Parent & Student Handbook, 2013-2014 - Tandem Friends School

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School. Simpler disciplinary issues in the Upper School may be handled directly by the Upper School Director, while
other behavioral concerns or violations are dealt with by the Head of School.
Middle School disciplinary issues are handled by teachers and the Middle School Director.
Upper School Student Senate
Since its founding, Tandem Friends has embraced John Dewey’s idea that a school should be an “embryonic
democracy” in which students participate directly in the running of the school. Student Senate officers are elected by
their peers, serve for one academic year, and oversee the Senate meetings as well as Open Meetings in which all
Upper School students and faculty gather to address any issues of concern raised by any member of the community.
Senate meetings are called every other week; a faculty member serves as advisor, and school administrators regularly
enlist the Senate’s input on issues related to student life. The Student Senate Constitution was crafted by the Student
Senates of 2004–2005 and ratified by the student body in 2005.
Community Service
Service to others, in both the local and larger communities, is a core value at Tandem Friends. Seventh grade
students participate in an annual trip to Washington, DC to learn about and work with the homeless through Youth
Services Opportunity Project (YSOP), a Quaker organization that facilitates student service. Eighth graders travel to
Philadelphia and part of that trip involves service to the local homeless there alongside students from Friends Select
School. Throughout the year, fundraising initiatives, from car washes to nail salons to talent shows, raise money for
causes chosen by students in grades 5­8. Beginning in the Fall of 2013, ninth, tenth and eleventh graders spend a
week, by grade, enjoying outdoor educational activities, which include a service component. In addition, all Upper
School students spend three to four days each school year participating in local community service projects. Service
sites include nursing homes, childcare centers, food banks, environmental organizations, and a variety of other nonprofits.
Students extend their service commitments through Emphasis and Senior Projects and establish clubs that
support organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Cure Search and Amnesty International. In February, a group of
Upper School students, accompanied by the Community Service Director, attend the annual Quaker Youth
Leadership Conference where, in addition to deepening their understanding of the Quaker testimonies, they perform
service projects alongside students from Friends Schools all over the country.
Tandem Friends Council (formerly Spiritual Life Committee)
Chaired by the Director of Community Service and Spiritual Life, the Tandem Friends Council meets monthly,
welcoming members of the Charlottesville Friends Meeting, faculty, parents and students to discuss Tandem's
“spiritual life.” Meeting for Worship, query groups, Quaker teachings and testimonies, community service and the
impalpable ways we are with each other are topics of inquiry. The Tandem Friends Council is also responsible for
facilitating four Speaker Series each year devoted to Quaker history and education, comparative religion, or other
topics related to spiritual practice. See Meeting for Worship for details on this important weekly practice. The
Advisory Program (see Advisory Program) also works to support the spiritual life of our community.
Special Events
Numerous activities, traditions and celebrations occur throughout the school year, enhancing parent­teacher
communication, enriching student learning, and helping to build community spirit. Among these special events for
Tandem students are Community Potlucks, Back to School Night, the Tag Sale, the Spring Fundraiser, Emphasis
Week, Blue Ridge Day, Pancake Wednesdays, Grandparents Day, Spring Day and Mother’s Day Music Festival.
Details of these and other unique Tandem Friends traditions can be found in our weekly Friday Letters and on the
website at www.tandemfs.org. Students from other local schools (including former students) are not allowed to be in
attendance at most of these events.
"Kindness and Wisdom, with Kindness Always First"