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Two Schools in One: The Best of Both Worlds

Providing for the special needs of maturing girls and boys in a unique way, the Girls School and Boys School share facilities and faculty. Classes and activities can be specifically accommodated to boys and girls, separate or coed, whichever is appropriate and effective in a particular environment. More...

Handbook of Policies and Procedures

1. Daily Routine
2. Dress Code
3. Campus
4. Motor Vehicles
5. Classroom Procedure
6. Attendance
7. Public Displays of Affection
8. Sexual Harassment
9. Counseling and Advising
10. Student Health
11. Lunch Program
12. Special Facilities
13. Student Government
14. Social Life
15. Phone Contacts
16. Discipline
17. Scholastic Assessment

1.Daily Routine

Daily Schedule [pdf]

Lateness

We expect students to be punctual.  Students who miss homeroom should go directly to the administrative assistant with an excuse from the School Nurse or parent.   Repeated lateness will result in detention.

Chapel

Morning chapel is a required part of the school day. During the service the auditorium becomes the House of God, and an attitude of reverent respect should be maintained. The student body, as a congregation, should participate in the prayers, the singing and the readings during the service. An unexcused absence from chapel will result in detention. For reasons of safety book bags and other personal items are not to left on the floor in the stairwells outside chapel.

Assemblies

We schedule school assemblies on Fridays throughout the school year. If we designate an assembly as “required,” Student Government members take attendance.

2. Dress Code

Personal appearance influences the sphere and educational environment of the school.  From the Writings, we know that external things are clothing for internal things and that, in the Spiritual World, the quality of spirits and angels can be known from their garments (AC 5428.)  Our clothing tends to reflect our feelings and influences our behavior.  We believe that our dress policy, combined with school philosophy and programs, promotes an atmosphere where the students can comfortably focus on learning and positive growth.

Students are expected to dress in a manner that is respectful to themselves, fellow students, faculty, administrators, and the community.

Students are to be properly attired in their uniform before entering the classroom buildings and until the end of the educational day.  After the last class bell rings, if a student remains in the classroom buildings, their attire should conform to the guidelines for “school-sponsored events” (which are outlined below).

Students should be dressed in an exemplary and appropriate manner when representing the Academy on a team, a trip, for social activities, or for special events.  The Principal, coaches, teachers, and advisors will set the standard.

The Principal reserves the right to adjust specific items of the dress code and special standards as necessary and warranted to maintain order, the sphere and environment conducive to education and the principles of the Academy.  Repeated clothing violations will result in disciplinary consequences.

Girls School Dress Code

Boys School Dress Code

3. The Campus

Our campus provides the setting for many uses. Out of respect for those uses, please treat the facilities with care and leave equipment in its proper place. The following guidelines are intended to help the campus remain orderly.

Campus Hours

In general, we only permit settlement students on campus after 6:00 p.m. for approved school activities. These might include use of the media center, fitness center, snack bar, or special events. We request that day students leave campus following the conclusion of these activities.

For security reasons, Academy buildings not in official or authorized use are off-limits between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. during the week and at all times on the weekends.

4. Motor Vehicles

Students may not drive automobiles or other motor vehicles on campus unless they have the permission of an Academy staff member. The parking lot adjacent to de Charms Hall is reserved for faculty and staff members. The parking area behind the Dining Hall is reserved for dormitory, Dining Hall and Health Services personnel. Day students who drive to school may use the Pitcairn Hall, Asplundh Field House, or Mitchell Performing Arts Center parking lots. 

Driving Permission

With permission, day students are allowed to drive dorm students.  They must fill out a permission form.  The purpose of the form is to ensure that the student has been a licensed driver for at least six months and has not been involved in an accident for which they were responsible or a moving violation.  The parents must sign the form.  (The Academy reserves the right to withhold permission from a student.)  Academy insurance does not cover the use of private vehicles and private coverage is in effect in the event of an accident. Students who wish to park in Academy lots must obtain a parking sticker from the Security and Safety Department.

5. Classroom Procedure

We expect students to stand when the teacher enters the classroom or when the bell signals the start of class. This is an Academy tradition and demonstrates respect for the position of the teacher and the sphere of learning. Each teacher will define other expected classroom behavior. We ask students to cooperate to create a proper environment for instruction. Teachers will deal with behavioral infractions in consultation with the Principal or Assistant Principal. A student who disrupts a class may be removed from the course.

6. Attendance

On-Campus Requirement During the School Day

We require students to stay on campus during regular class hours. Settlement students may go home for lunch. Students must secure special permission from the Principal, Assistant Principal, or Housemaster to go off campus during the school day.

Lateness

A student who is late to school or class must provide an acceptable written reason. He must present this excuse when he first returns to school or class.

Absence

Cases of illness or an emergency are legitimate excuses for student absence.  A parent should notify the school during the morning of day on which the student is absent.  A student who misses any part of the school day due to illness cannot participate in extra-curricular activities that day.  We encourage the sick to stay home and recuperate.

The Principal can grant special permission for a student to miss school. These requests should be presented well in advance and should be reserved only for very special reasons. After the Principal grants the request, students should obtain a Permission to Miss School form from the secretary and complete it.

Make-up Work

Class work, homework, and tests must be made up as soon as possible upon return to school from an absence. A student who comes to school without a homework assignment completed should expect to be kept in that afternoon for Study Hall.

Vacations

Students may not extend vacations by leaving school early or returning late except under unusual circumstances, necessitating a special exception, secured from the Principal well in advance.

Final Examinations

We require students to be in school for homeroom and chapel during each quarter’s exam days. A student is free to leave for holidays after his last exam providing he has met all his other obligations to the school (including Student Employment). Dormitory students must check out with the Houseparent prior to departure.

School Closing

In the winter we use several methods to announce school closings and delays.  Primarily we will utilize an automated phone chain. We will also post our closings or delays with Channel 6, and you can listen to KYW Radio 1060 AM for our school closing number, 420.  We often make our decisions at 5:30 am, so expect the notifications after that time.

7. Public Displays of Affection

We hope to see our graduates enjoying marriage and making positive contributions in married and family relationships in their future homes.

How can young people be led to this goal? The Writings describe the time before a person has married as a time when “he loves the opposite sex in general and regards it with loving eyes. In their company he also treats the opposite sex with courteous morality.” (Conjugial Love 98) This statement establishes what must already be an obvious fact, that a “love in general for” (or what we might simply call “an interest in”) the opposite sex is a natural part of a young person’s life. What we further learn is that this natural interest can also be a good and healthy part of a young person’s life if the opposite sex is (1) regarded in a loving way and (2) if the treatment of it is courteously moral. Our goal then is to identify and maintain an atmosphere of kind regard and courteous morality and to support our young people in their efforts to speak and act in those ways.

Some of what that support will involve is disallowing words and actions that would be considered unkind, immodest, and/or immoral. An area of particular concern would be the use of the sense of touch, which is said to be the “special sense” through which conjugial love is expressed and experienced. (Conjugial Love 210) However, rather than making our efforts simply a matter of policing “public displays of affection,” we also choose to see our concern as a positive one. Our focus is on providing opportunities, on our campus and during school events, for our young people to form a variety of quality relationships with their peers of both sexes.

Teachings from the Writings suggest that focusing on friendships between the sexes is something that will be spiritually valuable in their lives now, in the future, and in their eventual marriages; and with specific regard to friendship with the opposite sex, we read in the Writings that “[f]riendship introduces… love and causes it to be truly conjugial.”(Conjugial Love 214) If friendship introduces true married love, then we will do a great service for our young people if we let them learn how to form good relationships with their peers of the opposite sex.

The Writings are clear that young people need the help of adults in their lives to reach their 20th year and to begin adulthood (see, for example, Arcana Caelestia 10225, and especially the end of Conjugial Love 456 with regard to relationships with the opposite sex). We consider it our responsibility to demonstrate actively as much adult love and wisdom as we can for the young people in our charge, including this set of standards with regards to dealings with the opposite sex. While recognizing that some of the things listed below can be done in complete innocence, we are encouraging modesty and morality and discouraging these public displays of affection and similar actions not necessarily listed: kissing, hand holding, hug dancing, heads resting in laps, sitting on laps, back rubs, lingering embraces, and cuddling.

8. Sexual Harassment Policy

Sexual harassment of students, employees, or applicants for employment or enrollment at the Academy of the New Church is prohibited. Sexual harassment is a violation of not only the law but also the religious teachings of the New Church. The Academy’s policy may be secured upon request from the Principal or the President.

9. Counseling and Advising

Academic Advisors. Each student will have an academic advisor who will monitor the student’s academic progress and serve as a link between the student, other faculty members, and parents.  Please contact the advisor with any question or concern you may have regarding your child’s education.

School Chaplain. The Rev. Mauro de Pádua is the Chaplain for the Secondary Schools.  Rev. de Pádua is available to each student for any personal and confidential counseling.

Independent Personal Counseling. Through Dr. Saul Fisher and the Growth Opportunity Center, a trained professional counselor can be available to any student who desires counseling from someone other than an Academy staff member.   This is an important service since some students do desire complete confidentiality and are reluctant to use priests, faculty or other staff members.  Dr. Fisher has been associated with the Bryn Athyn community for over thirty years, and he will insist that his staff not counsel students outside of our fundamental beliefs.  Short term counseling is free for students and parents.  The contact number is 215-947-8117.

If you prefer that your child not be involved with Dr. Fisher and the Growth Opportunity Center, please let us know with either a phone call or written message. We will instruct Dr. Fisher not to accept the contact.  He understands this and is agreeable.

Girls School Counselor. Mrs. Jennifer DeLuca, certified school counselor, is available on a part-time basis to students in the Girls School. Confidential individual counseling is provided. Students are invited to participate in group sessions on topics of their interest. Mrs. DeLuca is the coordinator of the Peer Helpers Program.

10. Student Health

We will communicate with parents when any issues arise outside the routine care for colds, flu, or minor accidents or illness.  We encourage communication from parents regarding any special requests or concerns related to a student’s health needs.

Student Health Insurance

The Academy Secondary Schools requires all students participating in athletics to carry private medical insurance and all resident students to be covered by private medical insurance during their tenure in the Academy schools.  Parents must provide the Student Health Center with a copy of the medical insurance card and are expected to communicate any changes to coverage promptly.  Any expenses incurred for prescription drugs, visits to the doctor’s office, tests, x-rays, and emergency are the responsibility of parents.

The Academy carries accident insurance which acts as a secondary policy to cover expenses not paid for by the student’s primary insurance in the event of an accident or injury occurring during a school sponsored activity. This policy does not cover expenses due to illness.

Meningitis Vaccine

All dormitory students are required to have the meningitis vaccine prior to residing in the dorm.  This is in addition to standard vaccines required by the State of Pennsylvania.

Medications in the Dorm

All dormitory students and their parents are required to abide by the school policy related to medications in the dorm.  This policy is sent to all parents of dorm students prior to the start of school.  Additional copies are available through the school office.

Failure to comply with the above requirements may jeopardize a student’s resident status or standing in the school.

Any questions regarding the above information may be referred to:

Allyn Simons, RN, MSN

(267)-502-2546

Allyn.simons@anc-gc.org

Local students:

Local students receive medical care at the Health Service only in emergencies.

11. Lunch Program

A lunch program for settlement (or commuting) students is available for a fee. Information on the lunch program is sent to parents during the summer. Students who “brown bag” may eat in the Dining Hall. We ask students not to eat lunch in Benade Hall or De Charms Hall.

12. Special Facilities

The Book Room

The Academy Book Room is located on the ground floor of Benade Hall and sells text books and school supplies. Stationery, stamps and small gift items are also available. Students may charge all purchases.

Computer Labs

The main computer lab is located on the ground floor of de Charms Hall and can be used by students who wish to work on assignments after the school day.  A second lab is located in the Media Center.

The Media Center

The Media Center, an educational resource for students and faculty, is located on the third floor of Benade Hall. The collection includes over 8,000 fiction and non-fiction books, reference materials, periodicals, music CDs and records, filmstrips, videos, and CD-ROMs.

13.  Student Government

Student Government Qualifications

Candidates for these offices should want to serve and be able to do so without sacrificing their academic responsibilities.

Students cannot run for or be appointed to a major office if they are on academic or disciplinary probation or have been suspended during the school year.

A student forfeits his/her position if the student is suspended or placed on either disciplinary or academic probation. In addition, a student may not run for an office if he/she is on probation or has a grade below 60 or a weighted grade point average below 85 in the previous term.

Factores

(Add to end)Members of Factores should demonstrate qualities of leadership, moral virtue, and femininity.

14. Social Life

The general purposes of social life at the Academy are 1) to support academic work by providing needed recreation for the students; 2) to help the students come to know one another, make friends, and develop a sense of New Church community; 3) to teach, strengthen, and enjoy all the moral virtues.

Preparation of Specific Social Events

Regulations governing preparation for and conduct at parties, dances, and other social affairs by students are available from the Social Director or class, club, or group faculty advisor. Student leaders of these various organizations are responsible to secure copies of these regulations.

Bands or orchestras for school-sponsored events are to be approved by the Social Director. Chaperons control volume levels and will censor songs with questionable lyrics.

Transportation for Trips

All school-sponsored trips and parties must be chaperoned. Vehicles used for trips and parties outside Bryn Athyn must be driven by adults. A qualified adult lifeguard or student lifeguard must be present and on duty for any school-sponsored trip to the seashore.

Guests

School-sponsored events are for students of the Girls School and/or Boys School. A student must ask the Social Director for permission to invite others.

Chaperons

We require adult faculty chaperonage or other faculty-designated chaperonage for any school-sponsored trip or social event. Any private social event to which dormitory students are invited must have adequate adult chaperonage. We request that at least one adult female and male chaperone are present when boys and girls are participating in an event together. Unless otherwise stated, we expect students to arrive at a school-sponsored event within the first half-hour of the start time. Permission to leave early from an event should be secured from the chaperon(s) in charge. Any deviations from the above policy are to be made by the head chaperon of the event.

Those wishing to invite dormitory students to a private party or trip are asked to call the Houseparent. Adequate adult chaperonage will be necessary. Coed overnight house parties are not permitted for secondary school students.

Clubs

The Alpha Kappa Mu/Sigma Delta Pi and DEKA /Phi Alpha are sororities and fraternities for local students and resident students, respectively. The clubs invite all sophomores, juniors and seniors to join at the beginning of each school year. They sponsor trips, dances, parties, dinners, and a variety of social activities throughout the school year. The purposes of the clubs are to foster a spirit of charity, cooperation, and friendship within the Schools in order to promote working together for mutual uses. The Principals, Social Director, and Club Advisors must give permission for soliciting funds for dues, group purchases, or other projects. The Social Director must approve all club activities, including pledging.

Community and Service Learning (Delta Mu)

We are on this earth to serve one another and thus to serve the Lord. At the Academy we recognize the need to educate our students beyond the listings in the Curriculum Guide. To educate the whole student for his life after school, we seek to provide opportunities to learn through service to others. Learn to Serve—Serve to Learn is the motto of the Community Service program (Delta Mu) in the secondary schools. This program encourages students to become involved in some way in serving needs outside the school. Some needs are Bryn Athyn community uses or church uses, and some are outside the community. We encourage involvement and will note community service on a student’s transcript.

15. Phone Contacts

Administration (All 267 Area Code)

President Rev. Eric H. Carswell 502-2579

Chaplain Rev. Mauro de Padua 502-2520

GS Principal Mrs. Sue Odhner 502-2556

GS Assistant Principal Ms. Elizabeth Fuller 502-2692

GS Adm. Assistant Mrs. Melinda Nemitz 502-2556

BS Principal Mr. R. Scott Daum 502-2538

BS Assistant Principal Mr. Brian Horigan 502-2594

BS Adm. Assistant Mrs. Miriam Synnestvedt 502-2538

Director of Studies Mr. Erik Odhner 502-2615

Athletic Director Mr. Shawn Synnestvedt 502-2659

Registrar Ms. Miriam Blackmon 502-2568

Admissions Director Mrs. Elizabeth Fuller 502-2692

Recruiter Rev. Chuck Blair 502-2539

College Counselor Dr. Phil Feerrar 502-2590

Campus Services Mr. Tony Odhner 502-2594

Book Room Mrs. Mary Odhner 502-2540

Security Mr. Clay McQueen 502-2604

Student Life/Club and Class Advisors (all 267 Area Code)

Social Director Mr. Francis Reinprecht 502-2545

Club Advisors:

AKM Advisor Mrs. Brenda Rydstrom 502-2590

Delta Mu Advisor Mr. Cory Boyce 502-2521

Phi Alpha Advisor Mr. Keith Gruber 502-4897

Sigma Advisor Mr. Francis Reinprecht 502-2545

Yearbook Miss Meg Walker 502-2555

Mr. William Fehon 502-2555

The Academian Ms. Erica Cantley 502-2661

Honor Society Mrs. Martha Odhner 502-2668

Class Advisors:

Senior Mrs. Kira Schadegg 502-2542

Senior Rev. Mauro de Padua 502-2520

Junior Miss Bonnie Hodgell 502-2553

Junior Mr. David Keith 502-2897

Sophomore Miss Miriam Blackmon 502-2568

Sophomore Mr. Cory Boyce 502-2521

Freshman Mrs. Gail A. Cooper 502-2552

Freshman Rev. Chuck Blair 502-2539

Student Life/Houseparents and RAs

Academics/Department Heads (all 267 Area Code)

Director of Studies Mr. Erik Odhner 502-2615

Educational Support Ms. Cheryl Cooper 502-2564

Media Center Mrs. Julie Rankin 502-2666

Arts Mr. Eyvind Boyesen 502-2569

English Mrs. Esther Yardumian-Smyth 502-2667

Foreign Language Mrs. Gail Cooper 502-2552

Mathematics Mr. Cory Boyce 502-2521

Physical Education Mrs. Miki DeBaise 502-4818

Mr. Shawn Synnestvedt 502-2659

Religion Rev. Barry Halterman 502-2656

Science Mrs. Rae Friesen 502-2591

Social Studies Mrs. Miriam Blackmon 502-2568

16. Discipline

A student’s main responsibility is to learn to the best of his/her ability. Teachers can help, but no one can make another person learn against his/her will. A student’s attitude and effort are what will determine how well s/he does at the Academy, so we hope students come with a positive attitude and a willingness to work and participate.

We encourage all students to become involved because those who are actively involved in the work of their academic courses, in social life and other extracurricular activities gain the most from their years in the Secondary  Schools.  The individual and the school each benefit when this happens. 

It is our hope that student will lead virtuous and orderly lives; however, sometimes it is necessary to provide consequences, which we hope will discourage disorderly behavior. Major disciplinary actions might involve probation, suspension, or even expulsion.

Sexual misconduct, involvement with drugs and alcohol, stealing, cheating, vandalism, physical violence, bullying in any form, lying, and irreverence are things which could incur major disciplinary actions. A compilation or repetition of more minor infractions could also bring the same results.

Students should know that the faculty will not tolerate repeated irreverence and classroom disturbances; however, students who wish to cooperate and who are serious about their education will not be bothered with disciplinary actions.

The Academy reserves the right to search any room or locker on the campus.  We may employ the use of drug sniffing dogs.  We reserve the right to drug test students, and to  search personal belongings for drugs on school sponsored trips.

The Academy does administer consequences for major infractions that occur off campus.

Cheating/Plagiarism

Plagiarism is taking someone else’s ideas and passing them off as one’s own. Plagiarism is a very serious offense involving academic dishonesty. Footnotes must be used in: all word-for-word quotes; summarized or paraphrased passages; drawings, charts, tables which are not original with the student; statistics not original to the student; theories or interpretations not original to the student, definitions and key words.

The teacher of each course will outline his/her policy concerning what is acceptable and what might be considered cheating.

Graduation privilege

Attending the graduation ceremony is a privilege not a right.  The faculty may grant a diploma but not allow the student to participate in the graduation ceremony for disciplinary reasons, poor academic performance, and/or failing to meet other school requirements and responsibilities.

17. Scholastic Assessment Tests

Every year ANC gives the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) and National Scholarship Qualification Test. This test will be administered  Wednesday, October 15. We require all juniors to take this test, and Freshmen and Sophomores may take the test if they sign up with the College and Career Counselor. The PSAT is offered only once and must be taken to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The cost of the test is $13.00. We strongly recommend that all juniors subsequently take the SAT and/or ACT offered at nearby public schools. Information on these tests and how to prepare for them is available from the College Counselor in Room 228, Benade Hall. Registration deadlines are as follows:

Students can register on-line for the ACT and SAT

More information on College and Career Guidance