2018-2019 student parent handbook (revised nov. 28)€¦ · homework 28 lab reports 28 class...

MountdeSalesAcademyParent/StudentHandbook

MissionStatement

MountdeSalesAcademy,anindependentCatholicSchoolsponsoredandinspiredbytheSistersofMercy,isadiversecollege-preparatorycommunityoflearners—studentsandteachersalike—whoarepoisedtodiscover,challengedtoinnovate,andmotivatedtoserve.

TableofContentsPhilosophy 2Beliefs 2GraduateProfile 2CriticalConcernsoftheSistersofMercy 2StatementofAssurance 3AccreditationandMemberships 3Communication 3CampusMinistry 4AcademicPoliciesandProcedures 4 PhilosophyandRequirements 4 GradingScale 5 MinimumCourseLoad 5 CourseExpectations 5 GraduationRequirements 6 Homework 7 Assessments 7 Exams 7 Flex-TutorialforUpperSchool 8Flex-TutorialforMiddleSchool 8 LearningSupportPrograms 8 AcademicSupportProgram 8 AcademicAdvisement 10 AdvancedPlacementCourses 10 CourseCredit 10 DualEnrollment 10 ForwardCredit 11 SummerSchool 12 SpecialCoursework 12 TransferStudents 12 ScheduleApproval/Changes 12 GradeReporting 13 Make-upWork 13 LateWork 13 StandardizedTesting 13 HOPEScholarship 14 PromotionandRetention 14 Re-enrollment 14 WithdrawalfromSchool 14 Transcripts 14 ClassRank 15AcademicRecognition 15 Valedictorian/Salutatorian 15 HonorGraduates 15 GraduationInformation 15

ExcellenceandMeritLists 15 AcademicLettersandStars 16 HonorSocieties 16GuidanceProgram 17 EarlyInterventionTeam 18AttendancePoliciesandProcedures 19 ArrivalandDeparture 19 AbsencesandTardies 20 RegularAbsence 20 PlannedAbsence 20 SchoolSponsoredEvents 20 EarlyDismissal/LateArrival 20 CollegeVisits 20 FieldTrips 21 TardytoSchool 21 IllnessDuringtheSchoolDay 21 SeniorClassInformation 21 StudentVisitors 22 FoodonCampus 22BehavioralExpectationsandPolicies 22 BehavioralExpectations 22 TeacherIntervention 22 SchoolDemerits 23 AfterSchoolRestriction 23 ForfeitureofPrivileges 24 SuspensionandDismissal 24 Weapons 25 TechnologyUse 25 Harassment 25SubstanceUse 26 DrugsandAlcohol 26 UseofTobaccoProducts 26AcademicIntegrity 27 AppropriateCollaboration 27 Plagiarism 27 Homework 28 LabReports 28 ClassProjects 28 ElectronicTranslators 28 Cheating 29UniformPolicies 29ParentOrganizations 32AdditionalPolicies 32PolicyStatements 36

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PhilosophyMountdeSalesAcademycommitsitselftoteachasJesusdid,throughthewordoftheGospelandChrist-likeaction.Weendeavortoservestudentsofdiversebackgroundsandtoworkwithfamiliesaswestrivetoprovidethebestpossibleenvironmentforspiritualandacademicgrowth.InthetraditionandvisionoftheSistersofMercy,TheAcademyseekstograduatestudentswhoarenotonlypreparedforacademicandsocialchallenges,butwhoaremotivatedbylivingaresponsibleandGodcenteredlifeencompassingthevaluesofourCatholicheritage.

Beliefs● EverypersoniscalledtoholinessandtodeveloparelationshipwithapersonalandlovingGod.● Everypersonisvaluedasauniqueindividualwithphysical,social,emotionalandintellectualgifts

andneeds.● Everypersoniscalledtorespectthevalueoflifeandthedignityofeachindividual.● Everypersonmustberesponsivetohis/herobligationstotheglobalcommunity.● Everypersoncanlearnandachievehis/herfullpotentialwhenprovidedwithavarietyof

appropriatelearningstrategies.● Everyperson’sself-esteemisenhancedbypositiverelationshipsandmutualrespect.● Everypersonintheschoolcommunitysharestheresponsibilityforadvancingtheschool’smission.

GraduateProfileAMountdeSalesAcademygraduate…

● hasthefoundationtobecomeawell-roundedindividualinkeepingwiththevaluesofCatholiceducation:spiritually,intellectually,physically,emotionally,andsocially.

● respectstheinherentdignityofeveryindividual.● isreadytomeettheacademicchallengesandlifelessonsthatwillbeencountered.● ispreparedtobecomeanindependentandresponsibleadultwhoisspirituallystrongandwhois

accountabletoGod,self,familyandtheworldcommunity.

CriticalConcernsoftheSistersofMercyAsaMercySchool,weseektoprovideanenvironmentthatseeksjusticeinthelightofCatholicsocialteaching.Toremindusoftheimportanceofjusticeforallindividuals,TheAcademyiscommittedtothefivecriticalconcernscommontoallMercySchools:

Earth:toreverenceEarthandworkmoreeffectivelytowardthesustainabilityoflifeandtowarduniversalrecognitionofthefundamentalrighttowater;Immigration:tostandinsolidaritywithimmigrants; Non-violence:todeepenandassimilatemoreconsciouslythepracticeofnonviolenceasanintegralaspectofthecharismofmercy;

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Racism:todeepenourresponsetotheunrecognizedandunreconciledracism,pastandpresent,withinourcommunity; Women:tocontinuetoembraceourparticularconcernforwomen

StatementofAssuranceMountdeSalesAcademywillacceptacademicallyandbehaviorallyqualifiedstudentswithoutdiscriminationonthebasisofrace,color,national,orethnicorigin.Eachstudentwillhaveaccesstoallrights,privileges,programsandactivitiesgenerallyaccordedormadeavailabletoallstudents.TheAcademywillnotacceptanybehaviororactionsthatrepresentbigotryintheformofracism,sexualorientationbias,academicelitism,oranyotherspeechoractionthatfailstoadvanceourmission.

AccreditationandMembershipsMountdeSalesisduallyaccreditedbytheSouthernAssociationofCollegesandSchools(SACS)andtheSouthernAssociationofIndependentSchools(SAIS).TheAcademyisalsoamemberoftheMercySecondaryEducationSystemoftheAmericas(MESA);theNationalCatholicEducationAssociation(NCEA);theNationalAssociationofIndependentSchools(NAIS);theCollegeBoard;theGeorgiaIndependentSchoolsAssociation(GISA);theGeorgiaHighSchoolAssociation(GHSA)andTheAcademyoperatesundertheauspicesoftheCatholicDioceseofSavannah.

Communication

TheAcademyencouragescommunicationbetweenteachers,parents,andstudents.StudentsandemployeesoftheAcademymaycommunicateonlythroughtheAcademy’semailaccount.Phonecalls,texting,ortheuseofsocialmediaisprohibited.Parentsareencouragedtoemailteachersorcalladministratorstoaddressconcernsorschedulemeetings.ParentsshouldnotcommunicatedirectlywithmembersoftheBoardbutmayexpressaconcerntotheBoardbysendingalettertothePresidentoftheSchool,whowillforwardthatlettertotheChairmanoftheBoard.

On-lineGradeReporting:Parentsandstudentsmayaccessstudentattendanceandgradesonlineusingasecurelog-in.Currentgradesandattendanceareavailablefrom4:00p.m.until8:00a.m.duringtheschoolweekandalldayonSaturdayandSunday.

OnlineClassroomAssignmentsandResourcesareavailablethroughthePowerSchoolLearningManagementSystem(PSLM),theAcademy’sweb-basedlearningmanagementsystem.ParentsmayaccesshomeworkassignmentsandcalendarforeachcourseinwhichanMDSstudentisenrolled.

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CampusMinistry

TheCampusMinistryProgramcoordinatesawiderangeofliturgicalandoutreachactivitiesfortheentireschool.TheministrydiffersfromtraditionalCommunityOutreachinthatitfocusesonpreparation,reflection,service,andcelebrationasitpermeateseveryfacetofschoollife.Eachgradelevelhasaspiritualretreateachyear.Attendanceattheseretreatsisanintegralpartoftheeducationalprogramandthusiscompulsoryforallstudents.Studentshavetheopportunitiestohelpplanandparticipateinalltheschoolliturgies.Partofourmissionistoencouragestudentstotakeadvantageoftheopportunitytoserveothersinthecommunity.OurCommunityOutreachProgramisdesignedtoteachstudentstheresponsibilityweallshareinreachingoutandservingtheneedymembersofsociety.Studentsarerequiredtocomplete20hoursofoutreachserviceeachyearundertheauspiceoftheMercy-in-ActionProgram.

AnintegralpartofourcampusprogramisMercy-in-Action,anacademicexpectation,isaservice-learningprogramthatsponsorsandcoordinatesserviceprojectsfortheMountdeSalesCommunity.ServiceprojectsreinforcethecriticalconcernsoftheSistersofMercy;buildcommunityamongstudents,faculty,parents,andstaff;andcultivateservantleadershipatMountdeSales.AllUpperSchoolstudentsarerequiredtocompletetwenty(20)hoursofMercy-in-Actionservice,withatleastfive(5)oftheirtwenty(20)hoursattainedthroughserviceatMercy-in-Actionsponsoredevents.

AcademicPoliciesandProcedures

PhilosophyandRequirementsMountdeSalesAcademyfeaturesabalancedcollegepreparatoryprogramcharacterizedbytraditionalhonors,AdvancedPlacementanddual-enrollmentcourses.Inaddition,thetraditionalcollegepreparatorypathisenhancedthroughinterdisciplinaryfacultyteamswhoconnectandcollaborateacrossdisciplines.Coursesthatcomprisethetraditionalcoreofgraduationrequirementsareviewedas“bedrock”totheMountdeSalesacademicexperience.Facultyteamsmeetregularlyandplaninterdisciplinaryunitsofstudy.

Bedrockcoursesintegratethefouressentialskillsof21stcenturylearningfullyintothecurriculum:criticalthinking,collaboration,creativity,andcommunication.

AsourstudentsprogressthroughtheUpperSchool,theymayalsopursueadiplomaendorsementinoneoffiveareasofconcentration:

• Science,Design,andTechnology/GlobalStudies• History,LawandtheHumanities• MercyinAction• BusinessManagement• HealthcareStudies

Studentsmayalsopursueasenior-levelcapstoneexperiencedesignedtointegratetheiracademicinterestsintoaresearch-basedorcreativeseniorproject.

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Astrongextracurricularprogramincludessportsteams,fineartsopportunities,literarycompetitions,clubsandorganizationsfortheentirestudentbody.Inaddition,ourserviceprogramencouragesstudentstobecomeactiveandcaringmembersoftheircommunities.Throughtheacademicprogram,theextracurricularactivitiesandtherequiredcommunityserviceexperience,ourstudentsmatureintoyoungmenandwomenwhoarepreparedforcollegeandlife.

GradingScale

A+ 97-100 4.0 C+ 77-79 2.5A 93-96 4.0 C 73-76 2.0A- 90-92 4.0 C- 70-72 2.0B+ 87-89 3.5 D 65-69 1.0B 83-86 3.0 F <65 0.0B- 80-82 3.0

Note:OnlystudentsinAPcoursesmayearnasemesteraverageover100,butnottosurpass104.ThisnumericalgradecorrespondstothelettergradeofA++.Thehighestnumericalgradeattainableinallcollegepreparatorycoursesis100.

MinimumCourseLoadTheacademicdayiscomprisedofseven(7)periodsofinstructionthatmeetdailyonarotatingschedule.AllUpperSchoolstudentsmusttakeatleastsix(6)courseseachsemester.Freshmenandsophomoresmaychooseasupervisedstudyhallinlieuofaseventhcourse.Juniorsandseniorsmayoptforafreeperiod.MiddleSchoolstudentstakeseven(7)classes.

CourseExpectationsAtthebeginningofeachsemester,teachersdistributeacoursesyllabustostudents.Coursesyllabicontaincourseexpectations,classroompolicies,andgradingproceduresforeachcourse.

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MountdeSalesAcademyGraduationRequirements

AcademicDiscipline UnitsRequiredforGraduation

English 4

Mathematics 4

Science(Physics,Chemistry,&Biologyrequired) 4

SocialStudies(WorldHistory,USHistory,AmericanGovernment&Economicsrequired)

3

Theology(TheologyI,TheologyII,SocialJustice,FaithandReasonrequired)

4

WorldLanguages(TwounitsearnedinthesameWorldLanguagerequired) 2

PhysicalEducation(PersonalFitness,Healthrequired;onesemesterofadvancedbandtakenintheAdventsemestermaysubstituteforPersonalFitness)

1

ComputerTechnology[beginningwiththeClassof2021,studentsmaymeetthisrequirementwithanytechnologycourseofferedinthecurriculum]

.5

FineArts 1

Electives 1.5

TotalUnitsRequiredforGraduation[HighschoolcoursescompletedinMiddleSchoolmaynotfulfillgraduationrequirementsinUpperSchool]

25

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HomeworkHomeworkisdesignedtoreview,practice,orextendinformationtaughtduringtheschoolday.Itisanimportantcomponentoftheentirelearningprocess.

AssessmentsAssessmentsandprojectsarecoordinatedthroughanassessmentcalendarmaintainedinboththeMiddleandUpperschool.Studentsmaybeaskedtositfornomorethantwo(2)majorassessmentsandone(1)minorassessmentperday.Whereasthetotalnumberofassessmentsshouldnotexceedthree(3)perday,studentsmustrequestadjustmentstothecalendarnolaterthanthedaybeforeassessmentsaredue.

Cumulativeexamsorassessmentsaregivenattheendofeachsemester.Finalgradesforsemestercoursesaredeterminedinthefollowingways:

1. Forcourseswithacumulativeassessment,thefinalexamconstitutes20%ofthesemesteraverage.Quarteraveragescount40%respectively.

2. Forcourseswithoutacumulativeassessment,eachquarteraveragecounts50%ofthesemestergrade.

IncollaborationwiththeDivisionHead,teachersmaydesignandadministeranalternativeassessmentattheendofEastersemester,dependinguponcourseobjectives.Gradesearnedonthesearecalculatedasapercentageofthesemesteraverage.

ExamsStudentsingrades9-12mayexemptEastersemesterexaminationsiftheymeetthefollowingcriteria:● Studentshaveearnedanoverall88(unrounded)Eastersemesteraverageorabovebytheexam

cut-offdate:SeniorsApril24,2019;UnderclassmenMay15,2019.● Studentshavenotexceededfive(5)absencesinEastersemestercourses,includingthefinaldayof

regularclasses.● Studentshavenotaccumulatedmorethanten(10)tardiestoschoolirrespectiveofreasonorcause

throughthespringexamtestingcut-offdates.● TheAcademyreservestherighttodenyexamexemptionprivilegesincaseswhereastudent’s

disciplinerecord,especiallyviolationsoftheacademicintegritypolicy,justifiesthelossofsuchaprivilege.

Studentswhoarrivelateforpublishedexamschedulesmayentertheexamtestingareaupto15minutesaftertheannouncedstarttime.Afterthefirstfifteenminutes,studentsmaynotbegintheexam.StudentsmustseetheUpperSchoolHeadtocoordinateamakeupexamandwillincura10%reductionintheexamgrade.

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Flex-TutorialforUpperSchoolOnmostdaysintheUpperSchool,theacademicdayendsat2:45p.m.At2:50p.m.,classroomteachersareavailableatthistimeforindividualtutorialsandsmallgroupconsultationwhentheUpperSchoolfollowsaregularbellschedule.Afterthefirstthree-weekprogressreport,studentswhoseacademicaverageinanyclassfallsbelowaCaverage(72orlower)willberequiredtoattendtutorialsduringFlex-Tutorialsuntilimprovementisdemonstrated,determinedbytheteacher.TheUpperSchoolHeadwillcoordinateattendanceinFlex-TutorialsifstudentsmustreporttomorethanoneteacherduringFlex.ParentswillbenotifiedbytheDivisionHeadwhenstudentsfailtoattendrequiredFlex-Tutorials,buttherewillbenodisciplinaryactiontaken.Flex-Tutorialsareviewedasaservicetostudents,notapunitiverequirement.Anystudent,regardlessofacademicaverage,mayconsultwithhis/hercurrentteachersduringFlex-Tutorialonadrop-inbasis.Studentsingrades9,10,11,and12areexpectedtoleavecampusatdismissalorreporttodesignatedareasunderstaffsupervisioniftheyarenotparticipatinginFlex-Tutorialactivities.

Flex-TutorialforMiddleSchoolStudentsMiddleschoolstudentsremaininahomeroomstudyhallondaysFlex-Tutorialsarenototherwiseutilized.StudentswhosegradesfallbelowaCinacoursemayberequiredtospendflextimetutorialswiththeteacher(s)foradditionalsupport.Theperiodisusedforavarietyofactivities,including,butnotlimitedto,supervisedstudyhall,extra-helpsessions,tutorials,make-upwork,housemeetings,andsmallassemblies/focusgroups.

LearningSupportProgramsLearningsupportisavailablethroughseveralmodesofsupport:● AcademicSupport:UnderthedirectionoftheCounselingDepartment,theAcademicSupport

Programassistsstudentswithdocumentedlearningdifferences.Servicesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,extendedtimeforclassroomassessments;preferentialseatinginclassrooms;laptopsfornotetakingandorganization,studyskillstraining,etc.

● Flex-Tutorial:Flex-Tutorialsareopportunitiesforstudentstoreceiveone-on-oneinstructionortomakeupassignmentsandassessmentsthatweremissedduetoabsence.

● CounselorAssistance:Schoolcounselorsareassignedtosupportstudentswhoneedanylevelofacademicsupport.

AcademicSupportProgram

TheAcademicSupportProgramisavailableforstudentswithdiagnosedlearningdifferences.Afteraprofessionalevaluation,astudentmaybeeligibletoreceivecertainaccommodations.Whilebeingsensitivetostudentneeds,TheAcademyreservestherighttolimitthepsychologist’sspecifiedaccommodationstothefollowing:1.Extendedtimeonclassroomtests2.Preferentialseatinginclassrooms3.Guidanceincommunicationbetweenstudentsandfaculty

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UpperSchoolstudentsenrolledintheprogrammeetwithaguidancecounselorweekly,duringafreeperiodorstudyhall.Thesemeetingscontinuethroughouttheyeartoworkonstudyskills,criticalthinkingskills,organizationalskillsandotherexecutivefunctionskills.Theguidancecounselorwillserveastheliaisonbetweenthestudentandteacher,trackgrades,andsetquarterlygradegoalsandactionplanswitheachstudentaswellascommunicateoverallprogressofthestudenttoparents.MiddleSchoolStudentsenrolledintheprogrammeetwithaguidancecounselordailyduringasanexploratoryclassorweekly,duringanexploratoryclass.Thesemeetingsworkonstudyskills,criticalthinkingskills,organizationalskillsandotherexecutivefunctionskills.Theguidancecounselorwillserveastheliaisonbetweenthestudentandteacher,trackgrades,andsetquarterlygradegoalsandactionplanswitheachstudentaswellascommunicateoverallprogressofthestudenttoparents.

Studentswhoqualifyforaccommodationsshouldusethemconsistentlyintheirclassroomworktobeeligibleforthesameaccommodationsonstandardizedtests.Toqualifyfortheseaccommodations,astudentmusthavebeenprofessionallydiagnosedbyacertifiedprofessionalwithcredentialsappropriatetothedisability.Alldocumentationmustbecurrent(withinthepastthreeyears).TheAcademywillmaintainanup-to-datecopyofalldocumentationthatmust: 1.Statethespecificdisabilityasdiagnosed2.Detailrelevanteducationalandmedicaldevelopmental3.Describethecomprehensiveassessments(psycho-educationalorneuropsychological),includingevaluationdates,usedtoarriveatthediagnosis4.Describethefunctionallimitationsresultingfromthedisabilityassupportedbytestresults5.Describethespecificrecommendedaccommodationsandproviderationaleexplaininghowtheseaccommodationsaddressthefunctionallimitations6.Describetheprofessionalcredentialsoftheevaluator,includinginformationaboutlicensureorcertification,educationandareaofspecialization Studentswithlearningdifferencesareresponsibleforthefollowingactions:1.Tobehaveinaccordancewiththerecommendationsspecifiedintheprofessionalevaluation2.Totakefulladvantageofextrahelpsessionsofferedbythefacultyandclassroominstruction3.Totakeadvantageofalternativetestinglocationandextendedtime,ifneededandprescribed4.Tocompleteanyclassroomassessmentwithinthedaythetestisgiven5.Toberesponsibleforcommunicatingupdatedtestingandrecommendationstoguidancecounselor AcademicSupportPlanEnrollment:Afeeof$1,000.00inadditiontotuitionisrequiredforenrollmentintheAcademicSupportProgramforthe2018-2019academicyear.Onceenrolled,aconfidentialIndividualAccommodationPlanisprovidedtothestudent’steachersandexplainedbytheguidancecounselor.Acceptanceintheprogramisbasedonacademicneeddeterminedbypsychological-educationalevaluationandspaceavailable.Schoolyearcommitmentcontractsmustbesignedbybothparentandstudent.Attheendofeachacademicyear,theguidancecounselorwillassessthestudent’sprogressandrecommendaplacementoptionforthenextyear.

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AcademicAdvisementTheUpperSchoolDivisionHeadservesasacademicadvisortoallUpperSchoolstudents.TheMiddleSchoolDivisionHeadservesasacademicadvisortoallmiddleschoolstudents.Anupperschoolcounselorassistswithgrades9and10.Acollegecounselorworkswithstudentsingrades11and12.Eachspringstudentsareadvisedthroughthecourseselectionprocesspriortoregistration.Everyattemptismadetocreateschedulesthatreflectstudentinterestsandpotentialforsuccesswithinthemostrigorouscurriculumavailable.

AdvancedPlacementCoursesStudentsenrolledinAPcoursesareencouragedtotakethenationalexaminMay.StudentswilldeclareinwritingtheirintenttotakethenationalexambyNovember15.Ifastudentdecidesatthistimetotakethenationalexam,hewillbechargedthefullexamfeeof$94,beexpectedtotakethenationalexam,andreceiveAPdesignatedcreditonhis/herhighschooltranscript.Studentsalsoearnanadditional4points,addedtoaveragesbeforetheyarearchivedinPowerSchool.Ifastudentdeclareshe/shewillnottakethenationalexam,hewillnotberegisteredforthenationalexamandthecoursetitleonhis/hertranscriptwillnotbedesignated“AP.”Instead,thestudentwillremaininthecoursebutreceivecreditonlyforanhonorsoradvancedlevelcourse.Forexample,ifastudentchoosesnottotakeAPUnitedStatesHistoryexam,thecourserecordedonhis/hertranscriptwillbechangedtoHonorsUnitedStatesHistory.Inthiscase,studentswillberequiredtotakeanEastersemesterexaminMay,withMountdeSalesexamexemptionpoliciesineffect.StudentswhodeclaretheirintentNOTtotakethenationalexamwillnotreceivefour(4)pointstohis/heraverage.

CourseCreditCreditisawardedbysemester.Ifastudentfailsasemester,orexceedstheallowablenumberofdaysabsent,creditmustbere-capturedinanapprovedsummerschoolprogrambeforethestudentreturnsforclassinthefall.

Dual-EnrollmentMountdeSalesAcademypartnerswithcollegesanduniversitiestoofferqualifiedMDSstudentstheopportunitytoearncollegecreditwhileworkingtowardstheirhighschooldiploma.Insomecases,dualenrollmentcoursesareofferedduringtheacademicyearontheMDScampus.Inothercases,studentsmaytakecoursesonthecampusesofcollegesoruniversities,aslongasthesecoursesdonotmeetduringtheMDSacademicschoolday.

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DualEnrollmentPolicies

1.StudentsinterestedinparticipatinginadualenrollmentoptionmustreceivePRIORwrittenapprovalfromtheUpperSchoolHeadforthecoursesselected.ThisagreementformauthorizesthetransferofcreditfromthecollegeanduniversitytoMountdeSalesAcademy.EachcoursemustbeindividuallyapprovedbytheUpperSchoolHeadpriortomatriculation.Agreementformsareavailablefromthecollegeoruniversitythestudentplanstoattend.

2.StudentsmustmeettheadmissionsrequirementsofthecollegeoruniversitywithwhomMDSpartners.

3.StudentsmaynotenrollincoursescurrentlytaughtatMDSduringtheregularschoolyearorsummer.

4.StudentsmaynotmissMDSclasstimetoparticipateinadual-enrollmentopportunity.

5.CourseworkearnedthroughdualenrollmentwillberecordedontheMDStranscript,andthegradeisincludedinthestudent’soverallGPAandacademicGPA,whereapplicable.

6.Studentathletesinterestedindual-enrollmentprogramsshouldalsobeawareofNCAAClearinghouseguidelinesforsuchparticipation.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytoconsiderthepotentialimpactofdualenrollmentonNCAAeligibility.

8.Studentsshouldalsobeawarethatcollegestypicallyhaveuniquepolicieswithrespecttoacceptingdualenrollmentcredit.Studentsmustbeawarethatcollegesdoreservetherighttorefusesomedualenrollmentcredit.

ForwardCreditRequeststoacceleratethroughtheMDSmathcurriculumorsciencecurriculummustbeapprovedbytheUpperSchoolHeadandeachrequestisreviewedindividually.

Forwardcreditinmathematicsisawardedonlythroughtwooptions:● MDSSummerMathProgram,facilitatedthroughtheUpperSchoolCounselingofficevia

computer-assistedinstruction.● GeorgiaVirtualSchool

Ineverycase,studentsmustbeenrolledinamathcourseeachofthefour(4)yearswhileinhighschool.Accelerationdoesnotallowstudentstooptoutofmathinagivenyeariftheyhavebeenacceleratedthroughthecurriculum.

Studentsmaybeenrolledintwodifferentsciencecoursesconcurrentlyinagivensemester.Thus,studentsmaymeetgraduationrequirementsinsciencepriortotheirsenioryear.Ifthisoccurs,studentsarenotrequiredtocompleteanadditionalscienceiftheyhavemetthefour(4)yearminimumrequiredforgraduation.Thisscenarioisuniquetoscienceanddoesnotapplytootheracademicdisciplines,suchastheologyormathematics,wherestudentsmayalsoenrollintwosuchcoursesconcurrently.

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SummerSchoolForcreditrecovery,MountdeSalesAcademyrecognizesthefollowingoptions:

1. MDSSummerMathProgram,facilitatedthroughtheUpperSchoolCounselingofficeviacomputer-assistedinstruction.

2. GeorgiaVirtualSchool3. MercyOnlineSummerConsortium

Ineverysituation,MDSreservestherighttoselectthecreditrecoveryoptionforeachstudentneedingtorecoupcreditduringthesummer.AllsummerschoolworkiscoordinatedthroughtheUpperSchoolcounselingoffice.

Directapprovalforthesummerclassorotheroptionstore-capturecreditmustbeobtainedfromtheUpperSchoolofficepriortoparticipationinasummerprogram.Gradesreceivedasaresultofattendanceatanaccreditedsummerschoolwillbeenteredonthestudent’srecord.Ifalettergradeisreceived,thatwillbeconvertedaslistedasthesummerschooltranscript.OfficialrecordsmustbesenttoMountdeSalesfromthesummerschoolattendedforcredittobenotedonthetranscript.Creditrecoupedthroughsummerstudyisrecordedonthetranscriptanddonotreplacepreviouslyfailedcourses.

SpecialCourseworkIndependentStudy,summercourses,andonlinecourseswillnotbeacceptedforcreditwithoutthepriorapprovaloftheDivisionHead.

TransferStudentsWhenastudenttransferstoMountdeSalesAcademy,theofficialtranscriptfromthepreviousschoolisreviewedforcoursestakenandcreditawarded.Ifthepreviousschoolawardedcreditforacoursetakenpriortothestudententeringtheninthgrade,thatcreditwillbeindicatedontheMountdeSalestranscript.However,thecoursewillnotexemptthestudentfrommeetingallMountdeSalesgraduationrequirementsforcoursesthatmustbecompletedandcreditsawardedduringthefouryearsofhighschool.Iftheprevioustranscriptreflectslettergradesonly,thegradeforeachcompletedcourseisenteredontheMountdeSalestranscriptasthemidpointnumericalvalueofthepreviousschool’sgradingscale.Ifthetranscriptdoesnotreflectthatgradescale,theMDSgradingscaleisusedtodeterminemidpointvalue.

ScheduleApprovals/ChangesRequestsforschedulechangesmustbesubmittedtotheSchoolofficewithinthefirstthreedaysofAdventsemester.Drop/AdddeadlinesareannouncedandpublishedbytheUpperSchoolHead.Studentsrequestingschedulechangeswillbechargedfeesforbooksand/ore-booksthatwerepurchasedfortheoriginalrequestedcourse.StudentsmaynotrequestaschedulechangeatthebeginningofEastersemester.

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GradeReportingProgressupdatesareavailablethroughPowerSchoolonacontinualbasis.Emailnotificationsat3weekintervalswillremindparentstocheckstudentprogressthroughtheacademicyear.Printedreportcardsaremailedhomequarterlytomiddleschoolstudentsandmailedhomeattheendofthesemestertoupperschoolstudents.Questionsaboutpostedgradesmustbereportedwithin10daysofdistribution.

Make-upWorkAnytimeastudentmissesclasshe/shewillassumeresponsibilityformeetingwitheachteacherandfollowthisprocedureformakingupuncompletedwork.Ifastudentisabsentforonedayonly,allworkmissed,includingquizzes,tests,homework,orclasswork,mustbecompletedthedayfollowingthestudent’sreturntoschool.Forexample,ifastudentmissesclassonWednesday,he/shemustsubmitallmissedassignmentson,ornolaterthan,Friday.Studentswholeaveschoolforaschool-sponsoredfieldtripmustturninallassignmentsdueonthatdaypriortoleavingforthefieldtrip.

Ifastudentmissestwodaysormoreconsecutively,studentswillconsultwithteacherstodetermineascheduletomakeupallmissedwork.Nonetheless,allworkmissedfromanabsenceoftwoormoredaysmustbecompletedwithinaweekofthestudent’sreturn,preferablyduringFlex-Time.

Teachersautomaticallyinserta“O”intheirgradebooksforallmissedassignmentstoreflecttheimpactofuncompletedworkonastudent’scoursegrade.Zerosareremovedfromthegradebookifthestudentcompleteshis/hermake-upassignmentswithinthetimeframeprescribedabove.

Parentsmayrequestassignmentsforastudentwhohasbeenabsentforatleasttwoconsecutivedays.Parentsshouldfirstconsultindividualcoursepagesonline,andifmoreinformationisneeded,aparentshouldcallthemiddleschoolofficeorupperschoolPersonalCounselorpriorto10:00a.m.Tocoordinatemake-upworkforanextendedabsence.Intheeventofseriousextendedillnessesoraccidents,studentsmayreceiveanincomplete(“I”)attheendofagradingperiod.Allincompletesmustbemadeupwithinten(10)daysoftheendofagradingperiod.

LateworkItispolicyintheUpperSchoolforteachersnottoacceptworkfromstudentsafteranannounceddeadline.Studentsmustbeawareofassignmentdeadlinesandworkdiligentlytomeetsuchdeadlinestoreceivecreditfortheirwork.

StandardizedTestingTheASPIRE(preliminaryACT)isgivento6th,7th,8th,and9thgradestudentsinApril.ThePSATisgiventoboth10thand11thgradestudentsinOctober.Scorereportsarediscussedwithstudentsandresultsaresenthometoparents.StudentsareencouragedtotakeboththeACTandtheSATatleastonceduringthejunioryearand,ifneeded,againduringthesenioryear.ThesetestsarediscussedindetailintheCollegePlanningHandbookandontheschoolwebsite.

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HOPEScholarship

TheGeorgiaStudentFinanceCommissioncalculatesgradepointaveragestodeterminestudenteligibilityfortheHOPEScholarship.DetailedinformationregardingthiscalculationcanbefoundintheMountdeSalesCollegePlanningHandbookfoundonTheAcademy’swebsite.

PromotionandRetentionTheadministrationofMountdeSalesAcademyreservestherighttorescindenrollmentcontractsforlackofacademicprogress.Upperschoolstudentswhofailmorethantwosemestercoursesinanacademicsemesterorfour(4)semestercoursesinanacademicyearwillnotbeallowedtoreturnthefollowingsemester.Middleschoolstudentswhofailtwoormoreacademiccourseswillnotbeallowedtoreturnthefollowingschoolyear.Nomorethansix(6)semestercoursesmayberecoupedviasummerschoolprogramsoverastudent’shighschoolcareer.

Re-enrollmentTheAcademyusesanautomaticre-enrollmentsystemtomakeiteasierforparentswhoareplanningfortheirstudenttoreturntoMDSthefollowingacademicyear.Familieswillbenotifiedofthefollowingyear’stuitionratesinFebruaryandmustnotifytheDirectorofAdmissionsinwritingbeforeMarch31,2019shouldtheydecidenottore-enroll.Fullrefundswillbeprovidedtofamilieswhomoveoutoftownpriortothestartoftheacademicyear.FamilieswhowithdrawafterJune1foranyreasonotherthanafamilymovetoanewcitywillbeheldaccountableforthefollowingpercentagesofyearlytuition:Priortothestartoftheacademicyear 20%FromstartofschoolthroughOctober1 40%FromOctober1throughendofAdventSemester 60%AfterthestartoftheEasterSemester 100%ParentswillreceiveanoticeinFebruarywithinstructionsonhowtomakechangestotheirpaymentoptions,after-school-carearrangements,academicsupportcontracts,orbusserviceagreements.

WithdrawalfromSchoolIfitbecomesnecessarytowithdrawfromMountdeSalesAcademy,aparentorguardianmustrequestanofficialwithdrawalformfromthePresidentorAssistantHeadofSchool.Afterthissignedformisreceivedandallschoolobligationsarecleared,transcriptsandrecordscanbereleased.

TranscriptsAtranscriptisacopyofthestudent’sofficialeducationalrecord.Officialtranscriptswillonlybeprovideduponwrittenrequestbythestudentorparent.ReviewandclearancebytheUpperSchoolofficeandschoolbusinessmanagerisrequiredbeforetranscriptsarereleased.

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ClassRankSimilartothepoliciesofotheracademicallyrigoroushighschools,MountdeSalesAcademydoesnotrankstudents,otherthanforthepurposeofdeterminingtheValedictorianandSalutatorianfortheseniorclassandCumLaudeHonorSocietymembers.

AcademicRecognition

ValedictorianandSalutatorian

TobeeligiblefortheacademichonorofValedictorianandSalutatorian,astudentmusthavebeenenrolledatMountdeSalesforthreeconsecutivefullyears.Toqualifyforeitherhonor,studentsmustalsomeetallthecriteriadesignatedforhonorgraduateforhis/hergraduationyear.

HonorGraduatesTobeeligibleforanHonorCord,astudentmusthavebeenatMountdeSalesAcademyforonefullyear,andachievedacumulativeaverageof“A”(93orhigherwithoutrounding)forthemarkingperiodsfromthe1stquarterofthefreshmanyearthroughthethirdquarterofthesenioryear.Thehonorcordaverageincludesallcoursestakenduringhighschool,andthestudentmustalsohaveearnedaminimumofeight(8)Honorsand/orAPcoursesemestercreditsduringhis/herjuniorandsenioryears.Thesecreditscanbeearnedinanycombination.Valedictorian,Salutatorian,andHonorCorddesignationswillbedeterminedattheendofthe3rdQuarterofthesenioryearusingthefollowingformula:(7thsemestercumulativeaveragex14)+(3rdquarteraveragefromsenioryear)dividedby15(quarters).SeniorswhofailtomaintaintherequiredgradepointaveragearesubjecttohavingHonorstatusrevokedpriortograduation.Beginningwiththeclassof2022,HonorGraduateswillhavetoachieveanoverallacademicaverageof95orhigher.

GraduationInformationGraduationattireisorderedthroughtheHerff-JonesCompany.Representativesfromthecompanyhaveinformationalmeetingsforstudentsoncampusatscheduledtimesduringtheyear.Studentsareresponsibleformeetingalldeadlinesforordersandpayments.GraduationcapsandgownsarewornforHonorsDay,Baccalaureate,andGraduation.OnlythehonorcordsandmedalsawardedorauthorizedbytheAcademyarepermittedasornamentationofthegraduationattire.Otherdecorationsoradditionstothecaporgownsuchasmonogramming,mortar-boardsigns,ribbons,etc.arenotpermitted.

ExcellenceListandMeritListAcademicrecognitionisbasedonacademicGPAcoursestakenduringthesemesterandarenotrounded.ExcellenceListrecognitionisgiventostudentswhoearnanoverallacademicaverageof97orhigherMeritListrecognitionisgiventostudentswhoearnanAaverage(93orhigher).

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AcademicLettersandStarsTobeeligibleforanAcademicletter,astudentmusthaveachievedayearlyacademicaverageof“A”(93orhigher)withoutroundingattheendofthe3rdquarterofagivenyear.AfterearninganinitialAcademicLetter,studentsareawardedgoldstarsforsubsequentyearsinwhichtheymaintainan“A”average.AcademicLettersareawardedattheyear-endHonorsprogramforseniorsandunderclassmenBeginningwiththeclassof2022,anaverageof95orbetterwillberequiredtoearnanacademicletterorstar.

HonorSocieties

CumLaudeSociety–ThisorganizationrepresentsthehighestacademicdesignationawardedaMountdeSalesstudent.SeniormembershipislimitedtostudentswhohaveearnedHonorGraduatestatusandpostedaqualifyingSATscoreof1410(composite)or30(composite)ontheACT.Juniormembershipislimitedtothetopfive(5)percentofthejuniorclassbasedoncumulativeacademicgradepointaveragethroughthethirdgradingperiodofthejunioryear.

NationalHonorSociety–Thisorganizationgivesnationalrecognitiontostudentswhohaveachievedoutstandingaccomplishmentsintheareasofscholarship,character,leadership,andschoolservice.Membershipislimitedtostudentsingrades11and12whohaveacumulativeacademicaverageofatleastan“A”andarealsorecognizedbythefacultyasoutstandingintheareasofcharacter,leadership,andschoolservice.Seniormembersmustmaintaintheir“A”academicaverageandarerequiredtoenrollinatleast2HonorsorAPcoursestomaintaintheirmembership.StudentswhoaremembersofTheSocietywillhavetheirmembershiprevokediftheyfallbelowtheacademicanddisciplinarystandardsestablishedbyTheNationalHonorSociety.AviolationoftheacademicintegrityhonorcodewillresultinautomaticdismissalfromtheHonorSociety.

NationalBetaClub-Thisserviceorganizationgivesnationalrecognitiontostudentswhohaveachievedoutstandingaccomplishmentsintheareasofscholarship,character,leadership,andschoolservice.Membershipislimitedtostudentsingrades10,11and12whohaveacumulativeacademicaverageofatleastan“A”andarealsorecognizedbythefacultyasoutstandingintheareasofcharacter,leadership,andschoolservice.

SpanishNationalHonorSociety–CandidatesmustbeenrolledinaSpanishclassbeyondthesecond-yearlevelandhavea90averageorhigherinSpanishattheendofeachacademicyearandthegradingperiodsupthroughthetimeofselection.Inaddition,studentsmusthaveearnedanoverallcumulativeacademicaverageof90atthetimeofselection.CandidatesmusthavetherecommendationoftheSpanishteachers.Membersmustmaintaintheacademicstandardsnamedaboveinordertoremainmembersingoodstanding.FrenchNationalHonorSociety–CandidatesmustbeenrolledinaFrenchclassbeyondthesecond-yearlevelandhavea90averageorhigherinFrenchattheendofeachacademicyearandthegradingperiodsupthroughthetimeofselection.Inaddition,studentsmusthaveearnedanoverallacademic

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cumulativeaverageof90atthetimeofselection.CandidatesmusthavetherecommendationoftheFrenchteachers,andmaintaintheacademicstandardsnamedaboveinordertoremainmembersingoodstanding.

LatinNationalHonorSociety--CandidatesmustbeenrolledinaLatinclassbeyondthesecond-yearlevelandhavea90averageorhigherinLatinattheendofeachacademicyearandthegradingperiodsupthroughthetimeofselection.Inaddition,studentsmusthaveearnedanoverallacademicaverageof90atthetimeofselection.CandidatesmusthavetherecommendationoftheLatinteachers.Membersmustmaintaintheacademicstandardsnamedaboveinordertoremainmembersingoodstanding.TriMHonorSociety--Candidatesmaybeingradesixththroughtwelveandcompletedtwoconsecutivesemestersofchoir,band,orpiano.Candidatesmustalsodisplayleadershipqualitiesintheirprospectivemusicalensembleandreceivetheendorsementoftheirmusicteacher.Candidatesmustbewillingtosharehis/hergiftinservicetoothersandattendatleastoneTriMHonorSocietymeetingpermonth.Candidatesmustalsoattendatleasttwomusicalperformancesinthecommunityperyear.

JuniorBetaClub-Thisorganizationgivesnationalrecognitiontostudentswhohaveachievedoutstandingaccomplishmentsintheareasofscholarship,character,leadership,andschoolservice.Membershipislimitedtostudentsingrades7and8whohaveacumulativeaverageofatleastan“A”andarealsorecognizedbythefacultyasoutstandingintheareasofcharacter,leadership,andschoolservice.

GuidanceProgram

Academicandcollegecounselorsareavailabletobothstudentsandparents.Thecollegecounselorworkswithstudentsindividuallyandingroupssothateachstudentultimatelymakesthecollegeselectionthatisrightforhim/her.Thecollegecounselorcoordinatesandprocesseseachstudent’scollegeapplications(applications,schoolreports,teacherrecommendations,transcript,andschoolprofile),providesstudents/parentswithscholarshipandfinancialaidinformation,andoffersvariousinformationsessionsduringtheschoolyearontopicsrelatedtothecollegeexperience.

Personalguidancecounselorsareavailableeveryschoolday.TheentireGuidanceprogramfocusesonthedevelopmentalneedsandconcerns(personal,vocational,educational)ofeachstudent.TheCounselorisavailabletoprovideeachstudentwithsupportandassistanceinlearningtomakeresponsibledecisions.TheCounselorregularlyvisitsclassroomstoaddresstopicssuchasstudyskills,sexeducation,drugandalcoholawareness,careerexploration,etc.Inadditiontotheseclassroomlessons,astudentmayrequestaprivateappointmentwiththeCounseloratanytime.

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EarlyInterventionTeam

TheMountdeSalesEarlyInterventionTeam(I-Team)isagroupoffacultymembersthattakesnon-disciplinaryactiontohelpandsupportstudentsbeforepotentialalcoholorotherdrugusebecomesahealthproblemoradisciplinaryissue.Empiricalstudieshavedemonstratedthattheearlieralcoholorotherdrugusersareconfrontedwiththeirbehavior,thegreaterthechancethattheirhealthwillnotbedamagedbyexcessiveuse.Asweworktogethertofosterthesafestpossibleenvironmentofourstudents,allparentsareremindedoftheirpledge(page27)nottohostTheI-Teamincludesatleastthreebutnomorethaneightmembers,anditisconcernedwiththehealthandwell-beingofstudentsasthesemaybethreatenedbyalcoholorotherdruguse.TheprocessgoverningtheI-Teamworksinthreestages:

Stage1:AmemberoftheI-TeamreceivesareferralorconcernfromanyoneintheMountdeSalescommunity—student,faculty,staff,orparent—whoisworriedaboutastudent’salcoholorotherdruguse.Anycommunitymemberwhomakesareferraldoessoinstrictconfidence.NooneexcepttheI-Teammemberswillhaveknowledgeaboutwhomadeareferral.

Stage2:OnceareferralisreceiveditispresentedtoallI-Teammembers.TheTeamdetermines,basedonthenatureoftheconcernandthenumberofreferrals,whetherthereissufficientreasontomeetwiththestudentwhohasbeenreferred.

Stage3:IftheI-Teamdeterminesthereiscauseforconcern,twoI-Teammembersmeetinprivateconversationwiththestudent.Thesemeetingsincludeeducationalandprofessionalresourcesthestudentcanuseforfurtherassistance.

EarlyInterventionTeamGuidelinesTheI-Teamseekstopreventdamagedonebyalcoholorotherdrugabuse.I-Teaminterventionsproceedinthreestages,asdescribedbelow.

InterventionProcess:LevelOneConversation:TheI-Teamreceivesconcernsaboutastudent’shealthandwell-beingthatmayincludepossiblesubstanceabuse.

• Teammembershaveaprivate,non-disciplinaryconversationwiththestudent.• Concernsareshared;resourcesforsupportarediscussedandencouraged.• Thenextstep(apossibleLevelTwoConversation)isdiscussed.

LevelTwoConversation:TheI-TeamreceivesadditionalreferralsonastudentwithwhomtheI-TeamhasalreadyintervenedatLevelOne.

• Teammembersholdaconversationwiththestudentandhisorherparent/guardian.Theschoolcounselorwillalsobeincluded.

• Concernsareshared;resourcesforsupport,whichmayincludeprofessionalevaluationandcounseling,arediscussedandencouraged.

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LevelThreeConversation:Concernaboutsubstanceabusepersists.• Teammembershaveafurtherconversationwiththestudentandhisorherparent/guardian.• Administrationisnotifiedofconcerns.• Professionalevaluationmaybemandatedbytheadministration.• Possibilityofahealthleaveofabsenceinthestudent’sbestinterestisdiscussed.

Inconjunctionwiththisstrictlyconfidentialandnon-disciplinaryinterventionprocess,theAcademy’sdisciplinesystemwillcontinuetorespondtostudentswhoareotherwisecaughtusingalcoholorotherdrugsatschooloratschool-sponsoredevents.Thedisciplinaryresponseswillcontinuetobesignificantforusingalcoholorotherdrugs,involvingsuspensionandpossibledismissal,alongwithcounselingandpossiblerandomdrugtestingforstudentswhoremainatschool,inkeepingwithexistingMountdeSalespolicy.ItmustbeclearlyunderstoodthattheI-Teamotherwiseoperatesindependentlyoftheadministrationandthedisciplinarysystem.

TopreservetheautonomyoftheI-Teamanditsconfidentialactions,reportsofI-Teaminterventions—includingthosethatinvolveschoolcounselors—willnotbereportedtotheAdministration.KeepingI-TeamrecordsconfidentialwillalsoprotectAdministrators,whomayfeelcompelledtorevealLevelOneconversationstoparentsorguardians.CounselorswillserveasliaisonstoreportI-TeamactionstotheAdministrationonlytonegotiateleavesofabsenceastheyshouldbecomenecessaryonthebasisofLevelThreeConversations.

AttendancePoliciesandProcedures

Attendanceineachclassisnecessaryforacademicprogress.Parentsshouldmakeeveryattempttoschedulemedicalanddentalappointmentssothattheydonotinterferewithschoolattendance.Eachstudent’sabsenceandtardyrecordbecomespartofhis/herofficialeducationalrecord.

ArrivalandDepartureAllstudentsmustbeintheirhomeroomsby8:00a.m.Dismissalisat3:15p.m.,MondaythroughFriday.OndayswhenthedailyscheduleincludesFlex-Tutorial,UpperSchoolstudentsmayleavecampusat2:45p.m.iftheydonothaveFlex-Tutorialresponsibilities.Studentsshouldbepickedupimmediatelyafterschoolhoursunlessinvolvedinaclub,athletic,oracademicactivitywithadultsupervision.Studentswhoarenotinvolvedinasupervisedactivitymustexitcampusby3:30p.m.orbeenrolledintheMDSfee-basedafter-schoolcareprogram.Studentsmustbedroppedoffatoneofthreedesignatedcrossingguardprotectedareas:1)nearthefrontdoorsofCuddyHall,2)attheZuverAuditoriumPatio,or3)atthecornerofAppletonAvenueandColumbusStreetandpickeduponColumbusStreetandAppletonAvenue.

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AbsencesandTardiesTheAcademydoesnotdifferentiateabsencesas“excused”or“unexcused.”Studentswhoareabsentfromschoolorfromindividualclassesfor5dayspersemesterrisklosingcreditforthecourse.Chronicabsencesmayalsoplacethestudentonattendanceprobationandsubjectthestudenttoadministrativereviewregardingstatusforre-enrollment.

RegularAbsenceIfastudentisunabletoattendschool,parentsarerequiredtoinformtheschoolby8:30a.m.bycallingtheappropriatedivisionoffice(Upperschool(478)751-3240orMiddleSchool(478-751-3242).Ifparentshavenotcontactedtheschoolregardinganabsence,parentsmustsendanotetoconfirmtheirawarenessofthestudent’sabsence.Thisabsencenoteistobeplacedintheattendanceboxintheschoolofficepriortothehomeroomperiodonthedaythestudentreturnstoschool.

PlannedAbsencesWrittennotificationshouldbesenttotheDivisionHeadoneweekpriortotheabsence.Allabsencesareincludedinthetotalnumberofabsencesstudentsmayaccruebeforelosingcreditand/orexamexemptionprivileges.

SchoolSponsoredEventStudentswhorepresenttheschoolatconferences,competitions,orothereventshavetheresponsibilitytomakeupworkmissed.Thesestudentsmustbefullyawareoftheirscheduleaheadoftimeandare,therefore,accountablefortheiracademicworkasscheduledbytheirrespectiveteachers.Studentswholeaveschoolearlyforathleticsorotherschool-sponsoredeventsmustsubmitassignedworkbeforetheyleavecampus.Workorassessmentsnotmadeupinadvanceoftheabsencemustbecompletedimmediatelyuponreturn.Tobeeligibletoparticipateinanafter-school,extra-curricularactivity,studentsmustbepresentatleastfour(4)periodsoftheacademicday.AnyexceptiontothispolicymustbeclearedthroughtheAssistantHeadofSchool.Schoolsponsoredeventsarenotincludedinthetotalnumbersofabsencesconsideredforlossofcreditand/orexamexemptionprivileges.

EarlyDismissal/LateArrivalsRequestsforearlydismissalsandlatearrivals(fordoctor’sappointments,etc.)mustbeinwritingandtakentothemainoffice.Notesforearlydismissalshouldbedroppedoffpriortothehomeroomperiod.Atthetimeofrequesteddismissal,thestudentshouldreporttothemainofficeandsignoutintheattendanceregister.Wewillnotinterruptinstructiontodelivermessagesconcerningearlydismissals.

Collegevisits/meetingswithcollegerepresentativesAcollegevisitmustbeapprovedbytheCollegeCounselorandsubsequentlydocumentedwithasignedverificationformissuedbythecollegeoruniversity.Aswithotherplannedabsences,parentsshouldsendawrittenrequestatleastoneweekinadvanceofthetrip.ApprovalfortheabsenceforacollegevisitorrepresentativemeetingwillbegrantedusingtheguidelinesthatarelistedintheCollegePlanning

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Handbook.Approved,documentedcollegevisitsduringtheEastersemesterdonotcountagainstexamexemption.Thestudentwillbegivenaformtotaketohis/herteachersandwillreturntheformwithteachersignaturestothecollegecounselingoffice.Studentsmayalsorequestpermissionthroughapassfromthecollegecounselortomissaclassperiodtomeetwithcollegerepresentativesoncampus.

FieldTripsOfficialMountdeSalesAcademypermissionslipsarerequiredforfieldtripsoutsidetheMacondowntownarea.Thedresscodeforthetripandguidelinesfortheuseofelectronicdevicesonthebuswillbedeterminedbyindividualteachers.

TardytoSchoolIfastudentarrivestoschooltardy,he/shemustsigninattheschooloffice.Ademeritisissuedfor“tardytoschool”atthetimeofarrival.

IllnessduringtheSchoolDayIfastudentbecomesillduringtheschooldayandneedstobeexcusedtogohome,he/shemustfirstnotifytheclassroomteacher.Studentsmustthenofficiallycheckoutofschoolthroughthemainoffice.

SeniorClassInformation

Withsignedparentalpermission,seniorswhohaveafreeperiodmaycheckintoschoolduringthefreeperiodwhenitoccursatthebeginningoftheschoolday.SeniorsmayalsoleavecampusearlyiftheirfreeperiodoccursattheendofthedayiftheydonothaveFlex-Tutorialresponsibilities.Seniorswithfreeperiodsadjacenttolunchmayleavecampusasanoff-campuslunchprivilegebutmusttravelbyfootandbeaccompaniedbyatleastoneothersenior.Theadministrationreservestherighttorevoketheseprivilegesatanytime.Onoccasion,seniorsmayberequiredtoarriveand/orremainatschoolatthebeginningoftheregulardayifspecialeventsorassembliesareplanned.SeniorclassmembersarerequiredtoattendallscheduledrehearsalsforspecialeventssuchasMoving-UpDayMass,CandlelightCarolService,HonorsDay,Baccalaureate,andGraduation.Therighttoparticipateintheactualeventisdependentuponattendanceatrehearsalorpractice.AstudentmustmeetwiththeAssistantHeadofSchoolatleastaweekpriortothescheduledpracticetoexplainthecircumstancesifhe/shewishestoaskpermissiontobeexcused.Apart-timejobisnotalegitimateexcuseformissingrehearsal;arrangementsshouldbemadewellinadvance.TheAcademydoesnotsanctionanytypeof“seniorskipday.”Seniorswhochoosetoparticipateinaseniorprankwillbefinanciallyresponsibleforanydamagestothecampusandaresubjecttobeingdeniedtherighttoparticipateingraduationactivities.

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VisitorsforStudentsduringAcademicDayTheonlyvisitorspermittedforstudentsduringtheschooldayarealumnimembers,officialguestsoftheadmissionsoffice,andguestsoftheCampusMinister.Theseguestsmayonlyvisitduringthelunchperiodandmustregisteratthemainoffice(upperschool)ormiddleschooloffice.FoodonCampusIndividualsmaynotbringfood(i.e,fastfood)tostudentsduringtheschoolday.

BehavioralPoliciesandExpectations

BehavioralExpectationsStudentschoosingtoattendMountdeSalesAcademymustacceptTheAcademy’shighexpectationsforstudentbehaviorandbewillingtoabidebythem.Theadministrationreservestherighttoimposedisciplinaryconsequences,includingsuspensionordismissalfromtheAcademy,forinappropriateoncampusoroffcampusbehaviors.

Theprimaryresponsibilityformaintainingclassroomdisciplinelieswiththerespectiveteacher.Someinfractionsareviolationsofguidelinesandrulesestablishedbytheteacherforclassroomorder.Thesearehandleddifferentlythanviolationsofschool-wideregulationswhichareinplacefortheorderoftheentireschoolcommunity.

Studentsareexpectedtoberespectfulofthepropertyofothers.Handlingsomeoneelse’spersonalpropertysuchasiPads,bookbags,etc.isaviolation.TheAcademyreservestherighttosearchstudent’spersonalpossessionswhenthereisreasonablesuspicionthatthestudentmaybeinvolvedinanactivitythatviolatesbehavioralpoliciesandexpectations.

TeacherIntervention

Thisresponseisforviolationofclassroomguidelinessuchasteacherdirectedhomeworkpoliciesandproceduralrules.Individualteachersalsoresponddirectlytomildlydisruptivebehavior.Teacherswillfirstaddressthemisconductwiththestudentand,ifnecessary,assignateacher-supervisedinterventionduringtheschooldayorafterschoolhours.Parentsmaybenotifiedoftheinfractionandmadeawareoftheconsequenceforthebehavior.Dependingontheviolation,theteachermayalsoarrangeameetingwiththeparents.ThedisciplinaryactionatthislevelisdirectedandsupervisedbytheteacherandreportedtotheDirectorofStudentDiscipline.Ifastudentfailstorespondtotheteacherinterventions,ameetingwiththeAssistantHeadofSchoolwillresultandfurtherconsequencesmayensue.Teacherdirectedinterventionsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto:

Detainingastudentafterschool Callingoremailingaparent Requiringmakeupworkafterschool Cleaningdetailsofcampusfacilities

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Meetingwithparentsandstudent Revokingofvariousstudentprivileges

Inthecaseofoverdueorlostschoollibrarybooks,thelibrarystaffwillissuenoticesandcollectappropriatefines.Ifastudentdoesnotreturnthebookand/orpaythefine,thelibrarystaffwillnotifyparentsandreferthemattertothebusinessoffice.

SchoolDemeritsWhenastudentviolatesageneralschool-widepolicy,demeritslipsareissuedbyafacultyorstaffmemberandturnedintotheDirectorofStudentDiscipline.Someviolationsincurmoredemeritsthanothersandsomealsoresultinmoresevereconsequencesinadditiontodemerits.TotaldemeritcountscarryoverfromAdventsemestertoEastersemester.TheDeanofStudentswilldetermineappropriateconsequencesforanyviolationthatincursdemerits.Demeritsresultinginfinesmustbepaidwithinone(1)weekoftheviolation,orthefinewillbedoubled.Examplesofmisconductinclude,butarenotlimitedto: Chewinggum(demeritsplus$10fine)Food/drinkviolation(demeritsplus10fine)Cellphone/Electronicdevice(demeritsplus$25fine)Chewinggum(demeritsplus$10fine)Food/drinkviolation(demeritsplus10fine)Cellphone/Electronicdevice(demeritsplus$25fine)Parking/drivingviolation(demeritsplus$10fine)TardytoclassOutofboundsDisrespectfulconduct/commentsDisregardforauthority/non-compliance/defianceDishonesty/misrepresentationProfanity/obscenityPublicdisplayofaffection/ImproperfraternizationThrowingobject/dangeroushorseplayMinoraltercation/scuffleMisuseoftechnology/electronicequipmentUniformviolationAfter-SchoolRestriction

Whenastudenthasaccrued4demeritsorhascommittedanymajormisconduct,anAfter-SchoolRestrictionmustbeserved.TheAfter-SchoolRestrictionslipwillbesenthomewiththestudentforaparentsignatureandparentsarenotifiedviatheemailaddresstheyprovidetotheschool.After-SchoolRestrictionisheldonWednesdayafternoon,from3:20pm–4:20pm.IfastudentarriveslatefororleavesearlyfromtheRestrictionperiodormissesitentirely,he/shewillmustmakeuptherestrictionandserveanadditionalrestrictionasapenalty.Studentsmaynotmissrestrictionsforathleticor

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literarypracticesorhomecompetitions.Studentsmustbeinuniformtoserverestriction.Examplesofmajormisconductinclude,butarenotlimitedto:Accumulationoffour(4)demeritsFailuretoreportforpreviouslyscheduledrestrictionInadequateresponsetoteacherinterventionDisruptiveconductDisregardforauthority/defiance/non-complianceDisrespectfulorInsensitivecomments/behaviorPhysicalorverbalaltercationDishonesty/misrepresentationMisuseoftechnologyOutofBoundsStealingAcademicintegrityviolationSkippingclassorschoolassemblyAcademicintegrityviolation

ForfeitureofPrivilegesWhenastudentchoosesnottofollowbehavioralguidelines,thestudentissubjecttoaforfeitureofprivileges.Thisforfeiturecouldincludeexamexemptionprivileges,participationinanafter-schoolactivity,aweekendactivity,aspecialevent,andotherprivileges.Studentsmayalsoforfeittheprivilegeofhavingafree-periodandparticipatingindress-downdaysandotherspecialeventsiftheirbehaviorfallsoutsideoftheschool’sexpectations.Inaddition,participationinschoolactivitiessuchclasstrips,Homecomingevents,peprallies,schooldancesandparties,HappyFunDay,CavalierGameDay,SpiritWeek,Junior/Seniorprom,fieldtrips,etc.,canbelimitedtothosestudentswhoareincompliancewithschoolregulationsandpolicies.

SuspensionorDismissalAstudentwhoisassigneda4thAfter-SchoolRestrictionwillserveadayofsuspensioninstead.TotaldemeritandrestrictioncountscarryoverfromAdventsemestertoEastersemester.Astudentwhocommitsaninfractionthatisconsideredseriousmisconductwillbesubjecttoimmediatesuspension,beingaskedtowithdrawfromschool,ordismissalfromschool.Afourthviolationoftheacademicintegrityhonorcodewillresultindismissalfromschool.Astudentwhoconsistentlychoosesnottofollowschoolpoliciesisalsosubjecttosuspensionordismissal.Mostsuspensionsareserved“in-school.”In-schoolsuspensiontakesplaceinadesignatedroomoncampus.Studentsareexpectedtocompletealldailyassignmentsandassessmentswhileonsuspension.Suspendedstudentswillnotbepermittedtohaveacellphone,willhavenosocialinteractionduringtheday,andwillnotparticipateinanyextracurricularactivitiesduringthedayorafterschoolhours.Studentsonsuspensionmustbringasnackandabaggedlunchfromhome.Studentssuspendedforanaccumulationofdemeritswillbeassignedanin-schoolsuspensionday.

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Studentswhocommitamajorinfractionduringtheschooldaywillbesenthomeimmediatelyandconsideredsuspendedforthatentireday.Theywillalsobescheduledtoserveanin-schoolsuspensionthefollowingday.Violationsthataresubjecttoimmediatesuspensionordismissalinclude,butarenotlimitedto:OffcampuswithoutpermissionTruancyVandalismPhysicalorverbalaltercation(serious)WeaponpossessionMisuseoftechnology(serious)StealingPossessionofalcohol,tobacco,orotherdrugsHarassment/intolerantbehaviortowardothers(includesbullying)Academicintegrityviolationafterwarnings/previousconsequencesAfourthviolationoftheacademicintegritypolicyduringtheupperschoolyearswillresultindismissal.

WeaponsAnystudentpossessingaweapononcampusoratanyschoolrelatedactivityissubjecttodismissal.Weaponsaredefinedasanyinstrumentcapableofinflictingbodilyinjury.

TechnologyUseMountdeSalesAcademyencouragesstudentstousetechnologybasedtoolsinordertoenhancelearning.Thefollowingguidelinesapplytoallelectronicdevices,whetherstudentsareutilizingtheirownpersonaldevicesordevicesthatarethepropertyofTheAcademy.

Thefacultyandstaffacknowledgethatwecannotcompletelymonitorallelectronicactivitybyourstudents,anditwouldbeimpossibletomakealistofinappropriateactivities,butourexpectationisthatstudentsunderstandacceptablestandards.TheAcademydoeshavetherightandresponsibilitytosuperviseallelectronicusage.Thislevelofsupervisionincludestherighttosearchallelectronicdevicesandtocheckaccesshistorywhenthereisareasonablesuspicionofinappropriateusage.MountdeSalesAcademyownspropertyrightstoourschoolname,logos,mascots,etc.,andsuchmaterialsmaynotbeusedinthecreationofotherwebsiteswithouttheexpressedwrittenpermissionbytheadministration.

Alteringpasswordsorhandlingsomeoneelse’selectronicdeviceisunacceptablebehavior.StudentsareresponsibleforanydamagesresultingfromnegligenceuseofanyelectronicdevicesownedbyMDS,includingbutnotrestrictedtoiPads.

HarassmentTheAcademyseekstoensurethateachstudentexperiencesaneducationalandsocialatmosphere

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foundedintoleranceandappreciationofindividualdifferencesandfreefromdiscrimination,lackofrespectforothersandintimidation.ThisobjectiveisfundamentaltoourmissionandanytypeofharassmentwillnotbetoleratedHarassmentcanconsistofawiderangedirectbehaviorsincludingbutnotlimitedtoteasing,taunting,threatening,hitting,makingderogatorycommentsaboutraceorethnicbackground,stereotyping,oranyactionsthatareinitiatedbyoneormorestudentsagainstanotherstudent.Inadditiontodirectattacks,harassmentmayalsobeindirect,suchasspreadingrumors,makingcommentsthataredisrespectfulorwritingnotesthatcausevictimstobesociallyisolatedthroughintentionalexclusion.Ourstrictstanceonharassmentincludesusinganyelectronicdevices,eitherthoseissuedbyTheAcademyorpersonaldevicestoharassanotherstudent

SubstanceUse

Drugs/AlcoholTheuse,distribution,orpossessionofdrugsoralcoholwithintheschoolbuilding,onschoolpremises,oratanyschoolfunctionisaseriousviolationoftheschool’sbehaviorcode.Anystudentwhoisfoundinpossessionof,orundertheinfluenceofdrugsoralcoholontheschoolpremisesoratanyschoolfunctionatanytimeissubjecttobeingdismissedfromTheAcademy.Anystudentwhoprovidesotherstudentswithillegaldrugsoralcoholwillbedismissed.Ifthereisreasontosuspectthatthereisaspecificconcernofalcoholordruguse,theAdministrationhastherighttorequireaconfidentialassessmentincludingdrugtesting.TheAdministrationwillcontacttheparentsorlegalguardiantoexplaintheneedforanassessmentanddrugtestingandtheconcernsthatleadtothatdecision.Shouldtheparentorlegalguardiannotwishtohaveanassessmentanddrugtesting,thestudentwillnotbeallowedtoreturntoTheAcademy.

TheAcademyreservestherighttoenforceourSubstanceUsePolicyregardlesswhethertheactiontakesplaceatschooloranotherlocation.MountdeSalesexpectsparentstosupporttheschool’sefforttoeliminatetheillegaluseofdrugsandalcoholandtosupportthelocallawsgoverningtheiruse.

Aparent’ssignatureagreeingtoabidebytheguidelinesinthehandbookshallserveasapledgethatanypartiesforMountdeSalesstudentsintheirhomeswillbechaperonedandthatneitheralcoholnordrugswillbeservedorpermitted.

UseofTobacco/NicotineProductsStudentsarenotpermittedtousetobaccoortobaccoproductsintheschoolbuildings,schoolgrounds,schoolathleticcomplex,ataschool-sponsoredeventonoroffcampus,oratanytimewhilewearingaschoolshirt,athleticuniform,orMDSouterwear.Thispolicyincludes“vaping,”“juuling,”orthepossessionofmaterialsforthatpurpose.Astudentwhoisinpossessionofthesematerialsorfoundtobeusingorsellingthemisalsosubjecttosuspensionfromanyathleticteamofwhichshe/heisamember.Theseconsequenceswillbeappliedaswelltoanystudentsinthecompanyofotherswhilesuchactivitiesaretakingplace.

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AcademicIntegrity

Anyviolationoftheacademicintegritypolicywillresultinaminimumconsequenceofreceivingagradeofzeroontheassignment.Additionaldisciplinaryconsequenceswillbeassignedbasedonthenatureoftheinfraction.Ifastudentcommitsafourthacademicintegrityviolationhe/shewillbedismissedfromtheAcademy.Following,aresometypesofinfractionsthatareconsideredtobeviolationsofacademicintegrity:

AppropriateCollaboration

Appropriatecollaborationisdefinedasworkingwithanotherstudentorreceivingassistancefromsomeonetocompletecoursework.Acceptablecollaborationdoesnotincludesharingmaterialselectronicallyorsimplycopyinganswers.Appropriatecollaborationincludesdiscussinghomeworkproblemsorassignments;workinginagrouponalabassignmentbothinclassandoutofclass;askinganotherstudenttoproofreadawrittenassignment;andcheckinghomeworkanswerswithanotherstudent.

Plagiarism

Plagiarismisthesubmittingasone’sownworkthewords,thoughts,orideasofanotherperson.Thecopyingofanotherperson’swork,wordforword,withoutappropriatecreditismisrepresentation.Paraphrasingfromanothersourcemustalsobegivenappropriatecredit.Touseanyideasorfactsfromanothersourcewithoutgivingcredittothesourceoftheinformation,evenwhenthestudentrestatestheseideasinhis/herownwords,isconsideredtobeplagiarism.

Ifastudenthasanydoubtconcerningtheamountofaidthathe/shemayreceivefromanotherpersonforanytypeofassignment,itishis/herresponsibilitytodiscussthematterwiththeteacher.StudentswillbegivenaccesstothewebsiteTurnitin.comasameanstoevaluatetheirresearch-basedwritinganditsuseofadequatecitations.Allwrittenassignmentsover500wordsmustbefirstsubmittedtoTurn-it-in.comforanalysisbeforefinalsubmissionineverysubjecttaughtatMountdeSalesAcademy.

Facultymembersoperateundertheassumptionthatallworksubmittedbystudentsforevaluationofanykindisindeedtheoriginalworkcompletedbythestudentwhohassubmittedthework.Becauseofthebondoftrustimpliedbetweenteacherandstudent,plagiarismisaseriousoffense,andinmostcases,willbeadjudicatedonacasebycasebasis.Ifateacherissuspiciousthatplagiarismhasoccurred,thestudentwillberequiredtoverifythesourcesusedfortheassignment.Asinallacademicinstitutions,theburdenofproofisonthestudentfortheauthenticityofhis/herwork.AllteachersarerequiredtoreporttotheDirectorofStudentDisciplineallsuspicionsofplagiarism,copying,orcheating.

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Theminimumconsequenceforplagiarismofanykindisagradeofzerofortheassignmentinquestion.Inasituationwheretwostudentssubmitworkidenticalinnature,kind,ordegree,theconsequenceswillapplytobothstudents.Ifitisdeterminedthattherehasbeenaviolationofthehonorcode,seriousdisciplinaryactionwillensue.Thestudentwillalsoberequiredtocompletethepaper,project,orassignmentproperlytoreceivecreditforthecourse.Additionaldisciplinaryactionswillbetakenaswarranted.Unlessstatedotherwiseinwrittendocumentationfromateacher,studentsshouldassumethefollowingprotocolwhensubmittingworkofanykindforevaluation.

HomeworkHomeworkmayberesearchedincollaborationwithotherstudents,butallanswersmustberecordedinastudent’sownwordsasauniqueworkproduct.Assignmentsmustbecompletedasstudentsprocessinformationforthemselves,eitherfrommemory,textbooks,orclassnotes.Inallcases,homeworkmustberecordedinastudent’sownwords.Itisneverappropriatetoborrowandthencopyhomeworkassignmentsinanyclass.Inaddition,facultymemberswhosuspectthatastudentiscopyinghomeworkfromanotherstudentwhileoncampuswillquestionthestudentaboutthenatureoftheiraction.

LabReportsLabreportsmayberesearchedincollaborationwithotherstudents,butallanswersmustberecordedinastudent’sownwordsasauniqueworkproduct.Similarwordsandphrasesamongthelabreportsofgroupmembersisnotappropriateandwillbeconsideredasplagiarism.

ClassProjectsOnoccasion,classprojectsmaybecompletedasagroupproject.Inthiscase,aclassprojectmaycontainseparateindividualpiecescombinedtoformthefinalgroupproject.Groupmembersmaydiscusstheprojectamongthemselves,butindividualgroupmembersmustcompletetheirownworkasauniqueworkproduct.Ineverycase,thestudentshouldfollowspecificguidelinesprovidedbyclassroomteachers.

ElectronicTranslatorsInWorldLanguageclassrooms,onlineorhandheldtranslatorsmaybeusedonlyasareferencesourceforindividualwords,muchlikeanonlinedictionary.Languagetranslatorsareneverpermissibleforthepurposeofcreatingphrases,sentences,orparagraphstobeusedasapartofanylanguagewritingorresearchproject.WorldLanguageinstructorscandetectimmediatelyifalloraportionofawrittenassignmenthasbeenproducedwiththeaidofalanguagetranslator.Iftheuseofalanguagetranslatorissuspected,studentswillbeaskedtorecreatetheassignmentunderthesupervisionoftheteacher.Ifthestudentisunabletorecreatetheassignment,theincidentwillbetreatedasplagiarism.Studentswillnotreceivecreditforanyassignmentwhereitissuspectedorverifiedthatalanguagetranslatorhasbeenutilizedtocompleteanassignment.

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CheatingIngeneral,anactivityisconsideredcheatingifitinvolvesrepresentinganother’sworkasyourown,manipulatingorutilizingresourcestogainanunfairadvantage,givingothersinformationaboutanassignment,quizortestthattheyhavenotyetcompletedand/orenablingotherstouseyourworkastheirown.Theminimumconsequenceforcheatingofanykindisagradeofzerofortheassignmentinquestion.Inasituationwheretwostudentssubmitworkidenticalinnature,kind,ordegree,theconsequenceswillapplytobothstudents.Ifitisdeterminedthattherehasbeenaviolationofthehonorcode,seriousdisciplinaryactionwillensue.Thestudentwillalsoberequiredtocompletethepaper,project,orassignmentproperlytoreceivecreditforthecourse.Additionaldisciplinaryactionswillbetakenaswarranted.

Studentsshouldfeelcomfortablereportingacheatingincidentatthetimeoftheinfraction.Ifastudentisnotcomfortablereportingacheatingincidentatthetimeoftheinfraction,he/shecanwritetheteacheranoteorcomebackandtalktotheteacherafterclassorlaterintheday.Astudentisalsowelcometoreporttheincidenttoanadministrator.Studentinformationwillbekeptinconfidence.

UniformPolicyMountdeSalesstudentswhileinuniforminpublichavearesponsibilityfortheirpersonalconductandappearance.Studentsshouldbehaveinanappropriatemannerandrememberthattheiractionsreflectupon the school. Students must be in complete uniform daily. Attire must be clean and in goodconditionatalltimes.

Shoes

UpperSchoolstudentsmustwearshoesstylesthatareonthelistbelow.

Middle School students may wear the shoes listed below or may select athletic shoes in navy blue,white,grayorblack.Theshoesmaynotbeall-canvasstyles,suchasConverse,Vans,orSketchers.Neonandpatentleathershoes/accentsarenotpermitted.

Bootsarenotpermittedforstudentsineitherdivision.

Boy’sOptions

• Sperry’sinbrownortansuedeorsmoothleather—nopatternsorpatentleather

• Clark’sMen’sWallabee---tanorbrowninloworhighcut

• LeatherSlip-onstyles---inblackorbrownleatheronly

• Solidbrown,tan,orblackclassic,oxfordstyleshoeswithnoadditionalcolorsorpatterns.

Girl’sOptions(pleasenotethatSperry’swithpatterneddesignsarenotanoption)

• Sperrysinbrownortansuedeorsmoothleather—nopatternsorpatentleather

• Clark’sWomen’sWallabee---tanorbrowninloworhighcut

• Solidbrown,tan,orblackloaferoroxfordstyleswithnoadditionalcolorsorpatterns.

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Clothing(UpperandMiddleSchool)

• GirlsPants–Lands’Endkhakifull-lengthpantswiththeMDSlogo.

• BoysPants–Lands’EndkhakifulllengthpantswiththeMDSlogo.

• GirlsSkort–Lands’Endnavyplaidskort/skirtinanapprovedstyle.Pleasenote:thesidepleatskortand A-line style that were previously on our approved list are not permitted. Skorts may be noshorterthan6inchesabovethecreaseatthebackoftheknee.

• GirlsShorts–Lands’EndBermudastylekhakishortswiththeMDSlogo.

BoysShorts–Lands’EndkhakishortswiththeMDSlogo.

• GirlsOxford andPoplin Shirts –Lands’ End shirts in solidwhite, light blueor yellow. Shirtsmaybeshort-sleeved,¾length,orlong-sleevedandmusthavetheMDSlogo.Nopoloshirtsmaybeworninupperschool.Onlythetopbuttonmayremainopen.

• BoysOxfordShirts–Lands’Endoxfordshirtsinsolidwhite,lightblueoryellow.ShirtsmaybeshortorlongsleevedandmusthavetheMDSlogo.Nopoloshirtsmaybeworninupperschool.Onlythetopbuttonmayremainopen.

• GirlsandBoysPoloShirts–onlymiddleschoolstudentsmayweartheLands’Endwhiteornavybluepoloshirtsinlongorshortsleeves.

• Girls Sweaters and Sweater Vests – girlsmaywear the Lands’ End navy blue or yellow crew neckcardiganorvest.TheofficialMDSoxfordshirtmustbewornunderneath.TheapprovedstylemusthavetheMDSlogo.

GirlsBlazer–Lands’EndnavyblazerwiththeMDSlogo(thisitemisoptional,notrequired).

• Girls Socks/Tights/Leggings - if socks, tights, or leggings areworn theymust be plain, solid,white,gray, navy or black with no patterns whatsoever. Only small, inconspicuous logos are allowed.Tights/leggingsmustextendallthewaydownthelegandhavefeetbuiltintothedesign.Nocroppedorankle-lengthleggingsmaybeworn.

• Boys Sweaters/Sweater Vests - boys may wear the Lands’ End navy or yellow pullover sweater,cardiganorsweatervestembroideredwiththeofficialMDSlogo.TheMDSoxfordshirtorpoloshirt(middleschoolonly)mustbewornunderneath.

• BoysSocks-ifsocksareworntheymustbeplainwithnopatternsinsolidwhite,black,gray,ornavy.Onlysmall,inconspicuouslogosareallowed.

• Undershirts forall -onlyshort-sleevedundershirts insolidwhitemaybewornundershortsleeveduniform shirts. Solid white long sleeved undershirts may only be worn underneath long sleeveduniformshirts.

• Physical Education uniforms - officialMount de Sales P.E. uniform items from Lands’ Endmust beworn forallphysicaleducationand fitnessandconditioningcourses.These includeboth shortandlong sleeve t-shirts, shorts, sweat pants and yoga-style pants. No other athletic garmentsmay bewornforphysicaleducationclasses.

*Outerwear-Duringtheacademicday(8:00am-3:15pm),onlyapprovedouterwearmaybewornon

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campus.Thisincludestimeduringclass,betweenclasses,atbreak,duringlunchperiods,andduringFlex-Tutorial.All outerwearmusthavea solidnavybluebody,withnoexception. Sweatshirtsmaynotbewornatanytime.

Approvedouterwearstylesinclude:

o ItemsontheofficialMDSLands’Endsite

o MountdeSalesathleticorliteraryteamjacketsthathavebeenapproved

o Neffletterjackets/sweaters

o Solidnavyblue,full-zipjacketsofanybrand(ifaccentcolorsarepresenttheymustbewhiteor gold andmaynot involvemore than20%of the jacket). Jacketsmaynotbepulloverstyles.

o Nosweatshirtspermitted

Accessories(UpperandMiddleSchool)

• Belts-Boysmustwearsolidblackorbrownleatherbeltswithnoornamentationofanykind.

• Scarves for Girls – Scarves must be solid navy, gold, yellow, light blue, gray, or white or anycombinationofthesecolors.Noothercoloredscarvesmaybeworn.

• Ties for Boys – Neck ties or bow ties may be worn with the oxford uniform shirt, if tied in thetraditional manner. The ties must be solid navy blue, light blue, yellow, gold, or white or anycombinationofthese5colors.Ifpatterned,thetiemayonlyhaveasubtleandappropriatedesign.

• Jewelry-jewelrymayincludetwosinglestrand/loopbraceletsand/orwatchperwrist,oneringperhand, and/or one simple, small, chain necklace. The necklace must be worn inside the shirt. Nobeaded, leather or large-link style necklaces are allowed. Only girls may wear earrings. Only oneearring per ear is permitted, and the earringsmust beworn in the earlobes. The diameter of theearringsmay be no larger than one inch, whether they are studs, hoops, or ornamentation on achandelier-styleearring.Inaddition,thetotallengthofdrop-styleearringsmaybenolongerthan2.5inches.Ifjewelryisdeemeddistractingortoolargebyafacultyorstaffmember,itwillbeconfiscatedimmediatelyandhelduntiltheendoftheschoolday.

Otherpolicies(UpperandMiddleSchool)

• Haircuts-Boys-hairmustbeclean,neatlyshaped,dryandcombed.Regardlessofstyle,hairmustbecut above the eyebrows in front, must not touch the shirt or jacket collar, andmay only extendhalfwaydowntheear.Fadhaircutsandshavedheadsarenotpermitted.The lengthofanypartofthehairextended inanydirectionmaynotbe longer than3 inches total.Unnatural colorsarenotallowed.Sideburnsmaynotextendbelowthebottomoftheear.Facialhairisnotpermitted.Girls-hairmustbeclean,neatly shaped,dryandcombed.Ornamentationworn in thehairmustnotcallattentiontoitself.Fadstylesandunnaturalcolorsarenotpermitted.Theadministrationreservestherighttorequireboysandgirlstomodifytheshape,color,lengthorstyleatanytime.

• BodyArt–Tattoos,piercings(otherthanonepiercinginear lobe),anddrawingsonvisibleskinarenotpermitted.

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• Out-Of-UniformDays-onout-of-uniformdays,boysarepermittedtowearjeansorshortsandgirlsmay wear jeans, cropped pants, or shorts with leggings or tights worn underneath. If jeans havedistressed/wornareas,skinmustnotbevisible.Athleticshorts,warm-upandyogatypepantsarenotpermitted.StudentsmustwearanofficialMDSt-shirtorthespeciallyannounced“theme”shirt.Allshirtsmusthavesleevesor, ifsleeveless,musthaveasleevedt-shirtwornunderneath.Theregularjewelry and facial hair policies remain in effect for out-of-uniformdays.Nohats are permitted onout-of-uniformdaysunlessannouncedotherwise.

• GameDayAttire -ondaysofhomegames/matches, studentathletesmaywear theirofficial teamjerseystoschoolwiththeiruniformpantsorskorts.Membersofteamswithsleevelessuniformswillbepermittedtowearasolidwhiteornavyt-shirtunderneaththejerseyorwearanofficialteamshirtinsteadofthejersey.Theteamshirtmustbeorderedbythecoachandeitherbeacollaredpolooradry-fitfabrict-shirt(innavy,gold,gray,orwhite)withtheofficialschoollogo.

ParentOrganizations

ParentAssociation

MembershipisopentoallparentsandguardiansofstudentscurrentlyenrolledatMountdeSalesAcademy.Itspurposeistopromoteandfosterparentsupportforthemissionoftheschoolandtocoordinateinvolvementofparentsintheschool.ItworksundertheguidanceoftheDirectorofInstitutionalAdvancement.

CavalierClub

ThisparentclubisdesignedforsupportofthenumerousathleticprogramsatMountdeSalesAcademy.ItisunderthesupervisionoftheAthleticDirectorandaboardofparentofficers.Theorganizationprovidesthefundingandvolunteerhelpnecessarytomaintainthewidevarietyofsportsactivitiesavailableforourstudents.MembershipisopentoallparentsandguardianswhoareinterestedinthesuccessoftheCavaliers.

AdditionalPolicies

Accidents/InjuriesStudentsmustreportallaccidentsand/orinjuriestothesupervisingteacherorotherfacultymemberimmediately.

After-SchoolCareStudentswhoareenrolledinafterschoolcareorwhouseitonadrop-inbasismustreporttotheARCnolaterthan15minutesafterthefinaldismissalbell.Failuretodosowillresultindisciplinaryaction.Studentsinthisprogramareexpectedtocomplywithallschoolrulesasoutlinedinthishandbookandothersthatthedirectoroftheafter-schoolprograminitiates.

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ApprovedBeverageContainersStudentsarepermittedtobringwaterand/orcoffeeinsideacademicbuildingsprovidedthattheyusedrinkcontainersthatmeetthefollowingdescriptions.Allcontainersmustbeheavy-duty,reusabletypeswithtightlysealedtops.CupsmustbemadeofeitherheavyNalgene-typeplasticorstainlesssteel.Absolutelynodisposablecupsofanykindarepermitted,includinglightweightplastic,Styrofoam,paper,orcardboard.Failuretofollowthispolicywillresultindisciplinaryaction

ARC(AcademicResourceCenter)TheARCisopenfrom7.30a.m.until3:30p.m.forstudentuse.StudentsmaycometotheARCbeforeorafterschooloranytimeduringtheschooldaywhentheyhaveafreeperiodorastudyhallpass.StudentsmustpresentavalidMountdeSalesIDcardtocheckoutbooks.

AthleticsRefertotheMountdeSalesAcademyAthleticHandbook,availableontheAcademy’swebsite.

BooksandiPads/iPadAccessoriesTextbooksandelectronicdevicessuchasiPadsthataredistributedtostudentsremainasthepropertyofMountdeSalesAcademy.Studentsareexpectedtotakecareoftheseitemsandtheaccessoriesandreturnthemingoodcondition.PleaseseeouriPadpolicyforadditionalinformation.

CellphonesandotherelectronicdevicesoncampusMiddleSchoolstudentsmustkeepcellphonesinlockersduringtheschoolday.UpperSchoolstudentsmayusecellphonesindesignatedareas.Cellphones,however,mustbeturnedoffuponenteringanyclassroom,unlessthestudenthasbeengivendirectpermissionfromaclassroomteacherorotherstaffmember.Ifacellphonemakesanynoise(includingavibration)whileastudentisinsideaclassroom,thephonewillbeconfiscated.Demeritswillbeissuedanda$25.00finemustbepaid(checkorcashonly)attheendoftheschooldaytoretrievethephone.

Co-CurricularActivitiesStudentsareencouragedtoparticipateinco-curricularactivities.ParentsandstudentsareshouldcheckourwebsiteforthelatestofferingsandpayattentiontoWMDSformeetingdatesandtimes.

DancesAllschoolconductrulesasstatedinthehandbookapplytoalldances.Violationswillnecessitatecallstoparentsandappropriateauthorities,ifnecessary.Anyclothingjudgedinappropriatebythechaperoneswillresultinthestudentnotbeingadmittedtothedance.Inappropriatedancingandsuggestivedancemovementsarenotacceptable.AMountdeSalesstudentmaybringONEguestonly,andmustprovideanyrequiredguestinformationpriortothedance.Theguestmustabidebyourdancepolicies,andthehostMountdeSalesstudentis

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responsiblefortheconductofhis/herguest.Onceadmitted,studentsmaynotleaveandbereadmittedtothedance.Thedoorsareopenedatadesignatedtimeandstudentsarenotpermittedtoleavethedanceuntilapre-announcedtime.

DeliveriestoSchool

Fastfood,flowers,balloonsandothergiftitemsmaynotbedeliveredtoschool.PleaserespecttheAcademy’spolicynottodeliversuchitemstostudents,ifthedeliveryismadepriortodismissaltime.

FinancialObligations

FinancialobligationsmustbeclearedthroughtheBusinessOfficebeforetheAcademywillfinalizetheacademicprocessforanystudent.Thisprocessmayinclude,butisnotlimitedto,thegradingofsemesterexams,assessingfinalprojects,determiningandpostingfinalaverages,andthesendingoftranscripts.

FoodServiceandFast-FoodonCampus

Studentsmaypurchasefoodinthecafeteriaorbringtheirown.Studentsmayeatinthecafeteriaoronthegroundsindesignatedareas.Allstudentsareresponsibleforcheckinglunchbalanceseachday.Studentswillbedeniedfoodpurchasesiftheiraccountbalancesarenegative.

Wedonotpermitfastfoodoncampusatanytimeotherthanspeciallyannouncedevents.Ifsuchfoodisdeliveredtoastudentitwillbeheldintheofficeuntiltheendoftheacademicday,atwhichtimethestudentmaypickitupandtakeithome.

Lockers

LockersarethepropertyofMountdeSalesAcademy,andassuch,aresubjecttoinspectiononanunannouncedbasis.Thepadlockforassignedlockersmustbepurchasedfromtheschool.Lockersshouldbelockedatalltimes.Valuablepossessionsshouldbeleftathome.Itemsshouldnotbegluedortapedtothelockers,butmagnetsandfree-standingshelvesarepermitted.

LostandFound

LostandfounditemsforUpperSchoolstudentsareplacedintheofficeinSheridanHall.LostandfounditemsforMiddleSchoolstudentsareplacedintheofficeinCuddyHall.Atintervalsduringtheyear,unclaimeditemsaredonatedtoacharitableorganization.

MedicationsAnadministratororamemberoftheofficestaffwilladministerprescriptionmedicationstostudentswhorequirethemduringschoolhours.Amedicationauthorizationformmustbecompletedbyparentinorderforthemedicationtobetakenatschool.Prescriptionmedicationsmustbebroughttoschoolinacontainerappropriatelylabeledbyapharmacyonlyandleftattheoffice.

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Messages

Studentswillnotbecalledoutofclasstotheofficeforanyreasonexceptinthecaseofanemergency.Urgentmessageswillbecommunicatedonlyatthebeginningandendofclassperiods.

MorningAnnouncements

DailyannouncementsarecommunicatedthroughtheAcademy’sclosed-circuitnetwork,WMDS.

OfficeHours

Allschoolofficesareopenfrom7.30a.m.until4:00p.m.,MondaythroughFriday.Thephoneisansweredduringthosehoursandavoicemaildirectoryisavailableafterhours.

OutofBoundsThistermisusedtodescribesituationswhenastudentisnotwherehe/sheissupposedtobeduringtheschoolday.Thiscaninvolveastudentbeinginanareathatisoff-limits,astudentleavingcampuswithoutpermission,astudentnotbeingwhereexpectedatanygiventime,aseniorleavingcampusatatimeotherthanlunch,etc.

Postingofsigns/Sellingitems

StudentsmaynotpostsignsorsellitemsforanoutsidegroupwithoutpermissionfromtheAssistantHeadofSchool.

RespectforPropertyAllstudentsareresponsibletocleanupafterthemselves.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,thecafeteria,lockerrooms,classrooms,gym,outsidearea,andbathrooms.Studentsarefinanciallyresponsibleiftheydefaceordestroyschoolpropertyofanykind.

SafetyDrillsDrillsarescheduledregularlytopreparestudentsandfacultyforemergencysituationssuchasfires,tornadoesandevacuations.Studentsaregiveninstructiononprocedurestofollowforeachemergencysituation.

SchoolLogo

ThewordsMountdeSalesAcademy,MDS,oranylogogenerallyassociatedwiththeAcademymaynotbeusedonanymediaoutlet,unlessexpresswrittenpermissionhasbeengrantedbythePresidentoftheAcademy.Thispolicyappliestoallmediaoutlets,including,butnotlimitedto,publicbillboards,printedorelectronicadvertisementsoracknowledgements,andpostedsignsornotices.

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StudentParkinglot/Parkingdecals/PassesAllstudentsmustparktheirvehiclesinstudentlotsordesignatedplacesonspecificstreets.AllcarsparkedinaschoollotmusthaveanofficialMDSparkingdecalissuedforthecurrentschoolyear.Astudentmustbealicenseddrivertopurchaseadecal.Thesemaybepurchasedinthemainofficefor$15andmustbeobtainedforeachfamilycarthatisdriventoschoolandparkedoncampus.Ifadecalislostanotherdecalmustbepurchased.Parkingisfirst-come,first-servedonstudentlots.Alldriversmustbeconsiderateofneighbors–noloudmusic,nolittering.Valuablesshouldbelockedinthetrunkandnotleftvisibleinthecar.Studentsmaynotloiterintheparkingareasunderanycircumstances.Duringtheschoolday,a“ParkingLot”passfromthemainofficeisrequiredtoretrieveitemsfromacarorgrantpermissiontoleavecampus.Allschoolpoliciesareineffectinalllots,andparkingviolationswillresultintwo(2)demeritsandaten(10)dollarfine.

TransportationtoFields Studentswhoparticipateinschool-sponsoredathleticsmayridetheMDSbustopracticeafterdismissal.Thisserviceisprovidedonmostfullschooldays.ThisservicemayonlybeutilizedbythosedirectlyinvolvedinanAcademysponsoredactivity.StudentsmaynotbeatCavalierFieldsunlessunderthedirectsupervisionofanagentofTheAcademy.

Visitors

Allvisitorsoncampusmustreporttothemainormiddleschoolofficeforatemporarypass.Asarule,nooneispermittedtouseanyschoolfacilitieswithouthavingofficialbusinesswiththeschool.

WeatherclosingsIfweatherconditionsmakeitnecessarytocloseschoolforthedayordelaytheopeningtime,announcementswillbemadeontheschoolwebsiteandsentthrough“Remind”textmessagealerts.Parentsmaysubscribetothe“Remind”alertsatanytimebytextingthemessage@desalesto81010.

PolicyStatements

TheAcademyreservestherighttowaiveand/ordeviatefromanyandalldisciplinaryregulationsforjustcauseatitsdiscretion.TheAcademywillattempttokeepparentsandstudentsinformedofallchangesassoonaspossible;however,changesmightbemadeimmediately.AnupdatedonlineversionofthecurrenthandbookpoliciescanbefoundonlineonTheAcademy’swebsite.

MountdeSalesAcademyreservestherighttodisciplineordismissanystudentwhoexertsanundesirableinfluenceintheschoolorwhocannotadjusttotheenvironment,supervision,orrulesandregulationsofMDS.Disciplinaryactionwillbetakenifanystudentisinvolvedeitheronoroffcampusinanyactivitythatreflectsnegativelyonthereputationoftheschool.