Hackley Upper School Handbook 2007 - 2008

The terms, conditions, and regulations published in this Handbook for 2007-2008 are agreed to as part of the contract signed by parents and/or guardians with Hackley School. Students, parents, and guardians are responsible for reading this Handbook , and failure to do so will not serve as an exemption from these terms, conditions, and regulations.

Hackley School believes that a major aim of education is a development of a reasoned commitment to the core values of a democratic society. In accordance with this aim, Hackley does not tolerate behavior or language by students, faculty or staff which insults, degrades, or stereotypes any race, gender, handicap, physical condition, ethnic group or religion.

PHILOSOPHY

General Statement

Hackley challenges students to grow in character, scholarships and accomplishments, to offer unreserved effort, and to learn from our community's varying perspectives and backgrounds.

Hackley believes that students will grow in character and responsability by participating in structured activity that serves the needs of people outside the spheres of home and school. By committing their energy, time, and imagination to serving those needs, students can experience the satisfaction of helping others and can gain some appreciation of the complexity and concerns of the larger community. Accordingly, Hackley administers a Community Service program, encouraging and supporting regular student participation in a wide range of worthwhile activities. A premise of the program is that all Hackley students, through involvement in a onetime or a continuing project, will participate actively in some phase of the service opportunities endorsed by the School.

Students encounter serious classes, demanding homework assignments, and an insistence on unreserved effort. Students are expected to dress and conduct themsleves decorously. The school offers small classes, extra help, and frequent communication with parents, student-teacher interaction outside the classroom, a predominantly residential faculty, and a high level of participation in team sports, coached primarily by the academic faculty. The School believes in a diverse student body and assigns a significant percentage of its budget and financial aid.

The literature studied is that which has withstood the test of mature criticism throughout time; the history program concentrates on "the course of human events" over the millenia during which our civilization evolved. Students study mathematics and the sciences, including computer science, for their logical discipline as well as for their power over the practical world; they study foreing languages for scholarly interest as well as for conversational application.

Families from Westchaester, Rockland and Putnam Counties, as well as from New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut, make up the Hackley community. The School attracts the children of these families by doing certain things well. It does not aspire to comprehensiveness, and is candid about the limitations of its remedial programs. Although eager to help students overcome their academic shortcomings, Hackley does not believe in diverting resources from its ablest students.

Hackley students are expected to be good citizens. The School shares with its parents community an active commitment to character development as well as academic excellence. Students are encouraged to have respect for and to act responsibly toward themselves and others. Ths School strives to provide an overall environment that supports the development of virtuous qualities and good personal habits.

Hackley students are expected to go beyond mere observance of the rules and to strive to make Hackley a civilized community where courtesy, kindness, and forebearance reign, and incivility and intolerance are shunned.


Division Statements
Hackley sets high standards for its Lower School students, encouraging them to work diligently within the traditional disciplines; however, its curriculum also stresses the importance of an appreciation of both art and music. The School believes that projects, field trips, and “hands-on” activities are also influential and enhance daily instruction. Interdisciplinary projects are common. Community service, environmental awareness, international studies, and geography are integral aspects of the curriculum. The Lower School program attempts to relate courses to the students’ experiences. Concerned with the social and emotional wellbeing of the individual student, Hackley firmly believes that its younger students can be happy, enthusiastic, and creative while learning to write, compute, and reason.

The Middle School also expects its early adolescents to work within the framework of a traditional academic program. The sciences assume greater importance, study of foreign languages begins, and the workload increases and becomes more demanding. Personal contact between teacher and student is frequent. Field trips, assemblies, extracurricular activities, sports, and social events in the Middle School educate and foster greater camaraderie. Although the School recognizes the zest, playfulness, and energy of the early adolescent, it believes that these qualities are compatible with serious academic endeavor.
In the Upper School, Hackley becomes specifically college preparatory. Students enjoy the freedom of choosing from a wider array of courses, sports, and activities. The demands of the Upper School academic program, however, require that the students demonstrate increasing self- discipline and motivation as they encounter sizable homework assignments, longer papers, and serious scholarship. For the more talented and ambitious, the program offers nineteen Advanced Placement courses. Independent study opportunities are also offered in many disciplines and are a distinctive feature of the Upper School.

Curriculum and Classes
Hackley is a traditional college preparatory school. The curriculum is classic, but faculty are constantly reexamining what is taught and when, and they believe in judicious experimentation. The School is skeptical of machine-scored tests and believes that effective writing demonstrates understanding.

Ideally, each class at Hackley is valuable, a work of art; it is not conducted in a mechanical or mindless way. Each has a shape and design requiring careful preparation. Although spontaneity and improvisation are part of charismatic instruction, they must emerge from a controlling structure. Lesson plans and objective lists, while useful, and are never slavishly followed. The essential goals of a course are not just mastery of facts, skill in memorization, or preparation for the next sequence. Instead, each course strives to change the students’ perspective, to alter their habits, and to enlarge their sympathies through interaction with curious, intelligent teachers committed to their subject.
Whenever possible, a course is connected to the students’ experience, regardless of how limited that experience may be. A Hackley education is traditional, but not irrelevant. Ideally, every course offers pace and variety; every course also provides both challenge and satisfaction, along with occasional frustration. Although the School allows each instructor considerable autonomy, it expects a high level of excellence, acknowledging that such excellence is not confined to a particular viewpoint, instructional style, or personality.

Athletics, Arts, Activities
Hackley’s academic tradition is matched by a strong athletic tradition. Sports contribute significantly to individual development and to campus life. Sports help focus the students’ pride, encourage participation, and build camaraderie and a sense of community, while fostering hard work, fidelity, and courage. Finally, sports offer a necessary release for a student’s natural exuberance while promoting physical fitness.

Hackley offers a number of courses and enrichment experiences that foster both participation in and an appreciation of the arts. Dramatic productions are staged regularly in all three divisions and the School offers a diverse program in studio arts. Hackley has a strong tradition in music. Band, orchestra, chorus, chamber ensembles, and the Music Institute provide musical training at all levels. The School believes that extracurricular activities, such as the environmental club, community service, math team, Model UN, Community Council, and the student newspapers, literary magazines and yearbook, are valuable supplements to the academic program. It is proud of the contributions of carefully selected field trips, assemblies, festivals, plays, concerts, and community service projects.

Conclusion
Hackley is a friendly, caring school. In the classroom, on athletic teams, and in extracurricular activities, students forge friendships not only with classmates but also with teachers and coaches. These friendships often last a lifetime. Hackley’s philosophy is best expressed on its seal: Iuncti Iuvamus, which means “United we help one another.”

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Students also receive effort grades in all their courses. Teachers evaluate them on their preparation for class, participation in class, and organization, as follows:

Effort Rating
1 - Excellent
2 - Good
3 - Needs improvement
4 - Poor
5 - Very poor

Progress Reports
During each semester there is also informal academic reporting. Progress Reports are sent home four times a year, around the middle of each Marking Period. All students receive progress reports during the first Marking Period. Thereafter, progress reports are only sent to alert parents of potential academic difficulties. These reports grade students very broadly in both achievement and effort, as follows:

Achievement
P = Passing
U = Unsatisfactory
F = Failing

Effort
S = Sufficient
I = Insufficient

Evidentials (Academic Comments)
Evidentials are comments written by each teacher about a student’s progress and effort. Evidentials for English, History, Math, Science, Foreign Language, and three-credit courses in Visual Arts are included with the Academic Report for the first and third Marking Periods. Evidentials for two-credit courses and for all Performing Arts courses are forwarded with the Academic Report for each semester at the end of the second and fourth Marking Periods.

Incompletes
Students receive an Incomplete when they are unable to complete enough academic work to justify a grade for the Marking Period. They should make up all Incompletes as soon as possible. Students will be placed in Study Hall until the Incomplete is made up. Any Incomplete not made up within three weeks of the end of the Marking Period may be listed as a failing grade. (See Absence Procedure for more detailed information.)

Transcripts
Hackley seniors applying for admission to college must follow the instructions of the College Counseling Office in requesting transcripts and recommendations. In addition to the transcripts sent out at each student’s request as he or she applies for admission, Hackley sends each senior’s transcript (including first-semester senior grades) to all the colleges the student applies to at the end of the first semester. In addition, Hackley will send a final transcript for each senior to the one (and only one) college where he or she has been admitted and chosen to enroll.

Other Hackley students may ask the Registrar to send official Hackley transcripts to educational institutions and other organizations which require them. Students who wish to have a copy of their transcript for other purposes will be issued an unofficial transcript.

Examination Information and Policy
All Upper School students have formal semester examinations in most academic courses. Examinations in full-year courses are given at the end of each semester, in January and June. These examinations are generally taken in two-hour blocks according to a set schedule. Examinations count for 1/5 to 1/3 of the semester grade, according to departmental guidelines.

Semester 2 Exam Exemption and Senior Absence Policy

If a course includes a Semester 2 exam:

All students take the exam, except for seniors who

• meet grade requirements (see Below) and

• meet attendance requirements (see below) and

• prefer not to take the exam (All seniors retain the option of taking the exam in these courses.)

If a course does not include a Semester 2 exam:
No student takes an exam. Seniors who don’t meet attendance requirements in the course (see below) must do an extra project or pass an extra test in that course, to be graded on a pass /fail basis (and not to figure into any grade average), in order to complete the course. Students failing to earn a Pass on the project or test receive an “incomplete” for the year-end grade, and thus may not graduate, until such time as they earn a Pass.
Grade requirements for Semester 2 senior exam exemption:

Seniors are eligible for exemption from a Semester 2 exam if their grades fall into one of the categories described below.

• A “B+” or above average in all four Marking Periods.

• A “B+” or above average of the first two Marking Period grades, no more than two-thirds of a grade drop (i.e., from A- to “B”) from that average in the fourth Marking Period and with the teachers permission.

• A less than “B+” average in the first two Marking Periods if the fourth Marking Period achievement and effort grades in that course are not lower than the average of the first two Marking Periods, and with the teachers permission.
This exemption does not apply to a senior who receives a grade below “c” and effort grade below “2” in a particular course during the fourth Marking Period.
Senior Attendance requirements:

Any senior who misses six (6) or more class meetings of any course during the second semester for reasons other than hospital stays, death in the family, absences required by an academic course (such as AP exams), and School sponsored and School-chaperonedactivitiesmust take the Semester 2 exam. Seniors who exceed this limit lose eligibility for exemption from Semester 2 exams (in course which give them), or will be required to complete an extra project or test (in courses that don’t give Semester 2 exams). In the case of a required project/test, it will be graded on a pass/fail basis. Students failing to earn a Pass on a project or test receive an “incomplete” for the year-end grade, and thus may not graduate, until such time as they may earn a Pass.

9th, 10th and 11th grade students:

9th, 10th and 11th grade students are not eligible for exemptions from Semester 2 exams. If the course has a Semester 2 exam, these students must take the exam. If the course does not have a Semester 2 exam, these students may not take one – even if they want to take one.

Advanced Placement Examinations
Students in AP courses, or who have been designated AP students, are expected to take the appropriate AP examinations unless they have been advised early in the year that they should not sit for the AP exams. Students who fail to take an AP exam may have AP status removed from their transcripts retroactively.

Any contemplated change in the status of officially declared AP students should be brought to the attention of the Academic Committee as soon as possible. The Academic Committee will rule on the issue of the removal of AP status from School records and official transcripts.

AP students may absent themselves from morning classes on any day that they have an afternoon AP exam. Teachers will try to be accommodating in regard to tests, quizzes and papers during AP week and the preceding week.
AP students who do not sit for the AP exam or who cancel their score may be required to write the School’s final exam in that subject, even if their average would have excused them from the final exam. AP students who do write the AP exam may still be required to write the final exam in that course, at the discretion of the instructor.

Honors
At the end of each of the four Marking Periods, as well as the two semesters, Honors are computed. To qualify for Honors in a Marking Period, students must achieve four “B+’s” or higher in major academic courses, with no grade below “B-“, and no more than one 3 effort grade, all others to be 2 or 1.

To receive year-end Honors, students must receive Honors in four of the six Marking Periods, with at least one of the four being either the first or second semester. Year-end Honors Certificates are presented at Class Day. Students whose year-end Honors status is determined at the end of second semester will receive their certificates in the mail.

Diploma Requirements
Hackley believes that a secondary-school experience consists of more than a mere accumulation of credits taken and requirements fulfilled. Ultimately, a Hackley diploma indicates that the recipient has been engaged in a broad and challenging program that will prepare him or her for continued fruitful study and growth.

In order to achieve this goal, the School requires that a student complete a minimum of four years of Upper School English; a foreign language through Level III; three years of Upper School Science, one year of which must be a laboratory science; three years of mathematics (through Algebra II and Trigonometry); three years of History, one of which must be American History, and one year of either a performing arts or a fine arts course. In addition, he or she must participate in a team sport, attend physical education twice a week, or submit for approval to the Athletic Director documentation of participation in a pre-approved physical activity outside of school (at least ninety minutes a week), during the entire school year.

Furthermore, in order to receive an academic diploma from Hackley, a student must successfully complete a full senior year of studies at Hackley. This year must consist entirely of traditional academic courses, or of a combination of courses with an independent study program or major project approved by the Academic Committee. The student must pass all courses for the year.

Re-enrollment, Dismissal, and Withdrawal
Each student’s performance and citizenship are evaluated in January. Students not performing at acceptable effort, conduct, or achievement levels, as determined in Hackley’s sole judgment, may have their re-enrollment contracts held pending sufficient improvement. Their performance will be continuously evaluated for the remainder of the year. The Division Director will make a recommendation to the Headmaster no later than June on offering a contract for the succeeding year. In some cases, the Headmaster may, in his sole judgment, determine that the student will not be offered a re-enrollment contract, because it is contrary to the best interests of the School, the student, or other students.

Hackley believes that a positive and constructive working relationship between the School and a student’s parent(s) (or guardian) is essential to the fulfillment of the School’s mission. Thus, the School reserves the right not to continue enrollment or not to re-enroll a student if the School concludes in its sole judgment that the actions of a parent (or guardian) make such a positive and constructive relationship impossible or otherwise seriously interfere with the School’s accomplishment of its educational purposes.

The School reserves the unconditional right, determined in its sole judgment, to suspend or dismiss any student whose progress is unsatisfactory or whose conduct is contrary to the best interests of the student, other students, or the School itself, or whose tuition and fees are not paid as scheduled. The School further reserves the unconditional right to require the withdrawal of any student from the School when, in the opinion of the Headmaster, such action would be in the best interests of the student, other students, or the School itself.

Promotion
Promotion to the next grade is not automatic; it is contingent on students’ passing their courses satisfactorily. If a student is borderline in any course, he or she may be required to go to summer school or work with a tutor if the subject is sequential. If a student fails one or two courses, he or she may be allowed to move to the next grade after successfully completing summer work. The Division Director will recommend which alternative the student and his or her family should take.

Conferences
Parents may call the Upper School Director, Assistant Director, Class Dean, teachers, or advisors regarding their child’s academic progress, social development, or other issues. Discussions may take place on the phone or in person. Students are also urged to arrange conferences with their teachers or advisors if they wish to discuss their performance in class, request extra help, or seek advice.

Study Hall
To ensure their academic success during the period of adjustment to Upper School, all ninth grade students are assigned to Study Hall for the First Marking Period. At the end of the First Marking Period students whose effort and achievement grades are satisfactory will no longer be required to attend Study Hall. Attendance at Study Hall during the following Marking Period may be required for any students in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 with the following marks at any Marking Period or semester:

• one “D+” or below, with an effort grade of 3 or below
• two effort grades of 3, regardless of the letter grades
• any effort grade of 4 or 5

In addition, students with a “U,” “F,” or “I” on a Progress Report will be required to attend Study Hall for the remainder of the Marking Period.
All students who receive a letter grade of “D” or “F” for the year in a major course are required to attend Study Hall during the first Marking Period of the following year. Students with several poor grades or progress reports will be placed in double study halls.

Students assigned to Study Hall may leave for adult-supervised activities, such as a music lesson, college counseling appointment or one-on-one work with a teacher. The student must present to the Study Hall proctor a note from the adult supervising the activity.

The Class Dean may issue a note to the Study Hall proctor giving a student permission to work in the library, art studio or computer lab. The student must present the note to the proctor at the beginning of he Study Hall period.

After-School Study Hall
Students who have not completed their assignments or arrive unprepared for class may be required to attend Study Hall from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.. This study period takes precedence over all other activities, except in some cases regularly scheduled interscholastic sports contests; in this case, the study period may then be rescheduled for the following day.

Special Help / Tutoring
Students who are having difficulty with a course may be required to receive extra help from their teachers during their study halls or their free periods. In the Upper School, individual teachers establish a special-help schedule, which is posted. Any student who is failing a course is expected to meet with his or her teacher at least once during the week. Special help appointments are considered School appointments. A student who misses a scheduled special help session is subject to disciplinary action.

Special help is distinct from tutoring. Tutorial arrangements with Hackley faculty must be made through the Upper School Director’s Office. Tutoring can also be arranged from outside teachers and fellow students. The hourly rate for Hackley faculty tutors is $100. Student tutors are available through the Peer Tutoring Program, which is coordinated by a faculty advisor. Peer tutors volunteer their time as a community service.

Testing (College Boards)
The College Entrance Examination Board standardized tests, used chiefly by college admissions offices, are of two types:

SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test). Designed to measure a student’s ability to do the kinds of thinking employed in academic work, these tests yield two separate scores, one for verbal and one for mathematical ability. The College Board maintains that coaching for these tests makes little difference in a student’s scores, but a few coaching programs have shown tangible results.

SAT II (formerly called Achievement Tests). These tests are intended to measure a student’s knowledge of particular academic material. They are given in American History; European History and World Cultures (not recommended for students from independent schools); Languages (French, German, Hebrew, Latin, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Russian); Mathematics (Level I or Level IIC, depending on the depth of a student’s studies); Writing; English Literature; Biology E/M (environmental or molecular focus); Chemistry; and Physics.

Colleges differ in the number of SAT II tests they require, but many colleges require three; most prefer that one be in Writing. Many colleges also require one of the two Mathematics tests. Students planning to take scientific or pre-medical programs in college should take at least two SAT II tests in the Mathematics/Science area. The College Counselors can offer specific guidance.
If a student is planning to sit for an SAT II test in a certain discipline, he or she should probably take that test in June of the year in which he or she takes his or her last course in that field. For example, if a student plans to sit for Latin (or any other language) and is taking his or her last Latin course as a junior, he or she should take the Latin test in June of junior year.

The college testing sequence, therefore, is approximately this:

Freshman Year, June: Strong Biology students should take the Biology SAT II test. Students completing Algebra II/Trigonometry should consider taking the Sat II Math Level 1C test.

Sophomore Year, June: Students should plan to take SAT II tests in any subject (e.g., Chemistry) which they are formally studying for the last time before senior year, but in which they would like to take an exam to present to colleges.

Junior Year, October: All juniors take the combined Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) at the School. This abbreviated version of the regular Scholastic Assessment Test makes students eligible to compete for the National Merit, (for African-American students) National Achievement, and (for Hispanic students) National Hispanic Scholar awards.

Junior Year, February and Thereafter: All juniors must review their future testing plans with their College Counselor.

Students are responsible for meeting application and test deadlines. The School makes every effort to publicize the times, dates, and application procedures for the College Boards. Information booklets and application forms are available in the College Counseling Office, and questions should be directed to the Counselors in that office.

Note: Students with documented learning disabilities must consult the College Counseling Office at least three months before taking their first standardized test and must work with the Office when registering for all subsequent tests. See section “SPECIAL SERVICES AND FACILITIES” for information on psychoeducational evaluations and special accommodations.

College Visits
Students are urged to visit colleges that they may wish to attend, as this is important to selecting the most appropriate college. Advice regarding the best time to visit is given by the College Counselors. Two long weekends in the fall are available for Seniors to visit colleges: Monday, September 19th is Senior College Visiting Day, when there will be no classes for Seniors; Monday, October 10th is a school holiday. Seniors may request two additional days during second semester, normally taken in the spring, to visit colleges.

College Enrollment
Hackley students are expected to honor the responsibilities set forth in the National Association for College Admission Counseling’s “Students’ Rights and Responsibilities in the College Admission Process.”

N.A.C.A.C. Statement of Students’ Rights and Responsibilities
IN THE COLLEGE ADMISSION PROCESS
Revised September 1999

An outgrowth of the Statement of Principles of Good Practice, the Students’ Rights Statement makes clear to entering college students those “rights” which are only alluded to by the Principles of Good Practice. It also spells out the responsibilities students have in the admission process.

WHEN YOU APPLY TO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES YOU HAVE RIGHTS

Before You Apply:
You have the right to receive factual and comprehensive information from colleges and universities about their admission, financial costs, aid opportunities, practices and packaging policies, and housing policies. If you consider applying under an early admission, early action decision plan, you have a right to complete information from the college about its procession.

When You Are Offered Admission:
You have the right to wait to respond to an offer of admission and/or financial aid until May 1.

Colleges that request commitments to offers of admission and/or financial assistance prior to May 1, must clearly offer you the opportunity to request (in writing) an extension until May 1. They must grant you this extension and your request may not jeopardize your status for admission and/or financial aid. (This right does not apply to candidates admitted under an early decision program.)

If You Are Placed On A Wait List or Alternate List:
The letter that notifies you of that placement should provide a history that describes the number of students on the wait list, the number offered admission, and the availability of financial aid and housing.

Colleges may require neither a deposit nor a written commitment as a condition of remaining on a wait list.

Colleges are expected to notify you of the resolution of your wait list status by August 1 at the latest.

WHEN YOU APPLY TO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES YOU HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES

Before You Apply:
You have a responsibility to research and understand the policies and procedures of each college or university regarding application fees, financial aid, scholarships, and housing. You should also be sure that you understand the policies of each college or university regarding deposits that you may be required to make before you enroll.

As You Apply:
You must complete all material that is required for application, and submit your application on or before the published deadlines. You should be the sole author of your applications.

You should seek the assistance of your high school counselor early and throughout the application period. Follow the process recommended by your high school for filing college applications.

It is your responsibility to arrange, if appropriate, for visits to and/or interviews at colleges of your choice.

After You Receive Your Admission Decisions:
You must notify each college or university, which accepts you whether you are accepting or rejecting its offer. You should make these notifications as soon as you have made a final decision as to the college that you wish to attend, but no later than May 1. It is understood that May 1 will be the postmark date.
You may confirm your intention to enroll and, if required, submit a deposit to only one college or university. The exception to this arises if you are put on a wait list by a college or university and are later admitted to that institution. You may accept the offer and send a deposit. However, you must immediately notify a college or university at which you previously indicated your intention to enroll.
If you are accepted under an early decision plan, you must promptly withdraw the applications submitted to other colleges and universities and make no additional applications. If you are an early decision candidate and are seeking financial aid, you need not withdraw other applications until you have received notification about financial aid.

If you think that your rights have been denied, you should contact the college or university immediately to request additional information or the extension of a reply date. In addition, you should ask your counselor to notify the president of the state or regional affiliate of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. If you need further assistance, send a copy of any correspondence you have had with the college or university and a copy of your letter of admission to: NACAC, 1631 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-2818.

ADVISORY SYSTEM

Hackley depends upon a strong advisory system to address the personal, academic and social concerns of the students in the Upper School. The Director, Assistant Director, Class Deans, Dean of Boarding and Faculty Advisors work together to advise students.

Class Deans
Each of the four classes in the Upper School has a Class Dean, and the boarding program also has a Dean. The Deans monitor the well-being of the class and of individual students and assist the Director in administrative and disciplinary matters. The Class Deans and the Dean of Boarding meet weekly with the Upper School Director and Assistant Director.

Faculty Advisors
One important aspect of teacher-student relationships at Hackley is the system of faculty advisors. This system helps students individually make the most of their talents. A strong advisor-student relationship, built by mutual endeavor, can assist a student in learning more about him- or herself and developing his or her talents. Advisors seek to support their students in all areas of school life.

Early in the school year students indicate their choices for advisor on a list of available faculty and administrators. The Director then assigns each student an advisor. Faculty advisors monitor their students’ academic performance, effort, and citizenship and offer advice on social or academic problems. They also help students with course selection.

Students who seek out their advisors for counsel find it to their advantage. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisors often. Students are required to attend the Tuesday afternoon Advisory Period. Parents should also encourage their children to seek out their advisor when guidance or advice is necessary. Parents are invited to call the advisor with any concerns they may have.

STUDENT CONDUCT, RULES AND REGULATIONS

Hackley believes that an important aim of the School is to teach good character and encourage virtuous behavior, in partnership with parents. Virtues of integrity, tolerance, honesty, fairness, kindness and compassion are inculcated through the entire Hackley experience: its curriculum, rules, culture and activities.
Hackley students are expected to be good citizens and to strive to grow in character as they increase in knowledge. They are expected to be honest, responsible and fair in academic, athletic and social undertakings and to conduct themselves with courtesy and kindness in all their endeavors. They must care for the well-being of the School as well as for that of every member of the community.

The School depends upon cooperation between home and School for the development of good character. Students and parents must be familiar with the rules and expectations of the School and are expected to uphold them.

Daily Conduct
The educational programs of the Upper School and the community require adherence to the following expectations of behavior.

Courtesy: Good manners demonstrate a sincere concern for other people’s comfort and well-being. Students should always remember to

• greet teachers, staff and visitors,
• open or hold the door for others,
• thank the staff and all who assist them,
• knock and wait for a response before entering a closed classroom or office,
• walk, not run, inside the School buildings,
• refrain from playing musical instruments indoors (except in the PAC),
• refrain from shouting or using vulgar language,
• keep hallways, locker areas and stairs clean and uncluttered,
• leave tables in the Dining Room clean and ready for use.

Dining: All students can help make lunch a pleasant experience for everyone. They should stand quietly and patiently in line and may not ‘cut’ or hold places for friends. While eating, they should talk quietly. Before leaving the table, they should ensure that the table is clean (wiped if necessary) and ready for use and chairs are pushed in. All food and drink must be consumed in the Dining Room.
Day students who have an evening School activity and who wish to remain for dinner must request a dinner pass from the Assistant Headmaster’s office before 3:00 p.m.

Riding Buses: Good behavior on the bus not only shows respect for others, but is also essential for safety. Students should be considerate of children of all ages on the bus. They should not use vulgar language or talk or act in any way that is distracting or discourteous to the bus driver. The School will cooperate with the bus operators to ensure safe conduct of these vehicles, and student misbehavior will incur disciplinary action by the School. Students must wear seat belts when available.

Care of Property: Students are expected to care for both the property of the School and that of other members of the community.

Students should use their lockers to keep their own possessions secure and may not appropriate items which are found loose in the hallways. Such items should be brought to the Lost and Found in the Upper School Office. The School cannot assume responsibility for losses incurred through carelessness or theft.

Students must also treat School property with appropriate care and not mar desks, walls, windows or floors. Students are accountable for any damage they may cause and should report to the Upper School Director any damage they may cause or observe. Damage by a student-driven vehicle to any other vehicle or property on the school campus is the sole responsibility of the student and family and may incur disciplinary consequences.

Daily Regulations
Restricted Areas : For reasons of safety, efficiency and adherence to local laws, certain areas within the school are prohibited to students: roofs, boiler rooms, fire escapes (except in case of fire!), kitchen, maintenance and storage areas, post office, woodlands, and parking lots (except when students are arriving to and leaving from School). Students are not allowed in School offices without explicit permission from or the presence of a member of the faculty or the administration. Day students are not allowed in the dormitories unless given special permission by the member of the boarding staff on duty or by the Boarding Director.

Gum and Candy: Gum may not be chewed anywhere at School; food, drinks or candy may not be consumed indoors except in the Tuck Shop or the Dining Room. The exception is the Athletic Center lobby where soft drink machines are located.

Music Playing: Students may not play musical instruments indoors, except in the P.A.C. Walkmen, tape/CD players or radios are not to be used during the school day.

Electronic Equipment: Pagers and cellular phones are not permitted in class or in the Library.

Laser Pointers: Students may not bring laser pointers to school. Such devices can cause retinal damage when directed at the eye for 10 seconds or longer.

Games: Electronic games, board games and card playing are not permitted on School grounds during the school day. Gambling is prohibited at all times. Playing with balls and frisbees is prohibited near School buildings and parked cars. Snowball throwing is prohibited throughout the campus.

Computer Use: The Upper School has two fully equipped Computer Labs for use by classes and individual students. These computers provide basic computer applications, Internet access, and some programs required by specific teachers and courses. Lab access is restricted to the hours that the labs are open. Computers are located in the Library for catalog access and research and are available during the hours that the Library is open.

Students and their parents are required to sign the Computer Use Agreement, a copy of which appears at the end of this book, before using computer equipment. In addition, all students must demonstrate basic computer and Hackley network knowledge before obtaining access to the Hackley network. This requirement can be completed by participation in computer classes, upon completion of the General Introduction and Overview to the Hackley Computer Network offered in Ninth Grade English classes, or by setting up an appointment with the Upper School Computer Coordinator.

Failure to follow provisions of the Computer Use Agreement, computer lab rules, and library computer rules may result in rescinding of computer privileges.

Public Displays of Affection: Traditionally referred to as “PDA”, physical contact that may be interpreted as sexual is inappropriate in a school community and is prohibited on campus and at School-sponsored events. Examples of such behavior include sitting on another student’s lap and lingering hugs. More extreme cases may incur major disciplinary action, as may repeated instances of “PDA”. We expect students will exercise common sense and discretion.

Dress Code
Hackley is a traditional school, and our Dress Code is a symbol of our community values and seriousness of purpose. Adherence to such a dress code represents one’s respect for those values; inappropriate dress will be understood to represent, at best, ambivalence about membership in our community.
The School reserves the right to determine when style of dress is inconsistent with the spirit of Hackley’s Dress Code.

Dress in the Upper School should at all times be neat, clean, well-fitting and in good repair. The dress code is in effect for the entire school day, from 8:10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and it applies indoors and outdoors. The only exceptions are during sports and physical education. After 4:00 p.m.students whose PE or athletic activities are completed may remain in their appropriate athletic attire.

Boys’ Dress: Boys must wear shirts with collars or turtlenecks (not mock turtlenecks). Shirts must be tucked in neatly and completely. Boys must wear neat, full-length pants, socks and shoes with backs and closed toes.

Boys’ hair must be of a traditional style and may not come lower than the top of the collar of a formal shirt. Facial hair is not permitted; sideburns may be no longer than mid-ear. Boys may not wear earrings or have any visible body piercing.

Girls’ Dress: Girls must wear shirts or dresses with sleeves; shirts must fall well below the waistline. Skirts must fall below mid-thigh and fit properly without being tight. Girls may wear full length or calf length pants that fit properly without being tight. All garments must be opaque. Shoes must have low heels, low soles, backs and closed toes.

Girls may wear a single pair of earrings but may have no other visible body piercing.

Girls and Boys May NOT Wear:
Hats indoors
Sneakers
Athletic-style pants
Athletic caps anywhere (except at athletic events)
Clothing with pictures, slogans or writing. An exception is made for Hackley attire.
Denim garments
Sweatshirts or “sweat jackets”. An exception is made for Hackley sweatshirts.

Spring Modifications: Certain warm weather dress code modifications may be considered by or before May 15th.

Varsity Game Day: On the day of a game or on the Friday before a weekend game, Varsity team members may wear their game jerseys and/or game warm-up tops as an exception to the ordinary requirements of dress code. Sneakers, full warm-ups, practice uniforms/warm-ups or team t-shirts may only be worn with the explicit permission of the Director of the Upper School.

Concert Dress: Performers are expected to dress appropriately for concerts.

Concert Choir: Boys must wear a navy blue blazer, a white dress shirt, dark tie, dress slacks, dark socks, and dark dress shoes. Girls must wear a white blouse with collar, a gray skirt, stockings, and dark dress shoes.

Instrumental Groups: Girls must wear a dark navy or black dress, or a dressy white blouse and dark skirt, stockings and dark dress shoes. Boys must wear a dark navy or black suit, white dress shirt, dark tie, dark socks, and dark dress shoes.

There are some occasions other than concerts when jackets and ties for boys and dresses or skirts or dressy pants for girls are required, such as field trips, Class Day, or other times which the Director of Upper School will announce in advance.

MORAL EDUCATION

At Hackley, all discipline has an educational purpose: to help students learn from their moral choices, not only for the good of the community, but for the development of their own characters. Discipline is an essential part of moral education for all students, and Hackley’s structure of behavioral rules, disciplinary processes, and consequences, is, in our view, a moral curriculum that parallels our academic curriculum. We know that students on occasion will make poor moral choices; when they do so, they need to be held accountable for such bad behavior if they are to be free of its influence in shaping their future identity. That is the positive, educational purpose of discipline. Only with the greatest reluctance do we dismiss a student or require a student’s withdrawal, and when we do so, it is in the hope and expectation that even this final action from the School may have a positive, educational effect.

Major Disciplinary Rules
Described below are some of the types of behavior which will result in major disciplinary action (suspension, non-renewal of contract, required withdrawal, or dismissal). The list is not exhaustive, and the School reserves the unconditional right to impose major disciplinary action in extreme cases where the Headmaster determines in his sole judgment that a student’s conduct is contrary to the best interests of the student, other students, or the School itself.

Weapons: The possession or use of firearms, ammunition, knives, other weapons, or the use or threatened use of any object as a weapon will result in required withdrawal or dismissal.

Drugs: Illegal use or possession of drugs will result in required withdrawal or dismissal.

Voluntary admission of substance abuse problems will be treated as a matter for medical intervention and counseling rather than discipline. In partnership with parents, the School will support students who come forward and seek help of their own accord for substance abuse. Similarly, friends or parents may advise the School of a student’s substance abuse problem without incurring disciplinary action for the student. However, a student who has made such an admission or whose friends or parents have so advised the School is still subject to the School’s prohibition on illegal use or possession of drugs. In other words, admission of the problem is not a license for future violations.

In cases involving a student’s alleged use of illegal drugs, the School reserves the unconditional right, determined in its sole judgment, to require a negitive result on drug testing arranged by the School as a condition for the student’s continued enrollment.

Harassment: Harassment is abusive or offensive conduct towards others and may include adverse statements, conduct or treatment relating to a person’s race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age or other personal characteristics. Physical confrontation, cruel teasing or jokes, coercion, intimidation, threats, hazing, and sexual advances are examples of harassment, but not an inclusive list.

Dissemination of abusive, vulgar, or threatening language or images whether by mail, recordings, electronic media, Internet or other means is likewise harassment and is strictly prohibited.

Should any student feel that he or she is being harassed sexually or in any other manner, he or she should consider telling the offending party that he or she objects to that conduct. If the student is not comfortable with such a confrontation or if the harassment continues, he or she should promptly bring the matter to the attention of the Upper School Director, the Assistant Head, the Headmaster, or any teacher with whom the student feels more comfortable.

Stealing or the Possession of Stolen Property; Vandalism: Stealing includes the theft or misappropriation of property or services including the willful failure to pay for Hackley goods or services. Vandalism includes the willful or negligent damage to property belonging to the School, members of the School community, or visitors to the School.

Alcohol: The use or possession of alcoholic beverages in the buildings of the School, on School grounds, on school buses, at School-related events, or on School-related trips is prohibited.

Cheating, Plagiarism and Dishonesty: Offenses of this nature will result in both academic consequences (which may include a failing grade for the semester) and disciplinary action, which may include holding the re-enrollment contract for review at the end of the academic year or, in the case of seniors, notification of their colleges. The dictionary defines cheating as: “ to defraud, to trick or to obtain advantage by deceit.” Giving or receiving help on a test, quiz, or assignment is cheating. Possession of unauthorized data of any kind during a test is cheating, as is using another student’s answers. Plagiarism is the act of representing as one’s own the words or ideas of another. Other people’s ideas may be used in a paper only with full and explicit acknowledgment of origin and source.

The use of Cliff Notes or similar reading summaries is prohibited, unless the use is expressly approved or assigned by the teacher.

Computer Misuse: Student misuse of computer and Internet may fall under various categories of major disciplinary rules. Harassment via email, instant messaging and transmission of images; unauthorized access to school or individual sites or accounts; vandalism through distribution of computer viruses, deletion or alteration of programs or data; cheating or plagiarism through computer use are examples of misuse but not an inclusive list.

Unauthorized Possession of Hackley Keys: Other than boarders, who are supplied with keys to their boarding rooms, students may not have in their possession keys to any Hackley offices, residences or buildings. Keys which are found must be brought immediately to a Division Office.

Unauthorized Access: Students are not allowed in School offices or residences without explicit permission from or the presence of a member of the faculty or the administration. Students are prohibited from playing on or using in any way the elements of Hackley's "Adventure/Ropes Course," which is sited north of Saperstein Middle School. It can be used only under the supervision of an authorized faculty member, and each element has signage to that effect.

Tobacco: Students are prohibited from smoking or using smokeless tobacco on School grounds, at all School-related events and on School-sponsored trips.

Possession, Display or Distribution of Pornographic Material: What constitutes pornographic material shall be determined by the School in its sole judgment.

Disregard for Authority: Acknowledgement by students of the authority of teachers and staff is essential to the educational mission of the School. Students whose behavior shows a disregard for authority may be subject to major disciplinary action.

Accumulation of Disciplinary Violations: Accumulation of repeated violations of school rules, especially when a student has been corrected previously for that violation, may incur major disciplinary action.

Off-Campus Behavior: Conduct leading to the institution of criminal or juvenile proceedings for a violation of the law wherever it may occur may result in major disciplinary action as decided by the Headmaster in his sole judgment with such consultation as he deems appropriate.

Students are responsible for their behavior off-campus whether School is, or is not, in session. Violation of “Major Disciplinary Rules” at any time, in any place, is subject to Hackley’s disciplinary action, as is a student who violates the law. Disciplinary action in such cases, which may include non-renewal of contract, required withdrawal, or dismissal from School, is decided by the Headmaster in his sole judgment with such consultation as he deems appropriate.

Although Hackley School is not responsible for supervising students when they are at home, the School expects parents to provide supervision consistent with the School’s rules on alcohol. Though a parent or guardian may serve alcohol at home to his or her own child under age 21, it is illegal under Penal Law Section 260.20 to furnish alcohol to other children under 21 years of age. Further, under General Obligation Law Section 11-100, any person who is injured by a minor under the influence of alcohol, may sue whoever knowingly served that minor alcohol. Parents should supervise parties and gatherings accordingly. A parent’s or guardian’s failure to do so may result in a withholding of their child’s re-enrollment contract for the succeeding year, or dismissal of the child from Hackley School.

Disciplinary Process
Disciplinary matters are handled by the Headmaster, who may, in his sole judgment, act with the consultation of the Upper School Director, Class Deans, and in appropriate cases, the Board of Magistrates. Minor infractions may be handled directly by faculty members or Class Deans. All disciplinary decisions by the School are final and binding on the student involved and his or her parents and are not subject to any review. A student or parent may, however, seek reconsideration by the School in its sole discretion.

The Board of Magistrates is composed of three voting student members and one student clerk, elected by the Upper School community, and three faculty members, elected by the Upper School faculty. It is presided over by the Assistant Headmaster. Any non-expulsionary case, as determined by the Headmaster, may be referred to the Board. The Headmaster, Director of the Upper School and Class Deans determine which cases appear before the Board of Magistrates. These determinations are based upon the advisability of community involvement and the student’s preference.

Possible disciplinary consequences may include but are not limited to the following:

Detention: A one-hour detention may be assigned from 3:15 – 4:15 p.m. on a weekday; a one-, two- ,or three-hour detention on a Saturday beginning at 9:00 a.m. Detention takes precedence over all other activities, except, in some cases, regularly scheduled interscholastic sports contests or School-sponsored trips.

Disciplinary Probation: Probation is a formal warning to a student and his or her parent or guardian that a similar violation of the School’s rules and expectations will lead to more serious disciplinary consequences, which may include but are not limited to suspension, non-renewal of re-enrollment contract, required withdrawal, or dismissal. The purpose of probation is to help a student modify his or her behavior by keeping consequences of past behaviors in mind.

Students on disciplinary probation:

• may be required to attend daily Study Hall,
• may be ineligible for year-end Honors, Cum Laude Society and other School honors and awards,
• are generally allowed to participate in interscholastic sports and activities, but may be removed from such participation in more severe disciplinary cases,
• may be prohibited from overnight School-sponsored trips, including trips over vacations, and may be excluded from day trips,
• are ineligible for senior privileges,
• are not eligible to run for or serve in class office.

Any student who has been on disciplinary probation during the current school year is not eligible to run for or serve in Community Council office (President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer) or Board of Magistrates.

Students who have been placed on disciplinary probation may be determined to be ineligible for election to The Cum Laude Society.

Students who have been placed on disciplinary probation may be determined ineligible for selection as Valedictorian or Salutatorian.

Suspension: Suspension from school is a temporary separation from the community intended to remind the student that membership in the Hackley community is a privilege which may be lost through further misconduct. Suspended students are placed on disciplinary probation. Suspended students are responsible for making up missed schoolwork.

Non-Renewal of Re-enrollment Contract: When the Headmaster determines in his sole judgment that a student’s re-enrollment is contrary to the best interests of the School, the student, or other students, an enrollment contract will not be issued for the following school year.

Dismissal and Required Withdrawal: In extreme cases, the School will dismiss a student, or require a student’s withdrawal during the school year as described in the section entitled “Re-enrollment, Dismissal, and Required Withdrawal.”

During a period of suspension or following required withdrawal or dismissal a student may not frequent the campus or attend School events.

The Director of the Upper School will inform Upper School faculty of disciplinary infractions that result in disciplinary probation, suspension, non-renewal of re-enrollment contract, dismissal or required withdrawal.

Colleges and universities to which a student applies will be notified of the cause of any suspension, dismissal or voluntary withdrawal incurred during the academic year in which the student makes the application. If a student requests a Hackley transcript in support of a college or university application during a year in which the student is not enrolled at Hackley, or if a student requests a transcript in support of an application to another secondary school, Hackley will include with the transcript notification of dismissal, and may include notification of the cause of any suspension.

GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES

Attendance
All Upper School students are expected to be in school in their homeroom by 8:10 a.m., when attendance is taken. They must attend all their classes and be on the School grounds throughout the school day unless specifically excused. Students absent without a legitimate excuse may face disciplinary consequences.

Parents should avoid, as much as possible, appointments which conflict with classes. The school day for grades 9-12 lasts until 4:45 p.m. or the end of activities, sports or detention. If a student has completed classes and all other activities (including sports or detention) before that time and can arrange parent-approved private transportation, he or she may leave campus after notifying the Office, but may not return to campus before 6:00 p.m.

Students must be in school all day in order to take any tests they have. In other words, students may not come in just for a test and miss their other classes. Neither may they come in for classes and miss any scheduled tests.

Lateness
Students are considered late if they arrive after 8:10 a.m. They are allowed three excused latenesses in any given month. If they exceed this number, they will receive detention. Students without a legitimate excuse may be assigned to after-school detention after one lateness. If a student arrives at school after 8:25 a.m., he or she may lose the privilege of participating in interscholastic games or artistic performances that calendar day.

Lateness / Absence Procedures
Parents must call the Upper School Attendance Assistant (366-2623) before 9:00 a.m. if a student is to be absent or late that day. Students arriving late to school must check in with the Attendance Assistant in the Upper School Office before going to classes. All notes, for lateness or early dismissal, as well as those excusing absences, must be written only by the parent, preferably on family stationery, and must include a reason for the absence. Absences for illness extending beyond three days require a doctor’s note.

Permission to leave campus can be granted only by the Upper School Director, by the Assistant Director, or by the Class Dean. If a student has an appointment which requires him or her to leave early, a note should be written to the Attendance Assistant in the Upper School Office and turned in before the appointment. Notes will not be accepted after the fact. The student must sign out before leaving campus and sign-in upon his or her return.

Senior Privilege
Seniors in good standing and without first period class may take up to two “Senior Sleepovers” per week. This privilege allows them to arrive later than 8:10 a.m. but before their first class. Seniors must sign up for Senior Sleepovers in advance or they will be considered late to school. All students need to be in school by 10:00 am regardless of the time of their first class. Students with first period class must attend homeroom at 8:10 am.

Seniors may have their lunch in Tarrytown or in one of the surrounding areas between 10:35 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. (1:45 p.m. on Fridays) if they have written parental permission on file with the Upper School Office. Seniors who take advantage of this lunch privilege must sign out and sign in each time at the Upper School Office. Students may not sign out for lunch after 1:05 p.m. Conduct by seniors off-campus during an absence authorized for lunch in Tarrytown will be treated as on-campus behavior and subject to Major Disciplinary Rules.

The off-campus lunch privilege may be suspended in inclement weather or when the Upper School Director deems it necessary.

Seniors may not take out an underclassman, a senior who has no lunch permission, or a person who does not have parental permission to ride with another student. Any abuse of this privilege will result in the loss of the privilege by the offending student. The granting and retention of Senior Privileges are dependent upon good conduct.

Senior College Visit Days
Two long weekends in the fall are available for Seniors to visit colleges: Monday, September 18th is Senior College Visiting Day when there will be no classes for Seniors. Monday October 9th is a school holiday. Seniors may request two additional days during second semester, normally taken in the Spring, to visit colleges. All requests to miss school in order to visit colleges must be approved by the college counselors well in advance of the visit.

Absence and Make-Up Work
If a student is ill and therefore absent for a time, or if a student misses school for religious reasons, he or she will receive help from his or her teachers to make up the missed work. For absences of one week or less, he or she will have two days for each day of new material missed. For absences of greater than one week, the student should arrange a schedule of completion with the Director.
If a student is absent more than 8 class meetings in any course in a given semester, he or she will be judged deficient in his or her course work. At that point a parent conference will be arranged to discuss the absences and the consequence of missing classes, which may include the lowering of the student’s grade. If a student is absent from fifteen classes that student risks failure in that course for that semester.

Any senior who misses 6 or more class meetings of any course during the second semester for reasons other than hospital stays, death in the family, absences required by an academic course (such as AP exams), and school-sponsored and school-chaperoned activities must take the Semester 2 exam.

Absence for reasons other than illness or recognized religious obligations is not entirely at the family’s discretion. For example, if a student misses an examination even with parental permission, the School may (and in most cases will) rule the absence unexcused and deny the student a make-up examination.

The School feels very strongly that families should organize vacations and appointments so as not to conflict with school. If a family chooses to keep a student out of school for trips, celebrations, etc., teachers should not be expected to assist the student in making up the missed work; and the student will incur all the usual penalties for failure to make up work missed.

If a student is compelled to miss class for reasons acceptable to the School, and this is known beforehand, he or she should plan his or her assignments with his or her teachers before leaving.

Transportation
Daily Buses and Bus Safety: Many Upper School students ride school district buses to and from Hackley. The School has no direct control over the transportation provided by the local villages or towns, or over those companies hired by parents on a contract basis. It tries, however, to cooperate with all these agencies. It provides them with the School schedule far in advance, and assists them if there is any problem with student discipline.

Busing arrangements must be made with your school district in the spring preceding the school year. Certain school districts do not allow guests on the buses or require a note or prior approval. Parents must communicate directly with the bus company.

Students not participating in varsity sports normally take a “late bus” home. These buses meet students at various assigned locations around campus between 4:30 and 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. Afternoon pick-up locations may be different than morning drop-off locations and should be verified by the bus drivers, a fellow student on the bus, or the Assistant Headmaster’s Office.
State law requires bus drills to be conducted three times each school year. These drills include instructions on getting on and off a bus correctly in both normal and emergency circumstances. It is imperative that all students listen to all instructions given on proper behavior and safety. Failure to do so can cause a student to become ineligible for bus transportation.

Car Pools: There are a number of car pools running from various areas of Westchester County. Any parent needing the names of those in the area may call the Admissions Office for assistance.

Day Student Driving and Parking: Ninth and tenth grade students may not drive to school (nor may they park their cars within one mile of campus on school days). Junior and senior students who plan to drive to and from school for all or any part of the school year must observe all of the following regulations:

• have a completed permisson form on file with the Upper School Office;
• obtain a student sticker from the Registrar’s Office (and notify the Upper School Office immediately if they drive another, unregistered car to school, in an emergency);
• drive their own cars only; no student may drive another student’s car;
• drive only other students who have written permission from their parents on file in the Upper School Office;
• park only in the designated areas and obey all other parking instructions and restrictions. Students may not park off-campus or at any other location on campus;
• leave their cars in the assigned parking lots, which are off bounds during the school day (except for Senior lunch privilege), and not use their cars to drive to the practice fields or to the gym;
• strictly observe the speed limit of 15 mph for School grounds. Any student caught speeding on campus will lose his or her driving privilege.

Driving to and from school is a privilege for junior and senior students only and is not a right. Failure to comply with any of these regulations or other driving and parking rules set forth by the School may result in suspension or withdrawal of driving permission, towing or “stickering” of car. Gross violations may entail more serious penalties. If a student’s privilege of driving to school is suspended, that student may not park within a mile of campus during the period of suspension.

Permission Slips: Juniors and Seniors who wish to drive to school and students who wish to ride in day students’ cars must have written permission from their parents on file with the Upper School Office. Permission slips are available from the Office.

Driver’s Education: The School offers a Driver’s Education course at a modest fee. Information on this course will be posted at the appropriate time. Driver’s Education is a certified program leading to a Blue Card.

Excursions and Field Trips
Because Hackley is close to New York City, the School tries to take advantage of the many enriching cultural opportunities that the city and its environs offer. Such trips are an additional expense, usually collected in advance. For many events, parents are called upon to help chaperone, and their assistance is greatly appreciated.

The School reserves the unconditional right to exclude a student from a School-sponsored vacation trip if the student’s tuition has not been paid.
The same expectations of behavior as pertain on campus apply on School trips. Any student who seriously misbehaves on a School-sponsored trip will be returned home immediately at his or her own expense and may be subject to disciplinary action.

Telephones / Messages
Pay phones are available in the Main Building, the Middle School and the gymnasium. Except for emergencies, students will not be permitted to use School phones without authorization. Boarders also have pay phones available to them on the Boarding Corridor. Unauthorized use of School phones is a serious offense, defined by the School as stealing, and is thus a violation of a Major Rule.
Parents who must leave messages for their children should call the Upper School Office, 366-2623, and a message for the student will be posted in the office. Students are responsible for checking the Student Message Board located in the Upper School Office. (Parents are kindly asked not to call the Office for routine family business, but only in cases of urgent need.)

Lockers
All Upper School students are given a locker with a lock in the Main Building, as well as an additional locker in the gymnasium for which they must provide a lock. Students should use these lockers at all times to safeguard their belongings. Students will be charged for lost locks.

Books
Each student is responsible for having his or her own copy of all required textbooks for each course. Books necessary for each class should be brought to class on a daily basis, but otherwise kept in lockers. Students must not share books, or borrow or appropriate unattended books even for a short period of time.

Lost and Found
Students should be careful about their belongings and diligent about keeping track of them. Clearly marked names on all articles, from jackets and books to musical instruments, will make it easier for lost items to be returned to their rightful owners.

If a student finds something in the Main Building or on the Quad which does not belong to him or her, he or she should take it to the Upper School Office. Articles found in the gym should be turned in to the Assistant Athletic Director’s office, where there is a Lost and Found box. Articles found in the Performing Arts Center should be turned in to a teacher there. The Lost and Found is cleaned out periodically and items contributed to local charities.

Student Guests
Student guests are welcome at Hackley, but invitations must be cleared with the Upper School Director prior to the day of the visit. Guests should visit with the purpose of attending classes or an athletic event or activity, not just socializing.

The host should bring a letter from his or her parent(s) acknowledging responsibility for the visiting student and should remember to introduce his/her guest to the Director. All guests must observe School dress and regulations and must carry a visitor’s pass, obtained in the Upper School Office. Hosts are responsible for their guests.

Occasionally, a student will be asked to escort a prospective student around the campus and explain what Hackley is like from a student’s point of view. This is an opportunity for students to provide a service to the School. Tuck Shop certificates are often given to these students in exchange for their time and effort.

Weather-Related School Closings or Delays

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Extracurricular activities in the Upper School offer many opportunities for students to participate in programs that are stimulating to character and personality growth. Colleges and employers are often interested in out-of-the-classroom education, as well as in a student’s academic achievement. It is hoped that every student will join in at least one extracurricular activity such as sports, music, publications, or student government.

The activities program varies greatly according to the desires of the student body and the faculty. As interest in an activity becomes evident, additions to the extracurricular program may be made. Details regarding activities will be communicated early in the year.

Interscholastic Sports

Objectives
Hackley has always had a vigorous, enthusiastic, interscholastic athletic program which has won more than its share of honors. The aim of this program, on both the Junior Varsity and Varsity levels, is to foster excellence in performance and team spirit under mature and skillful coaching. Each member of the team has a responsibility to the team to attend all practices and games, work hard and support other members.

It is expected that Hackley students will demonstrate good citizenship on the athletic field. Hackley hopes to win, but puts a higher premium on good sportsmanship. Students who lose control and are abusive to either teammates or opponents will be subject to discipline. Fans should be supportive and positive in their cheering.

To encourage all interested students in the Upper School to engage in this program, the athletic offerings have been made as diverse as possible.
Athletic Team Offerings

Eligibility
The School fields Varsity and Junior Varsity teams in almost all, if not all, of these sports. In cases where there is an unusually high number of participants, a Junior Varsity “B” team may also be organized. Inclusion on a team is dependent upon a student’s skill and performance as evaluated by the coach.

The School competes in the Ivy Preparatory School League. Students must comply with the eligibility requirements of the League.

Practice and Training
Interscholastic athletic teams normally practice five times a week after school. They may also meet occasionally for practice or a game on Saturday. Sunday practices are not held unless special permission has been given by both the Athletic Director and the Headmaster.

Practices during review week continue as usual, but those during exam week are entirely optional. They are offered because some students may want a short break from the rigors of studying.

It is expected that all students participating in interscholastic sports will observe training regulations during the season. Under these regulations, students may not use tobacco or intoxicants. Violations of the rule may result in ineligibility to represent the School.

Pre-season: Certain sports have conditioning requirements which help students to get back in shape before participating fully in the athletic program. Several fall athletic teams begin meeting for conditioning and training in mid- to late August. Although attendance is not mandatory, students must attend a certain number of practices before they may play in any pre-season scrimmages or regular season games.

Vacation Practice: Designed as a nice “extra” for students, vacation practice gets them out of bed in the morning and prepares them for January and April competitions. It is not mandatory, however, and it is not a requirement for full participation on a team. No pressure, no matter how subtle, should be exerted on students so that they feel guilty about going on family vacations; family time and academics take priority over athletics. Nevertheless, students and parents need to understand that a two-week break may necessitate that a student get back in shape before participating fully in the athletic program.

Certified Athletic Trainer
The Athletic Department employs a certified athletic trainer on a full-time basis who may be consulted on team-related injuries.

Additional Equipment
The School provides most basic equipment, including uniforms, for interscholastic sports. There are, however, additional costs in several sports of which all participants should be aware: shoes, gloves, tennis racquets, lacrosse sticks, golf clubs, bathing suits, and other personal items. Furthermore, for sports that use facilities off campus (such as golf), there is an additional charge. All students are required to have appropriate athletic attire as defined by the Director of Athletics.

Athletic Lockers
All students are given athletic lockers in the gym where they can store their equipment and clothes. They must provide their own lock which can be purchased at the Hornets’ Nest. Students are urged to secure their possessions carefully in their lockers at all times. Athletic lockers must be cleaned out by the first Friday in June; anything left behind will be donated to charity.

Driving
Teams are transported to athletic events by coaches in several Athletic Department vans, contracted professional drivers or by parent volunteers. All those parents who can possibly help in this endeavor should notify the appropriate coach. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. Any parents who drive their own cars must maintain their own insurance coverage for such purposes. It is the policy of Hackley School that passengers should fasten seat belts in vehicles which have them.

Parent Attendance
Parents are urged to attend games whenever possible. The students are very appreciative of such support. Each season’s athletic schedule is sent to all families in a School mailing.

Physical Education
Each student must participate in either physical education or a team sport. Students electing to participate in the general exercise program (P.E.) meet twice a week after school. Students who “cut” P.E. will be reported to the Director of Physical Education and will suffer the normal disciplinary consequences of cutting any class and may be required to make up the class(es) missed. Any change from one program to another must be approved by the Director of Physical Education or a designated administrator.

Students in grades 10-12 can request permission to substitute outside athletic participation in lieu of taking Physical Education. (Ninth grade students with exceptional needs or abilities may also be considered for such a substitution.) Interested students must submit a completed permission form by the specified date. A decision will be rendered by the Director of Physical Education Based on the following criteria: (1)participation must include a minimum of 2 hours of activity per week, (2) the activity must take place at an established facility or with an established facility or with an established organization, (3) supervision must be by a coach or certified trainer. (Parents may not fulfill this role unless employed by the facility or as a team coach.) The supervisor must submit a monthly attendance record and summary of instruction and/or competition to the Director of Physical Education.

Students with notes excusing them from participation must present their notes to the teacher and remain in attendance throughout the class. Any student excused from participation for more than one week must have a written note from a doctor and must present that note to the Upper School Director for approval.

Performing Arts
The School’s commitment to the performing arts is reflected in the large number of extracurricular opportunities that foster both participation in and an appreciation of the arts.

Special Programs

The Music Institute
The Hackley Music Institute provides the opportunity to pursue intensive musical study on campus by offering private music lessons. Parents and caregivers are expected to help establish and monitor a daily practice routine to insure steady and consistent progress.
Absence Policy: When a student is unable to attend a scheduled lesson or class, the private teacher must be notified before the start of school on the day of the expected absence. Absences are considered excused only if the student or the parent contacts the private teacher directly. Students who leave school during the day due to illness will be excused as long as they notify the Music Institute office. Students are allowed only two excused absences for each lesson package. Absences are considered unexcused if the student or the parent fails to contact the teacher or, the student fails to bring his/her instrument or other necessary materials to the lesson. Unexcused absences cannot be made up and will be charged against the lesson package. The absence policy is strictly enforced.

All-State and All-County Festivals
The School participates in the N.Y.S.S.M.A and W.C.S.M.A. music festivals by preparing and sponsoring qualified students in grades four through twelve. Interested parents and students should contact the Hackley NYSSMA/ WCSMA Coordinator for further information about audition requirements and deadlines. It is important to keep in mind that audition requirements include a minimum of two printed copies of the student’s chosen music. Xeroxed copies are not acceptable and will result in disqualification. Students should be reminded to use the Hackley dress code as a guideline for audition attire.

The Chamber Ensemble Program
Instrumental ensembles are open to all string players, woodwind players, and pianists taking private music lessons either at the School or from an off- campus teacher. Information is available from instrumental teachers in the Performing Arts Department.

Accompanying
The School encourages advanced pianists in grades four through twelve to become involved in chamber ensembles and in choral accompanying.

The Recital Series
All students are eligible if they are taking instrumental or vocal private lessons, at Hackley or elsewhere, to perform in recital at the School. Division recitals take place several times a year. Students who wish to perform in Division recitals should contact the Recital Coordinator. Participation request forms are also available in Division offices, along with a list of recital dates. The form must be received by the Coordinator, along with any accompaniment part, at least two weeks before the recital date. Students who do not follow this procedure may not be scheduled. All recitalists must conform to the School’s concert dress code.

Participation in the “Young Artists’ Showcase” is by faculty nomination. Students must have performed in a regular Division recital before being selected for this honor.

Private Music Lessons and Counseling
Information on music lessons and choice of instruments is available from all music teachers. In addition to study opportunities provided by the Music Institute, members of the music faculty have information on private teachers and music schools in the area. Summer study information is also available.
We encourage students who are enrolled in pre-professional studies to discuss their work and progress with our faculty on a regular basis so that we may offer appropriate guidance when needed.

Drama
Plays and musical productions are planned for each of the three Divisions of the School. In the Upper School there are dramatic productions each year, and a musical production every other year. Casting for all productions is by audition.

Choral Ensembles
In addition to singing in the Upper School Chorus, interested Upper School students may participate in one of two smaller vocal ensembles which perform in concert and at various School activities. Talented male singers are invited to join the Hacktet, Hackley’s traditional small ensemble. Talented female singers are invited to participate in the Lady Gray Notes, whose members sing a variety of traditional and contemporary songs.

Talent Show
Upper School students who wish to share their talents with the School community may participate in this event, usually scheduled in the winter.

Stage Crew
There are some opportunities for students, grades 6-12, to work behind the scenes as stage hands and lighting technicians for student performances. Interested students should contact the Performing Arts Department.

Instrumental Rental / Storage
Information about instrumental rental is available from the music teachers and the Performing Arts Department. Storage lockers for musical instruments are available in the Performing Arts Center.

Pianos and Synthesizer
The grand pianos and the spinet piano in the Performing Arts Center may be used by students only when rehearsing for a scheduled concert and only when supervised by a faculty member, who is to be present throughout the rehearsal period. Students may not move the pianos. The wing of a grand piano should be raised only by a faculty member.

No items, other than the music being performed, should be on the pianos. No food or drink is to be brought near the instruments; care must be taken to avoid dropping pencils, earrings, etc. into the instruments.
Synthesizers and electronic keyboards are to be used only under the supervision of a Performing Arts Department faculty member. They may not be used for School dances, talent shows, or similar events.

Practice Rooms
Rooms for student musical practice are available in the Performing Arts Center. Reservation sheets will be posted on all practice rooms. Use of the Performing Arts Hall, practice rooms and large music rooms by students and faculty must be coordinated with the music faculty. Reservations for the large classrooms should be made at least 24 hours in advance.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Following is a partial list of student clubs:

Black and Grey Key: This hospitality and service organization fills an important role at Hackley. Members act as ushers at various School activities and are generally helpful at Parents’ Days and other social functions of the School.

The Classical Society: Members of the Classical Society, incorporating the Opera Club and the Shostakovich Society, share the experience of classical music through discussion, debate and attendance at live performances.

Community Service: This student-run organization provides assistance to hospitals, nursing homes, children’s and homeless shelters, etc. Its volunteers have been active in tutoring and organizing games and play therapy as well as in teaching art, music, pottery, sculpture, and many crafts.

The Cum Laude Society: Founded in 1906, the Cum Laude Society honors academic achievement in secondary schools for the purpose of promoting excellence (Arete’), justice (Dike’) and honor (Time’). The founders of the society modeled Cum Laude after Phi Beta Kappa, and in the years since its founding, Cum Laude has grown 344 chapters, approximately two dozen of which are located in public schools and the rest in independent schools. Membership is predominantly in the United States, but chapters also are located in Canada, England, France, Spain, Puerto Rico and Philippines.

In May, the faculty members in the Hackley Chapter of the society meet to consider candidates from the senior class who have the highest academic achievements. The most distinguished of these academic leaders (traditionally around a tenth of the class) are chosen for the election into the Society. New members are inducted into the Society at a ceremony in the King Chapel.

Debate Club: Students practice debating techniques and participate in interscholastic debating competitions.

Gay/Straight Alliance: Hackley’s Gay/Straight Alliance encourages all members of the community to accept and respect all people.

Latin Club: This group promotes the understanding of the Latin language and its history.

Math Team: Open to all students in the Middle and Upper Schools, the Math Team competes in the Westchester Math League each year.

Model Congress: Model Congress offers two model congresses: Harvard Model Congress and Princeton Model Congress. Students are selected on the basis of interest, grades and citizenship. At the Model Congresses, delegates simulate the United States Congress; they formulate bills, debate, and enact legislation.

Peer Tutoring: This group of Upper School students serves as volunteer tutors in various subject areas.

Political Science Club: Members of this organization meet regularly to discuss political issues and current events. This organization also prepares the School’s representatives for the Model Congress.

S.A.D.D.: Students Against Destructive Decisions provides education on the dangers of alcohol use and driving.

V.A.A.S.A.: Varsity Athletes Against Substance Abuse is a select group of students, nominated by Varsity coaches, who promote awareness of substance use and abuse.

Varsity “H” Club: This organization works to promote the ideas of good sportsmanship, team play, and strict training. Members are elected according to a point system.

Student Publications

The Dial: This publication is the student-run Upper School newspaper. It is issued at frequent intervals during the school year by an appointed editorial staff and other student contributors. Students interested in participating should contact the Editor-in-Chief or faculty advisor. Parents who wish to see a copy of The Dial can pick up one in the Upper School Office.

Hilltop: The Hackley yearbook is published annually by an appointed editorial staff. Students wishing to work on the Hilltop should contact the Editor-in-Chief or the faculty advisor. The Hilltop is distributed to all students in grades 8-12, who are billed directly and receive their copy at school. Other students or families who wish to obtain a copy should contact the Hilltop faculty advisor.

The Vision: This literary magazine contains original poems, stories, articles, art work and photography produced by students. The magazine is published once or twice each year by an appointed editorial staff.

Student Government

Community Council
The Community Council is the student-elected School government which represents student concerns before the administration and organizes certain community activities (see Student Government Constitution). In the Spring, the entire Upper School student body elects three officers— the President, Vice-President, and Secretary/Treasurer— to lead the School government. In addition, each class elects its own President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and two at-large representatives, who direct all class functions.

The legislative arm of the School government also includes student members of the Board Magistrates (the three members, two alternates, and the clerk), who can vote on decisions in Council meetings.

Board of Magistrates
The Board of Magistrates is a joint faculty-student tribunal which can recommend consequences in disciplinary cases. It is composed of three students, three faculty members, and one student clerk. The student members are nominated by the Community Council and elected by the Upper School student body. Faculty members are elected by the Upper School faculty.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Following is a partial list of student clubs:

Black and Grey Key: This hospitality and service organization fills an important role at Hackley. Members act as ushers at various School activities and are generally helpful at Parents’ Days and other social functions of the School.

The Classical Society: Members of the Classical Society, incorporating the Opera Club and the Shostakovich Society, share the experience of classical music through discussion, debate and attendance at live performances.

Community Service: This student-run organization provides assistance to hospitals, nursing homes, children’s and homeless shelters, etc. Its volunte