Renbrook: An Independent School

• There are child-sized toilets in the classroom, and the teachers provide many bathroom breaks at the beginning of the year.
• We fully recognize that our youngest students can and will have occasional toileting accidents. However, the school does not have the facilities to deal with repeated incidents. If an accident does occur, depending upon the situation, a parent may be called to pick up the child from school.
• We want our youngest children to feel comfortable and successful during their first year at Renbrook. In an individual case, a decision might be made to request the student to stay at home until he/she is able to meet our expectations.
• Such decisions are made at the sole discretion of the Head of the Beginning School in consultation with the Head of School.
• Please speak to teachers individually, or to the division head, if your child has an unusual medical issue

Bullying is defined as a pattern of threats, harassment, or unwanted physical contact. Renbrook does not tolerate bullying. We aim to have a school in which all students feel comfortable and safe. All adults in the school are responsible for making sure this goal is met.

• If bullying occurs in the Beginning School or the Lower School, the classroom teacher will deal with the children involved in the incident, and will confer with the Division Head if it recurs.
• The teacher and the Division Head will meet with the parents of the wrong-doer as needed, to ensure that the behavior does not continue.
• Counseling may be recommended in some cases, and required in others.
• Any consequences will be at the discretion of the Division Head and will vary according to the age of the child and the nature of the incidents

Bullying is defined as a pattern of threats, harassment, or unwanted physical contact. Renbrook does not tolerate bullying.

We aim to have a school in which all students feel comfortable and safe. All adults in the school are responsible for making sure this goal is met.

• In the Upper School, bullying should be reported to the Dean of Students, who will investigate any incident(s) which may have occurred.
• He will confer with the child's advisor and with the Head of Upper School about the next steps which should be taken.
• Consequences for bullying will always result in a conference with the Dean of Students, who will notify parents, and may also include a detention or suspension at the discretion of the Dean of Students and the Division Head.
• In extreme cases, a child may be asked to withdraw from the school.

1. If an Upper School student brings a cell phone to school, it must be turned off and left in the student's bookbag in his or her bookbox in the hallway, during the 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. school day.
2. Students must ask a teacher's permission to make calls during school hours and during off-campus school-related activities.
3. Because students have access to free telephone use at school, in most circumstances they should not find it necessary to have a cell phone at school.

Renbrook's mission statement commits to a "rigorous, enriched program of academic excellence in which students from diverse backgrounds can develop skills in a supportive and nurturing environment." At Renbrook, diversity spans racial, religious, national, ethnic, socio-economic, and other differences woven into the fabric of our increasingly global culture.We value the diversity of our students, families, faculty and staff. We believe this diversity helps students be successful in today's world—and the future which awaits them.

• Renbrook students must not name any current student as a Renbrook student, nor name any current Renbrook employee during electronic communications.
• Students must not mention the name "Renbrook" on MySpace, Facebook, or any other publicly accessible web forum.

Renbrook School has three acceptable-use policies for the use of computers.

1. One is for students in Grades 4-5; it is explained to the children at school and sent home in September for signatures from both the children and their parents.
2. Another is included in the Blue and White Handbook for Upper School students; it too is signed by both parties.
3. The third is meant for employees of the school, and is in the Faculty/Staff Handbook.

Additional copies of each policy are available upon request, and all are available on our website.

Lower School Electronic Communication Policy

 

In order to promote "real" person to person interactions and communications, to encourage the building of social skills, and to avoid the disruptions and distractions that cell phones and other hand held devices can cause, the Lower School policy on electronic communication and on handheld electronic devices is as follows:

1. Lower School students with cell phones must keep them turned off while at school: before, during and after school. If a student needs to communicate with a parent during the school day, he/she may ask for permission to use a school phone to do so. The only exception is the following: in order to expedite traffic, Lower School students have permission to use a cell phone at dismissal time to fine-tune pick-up arrangements.
2. Hand-held devices with Internet access and/or games must be kept turned off while on campus. The only exception would be when a student is using such a device at a particular time with a teacher's permission, for expressly educational purposes.
3. While at school, Lower School students may use e-mail only with a teacher's permission, for expressly educational purposes. Otherwise, while on campus Lower School students are not to use e-mail or other forms of electronic communication (including instant messaging (IM), texting, video chat, etc.).

 

• Using a Renbrook employee’s “Password,” or another student’s “Password.”
• Electronic plagiarism. Renbrook’s definition of electronic plagiarism is using computer technology in order to pass off someone else’s work as one’s own or who fails to credit/cite the source. In addition, e-mail messages and attachments may not include plagiarized material and must abide by copyright laws. Upper School students involved in electronic plagiarism may receive a zero for the assignment and, depending on each situation, an after-school detention or suspension.
• Possessing any software or program that can defeat or disable any security-related program. Possession will be interpreted as intent to use it on Renbrook’s system.
• Tampering with, damaging, or stealing computer hardware or software. Being in unauthorized “places” in the computer such as, but not limited to, changing the computer’s control panels, set-ups, or licensed software. Students may not intentionally introduce a computer virus, or other software, or engage in an activity which would result in damage to files, disks, or other storage medium. Students may not tamper with components of computers or networks, blocking communication, or interfering with the operational readiness of a computer.
• Failing to honor software licensing and copyright laws. Students should use recognized bibliographical standards when making references to copyrighted material. For information on how to cite online resources, check the bulletin boards in the homerooms or the school’s website: fcis.renbrook.org/cite_sources.htm

Contracts are issued to returning students in February for the next school year. No contract is issued to families with significant  bills outstanding, nor are they guaranteed a place for the following year.

• Occasionally, a contract may be withheld for a probationary period for either academic or behavioral reasons, or because a decision needs to be made in the spring about placement.
• It is crucial for the school to know who is returning as soon as possible after contracts are issued since new families are awaiting decisions about their children's placement. Therefore, if contracts are not returned by the date specified (early March for most returning students), one warning will be mailed.
• If there is no response within a week, the students names will be moved onto the Wait List and their places will be offered to other waiting families.
• We prefer to give first priority to returning families if circumstances justify an exception to these deadlines. If this is the case, parents should contact Amy Clemons, Director of Admission & Financial Aid or (in the case of financial constraints) Christopher Cowell, Director of Accounting & Finance at 860-236-1661.

Renbrook School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, disability or sexual orientation.

Renbrook School prides itself on being fiscally responsible. To that end, parents must understand that if all financial obligations to pay amounts billed by the school are not met -- students may not be permitted to attend classes, engage in extra-curricular activities (including trips), enroll in Summer Adventure, Vacation Care. They may not participate in Commencement exercises, receive diplomas or certificates of attendance, or have transcripts forwarded to the next schools they apply to.

• No family with an outstanding balance will be allowed to re-enroll for the next academic year.

Renbrook is an independent day school for children age 3 through Grade 9. Our mission is to help all of our students fulfill their unique potential.

We provide a rigorous enriched program of academic excellence in which students from diverse backgrounds can develop skills in a supportive and nurturing environment.

Our students strengthen their sense of self through many kinds of achievement; they learn to take appropriate risks and to respect the rights of the individual as well as the needs of the group.

We value strong relationships between the school and its families, a sense of community within the school, and a tradition of service to others.

Renbrook School admits students of every race, religion, sex, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate with regard to students, on the basis of race, religion sex, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid, athletic and other school-administered programs.

In the case of divorced or separated parents, the school makes every effort to be fair to both parties. For legal reasons, the school may not refuse access to either parent without a court order. All written materials will be sent to both parents unless a court order directs differently. All contracts must be signed by both parents before they are valid. In late spring, a form is sent to all divorced parents requesting information on existing court orders and custody arrangements.

Renbrook is dedicated to being a nut- and peanut-free school. Food items brought to school must be free of nuts and/or peanuts in any form.

• Please read all labels, package and store signage with care.
• Look for words such as "may contain" or "made on the same machines or premises with." Do not bring items with these warnings to school.
• Remember such products pose a threat due to cross-contamination and for that reason as well, should not be brought to school.

Because we have students and employees with life-threatening allergies on campus, we cannot risk having anyone going into rooms where there are--or have been--foods containing nuts or peanuts in any form.

Renbrook is a member of the Food Allergy Network and strives to accommodate food-allergic children through efforts not found elsewhere. (See Food Allergy Policy and Protocols on this webpage.)

• Renbrook reserves the right to go through a student's belongings when warranted by a student's inappropriate behavior.

• In a situation where possession of any stolen, illegal, or dangerous substance or item is suspected, the school will search a student's belongings in order to protect the student and other members of the school community.

• Appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including suspension and/or dismissal, will be taken when necessary

 

The School requires that all students behave with decorum toward others at school, on field trips, at games, and at other events such as parties and dances. Failure to comply with school standards will result in appropriate disciplinary action.

At Renbrook, the administration takes threats of violence seriously.

• In all cases of threats the school will act immediately, and will remove the individual from the group until the school can be sure that no one's safety is threatened.
• The school retains the sole discretion to determine the appropriate disciplinary response.
• Renbrook has implemented a "Roundup Plan" for times when we might need to have students retreat to a secure environment. This plan is practiced throughout the year.
  

• Renbrook is a smoke-free campus. Unauthorized use or possession of drugs, alcohol or tobacco products (including cigarettes) by students is subject to a penalty ranging from suspension to expulsion. The penalty will vary according to the particular circumstances and/or the student's previous record of behavior, but will always include suspension from school.

• Teachers will be under no obligation to tutor students who are suspended, however, they will provide routine homework assignments, tests, and quizzes. If the nature of the violation is deemed serious enough, the student may not be allowed to receive credit for work assigned during the suspension.

• Any secondary school to which the student applies will be notified of the violation and its consequences.

• Renbrook holds students responsible for the behavior of their guests at school functions.

Use or possession of weapons, dangerous instruments, or explosives is considered a serious threat to the safety of everyone on campus.(Knives, handguns, cap guns, and firecrackers are examples).

• In a situation where possession of any stolen, illegal, or dangerous substance or item is suspected, the school will search a student's belongings in order to protect the student and other members of the school community.
• The penalty for use or possession of weapons, dangerous instruments, or explosives will be suspension or expulsion.
• Teachers will be under no obligation to tutor students who are suspended, however, they will provide routine homework assignments, tests, and quizzes.
• If the nature of the violation is deemed serious enough, the student may not be allowed to receive credit for work assigned during the suspension.
• Any secondary school to which the student applies will be notified of the violation and its consequences.
• Renbrook holds students responsible for the behavior of their guests in this regard at school functions

 

Because we value the safety of our school community, we do not publish the names of any students outside the secure section. As proud as we are of their many achievements, we realize, as Dr. Perry Aftab has said, “the website is not a daily newspaper.” Dr. Aftab, an Internet privacy and security lawyer, is the founder of WiredSafety.org.
     To ensure safe use of this site, we urge you to keep your username and password private. If you are using this this website in a public place or on a shared computer, please be advised that you must Log Out when you are finished (simply closing the browser window will not lock the door behind you).

This website is solely for the communication of school-related matters among members of the school community. No other use or purpose is authorized. No portions may be reproduced or distributed without permission of Renbrook School. This is for your protection.