school

The full immunization record should be uploaded to the “Immunization Form” requirement on the student’s Magnus Health account. After a full copy of immunizations is received, the record only needs to be updated as the student receives more immunizations.

Physical Evaluation Form

Physical/medical examinations are required at the following intervals:

● Early Childhood - Annually (Early Years, Preschool, Prekindergarten)

● Kindergarten

● 3rd Grade

● 5th Grade

● 7th Grade

● 10th Grade

● All New Incoming Students

● Middle and Upper School Student-Athletes

○ MSHSAA Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Form MUST be used.

■ This can be found on Magnus Health and the MSHSAA website

○ The “MSHSAA Medical Eligibility Form - Step 3” (page 5) is the ONLY page that should be uploaded to the “Medical Eligibility Form” requirement on Magnus Health.

○ These physicals are valid for two years unless otherwise stated by the physician.

All forms must be uploaded to Magnus Health by the first day of school, and parents should keep a copy at home The general “Physical Examination Record” form can be found on the Parent Portal and Magnus Health. It may be used for any grade level and division, with the exception of student athletes. You may also use any document that is preferred by your doctor’s office.

NOTE: If your student is in 7th or 10th grade AND a student athlete, then the completed MSHSAA Medical Eligibility form will fulfill their grade-level physical requirements. If your new, incoming student is in middle or upper school and knows they will want to participate in a sport, then they should use the “Medical Eligibility Form” as well. These can be uploaded to both the “Medical Eligibility Form” and “Physical Evaluation Form” requirements on Magnus Health.

Over-the-Counter Medications

If you would like your students to receive over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, Benadryl, etc. from our health offices, then please update the “Over-The-Counter Medication” requirement in Magnus Health

These medications are given according to the written instructions on the label, i.e., the child’s age and weight. Medication requests that exceed the recommended dose or guidelines for recommended usage require written permission from a physician.

The parent/guardian may be notified if an OTC medication is administered, or if it is sought by a student but not administered due to nursing judgment. Certain OTC medications can mask pain or other symptoms and result in a delay of a diagnosis and treatment of an underlying health problem. The overuse of these medications may also lead to liver damage, kidney damage, or gastrointestinal complications.

Please do not send OTC medications with students to school as they are provided through the health office, unless it is a prescription dose. Prescription-strength OTC medications will be handled with the same protocol as any other prescription medication.

Prescription Medications

Medication administration to students during school hours shall be restricted to necessary medication that cannot be given on an alternative schedule. Parents should always administer the first dose of a new medication Please contact the nurse on your student’s campus to notify them of a new medication that needs to be taken at school and any dosage changes

Students are not permitted to self-carry medications unless they are emergency/rescue medications (see “Emergency Medications” section below). All medications need to be

entered in Magnus Health by the parent and turned into the nurse’s office at the beginning of the school year. All medication details must be entered in Magnus before the medication will be dispensed at school

For prescription medication to be administered at school, it must be in a current (not expired) pharmacy container with a label affixed by the pharmacy with the following information:

● Student’s Name

● Medication Name

● Prescribing Physician

● Expiration Date

● Dosage/Route/Schedule of Administration

A parent, guardian, or adult designee must bring the medication and any refills to the nurse’s office. Above conditions must be met for medication to be administered at school.

Any substances not regulated by the FDA will need a physician’s order to be administered at school. By law and school policy, nurses are prohibited from administering homeopathic remedies, nutritional supplements and essential oils

All medications administered and documented will follow the Six Rights of Medication Administration:

● Right Dose

● Right Time

● Right Route

● Right Student

● Right Medication

● Right Documentation

Controlled Substances

Controlled substances will be kept in appropriate lockboxes/locked cabinets. They will be counted with every dispense, and the current count included in every dose documented. Any discrepancies will be immediately reported to the Health Services staff, Division Head, and the affected student’s parents. Ingestion will be witnessed with all medications.

Emergency Medications

Students requiring emergency medications, such as epinephrine injections (ex. EpiPen, Auvi-Q, etc ), rescue inhalers, seizure medications, insulin, etc must have a corresponding action plan on file and have their necessary medications on them at all times. The action plan forms for allergies, asthma, diabetes, and seizures can be found on the Parent Portal and should be uploaded to their requirement on Magnus Health.

Early Childhood and Lower School teachers will carry their students’ emergency medications in an emergency bag that will follow the student throughout their school day. Some Lower School students may be allowed to self-carry their emergency medications upon request of their parent/guardian and with permission from their physician. Middle School and Upper School students should self-carry their emergency medications and keep them on their person at all times.

Allergies

If your child has severe food or other allergies, then we must be aware by the first day of school or the first school day following diagnosis Please have your doctor fill out the “FARE Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan” form so we can safely care for your student This form can be found on the Parent Portal and Magnus Health It will show up as a requirement on Magnus Health once you answer “Yes” to the Conditional Question: “Does your child have a severe allergy requiring emergency medication?”

Once you have completed and uploaded this document, it does not need to be re-uploaded unless there are changes. Magnus Health may prompt you to review and approve the document annually

If your child’s allergy requires an epinephrine injection (ex EpiPen, Auvi-Q, etc), please provide the school with two injection devices. The epinephrine must be in the original container and labeled by the pharmacy with your student’s information Please see the “Emergency Medications” section above which describes storage of emergency medication

Asthma

If your child has been diagnosed with asthma that requires a rescue inhaler, then please have their physician complete the “My Asthma Action Plan for Home and School” form. This form can be found on the Parent Portal and Magnus Health If your physician has a school medication letter or other document that they provide schools, then that may be uploaded in place of the action plan It will show up as a requirement on Magnus Health once you answer “Yes” for the Conditional Question: “Does your child have asthma requiring an inhaler?”

Once you have completed and uploaded this document, it does not need to be re-uploaded unless there are any changes. Magnus Health may prompt you to review and approve the document annually

Early Childhood and Lower School parents should bring their student’s rescue inhaler to the health office in its original container and labeled by the pharmacy with your student’s information and dosage Please see the “Emergency Medications” section above which describes storage of emergency medication.

Special Dietary Needs and Meal Modifications

Flik dining services accommodates students with religious or medically necessary dietary needs. If your child has dietary restrictions for any reason INCLUDING food allergies, then we must be aware by the first day of school or the first day following a prescribed change in their diet. Please have your doctor complete the “Meal Modification” form, so our staff can inform the dining team of your student’s needs. This form can be found on the Parent Portal under each division’s tab and Magnus Health It will show up as a requirement on Magnus Health once you answer “Yes” to the Conditional Question: “Does your child have any dietary restrictions?”

Once you have completed and uploaded this document, it does not need to be re-uploaded unless there are any changes. Magnus Health may prompt you to review and approve the document annually

Please be as thorough with the student’s special diet as possible For example, if the student is allergic to eggs, but can have food with eggs baked in it, please state that in section 2 of the meal modification form Failing to provide this information may lead to unnecessary restrictions in the student’s choices at mealtime.

Illness Guidelines

Please do not send your student to school ill. Keep them home until they are fever-free without medications for 24 hours This reduces sharing germs, giving your child extra time to rest and fight off the illness. If your child was not well the night before or during the night, then they should stay home Your child may unnecessarily expose other children to a communicable disease by coming to school.

Students should stay home if they have diarrhea or are vomiting Usually, they feel physically drained if they have had these symptoms. They may want to return to school when symptom-free after 24 hours Please consider keeping them home to regain their strength. Keeping students home for an extra day is a healthy investment for you and them

Children will be sent home at the school nurse’s discretion if they exhibit symptoms including but not limited to:

● A fever of 100.4 degrees or higher

● Vomiting more than once or in combination with another symptom

● Diarrhea

● Unknown rash or bumps

● Mattered, red, or tearing eyes

● Sore throat or trouble swallowing

● Headache and stiff neck

● Severe cough to the point of choking

● Persistent/disruptive cough

● Unusual or tea-colored urine

● Infected or crusty patch of skin

● Severe itching in case of head or body lice

● Gray or white stools

● Behaving cranky or less active as usual

● Cries or is fussy for an unusual amount of time

● Loss of appetite

When the school nurse contacts you that your child is sick, please arrange to pick up your child within 45 minutes This helps the school decrease the spread of germs Children may return when free of the above symptoms for 24 hours. These guidelines are for the well-being and protection of your child and their classmates

For specific illness exclusion guidelines, our school uses these protocols.

The CDC has updated its guidance concerning COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory illnesses. The CDC’s updated guidance reflects how the circumstances around COVID-19 in particular have changed While it remains a threat, today it is far less likely to cause severe illness because of widespread immunity and improved tools to prevent and treat the disease.

COVID-19 or Influenza

Positive Individuals

Pembroke Hill faculty, staff, and students can now return to normal activities when symptoms are improving overall, and after being fever-free without the aid of medication for at least 24 hours. The CDC no longer recommends a 5-day isolation period. This applies to both COVID-19 and influenza

While on campus, faculty, staff, and students must still wear a well-fitting mask for 5 days after returning to normal activities.

COVID or Influenza

Exposure (Household and Non-Household Contact)

Please monitor your health. If you develop symptoms or a fever, we recommend seeing a medical provider and testing for COVID and Influenza. If an individual tests positive, please adhere to the guidance above

Head Lice

The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) position is that managing head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) in the school setting should not disrupt the educational process. The leadership provided by the registered professional school nurse can impact the reduction of the stigma associated with head lice by providing proper health education, including anticipatory guidance to the school community, and implementing evidence-based strategies for the management of head lice in schools.

When a child is identified with having active head lice at school, the child’s parent/guardian is notified and provided with information about treatment. Students will be sent home at the end of the day and may return to school after receiving treatment at home. School nurses will work with families to ensure proper treatment and management of head lice. Pembroke Hill follows the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics and does not exclude students from school because of head lice or nits

Head lice are a common issue for school-aged children. Parents should be proactive and complete regular and thorough checks for lice throughout the year, regardless of known exposures. These checks would be especially important following sleepovers, extracurricular activities, vacations, holiday gatherings, summer camps, etc

Head lice are considered a nuisance, but they do not spread disease. They do not reflect on your family's hygiene or grooming habits lice do not discriminate between clean or dirty hair. Head lice are mainly transmitted through prolonged head-to-head contact with an individual who has active lice Lice do not jump or fly; they are crawling insects

The school nurse will inform parents/guardians when there is an unusual clustering of head lice cases in a particular classroom, grade level, or building Continued communication and collaboration with the school nurse will reduce the stigma of head lice, clarify myths, and provide accurate information about effective treatment options

Child Abuse and Neglect

The safety of our children is of utmost importance to us. All PHS faculty and staff members are mandated reporters of any suspected abuse or neglect and must comply with the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect laws. PHS will report any physical, sexual, or verbal abuse and/or negligence of a child to the Missouri Division Of Family Services Child Abuse Hotline

Athletic and Non-Athletic Programs

Our students may choose to become involved in athletics beginning in the lower school and continuing through the upper school Students who participate in our sports program learn valuable life lessons of teamwork, self-discipline, courage, fortitude, sportsmanship and how to win and lose with dignity

Requirements Prior To Student Participation

Every student participating in a sport in the upper school is required to have a MSHSAA Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Form (located under parent forms on the PHS website) uploaded through Magnus Health which will be approved by the PHS athletic trainer prior to the first practice.

All other health documents must be completed through Magnus Health. The physical and vaccination forms must be uploaded The taskbar found in your student's Magnus profile must be 100 percent complete before a student is eligible to participate as a member of an upper school athletic team.

Before any competition, the following forms must be on file:

● Athletic Code/Policy Acknowledgement (Due before competition is allowed)

● Transportation Permission Form (with preferences) should be updated in the Parent Portal This form is due as a student enters the upper school Parents can make changes, as needed, in the Parent Portal.

In addition:

● A participant must have turned in or paid for all athletic equipment, uniforms and/or supplies checked out to him/her

● The participant must be scholastically eligible.

● The student must have completed 14 conditioning practice sessions

Academic Eligibility

The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) requires students to pass all classes taken (minimum of five classes taken) in the prior semester in order to participate in extracurricular events. Only semester grades are included in this evaluation. Also, passing means any grade other than an F or an incomplete Students may have a D average or be on academic probation and still satisfy this requirement. A student must take a minimum of five classes If six classes are taken, all six classes must be passed Students who fail to pass all classes taken (minimum of five classes taken) in a semester will be ineligible for extracurricular activities the following semester

First semester: Per MSHSAA guidelines, the student who fails to earn 2 5 credits out of five courses or 3.0 credits out of six or more courses are ineligible for participation in MSHSAA-approved activities during the next semester Therefore, if a student takes five classes – they must pass all five classes; if a student takes six or seven classes – they must pass six of them. Eligibility for first semester will be based on previous semester grades.

Second semester: Eligibility for second semester will be based on first semester grades. The student must fulfill the MSHSAA requirement of passing all classes in the first semester (minimum of five classes) to be eligible for the second semester.

Attendance Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in an extracurricular activity, students must be in school by 9:15 a.m. (or 10:30 a.m. on late start Thursdays) and attend all of their classes on the day of the scheduled event, unless an excused absence has been approved by the athletic director or division head prior to that day. An illness/injury will NOT meet the excused absence requirement that allows participation in athletic practices or contests. Keeping a student home for extra rest in the morning also will not suffice as an excuse. Medical appointments (with a confirmation note from the doctor’s office) are excused and students may participate in their activity These activities include practices, rehearsals, games, speech and debate competitions, academic competitions, and performances.

In order to receive an exemption for a tardy or early dismissal, the athletic director or division head must be contacted prior to 9:15 a.m. on the day of the activity. The athletic director and division head will review each request and will consult with the appropriate coach and/or activity sponsor. Exemptions will only be granted after careful review and only in extraordinary cases (Refer to the Student/Athlete Handbook and the Eligibility For Extracurriculars section for specific instructions.)

The general policy is that a student who is not well enough to attend all classes is not well enough to participate in extracurricular activities. Some exceptions will occasionally be made For example, if the student is participating in a musical or drama performance or attending a state championship, the school will be more lenient in accepting excuses. {For more information, see Absences}

Transportation

For all away school events participants are required to take school-provided transportation to the competition, unless otherwise told in advance of the competition by a coach or event sponsor. Returning to school on school-provided transportation from away competitions is not required, as further outlined below

Important to note: Parents/Guardians will have completed the transportation authorizations during enrollment/re-enrollment Coaches or event sponsors will reference these while arranging transportation.

Pembroke Hill School will use the following modes of transportation based on the number of individuals (coaches, athletes, trainers, and/or managers) that are traveling:

● 1-8 = 1 twelve (12) passenger van driven by a coach

● 9-12 = 1 fifteen (15) passenger van driven by a coach

● 13-19 = 2 vans driven by coaches

● 20+ individuals = regular-sized school bus or small school bus when traveling in the KC metropolitan area

Pembroke Hill School will consider using charter buses under the following circumstances:

● 24+ individuals and

● Traveling outside of the KC metropolitan area (125 miles or greater)

Athletes, managers, and competitors may ride home from an away competition with their parent or guardian, provided that parent/guardian has signed the Parent Release Form.

Athletes, managers, and competitors may ride with another student’s parent/guardian if their parent/guardian has advised the coach in writing (email will suffice) PRIOR to the competition Parents cannot give authorization for students other than their own.

When Pembroke Hill does not provide transportation to an athletic event or other competition, the following policies apply:

● A coach will inform the team AND their parents that students must find their own transportation to the event This can include parents, students or other parents/students driving the athletes at the parents’ discretion with applicable permission on file

● School conduct rules apply at all times when students are driving themselves, and students are subject to discipline when necessary

Student Conduct

From the MSHSAA Handbook:

Students who represent a school in interscholastic activities must be a credible citizen and judged so by the proper authority. Those students whose character or conduct is such as to reflect discredit upon themselves or their schools are not considered "credible citizens" (MSHSAA bylaw 2.2).

Law Enforcement

A student who commits an act for which charges may be or have been filed by law enforcement authorities under any municipal ordinance, misdemeanor or felony statute shall not be eligible until all proceedings with the legal system have been concluded and any penalty (ie, jail time, fines, court cost, etc ) or special condition of probation (ie, restitution, community service, counseling, etc.) has been satisfied. If law enforcement authorities determine that charges will not be filed, eligibility will be contingent upon local school policy. Minor moving traffic offenses shall not affect eligibility unless they involve drugs, alcohol, accidents or injuries After a student has completed all court appearances and penalties, and satisfied all special conditions of probation, and remains under general probation only, local school authorities shall determine eligibility.

Student Responsibility

Each student is responsible to notify the school of any and all situations that would affect their eligibility under the above standards If the student does not notify the school of the

situation prior to the school's discovery, then the student shall be ineligible for 365 days from the discovery, pending review by the Board of Directors. The school would have to forfeit all contests in which the ineligible individual has competed

Student Conduct At Athletic Events/Activities

According to the Missouri State High School Activities Association, conduct at athletic/activity events must be positive and appropriate at all times. Any hazing and/or harassment by a fan or spectator will not be tolerated by school personnel. Hazing is defined as willful conduct directed at a student that is intended to physically or emotionally intimidate, punish, embarrass, humiliate, and/or ridicule. Harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct by a person that affects another person's ability to participate in/or benefit from a school program. It is the policy of MSHSAA, of which the school is a member, that hazing and harassment have no place in school-sponsored activity programs.

Criteria for School-Sponsored Overnight Trips and Activities

In order to participate in a school-sponsored trip or activity, an upper school student must be considered in good standing

Students may be deemed ineligible to participate in certain PHS-sponsored extracurricular activities if they have faced disciplinary action related to one or more of the following:

● Academic Dishonesty

● Harassment

● Bullying

● Substance abuse, on or off-campus

● Use or possession of e-cigarettes/vaping devices

● PHS Athletic Code

● Cutting class

● Misconduct on a school-sponsored trip

● Misconduct at school-related events

● 4 or more unexcused absences during the previous or current semester.

● 10 or more excused absences during the previous or current semester

● 6 or more unexcused tardies during the previous or current semester

● 3 or more detentions during the previous or current semester

“Examples of these activities include, but are not limited to, trips such as the trips for Jan Term, Youth and Government, Leadership Advisory Board, Choir, Thespians, and all school-sponsored overnight team contests for Athletics, Debate, Envirothon and Science Olympiad.”

Athletic Handbook

In addition to the physical education curriculum, team sports are considered a vital part of a student’s educational experience at Pembroke Hill Consult the Athletic Handbook for philosophies, policies, and procedures of the athletic department. All athletes and their

families will receive additional information regarding team rules and expectations during team meetings held at the beginning of each season.

College Signings

Student-athletes who are signing a commitment to participate in a college athletic program

● The school will hold two college signing ceremonies a year in late fall and late spring to recognize those student-athletes who have made a commitment to participate at the college level. The college counseling department and the athletic department will work together to confirm the commitment and organize the event

● The communication office will release information to the press and invite them to the ceremony The communications office will also make an announcement in the Parents Newsletter and on the school website.

Clubs and Student Organizations

The PHS upper school offers an array of clubs and organizations for students to pursue their passion or step out of their comfort zone to try something new. Clubs and organizations are run by student leaders with faculty sponsorship to encourage the development of leadership skills and teamwork Affinity groups such as the Black Student Union, Gender-Sexuality Alliance and the Jewish Student Union offer students a chance to explore their developing identities Students are encouraged to participate in one or more organizations in addition to regular classes.

There are many opportunities for students to assume leadership in helping to determine the tone and direction of the upper school. Students are encouraged to develop leadership skills by running for elected school positions To ensure that the greatest number of students are given leadership opportunities, no one may hold more than one of the following offices: president or vice-president of any school organization, class or chief editor of a publication. All school organizations are chartered by the student government. Clubs may be placed on probation, suspended or de-chartered if they are inactive, or fail to fulfill or abide by their charters or constitutions.

If students are interested in establishing a new club, they should contact the dean of extracurricular and student activities

Arts and Craft Club

This club aims to provide a creative and collaborative platform for individuals interested in various forms of artistic expression With engaging workshops and interactive sessions, this club fosters a vibrant artistic community that encourages skill development, self-expression, and meaningful connections across grade levels

L’Alliance Francaise

L’Alliance Francaise promotes an appreciation of francophone culture by sponsoring various activities including French film evenings, crepe sales, petanque tournaments, outings to French restaurants and guest speakers. L'Alliance Francaise also sponsors French activities during the Extended Day program on the Wornall Campus and raises

money for francophone humanitarian causes by selling concessions at the upper school musical concession each year.

Chess Club

Chess Club gives students the opportunity to learn and play chess in a relaxed, non-competitive environment. Weekly meetings allow students to learn new moves, play in teams and play a variety of chess games

Common Ground

The purpose of Common Ground is to make students aware of cultural diversity and the many connections we all share Club members represent many ethnicities and work with other cultural clubs and affinity groups to promote awareness and inclusivity. Upper school affinity groups include: the Black Student Union, Gender-Sexualities Alliance, Jewish Student Union, Multicultural Student Union and the Women's Student Union.

Cricket Club

This new emerging sport is a student led club that teaches the basics of Cricket to those interested and works on developing skills, creating a team. The club also participates in community games and games against other schools that have teams

Criminology Club

The criminology club is focused on learning and understanding the different career paths in criminology and criminal justice fields The club is focused on discussing criminal cases and connecting with local professionals to learn more about the challenges of this type of work. Students who join this club are interested in critical thinking and problem solving involved with the psychological aspects of criminal cases.

East Asia Club

East Asia Clubs' main focus is introducing specific activities to allow members to experience different aspects of Asian culture and to expose members to different countries' cultures (beyond China).

Flight Club

The Flight Club introduces students to the world of aviation through realistic simulators, small lessons on the history of aviation and important aircraft, interesting and relevant movies, and speakers from the aviation industry. Members will learn about the history of aviation, some of the science behind it, and how to operate aircraft, all while having fun and playing games.

Garden Club

The Garden Club oversees the planting, watering and harvesting of the Pembroke Hill Community Garden. Club members help plan, plant, tend and harvest organic produce three times a year (fall, spring and summer). The club combines all aspects of gardening with community activities that educate about and generate enthusiasm for gardening.

International Club

The International Club promotes better understanding among people of all nations by helping sponsor foreign exchange students at Pembroke Hill. The club organizes activities and provides funds to enhance the exchange students’ experiences. Additionally, the club

promotes travel abroad opportunities for Pembroke Hill students and contributes funds to a scholarship for those wishing to travel.

International Thespian Society

Membership in the International Thespian Society is achieved through meritorious work in the dramatic arts, including acting, stage managing, set construction, lighting, sound, makeup and costuming The Society produces the one-act plays, usually in the fall, and the Black and White Banquet honoring annual achievements in theater in the spring.

Medical Club

The Medical Club is open to any students interested in learning more about or getting involved in the field of medicine. The club regularly hosts guest speakers, including various physicians, medical students, and other healthcare professionals to talk about the work they do and host Q&A sessions. The club sponsors activities such as a drive for medical supplies to donate to organizations, a community blood drive, assistance in finding volunteer and research opportunities, and plans to offer a CPR/First Aid training workshop as well.

Peer Helpers

Peer Helpers provides its members with opportunities to participate in school-related activities that encourage students to interact with their peers in a positive and productive manner.

Pep Club

The Pep Club celebrates Raider spirit and supports all types of competition and activities. Pep Club organizes all homecoming events including Spirit Week, pep assembly and halftime crowning activities. The club also organizes the annual Color Wars events and the fall after-game mixer.

Pickleball Club

The purpose of the Pickleball Club is to provide students with a fun, inclusive, and engaging environment to learn, play, and improve their pickleball skills.

Photography/Film Club

Photography/Film Club provides an opportunity for students to further explore their interest in both photography and film. Past activities have included trips to watch films, visits to local museums and galleries and hosting open darkroom times. The Photo/Film Club also seeks to gain community exposure through holding photography competitions, organizing film viewings on campus and organizing student photography exhibitions at local Kansas City venues

Politics Club

The PHS Politics Club promotes political awareness and provides a forum for upper school students to discuss their political views. The club sponsors opportunities to learn more about various political issues and to participate in political events.

Robotics

The Robotics Team is focused on competing in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). There are many facets to this competition and students may choose to participate in

specific areas Some of those are: robot design and build, programming, public relations, accounting, graphics design and computer graphics, web page design and build. Students will be expected to attend meetings, learn about the overall robotics competition, and spend after school and weekend time in building the robot or in their particular area on the project. The greatest time commitments for this team occur for six weeks beginning at the end of the first week in January, with the regional competition taking place in March or April. The national competition takes place in late April.

Spanish Club

The Spanish Club promotes the importance and awareness of Spanish as a language and culture. Students participate in a variety of activities such as crafts, trivia games and dinners out to Hispanic restaurants. The club encourages students to become more aware of the Hispanic influence around us by promoting local activities and celebrations in the Kansas City area. Each year, the club helps a local Hispanic family in need during the holidays. The club is open to anyone interested in Spanish as a language or culture.

Speech and Debate (NFL)

This speech and debate chapter was founded to promote the speech and debate program. It provides an opportunity for student leadership and participation in speech and debate, and assists in tournament organization.

Traders Club

Members typically engage in simulated trading competitions, discuss market trends and news, analyze investment opportunities, and learn from experienced traders or guest speakers. Trading club is a student run organization focused on learning about and practicing various aspects of trading and investing in financial markets Students typically engage in simulated trading competitions, discuss market trends and news, analyze investment opportunities and learn from experienced traders or guest speakers

Upper School Student Government

The Student Government is composed of elected student representatives from each class, at-large representatives and class presidents, and vice-presidents The objectives and responsibilities of the student government are: maintaining open communications between faculty, administration and students; providing an opportunity for students to enhance the life of the school; and organizing student participation in the life of the community

Student Government consists of the following elected officers: president (elected by upper school students); president, vice president, secretary/treasurer from each class; one elected representative from each class; three at-large members elected by the entire upper school student population - one of whom will be elected by voting members as vice president of student government and another secretary/treasurer of Student Government.

Youth and Government

The purpose of the Youth and Government program is to prepare high school students for responsible leadership in the American democratic process by providing guidance, training and experience in the theory and practice of determining public policy Members

enjoy leadership training experiences throughout the year including bill writing, judicial preparations and the state convention in Jefferson City, which includes a legislative program similar to the Missouri legislature The local spring Model UN convention allows club members to address and debate real national issues.

Student Publications

The Garret and The Voice publications of the upper school are produced as extracurricular activities The Pinnacle (yearbook) is both a class and an extracurricular activity Editors are selected by an application and interview process with former editors and the faculty adviser Staff positions are open to most students who apply

The Garret

The Garret is Pembroke Hill’s annual creative arts magazine, dedicated to the publication of student imaginative writing, artwork and photography The Garret functions like a club in that any interested student is encouraged to join as contributing staff at any grade level Students previously serving on The Garret staff are encouraged to apply for editor positions during their junior or senior years. The work of the editors is a creative endeavor and involves making final selections of works to be published, layout design and other pre-press work. Much of the work on The Garret is done in free time and on weekends, primarily during the third and fourth quarters

The Pinnacle

The Pinnacle is a visual and written record of the school year. Yearbook staff members work closely as a team throughout the year to document important and unique school events. In the extensive process of creating the yearbook, students acquire important publication skills: photography, writing copy, captioning photos, layout design, desktop publishing, editing and production. The head editorial staff’s responsibilities include designing the unifying themes and aesthetic elements, as well as managing the section editors and staff. Production of the Pinnacle requires a significant commitment of time and energy. Much of the work is done during students’ free time after school, on weekends and during the month of January. Students are encouraged to apply for editorial and staff positions who have completed the visual arts course, and who have received a recommendation from their advisers and English teachers

The Voice

The Voice is the school magazine written and published by middle and upper school students Circulated in the Pembroke Hill community, its primary purpose is to record middle and upper school activities, explore issues current to the middle and upper schools and to stimulate student involvement in daily life Students can participate in reporting and feature writing, photography, editing, layout design and advertising.

Athletic Letter Requirements

To be eligible for a varsity letter at Pembroke Hill School, a student athlete must participate for the entire season, including the pre and post season. The season is defined as the period from the first day of practice, as set by MSHSAA (Missouri State High School Activities Association), to the last scheduled event of the year, including any post season games, tournaments, or championships.

Lettering Requirements

In order to earn a Varsity letter the following requirements must be met:

● Minimum participation - Must be on the roster for 70 percent of varsity games; and

● Academic standing - Student athletes must be in good academic standing; and

● Attendance - Must attend 90 percent of required practices; and

● Sportsmanship - Athlete must be in good standing in accordance with MSHSAA, PHS and team policies; or

● Team Success - An individual that is a rostered member of a state tournament team, will automatically earn a varsity letter as long as he/she is in good academic standing; or

● Coaches Recommendation - Coaches have discretion based on positive attitude, effort and sportsmanship

Arts Letters

Upper school students with a deep interest in the arts have the opportunity to earn an arts letter. Each area of art: drama, instrumental music, vocal music, debate and visual art has its own criteria for this honor. This award recognizes students who have made a significant achievement in their chosen area of expression. Typically this is determined by contributions that go beyond those of the regular classroom experience. See the department chair for the specific criteria.

Departmental and Competitive/Performance Groups

Some organizations are formed for the express purpose of competing with similar groups at other schools or for performance at Pembroke Hill and elsewhere. The faculty sponsors of these groups require some form of evaluation or audition for membership Leaders or team captains are appointed or elected from within the groups for the year or by event. Any group that competes with other schools is governed by the rules of the Missouri State High School Activities Association.

Choirs and Musical Ensembles

The upper school choirs are coed performance groups that meet during the school day for rehearsals. Students from these groups are invited to audition for the Madrigal Singers and the Top Of The Hill jazz group. All groups perform at all-school concerts as well as at a variety of community concerts. Because choirs are both academic and non-academic, students may be officers of choir and hold other key leadership positions.

Math Team

The Math Team is an opportunity for students with an interest in mathematics and problem-solving to explore the subject with like-minded teammates. All grades (9-12) are welcome to join the Math Team. Participation in the Math Team provides students with opportunities to compete in local, state, regional and national competitions. High achievement in these competitions may result in public recognition and collegiate scholarship opportunities. Math Team members are expected to attend most practices (once a week during meetings period and/or after school), attend at least one of the six Saturday morning state qualifying competitions and, if qualified, attend the state and/or regional competitions in April and May Members in good standing are also inducted into Mu Alpha Theta, a national high school and two-year college mathematics honor society.

Additional team-building activities will take place throughout the year to help foster camaraderie and enjoyment for all members.

Model UN

Model United Nations (Model UN) offers students an immersive experience in international relations and diplomacy. Students take on the roles of delegates from various countries, engaging in simulations of UN committees. This involves in-depth research into global issues, collaborative debate, and the drafting of resolutions to address complex challenges.

Science Bowl

The Science Bowl competition is organized around quick responses to questions over a wide range of science topics. Students practice with their coaches for both speed and accuracy of response Then teams are formed for a one-day regional competition in late winter. Success at the regional level can lead to participation in the National Science Bowl in May

Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad is an extracurricular team activity in which students compete individually for medals in their events, with team advancement depending upon total team performance. Students individually prepare for three-to-five different events selected from 22 nationally written events offered each year in the categories of science knowledge, laboratory skills and technology. The team trains by entering preseason competitions with other teams starting in the fall Success at the Greater Kansas City Regional Competition in late winter may qualify the team to advance to the Missouri State Science Olympiad competition in March or April, and the National Science Olympiad tournament in May. Meetings and practices start in early October during school meeting times and on weekends with competitions running into the spring months All students in grades 9-12 are eligible and invited to start attending weekly meetings as announced in assembly.

World Affairs Challenge

World Affairs Challenge is an academic competition that focuses on creating solutions for global development. Students research a given issue, liaise with professional experts in the development community to brainstorm ideas for an original solution and then spend time crafting a presentation that best demonstrates how the solution might be applicable to real-world scenarios. The national competition takes place at Regis University in Denver each year. Apart from the presentation, the students also compete in a collaborative question with students from other schools

Honorary and Student Leadership Organizations

These groups are formed to serve the school in special ways or to recognize academic excellence

Campus Guides

Juniors and seniors are selected by the upper school faculty to help the admissions office. Campus guides conduct tours for prospective students, their families and other visitors, in addition to assisting as ushers at special events.

Cum Laude Society

The Cum Laude Society is a national honor society recognizing outstanding academic achievement Entry into the society is determined by class rank using a weighted GPA and the Cum Laude Society’s guidelines. Each spring, membership is offered to a select group of juniors and seniors.

Leadership Advisory Board | LAB

The Leadership Advisory Board (LAB) is a team of upper school students selected through application who work to identify the needs of the school and to affect change within the school community. LAB students initiate leadership training in the summer at the American Youth Foundation's National Leadership Conference where they hone personal skills for effective group processes in order to affect positive change in their communities.

As part of the leadership curriculum, students learn how to facilitate discussions in order to foster an inclusive environment among diverse perspectives, facilitate decision-making processes, and present in front of a group. Throughout the school year, LAB students meet weekly to work with peers, faculty and administration to identify the needs within the student body and to devise action plans to address them in order to promote a respectful, compassionate, scholastic and integrous environment for student excellence

Student Health and Wellness Committee

The Student Health and Wellness Committee is composed of students from all grade levels whose main purpose is to promote physical, behavioral and social wellness in the upper school. Specific responsibilities include:

● Disseminating awareness and education around wellness topics;

● Educating students about basic health information to help reduce the stigma around issues relating to mental health; and

● Assist in planning and promoting speakers or presentations on topics relating to student health and wellness