Hotchkiss Almanac: Community Life Guidelines 2024-25

This K-12 policy document outlines the comprehensive guidelines for student life at Hotchkiss School, covering academic, residential, co-curricular, and health aspects to foster a supportive and disciplined learning environment.

ALMANAC COMMUNITY LIFE GUIDELINES SCHOOL YEAR 2024-25 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 4.16 Transportation to and from School 1.1 Head of School’s Welcome 1.2 The Almanac’s Purpose 1.3 Partnering with Hotchkiss 1.4 Mission & Values of Our Learning Community 1.5 Code of Ethical Conduct 1.6 Environment & Sustainability 1.7 Harassment & Anti-Discrimination Statement 1.8 Responsible Citizenship 1.9 Student Names & Pronouns 1.10 A Word on Nomenclature 3 4 4 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 4.17 Leaving Campus on Weekends 4.18 Other Leaves 4.19 Suspension 4.20 Involuntary Withdrawal 5. RESIDENTIAL LIFE 5.1 Dorm Teams 5.2 Dorm Policies 5.3 Occupancy 5.4 Requesting Housing Accommodations 5.5 Room Changes 2. OUR COMMUNITY 5.6 Dorm Room Amenities 2.1 A Commitment to Well-Being & Belonging 7 5.7 Room Guidelines 2.2 A Network of Support: Advisors, Deans, Teams, & Proctors 8 5.8 Additional Items & Appliances 2.3 Key Contacts 9 5.9 Safety & Privacy 2.4 Student Competencies 10 5.10 Study Hall 5.11 Check In/Curfew 3. ACADEMIC LIFE 5.12 Lights-Out 3.1 Diploma Requirements 11 5.13 Healthy Sleep Habits 3.2 Academic Support 11 5.14 Day Students & Sleepovers 3.3 Academic Accommodations 11 5.15 Residential Visiting 3.4 Academic Integrity 11 5.16 Fire Safety & Fire Drills 3.5 Course Load, Homework, & Assessments 12 5.17 Room Inspection 3.6 Late & Postponed Coursework 13 5.18 Room Searches 3.7 Work Missed During Term 13 3.8 Semester Finals 14 6. CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAM 3.9 Grades & Comments 15 & STUDENT ACTIVITIES 3.10 Work Incomplete at End of Term 15 6.1 Co-Curricular Program 3.11 Failed Courses 16 6.2 Athletic Program 3.12 On-Campus Academic Medical Modification Policy 16 6.3 Pre-Season Training & Practices 3.13 Absences and Academic Credit 16 6.4 Occasional Athletic Events During Breaks 3.14 Academic Review Committee (ARC) 16 6.5 Outdoor Team Program 3.15 Reclassification 17 6.6 Alternative Team Program 3.16 Students Separated from School 17 6.7 Co-Curricular Projects 3.17 Readmission 17 6.8 Sports-Related Health Care 3.18 Committee on Honors and Academic Standing (CHAS) 18 6.9 Student Activities 3.19 Absences for Standardized Tests 18 6.10 Clubs, Affinity Groups, & Publications 3.20 Off-Campus Programs 18 7. COMMUNITY REGULATIONS 3.21 Related Academic Matters 19 7.1 Major School Rules 4. STUDENT LIFE 7.2 The Code of Ethical Conduct & Professional Boundaries 4.1 Attendance Policy 21 7.3 Dorm Infractions 4.2 Dress Code 22 7.4 Harassment, Discrimination, Bullying, & Hazing 4.3 Student ID Card 22 7.5 Sexual Misconduct 4.4 Healthy Relationships 22 8. THE DISCIPLINE PROCESS 4.5 Mandatory Reporting 23 8.1 The Discipline Committee (DC) 4.6 Health Center 23 8.2 The Community Conduct Council (CCC) 4.7 Smartphone/Cell Phone Use 23 8.3 The Dean’s Wing 4.8 Dining Services 23 8.4 Disciplinary Sanctions 4.9 Food Deliveries to Campus 23 8.5 Academic Integrity Violations & Sanctions 4.10 Driving 24 8.6 Reporting Disciplinary Actions to Other Secondary 4.11 Bicycles, Skateboards, Scooters, Etc. 24 Institutions and Programs 4.12 Guests 24 8.7 Reporting Disciplinary Actions to Colleges 4.13 Swim Test 24 8.8 Students Separated from School 4.14 Campus Map 25 8.9 Dismissed Students 4.15 Campus Bounds 26 8.10 Readmission Guidelines ALMANAC 2024-25 Rev 8/29/24 26 26 27 27 28 1 29 29 29 29 29 29 30 30 30 31 31 31 31 31 32 33 33 33 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 35 35 35 36 39 40 40 43 45 46 48 48 49 49 49 50 50 50 TABLE OF CONTENTS 9. STUDENT HEALTH 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 9.9 Health Insurance Immunizations/Medical Records Prescription Medications Counseling Services Seeking Help Medical Excuses Sports Medicine The Health Center Policy Policy on Sharing of Health Information 51 51 51 51 52 52 52 52 53 APPENDIX A: DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS 54 54 54 55 55 APPENDIX B: ACCOMMODATIONS POLICY 56 APPENDIX C: ACADEMIC INTEGRITY ROLES & ADJUDICATION 57 Credit Requirements Subject Requirements Classics Diploma NCAA Initial Eligibility Requirements APPENDIX D: CONSEQUENCES FOR UNEXCUSED 58 ABSENCES IN A MARKING PERIOD APPENDIX E: CAMPUS BOUNDS, LEAVES, & PERMISSION REQUIREMENTS 59 APPENDIX F: CONSEQUENCES FOR A VIOLATION 60 OF THE DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY APPENDIX G: STUDENT VEHICLE POLICY 61 APPENDIX H: UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM (UAS) POLICY 62 APPENDIX I: RESPONSIBLE USE POLICY 63 APPENDIX J: HEALTH LEAVE POLICIES 68 APPENDIX K: MANDATORY REPORTING 70 ALMANAC 2024-25 Rev 8/29/24 2 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 HEAD OF SCHOOL’S WELCOME Dear Hotchkiss Community, The Hotchkiss motto is Moniti Meliora Sequamur, which we loosely translate from the Latin as “guided by each other, let us seek better paths.” Within the pages that follow, you will find information on support, School policies, and some community requirements that enable us to follow the spirit of the motto. All of us are here to guide one another, and be guided ourselves, on the journey through this incomparable community of learning. For those of you who are new, I welcome you. For those who are returning, we are glad you are back. And for those who have spent lives and careers here, we are deeply grateful. Each and every one of you strengthens this community. All good wishes, Craig W. Bradley ALMANAC 2024-25 Rev 8/29/24 3 1.2 THE ALMANAC’S PURPOSE 1.3 PARTNERING WITH HOTCHKISS The Almanac serves as a guide and handbook for Hotchkiss students and their families and guardians. It explains the values, philosophy, and expectations of the School and provides information about school rules, policies, programs, and services. Hotchkiss believes a positive and constructive working relationship between the School and a student’s parents/ guardians is essential to the fulfillment of the School’s mission. Hotchkiss will work with parents/guardians to the best of its ability. However, the School reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to require withdrawal or deny enrollment or reenrollment if the actions of any parents/guardians are not in support of Hotchkiss’s rules and policies. Such lack of support compromises a positive and constructive relationship and interferes with the School’s mission. The School’s decision regarding discontinuing a student’s enrollment is final. The policies and procedures detailed here are intended to apply under normal circumstances. The Almanac presents our community’s expectations of all students regardless of age, and including those who have turned 18. This handbook does not limit the authority of The Hotchkiss School to deviate from the normal rules and procedures set forth here to address circumstances as they arise in the manner deemed most appropriate by the School (including, but not limited to, student discipline), taking into consideration the best interests of the School, its students, faculty, staff, families, and community. These policies may be revised or updated periodically to reflect emerging situations or changes in policy. Such changes, if and when they are made, are publicized to the community. Integrity, openness, responsibility, and empathy are the cornerstones of our community. Compassionate interactions between students, families, faculty, and staff are essential to sustaining the health of our School. ALMANAC 2024-25 Rev 8/29/24 4 1.4 MISSION & VALUES OF OUR LEARNING COMMUNITY MONITI MELIORA SEQUAMUR Guided by each other, let us seek better paths.1 The Hotchkiss School Mission The Hotchkiss School seeks to inspire a diverse range of students who are committed to the betterment of self and society, and to cultivate in them at the highest standards of excellence imagination and intellect, openness and personal integrity, empathy and responsible citizenship that they may discover and fulfill their potential as individuals fully engaged in our world. Values of Our Learning Community The aim of The Hotchkiss School, since its foundation, has been to provide a dynamic environment for teaching and learning, as well as exceptional preparation for future study and fulfilling adult lives. Our residential community—the network of relationships c