Upper School Back-to-School Letter - Part 2

Dear Parents and Students,

I am hoping this information finds you enjoying the mirth of these last few beautiful summer days.

Below is a continuation of my previous email to offer you more information for the coming school year. Please pay careful attention to the dress code portion.

As always, please reach out with questions or concerns.

Be well,

Dylan Deal
Director of Upper School

Sunday, August 25th: Back-to-School Picnic

The all-school Back to School Picnic will be held at Benigna House on the Merle-Smith Campus on Sunday, August 25th. You may drop by the picnic at any time between 2:00-5:00 pm. Join us for an afternoon of food, fun, games, and music where you can meet new members of our school community and reconnect with friends.

Bring your appetites, blankets and beach chairs; we will provide food and beverages as well as entertainment for the children. We look forward to seeing you there. No pets, please. RSVP here.

Friday, August 23rd: Upper School Orientation

All New to Moravian Academy Students

8:00 am - 12:30 pm

• Begins at 8:00 am at Central Moravian Church, 73 W Church St, Bethlehem, PA (drop-off)
• We will meet at the corner of Main Street and Church Street in downtown Bethlehem.
• Students will be bused to the Upper School campus.
• Concludes at 12:30 pm at the Upper School Athletic and Wellness Center, 4313 Green Pond Rd, Bethlehem, PA (pick-up)

All Rising 9th graders coming up from the MA Middle School

10:30 am - 12:30 pm

• Begins and concludes at the Athletic and Wellness Center, 4313 Green Pond Rd, Bethlehem, PA
• Orientation includes campus tours, receiving your Macbook, meeting your advisory and mentors, and lunch.

If you have any questions, please contact Dan Axford, Dean of Students, at daxford@mamail.net or the Upper School Main Office at 610-691-1600.

Monday, August 26th: Launch Day!

• 8:00 –  9:15 am | Upper School Assembly, Dyer Auditorium
• 9:15 -   9:30 am | Mingle and Snacks
• 9:30 - 10:30 am | Freshmen Class Scaveganza
• 9:30 - 10:00 am | Class Meetings (Schedules and Key Cards)
• 10:00 – 10:30 am | Advisory for Seniors, Juniors, and Sophomores
• 10:35 – 11:05 am | Class A
• 11:10 - 11:40 am | Class B
• 11:45 am – 12:20 pm | PICNIC LUNCH
• 12:25 – 12:55 pm | Class C
• 1:00 – 1:30 pm | Class D
• 1:35 – 2:05 pm | Class E
• 2:10 - 2:40 pm | Class F
• 2:45 - 3:15 pm | Class G
• 3:15 pm | Dismissal

Tuesday, August 27th (C)

• 7:00 - 7:50 am | All Upper School Retreat Gear Drop-off, Athletic and Wellness Center
• 8:00 - 8:05 am | Class A (for attendance purposes)
• 8:10 – 8:30 am | Assembly
• 8:35 – 8:50 am | Assembly – Board Buses for All-School Chapel
• 9:30 am | All School Chapel at Central Moravian Church
• Depart for Camp Canadensis for All Upper School Retreat from Central Moravian Church

Wednesday, August 28th (O): All Upper School Retreat

Students return to campus at 3:00 pm.

Student Schedules and Drop/Add Dates

Student schedules will be available Monday, August 12th. Dates and times for drop/add conversations with Mrs. Weems are:

• Tuesday, August 13th - 12:00 - 2:00 pm
• Wednesday, August 14th - 9:00 am - 11:00 am
• Thursday, August 15th - 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

Students, if you cannot make one of these days, please email Mrs. Weems to schedule a meeting.

Utilizing myMA

This year all assignments, graded or not, will be entered into myMA. This means students will be able to find all of their assignments in one place and sync their myMA calendars to a Google calendar should Google be their preference. Upon return, we will share a ‘how to sync calendars’ video with students to help facilitate that process. Now all assigned work and assessments will be easily calendarized.

Important AP Course and Exam Information

Moravian Academy policy for the 2019-20 academic year is that all students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the associated AP exam in May 2020. The College Board has introduced a new process for the 2019-20 academic year in which the AP student is required to “enroll” in their course on their individual College Board account in order for an AP exam to be ordered. This enrollment will also provide access to excellent resources including an AP question bank and personal progress checks.

The Process:

• We will be helping students to enroll in their AP courses during each of their AP classes on Monday, September 9th. Students must come to class on that date with the username and password for their active College Board account.
• If students need assistance with creating a College Board account or are having difficulty logging in to their existing account, the College Counseling team and the Academic Dean will be available during each of the three lunch periods on Thursday, September 5th and Friday, September 6th in the back of the dining room.

Advisory

Advisory will take on a new look this year, as all lead advisors will have been trained in Developmental Designs. DD is the premier research-informed protocol to marry social-emotional learning with cognitive processes. Once a week during community time, advisories will take time to reflect, greet and honor each member, have fun, and identify ways to maximize each student’s academic experience. As we continue to enhance the advisory program, advisors will have a greater role in supporting students in their academic pursuits and partnering with parents/guardians to champion their charges. Always feel free to reach out to your student’s/s’ advisor/s should you have any questions or concerns about his/her/their progress.

Comenius Program For Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

We are excited to announce the expansion of our Comenius Project program. Now, as an extension of our FIRE program (Freshmen Interdisciplinary Research Experience) and opportunity for a more protracted engagement in one’s curiosity and research, the Comenius Project program will extend to sophomores. Stay tuned for announcements concerning project proposals and deadlines.

Computer Swap

Students in Grades 10, 11, and 12 will be exchanging their computers before the start of school. Please see dates below for exchange information. In an effort to expedite the return of computers, please remember to remove all important files, etc. before returning. There will be no transfer of information to the new computer. All stickers should be removed with the exceptions of the students' name and asset tag number. Students do not need to 'clean off' their computers before return. All student information on their computer will be erased.

Students are reminded to backup their files frequently. All students have a mamail.net account that includes unlimited storage in Google Drive.

Students will need to return their laptop and all power cords prior to receiving their new computer. Parents/guardians will need to sign for their students' new computers before distributing. Students can bring this form with them when picking up their computer.

Computer Swap Dates and Times*

• Thursday, August 22nd - 5:30 - 6:30 pm
• Friday, August 23rd - 7:00 - 8:00 am AND 1:00 - 2:00 pm

(*Please note: The swap should only take 5 minutes, feel free to stop in anytime during the assigned dates.)

Please report to the Fuisz Library for the swap. If you are unable to make the assigned time please email jweaver@mamail.net.

Dress Code Guidelines: Arrive with Intention

What does it mean to arrive to school with intention? We are a community of learners. Moravian Academy understands that clothing choice is a personal matter and, thus, creates room for student choice. As a community rooted in the Moravian tradition, we encourage students to choose clothing that is respectful to themselves and others and conducive to learning. In the end, be present, be prepared.

The Essence of the Dress Code:

Students should arrive to school clothed at least from neck to knee, no gaps, stay clothed neck to knee, no gaps, and depart clothed neck to knee, no gaps.

We understand that orienting bottoms around the knee is not perfect. There are different heights and body types that affect this orientation. A good rule is to keep shorts, dresses, and skirts within 5 inches of the top of the patella or no higher than one’s fingertips when arms are dropped to the side or mid-thigh. These areas will constitute the “knee."

• Examples of appropriate tops: button-downs with collars, polos, cardigans, sweaters, MA-issued t-shirts (long and short-sleeved), blouses, turtlenecks, dresses, rugby shirts.
• Examples of appropriate bottoms: tailored pants, slacks, chinos, khakis, trousers, shorts, skirts, skorts, dresses, jeans.

See below for clarification on the above examples.

Non-Negotiables:

• Attire reflecting violence, sexual, racial or religious insensitivity, or that refers to tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs is not allowed.
• Hats, caps, sunglasses, sweatshirt hoods may not be worn inside the school buildings. Earbuds, headphones, etc. may not be worn while transitioning between classes or inside the school buildings unless a student is studying quietly.
• Any clothing that allows undergarments or midriff to show should not be worn.
• Footwear should be worn at all times, for safety reasons.
• Sleepwear or athletic bottoms, joggers, athletic shorts, sweatpants, yoga pants, leggings, etc., may not be worn.
• Spandex shorts or pants (leggings) may only be worn under shorts, dresses, or skirts of appropriate length.
• T-shirts, long or short-sleeved, should not be worn unless they are Moravian Academy issued.
• Tank tops should not be worn.
• Clothes should not be torn, frayed, unkempt.

We understand that clothing choice is complex, as is the confidence and esteem of each of our students. Thus, if a student appears out of step with the dress code, the school will seek to educate – not shame – the student and will address the issue in a discrete and dignified manner. In that event, the following can be expected:

• If a teacher feels a student’s clothing is at odds with the above expectations, the teacher may discretely and appropriately address the student (e.g. at the end of the class period), hand a dress code notice to the student indicating their concern, and/or communicate directly with the administration.
• The student will go to the Dean of Student’s office with the note or the Dean may find the student if no note was given. In the event the Dean is unavailable, the student should go to the main office to speak with the Academic Dean or Director.
• The administrator will review the concern with the student and determine if their clothing is at odds with the above expectations.
• If the clothing is found to be inappropriate, depending on whether a concern has previously been reported, the student may be directed to refrain from wearing this piece of clothing again, may be asked to change, may be sent home, and/or their parents may be contacted.
• The final decision regarding appropriate/inappropriate clothing rests with the administration.
• The Dean of Students, Academic Dean or Director him/herself may initiate this review process.

Formal Dress

Formal dress must be worn for all-school chapel, Lovefeasts, picture days, and any other dates deemed necessary by the administration. Formal dress includes:

• Tops: Collared shirts and dresses: button-up or polo style. Dresses without collars that have appropriate necklines and sleeves that cover the shoulders may be worn.
• Bottoms: Students may wear tailored slacks, chinos or cargo/Bermuda-style shorts, skirts and dresses. No jeans/denim.
• Formal additions must include one of the following: tie, scarf, blazer, cardigan, shawl. The administration may allow students to remove such items after the event has concluded; however, it is at their discretion.

School Dances

We recognize that students may wish to wear clothing to a school dance that is different from that which is worn during a school day. Students are expected to acknowledge through their sensible clothing choices that a school dance is a school event and, thus, there are still parameters. The administrator present at the school dance has the responsibility and authority to use reasoned judgment to determine if the clothing being worn is at odds with generally accepted norms of good taste.