COMMUNICATION
Parent-School Communication
Parents will receive communication regarding students’ progress, along with information regarding school events and important dates via emails, parent-teacher conferences and the parent portal.
1. Veracross Parent Portal: This is our primary communication platform and your one-stop shop for all the information you need from St. David’s.
The Parent Portal provides easy access to:
• All School Calendars and Household Calendar
• News & Announcements
• Quick Links to SAGE Dining, Magnus Health Care
• Directories
• Household Email Messages, Family Profile, Tuition Payments
• Your Child’s Classes and Reports, Daily Schedule, Recent Updates and Assignments, Class and Grade Level Newsletters
Parents can access the parent portal using this link: https://portals.veracross.com/sdsw/. Access is also available through the school’s website, stdavidsraleigh.org, by clicking on the “Parent” tab at the top of the homepage. We recommend you bookmark this URL for easy access in the future and subscribe to the calendar, where you can select what kind of events you see.
2. Email: St. David’s School sends emails when appropriate. Email is a secondary way that communication is distributed to the St. David’s community, whether school-wide, at the division level, or from faculty or staff.
• School-wide emails include Head of School updates, information about school-wide events
• Division-level emails include emails from the Division Principal’s office.
• Faculty, coach or staff emails as necessary regarding grade level, class or student information
3. Social Media: St. David’s manages two social media accounts to keep families informed about daily on-campus events and activities.
We invite parents to follow us on: Facebook and Instagram: @stdavidsschool
4. Text: Texting is reserved for severe weather alerts, emergencies and all-school announcements. Alerts include delayed starts, early dismissals, school closures, emergencies or general school information where information needs to be disseminated quickly. See Severe Weather and School Closings for more information.
Texts are sent through Veracross, our student information system. If your cell phone number has changed, or you believe your number is missing from your family profile in Veracross, please log in and update your profile through the “Update Household Profile” button.
Teachers can be contacted by email or by calling the relevant division’s administrative assistant. Teachers and staff will aim to respond before the end of the next school day. Because we value healthy rhythms of daily life, we generally discourage faculty and staff from responding over the weekend, in the evenings, and during vacation time; however, we understand that it is appropriate to contact teachers in certain extenuating circumstances (including class trips scheduled during a weekend, emergencies, crises, etc.).
Whether on campus or communicating with a St. David’s employee by phone or email, parents should always conduct themselves in a civil manner. Hostility, disrespectful speech, and vulgarity will not help to achieve the best outcome for the student.
Audio or Video Recording
Audio and/or video recording of St. David’s staff and faculty by students or parents during class or in conversation, without express permission from the employee being recorded, is prohibited. When warranted by circumstances, a teacher may choose to record and share a lesson or class period (e.g. for purposes of remote learning or in the case of a student’s extended absence).
Upper and Middle Schools
Recurring Communications
The student and parent portals are the primary source for all information about school life and are the most accurate. Monthly newsletters, sent by email from the principal’s office will highlight important topics; other division-wide emails will be limited. Grades will be updated every two or three weeks, according to scheduled updates.
Faculty-Student Communications
All email communication between students and teachers should use St. David’s email accounts.
Parent-Advisor Communications
The advisor is the primary contact between parents and the school. Parents should feel free to seek the advisor's perspective on how their child is doing. Good communication will head off a host of problems and help ensure that the school best serves the child’s needs.
Questions or Concerns
To ask questions or raise concerns, parents and students should ensure they address the correct person. This structure ensures the clearest and most effective communication.
• Curriculum: Teacher first, then Department Chair, then Division Principal
• Student progress (academic or otherwise): Advisor, then Grade Chair, then Division Principal
• Teacher: Teacher first, then Department Chair, then Division Principal
• Daily operations: Division Assistant first, then the Division Principal
• Athletics: Coach first, then Athletics Director, then Division Principal
Please note: Parents are welcome to contact either the Welcome Center Coordinator (919-782-3331, ext. 221), the Middle School Division Assistant (ext. 309) or the Upper School Division Assistant (ext. 262) to communicate important messages to their children.
Lower
School
Recurring Communication
A division-wide email will be sent on a bi-weekly basis from the principal’s office. In addition to information provided in emails, parent-teacher conferences, and the parent portal, all parents will also receive a “weekly folder” brought home by their student at the end of each week. This folder will include the student’s completed assignments, future assignments, and other pertinent information. Classroom newsletters are available every Friday on the teacher’s portal page. Parents are strongly encouraged to access these each week for pertinent information.
Questions and Resolution
Should a question or concern arise, the Lower School encourages parents to gain as much information as possible regarding a situation by contacting their child’s teacher directly by email or phone. Partnership with those involved and solution-oriented dialogue will foster growth for all.
1. All questions, problems or concerns should first be brought to the attention of the homeroom or enrichment teacher.
2. If the situation is not resolved or clarified at this point, then please contact the Lower School Principal.
Please note: Parents are welcome to contact either the Welcome Center Coordinator (919-782-3331, ext. 221) or the Lower School Division Assistant (ext. 222) to communicate important messages to their children.
DAILY SCHEDULE AND ATTENDANCE
St. David’s encourages students to contribute to the larger learning community to the best of their ability, and to demonstrate respect to others. Attendance and active participation in class, chapel services, class trips, and other activities of the school day are important ways to enable this contribution and to show respect to teachers and fellow classmates. Therefore, St. David’s requires students to be present and on time to all scheduled activities, to communicate when they plan to be absent, and to make up whatever class work or assessment they miss.
Upper and Middle Schools
Daily Schedule
The academic day normally begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m. every day. Click for the Middle School daily schedule or Upper School daily schedule.
Morning Arrival Procedures
Middle School
Students may arrive on campus as early as 7:35 a.m. Upon arriving to campus, students should report directly to the Middle School gym. If a student has pre-arranged a time to work with a teacher before school, they may report directly to the teacher’s classroom. Any student not working directly with a teacher before 8:25 a.m. will be asked to go to the Middle School gym.
Upper School
Students may arrive on campus as early as 7:35 a.m. Once on campus, students should go directly to the student commons or the library. With permission, a student may go to a teacher’s classroom.
Study Hall & Office Hours (Middle School)
Middle School students may see teachers during morning office hours (7:35-8:25 a.m.) by appointment. An afternoon study hall time will be provided on even days from 2:05 to 2:40 p.m. Students may also contact teachers to set up another meeting time.
Office Hours (Upper School)
Upper School students may obtain additional help from teachers during the school day from 11:15-11:35 a.m. and from 3:20-3:45 p.m. each day of the week (subject to teacher availability). If a student requires more than one session per week in a given subject, we encourage outside tutorial help or, if approved, inclusion in our Academic Support Program Private tutors and coaches who are not St. David’s employees are not allowed to tutor on campus.
Students unable to schedule a meeting with a teacher during office hours should talk with the teacher to schedule an appointment during another time, such as during study hall, lunch, flex or after school. Students scheduling afterschool appointments should contact the teacher via email in advance to ensure teacher availability.
At the teacher’s discretion, a student may be required to attend office hours. Any student earning a grade below 75 is strongly encouraged to attend office hours.
Any student placed on academic remediation is required to attend office hours. Failure to attend required sessions while on academic remediation will be treated as skipping class. (see Attendance).
Free Period (Upper School)
Upper School students may elect to take a single free period as an elective in lieu of an academic course. Students may use this free period to meet with teachers and advisors, do academic work, or enjoy some down time. During this time, students may use the Upper School commons, concessions area, academic building foyer, amphitheater, and library. Free Periods are a privilege and may be taken away. Study halls will be available in teachers’ classrooms every period and may be required for students who need additional structure.
Students who are in good standing with the school, and who have a free period scheduled for the first class of the day may arrive late to school as long as they arrive in time for their first academic class of the day. Likewise, students who are in good standing with the school and who have a free period scheduled for the last class of the day are permitted to leave after their last academic class of the day. All students must sign in at the Welcome Center if arriving late to school and must sign out at the Welcome Center before leaving campus early (failure to do so may be handled by the school as a skipped class). Once they are at school, students may not leave campus during a free period that occurs between the first and last period of the day.
Seniors may leave campus any weekday for lunch if they have no other obligations, and juniors may leave campus for lunch on Wednesday. When they go off campus, juniors and seniors with a free period on either side of lunch/flex are permitted to extend their time off campus. They may leave campus for lunch 30 minutes prior to the start of lunch/flex if their free period falls before lunch or return to campus 30 minutes after the end of lunch/flex if their free period falls after lunch/flex. All meetings of advisory, chapel, midday meeting, college counseling, and midday prayer are required and may not be skipped if a free period comes before or after.
In the rare instance that the teacher of a course gives students class time for independent work, students may not leave campus as if this is a free period.
Flex (Upper School)
Flex period is time when Upper School students can relax with friends, meet with teachers, pursue other academic interests, form study groups, organize clubs, etc. The personal choice of how to use Flex is a privilege and may be taken away.
Dismissal and Carpool Procedures (Middle School)
Middle School parents should not arrive for afternoon carpool before 3:20 p.m. Middle School cars arriving before this time may be asked to pull around. All Middle School students boarding vehicles during afternoon carpool must do so from the carpool line in front of the Welcome Center. Name placards (provided by the MS Office during the first week of school) must be displayed for the duration of carpool.
Students may not walk off campus to meet their rides on neighborhood streets. Students should be made aware that doing so constitutes a code-of-conduct violation since their safety is our top priority during this high-traffic time.
Middle School students must have written permission to walk or bike home after they have been dismissed from their last class of the day.
After-School Care (Middle School)
After-School Care is provided for Middle School students on school days from 3:15-6:00 p.m. Fifth through eighth-grade students who are not enrolled in After-School Care or attending an after-school activity should not be on campus after 4:00 p.m. Please contact the YMCA for pricing and availability of After-School Care services.
Excused Absences
Absence from school will be excused for:
1. Illness
2. Family emergency
3. Death in the family
4. Medical appointment
5. Court appearance
6. Religious observance
7. Funeral
8. School-sponsored activities such as sports or fine arts (for participants only)
9. Pre-approved college visit days
10. Family discretionary days (e.g., graduation, wedding of family member).
Absence Due to Illness or Emergency
If students are ill or absent due to an emergency, the parent must contact the relevant administrative assistant as soon as possible on the morning of the absence. In the case of a prolonged, recurring illness, the school will require a medical explanation from the physician.
Students who miss a school day or leave early due to illness may not return that day to participate in a practice, rehearsal, event or field trip.
College Visits
Seniors, juniors, and sophomores are encouraged to visit colleges to which they are interested in seeking admission. To avoid absences from class, families are encouraged to schedule college visit days for vacation times and weekends and collaborate in advance with the Director of College Counseling about the visits.
Students who miss classes for college visits must make up their schoolwork according to the Pre-planned Absence policy. These absences are considered as part of the total allowable absences for a given term.
Pre-planned Absences
Before a pre-planned absence, students must contact their teachers and use the Pre-planned Absence Form to inventory all academic work they will miss. The completed form must then be signed by the division principal 24 hours in advance of the absence, in order for the absence to be considered excused.
When having Pre-planned Absence Forms signed, students must make arrangements with their teachers to make up any missed tests, quizzes, or other in-class assignments. Unless students are asked to complete certain assignments before they leave, all missed assignments will be due the day the student returns to campus. Students will receive a maximum grade of 80% on any assignment not made up according to this procedure.
Unexcused Absences
Absences for any reason other than those listed in the “Excused Absences” section of this handbook, or for which appropriate documentation has not been received by the relevant division office, will be considered unexcused. There will be an academic penalty for unexcused absences. Students will be allowed to make up work missed during
the absence in a reasonable amount of time, but any unexcused absence will result in a zero for daily class participation and a maximum grade of 80% on all assignments, including tests, papers and projects.
Excessive Absences
If a student misses more than six classes in any one class in a single term, for excused or unexcused reasons or a combination thereof, the school may take action that includes, but is not limited to, loss of academic credit, assignment to a supervised study hall before or after school, and loss of privileges such as class trip participation, off-campus lunch, free periods, and co-curricular participation (including athletic and performing arts). The administration reserves the right to utilize discretion in responding to each case. In cases where the school decides that excessive absences are detrimental to a student’s education, a conference between school administration, advisor, grade chair, school counselor and the parents may take place to determine if the student will earn credit in the subjects missed.
Parents who know of a pre-scheduled reason that their child may miss more than six days a term (such as planned surgery or special family circumstances) are asked to let the relevant division principal know at the outset of the relevant term, so that a plan may be devised regarding how to accommodate the circumstance.
Excessive absences (other than those directly related to a school-approved co-curricular activity) may be reported according to state truancy laws.
Class Trip Attendance Policy
Attendance on class trips that are scheduled during the academic year is required. However, if a student is unable to attend the class trip, he or she will be required to be at school for regular school hours. The school administration may disallow a student’s participation on a class trip if a student is on remediation for academic or behavioral issues, or if a student’s number of absences (excused or unexcused) exceeds the allotted number of days (see Excessive Absences), or if a student’s tuition balance is delinquent (see Tuition Payments).
Physical Education Absence
If a student is unable to participate in a P.E. class due to illness, the student must have a note signed by a parent or a doctor stating the reason why. If the student cannot participate for more than one day, the note should indicate approximately when the student may return to full participation. Students may be required to complete written assignments given by the relevant P.E. teacher to take the place of physical activities missed.
Skipping Class
Skipping a class is strictly prohibited.
Arriving to a class later than 15 minutes after the class begins without a valid written excuse is considered skipping class and will be recorded as an unexcused absence, with a grade of zero for daily class participation and a maximum grade of 80% on all assignments, including tests, papers and projects.
Students are expected to be in all scheduled classes on the day following their participation in a St. David’s event (such as a sporting competition, performance, or practice/rehearsal); however, if the sponsored group returns to campus after midnight, participants will be excused from the first class of the next day.
Make-up Work Policies
All work missed because of an absence must be made up to the satisfaction of the teacher. The student is responsible for making up missed work and asking peers for notes. Teachers can use their discretion concerning
whether to grant an extension or reschedule an assessment. In the case of an unexcused absence, the student will receive a zero for daily class participation and a maximum grade of 80% on any assignment missed.
Arriving Late
Late arrivals will be excused for vehicle breakdowns, heavy traffic, and other reasons mentioned under “excused absences” in the Attendance section of the handbook.
All students who arrive late must sign in at the Welcome Center
Leaving School Early
If a student needs to depart school early on a particular day, the following procedure should be followed. The student’s parent must inform the relevant Division Assistant, either in person or through a written note, phone call, or email at least two hours prior to the departure time. The Division Assistant will contact the relevant teacher and document the early departure in the portal. Students should remind the teacher before class begins about the time that they will need to leave. Except in emergency situations, classes should not be interrupted to inform or remind students to depart. Students leaving early because of an illness need to receive permission from the school nurse, who will note the permission in the Veracross portal. A Middle School student leaving campus for any reason may not sign themselves out but must be signed out by a parent. In all circumstances, the student must be signed out at the Welcome Center desk before leaving campus early.
Students may not be signed out after 2:30 p.m.
Class Attendance and Co-Curricular Eligibility
Attending academic classes is a precondition of participating in the co-curricular life of the school (athletics, plays, concerts, practices, etc.). A student must arrive by 11:00 a.m. and attend all classes for the remainder of the school day in order to participate in the day’s co-curricular activities. Students may appeal to their Division Principal in the event of an extenuating situation that prevents them from adhering to this policy.
Lower School
Daily Schedule
Lower School Office
7:20 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Pre-Kindergarten Half Day 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Full Day (all grades PK-4)
Wednesdays (delayed start)
After-School Care
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Lower School students may arrive as early as 7:35 a.m. On every day except Wednesday, students go directly to their classroom. On Wednesdays, they may walk on their own to the early morning care in the KJL Gymnasium as early as 7:35 a.m. and go directly to their classrooms after 8:35 a.m. No Lower School student is allowed on campus earlier than 7:35 a.m. unless supervised by an adult. Lower School carpool helpers will assist Lower School students from their cars in the morning and into their cars in the afternoon.
After-School Care (Lower School)
After-School Care is provided for Lower School students on school days from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. through the YMCA. All students in grades Pre-kindergarten through fourth grade must be picked up by their parents by 3:35 p.m. if they are not enrolled in After-School Care. Information regarding registration for After-School Care can be found on the school website.
Daily Attendance
All absences and tardies will be noted on the Lower School report card for each semester. If a student is ill or otherwise absent, their parent should call or email the Lower School Administrative Assistant (ext. 222, lmccall@sdsw.org) and the classroom teacher as soon as possible on the morning of the absence and keep the classroom teacher informed of any long-term absences. Any student entering the classroom after 8:00 a.m. will be counted as tardy. The student and parent should go directly to the Welcome Center to check-in before entering the Lower School building.
We believe that class attendance is essential for academic growth for students to feel a part of their classroom and school community, preparing them for the rest of their educational journey. Irregular attendance or tardiness may lead to academic difficulty and unnecessary anxiety. To that end, the administration reserves the right to discuss possible retention for students who miss more than nine days per semester during the school year for any reason. This does not include days where a student may report late, but a high accumulation of late arrivals may also result in a discussion between the parents, the classroom teacher, and the principal.
Planned Absence
If a student has a pre-planned absence, we feel it is best for the student to remain engaged with the curriculum as much as possible, being mindful of the nature of the absence and the activities to which they are committed. We ask that parents notify the teacher at least one week in advance of a planned absence to give the teacher time to gather materials and directions for the student to complete if so desired by the parent and teacher.
Class Trip Attendance
The purpose of class trips and field experiences is to complement the curriculum, enhance student life, encourage the development of peer relationships and complement the curriculum. Students are expected to attend all class trips throughout the year.
Make-up Work Policies
All work missed because of an absence must be made up to the satisfaction of the teacher. If a student is absent for one day and has a scheduled test, project, or paper due on that day, he or she should be prepared to discuss with the teacher a reasonable make-up work plan the day he or she returns to school. The timeframe and workload of the make-up plan will also be communicated to the parents.
Leaving School Early
If a student needs to depart school early on a particular day, the following procedure should be followed One of the student’s parents must inform the Lower School Division Assistant, either in person or through a written note, phone call, or email at least two hours prior to the departure time. The Division Assistant will contact the relevant teacher. The Lower School student must be checked-out at the Welcome Center before leaving through the front door of the Lower School. Students leaving early because of an illness need to receive permission from the school nurse, who will note the permission in the Veracross portal. A Lower School student leaving campus for any reason may not sign themselves out but must be signed out by a parent at the Welcome Center. Students may not be checked out after 2:30 p.m.
Walking and Bicycling to and from School
Lower school students must be accompanied by an older student in order to walk or ride their bikes to and from school. Motorized scooters and bicycles are not permitted. Riding a bicycle or walking to school is a privilege reserved for third grade and above. Safety precautions must be observed, or, if they are not, the privilege may be revoked by the Lower School Principal. Please contact the Lower School Division Assistant with written permission.
ACADEMICS
Upper and Middle Schools
Assessments and Grades
Graduation and Promotion Requirements
The Upper School Curriculum Guide describes graduation requirements. The Middle School Curriculum Guide describes promotion requirements for each grade level.
Grading Scale
A 100-90
B 89-80
C 79-75
74-70: Deficient
F Below 70: Failing
Grading Periods
The academic year is divided into two grading periods, after which report cards are published on the web portal: Semester 1 (Fall), Semester 2 (Spring). Upper School transcripts display final grades for the overall academic year only (not individual semester grades).
Grades Online
Students’ grades for all core subjects, including tests, quizzes and homework, will be posted and updated on the school’s website at scheduled intervals. If students have questions about grades, they should talk to the teacher.
Dropping or Adding a Class
• Within the first week of school, a Middle or Upper School student may drop or add courses by contacting the registrar.
• Before fall break, an Upper School student may withdraw from the course with no notation on the transcript but may not replace it with another class unless the student is moving from AP or Honors to a lower level of the same course.
• After fall break, an Upper School student may withdraw from the course only under special circumstances, approved by the principal, and the change will be noted on the transcript as WF (withdrawal failing) or WP (withdrawal passing).
Three or More Tests on the Same Day
If a student ends up with three or more tests scheduled in a day, the student should email their teachers no later than 24 hours before the scheduled assessments to request alternate arrangements.
Final Assessments
St. David’s values the opportunity for students to synthesize content over multiple texts and topics of study, and to draw meaningful connections between big ideas through cumulative assessments that reinforce both breadth and depth of learning throughout the school year. Seventh through 12th grade students will take cumulative assessments
in a designated window at the end of the school year, and possibly at other times during the fall and spring terms as determined by each teacher.
If a final assessment grade causes the student to fall below the threshold of passing, then the student may retake the assessment for a maximum grade of 70.
Grades below 70
To earn credit in a year-long course, students must earn a 70 or above at the end of the year. A student who fails more than two classes for the year may be required to repeat the grade or may be dismissed from the school.
Credit Recovery
Students who fail a course necessary for graduation must retake the class. Whether replacement credit comes from St. David’s or another school, the original grade will remain on the transcript.
• Grades received from courses retaken at St. David’s will replace the original grade in GPA calculations.
• Courses taken for credit recovery at other schools must first be approved by the division principal. The credit recovery course will be noted on the St. David’s transcript but will not affect the St. David’s GPA.
• If a student undertakes credit recovery at another school in order to advance in the St. David’s curriculum, the student will also be required to earn a qualifying score on a St. David’s assessment in order to place into the next course.
Community Service
All Upper School students are required to perform a minimum of 80 hours of community service (or 20 hours for each Upper School year at St. David’s) before graduation. (Please see Community Service in Student Life.)
Homework
Homework will be posted on the Academic Pages of the online student portal for each course. Copying homework from another student or any other source, unless specifically approved by the teacher, is considered a violation of the Honor Code.
Academic Support and Summer Enrichment
Academic Support Program
Participation in the Academic Support Program requires a diagnosis of a learning disability or ADHD by a physician or licensed psychologist and the approval of the Academic Support Program Coordinator. Documentation must be current within three years. Complete documentation must be kept on file in the Academic Support office. There is an additional fee associated with this program. More information about ASP and its policies and procedures can be found here.
Accommodations for Special Needs
St. David’s will provide appropriate, effective and reasonable accommodations depending on the circumstances. These accommodations are decided upon each year after a careful review of the student’s psychological or educational testing that is on file at the school, and, where applicable, the student’s use of the accommodation in the classroom during the previous year.
Evaluations on file in the Academic Support office must be current within three years. Complete documentation must be kept on file in the Academic Support Office. Teacher feedback solicited for the purpose of monitoring medication or providing a classroom perspective of student behaviors for psychoeducational evaluations will only be sent directly to the assessment provider. Parents and students will not be given this information directly. More information about the school’s policies and procedures regarding classroom accommodations can be found here or by contacting the Academic Support Program Coordinator.
Summer Enrichment
• If students wish to take a course over the summer to advance in a department’s sequence and that particular course is offered through St. David’s Summer Academy, students must take the Summer Academy course rather than a course outside of St. David’s.
• Students who wish to advance in St. David’s curriculum by taking courses outside of St. David’s School over the summer must obtain prior permission, in writing, from the relevant department chair and division principal.
• The department chair will inform the student about the class size and availability of the course the student desires to advance into after the summer, as well as any possible social/emotional implications that may be connected to such a decision.
• The department chair will also inform the student about the date on which the student must take an assessment designed by St. David’s School to test mastery of the material in the relevant subject.
• Advancement into the desired course is conditional upon the student achieving a specific grade, determined by the department chair, on this assessment.
• Students and parents are encouraged to consult department chairs about what kind of course may be best.
• While St. David’s Summer Academy courses receive credits that appear on the St. David’s transcript, classes taken outside of St. David’s can only serve to advance a student in the department’s sequence of courses; external courses will not appear as transfer of credit on his or her St. David’s transcript.
• To graduate from St. David’s, students who pursue summer enrichment courses outside of St. David’s must still complete the minimum number of St. David’s courses in each subject (depending upon the year of their enrollment at the school) as listed in the curriculum guide.
Library
The St. David’s Middle and Upper School Library is open Monday through Friday during the academic year.
• Monday-Thursday 7:35 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Friday (and on days before holidays) 7:35 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Students’ check-out period for library books is two weeks. Material may be renewed for another two-week period if it is not reserved for others. Should an item be lost or damaged, the replacement cost of the item will be charged to the person who checked out the item.
St. David’s School respects the intellectual property of authors, composers, and other copyright owners, and obeys federal copyright laws.
For more details about the library and its wonderful collections and programs, please visit the library page on the portals.
Honor Pledge and Summary
During St. David’s annual Honor Ceremony, students pledge and sign the following summary of the Honor Code and Pledge:
Summary: As a member of St. David’s School, I devote myself to the pursuit of truth with integrity, to the cultivation of virtue with charity, and to the flourishing of the community with my whole heart.
Pledge: I do solemnly pledge my honor that as long as I am a member of St. David’s School, I will faithfully uphold the principles of the honor code, will cherish and guard its traditions, and will respect and observe its requirements.
Each time students put their name on an assessment or homework assignment, they are recognized as agreeing with the Honor Code.
By making this honor code pledge, students promise not to cheat, lie, steal, or plagiarize.
• Cheating is giving or receiving unauthorized or improper assistance on any assignment, including from unauthorized artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
• Lying is providing false information with the intent to deceive, which can include providing specific but incorrect information in order to avoid punishment, telling falsehoods to implicate or exonerate a fellow student, or embellishing the truth with the intent to deceive.
• Stealing is not only taking someone else’s personal property, but also borrowing either school property or someone else’s property without permission.
• Plagiarism is cheating by stealing another person’s words, ideas, etc., or those generated by AI, and passing them off as one’s own (lying).
Citing Others’ Work
Whenever a student copies the exact words of any source, the copied words must be surrounded by quotation marks, and the source must be cited. The procedures for citation vary, depending on the type of assignment, from a simple reference in the text to a fully documented citation. The teacher will give specific instructions in this regard. Modern Language Association (MLA) style will be followed in papers, unless specified otherwise.
In addition, it is important to remember that the works of an author, when they are paraphrased and not quoted verbatim, must be cited and attributed to their author. Reckless, improper, or omitted documentation of sources, even if unintentional (this is one exception to the first sentence of the definition of cheating in the Honor Code), will be punished. Ignorance of the Plagiarism Policy may not be used as an excuse.
Honor Code Violations
In both the Middle and Upper Schools, non-academic violations of the Honor Code will be addressed by grade chairs and the division principal.
In the Middle School, academic violations of the Honor Code will be addressed by the Division Principal.
In the Upper School, academic violations of the Honor Code will be addressed by the Division Principal, the Honor Council Faculty Advisor and members of the Honor Council.
The Honor Council is run by students. The Council renders verdicts on possible violations of the Honor Code and recommendations for consequences to the Upper School Principal. The Upper School Principal will take the Council’s recommendations into consideration and make final decisions about consequences. The Faculty Advisor to the Honor Council serves to advise the Council throughout the entire process, to communicate with parents, and to ensure that the Council conducts itself without prejudice or any other partiality. Grade chairs may assist the Faculty Advisor and the Council at any point, but all official communication must be approved by or come directly from the Faculty Advisor. The Head of School hears appeals.
Consequences for Honor Code Violations: Honor Council
A violation of the Honor Code is considered academic misconduct. Therefore, St. David’s will report to colleges if a student has received probation, suspension, or dismissal resulting from an Honor Code violation.
The following may be used as a suggested guideline by the Honor Council to determine the consequences of Honor violations. Each offense committed while a student is enrolled in the Upper School is considered by the Council and counted as a first, second, or third offense. Offenses committed as a Middle School student do not affect a student’s Upper School record.
First Honor Offense
1. Written or verbal apology.
2. Detention and/or community service.
3. For cheating: Either a zero on the assignment or the opportunity to retake the assignment. If the case warrants that work may be re-submitted, the student should expect to receive a significant grade penalty determined by the Honor Council. For stealing: Restitution of property.
4. Academic probation, in which case additional penalties (such as co-curricular ineligibility) may apply.
5. In egregious cases, the school reserves the right to suspend the student up to 3 days.
Minor First Instance of Academic Dishonesty: If the Council recommends that an offense should not warrant academic probation (because of the insignificance of the offense and the cooperative and forthright behavior of the defendant), a warning will be recommended. In the case of a warning, the offense would not be reported to colleges.
Second Honor Offense
1. Minimum of one-day suspension, maximum of five-day suspension.
2. A meeting with parents and administration to discuss conditions for the student’s continued enrollment.
3. Written or verbal apology.
4. Detention and/or community service.
5. For cheating: Either a zero on the assignment or the opportunity to retake the assignment. In some cases, the student will not be allowed to resubmit plagiarized work. This determination is left to the judgment of the Honor Council and is part of the sanctioning process. If the case warrants that plagiarized work may be resubmitted, the student should expect to receive a significant grade penalty. The extent of this penalty is to be determined by the Honor Council. For stealing: Restitution of property.
Third Honor Offense Expulsion.
Academic Standing
Students’ grades and the completion of their other academic requirements will be assessed every three to four weeks as noted on the school calendar, and could lead to a student receiving an academic standing according to the following categories:
• Students who do not maintain passing grades in all subjects or who earn a grade of incomplete will be placed on Academic Review. Students in this situation will be notified of their status, required to meet with the teacher of the relevant course, and encouraged to improve their academic standing to a standard set by the relevant teacher by the next scheduled checkpoint. If such students achieve a satisfactory academic standard at that time, they will no longer be placed under Academic Review.
• If students who have been placed on Academic Review are still not achieving a satisfactory academic standard by the next scheduled checkpoint, they will be placed on Academic Remediation. If such students achieve a satisfactory academic standard by the next scheduled checkpoint, they will no longer be placed under Academic Remediation; however, if by the next scheduled checkpoint, they again fail to achieve a satisfactory academic standard, they will return to Academic Remediation.
Eligibility for Co-Curricular Activities
Co-curricular activities are activities sanctioned by St. David’s School outside of the course of study in the classroom, including but not limited to athletics, the fall play and spring musical, clubs, service organizations, and positions of leadership. To participate in a co-curricular activity at St. David’s, students must maintain passing grades in all courses and fulfill any other academic requirements necessary for the particular activity.
• Students on Academic Review retain co-curricular eligibility.
• Students on Academic Remediation may not represent the school in any co-curricular activity, as determined by the relevant division principal. Students on Academic Remediation must consult with the division principal before trying out or auditioning for a co-curricular activity; being on Academic Remediation may prohibit a student from trying out for or participating in that activity. Student-athletes who have already been selected to a team but then are placed on Academic Remediation may practice but they may not play in games, dress in the uniform, travel with the team, or miss classes for the sake of the sport. When a student has achieved passing grades in all classes at the next scheduled grade update, the student may appeal to the relevant division principal to regain immediate, full co-curricular eligibility.
• If students who have been placed on Academic Remediation are not achieving a satisfactory academic standard in all courses at the end of the next four weeks, they are Academically Ineligible and may not participate in any co-curricular activities (including practices). When a student has achieved passing grades in all classes at the next scheduled grade update, the student may appeal to the relevant division principal to regain immediate, full co-curricular eligibility.
Students who have been on Academic Remediation three times or a combination of Academic Remediation and Academic Ineligibility for a total of three times may lose co-curricular eligibility for the rest of the school year.
Class Attendance and Co-Curricular Eligibility
Attending academic classes is a precondition of participating in the co-curricular life of the school (athletics, plays, concerts, practices, etc.). A student must arrive by 11:00 a.m. and attend all classes for the remainder of the school day in order to participate in the day’s co-curricular activities/events. Students may appeal to their Division Principal in the event of an extenuating situation that prevents them from adhering to this policy.
Lower School
Assessments and Grades
St. David’s strives to be a community that pursues a deeper understanding of the truth. We view assessments and grades as ways to evaluate and track progress toward this end and to communicate such progress to students and parents.
Grading Scale
• M1 = Meeting Grade Level Expectations Independently – Student demonstrates fluent understanding of material and the ability to apply knowledge consistently, even in new and novel situations.
• M2 = Meeting Grade Level Expectations with Support – Student requires additional teacher support to demonstrate understanding and application of material.
• P = Progressing Towards Expectations – Student demonstrates partial understanding but requires some additional time or support to maintain independent, proficient ability consistently.
• N = Needs Improvement – Student demonstrates insufficient understanding and additional time and support are consistently needed from teacher.
Grade Placement Modification
The decision to modify a student’s educational placement at St. David’s School is a collaborative one between teachers, administrators, and parents. We strive to support student progress with parent partnership, open communication, and timely recognition of a student’s individual needs. The final decision to retain a student in the same grade level for another year or accelerate a year is made in conjunction with the Head of School, the Division Principal(s), and the Admissions Office. Modifying a student’s expected educational journey requires thoughtful attention to the needs of the whole student. Data collected will include objective performance on work products, observed developmental readiness, and evidence of communication with available school resource personnel and parents. The appropriate division principal will communicate the final decision with the Admissions Office, who oversees all contractual matters.
Homework
St. David’s believes the work done independently is a crucial part of the learning process. The goal of homework in the Lower School is to engage students’ minds through developmentally appropriate exercises designed to further increase the students’ understanding of concepts taught in the classroom, reinforce concepts and skills that need practice, and develop independent reading stamina. Each grade level coordinates their homework and communicates clear guidelines at the beginning of the school year.
St. David’s also seeks to educate in a way that affords students a healthy overall rhythm of life. Toward this end, St. David’s encourages families to focus on extracurricular activities, rejuvenation and family time on the weekend and protects breaks and holidays for celebration and rest. Further, open lines of communication are essential between the parent and teacher to assure weekly homework is not causing frustration or apathy but empowering students with the development of strong study habits and the worthy benefit of preparation for the next school day.
While student academic abilities vary, as a general guideline, research supports a total of 10 minutes of nightly homework per grade. For example, a first-grade student can expect 10 minutes of homework in the areas of math, spelling or writing, whereas a fourth-grade student could have a total of 40 minutes. Additionally, the benefits of nightly reading are well-researched, especially if parents are involved. An additional minimum of 20 minutes of reading per night is expected for all students. Reading can take place in one sitting or spread out through the afternoon and at bedtime. Ideally, increased reading proficiency will lead to enjoyment, appreciation, and personal fulfillment in the reading process. Watching their parents’ enjoyment of reading goes a long way toward encouraging a student’s love of reading, so drop everything and read together!
Extra Help
St. David’s is committed to cultivating the mind, heart and soul of each student, encouraging them to contribute to the larger learning community to the best of their ability. Recognizing that different students have different needs, St. David’s seeks to provide the support necessary to help each student make their unique contribution. Extra help can be scheduled at the discretion of the teacher from 3:15-3:45 p.m., Monday-Thursday. While this is a good opportunity for students to take initiative in asking teachers for help and questions, students not using the time appropriately will be escorted back to the carpool area.
Mini-Masterminds Reading or Math Club and Reading Support
Additional curriculum assistance is offered through an outreach program provided by the Academic Support Program. In the Lower School, 1st-4th grade students will have the opportunity to meet for 30 minutes with an academic learning specialist to work on reading and math skills. These sessions will provide targeted intervention through research-based strategies in reading and math. Sessions will accommodate eight students and last for six weeks. Registration will be distributed via email one month prior to the start of each session. Reading intervention and enrichment will be scheduled with a specialist during the school day based on standardized test data and teacher recommendation.
Library
St. David’s aims to shape students’ loves and form their imaginations in the direction of what is true, good, and beautiful. We therefore provide a supportive atmosphere that is beautiful, joyful, orderly, and conducive to deep study and patient exploration. Toward this end, we want to surround students with books and encourage the habits of reading, studying and researching. We educate in a way that awakens wonder and curiosity, fosters critical thinking and discernment, and welcomes questions and different perspectives. The St. David’s Lower School Library is a wonderful venue for equipping students for all of these habits and forms of knowledge.
The St. David’s Lower School Library is open Monday through Friday during the academic year.
Lower School classes are scheduled to come to the library throughout the year. Additional times are scheduled during the week to give students as-needed access to the library.
St. David’s School respects the intellectual property of authors, composers, and other copyright owners, and obeys federal copyright laws.
For more details about the Lower School Library and its wonderful collections and programs, please visit our website page.
Academic Support Program
Participation in the Academic Support Program requires a diagnosis of a learning disability or ADHD by a physician or licensed psychologist a complete speech and language evaluation, or a completed occupational therapy evaluation, and the approval of the Academic Support Program Coordinator. Documentation must be current within three years. Complete documentation must be kept on file in the Academic Support office. There is an additional fee associated with this program. More information about ASP and its policies and procedures can be found here.
Excused from Physical Education
Students who are not able to participate in physical education because of a minor illness or injury should have a written note or email from the parent/guardian. A doctor’s note is needed for a duration longer than three days. Students excused from P.E. will remain with their class but will not participate.
CONDUCT
At St. David’s, caring for our students well means that we hold them accountable in a way that strengthens our school by restoring student to the practices that define this community: love of neighbor, respect for the sacred activities of teaching and learning, and a joyful spirit. These standards apply to all activities, inside and outside the classroom.
Classroom Expectations
Inside the classroom, every student must have the opportunity to participate in a productive way. Any disruption of another student’s learning is unacceptable.
Upper and Middle School Accountability for Student Conduct
When students do not follow our shared practices, teachers will remind students to discontinue a particular action.
For example, a first warning may be issued to students, who:
• Disrupt their own learning or the learning of another student in a minor way
• Bring food or drink into class other than water
• Chew gum
In more serious instances of disruption, disrespect, or otherwise uncharitable action, teachers or staff members may refer the situation to the grade chair or division principal:
• Behavior that disrespects or dishonors another person, adult or other student
• Moderate or severe disruption of a student’s own learning or the learning of others
• Destruction of private property
• Leaving campus without permission
• Misuse of electronic devices
In the moment, students may be required to leave class and be held responsible for any part of class time they missed.
When this behavior is serious or repeated, school leadership will notify the parents of the students involved and will collaborate with appropriate school staff to determine the best course of action. One or more of the following consequences may be necessary, at the discretion of the division principal:
• Written reflection and plan for amendment of behavior by the student
• Mediated conversations with all parties involved/impacted
• Written apology and/or restorative actions to mitigate harm done
• Ineligibility for: co-curricular activities; honors, off-campus, free period and other privileges; and leadership positions
• Community service around campus
• Silent/working Lunch (Detention)
• Suspension and/or dismissal/expulsion
In cases of high-level offenses, the Discipline Committee of faculty and staff will convene to consider the following:
• Community impact
• Age and development of student(s) involved
• Recognition of impact and remorse
• Opportunity and desire for reconciliation
• Partnership with community, student(s) involved, and family around reconciliation
• Need for and availability of continued support for student(s) involved
Detentions
A detention provides an opportunity for the student to reflect on their choice, make amends, and consider alternative choices in the future. Detention may be held during recess, lunch, after school, or at another time as determined by the division principal. During the detention, students may be required to write a reflection, compose a letter of apology, perform a service for the school (e.g. cleaning a classroom), or something similar.
Student Support Plan
A Student Support Plan (SSP) is a document that outlines student needs and challenges with regard to social or academic behavior and puts in place an agreement about what supports are needed at school and at home to achieve success. It is a partnership between school and home to help a student recognize harmful patterns of behavior and to develop new and beneficial patterns. A student support plan comes before a behavior contract. The goal of a student support plan is to track growth and may provide workable solutions to challenges.
Involuntary Leave of Absence
In some cases, a student must be removed from campus temporarily for the sake of safety or so that an investigation can occur, but the consequence does not warrant a suspension. Students in these situations may be placed on an Involuntary Leave of Absence. Students in this situation are still responsible for submitting all assignments on time.
Medical Leave of Absence
Medical circumstances may require a student to take a Medical Leave of Absence. Students in this situation must complete a return-to-school protocol before returning to campus.
Suspensions
In-school and out-of-school suspensions remove students from the normal life of the school for a period of time. Students receiving a suspension of either variety will not be allowed to participate in or watch any athletic or cocurricular events or represent the school in any manner during the term of the suspension. Students who have earned a suspension will not be re-enrolled for the following school year until the current school year has been completed satisfactorily in the judgment of the administration.
In-School Suspension
Students receiving an in-school suspension will come to the division office at 8:20 a.m. and will be isolated from the school community. They will work on academic assignments given to them by their teachers and they may also be asked to perform assigned tasks for the school at the discretion of the administration. Students who are suspended are still responsible for submitting previously scheduled assignments on time; however, for assignments given in class the day the student is suspended, he/she will have the opportunity to complete the assignment at a later time as designated by the teacher.
Out-of-School Suspension
Students serving an out-of-school suspension will not be allowed on campus during the term of their suspension without the express permission of the school administration. To receive full credit for missed assignments, students must submit the completed assignments on time. For group projects presented in class the day the student is suspended, the teacher will determine how the student’s contribution is assessed without imposing any academic penalty. The student is responsible for collecting and keeping up with missed assignments while suspended. The
student should work out a plan with his or her teachers for making up any missed assessments. The student must not wait until the end of the suspension period to contact teachers about missed work.
Expulsion or Withdrawal
A student who commits a major disciplinary infraction (including an Honor Code violation) or repeatedly refuses to live up to the standards of a St. David’s student may be asked to withdraw or may be expelled. In certain cases, after a period of time defined by the Head of School, the student may be invited to apply for consideration for reenrollment.
Reporting Conduct Violations
Students who have had disciplinary infractions during grades 9-12 are expected to respond honestly on any college application, and St. David’s School will answer any questions about this information in its report to colleges. These infractions may include, but are not limited to, probation, suspension, and dismissal resulting from academic misconduct or behavioral misconduct. St. David’s may request that the student write a letter of explanation and apology to the colleges.
Inappropriate Speech and Conduct in Student Life
Students at St. David’s School are bound by the commandment to “love thy neighbor as thyself” and are expected to celebrate and safeguard the inherent dignity of all people by treating them, in word and deed, with respect, hospitality, compassion, forgiveness, and honor.
Furthermore, as people learning to reflect the portrait of a St. David’s graduate, students should comport themselves around campus in such a way that shows courtesy to others and reverence for the learning environment.
Any behavior contrary to these principles is considered inappropriate and subject to a consequence, including:
• ineligibility for co-curricular activities, honors, off-campus privileges, and leadership positions
• detention, suspension, and expulsion (see Discipline section)
Although not an exhaustive list, the following behaviors constitute at least (and perhaps more than) inappropriate speech and conduct:
• name calling
• making up stories to get someone in trouble
• hitting, kicking, tripping, pushing another student
• damaging another student’s property
• making unwelcome sexual comments or advances
• the exchange of any sexually explicit communication (including words, images and gestures) between students
• intentionally excluding one or a few people from a group activity (such as class assignments, lunch table, etc.)
• threatening harm to someone, even if in jest (we must address all statements that call safety into question)
Severe or repeated cases of inappropriate speech and conduct can be considered either harassment or bullying.
Also, hateful language related to race or ethnicity (even when used in jest) will not be tolerated at St. David’s. The use of such language (including the N-word) will result in disciplinary consequences and could result in suspension or dismissal in severe cases.
Harassment
The school defines harassment as speech or conduct that is severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile environment. The school takes seriously harassment of any sort based on sex, race, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, physical ability, economic status, personal qualities, or learning differences.
Examples of harassment include but are not limited to:
• obscene or suggestive remarks or jokes, verbal abuse and insults
• displays of explicit, offensive or demeaning materials
• physical or verbal hazing
• threats
• comments which are demeaning with respect to sex, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, class, age, or disability
Sexual harassment includes but is not limited to:
• making unwelcome sexual advances
• engaging in improper physical contact
• making improper sexual comments, thereby creating an intimidating, hostile educational environment
These activities or similar activities may also be a violation of federal law.
Bullying
The school defines bullying as conscious, willful, pervasive, malicious and/or deliberate activity intended to exclude, harm, or induce fear through the threat of further aggression or create distress.
This behavior, which is intended to create distress and affect any member of the community’s behavior or performance in school, includes but is not limited to:
• verbal abuse
• physical bullying or the threat of physical bullying
• cyber-bullying (including but not limited to e-mail, texting, social media, blogging, websites and photography).
If the administration determines a student is using cyber-bullying against another student, such conduct may be reported to applicable authorities which may result in criminal charges against the student.
It is important to note that not all aggressive behavior is harassment or bullying, and not all instances of interpersonal conflict are examples of ongoing bullying. Some students, without the intention or awareness that it causes distress, may exhibit behaviors that appear to be harassment or bullying. However, all perceptions of bullying will be investigated and appropriate action taken to help students reconcile and feel safe within school.
Reporting Inappropriate Speech and Conduct, Bullying, and Harassment
All students who think they are victims of inappropriate speech and conduct, harassment, or bullying should immediately report the incident to their parents as well as their Advisor, Grade Chair, School Counselor, Coach, Athletic Director, or Division Principal. School authorities will investigate all such reports. Students and parents should refrain from discussing such situations or complaints with other students to maintain the privacy of all parties involved. All such reports will be handled discreetly to maintain the confidentiality of the student who is
making the report, to the extent possible, while allowing for an appropriate investigation and any necessary followup action in response to the investigation.
Political Messaging
Overt political messaging (related to any candidate, party or platform) displayed on flags, clothing, hats, face masks, or other items is prohibited on campus, including in student vehicles. Political flyers, signs, and announcements related to rallies or other political events are likewise not permitted on campus.
We encourage students to discourse with one another in thoughtful, civil dialogue rooted in Christian love and charity and to seek first to listen and understand when engaging others with whom one may disagree.
Social Media
St. David’s recognizes that texting and social media activity outside of school is under the authority and supervision of parents. We encourage very close monitoring of all social media and collaboration among parent groups related to student activity on these platforms when in the care and oversight of their parents. Parents are advised that social networking sites like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, etc., typically prohibit students under age 13 from using their sites.
It is St. David’s School’s position that social media sites are inappropriate for Lower and Middle School students, who often lack the maturity, judgment, and language skills to use them in a healthy manner, and that the use of such applications should be delayed until students are, at a minimum, in Upper School. If you still choose to allow your child to be active on social media sites and applications, we strongly encourage you to regularly and closely monitor your child’s online activities.
While St. David’s prefers not to involve itself in students’ online behaviors performed under the supervision of their parents, inflammatory digital media use (including texting and social networking) that disrupts the learning environment or the harmony of the St. David’s community may be brought to the attention of school leadership and dealt with as a disciplinary issue.
When we deem that a school community member’s experience at school has been seriously affected by texting or social media activity, whether on personal accounts or commenting on St. David’s accounts, we reserve the right to address the issue, which can include informing parents and addressing the activity according to the school’s behavior policy. Activity deemed harmful towards peers or St. David’s School, its’ members or policies includes, but is not limited to:
• defamation
• slander
• offensive speech that may constitute harassment or bullying
Inappropriate Physical Contact:
Physical intimacy and displays of affection between students, in or out of public view, are not permitted on campus or at school events, including but not limited to handholding, sitting on laps, kissing, prolonged or inappropriate bodily contact and sexual interactions of any kind. Given the health and safety risks potentially posed to self and others by these behaviors, severe violations will result in suspension and often lead to dismissal.
Roughhousing, Aggressive Touching and Fighting
Roughhousing between students can result in unintentional injury and/or quickly escalate into more aggressive encounters. Likewise, playful pushing, slapping, jabbing, poking, hugging, tackling, etc. can elicit similar outcomes.
All such behavior is inappropriate at school and disciplinary consequences may result, especially for instances when such behavior results in discord or injury. Aggressive touching of another student (e.g. pushing, hitting, etc.) and fighting between students is entirely prohibited and may result in the student being removed from the school setting for a period of time.” Such behavior will not be tolerated at St. David’s.
Illicit Substances
Students in Lower, Middle, and Upper School at St. David’s are not permitted to use, purchase, contribute to the purchase of, transport, conceal, sell, distribute, display for sale, provide to another, provide a place for the use or concealment of, or possess alcohol and illegal drugs (including tobacco and vaping products).
This regulation applies to the entire school year, beginning when the enrollment contract for the upcoming school year is signed, whether on or off campus, whether during school hours or not, whether at a St. David’s sponsored event or not.
• Off-campus use or possession is defined as the use or possession of alcohol, illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia, tobacco or vaping products off school property and at activities not sponsored by St. David’s.
• On-campus use or possession is defined as the use or possession of alcohol, illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia, tobacco or vaping products within the physical confines of the school campus, on a bus to a school-sponsored activity, or at any school-sponsored event held on or off campus.
While this policy doesn’t address the abuse of legal substances, in situations where a student engages in such behavior, St. David’s will contact parents and recommend proper help.
In an effort to ensure that our Upper School students make safe choices, all students (and guests) voluntarily attending Upper School dances will be required to pass a breathalyzer test to gain entry. Because the purpose of this entry requirement is to ensure the safety of our students, especially while driving, it will be implemented with the utmost care and privacy. Testing will be done in a private area upon entrance and will be conducted by school staff. In the unlikely case that a student’s results are positive, the student will be asked to call his or her parents for a safe ride home.
Alcohol and Vaping/Tobacco Products Reasonable Suspicion of Violation
1. If there is a reasonable suspicion, based on evidence, that this policy has been violated, then even if the student was not caught in the act of using alcohol or a vaping/tobacco product, he/she can be noted for being present in a “first instance under question” situation. St. David’s reserves the right to search the student’s locker, belongings, and person.
2. If there is a reasonable suspicion, based on evidence, that this policy has been violated a second time within the same three-year span, then even if the student was not caught in the act of using alcohol or a vaping/tobacco product, St. David’s can require the student to complete an off-site alcohol or nicotine test within 24 hours.
a. If the results of the test are negative, the student will revert to the status of having been present in a “first instance under question” situation.
b. If the results of the test are positive, the student or their parents must reimburse the school for the cost of the test, and the student will be treated under the 1st offense category of the “Observed Violation” section.
c. If a student refuses to get tested within the designated 24 hours, they will be treated under the 1st offense category of the “Observed Violation” section.
Alcohol and Vaping/Tobacco Products
Observed Violation
Anyone observed to have violated this policy may be subject to the following disciplinary actions which include:
• First offense (no minimum amount; possession or a sip is treated the same as consumption of a larger quantity):
1. Students involved may not represent the school in any co-curricular activity for one month following the date of the offense.
2. Students holding appointed and/or student-elected offices must vacate them for the rest of the school year.
3. Detention
4. Students may be subject to suspension (in-school or out of school) or expulsion in egregious cases (e.g., distribution or selling)
5. Students must be assessed by a qualified professional at the parents’ expense and begin treatment, if necessary. Written confirmation is required within 30 days of the offense from the assessor to the Division Principal, stating that the assessment has occurred.
6. Students must take part in any suitable projects/programs determined by the school administration (i.e., research paper, work, video, and visits to emergency room or AA meetings).
• Second offense:
1. Out-of-school suspension
2. Students may be suspended from all co-curricular activities for the remainder of the school year and are ineligible for awards, letters, or certificates for those activities.
3. Students are subject to expulsion in egregious cases.
4. Consequences other than expulsion will not carry over into the next academic year. Summer work projects may be required.
• Third offense:
Expulsion. Note: If an illegal drug is used in a vaping device, the offense will be treated under the Illegal Drugs policy.
Illegal Drugs: Penalties for
off-campus offenses
• First offense (no minimum amount; possession is treated the same as consumption of a larger quantity):
1. Assessment by a qualified professional at the parents’ expense; written confirmation within 30 days of offense from the qualified professional to the Division Principal, stating that assessment has occurred; and begin treatment, if necessary.
2. Students must take part in any suitable projects/programs determined by the school administration (i.e., research paper, work, video, and visits to emergency room or addiction meetings).
3. Students involved may not represent the school in any co-curricular activity for one month following the date of the offense.
4. Students holding student-elected offices must vacate them for the rest of the school year.
5. Students are subject to suspension (in-school or out-of-school) or expulsion in egregious cases.
• Second offense (with no previous on-campus incident):
1. (As in first offense) assessment by qualified professional at the parents’ expense; written confirmation within 30 days of offense from the qualified professional to the Division Principal, stating that assessment has occurred; and begin treatment, if necessary.
2. Students holding student-elected offices must vacate them for the rest of the school year.
3. Students are subject to suspension from all co-curricular activities for the remainder of the school year and are ineligible for awards, letters, or certificates for those activities.
4. Punishments other than expulsion will not carry over into the next academic year. Summer work projects may be required.
5. Students are subject to suspension (in-school or out-of-school) or expulsion in egregious cases.
• Third offense: Expulsion.
Illegal Drugs: Penalties for on-campus offenses
• First offense (with no previous off-campus incident)
Automatic out-of-school suspension plus the same consequences as a first off-campus offense.
• Second offense Expulsion
Vandalism and Destruction of Property
Vandalism of school property is considered a severe offense and will be handled by the Division Principal. Students destroying or defacing school property will be required to pay for repairs.
Weapons
Weapons are not allowed on campus. The school reserves the right to suspend any student bringing a weapon to school, and the suspension will most likely become an expulsion.
Inappropriate Conduct Off Campus
While St. David’s may not involve itself in student misbehavior that occurs off campus and is not associated with a school-sponsored event, the school may respond with disciplinary consequences to such misbehavior (e.g., illegal actions, theft, destruction of property, bullying, harassment, or any other conduct unbecoming of a St. David’s student) when it negatively impacts the safety, trust, or well-being of the school, its members, or the learning environment.
Lower School Student Conduct
The Lower School students are encouraged to view their journey as a collective endeavor where we all support one another to make wise behavior choices for the good of the whole as well as the individual. Division-wide initiatives toward virtue formation are consistent grade-to-grade and class-to-class, fostering the timeless lesson that we are all in process, actions have consequences, and conversations about behaviors are an important part of learning our place in the community. We guide students through reflection toward understanding and reconciliation. Even during these early years, students are pointed to the character traits found in the Portrait of a St. David’s Graduate.
The six guiding principles are found embedded within the three Lower School Norms below.
Lower School Norms
We celebrate the distinctive journey of each lower school student as we challenge them to grow and excel in the areas of faith, virtue, and knowledge in fulfillment of our school’s mission. To that end, we have three lower school norms with which we articulate the finer characteristics of a St. David’s graduate. We challenge our students to be responsible, respectful and safe in thoughts, words, and deeds as they seek Christ, persevere through challenges, lead with humility, collaborate generously, pursue excellence, and embrace learning.
• Be safe
• Be respectful
• Be responsible
Classroom Expectations
Though each teacher will provide student with additional classroom responsibilities, there are certain expectations in every venue of learning whether the classroom, gymnasium, or outside. Inappropriate behaviors as listed below that cause discord or injury may result in disciplinary consequences.
• Responsible, respectful, and safe conduct is expected at all times by following the procedures and expectations of the activity and demonstrating temperance. Playful pushing, slapping, poking, tackling, hugging, etc. will not be tolerated and may result in escalated behaviors that cause unintentional injury.
• Show proper respect to other students and adults. Listen without speaking when another person is speaking. Never show disrespect to another student for an opinion, question, or answer.
• Show proper respect for all property. Whether it is a student’s personal property or the school’s property, responsible and safe use is expected at all times. Pick up papers and trash in the classroom and anywhere on the school grounds; take pride in and care of the school and the facilities with which the Lord has blessed us.
• Other than water, food and drink are not allowed in the classroom except during authorized snack times. Chewing gum is not allowed during the school day.
• Distracting toys and various fidgets, etc. may not be brought to school without prior approval from a teacher and the Lower School Principal.
Student Support Plan
A Student Support Plan (SSP) is a document that outlines student needs and challenges with regard to social or academic behavior and puts in place an agreement about what supports are needed at school and at home to achieve success. It is a partnership between school and home to help a student recognize harmful patterns of behavior and to develop new and beneficial patterns. The goal of a student support plan is to track growth and may provide workable solutions to challenges.
Lower School Pledge
The Lower School also has a division-wide pledge that is introduced during the first Chapel service of the year and is something to which we want our students to aspire and strive to demonstrate throughout the school year.
I pledge to continually try my best, to respect and make peace with others, to lead and to serve, to apologize and to forgive, and to work together to show the fruits of the Spirit and be true Warriors for Christ.
Parent Partnership and Cooperation
The Parent Partnership Covenant included at the beginning of this handbook outlines the terms of school-home partnership required from parents for a student to remain a member of the St. David’s community. We desire this relationship to be characterized by collaboration and goodwill, especially in those challenging instances when a student’s behavior has violated the code of conduct. St. David’s School reserves the right to dismiss any student when, in the sole discretion of the school, the actions of the student’s parent, guardian, or other family member have severely impaired the maintenance of a constructive relationship between them and the school or have seriously interfered with the school’s ability to accomplish its educational purposes. See Section I of the enrollment contract as well.
STUDENT DRESS EXPECTATIONS
Middle & Upper School Student Dress Expectations
St. David’s School is, first and foremost, an educational institution – a place for deep, formative learning in an environment as free as possible from unnecessary distractions. In particular, we are a community in which students are being prepared to live healthy, well-ordered lives in college and beyond, including in the seemingly mundane ways they approach each day.
The way students dress signals their mindset and orientation toward the people and activities ahead of them on any given day, and they should communicate the love of neighbor and the pursuit of excellence in their daily endeavors.
With these fundamental commitments in mind, you will notice that appropriate daily attire for St. David’s students reflects a step up from the clothing one might wear to lounge around the house on a restful weekend or when joining friends for a barbeque or a movie night. We have referred to this slightly more formal attire as “business casual.” Similarly, on Chapel days, students are expected to dress a bit more formally still, reflecting an elevated reverence for our weekly community-wide services of worship and celebration.
These expectations have been thoughtfully crafted to set up our students and families for success with reasonable, affordable options that promote modesty, personal style, neatness, comfort, and unity across campus.
We recognize that fashion choices and personal expression occupy a wide spectrum, and that standards related to attire occasionally require judgment given a range of perspectives on what fits the definitions of “formal,” “casual,” or “distracting.” While we have taken great care to articulate clear, objective expectations regarding what is both right for school and “not right for school,” where there may be differing opinions, we reserve the right to exercise discretion in making determinations about appropriate dress for school in our efforts to graciously safeguard a focused, edifying learning environment.
TOPS
Not right for school
Guidelines for Acceptable 7th-12th Grade Student Dress
Business-casual tops, including dress Ts (with no writing, except small brand logos)
Straps must be wider than spaghetti straps
BOTTOMS
Not right for school
SWEATSHIRTS, HOODIES, PULLOVERS, SWEATERS, BLAZERS
OTHER OUTERWEAR (coats & jackets)
Business-casual shirts with collar (with no writing, except small brand logos)
For shirts that button all the way down, shirttails must be tucked in at all times when indoors. Properly-fitting, neatly worn polos may remain untucked indoors.
Strapless, backless or halter tops; athletic wear including non-dress Ts. (Dri-FITTM polos are acceptable)
Business-casual pants
Shorts, skirts and dresses longer than midthigh when standing
Leggings are permitted only with acceptable skirts or dresses; denim acceptable only in white, black or gray, with finished hems.
Business-casual pants with a belt
Business-casual shorts with a belt longer than mid-thigh while standing
Denim is acceptable only in white, black or gray, with finished hems.
Athleisure (including Gold Hinge/lululemonÒ/or similar style tennis skirts); denim/jeans in any color other than white, black, gray; cargo pants/shorts; other athletic wear including sweatpants.
Business-casual sweaters, blazers, ¼-zip pullovers are acceptable
Sweatshirts (including hoodies) should be St. David’s branded Hoods must be down when indoors
Outerwear appropriate for the season and occasion is acceptable
Not right for school Any non-St. David’s branded garments with emblems, slogans or messaging.
FOOTWEAR
Not right for school
FOR ALL CHAPEL DAYS
(a bit dressier than daily attire)
Shoes appropriate for the occasion that are clean, in good condition and not distracting must be worn at all times while on campus.
Flip flops, any shoes in the style of slippers or of CrocsÒ
“Festive Chapel” attire (a step up) will be worn on all chapel days, including dressier pants (no denim) or skirts and dresses that meet length and coverage requirements
Business-casual sweaters or blazers are acceptable, though not required, for chapel
Not right for chapel Shorts, polos, and sweatshirts may not be worn in chapel.
PERSONAL GROOMING
THEMED/CASUAL DRESS
Hair should be kept neat, clean and not distracting in style or color.
For themed/casual dress days, the above stated expectations apply for length of shorts, skirts and dresses unless otherwise indicated. On Warrior Spirit dress days, students may wear St. David’s t-shirts or sweatshirts with a skirt, shirts, jeans, athletic shirts or athletic pants (not leggings). Any skirts or shirts must always be at least mid-thigh length and visible beneath any long shirt.
Hair should be kept neat, clean and not distracting in style or color.
Gentlemen should be clean shaven or neatly groomed.
P.E. ATTIRE
Also, not right for school
5th and 6th grade students and others taking PE classes will dress out in gym shorts, T-shirt, and gym shoes.
Purchasing St. David’s branded PE attire from Lands’ End is optional.
Distracting accessories of any kind; any clothing that reveals midriff, buttocks, chest, back or underwear; hats, hoods, sunglasses (not permitted indoors); any garments with holes, mesh, fraying, distressing; any garments or accessories with emblems, slogans or messaging (small brand logos are acceptable).
Athletic wear is not part of daily dress unless otherwise indicated for an occasion (i.e., field days, certain service opportunities, etc.).
Dress Expectations FAQ:
What does “business casual” mean and why are we using that language for school?
Business-casual and smart-casual are descriptors for tops and bottoms that are a step up from casualwear. Though broadly defined across industries, “business-casual” refers to traditional business wear with a more relaxed style that is still professional and appropriate for a serious environment. Though new to some of our students, this terminology introduces them to standards they will likely encounter in college and life.
How does Chapel attire differ from regular daily attire?
You will notice that student dress on Chapel days consists of attire that is a bit dressier than usual, as appropriate for the occasion of community-wide worship and celebration. At St. David’s, “Festive Chapel” has referred to the range of stepped-up options for dressing our best on Chapel days, which has been an abiding tradition at St. David’s School.
Where can I buy acceptable articles of clothing?
Cost and availability are taken into consideration in crafting expectations for appropriate student dress. Items that meet these expectations are available from a range of retailers, including Lands’ End, Gap, Old Navy, J Crew, Vineyard Vines and Target, among others. We encourage you to print the single-page summary above and take it with you on your shopping adventures.
What do I do if I am not satisfied with these dress expectations because I think they are too limiting or not limiting enough?
To be sure, a wide breadth of perspectives related to student dress exists within any community and not all recommendations can be instituted; however, the final summary of 5th-12th dress expectations is the product of careful deliberation among a number of focus groups and school leaders informed in part by feedback from parents, students, and faculty/staff on targeted questions about student dress. Student dress expectations will be reviewed annually. Recommendations for revisions may be submitted to the Head of School or your Division Principals for consideration next spring.
How will dress expectations be enforced?
Wholehearted participation in the St. David’s community involves upholding the standards and expectations established by the school. Students not dressed appropriately may be asked to change (which may involve a parent bringing a suitable alternative to campus during the school day) and/or face other disciplinary consequences. The integrity of these community norms requires consistent, compassionate accountability.
5th & 6th Grade Dress Expectations
Fifth grade and sixth grade students must wear school uniform apparel as offered by Lands’ End School Uniforms on Advisory Days (non-Chapel days).
• Ladies must wear a dress, or a polo shirt with a skirt, skort, or pants.
• Gentlemen must wear a polo shirt with pants or shorts.
• Sweatshirts that are worn during the school day must have a St. David’s logo.
• All shirts, dresses, sweaters, and vests must contain the St. David’s logo.
• Fifth and sixth grade students should follow the same dress expectations as 7th-12th grade students on Chapel days and themed dress days.
Lower School Student Dress Expectations
The following dress expectations are established for the Lower School to promote unity among students and to provide a foundation for a neat and clean school appearance.
Visit the link to the St. David’s Lands’ End Uniforms page for a complete listing of Lower School uniform options and for information from our uniform supplier, Lands’ End Schools.
• School uniforms from Lands’ End must be worn each day except on approved themed-dress days.
• Closed-toe shoes are required (no Crocs, sandals, etc.)
• Athletic shoes and socks must be worn or brought for PE.
• Sweatshirts, sweaters and fleeces that are worn during the school day must have a St. David’s logo.
• Hooded sweatshirts are not to be worn in the Chapel.
• Non-Land’s End uniform jackets and coats appropriate for the season and occasion are permitted outside only.
• On Warrior Spirit theme-dress days, school colors blue and gold should be worn, and the St. David’s name should be on any clothing that contains lettering.
• All shorts, regardless of type, must be no shorter than three inches above the top of the knee and T-shirts must not come down below the bottom of the shorts, even on themed dress days.
• Smartwatches, Gizmos, and phones are prohibited. Students will be asked to place them in bookbags until dismissal.
• Hair must be neat, clean, and kept out of the eyes.
Boys Attire
• All shirts must be properly tucked in and buttoned (excluding pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students for whom this is a goal but who may adhere to this policy as their individual motor skill development allows)
• Only white, blue, gray, brown and black solid-color socks may be worn with uniforms.
• Belts should be worn (excluding pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students).
• Distracting accessories are to be avoided, and a request to remove may result (jewelry, hair bands, etc.).
Girls Attire
• All shirts must be properly tucked in and buttoned (excluding pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students for whom this is a goal but who may adhere to this policy as their individual motor skill development allows).
• Belts should be worn with pants (excluding pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students.)
• Skirts/jumpers may be no shorter than 3 inches above the top of the kneecap when standing.
• Bike shorts must be worn underneath all skirts and jumpers.
• Only white, navy blue, gray and black leggings or socks may be worn with uniforms.
• Distracting accessories are to be avoided, and a request to remove may result (jewelry, hair accessories, makeup, etc.)
Implementation of Dress Code
If a student is out of the dress code, the teacher will request the removal of the appropriate item if possible. An alternate item will be provided by the Lower School office and must be cleaned and returned as soon as possible. A note will be given to the parents clarifying the dress code infraction so we may partner with a shared understanding of expectations.
TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL MEDIA
St. David’s is committed to creating an atmosphere that fosters deep study and patient exploration; we aim to cultivate habits of attention, focus and discernment, and the ability to track an argument well. We, therefore, encourage the use of technologies that can enhance these ends and discourage technologies that undermine them. Because different subjects lend themselves to different approaches to teaching, each teacher determines the kind of technology used in his or her classroom, within the broader pedagogical commitments of St. David’s School.
Technology Responsible Use Policy
The following Technology Responsible Use Policy provides guidelines for students on the ethical and responsible use of information systems at St. David’s School. These guidelines apply to phone, video, tablet, audio, computer, network, the Internet, wireless, and other communication device uses.
1. St. David’s School students are personally responsible for anything posted on their accounts and must not allow anyone else to use them. All users will have a user password to access their account and should not reveal the username and/or password to anyone else or allow anyone else to use their account after personally signing on. Students are not permitted to engage in online discussions or other social interactive environments unless they have a teacher’s permission as part of legitimate class activities. Users should never reveal personal information over the Internet and are encouraged to bring any questions or concerns about Internet materials to a teacher or administrator.
2. Accessing the accounts and files of others is prohibited. This rule applies to all St. David’s data and networks. Users are expected to make no effort to bypass systems and processes that protect individual users’ material.
3. Attempting to subvert network security, impair network function, or bypass a restriction is prohibited. Users are to respect the need for security and confidentiality of electronic material. The school has information stored electronically that is not open to the public and is limited to certain users. Users are to make no efforts to bypass security systems or to gain access to information to which they have no rights. This includes unauthorized use of the school’s internet connection, including wireless, for malicious and/or disruptive activity to another network or circumventing the school’s network security controls via the use of a VPN.
4. All students can access the school’s wireless network with their personal devices through a wireless network created specifically for students. Faculty or the Technology Team will provide the password to the student network upon request. While widely published, the wireless password is not to be shared with anyone outside the St. David’s community. Students should not attempt to access other internal wireless networks outside the student network. This policy is an extension of (2) and (3) above.
5. Use of school-owned computers. School-owned desktop and laptop computers should be used for academic purposes and/or school-related communication only. If a student checks out a laptop from the library, the laptop is to be used for that academic day only and must be returned to the library at the end of the academic day. If a laptop is held beyond the end of the academic day, is not returned, or is returned damaged, fines may be issued against the student to repair or replace the computer.
6. Improper use or distribution of information is prohibited. All intellectual property (books, software, music, photographs, etc.) obtained through research on school information systems and then used in academic work must be properly documented. There shall be no copyright violations. If there are questions about what constitutes a violation, consult a teacher or librarian.
7. Using the St. David’s network and its content for personal political or personal commercial purposes or in support of illegal activities is prohibited. St. David’s School’s information system facilities are for academic purposes and school-related communication. Students may not offer, provide, or purchase products or
services through St. David’s Internet access. If you are in doubt about whether a particular activity is acceptable, check with the Technology Team.
8. School rules and disciplinary procedures regarding behavior such as harassment, obscene language, plagiarism, racism, etc., are applicable for all St. David’s information system use. Users may be held accountable for material on their accounts. If there is any uncertainty about what constitutes inappropriate behavior, consult the school handbook.
9. Using the St. David’s School information systems is a privilege, not a right. The system administrator will track the use of network resources for activities that degrade system performance (for example, computer games, chain letters, mailing lists, large downloads, streaming videos, etc.). In cases where system usage appears excessive, individuals may be required to decrease online time usage.
10. Students using the St. David’s information systems are representatives of St. David’s and are expected to behave according to our Honor Code. The ethical expectations surrounding the access and use of technology are the same as the values the St. David’s community is expected to uphold. You should consult the school student handbook to understand acceptable behavior and ask yourself, “Will my actions reflect the principles of the St. David’s Honor Code?”
11. All users of St. David’s information technologies should be aware that some of the material on the Internet is objectionable. You will not access information of this sort. This includes but is not limited to pornography, vulgarity, gambling, racist or militant extremist material, etc. Parents should also review their expectations for Internet use with their children just as they do concerning printed material, television, or films. If students experience access to these sites in error or without intention, they should report the incident to the teacher present and/or the Technology Team so blocks can be placed on such locations.
12. All the school’s telecommunication technology, including voice, video, and data lines, is the property of St. David’s. St. David’s will respect the privacy of all users as much as possible; however, the school is responsible for investigating potential violations and enforcing prescribed rules for technology use. All users should remember that St. David’s reserves the right to monitor any information stored in or transmitted through school systems. Consequences for the misuse of information systems may include restriction of a personal account, loss of privileges to use the system, and/or disciplinary action. State and federal laws also apply to telecommunication-related activities and would be reported to proper authorities when necessary.
13. St. David’s School does not guarantee the security of data stored on its network. While reasonable attempts to maintain backups, students should keep separate copies of important files. Using a school-provided OneDrive account (cloud storage) is highly recommended.
14. Students must use their school accounts when interacting with other students and school employees (faculty, staff, coaches, etc.) using the various Microsoft 365 applications available at https://www.microsoft365.com/ Outlook (email/meetings), Teams (chat, collaboration), Forms (information gathering), etc.
15. Student data on school-owned devices and in cloud storage locations will no longer be available to students not enrolled in the next academic year. The school also maintains the right to limit the storage space available to actively enrolled students.
Upper and Middle School Technology
Laptops
A family-owned laptop (e.g., MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Microsoft Surface) running a Mac or Windows operating system will be required for daily student use at the start of a student’s 7th grade year.
Devices running the Chrome operating system, or any other non-Mac or non-Windows operating system, are not supported and will be unable to leverage core IT services such as printing. All laptops must have anti-virus software installed, enabled and regularly updated.
All middle and upper school students, including those in fifth and sixth grades, are required to access the internet from home and will occasionally be required to leverage a word-processor to type assignments.
Parents and students are responsible for the care and maintenance of their student’s device. St. David’s technology team supports students in ensuring that their St. David’s email and OneDrive accounts are functional and can be accessed by their device and that the student wireless network is functional and accepts student connections. However, the use of, repair and troubleshooting of family-owned devices is not supported by the St. David’s technology team.
School Devices for Loan
If a student’s personal device is unavailable and a device is needed for a particular class or assignment, a library laptop or iPad may be checked-out for that class period. All borrowed devices must be returned to the library before the end of the school day. If the device is held beyond the end of the academic day, is not returned, or is returned damaged, borrowing privileges may be suspended, and fines may be issued against the student to repair or replace the device.
Electronic Devices and Assessments
All assessments will be taken without any electronic device in use or visible, unless explicitly permitted by the instructor. Unpermitted use of technology during an assessment is a violation of the Honor Code.
Phones and Smartwatches
Middle School: The use of cell phones and smartwatches during the school day (8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m.) is not permitted. If a student needs to use a phone during school hours, phones are available in all classrooms and in the division office. Therefore, the Middle school discourages students from bringing cell phones and smartwatches to school. If students do bring phones or smartwatches to school, they must leave the cell phone in their Advisory room prior to their first class of the day. Students may pick up the phone when the day has ended. Failure to follow the cell phone policy will result in disciplinary action.
Upper School: For the majority of the academic day, Upper School students may not carry phones or wear smartwatches. When students arrive at school, they drop their phones and smartwatches in their advisor’s room and pick them up after school. If students are leaving early (including off-campus lunches), they may retrieve their phone from their advisor before they leave. They may check their phones during Flex after lunch, in their advisor’s room.
Social Media
St. David’s recognizes that texting and social media activity outside of school is under the authority and supervision of parents. We also recognize that these activities can influence the school environment and educational experience. When the school deems that the student’s experience at school has been seriously affected by texting or social media activity, whether on personal accounts or commenting on St. David’s accounts, it reserves the right to address the issue, which can include informing parents and treating the activity according to the school’s behavior policy. Activity toward peers or St. David’s School, its members, or its policies deemed harmful includes, but is not limited to:
• defamation
• slander
• harassment
• offensive comments
The school advises that students carefully check the privacy and security policies of each technology and social media platform they use before adding content they may not wish to be viewed by others, either now or in the future.
Unofficial Social Media Accounts
It is prohibited to create a personal or school-related social media account on any platform using the St. David’s School name, logo, athletic logo, abbreviations (sds, sdsw), photos, brand, etc. If an unofficial account is created, the school reserves the right to request that the account be closed immediately, or it will be reported to the corresponding social media provider to be deleted. If any student, parent, school group, parent organization, etc., has content they wish to share, please contact the Marketing and Communications office.
Personal Photos During School-Sponsored Events
Photos taken by parents during school-sponsored events that may include other children (not their own) should never be posted on social media or otherwise publicly shared without permission from the parents or guardians of those students.
Lower School Technology
Personal Electronic Devices
Lower School students are not permitted to bring electronic items such as cell phones, tablets, electronic games, smart watches, etc., to school. These items are an unnecessary distraction to the school’s academic and social atmosphere. Important messages will be delivered to students via the Lower School office, or parents can email the classroom teacher.
Devices brought to school for Show and Share or afternoon functions will be stored in the student’s backpack. Students wearing watches to tell time, even those that do not access the internet, will be asked to remove the watch and store it in the student’s backpack should it be used inappropriately or cause distraction.
CAMPUS AND
FACILITIES
St. David’s aims to provide a safe, supportive atmosphere that is beautiful, joyful, orderly, and conducive to study. Furthermore, we want to help students and their families enjoy healthy relationships with the physical aspects of creation and culture, which includes St. David’s facilities and grounds as well as their own possessions and food. We therefore enforce policies that promote the safety and well-being of students and their belongings when they are on campus and of all those who visit, park and eat on campus.
Access to Campus Buildings by Students
All 5th through 12th grade students are issued a key card for access to buildings throughout the school day. Students are responsible for the safe-keeping and accessibility of their key cards to navigate campus and must notify the division office if their card is lost, damaged or stolen, in which case a single replacement card per school year will be provided to the student. The cost of subsequent replacement cards will be the responsibility of the student’s family.
Visitors on Campus
For the protection of St. David’s students and staff, all visitors to campus must first go to the Welcome Center to sign in and receive a guest badge.
Ministers who wish to visit with a student on campus during lunch must receive approval from the Chaplain at least 48 hours before the proposed visit. Forms for these visitations are available from the Chaplain.
Tutors and other third-party support service providers are not permitted to meet with students on campus during the school day, with the exception of school-sanctioned occupational therapists and speech therapists.
Students may not order food or any other item to be delivered to campus by a vendor.
Parking
During the school day (7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.), parents and guests should not park in numbered spaces or spaces designated by signs; these are reserved for faculty and staff. Parking is available in marked Visitors’ spots or on neighborhood streets. On campus, all cars must be parked in marked parking spots, not along any curbs or in any part of the driveway without permission.
Student Parking
All student drivers must complete the online registration form by the first weekday in August. Due to limited parking spaces on campus, juniors and sophomores are not guaranteed a parking spot. A lottery will be held for a number of available parking spots. Students who are assigned parking places will be given a parking tag that will identify the car. Parking tags must be displayed at all times while on or near campus. To replace a parking tag, students must pay a $5 fee. Students who park on campus must park in their designated spot. Parking in a spot other than the one designated may result in the loss of a designated parking spot and/or further disciplinary action.
Students driving and parking on and off campus must be aware of their responsibility for the safety of the St. David’s community and surrounding neighborhood. Students may forfeit their driving/parking privileges by driving recklessly or dangerously, failing to park legally, not being hospitable to carpool drivers or neighbors, or any other behavior unbecoming a St. David’s student. The school is not responsible for damage incurred in the parking lot, and all student vehicles on school property are subject to search by school administration.
Students may not go to their cars during the day unless to leave campus.
It is the responsibility of the student to inform the school if a driver’s license has been revoked or suspended. On occasion, the school reserves the right to limit the amount of student parking on campus if parking needs exceed parking spaces.
Student drivers must comply with the one-way direction of travel through campus at all times, including when leaving campus for lunch or after carpool.
Lunch and Dining Facilities
St. David’s School is pleased to partner with SAGE Dining Services. Each day, students have an array of choices to suit their dietary and medical needs as well as their personal preferences. The daily menu can be viewed at https://www.sagedining.com/sites/stdavids/menu
Students must eat lunch either in the dining hall or in other designated areas inside or outside. The student commons is not an approved area in which to eat lunch, with the exception of seniors. Non-seniors may only eat snacks in the commons, and they must properly dispose of all trash in the trash bins provided. Failure to clean up after themselves in the commons could result in the loss of the privilege of eating in the commons. (Juniors and seniors should see the Junior and Senior Dining Privileges section below for relevant dining privileges.)
The cost of lunch is included in the family’s tuition payment. Students are asked to be mindful of only taking what they can eat for that lunch period. Extra portions are not to be removed from the dining hall. Fresh plates are required for additional trips to the food bars.
Students may not order food or any other item to be delivered to campus by a vendor.
Note: Grade-wide or class-wide celebrations, arranged with the grade chair or classroom teacher and division principal, may be an exception to the lunch policy.
Junior and Senior Dining Privileges
• Seniors may choose to eat lunch in the dining hall, commons area, and concessions area.
• Students are expected to clean up after themselves and share the responsibility of cleaning their table and the floor around their table.
• Students are not allowed to eat in classrooms, or in the hallways without permission and supervision of a faculty member.
• Paper products, utensils, and napkins are intended for SAGE lunch purposes only and are not to be taken from the dining hall for other uses.
• Seniors who are not on academic remediation may eat lunch off campus any day of the week, when time permits. Juniors who are not on academic remediation may eat off campus on a specified day if time permits. Students who go off campus to get lunch may not bring food back to campus to eat. The school reserves the right to revoke the off-campus privilege if it is abused.
• Juniors and seniors with a free period on either side of lunch/flex are permitted to extend their time off campus. Students may leave campus for lunch 30 minutes prior to the start of lunch/flex, if their free period falls before lunch, OR return to campus 30 minutes after the end of lunch/flex, if their free period falls after lunch/flex. All meetings of Advisory, Chapel, Midday Meeting, College Counseling, and Midday Prayer are required and may not be skipped if a free period comes before or after them.
• Students who go off campus for lunch must sign out and sign back in.
Parent Lunch Policy
Parents are welcome to visit their child at lunch. All parents and visitors are required to sign in at the Welcome Center. The charge for parent/visitor lunch is $7. When payment is made at the Welcome Center, the parent will receive a dated visitor’s badge with a lunch stamp to indicate payment. Wearing this badge is required to go through the serving lines.
Food Allergies
SAGE does an excellent job of providing menus that can accommodate students with food allergies. In cases where students have a severe allergy-related dietary restriction, we ask parents to partner with the school nurse to address concerns. For more information, please review the St. David’s Nut Policy in the Health section.
Lost and Found
The school has three designated spaces for lost items, one area in each division. Please check all three locations for missing property. Any unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity at the end of the academic year and periodically during the school year with prior notice to students and parents.
Lockers
Lockers are the property of St. David’s School and are subject to search at any time. Students are not allowed to exchange lockers without the permission of the relevant grade chair. Students should never open the locker of a classmate without the permission of the student to whom the locker is assigned. Any student who has something taken from his or her locker should notify his or her grade chair as soon as possible.
Bicycles, Skateboards and Scooters
Students are allowed to ride bicycles to and from school. During school hours, bicycles are to be stored in the designated area near the parking deck bordering Lassiter Mill Road. The use of skateboards or scooters is not allowed on school property.
Satellite Athletic Complex
For information about our José Cornejo Satellite Athletic Complex, located at 3420 Yonkers Road, Raleigh, please visit our website.
Transportation
St. David’s generally provides transportation for all school-related activities, including off-campus athletic practices, games and away events. St. David’s vehicles are driven by authorized adults either employed by the school or hired for this purpose. The school is not responsible for students driving other students to or from school events or offcampus lunch. Likewise, the school is not responsible for adults driving students other than their own children to or from school events.
Pets
Pets brought to school must remain outside the school buildings. These visits must be approved by the division principal.
Student Government
Upper School Prefect Positions and Student Council and Honor Council Offices
Prefect positions, Student Council and Honor Council offices require the students holding them to have passing grades and to maintain good standards of personal behavior. Receiving an Honor Code violation will require forfeiting leadership in any of these offices for one year, whereupon eligibility will be reconsidered. The decision regarding a student’s eligibility to serve as a class officer, Student Council member, Honor Council member, or other student leader ultimately rests with the Upper School Principal and the respective faculty sponsor.
Middle School Student Council Offices
Student Council offices require the students holding them to have passing grades and to maintain good standards of personal behavior. The decision regarding a student’s eligibility to serve as a class officer, Student Council member, or other student leader ultimately rests with the Middle School Principal and grade chairs.
Lower School Student Council Offices
The Lower School Student Council provides an opportunity for third and fourth-grade students to learn the importance of servant leadership. Students serving must have passing grades and must maintain good standards of personal behavior. One representative for each class will be selected by vote by their peers. The fourth-grade representatives will be assigned roles of president, vice-president, or secretary/treasurer after consultation with the student representatives and faculty/staff recommendations. The decision regarding a student’s eligibility to serve as a Student Council member ultimately rests with the Lower School Principal and teachers.
Upper and Middle School Honor Societies
Upper School National Honor Society
Membership in the St. David’s local chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) is reserved for sophomores, juniors and seniors who have already demonstrated high academic achievement, strong leadership, character, and service to others. Sophomores are only eligible for spring inductions and seniors are only eligible for fall inductions. Selection for membership is by a faculty council that meets twice per year to review the procedures of the chapter, select members, and consider dismissal, disciplinary actions, and warning cases. Candidates for the NHS must have attended the school for a minimum of one term. An induction service for NHS candidates is held twice a year. Candidates will be notified regarding selection or non-selection prior to the induction service.
Scholarship
Candidates must have a non-rounded, cumulative, numeric non-weighted grade point average of at least 90% or a 3.70 weighted GPA. Candidates who are eligible based on scholarship shall then be evaluated based on service, leadership, and character.
Service
Candidates must have documented community service, which shows that they are keeping pace or exceeding the school service hour requirements. St. David’s School requires a total of 80 hours of community service for all graduating students. Sophomore candidates inducted in the spring will need to have completed 40 hours of community service to be eligible. Junior candidates need 50 hours by for the fall induction and 60 hours for the spring induction. Seniors inducted in the fall require 70 hours. To be eligible, students who enroll in St. David’s after the fall term of a particular year will need to complete 20 service hours for each
year–or 10 service hours for each half year that they have been at St. David’s. Thus, for example, for students entering St. David’s in January of their freshman year to be eligible for induction their sophomore year, they will need to complete 30 service hours (10 for the remainder of freshman year and 20 for sophomore year).
Leadership
Candidates must be recognized by the faculty council for exercising leadership in student government, in the classroom, on the athletic field, or in other school or community activities.
Character
Candidates must be recognized by the faculty council as being persons who demonstrate respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Students must not have had an Honor Code violation within the last year to be eligible.
Dismissal
After induction in the NHS, failure to keep a cumulative unweighted average of 90% or 3.70 weighted GPA may result in dismissal. Members who fall below the standards which are the basis for their selection shall be promptly warned in writing by the chapter adviser and given a reasonable amount of time to correct the deficiency, except in the case of flagrant violation of school rules or the law. NHS members who receive an Honor Code violation will be dismissed for one year before their eligibility is reconsidered.
Activities
Each member shall have the responsibility for choosing and participating in a service project that reflects his or her particular talents and interests. This is in addition to the chapter projects to which all members contribute. Refusal to participate in the NHS projects also leads to a written warning and, if not corrected, dismissal from the organization.
Middle School National Junior Honor Society
To be eligible for membership consideration, Middle School students must have a cumulative numerical grade point average of 94% or above. Grade point average will be calculated based on core curriculum classes only (history, math, science, English, language arts, humanities and modern and classical language). Sixth grade students must have completed two consecutive middle school terms at St. David’s School before being considered. Seventh and eighth grade candidates must have completed St. David’s School for at least two terms. Potential members must also meet high standards of character, citizenship, and leadership in the areas of faith, virtue, and knowledge.
Leadership is also measured by the student’s participation in two or more community and/or school activities. To meet service requirements, the student must have been active in at least one school or community service project.
Citizenship and character are measured in terms of integrity, behavior, ethical conduct, and cooperation with both students and faculty. Faith, virtue, and knowledge are considered to be a vital part of leadership, character, and citizenship.
Students who are eligible for membership based on their GPA are invited to complete a student information survey that provides the faculty council with information regarding the candidate’s leadership and service. In addition to this survey, the faculty council will review school disciplinary records and solicit members of the faculty regarding their professional observations of each candidate. The faculty council, consisting of five members of the faculty chosen by the Middle School Principal, will carefully review all information to determine membership. A majority
vote of the council is needed for selection. Candidates will be notified regarding selection or non-selection prior to the induction service held in the spring.
Dismissal
All members are expected to keep a cumulative grade point average of at least 94% after induction in the National Junior Honor Society. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the National Junior Honor Society. Members who fall below the standards which are the basis for their selection shall be promptly warned in writing by the chapter adviser and given a reasonable amount of time to correct the deficiency, except in the case of flagrant violation of school rules or the law.
Community Service
Upper School Requirements
• All Upper School students are required to complete at least 80 hours of meaningful community service in order to graduate from St. David’s School.
• At least 10 hours of community service are required each year (inclusive of Community Service Day and other St. David’s sponsored service events).
• Additional hours earned in any year will be applied to the 80-hour requirement.
o A student may perform a minimum 10 hours each year prior to their senior year and then complete the service requirement by performing 50 hours in his/her senior year.
o A freshman may perform 80 hours of service in his/her freshman year but would still be required to complete at least 10 hours of service during his/her sophomore, junior, and senior years.
• St. David’s recommends that students strive to serve an average of 20 hours each school year. Any hours logged in addition to the required 80 will be included on a student’s transcript.
• Students who enter St. David’s School after their freshman year will have to complete at least 20 hours of service for each year remaining in their upper school career. For example, students enrolling as a sophomore must complete at least 60 hours of community service.
For the purposes of this policy, a year is considered to begin on the first day of summer break and end on the last day of school. Therefore, a student may start to accumulate community service hours in the summer before entering his or her freshman year. Failure to earn the required ten hours of service in a given year will result in withholding the final grade reports until the hours are completed. Community Service hours can be submitted through Mobile Serve.
Acceptable forms of Community Service
Students should seek service opportunities that benefit the many communities in which they live: school, church, neighborhood and town, as well as outside communities. In most circumstances, community service should be given in cooperation with nonprofit entities whose primary mission is charitable service. As a rule of thumb, service that directly, or in some significant way, benefits the individual or the individual’s immediate family will not count as community service.
Examples of acceptable community service off campus:
• Serving at a homeless shelter, rescue mission, or any organization serving members of the community in need
• Serving as a volunteer at the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, United Way, public library
• Serving at your church (teaching Sunday school, serving in the nursery, etc.)
• Service projects for nonprofit clubs and organizations (e.g., Boy Scout Eagle Project, Girl Scout Gold Award, Rotary, Kiwanis)
• Official St. David’s School service opportunities, e.g.:
o Lower School International Day
o Any service given managing St. David’s School athletic teams (up to 15 hours may be awarded per team per season; up to 50 hours may be awarded toward the total graduation requirement)
o Service given by managing A/V during morning prayer, chapel, assemblies, and special events
o Service provided as part of the library’s Student Library Assistant/Library Council Program
o The Upper School Principal will consider other service opportunities on the St. David’s campus on a case-by-case basis.
• Mission Trips (Mission trips must be through a non-profit organization such as a church, youth ministry, or non-governmental organization.) Up to 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week may be awarded for overnight/extended mission trips.
• Camp Counseling (Camp counselor service hours may be awarded if the student did not receive any remuneration for his/her service.) Up to 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week may be awarded for overnight camps.
Supervision Outside of School Hours
The health and well-being of all students is our goal. Therefore, we require that families provide supervision for students who are on campus before 7:30 a.m. and after 3:45 p.m. (unless they are enrolled in After-School Care or participating in another St. David’s-supervised event). Outside of school hours, St. David’s is not responsible for unsupervised students on the school’s main campus or at the Satellite Athletic Complex, including spectators at St. David’s events.
Student-Initiated Special Projects
The school is not able to accommodate the construction of structures or the addition of student-created artifacts to the physical campus. We encourage students to seek assistance from the Director of Student Life to explore partnerships with other institutions for such special projects (like building Eagle Scout projects).
Fundraisers
To focus our efforts as a community on several large fundraisers, including the school’s Annual Fund, other fundraisers (e.g., by classes, clubs and sports teams) are not permitted without prior approval. Proposals for schoolendorsed activities should be submitted to the Director of Student Life and the relevant division principal by the end of March to be implemented for the following school year. Individuals may not engage in non-schoolsponsored fundraisers on campus for other non-profit organizations or causes.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
St. David’s aims to provide a safe, supportive atmosphere in which all members of the community feel prepared for certain emergencies. We therefore set policies in place that prepare students, staff and parents for such situations and allow for quick and effective communication during these times.
In the event of a family emergency during the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., which the school needs to be made aware of, contact the school office by calling 919-782-3331.
Emergency Procedure Drills
Fire, all-weather, lockdown and active threat drills will be conducted throughout the year. The school reserves the right to perform these drills unannounced, so parents should inform their children of this possibility periodically throughout the year. Students should take drills seriously, remain calm and orderly, and follow directions from faculty and staff members.
Severe Weather and School Closings
In the event of inclement weather, school officials will make every effort to publish an announcement about the school’s status the evening before or by 6:30 a.m. on the school day in question. The information will be posted on the school’s website, and all families will be contacted via text message, making it imperative that contact information is kept current in the parent portal.
In the rare event of flooding on campus, please refer to the Flood Protocol for changes to the daily schedule and carpool flow. Families will be contacted via text message when the Flood Protocol will be invoked.
Magnus Health: Student Medical Records
St. David’s School is pleased to partner with Magnus Health to offer a secure, online database for all medical record completion, submission and maintenance. Parents can complete and upload all documents into the Magnus Health System by logging in to the St. David’s parent portal. Magnus allows the school nurse to look up vital information, chart visits that the student makes to the nurse, and keep track of medical issues, immunizations, medications and trends.
Annual Physical and Immunization
Prior to the first day of school, all new St. David’s students and student-athletes are required to submit a physical form and immunization record completed according to North Carolina state requirements using our online electronic student medical records service. The physical examination must have been completed within 12 months prior to the beginning of the school year. All parents are required to provide the school with emergency contact information for their child. All seventh- grade students are required to submit by August 1 an immunization record as proof of their required Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) and Meningococcal vaccines.
Nut Policy
Food containing nuts/tree nuts is permitted in the dining hall for individual consumption, as lunch tables are wiped down after meals. Some rooms may be designated as nut free for the safety of students with nut allergies.
Food sent to school for group/class consumption (such as cupcakes to celebrate a birthday in a classroom) will be subject to the discretion of the supervising faculty/staff member and/or parent sponsor. Please contact them in advance. Foods prepared at home for group consumption should be accompanied by an ingredients list.
Lice
The school recommends that parents examine their child’s head for signs of lice or nits regularly. If lice are found at home, please notify the school nurse promptly and treat your child with recommended lice shampoo, followed by thorough combing with a nit comb. A reapplication of shampoo is advised in 7-10 days, and other family members should also be checked. When returning to school, students must visit the nurse’s office for a head check; if cleared, they may rejoin class. If a child is identified with lice while at school, confidentiality will be maintained, and a parent will be contacted for pick-up. Students may return to school the day after treatment has been completed.
Concussion Management Plan
Concussion management requires a coordinated, collective effort among St. David’s faculty and staff along with parents and guardians to monitor an individual student’s progress based on the guidance received from a licensed physician. The purpose of this program is to provide comprehensive care for all St. David’s students both prior to and during a concussion. This includes proper concussion education for all parties, defined roles within the concussion management team and an action plan that outlines the required communication and collaboration needed to best manage our students as they return to school following a concussion diagnosis. Please see the Concussion Management Plan in the Athletic Handbook for details about the roles and actions that constitute the school’s approach to managing concussions, including the education required by coaches, parents, and studentathletes.
Safety Assessment
At St. David’s School, we take seriously our responsibility to nurture the heart, soul, mind, and strength of each student. We are equally committed to addressing any words or actions from students that may threaten harm to their own well-being or that of others. When a concern of this nature arises, we will generally require the student to meet with an agreed-upon licensed mental health provider for a comprehensive safety assessment before they can return to school. This provider will send written documentation of the assessment, along with recommendations for ongoing support and treatment, directly to the school. A clear plan for reentry will be established, including a minimum leave of absence of 24 hours, a review of the comprehensive safety assessment, and a mandatory reentry meeting involving the student, family, and a support team of school leaders.
Student Illness
• If your child is not feeling well in the morning, please do not send him/her to school.
• Do not return him/her to school after an illness until he/she is free of fever, diarrhea, and vomiting without the use of medication for 24 hours.
• All communicable diseases as well as head lice should be reported to the school nurse.
• Do not send your child to school with a rash or anything you suspect may be contagious.
• Our clinic is available for students who become ill or are injured at school.
• The student is responsible to make the teacher aware that he/she is sick or injured.
• If an injury to your child occurs on a weekday but outside of school hours or during weekends, please consult your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Transportation of Ill Students
It is the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation for a sick child. In an emergency where there is a lifethreatening situation, 911 will be called to assess the situation and transport if needed.
Medication
• If your child needs to take prescription medicine during school hours, it must be administered by the school nurse only.
• All medication must be in the original prescription bottle with the student’s name, the name of the medicine, the amount to be given and the duration.
• Signed permission from the parent/guardian and a licensed physician must be obtained before any prescribed medication can be administered at school. Authorization forms are available online in the student’s Magnus portal
• The school nurse, with the written consent of the parent, may dispense limited nonprescription medication in the school clinic. These medications are provided by the school and dispensed in the clinic by the school nurse.
First Aid
All injuries should immediately be reported to the nurse’s office, a faculty/staff member. If someone is bleeding, allow the person to wash the wound by him or herself unless the wound threatens life or limb. If someone is severely injured, students should try to keep the person calm and get help as soon as possible by finding a faculty/staff member. If no faculty/staff members are present, call 911 immediately.
Blood-borne Pathogens
Students should be aware of the danger of pathogens carried in blood and should make every effort to avoid contact with another person’s blood. Students must immediately report any incident of blood or other potentially infectious materials to a faculty/staff member.
HIV Policy
St. David’s is aware of the importance regarding the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The school considers the AIDS virus a serious infectious disease and will act in accord with federal, state, and local laws regarding this subject matter.
St. David’s will not exclude students from school based on their being HIV-infected, and the school will not require the screening of students for the presence of HIV antibodies. If the health of an HIV-infected person deteriorates, any decision regarding his or her attendance or educational program will be based on competent medical advice and will balance the rights of the infected student with the legitimate interest of the school in protecting the health and safety of the remaining students and employees, and other appropriate factors. The school will make every effort to ensure the privacy of each HIV-infected person, keep records confidential, and keep the number of persons aware of the condition to a minimum.
St. David’s recognizes that students suffering from HIV should be dealt with in a fair and equitable manner. The school also expects that any student who is HIV-infected shall act responsibly in dealings with students, school employees, and the general public.
Safety
Playground Use Policy
St. David’s provides robust opportunities for outdoor play experiences both on our fields and in our playground area. The playground is secured and accessible only by using a key card. Students are always supervised during the school day and encouraged to challenge themselves on appropriate equipment for their age and skill level. Despite the most thoughtful precautions, accidents may occur, and parents will be notified as soon as possible following an unforeseen event. Student safety and well-being is our top priority. The following rules are posted outside the gate for review prior to entry:
• The playground is reserved for St. David’s families only
• Use of the playground equipment is at your own risk
• Children must be supervised by an adult at all times
• No rough playing or jumping from playground equipment
• Playground equipment should be used for its intended purpose
• No dogs are permitted in the playground area
• Help keep our playground clean by using the trash receptacle
• Have fun!
St. David's Accident Insurance Policy
St. David’s School provides insurance for students who are injured on campus or during a school-sponsored activity off campus. The policy considers expenses for services not covered by other insurance policies or health plans, provided information is submitted in a timely manner, and treatment is determined to be a covered expense of the plan. Please contact the Business Office for additional information regarding the student accident policy and how to file a claim.
Asbestos
Pursuant to the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requirements for all public and private schools, we inform you that the ceilings and floor tiles in St. Timothy’s Hall contain asbestos. Unless or until this material is removed or disturbed, it poses no health hazard. The school maintains a comprehensive management plan in the maintenance office, which may be viewed at any time by scheduling an appointment with the facilities manager.
Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Policy
In accordance with state law and school policy, school staff is obligated to report any physical abuse, sexual abuse, or child neglect any time there is cause to suspect that such abuse may be occurring. In such cases, the school may or may not contact parents in advance of making a report to authorities.
Urgent Student Concern (After Hours)
If you believe a student is in imminent danger, please contact any of the following emergency services without delay. If this is not your child, please contact the student’s parents directly
Medical or personal injury
Threats of harm to self or others (including the school)
Mental Health Crisis
Call 911.
Call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. OR
Visit one of the following:
- Hope Center for Youth & Family Crisis 400 W Ransom St , Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
- Monarch Behavioral Health Urgent Care 319 Chapanoke Rd., Suite 119-120, Raleigh, NC 27603
- Carolina Outreach Behavioral Health Urgent Care 2670 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd , Durham, NC 27707
If you believe the school needs to be made aware of the situation, please email our Director of Student Life, Sarah Jane Keegan (sjkeegan@sdsw.org), and our Director of Safety and Security, Jason Hodge (jhodge@sdsw.org). This will allow our administrative team to respond with care and support when the school day begins.
ENROLLMENT
In cases where a student’s parents may be separated, divorced, or otherwise share legal joint but separate custody, the signatures of both parents are required on the enrollment contract and in agreement to all policies noted in the enrollment contract for the student to enroll and/or reenroll as a student at St. David’s School.
TUITION PAYMENTS
For your convenience, and as outlined in the enrollment contract, St. David’s has three tuition plans, each offering payment options beginning in the month of June prior to the start of the coming school year:
• One-Pay Plan: One payment is due on June 1 or upon enrollment.
• Two-Pay Plan: Two equal payments are due on June 1 and September 1.
• Ten-Pay Plan: Ten equal payments due each month – June 1 to March 1. Registration in Veracross’ VC Pay with AutoPay is required.
Invoices for tuition and incidental charges are generated online via the Parent Portal. Each household is responsible for viewing and paying invoices prior to the due dates as outlined above and in the enrollment contract. Please allow 5-10 business days for payments to be processed.
Your prompt and timely payment of tuition is greatly appreciated and necessary, as tuition is the operating capital the school uses to fund all programs and expenses. Accordingly, any tuition paid after the tenth of the month in which it is due is subject to a late fee of 18% APR (1.5% monthly) on the outstanding balance.
Tuition insurance is mandatory on the ten-month payment plan; it is also mandatory for one- and two-pay plans if a balance is outstanding after September 1. Tuition accounts are required to be current upon the start of the academic year.
The business office will contact families 30 days delinquent. The business office will notify families their account is past due and request payment within 10 days. Any applicable late fee will apply.
Per the enrollment contract and school policy, any family 60 days delinquent will be placed on financial hold status. Financial hold status will result in the following:
• Participation in overnight field trips and sporting events that require additional payments will not be permitted until tuition accounts are current. Payments made to the school for such events will be applied to the outstanding tuition balance.
• The posting of grades and end-of-year transcripts will be held until tuition accounts are current.
• Students may not resume classes following fall break, Thanksgiving break, Christmas break, winter break, and Easter break until payment has been made to release the financial hold status.
• All accounts must be current before re-enrollment for the following academic year can occur.
• All accounts must be paid in full prior to course registration for the following academic year.
• For seniors, account balances must be current to attend the senior trip and paid in full to participate in graduation activities and to receive final transcripts.
• The school reserves the right to restrict a student from returning to school at any time if a balance is past due.
All contract cancellations and withdrawals are subject to forfeiture of the $1,500 Enrollment Deposit. Additionally, any withdrawal occurring after May 31 is subject to a withdrawal fee of $1,500 per month according to the following schedule:
• June 1-30: $1,500
• July 1-31: $3,000
• August 1-31: $4,500
These fees apply to withdrawals occurring on any day within the specific month and are not prorated.
As of September 1, the obligation of the parent/guardian to pay the charges for the full academic year is unconditional, and no portion of such outstanding charges will be refunded or canceled for any reason, including but not limited to the subsequent absence, withdrawal, or dismissal of the student in question from the school.
Non-Discrimination Policy
St. David’s School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its admission policies.
