2015-2016 Parent & Student Handbook

School Handbook 2015-2016

The St. Luke’s School Handbook is published and distributed to members of the St. Luke’s School community for the purpose of providing information on aspects of student and campus life. Students, parents, faculty, administration and staff should all read and be familiar with the contents of this Handbook, so that each member of the community knows and understands the expectations of students within our community. This Handbook is not intended to create, nor does it create, a contract or part of a contract in any way, including but not limited to, between St. Luke’s School and any parent, guardian or student affiliated with or attending the School. St. Luke’s School reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to add, revise and/or delete School policies before, during and after the School year.

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Dear St. Luke’s Community, Whether you are new to St. Luke’s or a returning student and family, I hope you will find this Handbook helpful in orienting you to the School. In it, you will find answers to many of your important questions about our policies, guidelines, programs, and organization. You can also learn where to go when you need something, or whom to ask when you need advice.

Please familiarize yourself with the contents of this Handbook.

If you are confused about anything that you read, I encourage you to take your question to any member of the faculty, staff, or administration who will be pleased to help you. Reading this Handbook and asking questions will enable you to take full advantage of the many opportunities that St. Luke’s has to offer. It will also help you understand the policies and procedures that bind us together as a vibrant learning community infused with a spirit of friendliness and respect for one another.

Sincerely,

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Mark C. Davis, Head of School

Important Contact Information

St. Luke’s School 377 North Wilton Road New Canaan, CT 06840 Main Number: (203) 966-5612 Fax Number: (203) 972-3450 Website: www.stlukesct.org

The School’s website is a dynamic part of School life and serves as a key communication tool for the St. Luke’s community. In addition to using it for general School news and the online calendar of events, parents and students can also gain access to password secured information including the full St. Luke’s Community Directory, homework assignments, schedules, grades, report cards and other specific information. There is also a parent email network that is regularly used for timely notices.

All students and faculty have access to Google Apps for Education (including Mail), which can be accessed via the St. Luke’s website. Instructions on how to configure Google Apps for Education are provided during New Student Orientation and throughout the academic year.

The School relies heavily on digital communication through the SLS website and email. Parents unable to access the Internet should contact the Director of Information Technology to make alternative communication arrangements.

Reporting Notification of Absence attendance@stlukesct.org or (203) 801-4911 More information on page 12.

Athletic Schedule Hotline (203) 801-4894

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Contents

Important Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . d

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Mission Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Non-Discrimination Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Character and Honor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Honor Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Academic Integrity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Homework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Cheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Plagiarism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Honor Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Academic Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Course Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Independent Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Academic and Afternoon Activity Conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Course Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Exams and Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Make-Up Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Vacation Homework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Tutoring in the Writing Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Academic Honors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Failure in a Course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Academic Probation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0

Major Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0

Academic Progress Report (APR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0

Standardized Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0

Study Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1

Off Campus Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1

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School Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

General Expectations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3

General Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3

Posters and Decoration of School Spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4

Absences and Attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4

Medical Leave Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5 Punctuality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5

Fire Drills, Lock Down Drills and Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5

Dress Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6

Campus Access to Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7

Leaving Campus During the School Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 Bullying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8

Bullying Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 Hazing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9

Sexual Harassment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9

Technology and Internet Acceptable Use Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0

School Issued vs. Personal Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 Blogging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1

Security and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1

Care and Maintenance of Files and Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2

Damage to the Operating System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2

Loss or Theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2

Personal Apps, Music and Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3

Illegal Drugs, Tobacco and Alcohol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3

Sanctuary Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3

Prohibited Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4

Campus Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4

Student Cars on Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4

Parking Lot Designation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 Daily Life at School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Advisors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6

School Day Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7

School Delays/Cancellations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7

Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8

No Idling Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8

Messages and Materials for Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8

Leaving Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8

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Student Lockers and Book Bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 9 Afternoon Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 9 Food Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 9

General School Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Accreditation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 0 Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 0

Communication with Parents and Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 0

The Spoken Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 0

The Written Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1

Current Family Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2

Dual Households and Disagreements Between Parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2

Visitors to Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3

Student Records and Transcripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3

Lost and Found . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 Leadership and Community Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Community Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 4 Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 4 Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Eligibility and Participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 4

Medical and Other Excuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 5 Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 5 Discipline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Major Offenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 8

Disciplinary Infractions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 9

Middle School Discipline Philosophy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 9

Types of Disciplinary Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 9

Behavioral Expectations While Away From Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1

Parent Involvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1 Student Health Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

School Nurse and Illness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2

Medical Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2

Medications at School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2

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Health Records, Regulations, and Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3

Nut-Based Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 4 Student Support Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Accommodations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 5

Educational Support Services (ESS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 5

Community Support Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 6 Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 6

Reporting Suspected Child Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 6 Financial Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Enrollment Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 8

Charitable Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 8

Parents’ Association Fundraising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 9 Re-Enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Re-Enrollment Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 0

Parental Comportment and Support for School Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 0

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Introduction

Mission Statement An exceptional education that inspires a deep love of learning, a strong moral compass, the commitment to serve, and the confidence to lead.

Non-Discrimination Policy St. Luke’s School admits qualified students of any race, color, gender, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, or disability to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, or disability in the administration of its educational, admissions, scholarship and loan, athletic and other programs. The School is committed to maintaining an academic community in which the dignity and worth of each of its members is respected.

The School also sponsors affinity groups, designed to support students who come from groups that have been historically under-represented in the School population. They provide a safe and stimulating opportunity, during school hours, for students and allies of such groups to support each other, to express themselves, to develop ways to educate the majority population about their culture and concerns, and to understand the shared values that unite them with the entire School community. These affinity groups include: • Multicultural Student Union (MSU) • Black Student Alliance (BSA) • Gender and Sexuality Awareness (GSA) • Young Men of Color (YMOC) • Young Women of Color (YWOC)

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Character and Honor

Honor Code As members of the St. Luke’s community, we will maintain and encourage integrity at all times.We will be honest in what we say and write, and we will show respect for ourselves, each other, and all property.We will treat everyone with kindness, and we will accept responsibility for our actions.

Violations of the Honor Code may result in disciplinary consequences. In the Upper School, students may also appear before the Honor Council.

Academic Integrity Students are expected to be honest in the preparation of daily homework assignments, in the compilation and the preparation of research projects and other papers, and in the preparation for and taking of quizzes, tests, and exams. Academic dishonesty is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Homework Copying another student’s homework, unless the assignment was to study cooperatively, or turning in an assignment that was completed by a tutor or parent, is academic dishonesty. If this occurs, both students—or all involved—will be given a zero for the homework and parents will be called for a conference. Subsequent instances can lead to failure for the marking period. Parents also should not routinely help their child with homework.

Cheating Cheating is copying another student’s work during a quiz, test, or exam; possessing notes, open texts, or other references including the wrongful use of calculators, phones or other electronic devices, unless explicitly authorized by the teacher. Cheating also includes deliberately providing another student with assistance in taking a quiz, test, or exam either inside or outside of class.

If cheating occurs, all parties involved will be given a zero on the test, quiz, or exam with no opportunity for a makeup test.

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Plagiarism Plagiarism is a form of cheating. A student plagiarizes when she or he presents someone else’s ideas, intentionally or unintentionally, as if they were her or his own. Plagiarism may occur intentionally or accidentally, but it is a serious form of academic dishonesty whatever the motivation. Plagiarism occurs when: 1. a student uses someone else’s words—short phrases, sentences, or paragraphs—without giving credit to the source; 2. a student rephrases someone else’s ideas into his or her own words without giving credit to the source; and/or 3. a student omits footnotes which give credit to the source even if the student intended to put them in.

Avoiding plagiarism is simple: give credit in a parenthetical citation or footnote for any idea presented which is not a hundred percent original. Teachers may answer any questions students have about the form of footnotes or about when they should be used. If plagiarism occurs, the assignment will automatically be given a zero. If a student has any questions about how to format properly, she or he must be sure to review with her or his teacher before any drafts are submitted. If in doubt as to whether or not to cite a source, it is better to err on the side of caution and cite it.

Honor Council Upper School disciplinary infractions that challenge our Honor Code may require a student to meet with the Honor Council. This group comprises teachers and students who represent the community and help determine the appropriate response.

The Honor Council is selected in the spring of the previous year by peer and faculty election.

The Honor Council is led by the Director of Character Education and includes five seniors, three juniors, two sophomores, and several faculty representatives. When a student engages in activity that goes against the School’s Honor Code, he or she may be asked to speak to the Honor Council about that offense. The Honor Council is convened at the discretion of the Head of School or Head of Upper School. The Council’s recommendations will go to either the Division Head or the Head of School for a final decision. Students appearing before the Honor Council may be accompanied by their advisor. Parents may not attend these meetings.

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Academic Program

The academic program is central to the St. Luke’s experience. The Curriculum Guide provides detailed information on the course of study and requirements for graduation. This Handbook provides an orientation to other important academic matters.

Course Load Given the rigor of SLS courses and the need for balance and reflective time, Upper School students may not enroll in more than 7 courses each semester. A student may petition for 8 courses to the Head of Upper School, Director of Studies, and (for 11th and 12th graders) the Director of College Counseling. The petition should state why the student wants to take 8 courses and how the student believes he/she would be able to fulfill the obligations of all courses, in addition to his/her other nonacademic commitments. Also, the student’s parents and advisor need to support the student’s petition.

Independent Study In the Upper School, the purpose of Independent Study is to afford students the opportunity to pursue a course of study on a topic that has significant import in the development of their overall academic program. Independent Study courses are meant to enhance, not substitute for, regularly scheduled academic courses. An Independent Study may be added to a five-course load as a sixth course, either semester-long or year-long. Grades and credit for Independent Study appear on students’ transcripts, but Independent Study courses do not factor into grade point average (GPA) calculation.

Academic and Afternoon Activity Conflicts Although active participation in afternoon activities is an essential part of the School experience, a student’s first priority at St. Luke’s is his or her academic work and class attendance. Therefore, extra help will take precedence over practice, particularly for students in academic difficulty. In all cases, a student must attend classes in order to participate in afternoon activities. Students who are absent from more than half their classes may not participate in afternoon activities on that school day unless the appropriate Division Head makes an exception.

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Course Changes Students must obtain a “Request for Schedule Change Form” from the Director of Studies and secure the necessary signatures. A course may only be added within ten class days (within one rotation for AP courses); a course may be dropped anytime, provided that the student is left with at least five courses (not including independent study and some designLab courses). Withdrawals from courses will not show on the transcript if the course is dropped within one month of the first day of school (or, for second semester courses, within one month of the first day of the second semester); after that date, the dropped course will appear on the transcript. If a student changes courses within the same exact discipline-- e.g., from an honors or AP course into a regular section, as from Honors French IV to French IV-- then the report card grade will be calculated by the percentage of time in each class. Students trying to switch course topics within a department-- e.g., from AP European History to World Religions-- would follow the standard Drop/Add procedures and deadlines.

Exams and Tests The purposes of exams for students are: to provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate understanding of concepts; to develop and measure writing skills; to encourage students to synthesize a large body of knowledge into a concise, written work; and to measure each student’s progress. All students in grades nine through twelve will take a March exam in each year-long course in a core academic subject area (English, History, Mathematics, Science, and World Language). The exam grade will be weighted 20% in determining the final grade. All students who take an AP course must take the AP exam. Middle School students do not take March (or year-end) exams, unless they are taking an Upper School year-long course in a core academic subject area (e.g., Honors French II).

Make-Up Test If a student is absent on the day of a test, a make-up test may be taken. If the absence is for the day of the test only, the student is expected to take the test on the day(s) he or she returns to School (exception: medical absences that prevent a student from being able to prepare effectively for the test). If the absence is longer than one day, the student must make arrangements for the make-up test on the day of his or her return. Parents may never excuse students from tests.

Test Completion A student who needs to make up a test or who needs additional time to complete a test, and who is entitled to extended time according to testing on file with Educational Support Services (ESS), will be allowed to complete the test after school. Test completion takes precedence over afternoon activities. Students are required to complete a test on the same day that it was started. A student may not postpone the completion of a test to the following day.

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Vacation Homework Over short vacations, including Thanksgiving, normal homework may be assigned just as homework is assigned over a weekend. However, no tests will be given and no papers will be due on the day of return to School. Over long vacations, such as winter break, a reasonable amount of reading may be assigned. (The level of difficulty in the course will define ‘reasonable’). This will, of course, vary by grade and class, especially AP or honors classes, which often require work to be done over the breaks. Questions about a particular assignment should be referred to the teacher first and then the Department Chair. In addition, if a student is observing a religious holiday, the student should speak with the teacher about appropriate accommodations.

Tutoring in the Writing Process Although tutoring in composition is often helpful, tutors must not do the student’s thinking.

Likewise, parents should not routinely edit their child’s papers or otherwise contribute significantly to the organization in a major writing assignment. A good writing tutor is a writing coach: one who prompts and encourages, but one who stays on the sidelines. Teachers who determine that a student’s work is not his or her own will confer with the student and contact the parents.

Overzealous tutoring is intellectually dishonest – in spite of the tutor’s good intentions – and will result in a penalty ranging from a lowered mark to no credit for the paper.

Grades Letter grades have the following meanings at the School.

A: The

student’s approach to the subject matter communicates a passion for learning; the work not only satisfies the basic expectations of the assignment/course but also excels in several of them for this course or grade level. The work produced by the student: • demonstrates incisive critical thinking • is thorough, persuasive and/or imaginative • is complex and/or deep • contains few if any calculation, grammar, stylistic, or punctuation errors • demonstrates learning thorough mastery of the material; is organized, complete and almost always correct • demonstrates excellent problem-solving skills • demonstrates risk-taking and a willingness to tackle a difficult topic, task, or problem • presents clearly the thinking of the student; the writing, logic, and/or calculation flows well • demonstrates the consistent application of learned theories, principles, or facts to new situations or problems

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B: The

student’s approach to the subject matter is good; the work reflects a level of competence that is the result of applied skills; the work satisfies the essential expectations of the assignment for this course or grade level. The work produced by the student: • is organized, clear, and largely correct in analyses and/or facts; is typically complete and reasonably thorough • is comprehensible and reflects some critical thinking, insight and/or originality • demonstrates good understanding of the material covered by the assignment • demonstrates good problem-solving skills • experiences no difficulty with routine problems and challenging problems elicit reasonable, though not completely correct, answers • may be formulaic or mechanical in its feel: few risks have been taken; does not reach beyond the material presented in the text or the ideas discussed in class • is straightforward and understandable but without depth C: The

student’s approach to the subject matter is competent but it reveals gaps in understanding and/or presentation. The work produced by the student: • is weakened by errors, oversight and/or incomplete analysis • is correct but contains some organizational or structural problems • is uneven in expression and in logic • satisfies some, but not all, of the basic requirements of the assignment: factually, structurally, and/or grammatically; has flaws – it is less than thorough and lacking in detail • demonstrates competent problem-solving skills: simple, straightforward problems pose no difficulty – problems that require making connections and/or applying concepts to new situations often elicit incomplete and/or incorrect responses • is not clearly presented or expressed; contains conclusions that are not sound: the observations are obvious and/or superficial – the paper posits an acceptable thesis but does not support it adequately D: The

student’s approach to the subject matter is of poor quality; it is substandard in several areas for this course or grade level; it reveals little evidence of intellectual curiosity or goal orientation.

The work produced by the student: • is unorganized and unclear; the conclusions are unsound • is misguided: the student has misunderstood the point or gone in an unrelated direction • contains several serious errors or omissions • reflects oversight, incomplete analysis, little attention to detail, and carelessness • is seriously flawed on all but the most basic problems • demonstrates little understanding of concepts and relationships and how they are connected to topics previously studied

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F: The

student’s approach to the subject matter is unacceptable; it is substandard in many areas for this course or grade level; it may suggest a lack of effort and disregard for institutional goals. The work produced by the student: • falls well short of achieving the goals of the assignment • shows little understanding of the material • is largely incomprehensible as presented • is incomplete, is completed incorrectly or is the wrong assignment • contains serious factual errors, including on basic problems • contains mistakes that consistently reflect lack of oversight, incomplete analysis, and carelessness, and an inability to grasp, recall and/or utilize the relationships between concepts.

Please note that these descriptions explain what our letter grades mean, but they do not tell which grades are “good” or “bad”, these evaluations being highly personal and relative. For a very accomplished student, a C may very well be a “bad” grade, while for a student with little background or experience in a subject, the same C may be judged to be a “good” grade.

The following letter grades will apply to their numerical ranges: A+ 97-100 A 93-96 B+ 87-89 B 83-86 C+ 77-79 C 73-76 D+ 67-69 D 63-66 F 0-59

A- 90-92 B- 80-82 C- 70-72 D- 60-62

may be given only in case of legitimate absence from School with too little time remaining in the quarter for make-up. The deadline for completing the course will be one week after the end of the marking period, at which time the incomplete will be converted to a grade and the report card will be updated. Students requiring more than a week to make up Incomplete grades require permission of the Division Head to do so.

An Incomplete

is an option for some courses with the permission of the teacher and the Director of Studies, provided that the course does not fulfill graduation requirements. The commitment to Pass/Fail must be made in the first two weeks of the course and may not be changed.

Pass/Fail

entering during the academic year with grades from another school may have their grades weighted into the year’s average, depending upon individual circumstances.

Transfer Students

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Academic Honors The Honor Roll begins in 8th grade and is determined according to the following: • The Honor Roll is computed using the following quality point scale A+ = 4.33 A = 4.0 A- = 3.67

B+ = 3.33 B = 3.0 B- = 2.67

C+ = 2.33 C = 2.0 C- = 1.67

D+ = 1.33 D = 1.0 D- = 0.67

F = 0.0

• Honors and AP courses are weighted 1/3 of a letter grade for internal GPA and Honor Roll purposes only. Earned (i.e., non-weighted) grades appear on report cards and transcripts.

• High Honors requires a minimum grade point average of 3.75 with no grade lower than a B. Honors requires a minimum grade point average of 3.33 with no grade lower than a B• Classes that meet every day receive one credit; Middle School “specials” in art, music, etc. receive 0.5 credit.

• Physical Education and Life Skills receive 0.25 credit; SLS BrainStorm and Engineering Tomorrow (one semester) receive 0.25 credit; Health and Wellness (one semester) receives 0.5 credit.

• Although Middle School students (except 5th grade) receive letter grades in all subjects, courses such as PE, Life Skills, Art, Music, and Theatre are not be included in the calculation of GPA. In the Upper School, only those art, music, and theater courses taken beyond the oneyear requirement are counted in the GPA calculation. Independent Study projects, Health & Wellness, and some designLab courses are not counted in the GPA calculation.

In 2011 St. Luke’s School became a member of the Cum Laude Society, which was founded in 1906 to recognize scholastic achievement of students in secondary schools. The motto of the society is “Areté, Diké, Timé,” the ancient Greek words for “Excellence, Justice, Honor.” St. Luke’s School student inductees into the Cum Laude Society are those seniors whose coursework is at the highest and most rigorous levels; who have shown high levels of achievement in their studies; and whose participation in class reflects enthusiasm for greater depths of learning. No more than 20% of each graduating class may be inducted into the Cum Laude Society. Cum Laude Society inductees are recognized at the Upper School Awards Ceremony and are officially inducted into the School’s chapter at an induction ceremony in May.

Failure in a Course A student who fails a course may be eligible to make up the credit in an approved summer school program by repeating the course, or by a tutorial, at the discretion of the appropriate Division Head, Director of Studies, and appropriate Department Chair. To make up the credit by means of tutoring, a student must pass an exam approved by the appropriate Division Head, Director of

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Studies, and appropriate Department Chair; the tutor must meet St. Luke’s teaching standards; and the tutorial will require fifteen hours per quarter. Tutoring may recover course credit but will not change the transcript grade.

Academic Probation Academic Probation serves as a serious warning to those students who are failing, nearly failing, or underperforming in more than one class. Division Heads reserve the right to place students on Academic Probation when they think it is appropriate. Otherwise, Academic Probation is assigned to those students whose quarterly GPA is 1.67 or below or to those who receive two grades of D+ or lower. A student may be placed on Academic Probation at the end of any quarter for a period of up to four quarters. A student who is placed on Academic Probation after the fourth quarter (or the end of the school year) will be on Academic Probation the following school year. Students who are on Academic Probation after the first semester will have their re-enrollment contract withheld until year-end grades are submitted in June. A student on Academic Probation who, in the opinion of the administration, does not make significant progress by the end of the school year, may be asked to leave St. Luke’s School.

Major Assignments In general, no more than two major assignments should be given to a student on one day. However, exceptions may occasionally have to be made. Major assignments are posted on the website at least one week in advance to allow the student enough time to prepare adequately.

Academic Progress Report (APR) At their discretion, teachers occasionally send progress reports to parents indicating above or below average performances. In addition, parents may request periodic written reports (roughly every three weeks) on a student’s academic progress by contacting the Director of Studies or appropriate Division Head. However, after the first marking period, students will not receive periodic progress reports in any class in which they have an average of B+ or higher.

Standardized Testing • Students in grades five through eight take the Educational Record Bureau’s CPT4 battery of tests (ERBs). Please note: ninth graders no longer will take the ERBs. • Students in grade nine take the PSAT 9 (i.e., a practice SAT).

• Students in grade ten take the ACT Aspire (i.e. the practice ACT).

• Students in grades ten and eleven take the PSAT. • Students in grades eleven and twelve take the SAT and/or ACT on designated dates each year.

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A system of standardized testing, such as the ERBs and other tests, provides the School with a snapshot of the academic status of the student body at a particular point in time, as well as with data that can be used for assessment of students’ progress over time and for benchmarking purposes by the Division Heads and Director of Studies. However, the School acknowledges that standardized testing is but one means of judging a student’s growth and progress. Teachers will continue to use other assessment vehicles for this purpose, as well. The on-going process of curriculum review is designed to align learning goals with assessments, as well as with teaching strategies.

In order to minimize or eliminate the loss of teaching time, the ERBs are administered on the Monday and Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving Break, during Parent-Teacher Conferences (November 23-24, 2015). Buses will run their normal morning and afternoon routes. Parents should arrange for transportation in order to accommodate the testing schedule. Varsity and JV sports may practice these afternoons. Check with coaches for more information.

The PSAT will be administered on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 for all tenth and eleventh graders. The ACT Aspire will be administered on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 for all tenth graders. The PSAT 9 will be administered on Friday, December 11, 2015 for all ninth graders. The School is responsible for the registration and cost of these tests.

Study Hall All students in grades seven and eight must attend study hall except those eighth graders who have earned High Honors status. Loss of High Honors status will result in reassignment to study hall.

Upper School students who, in the opinion of their teachers, advisors and/or Class Deans, need a structured and supervised time to work, may be assigned to a study hall at any time. The Head of Upper School will make the final decision on study hall placement.

Off Campus Study From time to time students wish to study off campus for a portion of their time at St. Luke’s School. The School does allow a limited number of students in grades 10 and 11 who are deemed to be in good academic standing to study off campus at an approved program. Seniors are not permitted to study away.

Students interested in an off campus program, either domestic or international, must first speak with the Director of Global Education who will explain and guide them through the process.

The Off Campus Study Committee will decide who may apply to study off campus and if the program meets St. Luke’s standards. Once approved, the student/s and parents are responsible for completing and financing the application for their program away. St. Luke’s financial aid does not apply to off campus programs. Families will be expected to pay a fee in order to retain their spot at St. Luke’s School. Upon their return, students will be expected to share their experiences with the St. Luke’s community.

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Important Deadlines: October 15th: Interested students submit a letter to the Director of Global Education informing St. Luke’s of the student’s intent to study off campus the following school year.

Mid-November: Students are informed if they will be permitted to study away for the following school year.

June 1st: Parents pay re-enrollment and additional fees necessary to retain student’s spot at St. Luke’s School.

Student who do not meet these deadlines may not be considered for study off campus.

Participating in an off-campus program has implications for academic planning and college planning. Students and their families must meet with the Director of Global Education in order to discuss the planning and process for studying off campus as well as the academic considerations.

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School Rules

General Expectations To function as a healthy community, we have a number of general expectations for students.

• We expect that students will attend their scheduled classes, events, and activities. We expect them to do the work and function in those classes to the best of their ability.

• We expect students to behave appropriately and with respect for each other as well as for faculty, staff, administrators, and parents.

• St. Luke’s School is a community, and and we expect students to recognize the role each person plays in building that community.

• Students are expected to respect the differences among people.

• We expect that students will abide by all school rules.

Anyone who feels that she or he has the grounds to do so may question a rule. However, before challenging a rule, one should take time to consider it in terms of the whole School.

General Behavior St. Luke’s encourages active participation during classes, maintaining an atmosphere that is structured but flexible. Students should conduct themselves during classes in a manner that supports the learning goals of the class. At no time should a student’s behavior interfere with a classmate’s learning.

Use of common space is an important reflection of our community. Therefore, we expect students to behave in a way that respects people and property at all times and supports the community. Specifically, students may not sit or lie on the floor in the hallways or lie down on the furniture in the Commons. When leaving an area, whether it is by the student’s locker, a cafeteria table, or a commons sitting area, students are expected to pick up all belongings and clear away all trash. The School is not responsible for personal items left in public spaces.

Inappropriate physical contact (as deemed so by a member of the faculty, staff, or administration) is prohibited and includes physical displays of affection. Students are not allowed to chew gum in School, and they may only eat food in the cafeteria. Students may carry water in closeable containers in School. Faculty or staff may address any hallway behavior that they deem disruptive or inappropriate.

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Posters and Decoration of School Spaces Team captains, club leaders, and others wishing to hang posters or flyers should use bulletin boards where possible. Please take the posters and flyers down promptly after the event.

Students wishing to decorate for a larger event should coordinate with the Assistant Head of Middle School and the Upper School Dean of Student Life. There is a dedicated space in the Student Commons for festive decorations.

Absences and Attendance St. Luke’s believes that regular class attendance and participation are essential for learning. All students should make every effort to attend class so that they may take full advantage of the School environment. In addition, the lessons learned by making every effort to meet one’s commitments on time are important for life-long habits. Consequently, St. Luke’s has adopted the following absence policies.

A student who misses more than twelve days in a single class in a semester and is not on approved medical leave (see below) automatically will receive a penalty to his or her grade. At absence #13, a student will receive an automatic 2/3 grade drop. i.e., an A grade lowers to a B+, a B- grade lowers to a C, etc. With each successive absence, that student will receive an additional 1/3 letter grade drop, i.e., a student with 16 absences and an A average in a course would have to have his/her grade lower to C+ [absence #13= 2/3 drop (to B+), then absences #14-16= 1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 drop (to C+)].

Class attendance is recorded for each class. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the teachers immediately upon return to make up any missed assignments. Failure to make these arrangements or to follow the make-up test policy can result in failure on that assignment.

If it is determined that a student has cut a class, he or she may not receive credit for any work due during that class period and will likely serve a Saturday detention.

All absences from class count toward the limit of 12 per semester, unless the absence is exempt (see below). All absences from School should be reported by 9:00am. Parents should email: attendance@stlukesct.org.

Exempt Absences Student absences are exempted in following circumstances: • Religious holidays not marked by the School calendar • School-sponsored field trip or early dismissals for SLS athletics • Up to five approved college visiting days for seniors and up to three approved college visiting days for juniors in the spring term only • Medical Leave / Medically Documented Absence Planned Absences When students are required to miss school for a planned event, they should obtain a planned absence form and bring it to all of their teachers for signatures. This process ensures that students

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have conversations with their teachers before they miss class. Before leaving, a student must bring the form to the Assistant Head of Middle School or Upper School Community Life Associate so that it can be properly recorded. Absences due to family trips or extended vacations during the academic year are strongly discouraged.

College Visit Absences College visits require a student to submit a form available from the College Counseling office one week prior to the proposed college visit, stating specific dates that they plan to visit. Seniors are exempt for up to five days of school for college visits and juniors are exempt for up to three days of school for college visits. Before leaving, a student must bring the form to the Community Life Associate so that it can be properly recorded.

Medical Leave Policy In extreme mental or physical health situations, which require everyone to prioritize the student’s recovery, the School, or the student and his or her parents, may recommend or request a short or long-term medical leave for the student. In the case of chronic illnesses and other severe medical issues that recur, the student may be eligible for a Medically Documented Absence. Information about these policies may be obtained from the School Nurse or the appropriate Division Head. The details of a student’s medical leave will be worked out individually with each family needing such a provision.

Punctuality Students are urged to get to school on time. Chronic lateness to school and to class is disruptive to the learning environment and detrimental to the student’s academic progress. Tardiness to a single class more than three times in a semester may result in further academic and/or disciplinary action. Students and their parents are responsible for keeping track of the tardiness in each class, via information on the back page (login section) of the website.

Fire Drills, Lock Down Drills and Alarms Fire drills and lock down drills will be held during the year to ensure quick and orderly safety procedures are followed in the buildings. Since the unnecessary use of fire extinguishers presents a serious safety hazard to the people inside the School, the School prohibits students from using an extinguisher for any reason other than its intended use. Students should be aware that the pulling of fire alarms is not only against School rules, but it is also a crime. In the case of a fire drill or fire alarm, students must remain outside the building until recalled by a member of the administration.

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Dress Code Philosophy The St. Luke’s mission promotes the personal pursuit of excellence at every level: academic, social, and athletic. One important component of this pursuit is a dress code. When students follow a dress code, it takes the emphasis off appearance and places it on learning. While St. Luke’s fosters individuality, the dress code intends to establish consistent and predictable dress standards that reduce high fashion statements and the inevitable competition that often follows. School attire should reflect modesty and moderation at all times.

General Rules for Both Boys and Girls • Students should be dressed neatly and modestly. In all cases the final decision rests with the Dean of Upper School Student Life and the Assistant Head of Middle School.

• Students may wear solid-colored chinos (khaki style pants) in any color except black. No external back pockets, denim, denim-style, or cargo pants.

• Pants are to be worn above the hips.

• Outerwear inside the building is limited to knit sweaters, polar fleeces, and any St. Luke’s monogrammed outerwear.

• No hats are to be worn in the building at any time, unless for religious or cultural purposes.

• Solid-colored, closed-toe, shoes or boots, including sneakers (no high tops; excessive heels, crocs, slippers, and flip-flops are not acceptable).

Dress Code for Boys The general rules above, plus: • Traditional collared oxford dress shirt. Flannel shirts are not allowed. Shirts must be tucked in.

• Traditional dress or bow tie.

• Belts must be worn at all times.

Dress Code for Girls The general rules above, plus: • Traditional collared oxford dress shirt. Flannel shirts are not allowed.

• Capri or ¾ length pants that otherwise follow the general pants rule above are acceptable.

• The following skirts, with a length of no more than 3 inches above the knee, may be worn: • Dennis Uniform Co. Skort #03517 in colors Navy, Khaki, and Black Dennis • Dennis Uniform Co. Skort #05521 in colors Black Watch Plaid, Navy, Black, and Gray.

• Solid-colored tights, stockings or leggings may be worn with a skirt.

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Spring Dress Code (4th Quarter) All of the above dress. In addition, students may wear a properly fitting traditional 2/3-button polo shirt. Rugby shirts are not permitted. Shoulders and midriffs must be covered at all times.

• Boys may also wear solid-colored, tailored, non-athletic Bermuda shorts. These shorts must fall no more than three inches above the knee.

• Boys may also choose to not wear a tie.

Dress-Down Day Dress Code (Includes Spirit Week & US Exams ) In addition to the guidelines above, students may wear the following: • denim • shirts without collars • non-uniform skirts of appropriate length (3” above the knee) Music Performance Dress Code Students participating in Choir and Band will need the following for their performances: Middle School

• 5th Grade—SLS Dress Code; no Uggs or boots.

• 6th Grade Band/Choir—Girls: Black dress code pants or black skirt with black tights; white oxford shirt; black socks; dark shoes.Boys: Black dress code pants; white oxford shirt; belt; tie, any color; black socks; dark shoes • 7th/8th Grade Boys Choir—Khaki dress code pants; white oxford shirt; dress code shoes; ties; navy blue blazer.

• 7th/8th Grade Girls Choir—Black dress code pants or black skirt with black tights; white, blue and pink oxford shirts (the girls will choose one for each performance); black socks; dark shoes.

• Prep Band—Girls: Black dress code pants or black skirt with black tights; white oxford shirt; black socks; dark shoes. Boys: Black dress code pants; white oxford shirt; belt; tie, any color; black socks; dark shoes.

Upper School

• Concert Band, Chorus, Chorale, and a cappella groups: dress code is set by the department and will include an additional fee.

• For concert attire, families will be informed of the details at the beginning of the school year.

Campus Access to Students The following areas are off-limits to students at all times: fire escapes; roofs of buildings; driveways, and the parking lots during the academic day, including seniors unless they are leaving from or returning to School; all wooded areas; all storage areas; the Faculty Room; and the Copy Room. In addition, the following areas may only be used by students if supervision is provided by a teacher:

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the Seldin Performing Arts Center; the Black Box Theater; the Computer Lab; the music rooms; the Center For Leadership; the Seminar Room; the Middle School gym; Athletic Center (including the Weight Room, Multi-Purpose Room, Bornstein Room, Whitcomb Room, Squash Courts, and Athletic Trainer’s office); department offices; and teachers’ offices. When walking to the Art House, students are to stay on the paved sidewalks at all times and are to step into the driveways or parking lots only at the designated crosswalks.

Leaving Campus During the School Day Only seniors may have the privilege of leaving School during their lunch period, free periods or between the end of classes and afternoon activities. Seniors must submit permission slips signed by parents at the beginning of the year and sign out when leaving the building. This is a privilege that can be revoked. All other students must stay on campus until the end of their last commitment (including afternoon activities).

Bullying Bullying is defined as follows: A. the use by one or more students of a written, oral, or electronic communication, such as cyber-bullying, directed at or referring to another person, or

a physical act or gesture by one or more students directed at another person, that: • causes physical or emotional harm to such person or damage to such person’s property, • places such person in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself, or of damage to his or her property, • creates a hostile environment at the School, • infringes on the rights of such person at School, or • substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of the School.

B.

Bullying is strictly prohibited.

Bullying Reporting If any student believes that he/she is being bullied by another student, he/she is responsible for reporting this to a teacher or administrator in person, in writing or through a third party. Parents may also notify the School of suspected bullying. Division Heads will investigate any reports, as needed, and will notify the parents or guardians of students who allegedly bullied, as well as the parents of the alleged victims. The reported incident(s) and potential consequences will be discussed with the accused student(s). Deliberately false reports or accusations of bullying will not be tolerated.

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Reports of bullying may be made anonymously; however, it is unlikely that the School will take any disciplinary action based on anonymous reports.

St. Luke’s prohibits retaliation or intimidation against complaining students or witnesses.

Hazing Hazing or any conduct or method of initiation into any organization or athletic team, which endangers the physical or mental health or safety of another student, is strictly forbidden.

“Hazing” is defined as any action which recklessly or intentionally endangers the health or safety of a person for the purpose of initiation, admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization. “Hazing” includes, but is not be limited to: • Requiring indecent exposure of the body; • Requiring any activity that would subject the person to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation or extended isolation from social contact; • Confinement of the person to unreasonably small, unventilated, unsanitary or unlighted areas; • Any assault upon the person; or • Requiring the ingestion of any substance or any other physical activity which could adversely affect the health or safety of the individual.

If any student believes that he or she was hazed or may be hazed in the future, the student is responsible for reporting such activity to a teacher or administrator in person, in writing, or through a third party.

St. Luke’s prohibits retaliation or intimidation against complaining students or witnesses.

Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment is defined as an unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or verbal, written or electronic information of a sexual nature when such conduct or information sharing is made a term or condition of a student’s educational success or creates an offensive or hostile educational environment.

Students are encouraged to prevent, report and correct any instances of harassment whether committed by a student, employee or other individual on or off the School’s premises by promptly reporting the matter to the Head of School, Division Head, or Director of Character Education. The complaint will be promptly investigated and the complainant and alleged harasser will be informed of the outcome. The local police may be contacted, if appropriate.

As with other forms of harassment, the School will review complaints with as much confidentiality as possible, consistent with a full and fair resolution. St. Luke’s will not tolerate any form of retaliation or intimidation of complaining students or witnesses.

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Technology and Internet Acceptable Use Policy The St. Luke’s School’s Technology and Internet Acceptable Use Policy describes the approved use of the use of SLS and student-owned network devices whether connected to the Internet or not. Student use of technology is to be guided by the same principles identified in the Character and Honor section of this handbook. Unacceptable use of technology or the Internet can result in disciplinary action. Students who do not comply with this policy will be referred to the appropriate divisional authority. Use of technology and the Internet at St. Luke’s is a privilege, and students should not have an expectation of privacy in anything they create, store, send or receive. St. Luke’s does review devices and user content from time-to-time to ensure compliance.

All computer and Internet use—whether on personal or school-issued devices—must be carried out in an appropriate manner. “Appropriate” in this context means a responsible, ethical, respectful and legal manner. Each student is responsible for content they generate and store on their device(s), share on a data store, distribute via Email or post to any social media platform. Students are expected to behave ethically and be respectful of others. Intellectual property rights must be understood and respected. A good guideline is to ensure all content created or accessed is on par with what might normally be found in a school or public library.

Examples of Appropriate Use • Conduct online research and explore appropriate sites on the World Wide Web • Send electronic messages to other users, both in and outside of the SLS community • Connect SLS devices to the Internet while offsite • Post appropriate content to various blogs or social media sites so long as such activity does not interfere in any way with the academic pursuits of any student • Use devices for academic, school-related, scheduling, organization and self-management purposes Students may NOT use Technology or the Internet at St. Luke’s to: • Engage in activities that are illegal, dangerous or disruptive including discussion about committing these acts • Communicate using obscene, prejudicial, disrespectful or threatening language or pictures • Plagiarize using information found online. (See the section entitled “Plagiarism” in this handbook for more information.)

• Send, receive or use copyrighted material without permission, including computer software, text, video or audio clips.

• Email chain letters or spam. (Spamming is sending one or more annoying or unnecessary messages to large numbers of people.)

• Record audio or video in school locker rooms or bathrooms

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School-issued vs. Personal Devices School-issued iPad and laptop devices are intended to be used every day for classroom work, performing research, receiving school messages, maintaining calendars and communicating via email. Students are responsible for checking communication from their teachers and the school at least once each school day. School-issued iPads and laptops are to be brought—fully charged—to school each day.

St. Luke’s discourages the use of personal devices—phones, laptops, tablets—in 5th and 6th grades. In 7th and 8th grade students may bring personal laptops to school only after obtaining specific permission following a discussion with their advisor and completing the ‘personal device agreement form,’ which is signed by the advisor, student and parent.

Regardless of device ownership, all students are expected to refrain from using technology for personal reasons during time that would normally be devoted to school activities. No student may use a personal device in any manner not in agreement with this policy.

Blogging St. Luke’s web blogs are intended to provide a safe, structured, and educationally-oriented forum for students to share their writing and comment on the written work of others. The same acceptable use guidelines in this policy apply to SLS Blogs. Additionally, students must: • Not share passwords associated with their blog • Take personal responsibility for all of their writing. Users may not post anonymously, pose as someone else, nor allow another person to post posing as them • Not post links to content or materials that they have not thoroughly reviewed to ensure that referenced material meets with guidelines of this policy

Security and Privacy Students are expected to: • Use only their own or their SLS-issued devices, subscriptions and log-ins • Protect each device with a password. Passwords must be kept confidential.

• Leave asset tags (identification tags) on hardware and cases • Unlock the iPad or laptop at the request of any staff member, or parent/ guardian. Parents/ guardians are encouraged to regularly check the content of students’ iPads and laptops.

Care and Maintenance of Files and Devices It is the responsibility of the user to backup his or her device on a regular basis. Every student should presume his or her hard device could fail at any time. In general, there should be no reason to save school work on the device’s hard drive - students will be trained how to backup the data on their devices to cloud storage.

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Students are expected to care for their iPad and laptop both at school and at home. Devices should not be subjected to excessive weight, temperature extremes or direct sunlight. To prevent damage, cords and cables must be carefully inserted into the device. iPads and laptops come with school-issued cases, which must remain on the devices at all times. When not in use, close the case. This will save battery life and protect the screen. Device screens are delicate and should be treated gently. Devices should be cleaned with cotton or chamois screen cleaners. No chemical cleaners should be used.

SLS-issued devices and protective cases are the property of SLS—students may decorate and personalize their devices, but not damage them in any way.

Damage If a device should break or malfunction, the student should bring it immediately to the Brainstorm Lab (our own on-site SLS Genius Bar!). If a device needs to be sent for repair, the student will be provided with a loaner until repairs are complete. Neither laptops nor iPads should be brought to the Apple store - or any other repair store - as doing so will void the manufacturer’s warranty and you would therefore be required to pay the complete replacement cost of the device. Although

students in the SLS 1+1 program pay a fee that covers the cost of the devices, software and maintenance, this fee does not cover all of the costs associated with lost or damaged devices. If a device breaks due to student negligence, the following fee schedule will be used: For iPads

1st repair 2nd repair 3rd repair model)

$ 50.00 $100.00 Full cost (which can range from $265 to $500 or more, depending on the

For Laptops, a $75 service fee will be charged per incident.

For accessories, such as charging cables and cases, the first replacement

will be at no charge.

Subsequent incidents will result in a charge for the full replacement cost.

Damage to the operating system Changes to or altering of the device’s operating system, including jailbreaking, is prohibited.

Jailbreaking voids the device warrantee and may result in a fee and disciplinary action.

Loss or Theft If an SLS-owned iPad or laptop is lost or stolen, it must be reported to the technology staff immediately. Status of the recovery should also be reported to the technology staff. Depending on the circumstances, students may be responsible for full replacement cost.

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Personal Apps, Music and Games iPads and laptops are being implemented for educational activities, but it is recognized that students may want to add their own apps, music or games. Contingent on available space on the iPad or laptop, students may add their own apps, music, and games by using a personal or family Apple ID account. All apps, music and games are subject to the guidelines of this policy. This includes music lyrics. If unacceptable items are installed on the iPad or laptop, the device will be restored to its original content/image. SLS does not accept responsibility for the loss of any apps, music, games, or documents deleted from a student device due to a reformat and/or re-image of the iPad. The use of personal apps, music, texting and games while at SLS, is up to the classroom teacher or the personnel supervising a designated area or event. Violations will be reported to the dean of students. Teachers may also remove the iPad or laptop from student use for their designated class period. Students may be asked to delete personal apps, music, photos or other content if storage space on the iPad or laptop is needed for academic purposes.

Facebook Policy Currently enrolled students may not be “friends” with any St. Luke’s employees (Exception: employees may ’friend’ their own children who attend St. Luke’s.)

Illegal Drugs, Tobacco and Alcohol Students are prohibited from possessing, using or transferring illegal drugs or alcohol in violation of state or federal law, whether on or off campus or during a School-related activity. In addition, alcohol or tobacco use or possession is not permitted at any time anywhere on the School grounds or during any School-sponsored event, regardless of the age of the student. The School reserves the right to utilize a breathalyzer at School events. Additionally, suspected violations of the law may be reported to police authorities.

Sanctuary Policy The School’s Sanctuary Policy provides students with a way to access support around alcohol and substance abuse issues without concern that reaching out for help will trigger the disciplinary process.

The use and abuse of alcohol and drugs can lead to serious health consequences; as a way of letting students know that their health and safety are of paramount concern, the School wants to encourage students to ask for help should they find themselves impaired or ill. Any student may invoke this policy on his or her own behalf, or on behalf of another student, simply by contacting anyone on the faculty, staff or administration at the School and using the term “Sanctuary.” Sanctuary may be invoked due to the ill-effects of recent ingestion of a banned substance, chronic substance use or abuse, or past use or abuse that may be impairing functioning at School. If a student is already involved in the disciplinary process due to alcohol or substance abuse, this Sanctuary Policy may not be invoked.

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If a student invokes Sanctuary, he or she is immediately referred to an administrator, who will determine if immediate medical attention is warranted, and/or if any follow up evaluation or counseling is needed in an off-campus medical or substance abuse treatment program. The student’s parents, advisor and division head will also be notified of the student’s invocation of the Sanctuary Policy. The School reserves the right to notify parents if, in the School’s sole judgment, the student’s condition poses a substantial physical threat to his or her own well-being or the health and safety of others.

Prohibited Items The following items may not be brought to School or used on School property at any time. Any restricted item will be confiscated and may not be returned: • Any weapon, firearm, including a facsimile gun, bb-gun, paintball gun, stun gun, air gun, knife, explosive device, fireworks, or dangerous object not approved for School use • Skateboards, scooters, hover boards, or roller blades (including sneakers with rollers) • Laser pointers

Campus Safety Inspection of all lockers, desks, cabinets, files, briefcases and backpacks, automobiles and other places or items on campus is possible at any time if the School deems it necessary. Students exercise control over their belongings in relation to other students, but not from the School and its officials, or law enforcement.

Student Cars on Campus Parking on campus at St. Luke’s is a convenience afforded to seniors only. The School does not permit any student to park on nearby roads. Carpools are strongly encouraged. Seniors parking on campus must register their car with the Community Life Associate and receive a parking permit, which must be displayed on the rear view mirror when on campus. Students who do not register their car properly at school are not permitted to park on campus. Campus speed limit is 10 m.p.h.

Parking in the wrong place, speeding, texting while driving, and/or reckless driving on School grounds will result in the loss of the parking permit. Juniors and sophomores who have a driver’s license may not drive or park on campus during school hours, 7:45am to 4:00pm. Violation of this rule may result in a Saturday detention or in the suspension of parking privileges during senior year.

Things to remember: • Only seniors may park at School.

• Traffic by the School building circle is all ONE WAY. • Students must drive SLOWLY at all times. The campus speed limit is 10 m.p.h.

• Students must obey all of the rules of the road and operate their vehicle safely at all times.

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• All cars driven by students must be registered with the Community Life Associate.

• Parking passes must be hung on the rearview mirror of any vehicle parked on campus.

• Students are not allowed to park along the hill or nearby roads at any time or in the “A”, “B” or “E” parking lots. These parking lots are reserved for faculty, staff and visitors. Students may ONLY park in the “C” and “D” lots.

• Students may transport other students as passengers only if authorized by motor vehicle laws and with the consent of both the operator’s and the passenger’s parents.

• Seniors may leave campus during free periods, provided there is a parental permission form on file and all off-campus rules are followed. When returning to campus, students are prohibited from parking in the faculty, staff, and visitor parking lots.

Parking Lot Designation A Lot: along the hill, closest to the main school building (for faculty/staff/visitors B Lot: next to the tennis courts (for faculty/staff/visitors only).

C Lot: past the footbridge, on the left; below the B Lot (for seniors).

D Lot: near the Art Building (for seniors and overflow parking).

E Lot: near the Athletic Center (for faculty/staff/visitors).

only).

Failure to comply with any of these rules will result in the temporary or permanent loss of the parking permit. .

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Daily Life at School

Advisors Every student at St. Luke’s is assigned to an advisor. This faculty or staff member is the student and parents’ primary point person for all matters and helps students understand what it means to be a student at St. Luke’s School. Advisors have a sense of what is going on with their advisees in School, and any significant events outside of school should be related to the advisor so that he or she can support the student appropriately.

The St. Luke’s School mission is clear about its goals for students as they proceed through the grades and reach graduation. “A St. Luke’s School education prepares students for a lifelong commitment to learning and social responsibility. The School sets high academic standards, stimulates individual talents and prepares students for a rewarding college experience.” This preparation derives from the concerted efforts of the faculty and administration to implement a rigorous and contemporary curriculum, individualized as necessary for the needs of each student. Nonetheless, during a student’s journey from fifth to twelfth grade, many decisions need to be made concerning an appropriate academic course of study. In the earlier grades, most courses follow a prescribed sequence with variables only in the areas of math placement and choice of world language; however, in the Upper School, more options are available—and more choices must be made.

The Curriculum Guide includes flow charts of possible course sequences in each discipline, as well as other information about graduation requirements, and criteria for placement in honors and AP courses. In addition, St. Luke’s provides a number of opportunities to receive advice about making decisions concerning such topics as choice of electives, how many advanced courses to take, and college expectations. We encourage parents and students to take advantage of the full range of expertise and advice available at St. Luke’s. Please feel free to contact any or all of these resources: • The Advisor is familiar with the student’s personal preferences, strengths and weaknesses. He or she can be useful in choosing electives as well as gauging an appropriate course load for each advisee.

• The Director of Studies is knowledgeable about course sequences and can be helpful with longrange planning. He creates individual schedules and can advise about the various possibilities and alternatives that a student may have.

• Department Chairs know the specifics of particular courses and their levels of difficulty. They can also elaborate on the criteria used for honors and AP placement.

• The College Counselors can provide information about academic choices as they relate to the college process.

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• Division Heads and Assistant Division Heads have information unique to the Middle and Upper Schools.

The most important factors to be considered when making these decisions are the student’s interests and abilities. The goal each year should be to take a course of study that is appropriately demanding and challenging, given those interests and abilities.

School Day Schedule The academic part of the school day runs from 8:00am until roughly 2:50pm most days; typically on Wednesdays students have a later, 9:00am start (due to faculty meetings running from 7:45-8:45am those days). Afterschool activities follow the academic school day: most Middle School activities and some Upper School activities run from roughly 3:00-3:45pm Monday-Thursday. JV and Varsity athletic practices run from 3:45-5:45pm Monday-Thursday and 3:30-5:30pm on Fridays.

School Delays/Cancellations Should weather or emergency conditions make it necessary to close School, to open late, or to dismiss early, announcements of early dismissal will be made: • on the School website at www.stlukesct.org • when possible, by phone message • when possible, on the following local radio and TV stations: WGCH 1490 Greenwich; WSTC 1400 Stamford; WEBE 108; WCTZ 96.7 Fairfield County; WEFX 95.9; WNLK 1350; Channel 3/Local CBS; Channel 6/WNBC 30; Channel 8/Local ABC; Channel 12/NEWS 12 CT; www.ctweather.com

When the administration deems it necessary to dismiss students early due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, parents will be contacted as soon as possible by both email and phone broadcast messages. Due to the sudden nature of these dismissals, families are encouraged to make arrangements with other St. Luke’s families so that they can carpool, in the event that a parent is not available for pick up. All students who drive will be allowed to leave on their own accord. Other students must wait for buses or parents in the designated areas in the School.

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Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures The School asks that parents assist to improve the drop-off and pick-up process. Following these steps may alleviate long car back-ups, particularly at the beginning or end of the school day: • Carpool, if possible, or use School van transportation, when available.

• Discuss with your child your pick-up location and have him or her wait for you there. (St. Luke’s discourages Middle School students from meeting their parents by the Art House, as that area is not regularly supervised.)

• If you arrive at your agreed upon location and your child is not there, please move out of the road or circle and allow others to move up to those students who are ready and waiting. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated.

• Please arrange your arrival time for no earlier than the end of the school day, and encourage your child to do the same, as early arrivals may lead to long lines and delays.

No Idling Policy The School’s commitment to being as environmentally friendly as possible has led to the establishment of a No Idling Policy. All drivers who are waiting in their cars for student pick-up must turn off their engines if they anticipate being stationary for more than two minutes. Idling releases many fumes and toxins into the air that are harmful to our community as well as the atmosphere. Your cooperation with this policy is appreciated.

Messages and Materials for Students Parents and students are strongly urged to be clear about their after-school pick-up time and place to avoid confusion prior to coming to School. In the event of an emergency, if parents need to contact their child during the day, they may leave a message with the Receptionist. Messages will not be hand-delivered to students in class, except in the case of an extreme emergency. Please be aware that students cannot be paged over the public address system unless it is an absolute emergency. Any pick-up or delivery of student materials is also handled through the Receptionist.

Leaving Campus Students who leave School during the school day or are picked up early must bring a note from their parents to the School Nurse before they leave campus. Students are not permitted to leave the campus without this note first being delivered to the Nurse during the school day, which officially ends with the completion of afternoon activities. Exception: Seniors who have no obligations on campus and have a signed off-campus permission form. All students leaving campus during the school day, or being picked up early, must sign out at the front desk.

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Student Lockers and Book Bags St. Luke’s School will issue locker assignments to each student. Students are not to change their lockers without authorization. Lockers must be locked at all times. Students are urged not to bring any valuables to School and only bring the money that is needed for the day. That money should be kept on them at all times. The School cannot accept responsibility for personal property, but provides lockers that help keep items secure. The School also reserves the right to search lockers and bags.

Book bags may be used to transport books to and from School. No bag may be carried during the school day or left out on the floor in the Community Court, Commons, College Counseling Office, hallways, or classrooms. This policy applies to not only backpacks but also to athletic bags and duffels. Students should use their lockers for storing and retrieving books and athletic equipment, and plan to access it several times a day if necessary. Those violating this rule may have their bags confiscated and repeat offenders may face disciplinary consequences..

Afternoon Activities St. Luke’s offers a wide array of afternoon activities to enrich the educational experience of our students. These include athletics as well as theater arts, a school newspaper, and a variety of other programs led by faculty and staff.

Students in grades five through nine are required to participate in a fall season and a spring season afternoon activity; participation in the winter season is encouraged but optional. Students in grade twelve may be exempt from one of the three seasons.

Food Service Lunch and afternoon snack are provided daily to all students. Students should eat during their assigned lunch period. If they are free before their assigned lunch period, they may proceed with lunch as long as all students assigned to that lunch period have first been served.

Occasionally groups such as advisories or clubs may wish to order food from off campus for special occasions; this can only be done by an SLS faculty or staff member. Parents and students may not bring food from outside vendors to School for consumption on campus by either themselves or others.

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General School Information

Accreditation The School is accredited by the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The School is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

Governance The School is a non-profit organization, governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees. For a list of current trustees, please refer to the School’s website.

Communication with Parents and Students St. Luke’s School values and encourages the active involvement and support of the parents of its students. In order to foster this involvement and support, timely, honest, and meaningful communication is essential. A number of different vehicles exist to provide the opportunity for this communication.

Relationships with our families are facilitated by regular contact. Parents and students can use either phone or email for communicating with teachers, advisors and administrators. In general, if you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s experience at St. Luke’s, your first point of contact is the student’s advisor.

Each student is assigned an advisor who is the person for teachers, coaches, and parents to consult when a student concern arises. The role of the advisor becomes increasingly significant in the Upper School as students become more independent in advocating for themselves. Parents and students should feel free to contact their student’s advisor throughout the year.

The Spoken Word • In September, parents are invited to a Parents’ Night, where, after hearing introductory comments from the respective Division Heads, they visit each of their child’s classes. Teachers provide an overview of the course curriculum and answer general questions about the course.

• October marks the annual State of the School, which includes a reception followed by a presentation by the Head of School and the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

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• Parent-Advisor conferences are scheduled on a half-day in mid-October.

• In November, two days are set aside for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Parents have the opportunity to meet with each of their child’s teachers to discuss the student’s progress toward goals for the year.

• For a half-day in early March, Parent-Student-Advisor Conferences are scheduled in the Middle School to discuss the course of study for the following year.

• Conferences may also be arranged at other times during the year. If either a parent or teacher feels the need to meet, a conference involving parents and all of the child’s teachers can be coordinated by the advisor.

• Parents may also contact their child’s advisor to discuss concerns or to ask both general and specific questions about the School. Normally, advisors will contact parents at the beginning of the year and then periodically throughout the year, often following the end of an academic quarter.

• The Parents’ Association has meetings during which time is set aside for presentations and questions/answer sessions with different School personnel and departments.

The Written Word • Report cards are prepared and made available online at the end of each of the four academic quarters. In the Upper School, first and fourth quarter report cards contain grades only; detailed comments about the material covered and the student’s performance are included after the second and third quarters. In the Middle School, first and third quarter report cards contain grades only; comments are included after the second and fourth quarters. 5th grade students do not receive grades; parents receive anecdotal reports at the end of each trimester.

6th grade students receive their first graded report card at the end of the 2nd Quarter.

• Advisors in the Upper School will also write a one to two paragraph summary of each advisee’s overall development during the school year. This summary will be included as a comment on the fourth quarter report card.

• Teachers may send Academic Progress Reports (APRs) at any time to inform parents about significant academic events or trends at School, both positive and negative. Advisors, Class Deans, and the appropriate Division Head receive copies of these reports. Teachers may also use APRs at mid-semester if they feel the need to expand upon the letter grade provided on the quarterly report card.

• Useful publications are the Curriculum Guide, which includes the St. Luke’s course of study, departmental goals, and course descriptions; this Handbook, which includes school policies, procedures and other important information; and the Directory.

• The School’s Web site, www.stlukesct.org serves as a key communication tool for everyone in the St. Luke’s community. The site contains a vast amount of information about programs, faculty, activities and events. It may be used to check the school calendar for all events and Parents’ Association activities, review daily homework assignments, view report cards, see

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photo galleries of recent School happenings, learn about opportunities for giving, read about general School news and much more.

• Publications include 377 The Magazine for St. Luke’s School and the Annual Report.

• The School and the Parents’ Association use email regularly to communicate important news or upcoming events. From the classroom teacher, to the Department Chairs, to the Division Heads, to the Class Deans, to the Advisors, to other members of the School administration, St. Luke’s School is committed to communicating actively with parents to keep them adequately informed about their children’s education, growth, and development.

Current Family Contact Information The School must have current contact information for parents or caregivers. If parents move during the year, or if a home, office, or mobile number or email address changes, parents should email new information to websiteupdates@stlukesct.org. All address and contact information changes are required in writing or via email to guarantee an accurate recording of information.

Dual Households and Disagreements Between Parents St. Luke’s School is required by law to assume, and will assume, subject only to the exception specified below, that each natural or adoptive parent has equal rights and obligations in all matters concerning that child. The law directs us further to assume that neither natural parent has any exclusionary or directive power regarding the rights and obligations of the other parent. To that end, St. Luke’s requires that the names and contact information of both custodial parents be given to the School upon enrollment. Both parents will then receive all relevant information. The only exception to this policy will be when the School is provided with certified copies of court-recorded divorce or other documents that permit or direct one parent to make definitive decisions with regard to that child. When scheduling Parent-Advisor, Parent-Teacher or Parent-Student-Advisor Conferences, divorced parents are expected to attend together, rather than using separate scheduling time slots.

During the course of a student’s school years, there may be occasions when a divorced parent disagrees with a particular action, decision, or request made by the other parent. Unless court documents in the School’s possession specify otherwise, it is the School’s policy to resolve such matters in keeping with the following priorities: By first applying all School rules and standards regarding hours, attendance for class, sports and activities, curriculum, etc., the School will, in effect, pursue a policy of explicitly “working to the rule” in such occasions, and if doing so does not define a specific course of action, then by following the directive of the parent who has signed the enrollment contract, and if both parents signed the contract, then by following the directive of the parent who paid the tuition. Parents are hereby informed that by making these sequential resolution priorities known to divorced parents, it is the School’s desire and intention to have a methodology by which its employees can remove themselves entirely from disputes between divorced parents and remove themselves from negotiations that should rightfully take place between the student’s parents. Parents who are unwilling to allow these priorities to prevail, therefore, should consider

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other educational alternatives for their children. Questions concerning this policy should be referred to the appropriate Division Head or the Head of School.

Visitors to Campus For the safety of our students, our Visitor Pass policy includes parents, family members, alumni, and visitors from outside of the School community. Upon arrival, all visitors are requested to check in with the Main Office to obtain a Visitor’s Pass from the Receptionist.

All student visitors must be approved by the Director of Admission or Division Head in advance of their visit. Visitors who have not been approved will be asked to leave the campus.

Students may not bring friends to campus unless the visitors are serious admission candidates.

Student Records and Transcripts It is the School’s policy to communicate honestly and accurately with educational institutions (or other organizations) seeking information about students pursuant to a written authorization executed by the student or his or her parents. St. Luke’s will release information upon request of the educational institution, including academic and disciplinary information. With regard to discipline specifically, should an educational institution or organization inquire about Disciplinary Probation, Suspension, or Dismissal, St. Luke’s will indicate the nature of the infraction and the subsequent penalty. Furthermore, if the student’s academic or disciplinary status should substantially change, the School reserves the right to update an educational institution regarding the student’s status. Seniors should be aware that St. Luke’s will not release a final transcript to a college until all graduation requirements have been fulfilled including such requirements as may be imposed as a result of disciplinary infractions or academic performance. The School will only release transcripts if the family’s financial obligations to the School are up to date. A student’s educational and disciplinary records are available on a need to know basis to administrators, teachers, coaches, guidance counselors and other staff who work with students.

Lost and Found Lost clothing and valuables are turned in to the Receptionist or are placed on shelves in the fifth grade locker hallway. Clothes that are left in the lost and found will be donated to charity at the beginning of every long school break.

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Leadership and Community Service

Community Service The St. Luke’s School motto, “Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve” is reflected in our community service requirement. Throughout their St. Luke’s experience, students have an opportunity to become involved in service activities, which encourage them to share their talents with the community and develop lifelong habits of giving. Our community service program is coordinated by the Director of Character Education and is facilitated by parent volunteers.

In the Middle School, the class projects are centered on a theme for the year. While classes may adjust their activities according to community need, their activities generally follow certain themes.

Examples of recent grade themes include The Elderly, The Environment, Hunger and Homelessness, and Children in Need.

In the Upper School, each student is required to complete 80 hours of community service outside of the School in order to graduate. In order for an Upper School student to receive credit for his or her community service hours, the work must be on a volunteer (non-paid) basis and for a non-profit organization. If a student volunteers at a for-profit agency, the student may have half of those hours count toward this requirement. In each case, the student must document the hours and have his or her supervisor send a letter to the Director of Character Education at St. Luke’s. (It is usually best to discuss the method of hourly record keeping with the supervisor when one begins working for an organization.) In addition, there is an opportunity for students to earn community service hours through a formal reflection on their service work. If there are any questions about this requirement, students should speak to the Director of Character Education.

We reiterate that while enrolled at St. Luke’s, students are representing the School, on or off campus. Students should therefore remember that at all times, their manner and behavior reflects on the entire St. Luke’s community.

Clubs Part of the mission of St. Luke’s School is to provide opportunities that go beyond the academic experience and contributes to the development of the whole student—that is the social, emotional and physical growth of each student. Clubs broaden students’ experiences at St. Luke’s by providing them with an opportunity to participate in a variety of experiences. Clubs must have a faculty advisor and are overseen by the Director of Character Education. Note that participation in a club does not fulfill the fall and spring season after school activity requirement.

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Student clubs may engage in fundraising activities as approved by their faculty advisors. All money collected needs to be turned in immediately to the Business Office or to the SLS employee supervising the event.

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Athletics

Athletics at St. Luke’s play an integral role in the whole development of the student experience. St. Luke’s athletic program has a strong tradition of excellence among independent day schools in New England and lower Fairfield County. Our teams have won over 15 Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) league and eight New England Championships in the past ten years. Many of our studentathletes move on to play at the NCAA Division I, II and III levels as well as on competitive collegiate club teams..

It is our philosophy that all students should have an opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletics where sportsmanship, leadership and a commitment to team and self are emphasized. St. Luke’s offers competitive teams at the middle school, thirds, junior varsity and varsity levels. At the middle school level, teamwork, participation and skill development are the focal points. At the varsity and sub-varsity levels our student-athletes compete at the highest level and are encouraged to continue playing at the next level.

We offer varsity teams in football, soccer, cross country, field hockey, volleyball, basketball, squash, skiing, ice hockey, baseball, softball, lacrosse, golf, and tennis. Our teams compete in the FAA and the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) divisions.

Our highly dedicated and professional coaching staff are committed to providing the finest athletic experience for all of our student-athletes.

At St. Luke’s, we honor the three sport athlete and encourage all of our students to try new sports, learn from different coaches, and most importantly enjoy their athletic experience. For more thorough information on the School’s athletics offerings, schedules and policies, please consult the School’s website.

Eligibility and Participation Students are required to have a current physical and immunization records on file to attend St. Luke’s.

The Athletic Department and Sports Medicine Team provides a day each June for students to have their physicals on campus. Students may also submit physical forms completed by their family physicians.

Participation is required in the fall and spring seasons and is encouraged, but optional, in the winter season for students in grades five through eleven. Students in grade twelve may be exempt from one of the three seasons. Students who do not meet this requirement may have their enrollment contracts held for the following year and their return to St. Luke’s School reconsidered.

For more information, please contact the Director of Athletics or appropriate Assistant Division Head for information on programming. In exceptional cases, waivers of the activity requirement may be granted for students who demonstrate a substantial commitment to a sport that the School does not currently offer.

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For further information on the athletic program, policies and information, please refer to the Parent-Student Athletic Handbook on the website.

Medical and Other Excuses Any student who is to be excused from physical education or athletics must bring in a medical excuse signed by a doctor and present it to the School Nurse. For the first day of an excused absence from physical education, a parent note is acceptable. For excused absences from physical education for more than one day, a doctor’s note is necessary.

Communication Please refer to the Athletic Calendar on the School’s website which is updated regularly, or call the Main Office for last minute changes due to weather and daily events.

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Discipline

Discipline at St. Luke’s School is based on the assumption that all students and their parents have chosen to be a part of this community and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the School’s mission. Students whose behavior reflects the School’s objectives will find that the School is flexible and willing to consider increased responsibility and privileges. Students whose behavior is in opposition to the School’s objectives will find the School less flexible and that their privileges may be curtailed.

Most important to the functioning of the St. Luke’s community are issues of physical and emotional well being, honesty, respect, and responsibility. On a daily basis, students are required to arrive to classes on time, in dress code, and prepared for the lesson. Respect for the learning environment in each class is critical to the School’s success as an academic community. Failure to meet these basic requirements on a regular basis will raise the question of the suitability of the St. Luke’s environment for that student.

Students should be aware that when they are in the presence of others who are behaving inappropriately or breaking School rules, all students present are subject to the same consequences.

Therefore, those not participating in the activity should, at a minimum, remove themselves from the situation.

Major Offenses The following offenses and their likely consequences do not address every situation, but suggest serious concerns that are not tolerated at St. Luke’s School. Students may be disciplined for any conduct, on or off School grounds, which is illegal, contrary to School policies, which is disruptive of the educational process or endangers persons or property. Major offenses, which may result in probation, suspension or dismissal include but are not limited to the following: • Theft, vandalism or destruction of property of others or the School • Possession or use of any firearm, knife, explosive or dangerous object of no reasonable approved School usage • Possession, sale, use or transfer of alcohol, tobacco or any illegal drug or controlled substance • Assault on another person • Bullying, hazing or other abusive behavior • Sexual harassment, racial harassment, or harassment of any other group protected by law • Cheating or academic dishonesty

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• Distribution or electronic transmission of material that contains obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, disrespectful, threatening, discriminatory, prejudicial, false, defamatory or otherwise inappropriate language or pictures, as determined by the School in its sole discretion.

In addition, if a student engages in behavior, on or off campus, which endangers her or his safety or welfare, the safety or welfare of others, or which is seriously disruptive of the educational environment, the student may be disciplined, up to and including separation from St. Luke’s School.

Disciplinary Infractions Certain other offenses are considered serious within the St. Luke’s community. Normally, the School will act on the first violation of any of the following infractions with a written or verbal warning, a Saturday detention, loss of privileges, Administrative Review, Warning, Disciplinary Probation, or Suspension. Examples of such infractions include but are not limited to: cutting class, leaving campus without permission, smoking tobacco, aggressive behavior, or behavior that is disruptive or annoying to others at School or on School buses or vans.

Disrespectful behavior is not tolerated at St. Luke’s School. When a student is engaged in activities that have a negative impact on the character or property of the School, they can expect serious consequences, including separation from St. Luke’s School. Serious disciplinary action may be reported to colleges or other educational institutions.

Middle School Discipline Philosophy Given the playfulness, energy, and unique qualities of the Middle School student, St. Luke’s School recognizes the need to seize upon “teachable moments,” and provide for greater flexibility in matters of discipline for minor infractions. Major offenses will require strict action and will be addressed as set forth in this Handbook. The primary goal of Middle School discipline for infractions is to educate students about the consequences of unacceptable behavior, to curb such behavior, to teach accountability and to help foster the Middle School belief that moral character and good citizenship are the cornerstones of adolescent development. To help students make the necessary connection between behavior and consequences, more immediate action and parental involvement may be required. To this end, Middle School discipline often involves the personal attention of the Head of Middle School, the Assistant Head of Middle School and/or the Middle School Counselor.”

Types of Disciplinary Action Behavior Agreement: The

Division Head, Assistant Division Head, or US Dean of Student Life will follow up with a student who is not behaving in accordance with St. Luke’s School expectations.

Follow up with students will include a meeting with the student, possibly a letter home and a Behavior Agreement that both indicates what the student will do to correct behavior and outlines consequences if the behavior is not changed.

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Detention: Minor

disciplinary infractions may receive a Detention. In the Middle School, detention is served from 3:00-3:45pm on the day it is assigned. In the Upper School, detention is served in the morning from 7:15-8:00am. Any exception to the date must be cleared with the Assistant Head of MS or the US Dean of Student Life. A student who receives more than three detentions in a year may also be assigned to a Saturday Detention.

Saturday Detention: Students

report to St. Luke’s on the appointed Saturday from 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. The student will be assigned to a specific classroom or given specific tasks to complete during the detention. Please note that parents may not excuse a student from a Saturday Detention. Any exception to the assigned date must be cleared with the Assistant Head of MS or the US Dean of Student Life.

In the event that a student is suspected of a serious disciplinary infraction, misconduct or behavior which may present a threat to herself or himself or others, the student may be immediately placed on Administrative Review and, if appropriate, sent home from School pending the School’s investigation and determination regarding the appropriate disciplinary action, if any. Once the matter has been investigated and reviewed, the student may be placed on Warning or Disciplinary Probation, suspended, dismissed, referred to the Honor Council (in the case of Upper School students–see below), given another disciplinary consequence, or returned to regular status as determined appropriate at the discretion of the Head of School or Division Head.

Administrative Review:

Warning: Warning

may be recommended by the Honor Council and/or assigned at the discretion of either the Head of School or Division Head when there is a serious concern about behavior, attitude, or either a specific incident or series of incidents that call into question the student’s short or long term likelihood of success at St. Luke’s. The length of the warning period, and the responsibilities of the student while on Warning, will vary depending on the specific context and nature of the concerns. The purpose of a Warning is to express the School’s level of concern about the student’s future and to offer the student an opportunity to learn from mistakes, thereby maintaining her or his good standing at St. Luke’s School.

Disciplinary Probation: Probation

is the most serious warning status for students. It may be recommended by the Honor Council and/or assigned at the discretion of either the Head of School or Division Head. The student is warned that subsequent offenses can result in dismissal. Students on Disciplinary Probation will not be allowed to attend School-sponsored social events or trips. If a student on probation would like to attend a School-sponsored event, he or she may submit a written request to the Division Head. In addition, for those students who are on probation, re-enrollment contracts will be withheld for the year and reviewed by the faculty at the end of the year. Other specific conditions of a Disciplinary Probation may be outlined for each student individually.

Suspension or Dismissal: Serious

disciplinary infractions or misconduct will result in Suspension or Dismissal from St. Luke’s School as determined appropriate in the absolute discretion of the Division Head or Head of School. Suspension may be either short-term or long-term. Short-term suspension is usually served out of School and may last for up to one week. During this time,

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students are separated from the community so that they can reconsider their commitment to St. Luke’s School. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate conversations with teachers regarding how and when any missed work will be made up. Any work that a student does not make up will receive a zero.

Long-term suspension results in the student’s withdrawal from the School for a specified period of up to one year. The student must enroll at another school and have a satisfactory academic and behavioral experience there. The student may apply for re-admission after a designated period if certain requirements are met.

Students may not come to campus during a suspension, unless prior arrangements have been made with the Division Head. Students returning from a suspension are generally placed on Disciplinary Probation.

Dismissal is a permanent separation from St. Luke’s School and will be imposed for serious disciplinary infractions, misconduct or a pattern of poor behavior, in addition to the failure of parents to comply with comportment and School support policies and/or the terms of the Enrollment Contract, as determined by the absolute discretion of the Head of School.

Behavioral Expectations While Away From Campus While enrolled at St. Luke’s School, students are required to abide by the Honor Code. When students are on School-sponsored trips or participating in School activities, they are expected to be on their best behavior at all times. Students in poor academic or disciplinary standing may be denied the opportunity to participate in any School-sponsored trip or activity. St. Luke’s students whose conduct brings discredit or embarrassment upon themselves or the School may be disciplined, even if such misconduct occurs outside of the School or School-sponsored event, or outside of the school day or school year. These expectations apply as well to students’ use of computers, both inside and outside of School and on or off campus.

Parent Involvement Disciplinary matters and student issues are handled directly by teachers, administrators, and appropriate staff. If a student is having a school-related issue with another student, parents should not attempt to deal with the other student directly about that matter. Doing so may put a student in an intimidating situation and is best resolved, when appropriate, through a School administrator.

Please speak to the appropriate School administrator for guidance with any questions about contacting another student or parent about a School-related matter.

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Student Health Services

School Nurse and Illness There is a full-time School Nurse on campus. She evaluates students who become ill during the school day and contacts their parents as appropriate. The School Nurse is available in her office five days per week. Nursing services are provided from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The nurse is also responsible for ensuring that all student medical forms are current and on file.

We respectfully ask that students who are sick remain at home. The Nurse will call home and ask that any student with clear symptoms be picked up from School. Students should be kept at home for a minimum of 24 hours following fever, vomiting, or other like symptoms.

Medical Requirements In order to attend School and participate in afternoon activities, all students must have an Emergency Information Form, annual physical and an updated immunization record on file in the School Nurse’s office. Students who are ill and need to be excused from physical education or other athletic activities for three consecutive classes must provide a note from a physician. A student who requires medical attention due to an injury may not return to gym or afternoon sports activities without a medical disposition from a physician.

Medications at School If a student requires medications, please request a prescription dosage that does not require administration during School hours. If medications must be administered during School hours, contact the Nurse with details. The Nurse keeps a written record of the administration of medication including dose, date, time, and name of the person administering it. Prescription and non-prescription medicines (including Ibuprofen, Tylenol, and cough syrup) cannot be administered without the completion of a Medication Authorization form, which includes specific written instructions, regarding the name of the medicine, dosage, and dates and times to be administered.

Unmarked or old medications will not be administered.

For the School to administer PRESCRIPTION medications, the following are required: • Medication must be in its original container; • A written parental authorization must be on file in the School Health Office; and

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• A current, written order from your health care provider indicating what the medication is for, name of the student, dosage, times per day, and number of days the medication is to be administered (the label on the medication will suffice).

For the School to administer NON-PRESCRIPTION oral medications (Ibuprofen, etc.) and topical medications (sunscreen, diapers, ointments, etc.), the following is required: • Completion of the “Non-Prescription Medication Form” to be filed with the School Health Office (included in your back-to-school packet); • Written order from a health care provider each time the medication is required; and • Medication must be in its original container.

Health Records, Regulations, and Access School health records serve two purposes: information must be on file with the School to comply with state health and immunization regulations, and the School requires a current record for each student in order to facilitate the handling of an emergency situation.

Parents are asked to provide the School with information about their children’s physical and emotional health. In part, this information is obtained to comply with state law; it is also needed to keep the School well-informed of the health of all students. The School is sensitive to the privacy of this information and is committed to protecting the confidentiality of students and their families by restricting the use of and access to this information for necessary medical management only, in accordance with applicable law.

Nut-Based Products St. Luke’s has adopted a policy to reduce the risk of accidental exposure to both peanuts and tree nuts. Nuts are a leading cause of potentially life threatening food allergies, and ingesting, touching or even inhaling a derivative of a nut-based product can cause severe reactions in those who suffer from nut allergies.

St. Luke’s School will not serve nuts or peanut butter, or use peanut oil products, in the cafeteria or in the preparation of School food or School-provided snacks. Students, parents and staff should not bring any food product containing nuts or nut products to School, including peanut butter or items made with peanut oil. Please be vigilant in checking the ingredients on food you bring or send with your child to School. Please be aware that many baked goods, which appear to be nut-free, may in fact be produced with peanut oil or other nut products. While on campus, students should not share food with others or consume any food with unknown ingredients.

If your child has food allergies, please notify the School, including information about possible reaction, any medication and emergency procedures and contacts. St. Luke’s does not warrant and cannot guarantee that our campus will be completely nut-free. Accordingly, students with food allergies should never eat food provided by other students or with unknown ingredients. In

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the event a student believes that he/she has eaten something to which he/she may be allergic, the School Nurse or a staff member should be notified immediately.

Emergencies The School Nurse will attempt to contact parents regarding illness or injury, minor or serious, but in circumstances that warrant immediate attention when the School is unable to reach the parents/ guardians, designated emergency contacts, or the student’s physician to determine appropriate management. In the event of a serious emergency, an ambulance will be called, the students will be taken to the nearest hospital emergency room, and you will be notified immediately. Emergency situations arising on campus will generally be referred to Norwalk Hospital, which is the nearest to the School. The School neither diagnoses nor treats injuries that occur on non-School time, but does offer temporary first aid for problems that arise during School. If a student complains of a persistent ear ache, sore throat, rashes, or joint pain, such complaints warrant a call to the student’s pediatrician.

Parents must ensure that Emergency Forms are kept up-to-date. Please remember, it is most important that the School have current home, work and cell phone numbers for parents/guardians, day care providers, or others (relatives, friends, or neighbors) who routinely assume temporary care of the student if the student’s parent(s) cannot be reached.

Parents will be notified of an illness or injury that may require follow-up medical care. A medical release form must be on file for every student, allowing the School to obtain necessary medical assistance.

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Student Support Services

Accommodations The School does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of learning disabilities that may be reasonably accommodated. The School will discuss with families of applicants with known learning disabilities whether the School will be able to offer their children the appropriate accommodations to help them be successful at the School.

The School is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities are provided with equal access to all of the School’s programs and services, in accordance with applicable law. For students who need additional support or curricular adjustments, the School requires documentation indicating that the student’s disability substantially limits a major life activity, including learning.

Students who present the School with appropriate documentation of disability will meet with the Director of Educational Support Services to discuss which requested academic accommodations supported by the documentation are considered reasonable in this educational setting. Any adjustments to the academic program would be made through an interactive process between the student and the Director of Educational Support Services. No waivers of academic graduation requirements will be granted to students.

Even after supportive services and accommodations have been put in place, a student may still not be able to fulfill his or her academic requirements satisfactorily. In such instances, the Director of Educational Support Services, the Division Heads or other administrators may notify the student’s parents that the accommodations put into place may not suffice to ensure the student’s success at the School and will discuss whether it makes sense for the student to continue at the School. If there is a disagreement, the School will decide, in its sole discretion, whether to issue a re-enrollment contract to the student.

Educational Support Services (ESS) ESS seeks to improve learning in a challenging college preparatory curriculum by providing academic support services to students with a wide range of abilities. The faculty of ESS, one full time learning specialist, provides individual and/or small group support to students, their parents, and teachers, on an as-needed basis. ESS also maintains a list of tutors, educational therapists, and speech and language pathologists for referral outside school hours. The office for Educational Support Services is located in the ESS Center on the mezzanine level of the Library.

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Community Support Services St. Luke’s School addresses the health and wellness of our students through numerous initiatives intended to educate the whole student. Our Community Support Services Team (CSST) is an important component of our student care. In addition, we have a team of professionals who are available for student and parent consultation. The Community Support Services Team is led by the Upper School Health and Wellness Coordinator and the Middle School Counselor. Everyone on the CSST is available to meet individually with students, parents, or teachers to discuss their concerns, but none should be regarded as a student’s on-going therapist. They may determine, after meeting with a student, that additional support is advisable and may refer a student to support outside of School.

Confidentiality Members of the School community commit themselves to maintaining appropriate professional tact and discretion with regard to confidential information they receive. However, confidential information may be disclosed to the Head of School, appropriate administrators, outside professionals, law enforcement officers, parent/guardians or others when there is a compelling reason for doing so, including, without limitation, in cases of health and safety emergencies (when students or others are in imminent danger of harm); when there is concern about an individual’s ability to function academically, emotionally, physically, and/or mentally within the School environment; or when legal requirements demand that confidential information be revealed.

Reporting Suspected Child Abuse Connecticut law requires “Mandated Reporters”, who have reasonable cause to suspect or believe that a child has been abused, neglected, or placed in imminent risk of serious harm, to report these suspicions in compliance with applicable state law. The following employees are Mandated Reporters: teachers, substitute teachers, School administrators, guidance counselors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, physicians, school paraprofessionals and coaches; and any other person who, in the performance of his or her duties, has regular contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf of students.

What Must Be Reported A report must be made when any Mandated Reporter employed by the School, in his or her professional capacity, has reasonable cause to suspect or to believe that a child under the age of eighteen: • has been abused; • has had non-accidental physical injuries or physical injuries which are at variance with the history given for them, inflicted by a person responsible for the child’s health, welfare or care, or by a person given access to such child by a responsible person;

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• has been neglected; or • has been placed in imminent risk of serious harm.

Reporting Procedures for Statutory Mandated Reporters When a Mandated Reporter suspects or believes that a child has been abused, neglected, or has been placed in imminent risk of serious harm, the Mandated Reporter and/or the School will notify the Department of Children and Families (the “Department”), and the parents or guardians of the student involved as appropriate under the circumstances.

Investigation of the Report As appropriate, the School will cooperate with any investigation by the Department of Children and Families and/or by a law enforcement agency. Furthermore, the School may conduct it own investigation of any reports that a student has been abused, neglected, or has been placed in imminent risk of serious harm, as may be appropriate under the circumstances.

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Financial Information

Enrollment Contracts Enrollment agreements are sent to families each February. Students may not attend classes unless a properly executed enrollment agreement is submitted to the School in a timely manner. Enrollment agreements will be sent to returning students only if all financial obligations are current and the School is generally satisfied with the student’s academic performance or behavior. Please see the ReEnrollment Policy below for additional information.

Unless Tuition Refund Insurance is purchased and the Insurance covers the tuition, once an enrollment agreement has been signed and accepted by the School, parents are responsible for the full tuition for the academic year, regardless of the reason for withdrawal.

Charitable Giving St. Luke’s is able to meet the current needs of its students and plan for the future because of the generous support of parents, alumni, faculty and staff, and friends who include St. Luke’s in their annual charitable giving plans. As an independent school, St. Luke’s is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization and does not receive any governmental support. While tuition is the School’s main source of income, it does not cover the full cost of educating each student. Voluntary giving is integral to the School’s health and is a testimony to a strong community of families that care about St. Luke’s.

Your donations to St. Luke’s School directly benefit the student body by providing needed funds to offer better compensation packages to teachers, buy equipment, build facilities, and attract a diverse student body. In aggregate, strong participation among families signifies support for the work of the faculty and is an important benchmark to foundations that fund independent school programs and to prospective families looking at St. Luke’s School.

Throughout the year, there are many opportunities to get involved in the philanthropic life of the School. If you have any questions, please contact the Development Office.

The Annual Fund Voluntary tax-deductible contributions to the Annual Fund help to bridge the gap between tuition revenues and annual operating expenses. Contributions to the Annual Fund support school operations including: • Faculty compensation • Curriculum development

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• Academic and extracurricular programs • Buildings & grounds maintenance The Annual Fund is launched each October with the help of a team of dedicated parent volunteers. All parents are asked to support the Annual Fund each year, and their support is recognized in the School’s Annual Report.

Campaigns While the Annual Fund provides “money to live by,” a Capital Campaign raises “money to grow by.” Capital Campaigns are intensive, multi-year fundraising efforts to secure support for special initiatives, such as facility enhancements, endowments and program development. St. Luke’s periodically conducts Capital Campaigns and it is our hope that you will consider participating in these efforts in a way that is meaningful to you.

Special Projects All proposed fundraising initiatives should be explored in conjunction with the Development Office to ensure that fundraising is beneficial and timed for maximum benefit to the School.

Planned Giving Making a bequest to St. Luke’s School allows families to make a significant charitable gift to the School without exhausting assets earmarked for current personal needs. The Hilltop Society includes anyone who has made a planned gift or who has designated St. Luke’s as a beneficiary in his or her will.

Parents’ Association Fundraising The Parents’ Association (PA) conducts numerous events throughout the year, including fundraising events. In the past, PA fundraisers have included a community cookbook, a spring gathering with an auction, and a wishing tree. Your gifts to Parents’ Association fundraisers support a number of educational and informational programs, student and parent social activities at every grade level, and classroom and curricular enhancements. Proceeds from last year’s PA fundraising activities purchased essential equipment for the new science wing.

Your donations to St. Luke’s School directly benefit the student body by providing needed funds to offer better compensation packages to teachers, buy equipment, build facilities, and attract a diverse student body. In aggregate, strong participation among families signifies support for the work of the faculty and is an important benchmark to foundations that fund independent school programs and to prospective families looking at St. Luke’s School.

When you consider your charitable giving this year, we hope you will consider St. Luke’s to be among your philanthropic priorities. Please visit www.stlukesct.org/giving for more information or to make your gift online.

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Re-Enrollment

Re-Enrollment Policy The Director of Admission will send personal invitation letters, accompanied by an enrollment contract, to students in good standing, dependent on successful completion of the school year. In the case of a student’s failure to meet the conditions of either Academic or Disciplinary Probation, the contract may be rescinded. For students whose contracts are initially withheld, for whatever reason, a final decision will be made in June and the decision will be communicated to the student’s parents by the Head of School or Division Head. Course registration in the spring will be made only for returning students whose contracts and registration fee have been received and whose current year tuition balances are not in arrears. Families who miss the deadline for turning in their enrollment contracts will forfeit their place in the class.

Parental Comportment and Support for School Policies At St. Luke’s, we believe that a positive relationship between the School and a student’s parents or guardians is essential to the fulfillment of the School’s mission. We recognize that effective relationships are characterized by clearly defined responsibilities, a shared commitment to collaboration, and open lines of communication, mutual respect, and a common vision of the goals to be achieved. To assist in creating the most effective relationship, the School expects that parents will observe the following guidelines.

The School understands and appreciates that parents and guardians may employ different means to meet the expectations and responsibilities expressed in this policy. Nevertheless, St. Luke’s at all times reserves the right to dismiss a student whose parent, guardian, family member or other adult involved with the student, in the sole judgment of the School, fails to comply with this or any other policy or procedure of the School, engages in conduct either on or off the School’s property that could undermine the authority of the School’s administration, and/or otherwise behaves in a manner that is unbecoming of a member of the School community. The School also reserves the right to refuse reenrollment of a student if the School, in its sole discretion, believes the actions of a parent or guardian on or off the School’s property make a positive, constructive relationship impossible, or otherwise may interfere with the School’s accomplishment of its mission and/or educational goals.

Share in the School’s vision.

• Support the mission of the School.

• Understand and support the School’s philosophy, policies, and procedures.

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• Support the School’s disciplinary process, and understand that the School’s authority in such matters is final.

• Be supportive of the School’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive community.

• Acknowledge that the payment of tuition is an investment in the education of the student, not an investment of ownership in the School.

• Support the School’s emphasis on sustainable practices.

Provide a home environment that supports the intellectual, physical and emotional growth of the student.

• Create a schedule and structure that supports a student’s study and completion of homework requirements.

• Be aware of the student’s online activities and use of computers, television, and video games.

• Encourage integrity and civility in the student.

• Be a role model, especially when it comes to behavior at School and at athletic events.

• Encourage the student’s participation in events that promote high standards; actively discourage participation in events that can lead to illegal or unwise behavior.

Participate in the establishment of a home/School and School community relationship built on communication, collaboration, and mutual respect.

• Provide a home environment that supports positive attitudes toward the School.

• Treat each member of the community with respect, assume good will, and maintain a collaborative approach when conflicts and challenges arise.

• Help build and maintain a positive School environment by not participating in or tolerating gossip.

• Maintain tact and discretion with regard to confidential information. In cases when students or others are in imminent danger of harm, when there is a compelling reason for doing so, or when legal requirements demand that confidential information must be revealed, information may be disclosed to the Head of School, administrators, outside professionals, or law enforcement officers.

• Respect the School’s responsibility to do what is best for the entire community, while recognizing the needs of an individual student.

• Seek to resolve problems and secure information through appropriate channels.

• Acknowledge the value of the educational experience at St. Luke’s by making regular and timely School attendance a priority, scheduling non-emergency appointments outside the school day.

• Support the School through volunteerism and attendance at School events.

• Financially support the School to the best of one’s ability.

• Share with the School any religious, cultural, medical, or personal information that the School may need to best serve students and the School community.

• Understand and support the School’s technology policies.

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