Rabun Gap Student-Parent Handbook 2015-2016

Student-Parent Handbook

2015-2016

Lead The Way

Table of Contents

Purpose of This Handbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 School History, Mission, and Motto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Parent-School Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Compliance with Applicable Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Reasonable Accommodations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The Parents’ Association “The Gap Connection” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Academic Information & Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Graduation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Core Course Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 The Academic Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Schedule and Teacher Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Drop/Add Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Required Experiential Education Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Academic Symposium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Senior Symposium Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Advanced Placement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Grades and Evaluation / Grading Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Reports of Academic Progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Make-Up Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Effort Ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Recognition for Academic Achievement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Consequences of Poor Academic Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Evening Study Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Examination Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Release of Student Records / Student Records Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 College Admission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Senior College Admission Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Attendance Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Expectations and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Definitions and Consequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Three Categories of Absences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Honor Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Pledge / Motto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Student Responsibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Consequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Living In Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Major Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Disciplinary Responses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Demerits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Daily Demerit Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Demerit Hall Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Cumulative Demerit Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Examples of Demerit Infractions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Final Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Dismissal/Withdrawal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Behavior Related Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Tobacco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Sexual Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Bullying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Hazing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Destructive Acts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Offensive Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Weapons and Threats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Out of School and Off Campus Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Cell Phones and Other Listening Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Specific Consequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Other Policies and Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Animals on Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Rearden Theater Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Fundraising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Posters and Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Campus Style Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Reporting of Accidents and Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Technology Acceptable Use Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Internet Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Wireless Network Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Social Networks and Online Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Right to Access and Inspect Electronic Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Forbidden Uses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Dress Code & Appearance Expectations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Girls’ Classroom Dress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Girls’ Formal Dress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Boys’ Classroom Dress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Boys’ Formal Dress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Approved Shoe List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Winter Dress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Outerwear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Casual Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Casual Dress After School and Weekends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Upper School Student Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Honor Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Prefects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Student Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Day Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Meal Program for Day Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Boarding Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Summer Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Mail and Shipping Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Dining Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Leave and Travel Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Weekend Leaves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Mandatory Testing, Community Day, Closed Weekend Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Community and Closed Weekends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Riding Permissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Student Driver Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 School Bus Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Holiday Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Students Using Airport Shuttle Without Flights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Unaccompanied Minor Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Dorm Closing and Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Additional Information Regarding Holiday Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Airport Shuttle Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Holiday Airport Shuttle Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Extracurricular Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Advisory Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Chapel and Spiritual Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Afternoon and Work Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 School and Team Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Interscholastic Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Transportation To and From Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Emergency Situations, Schedule Changes, Cancellations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 International Student Program & Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 International Student English Immersion Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 International Student Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 International Student Language Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 International Student Graduation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 International Club and International Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 International Student Residential Hall Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 International Student Vacations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 International Student Passports, I-20s, IDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 International Student Appointed United States Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 International Student Driver’s Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 International Student Banking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 International Student Medications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Student Support Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 The Student Resource Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 The Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Campus Store and Student Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 School Counseling and Health Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Student Health Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Medication Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Supplements - Herbal and Homeopathic Remedies Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Student Finances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Student Finances and Billing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Student Billing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 “Eagle Dollars” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Enrollment Contract Clauses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Timely Tuition/Student Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Cooperative Relationship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Middle School Addendum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . follows page 55

2015-2016 Academic Year

Purpose of This Handbook

procedures set forth herein, and to deal with the individual circumstances as they arise in the manner deemed most appropriate by the School, taking into consideration the best interest of the School, its faculty, employees, and students, and the overall community.

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School seeks to maintain the highest standards in all facets of school life. Therefore, we have thoughtfully developed this handbook to explain fundamental policies and procedures to guide the operation of the School and to facilitate each student’s maximum growth and development. Each student and parent is responsible for knowing the Handbook’s contents. Please become familiar with it and keep it available for your reference. After reading this handbook with your parents, please sign the Acknowledgement Form (which is part of your registration packet) and return it to the School with all other forms. Please note that Rabun Gap reserves the right to revise or amend this Handbook and the policies and procedures contained in it at any time with or without advance notice.

School History, Mission, and Motto History: Rabun Gap has a storied history.

Dr. Andrew J. Ritchie, Rabun County’s first native-born college graduate who received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and his master’s degree from Harvard University, founded Rabun Gap Industrial School in 1903. In 1905, a Presbyterian minister, John Knox Coit, opened the two-classroom Nacoochee Institute, in the Nacoochee Valley near Sautee, Georgia.

This Handbook supersedes all prior handbooks, policies, or practices and does not replace the enrollment contract.

In 1927, after serious fires at both schools, Rabun Gap and Nacoochee Institute merged on the spacious Rabun Gap campus where the combined schools raised money, constructed new buildings, and affirmed their affiliation with the Presbyterian Church. Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School served as both a private boarding school and the local public high school for day students.

It was here that the Foxfire program, which involved students in researching, writing, and publishing the history of the culture of the Appalachian Mountains, was established in the 1960s.

Please understand that no set of rules or guidelines can cover every conceivable situation that might arise at a school. The rules, policies, and procedures set forth in this handbook are intended to apply under normal circumstances. However, from time to time, there may be situations that require immediate or nonstandard responses.

This handbook does not limit the School’s right to deviate from the normal rules and

1

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School • To be able to reflect and communicate

The School became a wholly independent, college preparatory boarding and day school in 1977, serving young men and women from the surrounding area, across the United States, and around the globe. In 2013, the School added 5th grade and the Middle School was relocated to the Niles Bolton Middle School Complex, a 14-acre campus separate from the main campus.

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a nonprofit, independent school governed by a Board of Trustees. The School retains its long-standing affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA) through the Synod of the South Atlantic.

ideas, thoughts, and concepts creatively using varied modes of expression • To develop artistic skills to discover creative media for self-expression • To cultivate a commitment to the development of independence and responsibility needed for lifelong learning • To prepare students for a college education By developing a strong work ethic…

• To create enthusiasm in work throughout our daily experiences • To develop a sense of service to others in our community, state, nation, and the world • To appreciate that commitment is envisioned in both our individual and cooperative efforts

Mission: Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School combines its strong academic program, mountain setting, and Presbyterian heritage to inspire young people eager to learn and grow. Living our motto, Work Study Worship, our community nurtures and challenges students from diverse backgrounds as they prepare for college and a lifetime of service.

By joining in harmony with our natural environment…

• To understand the cycles, laws, and principles of nature and to value their interdependence • To demonstrate that a healthy lifestyle and environment are linked to the quality of all our lives

Beyond the Mission Statement—Our Core Values: A community which shares the responsibility for student learning. At Rabun Gap, we encourage students to have the desire for excellence, the energy to try, the willingness to take risks, the resilience to learn from defeat, the capacity to be respectful, and the spirit to serve. We believe that these sentiments are expressed in the School’s motto, Work Study Worship. It is in this spirit that we teach our students:

By valuing the individual and the needs of the community…

• To understand the synergistic strength of our diverse community and to learn to solve challenging problems both individually and cooperatively • To become informed, thinking, questioning, initiating, and selfreliant citizens

According to our Presbyterian heritage...

• To appreciate the School’s nurturing culture and to recognize that religious freedom comprises both attitudes of inclusiveness and respect.

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and is

By placing value on intellectual growth…

• To acquire a well-organized and easily accessible body of knowledge

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2015-2016 Academic Year a member of the Educational Records Bureau (ERB), the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA), the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association (NCISAA), and the Southeastern Association of Boarding Schools (SABS).

Academic Office at ext. 7701 (Upper School) or ext. 7707 (Middle School) when a change of address or phone number occurs, so the School can maintain up-to-date information in case of an emergency.

Parents are encouraged to contact members of the administration and faculty at any time. When teachers are not immediately available or for parents/guardians without e-mail access, call the Academic Office at ext. 7701 (Upper School) or ext. 7707 (Middle School) and the Registrar will take a message and have the teacher contact the parent at the earliest opportunity.

Parent-School Communication At registration, the School provides each family with a Rabun Gap “Google” e-mail account, generated using the student’s first three initials, last name, and the delineator “family.” For example, John Smith’s family e-mail address would be johsmith.family@ rabungap.org. For families with multiple children enrolled, the oldest child’s name is used. All electronic communication from the School is sent to this e-mail address. Access to this account is provided to the legal guardians of each student via a pre-set username and password. Mail sent to this address can be forwarded automatically to any number of additional e-mail accounts. If you need help managing your school e-mail address, please contact the Technology Office.

Compliance with Applicable Laws: Rabun Gap complies with all applicable state and federal laws including, but not limited to, those relating to environmental regulations and laws, safety, health, and laws regarding any other terms and conditions of the educational experience. Similarly, we expect our students, their parents, faculty, and staff to comply with all laws that apply.

Reasonable Accommodations: To assist students who are or become disabled, we will make reasonable accommodations to enable such students to continue performing the schoolwork required of them.

Comments or concerns regarding your child should be addressed to your child’s Advisor, who will assist with facilitating further needed communication. Email is an ideal means of reaching out to your child’s advisor. If the above exchange does not result in a satisfactory solution, parents should then contact the appropriate administrator (Academic or Student Life).

If we have not reached a mutual resolution after these two steps, parents should contact the Head of School.

Parents/Guardians

should

notify

There are limits to the accommodations we can realistically make. For example, where an accommodation causes an undue hardship to Rabun Gap, we will be unable to make

the

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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School the particular accommodation. Similarly, when placing a student in a position, with or without accommodation, would cause the student to be a direct threat to himself/ herself or others, we may be unable to make any accommodations.

accomplished only if Rabun Gap parents continue to volunteer and support our programs. We have already begun to make plans for some of this year’s projects, both successful repeats and some new ideas. We hope each and every Rabun Gap parent will get involved in at least one of our projects.

The Gap Connection Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School’s Parents’ Association: The Gap Connection provides valuable resources - time, talents, and funds - to the school community. Each year we look forward to meeting the everchanging needs at Rabun Gap to help ensure another successful school year. This can be

These are some activities and projects planned for 2015-2016: • Recycled Uniform Clothing sales • Hosting the annual faculty/staff appreciation luncheon – early spring • Supporting athletics through concession stand sales, staffed by parent volunteers • Hosting the annual Chocolate Fest, held in conjunction with MADFest • Sponsoring the annual silent auction, held in conjunction with Cirque • Hosting a graduation luncheon for seniors in the spring • Supporting the School through various substantial gifts to the annual and scholarship funds Your child and every other Rabun Gap student will benefit directly from the work of The Gap Connection. The goal this year is to have 100% of our parents participate in the Association to support the Rabun Gap community. The personal involvement of EVERY parent is the key to our success. To get involved, please feel free to contact any of the following Gap Connection representatives.

The members of the 2015-2016 Gap Connection Executive Committee are listed below. Please feel free to contact us at gapconnection@gmail.com.

• President: Cheryl Benitez • Vice-President for MS: Amy Owens • Vice-President for US: Claire Cameron • Secretary: Jennifer Hudgins • Treasurer: Cindy Trevathan 4

2015-2016 Academic Year

Academic Information & Policy

requirements must be completed at Rabun Gap. Credit will be awarded only if the courses are taken at an institution accredited by a regional or state agency. In some cases, a student may be required to complete successfully an equivalency examination in a particular subject. Permission to take a core subject in the summer is rarely granted.

2. Enroll in a minimum of six courses, and no more than two in a single department, per year. A student will be allowed to participate in graduation if he/she has passed all but one class in his/her senior year. A student with failures in two courses will not be allowed to participate in graduation.

3. Demonstrate satisfactory performance in the required experiential education opportunities for each year of

(Middle School, see Addendum p. 1)

Graduation Requirements: The require­ ments listed below must be completed for a student to graduate from Rabun GapNacoochee School. The Head of Upper School must approve any exception.

To receive a diploma from Rabun Gap, students must: 1. Earn credit in core courses required for graduation. When a student is admitted to Rabun Gap, transfer credits will be accepted without further validation if an institution accredited by a regional or state accrediting agency has granted credit. A student who wishes to take courses during the summer must obtain prior approval from the Head of Upper School. As a rule, core Courses: Core Requirements *English

*World Language

4 Credits: English I, English II, American Literature, 1 credit of Senior English Electives 4 Credits: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Algebra III (minimum requirement) 4 Credits: (entering 9th graders will take Concepts of Physical Science, Biology, and 1 credit from either Chemistry or Physics) 3 Credits: (entering 9th graders will take Ancient & Medieval World History, Modern World History, and United States History) 3 credits (the same language)

Physical Education

⅔ credit

Health

⅓ credit (Health is a required “Pass/Fail” independent study

*Mathematics *Science *History

Fine Arts

course) 1 credit

Bible

1 credit

Senior Symposium Project (optional)

⅓ credit College Counseling. The Hope Scholarship website is www.ga411.com. For HOPE eligibility, all student transcript information, including social security numbers, must be released by Rabun Gap to the Georgia Student Finance Commission.

*For Georgia residents, only the grades earned in the courses indicated above (*) will be counted in the calculation of the grade point average for HOPE eligibility. Please address any questions you may have concerning the Hope Scholarships to our Director of

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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School enrollment, including the Academic Symposium.

4. Fulfill the community service require­ ment, engaging in three community service experiences each year.

5. Demonstrate satisfactory participation in the Afternoon Program for each year of enrollment.

6. Fulfill the PE/Sports requirement by participating in 2 seasons (one of which must be an interscholastic team) chosen from the following: an interscholastic team, Cirque, or a full year of Dance. Students must complete this requirement within the first two years of enrollment.

7. Meet all financial obligations. ­­­­­A Rabun Gap diploma will only be granted when a student’s financial obligations have been met in full.

8. Uphold and respect all Rabun Gap policies, rules, Honor Code, or other standards of conduct or performance.

register for their courses by completing a four year plan, and new students are contacted prior to their arrival to determine their registration needs. The Drop/Add period is the first two weeks of the term. Students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses will have until the end of the first marking period to drop/add classes. Class or section changes can be made only with the approval of the faculty involved, the Registrar, the College Counselor, and the Head of Upper School.

If a withdrawal occurs after the specified time, the student’s permanent record will reflect a WP (Withdrawn Passing) or WF (Withdrawn Failing) mark. The Academic Office will notify parents before any course/ section change is put into effect.

Seniors, in particular, are discouraged from changing courses, especially in the second and third trimester. Any course changes for seniors must be reported to their colleges.

Second and third trimester senior course change requests must be requested by the parent of the senior, either by writing or e-mail, to the Head of Upper School, before being considered for approval.

The Academic Year: The academic year at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is divided into three trimesters. Trimester-long courses receive one-third credit. Year-long courses receive one credit. Each trimester is divided into two marking periods.

Required Experiential Education Programs: The academic year also includes key experiential education programs during which students, by grade level, engage in intensive, hands-on learning. These include a trip to Washington DC for eighth grade, “The Water’s Edge” program for freshmen, and “The Mountaintop Experience” for sophomores. In addition to these events, the curriculum incorporates numerous experiential education opportunities taking advantage of the School’s 1400 acre campus and through partnerships with local science labs, environmental foundations, and nonprofit organizations.

Schedule and Teacher Changes: Schedule and/or teacher changes will be initiated by the Academic Office when operational needs require or when the administration believes the change will be in the best interests of the student and/or institution. The School will not entertain requests for changes based on a parent or student’s dislike of a particular teacher or to accommodate friendships.

Please understand that the Academic Office places students in particular classes to ensure a quality mix of students and to enhance everyone’s learning experiences.

The Academic Symposium: Each year, on a Saturday, the School holds an academic

Drop/Add Policy: Returning students pre-

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2015-2016 Academic Year symposium where students present academic work that they have completed.

This work includes the sophomore yearlong research paper “Project Eagle” and any senior symposium projects. Student work is evaluated by faculty and outside professionals in the humanities and sciences. Awards are given for top papers and projects.

hours of homework each week, including weekends. While teachers of AP courses will work to mitigate homework expectations on published no-homework weekends and during breaks, students in AP classes may be expected to work during these times; in such instances, the assigned work will have been approved by the Academic Office to ensure proper balance across the curriculum. Students should weigh their extracurricular commitments when considering taking AP courses.

Senior Symposium Project: Students are encouraged to undertake a symposium project to broaden their horizons and to enhance their college admission profile. If a student completes the bulk of the research during the summer before the senior year, the symposium project has the potential to be a shining addition to the college portfolio. Seniors who wish to undertake a symposium project must gain prior approval from the Head of Upper School and work under the supervision of a faculty sponsor, and are expected to present their research at the Academic Symposium.

Students must receive departmental approval for enrollment in an AP course.

Selection may be based upon the student’s academic achievement, standardized test scores, teacher recommendations, and extracurricular commitments. The Head of Upper School may also be involved in enrollment decisions, as needed. Students desiring to take (3) AP courses in one academic year must gain permission from the Head of Upper School; no students are permitted to take more than four (4) AP courses in one academic year.

THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM The Advanced Placement Program, sponsored by the College Board, gives students the chance to try college-level work while in high school. If the student obtains a “qualifying” grade on the AP Exam, many colleges will give credit or advanced standing.

Other benefits of taking AP courses include studying a subject in greater depth, increased academic challenge, and enhancing the chance of getting into a competitive college.

Capable students are encouraged to consider taking one or more AP courses at Rabun Gap. Each course carries a testing fee.

A student in an AP course is expected to maintain a high level of achievement (a grade of C or better) and to take the AP exam in the spring. Students who do not meet expected levels of achievement may be asked to withdraw from the course at the end of any marking period. Because Rabun Gap values the opportunity to experience college-level study while in high school, students must be enrolled in an AP course to take the corresponding AP exam. In cases where an AP course is not offered or where scheduling conflicts have precluded a student from taking an AP course, a student may petition to take the corresponding AP exam with the approval of the department chair and the Head of Upper School. Petitions must be completed by the end of the first week of the second trimester.

Expectations for AP students are greater than those for regular level course work. Teachers expect AP students to demonstrate a high level of interest in the subject and a willingness to work hard in the course. AP students can expect to have 4-6

7

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School GRADES AND EVALUATION Students receive grades for both academic performance and for effort. Teachers assess students’ classroom work through a number of activities. These include, among other things, homework, class discussion, projects, presentations, papers, laboratory work, portfolios, quizzes, major tests, and final exams.

It must be noted that in year-long courses, a student must pass the third trimester and have a passing average for the year in order to receive credit in the course. If a student receives credit in a sequential course, for example in math or world languages, with a grade of D and/or fails the final exam, he/she may not advance to the next level without special arrangement of the department. With approval from the Department Chair and Head of Upper School, this arrangement may include successful completion of additional work in summer school or working with a tutor and then passing a qualifying exam for the appropriate level. Failure to earn credit for course work may delay the student’s year of graduation.

At the beginning of study in every course, each teacher provides the student with a detailed course syllabus, which includes an explanation of the various assessments and how the grades are determined. In order to help students plan and organize their time, teachers maintain a Google Calendar outlining each day’s assignments as well as any tests or announced quizzes. Departments adhere to a schedule of test days to ensure that students are not required to take more than three tests on a single day. As a rule, faculty work with students to help them manage their time and plan ahead as they seek to meet academic challenges.

In the event that a student fails a final exam to such a degree that the student’s understanding of the course is gravely in question, the faculty member may, in consultation with the department chair and the Head of Upper School, turn in a

Grading Scale Grade

Point Value

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 F INC

Grade Point Value* 4.0

Excellent Work

3.0

Very Good Achievement

2.0

Satisfactory Achievement

65-69

1.0

Passing but Unsatisfactory

0-64

0.0

Failing; no credit awarded

0.0

Incomplete Work

* Please add .5 for Honors, 1.0 for AP courses

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2015-2016 Academic Year failure (F) for the final grade, regardless of the student’s average for the course. In order for the student to receive credit in the course, the following conditions must be met: 1) The student carries at least a Caverage into the exam, and 2) the student retakes the exam and 3) the student has no outstanding obligations to Rabun Gap. If the student achieves a grade of C or higher, the grade on the retake exam will be recorded as a C and the grade for the trimester and year will then be calculated.

and included in calculating the student’s grade for the marking period. Except in the above-mentioned special situations, all work for the trimester must be completed by the last class day of the trimester. If not, the work will be recorded as an F. Make-Up Work: • A student who has missed a class for an approved scheduled absence, an approved absence or school event (such as a field trip, athletic event, or school activity) should return to class with all assignments prepared. In any instance where this is not the case, arrangements must be made with the teacher in advance of the absence.

Assignments that are not completed accordingly will receive a failing grade.

• A student with an unexcused absence or an unapproved scheduled absence is to receive a zero for any work completed in class on the day of the absence and is still required to complete the work to the satisfaction of the teacher.

• A student who is sent home because of behavioral probation or final warning is responsible for obtaining all assignments with the assistance of his/her Advisor and is expected to return to class with all assignments completed, unless other arrangements have been made with the teacher.

Assignments that are not completed accordingly will receive a failing grade.

REPORTS OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS Report Cards: Report cards are posted 3 times per year, at the end of each trimester and include trimester exam grades when an exam has been required. Parents can view their child’s trimester report cards by logging in, via the Parent On-line Community, with an assigned username and password.

Progress Reports: At the mid-point of each trimester, progress reports are e-mailed to all students and their parents via the school provided parent e-mail using JupiterGrades, the school’s gradebook software. Teachers provide comments for students who are working below their potential or who have exhibited improvement.

Interim Reports: Interim Reports may be written at any time for exemplary performance or for problems experienced in class. These reports are sent via the schoolprovided parent e-mail using JupiterGrades, the school’s gradebook software.

Effort Ratings: In addition to academic grades, effort ratings are given each marking period for all courses.

• Excellent – Always prepared for class, quizzes, and tests. Has a positive attitude and is always cooperative and well behaved in class. Participates fully in class and puts forth effort beyond that required to do an adequate job.

Incomplete Marks: A student who receives an “INC” at a trimester because of illness or other circumstances beyond the student’s control, has two weeks to complete the work upon returning to school. The responsibility of completing the work rests with the student. Failure to do so will result in an F, which will be recorded for the work missed

9

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School • Satisfactory – Nearly always prepared for class, quizzes, and tests. Has a positive attitude most of the time, usually participates in class, and is usually cooperative and well behaved.

• Fair – Sometimes prepared for class, quizzes, and tests. Effort, attitude, participation, cooperation, and behavior are erratic.

• Poor – Makes little or no effort to prepare for class. Attitude, participation, cooperation, and behavior are unsatisfactory and need improvement.

Recognition for Academic Achievement: Academic accomplishment is recognized at the end of each marking period by the Head of School’s Honors and High Honors lists.

• Head of School’s High Honors: Based on trimester marks. A student must have an average not less than 4.0, no grade below a B (no B-), and no effort rating below Satisfactory. Privileges: Attendance permitted for athletic and arts school events during evening study hall.

• Head of School’s Honors: Based on trimester marks. A student must have an average not less than 3.0, no grade below a C+, and no effort rating below Satisfactory.

Academic Office will be mailed to the parent(s) and the student’s performance will be reviewed carefully to determine if there are available resources that might provide additional support. Based on the results of these efforts, the School will recommend a plan to move forward with the hope of improvement. At the end of each trimester, a student on Academic Probation must undergo a formal review of academic progress. A student on Academic Probation for three consecutive trimesters may be dismissed from school.

Evening Study Hall: Evening study hall is held for 2 hours, Sunday through Thursday, with the exception of holidays. Boarding students are expected to follow the rules as outlined below: • Students should be ready to work in their appropriate place of study by the time evening study begins.

• Students may use personal listening devices during Evening Study Hall as long as their use does not disturb others. Any use of a device that violates any guidelines established by residential faculty and/or the Office for Student Life may result in the

Consequences of Poor Academic Per­ formance: Students who are not successfully meeting the challenges they face in their academic classes will be placed in one of two categories accordingly: • Academic Warning - Students with an average less than 2.0 or one failing mark or three “poor” effort ratings.

• Academic Probation - Students with an average less than 1.0 or two or more failing marks.

In either circumstance, a letter from the

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2015-2016 Academic Year confiscation of the listening device for a period of time and could result in the loss of this privilege.

• Students in academic difficulty, as determined by the Academic Office, may be assigned to the Student Resource Center and/or Math Lab during evening study hall.

• Ninth grade boarding students are required to participate in a gradelevel study hall where they learn organizational skills, time management, and study strategies helpful to the Rabun Gap student. This program is administered through the Counseling Office and is taught by a team of faculty which includes ninth grade teachers.

if the student is under 18 years of age. The rights of the parents are transferred to the student on the student’s 18th birthday.

Student Records Request: Requests for student records and transcripts must be directed in writing to the Rabun Gap Registrar. Rabun Gap reserves the right to withhold student transcripts and records for non-payment of tuition or fees. Generally, requests for records will be processed within 3-5 business days.

COLLEGE ADMISSION Our goal is that every graduate of Rabun GapNacoochee School be prepared for college success appropriate to individual needs, interests, and career goals. We ensure that all our students complete academic courses that exceed minimum requirements for accredited colleges and universities.

Examination Policies: Regardless of their grades prior to the exam, students are required to take examinations in all courses where an exam is scheduled.

• For 9th and 10th grade courses, trimester exams are designed for one and onehalf hours, with a half hour extra time.

The exam grade counts between ten and twenty percent (10 - 20%) of the trimester grade; the exact percentage is indicated on the course syllabus.

• For 11th and 12th grade courses, trimester exams are designed for two hours, with a half hour extra time.

The exam grade counts fifteen to twenty-five percent (15 - 25%) of the trimester grade; the exact percentage is indicated on the course syllabus.

The process of college admission begins with the registration of our eighth graders as they choose courses for the ninth grade. The process continues with the completion of a four-year plan, which charts a course of study capitalizing on current curricular offerings as they relate to each student’s interests and talents and ensuring that graduation requirements will be met by the end of the senior year. These plans are mailed home to parents each year and serve as the course registration process. The college counselor helps students and their parents or guardians with college selection and application. Letters of recommendation for college applications written by faculty and staff on behalf of students are confidential. The School reserves the right not to make these available to the student or to his or her family.

Release of Student Records: Student records are available only to authorized faculty and professional staff for schoolrelated purposes. Student records may be released for off-campus use, usually for college applications, at the request of the student, parent, or guardian. By law, a student’s record is available for inspection by the student’s parents or guardians only

The Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) and the PLAN test are given each fall in preparation for the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and the American College Test

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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School (ACT). Juniors take the SAT and ACT in the spring and again in the fall of their senior year. All SAT and ACT registration fees must be paid directly to the appropriate testing agency by the student. Rabun Gap is a member of the National Association of College Admission Counseling and abides by the policies outlined in the association’s “Statement of Principles of Good Practice.”

Attendance Policy Definitions and Consequences: • Tardy: Anytime a student arrives late to a class period, work assignment, afternoon activity/sport, evening study hall or any other required event. Unless a student has written authorization, a tardy is always considered “unexcused.” Penalties for tardiness are as follows: ǡǡ If a student is tardy less than 5 minutes, he/she will receives 4 demerits. ǡǡ If tardy more than 5 minutes but less than 10, he/she will receive 6 demerits. ǡǡ If more than 10 minutes but less than 15, he/she will receive 8 demerits.

• Absence: Anytime a student is not present or misses a significant portion of a class period, work assignment, detention, afternoon activity/sport, evening study hall or any other required event. There are three categories of absences: 1) Unexcused, 2) Approved and 3) Scheduled. A Scheduled Absence may or may not be approved based on the nature of the absence. ǡǡ Breakfast Club - A student who receives an unexcused absence from any class will be placed on Breakfast Club. Being on Breakfast Club requires that at student arrive at breakfast at 7 am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Wednesdays, Breakfast Club begins at 8 am. The consequence of Breakfast Club is in effect for 10 days. Additional days may be added for failure to show or for arriving late.

• Accumulated Absences: Any student who maintains a pattern of absences (excused or unexcused) or excessive

Senior College Admission Fees: In the senior year, college applications require individual payment for submission of applications.

All seniors are required to have access to a personal checking account, debit card or credit card to pay for their applications.

Payments may not be submitted through the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Business Office. Seniors will typically need $60 $200 for application fees, depending on the number of applications submitted.

Please call the Director of College Counseling at 706-746-7750 with any questions.

Attendance Policy

(Middle School, see Addendum p.5)

Expectations and Responsibilities: The School expects parents’ cooperation in supporting the attendance policies of Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School. Given the demanding nature of the Rabun Gap curriculum, students must attend classes, unless they are ill or fulfilling another school obligation. Students are also expected to attend all required school events, which occur each week during the school day and, periodically, in the evenings or on weekends.

These occasions include but are not limited to: grade-level trips, Evening Convocation, Middle School Moving-Up, Upper School Awards Ceremony, Baccalaureate and Graduation. Failure to adhere to the School’s attendance expectations may include suspension, dismissal, and/or denial of the student’s enrollment for the following school year.

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2015-2016 Academic Year tardiness considered detrimental to the student’s academic progress will be dealt with by the Academic Office in conjunction with the Student Life Office. Any student with more than 7 absences per trimester in any class, whether excused or unexcused, may be placed on Attendance Warning depending on the nature of accumulated absences.

• Attendance Warning: Students on Attendance Warning may/will receive a half letter grade penalty deducted from the final grade in the course for each additional absence. The Head of Upper School, in conjunction with the Student Life Office, may waive this requirement in exceptional cases, particularly those that are health related and promptly documented. Under Attendance Warning, a student is closely monitored. Continued negligence will result in further disciplinary action and may even lead to dismissal.

• Truancy: A student is truant if they are absent from school or a particular class without the permission of a parent/ guardian or leave Rabun Gap grounds once they have reported for classes without proper school personnel authorization. In cases of truancy, the parent/guardian will be notified immediately. Truancy is considered a violation of a Rabun Gap “Major Guideline,” and the first offense may result in Attendance Warning and/or a Disciplinary Committee.

Unexcused absences carry a penalty of 12 demerits. However, to be deemed an unexcused absence (as opposed to truancy), the parent or legal guardian must verify that he or she was aware of the absence prior to the School’s notification that the student was not in attendance at the School event.

Without this documentation, the absence is considered truancy and carries a more stringent consequence.

2. Approved Absence: Anytime a student is not present during one of the above mentioned class periods, activities or events and documentation for the absence is provided by the student’s parent or guardian before the absence occurs. Any student who is absent from class during the school day for any reason including illness will not be allowed to participate in or attend after school extracurricular activities.

Approved Absences include the following: • Illness: Parents of day students must call the Academic Office by 8:30 am to notify the School that their child is sick. Failure to do so may result in the absence being recorded as unexcused. Boarding students who are ill must report to the Health Center prior to the school day.

• Extended illness: In the event of an unforeseen accident or extended illness, a meeting will be initiated with the parents/student and School Administrators to determine a course of action that best serves the student.

• Medical appointments: Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School asks that all medical, therapeutic, and dental appointments be made after school hours. If

Explanation of Three Categories of Absences: 1. Unexcused Absence: Anytime a student is not present during one of the above mentioned class periods, activities, or events and no documentation or authorization is provided before the absence occurs.

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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School a student must leave for an appointment during the school day, they must bring a note to the Academic Office in advance, or the office must receive parental confirmation for the child to have permission to leave campus.

• College visits: All college visits must be approved first by the College Counseling Office. Rabun Gap encourages juniors and seniors to schedule college visits on weekends or during school vacations. However, if a visit must occur on a school day, the Academic Office, in conjunction with the Student Life Office, must approve the absence at least two days in advance. The School reserves the right not to approve college visits.

• School sponsored extracurricular obligations: Students are occasionally required to attend school events that take them out of class. Athletic events, performing arts events, and other activities frequently occur during school hours or require that students depart from campus before the end of the school day. For all such schoolrelated absences, documentation is provided by the supervising

teacher or coach, and students are expected to make up any missed work following the School’s Make-up Work policy.

3. Scheduled Absence: Anytime a parent or legal guardian notifies the School in advance that a student will miss a class or school obligation for reasons not considered an approved absence.

Scheduled absences are believed to be detrimental to the student’s academic progress and are strongly discouraged.

Approval for scheduled absences is given only for extraordinary academic programs or unique family events. (i.e. a family wedding, funeral, or graduations are generally approved.

Family vacations are not considered unique events and are generally not approved.) The School reserves the right not to approve any scheduled absence. Therefore, families should pay careful attention to the school calendar, note the scheduled school vacations, and make their child’s travel plans accordingly.

• Petitioning for a Scheduled Absence: Should parents require their child to be away from school during the academic year, the parent should formally petition the School at least two days in advance. Petitions for scheduled absences must be directed to the

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2015-2016 Academic Year Academic Office. The reason for the request must be described in full, and parental confirmation must be documented. Once a request is made, the Academic Office will determine whether the scheduled absence is “Approved” or “Unapproved.” It is the responsibility of the student to make up all work missed according to the School’s Makeup Work policy.

• Unapproved Scheduled Absence Consequences: If the scheduled absence is not approved, a student will receive a zero on any homework and graded in-class work, including papers, projects, class participation, quizzes, tests, or other work due on the day of absence. Teachers, however, will still expect all work to be completed. A student with an unapproved scheduled absence will not receive Breakfast Club.

be viewed favorably by the Honor Council and is likely to result in a lesser consequence.

In the event that a Rabun Gap student has first-hand knowledge of a violation, he or she is obliged to act. We expect students to either 1) Report the violation to the Head of Upper School who will then proceed with an investigation, or 2) Confront the suspected student directly (alone or with the support of a peer) and urge him or her to come forward. However, if the suspected student decides not to come forward, then the reporting individual must take action. If the student chooses the first option and reports the violation, his or her confidentiality will be protected throughout the process. In all cases, once a student reports an honor violation, he or she will be expected to maintain strict confidentiality, not disclosing the name of the accused nor revealing details of the process to others in the Rabun Gap community.

Consequences: When the Honor Council finds a student has committed an honor violation, the Council takes into account several factors to decide upon an appropriate consequence. These factors may include: • Severity of the offense • Premeditation for committing the violation • Previous honor history, excluding any cases where he or she was found innocent • Level of cooperativeness throughout the process • Forthrightness about the honor violation • Age of the student involved • Years living under the Rabun Gap Honor Code

Honor Code

(Middle School, see Addendum p.X)

Pledge: As a member of the Rabun GapNacoochee School community, I promise to uphold honor with my words and actions.

I will not lie, cheat, or steal. I accept responsibility for my own actions and for what other members of the community may do in my presence. I understand the need for honor and pledge to defend it.

• Honor Code Motto: “Always Honorable” Student Responsibility: When an Honor Code violation occurs, the individual who has committed the honor offense is encouraged to turn in him/herself before evidence of any wrongdoing has been presented to members of the council. Such unsolicited integrity will

Taking all of these factors into consideration, the council recommends a consequence to the Head of School. Consequences may

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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School

Major Rules

include but are not limited to a warning; probation; work hours on campus; delivery of a formal letter of apology; adjustment of test or final grade, including failure and the need to retake the course; out of school suspension; or dismissal. Students placed on honor probation will be ineligible for a student leadership position for a period of one year from the time of the offense.

Violation of any of these rules will place a student at jeopardy for dismissal for the first offense.

1. Rabun Gap students respect the rights and property of others.

Our community does not tolerate bullying, hazing, harassment of another person, theft, or abuse of personal or community property.

Living in Community Rabun Gap places value on the growth of the individual student, and we are guided by positive, ethical, and moral traditions. We value honesty, respect, and integrity along with a demonstrated commitment to personal excellence, and we expect our students to learn to share these values with others.

2. Rabun Gap students are honest.

Lying, cheating, plagiarizing, or any other type of deceitful behavior is unacceptable at Rabun Gap. 3. Rabun Gap students abstain from the use of drugs and alcohol. Using, possessing, or distributing drugs (prescription or nonprescription) or alcohol, or hosting a party at which drugs or alcohol are used is prohibited. (Note: If unauthorized drugs, alcohol, or drug paraphernalia are found on your person or in your room, or if you test positive for illegal substances, whether or not it can be demonstrated that the substance was used on campus, you are considered in violation of a Major School Rule.)

We expect both students and parents to be committed to the School’s mission, its standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures, as established in this handbook.

The following expectations summarize some of our basic “rules� for a successful journey at Rabun Gap. In order that our students take these rules seriously, it is important that they understand clearly the consequences of making poor choices. We understand that no handbook can or should list every possible example of poor judgment. The Student Life Office will address any situation that is not covered in these pages.

Rabun Gap reserves the right to undertake periodic unannounced or random searches including bringing law and drug enforcement officials and canines to campus.

Rabun Gap policies and standards apply any time a student is on campus; any time a student is participating in or attending a Rabun Gap sponsored event on or off campus; any time a student is officially representing Rabun Gap; and any time a student is traveling on behalf of Rabun Gap. In addition, Rabun Gap regards any behavior prejudicial to the best interests of the School, whether on campus or elsewhere, as sufficient grounds for a discipline response up to and including immediate dismissal.

Students may be required to submit to urinalysis drug screens, blood alcohol tests, breathalyzer tests, or any other tests or medical examination at any time Rabun Gap suspects this policy has been violated including, among others: (a) when a student is suspected of

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2015-2016 Academic Year attending Rabun Gap or Rabun Gaprelated activities with intoxicants or mind-altering substances in his or her system; (b) when a student suffers an injury or is involved in an accident while at Rabun Gap; (c) on a periodic or random basis, including but not limited to, in connection with the student’s participation in extracurricular activities; or (d) when a student is placed under disciplinary contract and such screenings or examinations are terms of the contract. The presence of any alcohol or the presence of any other intoxicants or mind-altering substances in the body is a violation of this policy. Testing positive; refusal of a student to undergo testing; tampering with or alteration of a test sample; failure to cooperate fully with any test, search, or investigation; failure to execute any paperwork or consent forms necessary for an examination or test; or any unlawful conduct on or off Rabun Gap premises may result in discipline up to and including immediate dismissal of a student.

slips, signing out, and permissions.

Leaving the dorm after check-in without proper authorization and leaving campus without permission are violations of Major School Rules.

A student should not be in the residence hall of the opposite sex without appropriate permission.

6. Rabun Gap students abide by the School’s policies regarding the use of technology. The use of e-mail, the Internet, or other electronic spaces or social networking sites for hazing, harassment, or other inappropriate behavior either on or off campus is unacceptable.

7. Rabun Gap students abide by the School’s policies regarding the use of motor vehicles on campus. Boarding students are allowed to have a car on campus for use of travel to and from home. Boarding or day students may not drive other students without proper permission.

4. Rabun Gap students protect the health and safety of themselves and others. Tampering with fire safety equipment, smoking, or using fire in any school building in an area not designed for that purpose is unacceptable. Unauthorized weapons, guns, knives, lighters, fireworks, dangerous combustibles and explosives are prohibited on campus. Note: Any student found smoking in a dorm room is subject to immediate dismissal.

8. Rabun Gap students meet community expectations and demonstrate a high standard of citizenship. Every day and boarding student must display a spirit of desire to be a part of the School community and clearly show support of the School’s mission, rules and regulations, and dress code, in their attitudes, in their words, and in their actions. Violations of general expectations for proper conduct, including repeated failure to attend classes and other required commitments, comprise a Major School Rule violation.

5. Rabun Gap students abide by the School’s rules regarding leave

9. Rabun Gap students abide by all federal, state, and local laws.

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Disciplinary Responses

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Demerit Hall Report: On Monday at noon, the Demerit Hall Report is posted outside of the Student Life Office. If the number of demerits a student receives between the period extending from Monday to Monday is equal to or greater than 7, the student is required to attend Demerit Hall which is held on Wednesday mornings from 7:00 am to 9:00 am and supervised by the dean of students. Parents and students will be notified on Monday of the week when the student is required to attend Demerit Hall.

Attendance in Demerit Hall will erase 10 demerits of the student’s weekly demerit balance. Demerit balances cannot be in the negative. Demerit Hall may not be deferred. Students absent from demerit hall will receive additional demerits. While attending demerit hall “erases” demerits, students maintain a cumulative record of demerits. In some cases, students may be offered the opportunity to work off demerits and reduce their overall demerit balance. Students must have a zero balance of demerits at the end of the year, however demerits issued in the last two weeks of the school year carry over to the next year.

(Middle School, see Addendums p.7, 8)

Rules that the School considers particularly important for the wellbeing of the individual and the community are categorized as Major School Rules. These represent the most important standards of the community: honesty, personal integrity, and respect for others. Our disciplinary system tries to balance what is best for the individual student and what is best for the whole community. Students who violate Major School Rules will be subject to disciplinary sanctions ranging from demerits to dismissal. Based on the offense, the Dean of Students will issue sanctions, convene the honor council or confer with the Head of School depending on the nature and severity of the offense.

Demerits: The demerit system is overseen by the Head of School and enforced by the Student Life Office through both education and demerits. Demerits are not given for academic failures such as not doing homework, etc., but rather respond to issues of behavior unrelated to a student’s academic progress or potential. Any infraction of the student handbook renders a student liable for demerits. When a student has committed an offense deserving demerits, a faculty member or a senior may contact the Student Life Office to report the offense. It is then the responsibility of the Student Life Office to issue the requisite number of demerits. A large accumulation of demerits renders a student at risk for dismissal from school.

Cumulative Demerit Report: Each week, the Student Life Office will post a Cumulative Demerit Report which presents the total

Daily Demerit Report: Demerits are posted at noon each day for the previous 24 hour period. The demerit report is posted outside the Student Life Office. The report notes the student’s name, the offense, the number of demerits given, and the person who assigned the demerits.

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2015-2016 Academic Year number of demerits a student has received during the school year. A student who earns 50 or more demerits but less than 75 will be placed on Disciplinary Probation and be required to meet with the Head of School and his/her parents to conceive a plan to change the behavior. A student who earns 75 or more demerits will be placed on Final Warning and will be required to meet with the Head of School. The final warning status will expire at the end of the academic year.

A student who receives Final Warning as a discipline sanction within 14 days of the end of school may be required to leave campus and to take his/her exams at a later date. For any behavior that warrants Honor Council or disciplinary actions during the last 14 days of school, the determined consequences or status will carry over on the student’s conduct record through the next year of school at Rabun Gap. These consequences include demerits, behavioral warning/behavioral probation, and/or final warning.

Examples of Demerit Infractions: Use of tobacco 30 Inappropriate use of technology 30 Inappropriate display of affection 15-30 Absent class 12 Late to class (5 min) 4 Late to class (10) 6 Late to class (15) 8 Late to check-in 4 Up after lights out 5 Out of dorm after check-in 15 Out of bounds 8 Absent from Athletics or Activities 8 Uniform Violation 1-10 Food in the Library 2 Absent from Chapel or Convocation 12 Failure to complete dorm duties 5 Slovenliness 5 Failure to do as directed 7-20 Cell phone violation 5

Seniors who receive Final Warning as a discipline sanction may be required to leave campus and may not be allowed to be present at graduation.

Dismissal/Withdrawal: Some offenses are so egregious and harmful to a community that a student might be dismissed or withdrawn for a first offense. When a student is dismissed, he or she is required to leave campus immediately. For boarding students, the Student Life Office will arrange transportation and all fees will be billed to the student’s account. *A student who is dismissed or withdrawn or is not invited back may only return to campus if he/she receives permission from the Student Life Office. Generally, permission is not given for the first trimester after the student leaves school.

Final Warning: A student who has violated a Major School Rule and has been in grave jeopardy of being dismissed may receive final warning. This status is the highest level of discipline sanction other than dismissal.

Final Warning status will remain with the student for 12 months from the time of the infraction or at the discretion of the Head of School. Final Warning may include 1 to 5 days in or out of school suspension, loss of driving privileges, loss of student leadership position for a period of one year from the time of the offense, and a letter sent home.

When a student violates a Major School Rule, his/her actions affect the whole community. On such occasions, the whole community may discuss the specific discipline infractions. The discussion may include mention of the name of a particular student.

It should be noted that the Head of School has the right to determine the appropriate

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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School disciplinary action up to and including immediate dismissal from school for any student whose behavior, attitude, actions or physical condition is considered unacceptable within the expectations of the School. A student who is dismissed or is withdrawn during the school year forfeits his/her right to the completion of the term for academic credit. The parents and/or legal guardians must understand that they are still responsible for the financial terms of the student’s contract.

and members of health services may keep conversations about sexual behavior confidential. We expect Rabun Gap students to show respect for one another as well as for others in the community by refraining from inappropriate displays of affection.

Dating and any action that can be seen as sexual conduct between a middle school student and an upper school student is unacceptable.

3. Harassment, Discrimination, or Retaliation: Rabun Gap believes in respecting the dignity of all persons and expects everyone to show respect for others. Accordingly, this policy forbids any offensive conduct based on an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, handicap, or citizenship status. Rabun Gap is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and we will not tolerate any conduct or statements which violate this policy.

• Coverage: This policy forbids any student from engaging in any conduct which harasses, discriminates, or retaliates against any other Rabun Gap student or student’s family members, Rabun Gap employee, teacher, administrator, principal, vendor, applicant, or agent. This policy shall apply at all times and shall cover conduct which occurs both on and off campus, as well as on the Internet.

• Prohibited Conduct: The conduct prohibited by this policy, whether verbal, physical, or visual, includes any harassment, discrimination, or retaliation and

Behavior Related Policies 1. Tobacco: Students are prohibited from using or possessing tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco. The School, through the Student Life Office and the Health Center, will arrange oncampus support to assist those who wish to break, or assure that they have broken, a nicotine addiction. Violation of the rules regarding the use of tobacco products will be dealt with by the Student Life Office and will be cumulative over the student’s career at Rabun Gap. Smoking in a dorm is a violation of a Major School Rule and is dismissible on the first offense.

2. Sexual Activity: We encourage students to develop friendships and relationships that are healthy. Rabun Gap specifically prohibits students from engaging in inappropriate sexual activity. School is not an appropriate place for sexual intimacy. If a student engages in inappropriate sexual activity on campus or on a school trip, the case will be referred to the Head of School.

The Head of School may choose to meet with each student and his/her parents on campus. At that time, the Head of School will consider sanctions.

While the School does not condone student sexual activity, counselors

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2015-2016 Academic Year any conduct that affects someone because of that individual’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, handicap, and/or citizenship status. Among the types of conduct prohibited by this policy are epithets, slurs, negative images or stereotyping, intimidating acts, and the circulation or posting of written or graphic materials that show hostility toward individuals based upon these protected categories.

• Sexual Harassment: This policy forbids harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based on sex or gender regardless of whether the offensive conduct is sexual in nature. Any offensive conduct based on sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity is also forbidden by this policy regardless of whether the individual engaged in the harassment and the individual being harassed are of the same or are of different genders.

• Examples of sexual harassment forbidden by this policy include: –– Offensive sexual orientation, gender identity, verbal kidding, teasing, or jokes –– Sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions –– Continued or repeated verbal abuse of a sexual nature –– Discussions of sexual experiences or spreading rumors relating to a person’s sexual activities –– Graphic or degrading comments about an individual’s appearance or sexual activity –– Offensive visual conduct,

including leering, making sexual gestures, the display of offensive sexually suggestive objects or pictures, cartoons or posters –– Pressure for sexual activity –– Suggestive or obscene letters, notes, or invitations; electronic messages; conduct including offensive touching or physical contacts such as patting, grabbing, pinching or brushing against another’s body; unequal treatment that would not occur but for the person’s gender; stalking or other sexually related criminal activity.

• Procedures: Students who believe they are victims of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation, or who have witnessed harassment, discrimination, or retaliation should report the matter to any adult. Students may choose to report to a person of the student’s same sex. Complaints will be kept confidential to the extent possible given the need to investigate. Students who make good faith complaints will not be disciplined.

All reports describing conduct that is inconsistent with this policy will be promptly and thoroughly investigated. It is the obligation of every Rabun Gap student with knowledge of the conduct to cooperate in any investigation of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation. If an investigation confirms that a violation of this policy has occurred, any violator will be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited

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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School to, suspension and/or immediate dismissal. Any person making a knowingly false accusation will likewise be subject to disciplinary action.

• Perspective: Determination of whether particular conduct violates this policy is assessed from the point of view of a reasonable person. In the complainant’s position, such a determination takes into account the totality of the circumstances including: –– Frequency of the offensive conduct –– Its seriousness –– Whether it is physically threatening or humiliating –– The location of the conduct and context in which it occurred –– The degree to which the conduct affected the education or employment environment –– The relationship between the parties.

• Prohibition of Retaliation: Rabun Gap forbids retaliation against anyone for reporting harassment, discrimination, or retaliation; registering a complaint pursuant to this policy; assisting in making a harassment complaint; participation in an investigation; filing a charge of discrimination; or otherwise pursuing his/her rights under this policy. Anyone experiencing or witnessing any conduct he or she believes to be retaliatory should immediately report it to any of the individuals named above. In the course of investigating and in imposing any discipline, Rabun Gap will attempt to preserve confidentiality as

much as possible based on the circumstances.

4. Bullying: Bullying will not be tolerated at our school. Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.

Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and intentionally excluding someone from a group.

Any student who believes that he/she has been the victim of bullying shall report the incident(s) to the Student Life Office, Head of School, School Nurse or any trusted faculty member.

5. Hazing: Hazing will not be tolerated at our school. Hazing is defined as any conduct, coercion, or intimidation used as a method of initiation into a school organization or team which is likely to endanger the physical or mental health of any student. This behavior is a crime under Georgia law. “It shall be unlawful for any person to haze any student in connection with or as

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2015-2016 Academic Year a condition or precondition of gaining acceptance, membership, office, or other status in a school organization.”

6. Violence: Students must never resort to physical confrontation to resolve their differences. Fighting for any reason will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action including possible suspension or dismissal, loss of athletic or extracurricular activities, parental conference, or other disciplinary action as may be deemed appropriate. Fighting includes (without implied limitation) the throwing of punches or a serious physical struggle. Likewise, threatening another will not be tolerated. Threatening includes any behavior which purposely places or attempts to place another in fear of imminent bodily injury or physical contact.

Every member of the School community must report hazing to the Student Life Office or Head of School.

In addition, the School is required by law to report to the local police any hazing reported to it or of which it becomes aware. Keep in mind that, under the law, the implied or even express consent of any person toward whom any act of hazing is directed is not a defense to hazing.

Examples of behavior that could be considered hazing include being forced to: • Destroy or steal property • Be tied up, taped, or confined in a small space • Be paddled, whipped, beaten, kicked, or beat up others • Do embarrassing, painful, or dangerous acts • Be kidnapped or transported and abandoned • Consume spicy or disgusting concoctions • Be deprived of sleep, food, or hygiene • Engage in or simulate sexual activities • Participate in drinking contests • Be tattooed or pierced

7. Destructive Acts: Students should govern their actions by the values of respect for self, person, and property.

Thus, any destructive actions, including setting fires, causing damage to property, harming others, drawing graffiti or defacing property, or similar conduct is prohibited.

8. Offensive Language: Students and parents are prohibited from using profane, obscene, bigoted, or other types of offensive language or gestures on campus or at schoolsponsored events.

9. Weapons and Threats: Students are prohibited from making threats or threatening gestures toward others, and are prohibited from having any type of weapon, including knives, guns, clubs, martial arts paraphernalia, fireworks, etc., on campus or at schoolsponsored events. Any such item may be confiscated and, if appropriate, turned over to law enforcement.

Offending students will suffer appropriate disciplinary action including the possibility of suspension or expulsion. Any student, who is witness to, or the victim of hazing, should report it immediately to his/her Residential Faculty, Coach, Advisor, or the Student Life Office or the Head of School.

23

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School

Out of School and Off Campus Behavior

of crisis communications on their personal cell phones.

Students should be aware that certain activities even outside of school hours or off school property may result in loss of school privileges and other disciplinary action up to and including suspension or dismissal. Students may be subject to discipline for misconduct which is, or may be, disruptive of the educational process, interferes with the work of the School, is contrary to the mission of the School, impinges on the rights of other students, employees, or members of the School community, or has a direct or immediate effect on the discipline or general welfare of the School, even if such conduct takes place off campus, during non-school hours or on breaks from school. Such conduct will be evaluated at the sole discretion of the School and the School reserves the right to deviate from the regular disciplinary process as may be deemed necessary under the circumstances. Some examples of such outside conduct which may have disciplinary ramifications at school include any violation of the law; underage purchase, use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance; use or misuse of computers, or computer websites (personal, at home or at school), which do, or could, impact the welfare of any member of the School community or the reputation or functioning of the School.

In general, cell phone usage must be governed by the need for community engagement and civility. Our approach to cell phones seeks to provide important and reliable communication links between students and parents, while at the same time maintaining the unique culture of the Rabun Gap community. The use of cell phones or any other electronic devices in the classroom will be at the discretion of each individual teacher.

Cell phones may not be used or visible…

• in the dining hall • in the theater • in the chapel • in classrooms during tests. This is an honor offense.

Cell phones are allowed…

• in the hallways of school buildings.

The device cannot be used as a phone or listening device.

• in the courtyard • in the Student Life Office with permission • in evening study hall. The device must be silenced and you may not talk on the phone.

• during your free period as long as you are in a designated area; courtyard, dorm, Student Life Office.

Cell Phones and Other Listen­ing Devices

Specific Consequences: Boarding student cell phones and other electronic devices may be confiscated and held by the Upper School Student Life Office or the Middle School Academic Office for a period of time: • First Offense - 3 days • Second Offense - 5 days • Third Offense - 10 days • More than three times - loss of cell phone for 1 month

(Middle School, see Addendum p.7)

Students are required to register their cell phone number with the Student Life Office. All electronic devices, including cell phones, are subject to search and inspection by the Student Life Office at any time during the school year. Students do receive urgent or emergency alerts as part

24

2015-2016 Academic Year • Repeat violation - may lose the cell

approved concessions and approved service-type projects. To request permission to fund raise on or off campus in the name of Rabun Gap, permission must be obtained from the Rabun Gap Advancement Office.

Request forms are available through the Advancement Office and must be submitted at least one week prior to the event. This includes raffle items and other in-kind donations as well as general solicitations of funds of any kind.

phone for the remainder of the school year If a phone is confiscated from a day student, he or she will be able to pick up the device at the end of the school day, with an understanding that it will not be brought on campus for that confiscated period.

Other Policies and Rules Animals on Campus: Due to concerns about the health, safety, and welfare of people in the school community, no animals are allowed on school property or at school related events without the express, written permission of the Head of School. This means that animals may not be brought onto school property for any reason (even if the animal remains in a vehicle or on a leash), including drop off, pick up, parties, games, and activities, and may not be brought to school related events on or off campus.

Posters and Announcements: All posters and flyers used on campus must be approved by the Student Life Office and all posters and flyers for off campus use must be approved by the Director of Communications in the Advancement Office. Any poster or flyer using the Rabun Gap logo, crest, or mascot must be approved by the Director of Communication.

Campus Style Guide: Campus publications initiated by students or departments should follow the Rabun Gap Style Guide for appropriate use of logo, crest, and mascot.

Publications and event programs should be reviewed and approved by the Director of Communication. Sample programs and designs are available for use by student groups, departments, and administrative offices.

Rearden Theater Policies: The Rearden Theater is our most formal meeting place; therefore, we must take care to treat the area with respect and a sense of formality.

• Appropriate dress for events in the Rearden Theater will be announced.

• The furniture must be treated properly. Use the aisles – no walking on or stepping over seats.

• All cell phones, iPods, and electronic devices must be turned off.

• No gum, food, or drink is allowed inside the theater.

Reporting of Accidents and Hazards: All accidents, including those which do not involve serious injury, must be reported immediately to the Director of Student Life.

Only through a full knowledge of accidents can we become a safer, healthier place.

Immediately report any unsafe conditions, defective equipment, or other hazards to the Director of Student Life. Students are expected to assist in maintaining safe conditions. Safety is a state of mind, and requires constant vigilance and common sense. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Fundraising: Classes, individuals, teams, or organizations wishing to fund raise on campus must have permission from the Student Life Office as well as the Rabun Gap Advancement Office. All extracurricular teams and organizations should strive to be self-sufficient, raising money through

25

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School of educational materials. In addition, since no filtering system is foolproof, we expect users to act responsibly in their searches and to immediately disengage from any site or materials that are inappropriate and to report the situation to the faculty member or administrator in charge of the activity. Although Rabun Gap cannot effectively restrict access to all offensive content obtained by students via the Internet, obtaining material that is explicitly labeled as not intended for minors will be considered a violation of Rabun Gap rules.

Furthermore, making public or forwarding any material that is pornographic, violent in nature, or otherwise harassing or in violation of any Rabun Gap standard is totally unacceptable. Students working on assignments that are blocked from what they believe are valid educational resource sites should discuss the site with the faculty member. After review the faculty member may request that the site be unblocked for the duration of the assignment.

Technology - Acceptable Use Policy This policy contains guidelines for the use, access, monitoring, and disclosure of electronic communications used, created, sent, received, transmitted, or stored (collectively referred to as “use” or “used”) by students using the Rabun Gap-provided network infrastructure and student-provided systems or equipment used either during school or while on Rabun Gap property.

Wireless Network Access: All access via the wireless system is subject to the same conditions and policies as the wired network. Student owned equipment must meet certain system requirements before access will be granted. Failure to gain this permission may result in confiscation of wireless device. This process is managed by our system access controller and all conditions, consents and agreements for client installations are considered a part of this document. Rabun Gap is not responsible for any damages that may occur to student owned equipment.

Internet Access: Rabun Gap communitystudents, faculty, administrators, and staff- have the privilege of filtered access to the Internet. However, personal files are not to be downloaded to Rabun Gap’s network hard drives. Students may not install any software on any Rabun Gapprovided System or copy software from any Rabun Gap-provided System without the prior written permission of our Director of Campus Technology.

Social Networks and Online Media: Any multimedia posting to the Internet (including but not limited to locations such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Ustream, iTunes, Tumblr and others) which clearly identifies Rabun Gap by name,

Rabun Gap does provide a filtering system to mitigate access to offensive and pornographic material but it also has the negative effect of filtering out limited sources

26

2015-2016 Academic Year location, content, or description must honor the integrity and mission of the School. For further clarification of appropriate material, students and faculty are encouraged to contact the Director of Communication or the Student Life Office. At no time is it appropriate to post photos, videos, or other multimedia that defame or portray Rabun Gap students and faculty in a negative way. No posting should identify a student or faculty by full name unless approved by the Director of Communication. Students and families should be aware that Rabun Gap policies prohibit faculty and staff from using social networking sites as a way to connect or communicate with students.

All sites including the Rabun Gap name or any variation clearly identifying the school must be approved by the Director of Communication and include dual administration rights by school personnel.

disruptive, obscene, offensive, or harmful to morale.

Dress Code and Appearance Clothing should be neat and clean, fit well, and be in proper repair. If a student’s clothing is too large or too small they may be asked to obtain new clothing. Students who are found to be in violation of the dress code by not being dressed appropriately for the day will not be allowed to attend class and may receive demerits. The classroom dress code is in effect from the breakfast period until the end of the academic day and at events as announced.

Formal dress is required every Thursday and for certain special events including the first day of school, Honor Chapel, Academic Convocation, Awards Ceremonies, Middle School Moving Up Ceremony, Baccalaureate, Graduation, and other special events as announced.

Rabun Gap Right to Access and Inspect Electronic Communications: All electronic communications contained in or transmitted via Rabun Gap Systems are Rabun Gap records. Rabun Gap and the contents of the Systems and electronic communications conducted on the Systems are accessible

by Rabun Gap at all times for any purpose.

Thus, students should not assume that Electronic Communications are confidential or private. Rabun Gap’s right to use, access, monitor, inspect, and disclose electronic communications without further notice applies equally to student-provided systems or equipment used either during school time or on Rabun Gap property.

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is pleased to partner with Mills Uniform Company as its primary provider for school uniforms. Mills will be on the Rabun Gap Campus on August 10, 18 and 23. A link is available to the Mills On-Line web store on the Rabun Gap homepage or visit Mills at www.millswear. com. Rabun Gap’s school code is 3550.

Rabun Gap recommends that all school uniform items be purchased from Mills Uniform Company. Khaki pants are the only uniform item that may be purchased from other vendors. Pants purchased from other vendors must be the same style and color as the traditional khaki pant sold by Mills. The School Blazer will continue to be purchased from the Campus Store. A variety of items and sizes of Mills apparel are available in the Campus Store for sizing needs. Shoes from the approved shoe list may be purchased from the vendor of choice.

Forbidden Uses of Our Systems: Students may not use computer systems, personal or Rabun Gap’s, in a manner that violates our Mission Statement, Honor Code, No Harassment Policy, or other Rabun Gap policies. Students may not use our Systems in any way that may be seen as insulting,

27

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Girls’ Classroom Dress—Upper School & Middle School Required Items

Optional Items

Polo Shirt – Green, Navy, or White

Available From

Notes

Mills or Campus Store

The Rabun Gap Store has a small inventory of green, navy or white polo shirts that may be worn.

White or Sky Blue, does not have to be tucked in

Blouse, ¾ sleeve

Mills

White Turtleneck

Vendor of Choice

Khaki Pants

Mills or Vendor of Choice

For winter wear under a long sleeved school blouse with logo.

May not be worn alone.

Same style as Mills selection. No low rise. No tight fitting pants.

Khaki Shorts

Mills

Must be of modest length (approx. 3 inches above the knee.)

Plaid, Khaki, or Grey Skort

Mills

Must be of modest length (approx. 3 inches above the knee.)

Socks

Mills or Vendor of Choice Tights

Vendor of choice

Black or white, full-footed

Belt

Mills or Vendor of Choice

Black or brown plain, no wider than 1 ½ inches

Sweaters, Fleeces, and Light Jackets

Mills or Campus Store

Must have school logo

Mills, Campus Store, or Vendor of Choice

Cannot be worn in class

Shoes

Heavy Outerwear and Winter Coats See page 32

Winter Dress (Middle School Only) • The Middle School Academic Office will announce when winter dress is in effect. Normally, it begins and ends with daylight savings time.

• Socks must be worn with shoes.

• Shorts are not allowed during winter dress.

coat for wear during the colder months the student may elect to wear their own heavy winter coat. This coat does not require the School logo, and should not be worn in the classroom.

• Athletic wear, even though it may have the Rabun Gap logo, is not approved for classroom dress.

Outerwear • Light to mid-weight outerwear, such as sweaters, fleeces, and jackets worn during the School day from 7:30 am – 3:30 pm must contain the School logo.

These items are available from Mills.

• If a student desires a heavier winter

Casual Days • Casual days are announced by the Head of School.

• Blue jeans or casual pants, capri or cropped. No low rise, torn, frayed or cut off edges, no holes (patched or exposed)

28

2015-2016 Academic Year Girls’ Formal Dress—Upper School Only Required Items

Optional Items

Available From

Blazer

Campus Store

Plaid Skirt/ Skort

Mills

Gray Gabardine Skort

Mills

Gray Flannel Pants

Mills

Notes

Hunter Classic Navy; Must be of modest length (approx. 3 inches above the knee.)

Must be of modest length (approx. 3 inches above the knee.)

White Oxford

Mills

White Blouse, ¾ sleeve

Mills

Does not have to be tucked in

White Turtleneck

Vendor of Choice

For winter wear under a long sleeved school blouse with logo.

May not be worn alone.

Socks

Mills or Vendor of Choice

Knee-length black or white, must fall just below the knee

Tights

Mills or Vendor of Choice

Black, solid, full footed

Shoes

See page 32

Girls’ Formal Dress—Middle School Only Required Items

Optional Items

Available From

Notes

Unisex Vest, Blue or Green

Mills

Plaid Skirt/ Skort

Mills

White Blouse, Short Sleeve

Mills

White Oxford

Mills

May be worn as classroom dress, available in short or long sleeve

White Blouse, ¾ Sleeve

Mills

May be worn as classroom dress, does not have to be tucked in

White Turtleneck

Vendor of Choice

For winter wear under a long sleeved school blouse with logo.

May not be worn alone.

Mills or Vendor of Choice

Knee-length white or black, must fall just below the knee

Mills or Vendor of Choice

Black, solid, full footed

Socks Tights Shoes

Hunter Classic Navy; Must be of modest length (approx. 3 inches above the knee.)

Pointed collar

See page 32

29

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Boys’ Classroom Dress—Upper School & Middle School Required Items

Optional Items

Polo Shirt – Green, White, or Navy

Available From

Notes

Mills or Campus Store

The Campus Store has a small inventory of polo shirts that may be worn this school year.

Oxford Shirt Striped

Mills

White Under Shirt

Vendor of Choice

Solid White, to be worn under school polo with logo. May not be worn alone.

White Turtleneck

Vendor of Choice

For winter wear under a long sleeved school shirt with logo.

May not be worn alone.

Khaki Pants

Mills or Vendor of Choice Khaki Shorts

Mills or Vendor of Choice

Socks

Mills or Vendor of Choice

Black or white solid

Belt

Mills or Vendor of Choice

Black or brown plain, no wider than 1 ½ inches

Sweaters, Fleeces, and Light Jackets

Mills or Campus Store

Must have school logo

Mills, Campus Store, or Vendor of Choice

Cannot be worn in class

Shoes

Heavy Outerwear and Winter Coats See page 32

• Shorts of modest length, should be no

Casual Dress for After School & Weekends • At all times, casual clothing must be modest and appropriate. This means cleavage, stomachs, behinds, or underwear should never be visible.

• Pants and jeans must be worn at waistlevel with no underwear showing.

• No clothes with excessive rips or holes even if they are patched.

• Undergarments must be worn and should not be visible.

• No bare feet or bedroom shoes outside of dorm.

• No pajama type clothing in the dining hall.

• No halter tops, backless or strapless shirts, sarong tops, tube tops, or tops with spaghetti straps.

more than 3” above the knee.

• Skirts or skorts of modest length, should be no more than 3” above the knee.

• Appropriate length shirts that are modest and with no midriff showing.

• T-shirts with any offensive or suggestive words or pictures that feature alcohol, drugs, or unacceptable social behavior are not allowed.

• No sweatpants, yoga pants, pajamas, athletic shorts, or general athletic wear.

• When wearing leggings, blouse/top must cover hips • Students who do not abide by casual dress guidelines will be required to change and will forfeit future casual days.

30

2015-2016 Academic Year Boys’ Formal Dress—Upper School Only Required Items

Optional Items

Available From

Blazer

Campus Store

White Oxford

Mills White Turtleneck

Vendor of Choice

School Tie

Campus Store

Khaki Pants

Mills or Vendor of Choice Gray Flannel Pants

For winter wear under a long sleeved school shirt with logo.

May not be worn alone.

May wear Blair, senior tie, or school official long or bow tie

Mills

Socks

Mills or Vendor of Choice

Belt

Mills or Vendor of Choice

Shoes

Notes

Black or brown plain, no wider than 1 ½ inches

See page 32

Boys’ Formal Dress—Middle School Only Required Items

Optional Items

Available From

Unisex Vest, Blue or Green

Mills

White Oxford

Mills White Turtleneck

Vendor of Choice

School Tie, 8th grade only

Campus Store

Khaki Pants

Mills or Vendor of Choice Gray Flannel Pants

Notes

For winter wear under a long sleeved school shirt with logo.

May not be worn alone.

May wear Blair or school official long or bow tie

Mills

Socks

Mills or Vendor of Choice

Black or brown solid

Belt

Mills or Vendor of Choice

Black or brown plain, no wider than 1 ½ inches

Shoes

See page 32

31

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School RabunRabun Gap-Nacoochee School Approved Shoe List Rabun Rabun Gap-Nacoochee Gap-Nacoochee School School Approved Approved Shoe Shoe List Gap-Nacoochee School Approved Shoe ListList Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Approved Shoe List This isisintended intended totodescribe describe style style and andcolor. color.

This list list islist intended to describe and color.

This list isThis intended to describe stylestyle and color.

This list is intended to describe style and color.

Boys classroom dress Boys classroom dress Boys classroom dress Boys classroom Boys classroomdress dress

Girls Girls classroom classroom dress dress Girls classroom dress Girls classroom dress Girls classroom dress

Bucks: Bucks: black ororbrown brown Bucks: blackblack or brown

Bucks: Bucks:black black or or brown brown

Flats: Flats: black black Flats: black

Flats: black Flats: black

Mary Janes: black or brown Mary Mary Janes: Janes: black black ororbrown brown

Mary Janes: Mary Janes: black or black brownor brown

Penny loafer: black, Penny Penny loafer: loafer: black, black, Penny loafer: black,

Penny loafer: black, Penny Penny loafer: loafer: black, black, Penny loafer: black, brown, or cordovan brown, brown, ororcordovan cordovan Penny loafer: brown, black, or cordovan

brown, or cordovan brown, brown, ororcordovan cordovan Penny black, brown,loafer: or cordovan brown, or cordovan

brown, or cordovan Saddle Oxford: classic Saddle Saddle Oxford: Oxford: classic classic Saddle Oxford: classic

BoatBoat shoe: brown Boat shoe: shoe: brown brown Boat shoe: brown

Saddle Oxford: classic

Boat shoe: brown

BoatBoat shoe: brown Boatshoe: shoe: brown brown Boat shoe: brown Athletic shoe: predominantly black or Athletic Athletic shoe: shoe: predominantly predominantly blackoror Athletic shoe: predominantly black or black white, canvas or leather white, white, canvas ororleather leather white, canvas orcanvas leather

Boat shoe: brown

Athletic shoe: predominantly black or white, canvas or leather

Jungle Croc: black orbrown brown Jungle Jungle Croc: Croc: black black ororbrown brown Jungle Croc: black or

Jungle Croc: black or brown Flatsandal sandal withback back strap: Flat with Flat Flatsandal sandal with withstrap: back backstrap: strap: black orbrown brown black or black black ororbrown brown

Flat sandal with back strap: black or brown

sandal with back strap: FlatFlat sandal back strap: Flat Flatwith sandal sandal with with back backstrap: strap: black or brown black orblack brown black ororbrown brown

Flat sandal with back strap: black or brown

Athletic shoe: predominantly black orblack Athletic shoe: predominantly black or oror Athletic Athletic shoe: shoe: predominantly predominantly black white, canvas ororleather white, canvas leather white, white, canvas canvas ororleather leather

Jungle Croc: black orblack brown Jungle Croc: black or brown Jungle Jungle Croc: Croc: black ororbrown brown

Jungle Croc: black or brown

Athletic shoe: predominantly black or white, canvas or leather

Rain boot: solid black ororsolid RainRain boot: solidsolid black solid Rainboot: boot: solidblack black ororsolid solid dark green (no darkdark green (noprints) prints) darkgreen green (no (noprints) prints)

Rain boot: solid black or solid dark green (no prints)

Rain boot: solid black or solid Rain boot: solid black or solid Rain Rainboot: boot:solid solidblack black ororsolid solid dark green (no(no prints) dark green prints) dark darkgreen green (no (noprints) prints)

Rain boot: solid black or solid Boys formal dress Boys formal dress dark green (no prints) Boys formal dress Boys formal dress Bucks: black or brown Bucks: black or brown Bucks: Bucks: black black ororbrown brown

Boys formal dress Girls formal dress Girls formal dress Girls formal dress Girls formal dress

Bucks: black or brown Penny loafer: black, Penny loafer: black, brown, orPenny cordovan Penny loafer: loafer: black, black, brown, or cordovan brown, brown, ororcordovan cordovan

Flats: black Flats: black Flats: Flats: black black

Girls formal dress

Mary Janes: black Mary Janes: black Mary MaryJanes: Janes:black black

Boat shoe:Penny brownloafer: black, Boat shoe: brown Boat Boat shoe: shoe: brown brown brown, or cordovan

Flats: black Mary Janes: black

• All sleeveless shirts must cover

• ShirtsBoat to be worn shoe: brownat all times for boys.

• Modest bathing suits should be worn

undergarments.

• Athletic shorts and tops may only be worn when participating in events at a sports complex.

• Girls must wear a shirt over a sports bra.

• No tank tops allowed in the dining hall or classroom buildings.

when at the pool, lake, or sunbathing and a cover-up should be worn to and from.

Additional Information about the Dress Code • Hair length and style must be conservative in nature. No unnatural

32

2015-2016 Academic Year

Upper School Student Leadership

two-toned, dreadlocks or hair dyed unnatural colors. No unkempt, extreme, or radical hairstyles. The Student Life Office reserves the right to establish what is unnatural and what is a radical hairstyle for Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School. Boys’ hair must be above the eyebrows, above the collar and no longer than halfway over the ears. Boys sideburns may not extend below the earlobes.

• Students may not have any new visible tattoos while enrolled at Rabun Gap. Visible tattoos must be covered at all times.

• Afros and other hair styles must be less than two (2) inches high.

• Boys are not allowed to have facial hair.

• Boys must be clean shaven each day. Failure to comply may result in demerits and loss of Casual Days.

• Boys may not wear earrings. No other piercing may be visible.

• Girls may wear no more than 2 earrings in their ears. No other piercing may be visible. Earrings may not exceed 2” in diameter or length.

• T-shirts may not have offensive or suggestive words or pictures that feature alcohol, drugs, or unacceptable social behavior.

• Headwear (i.e., hats, visors, do-rags, and bandanas) may not be worn in any building by either gender except in the gym or the Grill.

• Headbands for girls may be no wider than 3”.

• Sunglasses may not be worn on the face or the head inside school buildings or residential halls any time during the school day.

• Extreme make-up, dress, or adornment is not allowed.

• Boys may not wear makeup unless approved by the Student Life Office.

The student leadership is the moral center and the voice of the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School student community. The student leaders set a positive example, support the student body, and represent the School in all school matters. They lead by example in all manners of speech and daily living.

They are to be visible and active in all areas of community life and to increase community understanding and preserve the integrity of Rabun Gap. Student leadership at Rabun Gap is not taken lightly, and each leader is expected to hold the tenets of the School in the highest regard.

Honor Council: The Honor Council has two purposes: To increase community understanding and to preserve the integrity of the Honor System. The students, parents, faculty, and administration of Rabun Gap have established a code for all to embrace.

The Honor Code makes explicit what has always been implicit at Rabun Gap and challenges us to go one step further. It asks us to act according to our best selves - our truthful and honest selves.

Prefects: Prefects assume a major responsibility in the life of Rabun Gap by helping to maintain the quality of life for all students. Modeling an attitude of mutual trust, openness, fairness, empathy, and cooperation, prefects share with residential faculty members specific management duties in dorms and other campus facilities.

Student Government: The Student Government assists the administration and faculty in governing the student body. Their task is to manage and initiate positive social activities, promote school spirit, as well as to seek policy changes that will benefit the community.

33

Day Students

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School the day student will not be attending school because of inclement weather.

5. If a day student is ill, the parents must call the Student Life Office at 706-746-7704 by 9:00 am each day.

Any student who is absent from class during the school day for any reason including illness will not be allowed to participate in or attend after school extracurricular activities including play practices and sports events.

6. When a day student wishes to invite boarding students to their home, a written invitation from the day student’s parent must be provided to the Student Life Office. The deadline for weekend plans is 12 noon on the Wednesday prior to the weekend being requested. In order for the invitation to be approved Rabun Gap expects adult supervision throughout the boarding student’s stay.

7. Bicycles, roller blades, scooters, and skateboards may not be used during the school day.

8. All students must sign out in the Student Life Office prior to leaving school before the end of a school day. During final exam weeks and Advanced Placement testing, the end of the School day is considered to be after the student’s final commitment.

9. A day student’s car must be parked in his/her designated parking area and not moved until after the student’s last commitment or sports practice.

Failure to comply could result in loss of driving privilege. A day student may move his/her car from the assigned parking place to the gym on days that they have away games.

(Middle School, see Addendum p.8)

For reasons of safety and liability, day students are defined as students who live with their family. We ask day students to adhere to the following guidelines: 1. Day students should remain on campus until all school required activities, sports practices, and work commitments are completed.

2. Day students must leave campus when boarding students are required to be in the residential halls (Sunday through Thursday at 7:00 pm and Friday and Saturday at 10:00 pm), with the exception of a student using the library or attending school activities.

3. Day students are allowed occasional overnight stays in dorm with special permission. Day students wishing to spend the night in a residential hall must have permission 24 hours prior to the stay, from the Student Life Office and permission from his/her parent.

There is a $25 per night fee, which does not include meals. If a family is requesting more than 3 consecutive nights stay, this is considered a special request and will be carefully evaluated for approval based on space and need. If approved, these requests will have additional fees. There may be times when a request is denied, such as during the week of exams or the night before a break begins.

4. Because we are predominantly a boarding school, classes meet in inclement weather. The final decision to drive or be driven to school rests with parents and safety should be the primary guide. Absences related to weather are excused. Parents of day students are phoned when a late start is appropriate. Otherwise parents should notify the Upper School Academic Office at 706-746-7701 if

Meal Program for Day Students: Lunch for day students on school days is provided as part of tuition. When required to stay for evening convocation, students will not

34

2015-2016 Academic Year be charged for the evening meal. If a day student chooses to eat in the dining hall at other times, his/her student account will be charged based on the following rates: Breakfast $3 Brunch/Lunch $6 (all non-school days, including weekends and breaks) Dinner $6

and their parents will be responsible for the total cost of repair.

5. Full size gaming systems such as Wii, Nintendo, PlayStation, etc. are not allowed to be used in students’ rooms, and Rabun Gap discourages students from bringing such systems with them to school.

6. Students are encouraged not to lend, borrow, or trade personal items.

Borrowing without knowledge of both parties is considered stealing. Rabun Gap is not responsible for loss of a student’s personal property for any reason. This includes articles that have been lent, traded, stolen, or sold.

7. Rabun Gap reserves the right to inspect and conduct a search of book bags, backpacks, vehicles, or dorm rooms, and any other possessions or property on Rabun Gap premises or on a school sanctioned excursion. Inspections and searches may be conducted on a routine or random basis, and may be unannounced, as deemed necessary.

Further, Rabun Gap has the right to seize and permanently retain or turn over to law enforcement, property disclosed by an inspection or search which is considered potentially harmful, dangerous, illegal, or inappropriate, the possession of which is a violation of Rabun Gap rules, community standards, and/or local and state law.

8. Student rooms are to remain clean and in good order. A student can be placed on room restriction for having an unclean room. Students will be required to clean their rooms before leaving school for breaks. A $250 fine will be assessed in the case where a student fails to properly clean his or her room prior to leaving for summer vacation.

9. The only visitors permitted to spend the night in the residential halls are day students and admissions candidates

Boarding Students Boarding students are asked to adhere to the following guidelines: 1. Part of boarding school life is learning how to live with someone else. Sharing a room is a new and challenging experience for many students. This takes commitment and understanding from both parties. Each student is assigned a roommate. Rabun Gap tries to pair international students with domestic students whenever possible.

Prefects are the only exception to this rule and they will have their own room, if available. Any other exceptions need approval from the Student Life Office.

Students may not change assigned rooms without permission from the Head of Dorm for the dorm they are assigned to, and the Student Life Office.

Students cannot go in a room assigned to another student unless that student is present or has given permission.

2. No pets of any kind are allowed in student rooms.

3. Each student is expected to bring to school only essential items. For obvious safety considerations, the following are forbidden in student rooms: open flames, lighters, candles, smoking, string of lights, and burning incense. Space and fire code prohibit any additional furniture being added to the rooms unless approved by the Student Life Office.

4. If there is any notable damage to the student rooms, the students involved

35

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School who must first have permission from the Student Life Office. A boarding student assigned to one dorm may not spend the night in another dorm.

No person or persons from outside the Rabun Gap community may visit residence rooms unless specifically authorized by the residential faculty.

10. Students may not leave the residential hall after Evening Study Hall until 7:00 am the next day or unless permission is given. Girls and boys may not visit after study hall and day students may not visit boarding students. If a student wishes to leave the dorm prior to 7:00 am he/she must have permission from the Head of Dorm.

11. During the school day sophomores, juniors, and seniors may return to their own dorm during lunch or free time. Freshman may not return to the dorms during the school day without permission from the Student Life Office.

12. “Lights out” means that students should be in their rooms, in bed for the night with all lights out. Students must be appropriately dressed and modest at all times.

13. Students may only cook in microwaves provided in dorms. No other electric cooking appliances are permitted (i.e. hot plates, fryers, crock pots, grills, etc.).

14. Upper School students, in groups of at least three, may walk to Dillard on Friday and Sunday afternoons between their last school commitment and dusk. Groups should stay together at all times. On Saturday students may walk to Dillard anytime of the day until dusk, after they have completed their commitments. Students must use the designated pathway to help ensure their safety. No student should be in Dillard more than three hours at a time.

Students must sign in and out at the

residence hall. Middle School students are not permitted to walk to Dillard.

15. Students, in groups of at least three, are permitted to run or walk on Indian Lake Road and Neville Road until 6:00 pm on Saturday, and Sunday between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm. No use of lake facilities or deck area is allowed unless under faculty/staff supervision. Students may not be on the road to and from Indian Lake at any other time unless there is a scheduled, faculty supervised event at the lake or Lake House. Students may run or walk on the cross-country trail or Neville Road on Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday after signing out at Campus Central. Students must have their Residential Faculty’s specific permission to do so on Monday through Thursday. Middle School students are not permitted to be on Indian Lake Road or Neville Road unless supervised in a school activity.

16. Students may roller blade, skateboard, ride bikes, scooters or other approved vehicles on the pathway system on central campus and must wear buckled helmets. Students may not ride wheeled recreation equipment on any of the steep sidewalks or hills. Bicycles must be stored in the provided areas and secured with a lock. Rabun Gap is not responsible for stolen or damaged bikes. Wheeled recreation equipment may not be used during the school day.

17. Central campus is the area students are permitted during their free time without signing out. This area changes after dark by season meaning during the day light hours this includes the athletic fields, walking paths, area around the gym, Hodgson Hall, library, science buildings, dorms, dining hall, and the A&T Building. Excluded areas include maintenance and shop areas,

36

2015-2016 Academic Year barns, faculty housing, cemetery, and the front lawn of Hodgson Hall below the sidewalks. During winter season after dusk, the central campus is limited to the area around the gym, Hodgson Hall, library, science buildings, dorms, dining hall, and the A&T Building. The athletic fields and walking paths are off limits after dusk during winter season. Season changes will be announced by the Student Life Office.

18. Students must obtain permission and sign out at Campus Central before leaving campus, including going to a faculty member’s home.

19. When boarding students invite other students to their homes, we expect there will be adult supervision.

Both day and boarding students are expected to follow all the rules and expectations of the School.

20. Students with off-campus guests should obtain a pass from the Student Life Office in advance of their visit. If guests arrive unexpectedly, the Duty Administrator can approve the visit.

Immediately upon arrival at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, all guests of students (boarding and day) must sign in at Campus Central. Guests may visit until 6:45 pm on Sunday – Thursday and until 9:45 pm on Friday and Saturday. The student must stay with his/her guest at all times and assumes responsibility for the actions of his/her guest as long as he/she remains on campus. Visitors must obey all boarding and school rules while on campus. No student may have a guest on campus on weekdays before the end of the academic day or their last commitment without special permission from the Student Life Office.

21. During the School day, when dorms

are closed, a student leaving or returning to campus must sign in or out in the Student Life Office.

22. Students are not allowed to access their rooms during school breaks when dormitories are closed.

Summer Storage: Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School will assist International students and students who travel by air in securing storage for the summer. Other students requesting storage must seek approval from the Student Life Office.

The following conditions apply: • Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School will secure storages units.

• Students who desire to use this service must use the storage boxes provided.

• ONLY the boxes provided may be stored. No old boxes or boxes acquired from other sources.

• STRICT 50 pound weight limit per box.

• Storage items must be boxed. No plastic containers, bikes, etc.

• A fee of $20 per box will be assessed and must be paid in cash to the Head of Dorm. This fee must be charged to pay for the operation of the summer storage program including warehouse rental, supplies including boxes, tape, labor costs, etc.

• This fee MAY NOT be charged to a student’s account.

• Once boxes are stored – there is absolutely no access to items stored until the boxes are returned to campus in August.

• Each box must be labeled with an 8 x11 typed sheet of paper taped to the box. A copy of the original label must be placed inside each box, with name, current dorm, grade for the upcoming year, and home address for possible shipping. Boxes not labeled correctly will not be stored.

37

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School • If for any reason the student does

• Class Days – Breakfast: Required for

not return to Rabun Gap for the next school year, the student is responsible for contacting the School and providing a credit card for shipping costs. Students are responsible for all shipping costs. Items are shipped in the condition they are packed. Rabun Gap will not repackage storage items if shipping becomes necessary.

all boarding students grades 7-11 (Seniors and Prefects are exempt from breakfast). Classroom dress is required. Students must be out of the Dining Hall by designated times.

• Class Days – Lunch: Students who have lunch meetings may go to the front of the line.

• Class Days – Dinner: Casual dress unless otherwise stated.

• Saturday & Sunday Meals: Casual dress for all meals, unless otherwise announced.

Rabun Gap will do its best to protect all items stored, however Rabun Gap is not responsible for any damage, loss, or theft occurring to stored items. Any boxes left after 90 days from the start of the upcoming school year, will be donated to charity.

Leave and Travel Information

(Middle School, see Addendum p.10)

Leave slips are required for all weekend leaves, holidays, breaks, and end-of-theyear travel. For weekend leave, boarding students should complete the leave request form by 12:00 pm on Wednesday prior to the date of requested leave. For all holidays, breaks, and end-of-the-year travel, boarding students must complete leave request forms two (2) weeks prior to departure.

Mail and Shipping Services: The student shipping and mailing address is: (Boarding Student Name)/Dormitory/Rabun GapNacoochee School/339 Nacoochee Drive/ Rabun Gap, GA 30568. Phone number for shipping is 706-746-7467. Mail is not delivered on Saturday, so please plan accordingly.

Dining Room

Once a leave request form is submitted, parents must notify the Student Life Office with confirmation of the student’s travel plans, via e-mail (studentlife@rabungap. org), fax (706-746-2145) or phone (706746-7704). If the student is planning a visit at someone else’s home, permission of all parties must be obtained, including an invitation from the host.

(Middle School, see Addendum p.9)

Meal times provide opportunities to dine together. We believe that these interactions between the adults, their families, and the students greatly enhance our sense of community. Seating may be assigned at special functions. Every effort is made at all meals to maintain a friendly and gracious atmosphere. Students are expected to maintain a proper conversation level and display the use of good manners.

• Tables seat ten comfortably; additional chairs may not be added.

• No plates, glasses, or utensils may be taken out of the Dining Hall.

• No iPods or electronic listening devices are allowed in the Dining Hall.

• NO HATS are allowed at any time.

Weekend Leaves: Weekend leave for open weekends begins after the student’s last commitment on Friday. Students are free to leave campus, typically, after 5:30 pm and after any required activities, sports practices, work, or dorm commitments. Please note: afternoon activities meet on Friday afternoon and are required. Students must return from weekend leave by 7:00 pm on Sunday.

38

2015-2016 Academic Year Restrictions may negate any weekend, overnight, or open weekend plans. There may be occasions when poor academic or behavioral perfor­ mance will prohibit a student from leaving school on the weekend. The Student Life Office will contact students by Thursday of that week if they are to be restricted to campus because of disciplinary infractions. On travel days, any changes in leave information should be communicated to the Duty Administrator at 706-982-2343.

At no other time does the School provide transportation for weekend leaves.

Students may not use the transportation reserved and used for a school activity or athletic trip as a means of transport for a weekend leave or visit. Leaving school without permission may lead to immediate dismissal.

Leaving campus without proper permission is considered a violation of a Major Rule and may lead to demerits or dismissal.

Mandatory Testing Dates, Community Days, and Closed Weekends (Middle School, See Addendum p.11) Month

Date(s)

Notes

Water’s Edge Experience

Friday, September 11

All Freshmen on overnight return to campus Saturday, Sept. 12. Parent pick-up at 3:30 pm

Mountain Top Experience

Friday, September 11

All Sophomores on expedition; return to campus on Tuesday, Sept. 15

Community Day

Saturday, September 12

All Juniors and Seniors; Campus closed until 1:00 pm

SAT

Saturday, October 3

Seniors required to attend; Campus closed until 1:00 pm

ACT

Saturday, October 24

Seniors required to attend; Campus closed until 1:00 pm

Mid-Year Dorm Deep Clean

Sunday, December 13

Community Day – International Day

Saturday, January 16

Campus closed until 1:00 pm

SAT – ALL Juniors

Saturday, January 23

Juniors required to attend; Campus closed until 1:00 pm

ACT – ALL Juniors

Saturday, February 6

Juniors required to attend; Campus closed until 1:00 pm

Community Day – Academic Symposium

Saturday, April 2

Campus closed until 1:00 pm

CLOSED WEEKEND – COMMENCEMENT

May 14–15

FINAL EXAM PREP Dorm Deep Clean

May 22

All Boarding Students required to return to campus by 1:00 pm

No boarding students to leave campus Boarding Students required to return to campus by 1:00 pm

39

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Community and Closed Weekends: Note the community and closed weekends listed in the following chart. On these weekends, boarding students are not permitted to leave campus until after Community Day is complete on Saturday afternoon. On Closed Weekends, Boarding Students are not permitted to leave Campus. Closed weekends are planned for community events as well as additional preparation for final exams.

student who has lost their driving privileges will not be able to drive or park on school property.

School Bus Transportation: Students who ride to and from school on buses provided

by Rabun Gap are required to follow some basic safety rules. The driver is responsible for student safety and may assign seating or direct the student in any reasonable manner to maintain that safety.

Riding Permissions: Boarding students must have permission from their parent/ guardian and approval from the Student Life Office when riding with someone other than a faculty or staff member of Rabun Gap. Students may drive other students for weekend leaves only when the Student Life Office has received the proper permission.

Parental permission from all parties must be obtained (driver, as well as passenger).

The following behaviors are expected of all students: • Be on time at the designated loading zone or bus stop.

• Wait until the bus is completely stopped before moving forward to enter.

• Refrain from crossing a highway until the driver signals it is safe.

• Go immediately to a seat and be seated.

• Remain seated while the bus is in motion.

• Keep heads, hands, arms, and legs inside the bus at all times.

• No littering in the bus or throwing anything from the bus.

• Do not tamper with the bus or any of its equipment.

• Remain seated until the bus is stopped.

Student Driver Information: With the permission of the Student Life Office, a student is allowed to have a car on campus.

The driver must have a permanent driver’s license. All permission forms must be completed, and the student driver will be issued a parking permit with his/her assigned parking space. Day student’s cars must be parked in his/her designated parking area and not moved until after the student’s last commitment or sports practice. Boarding student cars must be parked in his/her designated parking area and the key to the vehicle must be turned in to residential faculty. The car is to be used for travel to and from home. In the event that the student wishes to use the car on other occasions, special permission must be obtained from the Student Life Office. Students are not permitted to drive motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles on campus.

The driver will not discharge students at places other than their regular stop unless they have proper authorization from the student’s parent/guardian and the Director of Transportation.

A student who becomes a behavior problem on the bus may be denied the privilege of riding the bus and may be disciplined up to and including dismissal. Students denied bus privileges who fail to attend school will be considered truant.

Holiday Transportation: Before and after specific breaks and holidays, the School will provide shuttle transportation to

Failure to abide by student driver policies will result in loss of driving privileges. A

40

2015-2016 Academic Year Hartsfield International in Atlanta, GA (ATL).

Reservations must be made two weeks in advance and are made by completing the holiday leave slip. There is a $40 one-way or $80 round trip charge for this service.

Dorm Closing and Opening: All boarding students should be off campus by noon on the days when the break begins for Thanks­ giving, Christmas, and Spring Break. Unless approved prior arrangements are made, students are charged $20 per hour to the Rabun Gap Student Account after 12:00 pm.

Once a reservation has been made, this fee is nonrefundable.

Students may not access their dorms during breaks when dormitories are closed. Dormitories re-open at 3:00 pm on the travel day prior to classes beginning following breaks.

Students using the Airport Shuttle without Flights: Arrival at Hartsfield Airport in Atlanta is to the South Terminal, lower level. Follow signs to south terminal, stay in left lane and follow past Delta Dash to the covered drop off.

Additional Information Regarding Holiday Travel: • There is no direct public transportation to and from Rabun Gap, but there are private transportation services that can be hired when students are unable to meet the travel schedule of the Rabun Gap shuttle. Please contact the Student Life Office (706-746-7704) for a list of local services. Cost for this service is strictly between the individual student and the shuttle service and must be paid at the time of service. This cost cannot be charged to a Student Account.

• Parents are asked to refrain from scheduling holiday travel in or out of the dorm between the hours of 11:00 pm and 6:00 am, as a simple courtesy to the people who live in the dorm.

• During the school year, boarding students are not permitted to stay in hotels or motels without their own parents nor or they permitted to stay overnight in college dormitories.

• The School is not responsible for securing transportation if a student deviates from the scheduled break/ vacation times and dates.

• The School calendar is published well in advance so parents can make travel arrangements early.

Note: Due to Atlanta traffic conditions, students staying in the Atlanta area who have a reservation on the shuttle should arrive at the airport one hour before the Shuttle Bus is scheduled to depart.

Unaccompanied Minor Information: • Most airlines require students under the age of 15 to travel as “Unaccompanied Minors” and charge a fee for this service. Parents should check the individual airline’s policy for children who must travel as an unaccompanied minor.

• If your child must travel as an unaccompanied minor, please call the Student Life Office at 706-746-7704 to make special arrangements.

• Airline policy requires children traveling as unaccompanied minors to be accompanied by a chaperone who must sign a waiver and stay with the child at the gate until the flight takes off. If a student has nearby relatives or family friends, they can be helpful in escorting the student to the gate. When School personnel serve as escorts, students will be charged $20 per hour in addition to the transportation costs.

41

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Holiday Airport Shuttle Schedule & Travel Information THANKSGIVING BREAK

All Dorms Close 12:00pm on Friday, November 20, 2015

All Dorms Open 3:00pm on Monday, November 30, 2015

LEAVE SCHOOL by 12:00pm on Friday, November 20, 2015

Shuttle Bus to Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) leaves at 6:00am SCHEDULE DEPARTING FLIGHTS NO EARLIER THAN 11:00am Students using personal transportation may leave after their final school committment on Thursday, November 19

RETURN TO SCHOOL by 9:00pm on Sunday, November 30, 2015

Shuttle Buses from ATL depart at 1:00pm and 5:00pm SCHEDULE RETURNING FLIGHTS TO ATL: PRIOR TO 12:00pm for 1:00pm Shuttle Bus PRIOR TO 4:00pm for 5:00pm Shuttle Bus

CHRISTMAS BREAK

All Dorms Close 12:00pm on Friday, December 18, 2015

All Dorms Open 3:00pm on Sunday, January 3, 2016

LEAVE SCHOOL by 12:00pm on Friday, December 18, 2015

Shuttle Bus to Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) leaves at 6:00am SCHEDULE DEPARTING FLIGHTS NO EARLIER THAN 11:00am Students using personal transportation may leave after their final school committment on Thursday, December 17

RETURN TO SCHOOL by 9:00pm on Sunday, January 3, 2016

Shuttle Buses from ATL depart at 1:00pm and 5:00pm SCHEDULE RETURNING FLIGHTS TO ATL: PRIOR TO 12:00pm for 1:00pm Shuttle Bus PRIOR TO 4:00pm for 5:00pm Shuttle Bus

SPRING BREAK

All Dorms Close 12:00pm on Friday, February 26, 2016

All Dorms Open 3:00pm on Sunday, March 13, 2016

LEAVE SCHOOL by 12:00pm on Friday, February 26, 2016

Shuttle Bus to Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) leaves at 6:00am SCHEDULE DEPARTING FLIGHTS NO EARLIER THAN 11:00am Students using personal transportation may leave after their final school committment on Thursday, February 25

RETURN TO SCHOOL by 9:00pm on Sunday, March 13, 2016

Shuttle Buses from ATL depart at 1:00pm and 5:00pm SCHEDULE RETURNING FLIGHTS TO ATL: PRIOR TO 12:00pm for 1:00pm Shuttle Bus PRIOR TO 4:00pm for 5:00pm Shuttle Bus

EASTER BREAK

DORMS REMAIN OPEN

LEAVE SCHOOL by 12:00pm on Friday, March 25, 2016

Shuttle Bus to Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) leaves at 6:00am SCHEDULE DEPARTING FLIGHTS NO EARLIER THAN 11:00am Students using personal transportation may leave after their final school committment on Thursday, March 24

RETURN TO SCHOOL by 9:00pm on Monday, March 28, 2016

Shuttle Bus from ATL departs at 5:00pm ONLY SCHEDULE RETURNING FLIGHTS TO ATL: PRIOR TO 4:00pm for 5:00pm Shuttle Bus

COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND

Saturday, May 14, 2016 Upper School Awards Ceremony at 5:00pm

Sunday, May 15, 2016 Baccalaureate at 9:00am Graduation at 10:30am

Seniors are required to leave campus by 2:00pm on Sunday, May 15, 2016.

Rabun Gap does not provide airport shuttle service for Seniors following graduation.

SUMMER VACATION

Students may leave after their last exam during the week of May 23–26, 2016. All Dorms Close 12:00pm on Friday, May 27.

LEAVE SCHOOL by 12:00pm on Friday, May 27, 2016

Shuttle Bus to Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) leaves at 6:00am SCHEDULE DEPARTING FLIGHTS NO EARLIER THAN 11:00am

42

2015-2016 Academic Year

Airport Shuttle Information for International and Domestic Flights • Please notify the School of any

Important Considerations: • All flights must land one hour before the shuttle bus is scheduled to depart to Rabun Gap. • Students staying in the local areas traveling by shuttle should arrive at the airport one hour before the shuttle is scheduled to depart.

changes in your child’s flight or transportation arrangements immediately. On the day of travel please notify the Duty Administrator of flight delays, missed flights or changes in leave slip plans by calling 706-982-2343.

Extracurricular Programs

Each Advisory Group consists of a small group of students who meet with their Advisor during the academic week. Advisors visit their advisees in their residential halls, remember them on birthdays, and celebrate other special occasions with them. Every effort is made to pair advisors and advisees appropriately, but if serious incompatibilities develop, the student should discuss the possibility of a change with the Head of Upper School.

(Middle School, see Addendum p.13)

Advisory Program: The primary purpose of the Advisory Program is to ensure that each student has someone he or she can turn to for advice, encouragement, and support, regarding academic and personal issues.

The Advisor serves as a liaison and first point of contact between the parents and the School through phone conversations, letters, e-mail, and sometimes meetings.

Parents who have concerns or questions regarding their child should first initiate contact with their child’s Advisor. The Advisor is a faculty member or administrator who serves as an advocate for each student in his or her Advisory Group. An Advisor keeps abreast of their advisee’s performances and progress in all areas of school life: academic, social, athletic, arts, extracurricular, and residential.

Chapel and Spiritual Programs: The practical theology of Rabun Gap begins with an understanding that the teachings of Christ do not need insulation, but rather need to be practiced! Thus, Rabun Gap emphasizes a fostering of the Christian faith. This fostering of faith is expressed within an environment and a general attitude of inclusion and tolerance...students hailing from religious

43

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School experiences outside the Christian tradition, as well as students who consider themselves non-religious, are welcome. Rabun Gap is without hesitation an institution founded and guided by Christ, which demands a dedication to hospitality that reflects Christ’s life. In short, the Christian faith continues to be shared clearly, while dialogue with other religious expressions and thoughts are seen as an opportunity for healthy development of global perspectives and individual understanding.

the best spiritual programs will not reach their achievable heights. As a member of this community, each student and staff member is asked to consider how he/she will most fully live a life that honors God and respects neighbor. The foundational intention of this community is to live this simple, yet challenging life.

In general, the environment we strive to develop in chapel is one of both freedom and sacredness. In this context, freedom means enjoying the moment without distracting from it for others. Sacredness means we are consciously aware that we have stepped away from the secular routine of our lives, and we have entered a realm that deliberately focuses on the presence and mystery of God. • Food, drink, candy, gum, etc. are prohibited in the chapel.

• ALL cell phones, electronic listening and game devices are prohibited in the chapel.

• Seating is with Advisor for weekday chapel.

• Chapel services are formal dress unless otherwise announced.

• General codes of school behavior and expectations apply.

• Gatherings in the chapel that are not explicitly part of our chapel program are expected to meet all chapel courtesies listed.

We demonstrate the intentions of our practical theology in a variety of ways: • We gather weekly for one school-day chapel service and one Sunday service of worship.

• Several times each year, boarding students visit various denominational services of worship off-campus with faculty chaperones.

• God’s many blessings are remembered at meals.

• An optional student-faculty prayer breakfast meets each week.

• Opportunities that invite stewardship of personal resources and of creation, as well as projects that serve others are ongoing.

• Students lead the Chapel Band, present dramas, and provide many other forms of worship leadership.

• In the required academic courses, Old Testament and New Testament Survey, students not only discover the sacred writings but also gain awareness of the dynamic influences these texts continue to shape. Relationships between the Bible and other world religions are also explored.

• “Programs” are not the extent of the School’s commitment to a positive spiritual environment, but rather just the beginning. Without sincere participation from individuals, even

Afternoon and Work Programs: All students are required to participate in the afternoon program. Developing an awareness of the need for teamwork and interdependence, and laying the foundation for a sound work ethic and leadership qualities, are among the work program’s goals. The Afternoon Program is comprised of three components: work, activity, and sports.

The physical educational requirement

44

2015-2016 Academic Year may be met only with participation on an interscholastic team.

pursuits and athletics complement one another and thrive together.

Athletics: Athletics is an integral part of the educational experience. The primary goal of the Athletic Department is to challenge students to grow and mature in ways that will enable them to reach their fullest potential. It is also an athletic department goal to field competitive teams, which exhibit discipline, the desire to excel, and pride in themselves and the School.

Rabun Gap teams compete in the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association, with the exception of One-Act, which competes in the Georgia High School Association. Rabun Gap fields varsity, junior varsity, and middle school teams when numbers permit.

School and Team Rules: The rules that guide our students through Rabun Gap hold true for our athletes. When teams compete at home or travel we expect the same behavior that is expected on any normal school day.

Our athletes are representatives of the entire school. Following team and school rules should be a top priority for each of our athletes.

Coaches work with individuals and teams to improve performance and to promote qualities of character and leadership through competitive athletics. It is our intention to promote a healthy lifestyle, to encourage daily opportunities for personal improvement, and to encourage growth and excellence through organized practices and competitions.

The team coach and the Athletic Director determine team rules. They are established in the best interests of that particular team and may vary slightly. Team rules will cover such topics as attendance at practices and games, training rules, dress for practices and games, etc. Coaches will make gameto-game decisions about playing time based on skill level, competitive experience,

We expect our athletes to excel in the classroom, and we expect the same excellence to be demonstrated in the effort and performance of our teams.

Individual commitment and a strong sense of responsibility in all student activities are the keys to success. We feel that academic Interscholastic Sports

Fall

Winter

Spring

Boys and Girls Cross-Country Boys Varsity Football (11 Man) Boys JV (7th-9th) Football (11 Man) Developmental Golf Boys Varsity Soccer Boys JV Soccer MS Co-Ed Soccer MS Boys and Girls Swimming Girls Tennis Girls Varsity Volleyball Girls JV Volleyball MS Girls Volleyball

Boys Varsity Basketball Boys JV Basketball MS Boys Basketball Girls Varsity Basketball Girls JV Basketball MS Girls Basketball F.A.S.T. Boys and Girls Swimming Wrestling

Boys Varsity Baseball Boys JV Baseball MS Boys Baseball Boys and Girls Golf Girls Varsity Soccer Girls JV Soccer Girls Softball Boys Tennis MS Co-Ed Tennis Boys and Girls Track

45

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School leadership in game situations and during practices, and commitment to the program.

works with the Registrar to determine the courses needed as the student progresses.

Transportation To and From Games: When athletic contests take place at another school, the School will provide transportation to and from those contests.

Athletes are generally not permitted under any circumstances to drive to or from those games, nor are athletes permitted to transport their teammates or fans. A parent may drive an athlete to or from a game with special approval from the Student Life Office and coach. Coaches stay with day students until they are picked up.

International Student Orientation: Rabun Gap provides an intensive International Student Summer Orientation which helps new international students adjust to life in the United States and at Rabun Gap. Our oneweek Summer Orientation has a proven track record as an effective language and cultural immersion program. In addition, students particularly appreciate the opportunity to become familiar with campus before the school year begins. This orientation is essential to a smooth transition into life at Rabun Gap; therefore, it is required for all new international students. Participation in this program is determined by the Director of Admission and Director International Programing.

Emergency Situations, Schedule Changes, Cancellations (Practices and Games): If an emergency situation arises or a practice or game is postponed or canceled, the Athletic Director will inform the appropriate offices.

A parent seeking information about an athletic contest should contact the Main Office at 706-746-7467 or the Athletic Director at 706-746-7770 or his e-mail at dearnhardt@rabungap.org.

International Student Language Policy: In order to foster growth in English language acquisition, international students are expected to speak English in class. Teachers may permit the use of native language

International Student Program and Support International Student English Immersion Program: International students are placed in the English Immersion program according to their level of proficiency in English. In some cases, students do not require any English Immersion courses. In order to promote opportunity for language development, students are placed in mainstream courses, even as they are enrolled in the English Immersion program. The progress of each student is carefully monitored throughout his/her course of study at Rabun Gap. As with many university ESL programs, English Immersion courses at Rabun Gap are required until the student reaches a level of English proficiency enabling him/her to exit the program. The English Immersion Director

46

2015-2016 Academic Year in the classroom under very specific circumstances. Always check with your teacher to determine if it is appropriate.

Other important considerations: • Students must speak English at all official school events like Convocation, Chapel, sports practices and games, study hall, class meetings, etc.

• Students must also speak English during informal occasions (in the dorm, on the way to classes, in the library, etc.) when they are interacting with people who do not speak their native language.

• Students may speak their native language at meals, but are strongly encouraged to sit with people outside of their nationality group and speak English.

students an opportunity to share their cultures, traditions, and homelands with others. International Day takes place every spring and allows international students to share some of the attributes of their home countries through food, traditional clothing, displays, and entertainment. All students are required to participate in International Day. International Student Residential Hall Assignments: Community life provides international students an opportunity to share their cultural background with other international and American students. It also gives them an opportunity to experience and appreciate other cultural backgrounds and language. In order to encourage this type of mutual growth, international students are placed with someone from another culture so that both will benefit from each other.

International Student Graduation Require­ ments: The transcripts of all international students are reviewed by the Academic Office and the Director of English Immersion Program to determine which credits will transfer according to Rabun Gap policy. It is essential that all international students provide the Registrar with an official translated copy of their transcript from their previous school. Rabun Gap cannot issue transfer credits without this documentation.

Rabun Gap does not offer an ESL diploma, and each international student who wishes to graduate must meet all specific language and mainstream expectations of the Academic Office. Every schedule and course change for any international student must have the approval of the Academic Office and/or the Director of the English Immersion Program.

International Student Vacations: The Director of International Programming is available to support international families as they make vacation travel plan. As with all boarding students, all travel plans must be approved by the Student Life Office at least two weeks before vacations begin. Students and parents are advised to plan early for vacations. The availability of seats and the cost of tickets will not be valid reasons for extending vacations. The School calendar is set early in the summer before the school year starts to allow parents to save money by planning ahead and booking flights according to the calendar.

International Student Passports, I-20s & IDs: Upon arrival at Rabun Gap, all international students will give their passports and I-20s to the Director of Admission, who will keep them in a locked fire resistant safe during the school year. Passports will be returned to students traveling outside the United States or as otherwise needed.

International Club and International Day: International students are a very important part of Rabun Gap and their different backgrounds and cultures make the School a much richer community. The International Club looks for ways to give

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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School International Student Appointed United States Contact: Every international student at Rabun Gap must have a United States contact–someone who lives in the United States, speaks English, and is at least twentyone years old. The United States contact is appointed by parents to act for them in critical decisions concerning their children, particularly when parents cannot be reached quickly. Also, experience has shown that having a contact who resides in the United States can be very important if there is an emergency or a need for special permission.

that are considered over-the-counter in the United States will be administered without a written doctor’s prescription.

The following information must be provided in English before any international medication may be administered: 1. Information on the container must include the student’s name, the name of the drug, dosage, amount, route of administration, the time interval of the dose, and the name of the prescribing licensed healthcare provider.

2. The School nurse, based on nursing assessment, determines that the medication can be given at school.

3. The administration of medication in no way violates nursing protocols or standing orders.

4. The School nurse is aware of and has access to current reliable information regarding the safe use of the medication including side effects and toxicity, possible drug interactions, adverse effects, and expected outcomes.

5. Medications must be presented in original containers with the English translation clearly printed on the label.

6. The medication must be recognized by the United States Pharmacopoeia as safe and effective.

Parents will receive grades and communication directly from the School. If parents wish, the United States contact may also receive copies of correspondence to parents. This can be helpful, especially if the guardian is bilingual.

International Student Driver’s License: The School does not have a driver’s training program. However, students who want to apply for a driver’s license can make arrangements to do so. They must be at least eighteen years old or the parent/guardian must appear at the Department of Drivers Services in person to give permission.

International Student Banking: All international students should have a personal bank account. The School can assist students in opening an account at one of several local banks. Rabun Gap does not maintain a student account, so students cannot receive spending money through their school account. Money can be sent by wire transfer to the student’s personal bank account. The Director of International Programming can give specific instructions for wiring money.

Student Support Services

(Middle School, see Addendum p.16)

The Student Resource Center: The Student Resource Center (SRC) is a program designed to meet a variety of student needs that enhance the Rabun Gap educational experience. Housed in the library, the SRC program includes the learning center, a math lab, and peer tutoring. Students are encouraged to avail themselves of the services provided within the SRC. Contact the Director of Counseling for further information.

International Student Medications: International students must follow Rabun Gap’s medication policy. Only medications

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2015-2016 Academic Year The Library: The Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Library Program empowers students to be independent learners throughout their lives, ensuring that they are effective, efficient, and ethical users of ideas and information. The Library staff collaborates with teachers to design learning strategies to meet the diverse needs of individual students. The Library provides a wide range of relevant resources and technologies to satisfy the varied curriculum and recreational needs of its users. The Library promotes a reading culture and hopes to instill in students the habit of lifelong learning by teaching the tools of information literacy and conveying the importance of an informed citizenry in a free and democratic society.

checked out to them. A student must pay for any lost or damaged book checked out in his or her name.

• Students should not move furniture or place feet on furniture in the Library.

• Only one student at a time is allowed on a computer.

• Headphones must be used for audio applications.

• Students using iPods may not share the device by sharing headphones.

Campus Store and Student Center: The Campus Store is located on the lower level of the Administration Building. The Store stocks clothing, school supplies, and other miscellaneous items. Rabun Gap specialty items are also available.

The Library is designated as a quiet zone for studying, reading, research, and checking out books. Library privileges may be denied to students who do not comply with Library rules. All books, periodicals, or other cataloged materials which are checked out by students must be returned and cleared by the Librarian prior to taking final exams or having files forwarded to any other institution or released to any individual.

School Counseling and Health Services: The primary concern of the counseling and health programs is the wellbeing of the students in our school community.

Parents and students agree, as a condition of continued enrollment, to consent to the release of any of the student’s health related information, including information relating to drug treatment, testing, medical and mental health records, to employees or agents of Rabun Gap, as determined by the Head of School or his designee, to meet the medical or safety needs of the student and the community or the legal responsibilities of the School.

The main floor of the Library and upstairs is for quiet, individual study only. Group study is allowed in the study rooms, on the veranda, in the courtyard, and in the Student Commons.

• Food or drink other than water is not allowed in the Library.

• Talking above a whisper or socializing is not allowed in the Library.

• Students must sign out all materials at the main desk prior to leaving the Library and return them promptly within the two week check-out period or renew them.

• Students are responsible for taking care of and returning any materials

Rabun Gap will maintain appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security of all health-related information within its care or custody. While it is the obligation of Rabun Gap to safeguard student medical information, we must balance matters of privacy and confidentiality with safeguarding the interests and wellbeing of our students and our community. Thus, parents/guardians and students consent to

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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School allow employees and agents of Rabun Gap who have a need to know medical and/ or psychological information necessary to serve the best interests of the student and/or the community. In the event of a disclosure required by law, every effort will be made to notify the student and/or parents/guardians in advance.

Counseling is available to all students and can be obtained by self-referral or by parent/guardian request. Students who wish to talk with a counselor are encouraged to do so during a study hall or after school hours.

From time to time the School reserves the right to require counseling intervention as a condition of enrollment at Rabun Gap. The School may require an evaluation by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. The School or family may arrange for these evaluations. Rabun Gap must receive the requested documentation as soon as possible, no later than sixty days after the request. members who seek them out for consultation. Confidentiality, however, must yield to safety when threat of harm to the individual, someone else, or the community exists. If the School determines a student is a danger to himself, herself, or others, the parent is notified, and the student will be asked to leave Rabun Gap to obtain a psychiatric evaluation to ensure safety. The result of the evaluation must be submitted to the School’s senior administrators for review. A decision regarding the student’s return to Rabun Gap will be made based on the outcome of the evaluation and the student’s prior history while at Rabun Gap. The time spent away from school is excused medical leave, because this process may take time. The student may not return to school until approval is given by the School’s senior

Faculty members or Advisors may suggest counseling for a student about whom they have concern. If a student is referred for counseling, the nature and origin of that referral may be shared with the student.

When long-term therapy, psychological testing, or psychiatric services are requested or needed, students will be referred to a local professional. Some local counselors are willing to meet with students on campus in a private counseling space. Parental or guardian permission is required for ancillary counseling services, and parents or guardians are directly responsible to providers for all charges.

All external professional counselors subscribe to a policy of confidentiality in their work with students or faculty

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2015-2016 Academic Year administration. If it is decided that it is in the best interest of the student and the community for the student to return, the student will be asked to sign a relapse prevention contract. Rabun Gap wants the student and the family to understand while every student deserves the opportunity to be successful, repeated episodes of similar behavior may mean Rabun Gap is not equipped to provide the appropriate type and level of care needed for this particular student.

If a child becomes sick or is injured while at school, the School nurse or her designee will make the necessary arrangements for the child to see a local doctor if needed.

Parents/guardians are directly responsible to the provider for all charges. It is very important that Student Health be advised of any changes to insurance coverage throughout the year. The student will be responsible for the insurance co-pay at the time of service. For this reason we recommend students have a debit or credit card.

If a student is involved with a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist independent of the School community, this information must be noted in the student’s Rabun Gap medical record. In such cases, the family must notify the Director of Counseling. The School will strive to work cooperatively with the family and mental health professionals to provide needed support. Parents/ guardians will sign a release-of-information with the outside provider so that pertinent information can be shared with the School to coordinate services.

There will be a transportation charge of $10 per student for local doctor and pharmacy visits. All out of town visits will be charged at the current IRS mileage reimbursement rate plus the cost of a driver. Upon request, students can receive confidential health services through the Rabun County Health Department.

All prescriptions are filled at U-Save It: 321 Hwy. 441 North; Clayton, GA 30525 / Phone: 706-782-3813. If U-Save It is not on your plan, you may wish to have your child’s prescriptions filled at home and mailed to the Rabun Gap Health Center.

Should you choose this option please be mindful of the time involved to ensure your child does not run out of medication.

Cases of physical or sexual abuse must, by law, be reported immediately to the Department of Family and Children’s Services.

Student Health Center Procedures: The aim of the Student Health Center is to care for the immediate health needs of students attending Rabun Gap. The Health Center is located across the street from the dining hall in Jackson. Students who need to see the nurse are encouraged to do so before school, during lunch, or in the afternoons.

If your child takes prescription medications, please do not mail medication directly to your child. All medication should be addressed to the School in care of the Student Health Center. If you send medication back to school with your child after a school break, please instruct your child to turn in their medication to his/her residential faculty member upon arriving at the dorm.

Preventative medical and dental checkups are very important. We ask that parents schedule these appointments while students are home over school breaks.

If a child is currently undergoing ortho­ dontic treatment (braces), parents should

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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School make every effort to continue seeing their own orthodontist at home while on breaks.

If a child will not be going home during the school year, parents should contact the School nurse for arrangements with local orthodontists.

will be required to have a written note from the diagnosing physician before the student will be allowed to participate, practice, or play in a game.

Medication Policy: All medications, prescription, over-the-counter and homeo­ pathic therapies, must be turned in to the School nurse. At the discretion of the School nurse, medications used for asthma, diabetes, and antibiotics may be returned to the student after appropriate verification and documentation of the prescription.

These might include vitamins, homeopathics and medications used for asthma, diabetes and antibiotics.

1. A student who is prescribed an inhaler for asthma should keep the inhaler on his/her person at all times.

Our athletic trainer requires a second inhaler if they are participating in a sport.

2. Medications and equipment used for control of diabetes may be kept in the student’s room provided that the School Nurse and residential faculty agree that the student will be responsible for his/her own medications.

3. All prescription medications must be presented in the original container with the correct instructions on the label, intact and legible. If the dosage instructions change at any time after the label is printed, a new physician’s order MUST be submitted to the School Nurse before the change in administration of the medication can be made. The physician may fax the order to the School at 706-746-7762.

4. Over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, Advil, Sudafed, etc., must be identified and labeled by the school nurse. Once identified and labeled, these medications may be kept in the dorm and self-administered by the

All students are required to have medical insurance which has a claims office within the United States. Insurance must remain in effect through the entire time a student attends Rabun Gap. Should your insurance coverage change during the school year, a copy of the new insurance card needs to be submitted to the Student Health Center.

All students are required to have an annual physical completed after June 1st, 2014 by a licensed healthcare provider. All health and physical forms MUST be completed to the satisfaction of the School nurse before a student may participate in any school activity, including athletics.

Students who do not meet the immuni­ zation requirements of the State of Georgia may not remain enrolled in school.

At the nurse’s discretion, students who do not feel well enough to attend school will be put to bed in the Student Health Center for the school day. Students are not allowed to stay in their dorm rooms during the school day. Faculty will bring room bound students their evening meal from the dining hall. A student who is room bound is not allowed to participate in extracurricular activities or sports practices that day. Being room bound gives the student extra time for rest and recuperation in the evening and also helps prevent the spread of contagious conditions.

When a student has an injury in which a physician has limited or restricted participation in sports or PE, that student

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2015-2016 Academic Year

Student Finances

student. Under no circumstances may students share these medications with other students.

5. Students who take daily medications such as Ritalin will do so in a location designated by Rabun Gap. It is the student’s responsibility to allow time to obtain medications, initial the Medication Administration Log and be in class on time. On school days, the School Nurse or her designee will give lunch medication. Evening medications will be given in the residence hall.

6. We take violations to the Medication Policy seriously and offenders will be referred to the Student Life Office.

Student Finances and Billing: One of the greatest lessons to be learned at boarding school is how to manage one’s own financial affairs. We suggest that parents encourage their child to keep track of his/her expenses and to encourage thrift and good stewardship of possessions. The following represent services offered by the School and suggestions for various options: • Student Accounts: The School’s comprehensive tuition fee has been designed to incorporate the great majority of a typical student’s expected costs of attending Rabun Gap. Other student specific costs, such as uniforms and books, will be purchased from the third party vendors whom Rabun Gap has selected. A link to both can be found on Rabun Gap’s homepage under “Quick links.” Books may be purchased online from Follett at www.rabungap. bkstr.com. Uniforms may be purchased on campus during registration or from www.millswear.com.

• Student Charges in the Campus Store: Students will be allowed to charge additional or replacement uniform items in stock against the student account. With parental permission, students may also charge extra-ordinary items confirmed via telephone or e-mail. Monthly statements reflecting all such charges will be reflected on period ending statements and are due by the date indicated thereon. Late fees amounting to 1½% of the balance due will be assessed if payment is not received by the School within 10 days of the statement due date.

• Student Checking Account: It may be helpful for your child to have a personal checking account for expenses such as travel and other

Supplements - Herbal and Homeopathic Remedies Policy: While it is recognized that many families have chosen natural and homeopathic remedies, Rabun GapNacoochee School requires that the use of these remedies follow Medication Policy as outlined in the Student Handbook. The School nurse may elect to return certain preparations after appropriate verification and documentation. It is understood that if the preparation is returned to the student, Rabun Gap takes no responsibility for the supervision of its administration. If any of the supplements, herbal or homeopathic remedies are intended to alter the student’s mood, alleviate anxiety, or change behaviors, these remedies must be maintained by the residential faculty.

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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School activities not covered by the Rabun Gap Student Account. A checking account is a practical way for a student to obtain funds since the School will only advance money to students on a limited basis (see below). We would urge that parents review with their child the procedures of such an account. The penalties for overdrawn accounts are both expensive and inconvenient. Please emphasize the importance of not having large sums of cash in their rooms. The School is not responsible for lost or stolen money.

The School reserves the right to withdraw enrollment for any student - at any time of the school year - if accounts are not current or if other written arrangements have not been made and accepted by the School.

NOTE: Students may request up to a $50 advance on his/her debit card at the Campus Store on Wednesday mornings from 8:00 to 9:00 am. Any request exceeding that amount should be made to the Campus Store no later than Monday morning for a pick up on Wednesday morning. There will be a 3% charge ($2 minimum) for all cash advances.

“Eagle Dollars”: An Eagle Dollars Dis­ cretionary Account can be purchased with cash during registration or during normal Campus Store hours of operation throughout the year to provide both day and boarding students with discretionary funds that can be utilized to purchase food items in the student center. The provision of such accounts is at the sole discretion of parents and such accounts must be funded in advance. No disbursements will be made from the account at any time requiring funds in excess of the account balance.

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School grants admission, extends credit, and awards scholarships and financial aid to families with one or more students in the aggregate.

All financial obligations with Rabun Gap for a student family in the aggregate must therefore be satisfied before grades are issued, final transcripts released, or diplomas awarded.

Student Billing: Upon accepting the student enrollment contract, the parent or guardian so signing acknowledges and accepts responsibility for the student’s full year’s tuition and fees unless the signer notifies the School in writing prior to May 31 of their decision to withdraw the student from enrollment for the following school year.

Enrollment Contract Clauses Timely Tuition/Student Records: Parents hereby understand 1) that all accounts must be paid before records and transcripts can be released or transferred to other schools and colleges and 2) that a student will not be allowed to continue to attend classes unless tuition and fees are paid by stated deadlines or until parents make other written arrangement acceptable to the School. Parents also understand that if there is more than one student enrolled in the School, the combined tuition and fees for all accounts must be current and paid according to stated deadlines for each account.

All tuition and fees must be rendered according to the payment schedule elected by the parent or guardian indicated on the student enrollment contract, the installment or installments of which must be paid in full when due. If payment is not received within ten (10) days after the due date, a late fee of 1.5% per month (18% Annual Percentage Rate) will be added to the account until it is paid current.

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2015-2016 Academic Year Parents also understand that the School specifically reserves the right to withdraw enrollment for a student(s) if all accounts are not paid in full or if parents have not made other written arrangement acceptable to the School. Finally, the School further authorizes the administration to notify credit reporting agencies and to use collection agencies when dealing with accounts in arrears. All such handlings will be carried forth at the discretion of the administration.

to find fault with and criticize the School.

Moreover, parents understand that Rabun Gap reserves the right to dismiss a student at any time if, in the judgment of the Head of School, conduct of anyone directly associated with the student, including but not limited to the student’s parent/guardian, in or out of the Rabun Gap, is not in keeping with the Rabun Gap’s accepted standards or principles.

All statements contained in this handbook reflect the approved policies of Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School as of July 1, 2014.

The School reserves the right to change at any time provisions, statements, policies, curricula, procedures, regulations, or fees.

Such changes will be duly published and distributed.

Cooperative Relationship: Parents under­ stand and agree that a positive, constructive working relationship between Rabun Gap and parent(s)/guardian(s) is essential to the fulfillment of Rabun Gap’s educational purpose and that Rabun Gap reserves the right not to extend the privilege of enrollment to a student if Rabun Gap reasonably concludes that the actions of the parent(s)/guardian(s) make such a positive or constructive relationship impossible or otherwise seriously interferes with Rabun Gap’s accomplishment of its educational purpose. Moreover, parents are not to lobby other parents in an effort to persuade them

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School adheres to the principles of equal educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, religion, or gender. Every reasonable effort is made to assure that otherwise qualified disabled persons have equal access to school programs and employment.

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Middle School Addendum Table of Contents

The information in this addendum pertains specifically to Middle School students, and supersedes the corresponding sections in the main handbook.

Academic Information & Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 1 The Academic Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 1 Schedule and Teacher Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 1 Drop/Add Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 1 Required Experiential Education Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 1 Grades and Evaluation / Grading Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 2 Reports of Academic Progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 3 Make-Up Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 3 Effort Ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 3 Recognition for Academic Achievement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 4 Consequences of Poor Academic Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 4 Evening Study Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 4 Release of Student Records / Student Records Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 4 Attendance Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 5 Expectations and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 5 Definitions and Consequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 5 Three Categories of Absences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 6 Honor Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 7 Pledge / Motto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 7 Honor Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 7 Student Responsibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 8 Consequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 8 Disciplinary Responses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 8 Dismissal/Withdrawal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 8 Discipline Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 9 Cell Phone and Electronics Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 10 Day Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 11 Meal Program for Day Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 11 Dining Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 12 Seated Meal Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 12 Leave and Travel Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 12 Weekend Leaves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 13 Community and Closed Weekends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 13 Community Day and Closed Weekend Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 13 Riding Permissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 14 School Bus Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 14 Holiday Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 14 Students Using Airport Shuttle Without Flights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 14 Unaccompanied Minor Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 14 Dorm Closing and Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 15 Additional Information Regarding Holiday Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 15 Extracurricular Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 15 Advisory Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 15 Chapel and Spiritual Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 16 Afternoon Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 17 Afternoon Activities and Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 17 Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 18 School and Team Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 18 Transportation To and From Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 19 Emergency Situations, Schedule Changes, Cancellations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 19 Student Support Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 19 School Counseling and Health Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addendum 19

2015-2016 Academic Year ~ Middle School Addendum

Middle School Handbook Addendum Middle School Addendum Academic Information & Policy The Academic Year: The academic year at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is divided into three trimesters. Trimester-long courses receive one-third credit. Year-long courses receive one credit. Each trimester is divided into two marking periods.

Schedule and Teacher Changes: Schedule and/or teacher changes will be initiated by the Academic Office when operational needs require or when the administration believes the change will be in the best interests of the student and/or institution. The School will not entertain requests for changes based on a parent or student’s dislike of a particular teacher or to accommodate friendships.

Please understand that the Academic

Office places students in particular classes to ensure a quality mix of students and to enhance everyone’s learning experiences.

Drop/Add Policy: Returning students preregister for their courses and new students are contacted prior to their arrival to determine their registration needs. The Drop/Add period is the first two weeks of the term. If a withdrawal occurs after the specified time, the student’s permanent record will reflect a WP (Withdrawn Passing) or WF (Withdrawn Failing) mark.

The Academic Office will notify parents before any course/section change is put into effect.

Required Experiential Education Programs: The academic year also includes key

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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School ~ Middle School Addendum experiential education programs during which students, by grade level, engage in intensive, hands-on learning. These include “The Hilltop Experience” for seventh grade, a Washington DC trip for eighth grade, “The Water’s Edge” program for freshmen, and “The Mountaintop Experience” for sophomores. In addition to these events, the curriculum incorporates numerous experiential education opportunities taking advantage of the School’s 1400 acre campus and through partnerships with local science labs, environmental foundations, and nonprofit organizations.

GRADES AND EVALUATION Students receive grades for both academic performance and for effort. Teachers assess students’ classroom work through a number of activities. These include, among other things, homework, class discussion, projects, presentations, papers, laboratory work, portfolios, quizzes, major tests, and final exams.

At the beginning of study in every course, each teacher provides the student with a detailed course syllabus, which includes an explanation of the various assessments and how the grades are determined. In order to help students plan and organize their time, teachers maintain a Google Calendar outlining each day’s assignments as well as any tests or announced quizzes. Departments adhere to a schedule of test days to ensure that students are not required to take more than three tests on a single day. As a rule, faculty work with students to help them manage their time and plan ahead as they seek to meet academic challenges.

It must be noted that in year-long courses, a student must pass the third trimester and have a passing average for the year in order to receive credit in the course. If a student receives credit in a sequential course, for example in math or world languages, with a grade of D and/or fails the final exam, he/ she may not advance to the next level.

Grading Scale Grade

Point Value

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 F INC

Grade Point Value*

4.0

Excellent Work

3.0

Very Good Achievement

2.0

Satisfactory Achievement

65-69

1.0

Passing but Unsatisfactory

0-64

0.0

Failing; no credit awarded

0.0

Incomplete Work

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2015-2016 Academic Year ~ Middle School Addendum In the event that a student fails a final exam to such a degree that the student’s understanding of the course is gravely in question, the faculty member may, in consultation with the Head of Middle School, turn in a failure (F) for the trimester final grade, regardless of the student’s average for the course. In order for the student to receive credit in the course, the following conditions must be met: 1) The student carries at least a C- average into the exam, and 2) the student retakes the exam and 3) the student has no outstanding obligations to Rabun Gap. If the student achieves a grade of C or higher, the grade on the retake exam will be recorded as a C and the grade for the trimester and year will then be calculated.

REPORTS OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS Report Cards: Report cards are posted 3 times per year, at the end of each trimester and include trimester exam grades when an exam has been required. Parents can view their child’s trimester report cards by logging in, via the Parent On-line Community, with an assigned username and password.

Progress Reports: At the mid-point of each trimester, progress reports are e-mailed to all students and their parents via the school provided parent e-mail using JupiterGrades, the school’s gradebook software. Teachers provide comments for students who are working below their potential or who have exhibited improvement.

Interim Reports: Interim Reports may be written at any time for exemplary performance or for problems experienced in class. These reports are sent via the schoolprovided parent e-mail using JupiterGrades, the school’s gradebook software.

Incomplete Marks: A student who receives an “INC” at a trimester because of illness or

other circumstances beyond the student’s control, has two weeks to complete the work upon returning to school. The responsibility of completing the work rests with the student. Failure to do so will result in an F, which will be recorded for the work missed and included in calculating the student’s grade for the marking period. Except in the above-mentioned special situations, all work for the trimester must be completed by the last class day of the trimester. If not, the work will be recorded as an F. Make-Up Work: • A student who has missed a class for an approved scheduled absence, an approved absence or school event (such as a field trip, athletic event, or school activity) should return to class with all assignments prepared. In any instance where this is not the case, arrangements must be made with the teacher in advance of the absence.

Assignments that are not completed accordingly will receive a failing grade.

• A student with an unexcused absence or an unapproved scheduled absence should refer to the consequences explained in the Attendance Policy.

• A student who is sent home because of behavioral probation or final warning is responsible for obtaining all assignments with the assistance of his/her Advisor and is expected to return to class with all assignments completed, unless other arrangements have been made with the teacher.

Assignments that are not completed accordingly will receive a failing grade.

Effort Ratings: In addition to academic grades, effort ratings are given each marking period for all courses.

• Excellent – Always prepared for class, quizzes, and tests. Has a positive attitude and is always cooperative and

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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School ~ Middle School Addendum well behaved in class. Participates fully in class and puts forth effort beyond that required to do an adequate job.

• Satisfactory – Nearly always prepared for class, quizzes, and tests. Has a positive attitude most of the time, usually participates in class, and is usually cooperative and well behaved.

• Fair – Sometimes prepared for class, quizzes, and tests. Effort, attitude, participation, cooperation, and behavior are erratic.

• Poor – Makes little or no effort to prepare for class. Attitude, participation, cooperation, and behavior are unsatisfactory and need improvement.

Recognition for Academic Achievement: Academic accomplishment is recognized at the end of each marking period by the Head of School’s Honors and High Honors lists.

• Head of School’s High Honors: Based on trimester marks. A student must have no grade lower than an A- and no effort rating below Satisfactory.

• Head of School’s Honors: Based on trimester marks. A student must have no grade lower than a B- and no effort rating below Satisfactory.

Consequences of Poor Academic Per­ formance: Students who are not successfully meeting the challenges they face in their academic classes will be placed in one of two categories accordingly: • Academic Warning - Students with an average less than 2.0 or one failing mark or three “poor” effort ratings.

• Academic Probation - Students with an average less than 1.0 or two or more failing marks.

In either circumstance, a letter from the Academic Office will be mailed to the parent(s) and the student’s performance

will be reviewed carefully to determine if there are available resources that might provide additional support. Based on the results of these efforts, the School will recommend a plan to move forward with the hope of improvement. At the end of each trimester, a student on Academic Probation must undergo a formal review of academic progress. A student on Academic Probation for three consecutive trimesters may be dismissed from school.

Evening Study Hall: Evening study hall is held for 2 hours, Sunday through Thursday, with the exception of holidays. Boarding students are expected to follow the rules as outlined below: • Students should be ready to work in their appropriate place of study by the time evening study begins.

• Students may use personal listening devices during Evening Study Hall as long as their use does not disturb others. Any use of a device that violates any guidelines established by residential faculty and/or the Office for Student Life may result in the confiscation of the listening device for a period of time and could result in the loss of this privilege.

Release of Student Records: Student records are available only to authorized faculty and professional staff for schoolrelated purposes. Student records may be released for off-campus use, usually for college applications, at the request of the student, parent, or guardian. By law, a student’s record is available for inspection by the student’s parents or guardians only if the student is under 18 years of age. The rights of the parents are transferred to the student on the student’s 18th birthday.

Student Records Request: Requests for student records and transcripts must

Addendum 4

2015-2016 Academic Year ~ Middle School Addendum be directed in writing to the Rabun Gap Registrar. Rabun Gap reserves the right to withhold student transcripts and records for non-payment of tuition or fees. Generally, requests for records will be processed within 3-5 business days.

Middle School Addendum Attendance Policy Expectations and Responsibilities: The School expects parents’ cooperation in supporting the attendance policies of Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School. Given the demanding nature of the Rabun Gap curriculum, students must attend classes, unless they are ill or fulfilling another school obligation. Students are also expected to attend all required school events, which occur each week during the school day and, periodically, in the evenings or on weekends.

These occasions include but are not limited to: grade-level trips, Evening Convocation, Middle School Moving-Up, Upper School Awards Ceremony, Baccalaureate and Graduation. Failure to adhere to the School’s attendance expectations may include suspension, dismissal, and/or denial of the student’s enrollment for the following school year.

Attendance Policy Definitions and Consequences: • Tardy: Anytime a student arrives late to a class period, work assignment, afternoon activity/sport, evening study hall or any other required event. Unless a student has written authorization, a tardy is always considered “unexcused.”

• Absence: Anytime a student is not present or misses a significant portion of a class period, work assignment, detention, afternoon activity/sport, evening study hall or any other required event. There are three categories of absences: 1) Unexcused,

2) Approved and 3) Scheduled. A Scheduled Absence may or may not be approved based on the nature of the absence.

• Accumulated Absences: Any student who maintains a pattern of absences (excused or unexcused) or excessive tardiness considered detrimental to the student’s academic progress will be dealt with by the Academic Office in conjunction with the Student Life Office. Any student with more than 7 absences per trimester in any class, whether excused or unexcused, may be placed on Attendance Warning depending on the nature of accumulated absences.

• Attendance Warning: Students on Attendance Warning may/will receive a half letter grade penalty deducted from the final grade in the course for each additional absence. The Head of Upper School, in conjunction with the Student Life Office, may waive this requirement in exceptional cases, particularly those that are health related and promptly documented.

Under Attendance Warning, a student is closely monitored. Continued negligence will result in further disciplinary action and may even lead to dismissal.

• Truancy: A student is truant if they are absent from school or a particular class without the permission of a parent/guardian or leave Rabun Gap grounds once they have reported for classes without proper school personnel authorization. In cases of truancy, the parent/guardian will be notified immediately. Truancy is considered a violation of a Rabun Gap “Major Guideline,” and the first offense may result in Attendance Warning and/or a Disciplinary Consequence.

Addendum 5

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School ~ Middle School Addendum Explanation of Three Categories of Absences: 1. Unexcused Absence: Anytime a student is not present during one of the above mentioned class periods, activities, or events and no documentation or authorization is provided before the absence occurs.

However, to be deemed an unexcused absence (as opposed to truancy), the parent or legal guardian must verify that he or she was aware of the absence prior to the School’s notification that the student was not in attendance at the School event.

Without this documentation, the absence is considered truancy and carries a more stringent consequence.

2. Approved Absence: Anytime a student is not present during one of the above mentioned class periods, activities or events and documentation for the absence is provided by the student’s parent or guardian before the absence occurs. Any student who is absent from class during the school day for any reason including illness will not be allowed to participate in or attend after school extracurricular activities.

Addendum 6

Approved Absences include the following: • Illness: Parents of day students must call the Middle School Academic Office by 9:00 am to notify the School that their child is sick. Failure to do so may result in the absence being recorded as unexcused. Boarding students who are ill must report to the Health Center prior to the school day.

• Extended illness: In the event of an unforeseen accident or extended illness, a meeting will be initiated with the parents/student and School Administrators to determine a course of action that best serves the student.

• Medical appointments: Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School asks that all medical, therapeutic, and dental appointments be made after school hours. If a student must leave for an appointment during the school day, they must bring a note to the Academic Office in advance, or the office must receive parental

2015-2016 Academic Year ~ Middle School Addendum confirmation for the child to have permission to leave campus.

• School sponsored extracurricular obligations: Students are occasionally required to attend school events that take them out of class. Athletic events, performing arts events, and other activities frequently occur during school hours or require that students depart from campus before the end of the school day. For all such schoolrelated absences, documentation is provided by the supervising teacher or coach, and students are expected to make up any missed work following the School’s Make-up Work policy.

3. Scheduled Absence: Anytime a parent or legal guardian notifies the School in advance that a student will miss a class or school obligation for reasons not considered an approved absence.

Scheduled absences are believed to be detrimental to the student’s academic progress and are strongly discouraged.

Approval for scheduled absences is given only for extraordinary academic programs or unique family events. (i.e. a family wedding, funeral, or graduations are generally approved.

Family vacations are not considered unique events and are generally not approved.) The School reserves the right not to approve any scheduled absence. Therefore, families should pay careful attention to the school calendar, note the scheduled school vacations, and make their child’s travel plans accordingly.

• Petitioning for a Scheduled Absence: Should parents require their child to be away from school during the academic year, the parent should formally petition

the School at least two days in advance. Petitions for scheduled absences must be directed to the Academic Office. The reason for the request must be described in full, and parental confirmation must be documented. Once a request is made, the Academic Office will determine whether the scheduled absence is “Approved” or “Unapproved.” It is the responsibility of the student to make up all work missed according to the School’s Makeup Work policy.

• Unapproved Scheduled Absence Consequences: If the scheduled absence is not approved, a student will receive a zero on any homework and graded in-class work, including papers, projects, class participation, quizzes, tests, or other work due on the day of absence. Teachers, however, will still expect all work to be completed.

Middle School Addendum Honor Code Pledge: As a member of the Rabun GapNacoochee School community, I promise to uphold honor with my words and actions.

I will not lie, cheat, or steal. I accept responsibility for my own actions and for what other members of the community may do in my presence. I understand the need for honor and pledge to defend it.

• Honor Code Motto: “Always Honorable” Honor Policies: The middle school honor policy is uniquely constructed so that it is both reflective and evolutionary by age level and maturity. Students are educated on what it means to be honorable within

Addendum 7

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School ~ Middle School Addendum the construct of community. Any suspected honors violation is brought forth by faculty members to the administration and dealt with on a case-by-case scenario by the Head of the Middle School.

Student Responsibility: When an Honor Code violation occurs, the individual who has committed the honor offense is encouraged to turn in him/herself before evidence of any wrongdoing has been discovered. Such unsolicited integrity will be viewed favorably by the Middle School Administrative Team. In the event that a Rabun Gap student has first-hand knowledge of a violation, he or she is obliged to act. We expect students to report the violation to the Middle School Administrative Team. If the student chooses to report the violation, his or her confidentiality will be protected throughout the process. In all cases, once a student reports an honor violation, he or she will be expected to maintain strict confidentiality, not disclosing the name of the accused nor revealing details of the process to others in the Rabun Gap community.

Consequences: When the Leadership Council finds a student has committed an honor violation, the Council takes into account several factors to decide upon an appropriate consequence. These factors may include: • Severity of the offense • Premeditation for committing the violation • Previous honor history, excluding any cases where he or she was found innocent • Level of cooperativeness throughout the process • Forthrightness about the honor violation • Years living under the Rabun Gap Honor Code

Taking all of these factors into consideration, the Head of Middle School determines consequences. Consequences may include but are not limited to a warning; probation; work hours on campus; delivery of a formal letter of apology; adjustment of test or final grade, including failure and the need to retake the course; out of school suspension; or dismissal. Students placed on honor probation will be ineligible for a student leadership position for a period of one year from the time of the offense.

Middle School Addendum Disciplinary Responses Rules that the School considers particularly important for the wellbeing of the individual and the community are categorized as Major School Rules. These represent the most important standards of the community: honesty, personal integrity, and respect for others. Our disciplinary system tries to balance what is best for the individual student and what is best for the whole community.

Students who violate Major School Rules will be subject to disciplinary sanctions depending on the nature and severity of the offense.

Dismissal/Withdrawal: Some offenses are so egregious and harmful to a community that a student might be dismissed or withdrawn for a first offense. When a student is dismissed, he or she is required to leave campus immediately. For boarding students, the Student Life Office will arrange transportation and all fees will be billed to the student’s account. *A student who is dismissed or withdrawn or is not invited back may only return to campus if he/she receives permission from the Student Life Office. Generally, permission is not given for the first trimester after the student leaves school.

Addendum 8

2015-2016 Academic Year ~ Middle School Addendum When a student violates a Major School Rule, his/her actions affect the whole community. On such occasions, the whole community may discuss the specific discipline infractions. The discussion may include mention of the name of a particular student.

It should be noted that the Head of School has the right to determine the appropriate disciplinary action up to and including immediate dismissal from school for any student whose behavior, attitude, actions or physical condition is considered unacceptable within the expectations of the School. A student who is dismissed or is withdrawn during the school year forfeits his/her right to the completion of the term for academic credit. The parents and/or legal guardians must understand that they are still responsible for the financial terms of the student’s contract.

Middle School Addendum Discipline Policies The Middle School discipline policies formative in the development of a student’s moral compass. We as a faculty and staff greatly appreciate the opportunity to mentor young people through their adolescent evolution in preparation for the Upper School experience.

This being said, we also are very proactive in upholding the current values and timehonored traditions that we as an institution hold dear. As an institution, we have a set of policies that, while allowing for the necessary gray, still ensure our students realize they have violated the ideology of our campus: 1. Dentention during Lunchtime: Students can receive a lunchtime detention for a number of minor infractions varying from repeated tardiness to class, missing their

scheduled bus transport, a minor dress code violation, etc. Detention can be served for a single day or multiple days depending on the severity of the offense from the perspective of the Head of the Middle School. While these penalties are not necessarily cumulative, the Middle School Academic Office will keep record of all lunchtime detentions.

2. Depravation of Privilege: The other area of consequence dealing with minor infractions is the loss of privilege. In the middle school, we will allow our students to have many freedoms throughout the year. If a member of our community struggles to uphold our mission and values, they can often lose their freedoms. These punishments can once again stretch from a single day loss of privilege to an extend loss depending on the severity of the offense from the perspective of the Head of the Middle School. While these penalties are not necessarily cumulative, the middle school front office will keep record of all depravation of privilege.

3. Behavioral Warning: As deemed necessary by the Head of Middle School, a student can be placed on behavioral warning for repeated offenses. A student can eventually be released from behavioral warning after illustrating a pattern of behavior that realigns with our schools mission.

The Head of Middle School will schedule a meeting with parents anytime the possibility of behavioral warning will be required.

4. Final Warning: As deemed necessary by the Head of Middle School, a

Addendum 9

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School ~ Middle School Addendum student can be placed on final warning for an egregious violation of any school policy. A student can only be released from final warning at the end of an academic year.

The Head of Middle School will schedule a meeting with parents any time the possibility of final warning will be required.

5. In-School and Out-of-School Suspensions: At the recommendation of the Head of Middle School, a student could also serve and In-School or Outof-School suspension for an egregious violation. The Head of Middle School will schedule a meeting with parents anytime the possibility of suspension will be required. Any fighting will result in removal from campus until the Head of Middle School can decide upon the punishment.

Middle School Addendum Cell Phones and Electronics Policy While we understand the essential need for cell phones in today’s technological world, cell phones at Rabun Gap Nacoochee Middle School are very much seen as a privilege on our campus. As such, all electronic devices have designated times and place of use.

1. Students are permitted to use their phones to text or call their parents if granted permission by the middle school faculty, administration, or the academic office. These texts and calls must be placed from the academic office.

2. Students may leisurely use any electronic device (cell phone, tablet, laptop, etc.) during the following times: • Before school • After school • Upon dismissal from lunch

• During backwork and tutorials ONLY if the student is on honors or high honors.

3. During these leisure times, students are only allowed to use their electronic device in the student commons or approved outside areas.

4. Students are not allowed to use their electronic devices anywhere else on campus unless directed or approved by the middle school faculty and administration.

5. Classroom technology usage will be published by each individual teacher in their syllabus.

6. All students are also governed by the Upper School campus cell phone and electronic policies when present on that campus.

Specific Consequences: Boarding student cell phones and other electronic devices may be confiscated and held by the Upper School Student Life Office or the Middle School Academic Office for a period of time.

Addendum 10

2015-2016 Academic Year ~ Middle School Addendum • First Offense - 1 day • Second Offense - 3 days • Third Offense - 6 days • More than three times - could result in loss of technology for one month

• Repeat violation - could result in loss of technology for the entire school year

Middle School Addendum Day Students For reasons of safety and liability, day students are defined as students who live with their family. We ask day students to adhere to the following guidelines: 1. Day students should remain on campus until all school required activities, sports practices, and work commitments are completed.

2. Day students must leave campus after their last committment. They may not “hang out” on campus unsupervised.

3. Seventh- and eighth-grade day students are allowed occasional overnight stays in dorm with special permission. Day students wishing to spend the night in a residential hall must have permission 24 hours prior to the stay, from the Student Life Office and permission from his/her parent.

There is a $25 per night fee, which does not include meals. If a family is requesting more than 3 consecutive nights stay, this is considered a special request and will be carefully evaluated for approval based on space and need. If approved, these requests will have additional fees. There may be times when a request is denied, such as during the week of exams or the night before a break begins.

4. Because we are predominantly a boarding school, classes meet in inclement weather. The final decision to drive or be driven to school rests with parents and safety should be the primary guide. Absences related to

weather are excused. Parents of day students are phoned when a late start is appropriate. Otherwise parents should notify the Middle School Academic Office at 706-746-7707 if the day student will not be attending school because of inclement weather.

5. If a day student is ill, the parents must call the Middle School Academic Office at 706-746-7707 by 9:00 am each day.

Any student who is absent from class during the school day for any reason including illness will not be allowed to participate in or attend after school extracurricular activities including play practices and sports events.

6. When a day student wishes to invite boarding students to their home, a written invitation from the day student’s parent must be provided to the Student Life Office. The deadline for weekend plans is 12 noon on the Wednesday prior to the weekend being requested. In order for the invitation to be approved Rabun Gap expects adult supervision throughout the boarding student’s stay.

7. Bicycles, roller blades, scooters, and skateboards may not be used during the school day.

8. All students must adhere to check-out procedures prior to leaving school before the end of a school day.

Meal Program for Day Students: Lunch for day students on school days is provided as part of tuition. When required to stay for evening convocation, students will not be charged for the evening meal. If a day student chooses to eat in the dining hall at other times, his/her student account will be charged based on the following rates: Breakfast $3 Brunch/Lunch $6 (all non-school days, including weekends and breaks) Dinner $6

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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School ~ Middle School Addendum

Middle School Addendum Dining Room

Meal times provide opportunities to dine together. We believe that these interactions between the adults, their families, and the students greatly enhance our sense of community. Seating may be assigned at special functions. Every effort is made at all meals to maintain a friendly and gracious atmosphere. Students are expected to maintain a proper conversation level and display the use of good manners.

• No plates, glasses, or utensils may be taken out of the Dining Hall.

• No iPods or electronic listening devices are allowed in the Dining Hall.

• NO HATS are allowed at any time.

• Class Days – Breakfast: Required for all boarding students grades 7-11 (Seniors and Prefects are exempt from breakfast). Classroom dress is required. Students must be out of the Dining Hall by designated times.

• Class Days – Lunch: The Middle School comes together for seated lunches, sit-down, family-style meals. All students are expected to display good table manners.

Table seating assignments rotate so that students and faculty become better acquainted.

• Class Days – Dinner: Casual dress unless otherwise stated.

• Saturday & Sunday Meals: Casual dress for all meals, unless otherwise announced.

Seated Meals Guidelines: Every student and head of table must be acquanited with these procedures.

1. All students will be assigned as a server and cleaner sometime during the school year. There is a server assigned for each meal for each table seating.

2. The list of assigned servers and cleaners is posted next to the Dining Hall.

3. At the beginning of the meal, the server will go to the table and set each place setting in preparation for the meal.

4. Students will enter the dining hall and stand behind their chair as the assigned table; the blessing will be given and all may be seated.

5. Servers will then bring food to the tables and begin serving. If any table would like seconds the server should bring the platter from their table back into the serving line for it to be filled. Servers should ask how many students would like additional portions.

6. Students will remain at formal, seated meals until the dessert course has been served.

7. At the end of the meal the servers are requested to place silverware into tubs, discard unused food into tubs, and to stack platter, bowls, side dishes, and plates on the carts in an organized fashion.

8. Students should not go to another table on business or pleasure during the meal. All students will be formally excused from the table by the adult in charge.

9. No food should be taken out of the Dining Hall.

10. Outside food is not permitted in the Dining Hall. Every effort is made to meet special dietary needs of students.

Middle School Addendum Leave and Travel Information Leave slips are required for all weekend leaves, holidays, breaks, and end-of-theyear travel. For weekend leave, boarding students should complete the leave request

Addendum 12

2015-2016 Academic Year ~ Middle School Addendum form by 12:00 pm on Wednesday prior to the date of requested leave. For all holidays, breaks, and end-of-the-year travel, boarding students must complete leave request forms two (2) weeks prior to departure.

Once a leave request form is submitted, parents must notify the Student Life Office with confirmation of the student’s travel plans, via e-mail (studentlife@rabungap. org), fax (706-746-2145) or phone (706746-7704). If the student is planning a visit at someone else’s home, permission of all parties must be obtained, including an invitation from the host.

Weekend Leaves: Weekend leave for open weekends begins after the student’s last commitment on Friday. Students are free to leave campus, typically, after 5:30 pm and after any required activities, sports practices, work, or dorm commitments.

Please note: afternoon activities meet on Friday afternoon and are required. Students must return from weekend leave by 7:00 pm on Sunday.

It must be remembered that restrictions may negate any weekend, overnight, or open

weekend plans. There may be occasions when poor academic or behavioral perfor­ mance will prohibit a student from leaving school on the weekend. The Student Life Office will contact students by Thursday of that week if they are to be restricted to campus because of disciplinary infractions.

On travel days, any changes in leave information should be communicated to the Duty Administrator at 706-982-2343.

At no other time does the School provide transportation for weekend leaves. Students may not use the transportation reserved and used for a school activity or athletic trip as a means of transport for a weekend leave or visit. Leaving school without permission may lead to immediate dismissal.

Leaving campus without proper permission is considered a violation of a Major Rule and may lead to demerits or dismissal.

Community and Closed Weekends: Note the community and closed weekends listed in the following chart. On these weekends, boarding students are not permitted to leave campus until after Community Day is complete on Saturday afternoon. On Closed

Community Day and Closed Weekend Dates Month

Date(s)

Notes

Community Day

Saturday, September 13

Middle School Open House; Campus closed until 1:00 pm

Mid-Year Dorm Deep Clean

Sunday, December 14

All Boarding Students required to return to campus by 10:00 am

Community Day – International Day

Saturday, January 17

Campus closed until 1:00 pm

Community Day

Saturday, March 28

Campus closed until 1:00 pm

CLOSED WEEKEND – COMMENCEMENT

May 15–17

No boarding students to leave campus

CLOSED WEEKEND – FINAL EXAM PREP Dorm Deep Clean

May 22–24

No boarding students to leave campus

Addendum 13

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School ~ Middle School Addendum Weekends, Boarding Students are not permitted to leave Campus. Closed weekends are planned for community events as well as additional preparation for final exams.

• Do not tamper with the bus or any of

Riding Permissions: Boarding students must have permission from their parent/ guardian and approval from the Student Life Office when riding with someone other than a faculty or staff member of Rabun Gap. Students may drive other students for weekend leaves only when the Student Life Office has received the proper permission.

Parental permission from all parties must be obtained (driver, as well as passenger).

The driver will not discharge students at places other than their regular stop unless they have proper authorization from the student’s parent/guardian and the Director of Transportation.

Day students are not permitted to be transported by another student’s parent or sibling without the Academic Office receiving an email giving permission.

School Bus Transportation: Students who ride to and from school on buses provided

by Rabun Gap are required to follow some basic safety rules. The driver is responsible for student safety and may assign seating or direct the student in any reasonable manner to maintain that safety.

The following behaviors are expected of all students: • Be on time at the designated loading zone or bus stop.

• Wait until the bus is completely stopped before moving forward to enter.

• Refrain from crossing a highway until the driver signals it is safe.

• Go immediately to a seat and be seated.

• Remain seated while the bus is in motion.

• Keep heads, hands, arms, and legs inside the bus at all times.

• No littering in the bus or throwing anything from the bus.

its equipment.

• Remain seated until the bus is stopped.

A student who becomes a behavior problem on the bus may be denied the privilege of riding the bus and may be disciplined up to and including dismissal. Students denied bus privileges who fail to attend school will be considered truant.

Holiday Transportation: Before and after specific breaks and holidays, the School will provide shuttle transportation to Hartsfield International in Atlanta, GA (ATL).

Reservations must be made two weeks in advance and are made by completing the holiday leave slip. There is a $40 one-way or $80 round trip charge for this service.

Once a reservation has been made, this fee is nonrefundable.

Students using the Airport Shuttle without Flights: Arrival at Hartsfield Airport in Atlanta is to the South Terminal, lower level. Follow signs to south terminal, stay in left lane and follow past Delta Dash to the covered drop off.

Note: Due to Atlanta traffic conditions, students staying in the Atlanta area who have a reservation on the shuttle should arrive at the airport one hour before the Shuttle Bus is scheduled to depart.

Unaccompanied Minor Information: • Most airlines require students under the age of 15 to travel as

Addendum 14

2015-2016 Academic Year ~ Middle School Addendum “Unaccompanied Minors” and charge a fee for this service. Parents should check the individual airline’s policy for children who must travel as an unaccompanied minor.

• If your child must travel as an unaccompanied minor, please call the Student Life Office at 706-746-7704 to make special arrangements.

• Airline policy requires children traveling as unaccompanied minors to be accompanied by a chaperone who must sign a waiver and stay with the child at the gate until the flight takes off. If a student has nearby relatives or family friends, they can be helpful in escorting the student to the gate. When School personnel serve as escorts, students will be charged $20 per hour in addition to the transportation costs.

Dorm Closing and Opening: All boarding students should be off campus by noon on the days when the break begins for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break.

Unless approved prior arrangements are made, students are charged $20 per hour to the Rabun Gap Student Account after 12:00 pm.

Students may not access their dorms during breaks when dormitories are closed. Dormitories re-open at 3:00 pm on the travel day prior to classes beginning following breaks.

Additional Information Regarding Holiday Travel: • There is no direct public transportation to and from Rabun Gap, but there are private transportation services that can be hired when students are unable to meet the travel schedule of the Rabun Gap shuttle. Please contact the

Student Life Office (706-746-7704) for a list of local services. Cost for this service is strictly between the individual student and the shuttle service and must be paid at the time of service. This cost cannot be charged to a Student Account.

• Parents are asked to refrain from scheduling holiday travel in or out of the dorm between the hours of 11:00 pm and 6:00 am, as a simple courtesy to the people who live in the dorm.

• During the school year, boarding students are not permitted to stay in hotels or motels without their own parents nor or they permitted to stay overnight in college dormitories.

• The School is not responsible for securing transportation if a student deviates from the scheduled break/ vacation times and dates.

• The School calendar is published well in advance so parents can make travel arrangements early.

Middle School Addendum Extracurricular Programs Advisory Program: The primary purpose of the Advisory Program is to ensure that each student has someone he or she can turn to for advice, encouragement, and support, regarding academic and personal issues. The Advisor serves as a liaison and first point of contact between the parents and the School through phone conversations, letters, e-mail, and sometimes meetings. Parents who have concerns or questions regarding their child should first initiate contact with their child’s Advisor. The Advisor is a faculty member or administrator who serves as an advocate for each student in his or her Advisory Group.

An Advisor keeps abreast of their advisee’s performances and progress in all areas of school life: academic, social, athletic, arts, extracurricular, and residential.

Addendum 15

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School ~ Middle School Addendum Each Advisory Group consists of a small group of students who meet with their Advisor during the academic week. Advisors visit their advisees in their residential halls, remember them on birthdays, and celebrate other special occasions with them.

Chapel and Spiritual Programs: The practical theology of Rabun Gap begins with an understanding that the teachings of Christ do not need insulation, but rather need to be practiced! Thus, Rabun Gap emphasizes a fostering of the Christian faith. This fostering of faith is expressed within an environment and a general attitude of inclusion and tolerance...students hailing from religious experiences outside the Christian tradition, as well as students who consider themselves non-religious, are welcome. Rabun Gap is without hesitation an institution founded and guided by Christ, which demands a dedication to hospitality that reflects Christ’s life. In short, the Christian faith continues to be shared clearly, while dialogue with other religious expressions and thoughts are seen as an opportunity for healthy development of global perspectives and individual understanding.

We demonstrate the intentions of our practical theology in a variety of ways: • We gather weekly for one school-day chapel service and one Sunday service of worship.

• Several times each year, boarding students visit various denominational services of worship off-campus with faculty chaperones.

• God’s many blessings are remembered at meals.

• An optional student-faculty prayer breakfast meets each week.

• Opportunities that invite stewardship of personal resources and of creation, as well as projects that serve others are ongoing.

• Students lead the Chapel Band, present dramas, and provide many other forms of worship leadership.

• In the required academic courses, Old Testament and New Testament Survey, students not only discover the sacred writings but also gain awareness of the dynamic influences these texts continue to shape.

Relationships between the Bible and other world religions are also explored.

• “Programs” are not the extent of the School’s commitment to a positive spiritual environment, but rather just the beginning. Without sincere participation from individuals, even the best spiritual programs will not reach their achievable heights. As a member of this community, each student and staff member is asked to consider how he/she will most fully live a life that honors God and respects neighbor. The foundational intention of this community is to live this simple, yet challenging life.

In general, the environment we strive to develop in chapel is one of both freedom and sacredness. In this context, freedom means enjoying the moment without distracting from it for others. Sacredness means we are consciously aware that we have stepped away from the secular routine of our lives, and we have entered a realm that deliberately focuses on the presence and mystery of God. • Food, drink, candy, gum, etc. are prohibited in the chapel.

• ALL cell phones, electronic listening and game devices are prohibited in the chapel.

• Seating is with Advisor for weekday chapel.

• Chapel services are formal dress unless otherwise announced.

Addendum 16

2015-2016 Academic Year ~ Middle School Addendum • General codes of school behavior and expectations apply.

• Gatherings in the chapel that are not explicitly part of our chapel program are expected to meet all chapel courtesies listed.

Afternoon Programs: Middle school students are welcome to depart campus after the completion of the academic school day. They are not required to participate in any after school activities, but we encourage anyone interested to do so as this is a requirement during their upper school tenure. An After-School program is offered for those who are not participating in an afternoon sport or activity but have a circumstance that will not allow them to be picked up from campus by 4:00pm. Each grade may be subject to various restrictions.

5th Grade: • Non-Participant – Student must be picked up by 4:00 pm • MS After School – specific schedule of activities, daily commitment from 4:00-5:30pm • Athletics – 5th grade is not eligible to participate in Rabun Gap’s athletic

association (CAA)

• North GA Performing Arts – not a Rabun Gap program, contact NGPA directly at bbailey@rabungap.org 6th Grade: • Non-Participant – student must be picked up by 4:00 pm • MS After School – specific schedule of activities, daily commitment from 4:00-5:30pm • All MS Athletics – limited roster, cuts may occur • North GA Performing Arts – not a Rabun Gap program, contact NGPA directly at bbailey@rabungap.org 7th and 8th Grades: • Non-Participant – student must be picked up by 4:00 pm • MS After School – specific schedule of activities, daily commitment from 4:00-5:30pm • All MS Athletics and JV/Varsity Teams – varsity level participation based on skill level/selection • North GA Performing Arts – not a Rabun Gap program, contact NGPA directly at bbailey@rabungap.org

Middle School Afternoon Activities and Athletics

Fall

Winter

Spring

5th–8th Activity

5th–8th Activities

5th–8th Activity

MS After School (Co-Ed) 6th-8th Athletics MS-US Cross Country (Co-Ed)

MS After School (Co-Ed) MS Cirque (Co-Ed) 6th-8th Athletics

MS-US Football (Boys)

MS-US Wrestling (Boys)

MS Soccer (Co-Ed)

MS Basketball (Girls)

MS Swimming (Co-Ed)

MS Basketball (Boys)

MS Volleyball (Girls) 7th-8th Athletics, experienced Tennis (Girls)

(limited roster, cuts may occur)

MS Volleyball (Girls) 7th-8th Athletics, experienced Swimming (Co-Ed)

Addendum 17

MS After School (Co-Ed) 6th-8th Athletics MS-US Tennis (Co-Ed) MS-US Track (Co-Ed) MS Baseball (Boys) 7th-8th Athletics Softball (Girls) Soccer (Girls) 7th-8th Athletics, experienced Golf (Co-Ed)

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School ~ Middle School Addendum

Athletics: Athletics is an integral part of the educational experience. The primary goal of the Athletic Department is to challenge students to grow and mature in ways that will enable them to reach their fullest potential. It is also an athletic department goal to field competitive teams, which exhibit discipline, the desire to excel, and pride in themselves and the School.

Coaches work with individuals and teams to improve performance and to promote qualities of character and leadership through competitive athletics. It is our intention to promote a healthy lifestyle, to encourage daily opportunities for personal improvement, and to encourage growth and excellence through organized practices and competitions.

We expect our athletes to excel in the classroom, and we expect the same excellence to be demonstrated in the effort and performance of our teams.

Individual commitment and a strong sense of responsibility in all student activities are the keys to success. We feel that academic pursuits and athletics complement one another and thrive together.

Rabun Gap teams compete in the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association, with the exception of One-Act, which competes in the Georgia High School Association. Rabun Gap fields varsity, junior varsity, and middle school teams when numbers permit.

School and Team Rules: The rules that guide our students through Rabun Gap hold true for our athletes. When teams compete at home or travel we expect the same behavior that is expected on any normal school day. Our athletes are representatives of the entire school. Following team and school rules should be a top priority for each of our athletes.

The team coach and the Athletic Director determine team rules. They are established in the best interests of that particular team and may vary slightly. Team rules will cover such topics as attendance at practices and games, training rules, dress for practices and games, etc. Coaches will make gameto-game decisions about playing time based on skill level, competitive experience, leadership in game situations and during practices, and commitment to the program.

Addendum 18

2015-2016 Academic Year ~ Middle School Addendum Transportation To and From Games: When athletic contests take place at another school, the School will provide transportation to and from those contests.

Athletes are generally not permitted under any circumstances to drive to or from those games, nor are athletes permitted to transport their teammates or fans. A parent may drive an athlete to or from a game with special approval from the Athletic Office and coach. Coaches stay with day students until they are picked up.

Emergency Situations, Schedule Changes, Cancellations (Practices and Games): If an emergency situation arises or a practice or game is postponed or canceled, the Athletic Director will inform the appropriate offices.

A parent seeking information about an athletic contest should contact the Main Office at 706-746-7467 or the Athletic Director at 706-746-7770 or his e-mail at dearnhardt@rabungap.org.

Middle School Addendum Student Support Services The Student Resource Center: The Student Resource Center (SRC) is housed in the Library on the Upper School campus and offers after-school math help until 4:30 pm.

School Counseling and Health Services: The primary concern of the counseling and health programs is the well being of the students in our school community.

Parents and students agree, as a condition of continued enrollment, to consent to the release of any of the student’s health related information, including information relating to drug treatment, testing, medical and mental health records, to employees or agents of Rabun Gap, as determined by the Head of School or his designee, to meet the medical or safety needs of the student and the community or the legal responsibilities of the School.

Rabun Gap will maintain appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security of all health-related information within its care or custody. While it is the obligation of Rabun Gap to safeguard student medical information, we must balance matters of privacy and confidentiality with safeguarding the interests and well being of our students and our community. Thus, parents/guardians and students consent to allow employees and agents of Rabun Gap who have a need to know medical and/ or psychological information necessary to serve the best interests of the student and/or the community. In the event of a disclosure required by law, every effort will be made to notify the student and/or parents/guardians in advance.

Counseling is available to all students and can be obtained by self-referral or by parent/ guardian request. Students who wish to talk with a counselor are encouraged to do so during a study hall or after school hours.

From time to time the School reserves the right to require counseling intervention as a condition of enrollment at Rabun Gap. The School may require an evaluation by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. The School or family may arrange for these evaluations. Rabun Gap must receive the requested documentation as soon as possible, no later than sixty days after the request.

Faculty members or Advisors may suggest counseling for a student about whom they have concern. If a student is referred for counseling, the nature and origin of that referral may be shared with the student.

When long-term therapy, psychological testing, or psychiatric services are requested or needed, students will be referred to a local professional. Some local counselors

Addendum 19

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School ~ Middle School Addendum are willing to meet with students on campus in a private counseling space. Parental or guardian permission is required for ancillary counseling services, and parents or guardians are directly responsible to providers for all charges.

All external professional counselors subscribe to a policy of confidentiality in their work with students or faculty members who seek them out for consultation. Confidentiality, however, must yield to safety when threat of harm to the individual, someone else, or the community exists. If the School determines a student is a danger to himself, herself, or others, the parent is notified, and the student will be asked to leave Rabun Gap to obtain a psychiatric evaluation to ensure safety. The result of the evaluation must be submitted to the School’s senior administrators for review. A decision regarding the student’s return to Rabun Gap will be made based on the outcome of the evaluation and the student’s prior history while at Rabun Gap. The time spent away from school is excused medical leave, because this process may take time. The student may not return to school until approval is given by the School’s senior administration. If it is decided that it is in

the best interest of the student and the community for the student to return, the student will be asked to sign a relapse prevention contract. Rabun Gap wants the student and the family to understand while every student deserves the opportunity to be successful, repeated episodes of similar behavior may mean Rabun Gap is not equipped to provide the appropriate type and level of care needed for this particular student.

If a student is involved with a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist independent of the School community, this information must be noted in the student’s Rabun Gap medical record. This can be done confidentially by speaking with the Director of Counseling. The School will strive to work cooperatively with the family and mental health professionals to provide needed support. Parents/guardians will sign a release-of-information with the outside provider so that pertinent information can be shared with the School to coordinate services.

Cases of physical or sexual abuse must, by law, be reported immediately to the Department of Family and Children’s Services.

Addendum 20

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School 339 Nacoochee Drive Rabun Gap, Georgia 30568