Student Handbook - The Taft School

Student Handbook 2012–13

The Taft School Daily Academic Schedule (6-Day Week)MondayTUESDAYWEDNESDAYTHURSDAYFRIDAYNormalSaturday*AlternateSaturdayA Super8:15–9:15DepartmentMeetings9:20–10:00B10:05–10:50BH10:50–11:20C11:25–12:10G Super8:15–9:15SchoolMeetings9:20–10:00F10:05–10:50FH10:50–11:20D Super11:25–12:25Norm WedG9:55–10:40B Super8:15–9:15Assembly9:20–9:50*Alt WedE9:55–10:40EHE10:40–11:1010:45–11:30EH Super11:30–12:00F Super8:15–9:15SchoolMeetings9:20–10:00A10:05–10:50AH10:50–11:20C Super11:25–12:25E Super8:15–9:15FacultyMeetings9:20–10:00G10:05–10:50GH10:50–11:20D11:25–12:10A8:15–9:00Assembly9:05–9:35B9:40–10:25G10:30–11:15A Super8:15–9:15Assembly9:20–9:50G9:55–10:40B10:45–11:30Alt BH11:30–12:00D12:15–1:00E1:05–1:50C12:30–1:15EH1:15–1:45D12:30–1:15DH1:15–1:45C12:15–1:00F1:05–1:50F1:55–2:40A1:50–2:35E1:50–2:35B1:55–2:40Meetings2:45–3:30LM I Block/Meetings2:40–3:30Meetings2:40–3:30Meetings2:45–3:30The Taft School Daily Academic Schedule (5-Day Week)MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridayA Super8:15–9:15G Super8:15–9:15B Super8:15–9:15F Super8:15–9:15E Super8:15–9:15Break 9:15–9:30B9:30–10:15BH10:15–10:45G10:50–11:35C11:40–12:25D12:30–1:15E1:20–2:05F2:10–2:55Meetings3:00–3:30Break 9:15–9:30F9:30–10:15FH10:15–10:45B10:50–11:35D Super11:40–12:40C12:45–1:30CH1:30–2:00A2:05–2:50Meetings2:55–3:30Assembly9:20–9:50G9:55–10:40E10:45–11:30EH11:30–12:00Break 9:15–9:30G9:30–10:15GH10:15–10:45A10:50–11:35C Super11:40–12:40D12:45–1:30DH1:30–2:00E2:05–2:50Meetings2:55–3:30School Meetings9:20–10:00A10:05–10:50AH10:50–11:20D11:25–12:10C12:15–1:00F1:05–1:50B1:55–2:40Meetings2:45–3:30

The Taft SchoolStudent Handbook2012–13Parents may download any forms referenced in this handbook fromTaft’s website: www.TaftSchool.org/students/deans.aspxor www.TaftSchool.org/students/healthcenter.aspxThe Taft School, 110 Woodbury Road, Watertown, CT 06795

THE TAFT SCHOOLEstablished at Pelham Manor, New York, in 1890, the Taft School is the realization of the lateHorace Dutton Taft’s life purpose: to found a school in which students would receive the physical,mental, moral and spiritual background necessary to be responsible leaders and disciplined, constructivecitizens. Mr. Taft, the school’s first headmaster and the brother of President William HowardTaft, believed that spiritual growth and development of character were equal in importance to thescholarship that he valued highly.The school’s 8,000 living alumni are engaged in virtually every phase of the world’s work—business,industry, the professions and public service. Taft has always taken its school motto—Non ut sibiministretur sed ut ministret, or, Not to be served but to serve—very much to heart, and students andalumni alike devote themselves to their communities and to causes around the globe.The school moved to its present location in Watertown, Connecticut, in 1893, and the campustoday encompasses more than 220 acres with top-notch facilities for intellectual, artistic and athleticpursuits. In 1936 Mr. Taft was succeeded as headmaster by Mr. Paul Cruikshank, who led the schoolfor the next 27 years. Mr. John C. Esty served as headmaster from 1963 to 1972, as the schoolwelcomed its first coeducational class. A young history teacher named Lance R. Odden arrivedfrom Princeton in 1961 and quickly climbed the ranks, serving as headmaster for 29 years, until hisretirement in 2001.William R. MacMullen ’78 became the first alumnus to head the school, the fifth headmaster in111 years—a record of leadership unparalleled among peer schools. Prior to this appointment, Mr.MacMullen was an English teacher (appointed in 1983), dean of faculty, dean of academic affairsand Uppermid class dean.The most significant change to the campus in recent years is the renovation of Horace Dutton TaftHall [1914] that includes an expansion of the dining halls and restoration of the founder’s residence.Designed by the Gund Partnership of Cambridge, Massachusetts, the dining hall was completed inthe spring of 2010.TO THOSE ENTERING TAFTWe extend our best wishes for your success here. It is likely that you will encounter much thatseems strange or different at first. You will probably find the first few days particularly confusing,and this is a typical reaction. Taft is a welcoming community, and many people will do their best tohelp you feel at home. Before long, you will find yourself part of the school.All new students are assigned student sponsors, often referred to as “old boys” and “old girls,”whose job it is to answer questions, explain our customs, and help you feel at home here. Do nothesitate to go to your sponsor for advice and information. Furthermore, as a new student you willparticipate in activities that will help you understand more about the school.During the first semester you will choose a faculty member to be your advisor. New studentswill be assigned a temporary advisor for the first three weeks of school. This temporary advisor canbecome your permanent advisor if you so choose. Your advisor will be intimately concerned withall phases of your career at Taft, and we hope you will feel free to discuss any important issues inyour life at Taft. Early in the year we will help all students understand a few obvious boundaries2 The Taft School

of this relationship and will suggest how you should go about choosing an advisor who is rightfor you. Go out of your way to get to know your faculty advisor well; you will find your advisorready to help whenever you need assistance or guidance.In addition, each student has a class dean. Class deans oversee your academic progress and willmake an effort to get to know you well. During the opening days of school, you may find yourclass dean to be someone who is willing to answer questions about any aspect of the school. Classdeans are listed on page 73. You will be informed when you receive your course schedule in Julywhich dean will be working with you.On succeeding pages of this book you will find, among other things, most of the rules andregulations of the school. At first they may seem overwhelming in number and detail, but in thelong run you will find that most of them are dictated by common sense. The basic principle ofall Taft’s institutions is that of honesty. Tests are conducted on the Honor System. You will beassigned work to do on your own, and you need only pledge that you have neither given norreceived assistance. Your word on any question of conduct will be taken as a matter of fact. If youuse consideration and common sense, you should have little difficulty with the rules. If there arerules or procedures that you do not understand, feel free to stop by the Dean’s Office to speakwith Mr. Carl Carlson, the dean of students, or Ms. Sarah Sanborn, associate dean of students.This handbook is intended to provide information and guidance to all members of the Taft Schoolcommunity. It is not a contract. Provisions may be changed at any time at the sole discretion of theadministration of the Taft School.A PDF of this handbook, and more detailed information about life at Taft, can also be found onthe school’s website: www.TaftSchool.org.THE HONOR SYSTEMThe Honor System is the basis of student life and government at Taft. It places in the hands ofeach student the responsibility for honorable conduct as a way of life. A student who comes to Taftmust be willing to accept this responsibility.The Honor Court, whether for theft or academic infractions, will hear potential violations of theHonor Code. Responses to such violations almost always include a period of Warning with regard toall aspects of the Honor Code, and could include suspension or dismissal from Taft. In most cases,a parent conference will be held following these proceedings.PREAMBLEThis we believe: that Personal Honor in word and deed, Personal Integrity in thought and action,Honesty in every facet of life, and Respect for other people and their rights are the essence of astudent of the Taft School.PRINCIPLESThe Honor System is based on these principles, the basic characteristics of a Taft Student:1. a student’s word is his or her bond2. a student respects the integrity of personal property3. a student has respect for academic honesty4. a student’s conduct is always that of a gentleman or lady.Student Handbook 2012–133

CONSTITUTIONArticle 1Violations of the Honor System shall consist of:1. the theft of other persons’ property;2. any attempt to give or receive assistance in any way or form in connection with scholasticwork for credit; or3. lying in regard to academic matters.Article 21. The phrase “I pledge my honor” written at the end of any scholastic work done for credit isan abbreviation of the statement “I pledge my honor that I have neither given nor receivedaid on this paper.”2. On all department examinations, this statement must be written out in full.Any student not signing the pledge to his or her paper will be notified by the teachercorrecting the paper, and then, if unable to sign the pledge, he or she shall be reported tothe Honor Committee for investigation. A discussion of plagiarism is included on page 6of this handbook.Article 31. There shall be an Honor Committee, which shall investigate and deal with all cases involvingthe Honor System, as the System is defined in Article 1.2. This committee shall have the power to summon any accused person or persons, to summonany other persons who might have information about the alleged offense, and to recommendpenalties to the headmaster.3. The committee shall submit to the headmaster a record of all cases considered in itssessions. The instruction of the succeeding committee shall be the responsibility of theoutgoing committee.Article 4The PREAMBLE and the CONSTITUTION shall be announced and explained to all newstudents at the beginning of each year.Article 5The effectiveness of the Honor System lies in the cooperation of the student body. It is left upto the discretion of the individual as to whether or not he or she shall report an offender tothe Honor Committee.Article 61. The committee, without altering in any way the provisions of the Constitution, may takewhatever measures it deems necessary to perpetuate the Honor System.2. This constitution, the Preamble, or any parts or articles may be amended or repealed by athree-quarter vote of the combined Senior and Upper Middle classes.—Classes of ’43, ’61 and ’824 The Taft School

ACADEMICS6 Academic Honesty7 Grading System,Academic Credit,Placement, PromotionStudent Handbook 8 Examinations, 2012–13 5Assessments,Extended Time10 Absence and Academics

ACADEMICSACADEMIC HONESTYArticle 1 of the Constitution of the Taft School Honor System includes the following statement:“Violations of the Honor System shall consist of ... any attempt to give or receive assistance inany way or form in connection with scholastic work for credit.”Article 2 states:1. The Phrase “I pledge my honor” written at the end of any scholastic work done for credit isan abbreviation of the statement “I pledge my honor that I have neither given nor receivedaid on this paper.”2. On all departmental examinations, this statement must be written out in full.Any student not signing the pledge to his or her paper will be notified by the faculty membercorrecting the paper, and then, if unable to sign the pledge, he or she shall be reported to theHonor Committee for investigation.There are three forms of academic dishonesty at Taft: cheating, plagiarism, and lying with regard toacademic matters. In academic terms, cheating takes the form of copying someone else’s work or givingor receiving assistance on an exam, test, paper, or other work for credit which must be pledged, in anattempt to deceive the teacher into thinking that the work is the student’s own. Examples include:using illegal notes or copying from another student during a test; having someone else write a paper,or part of a paper, or receiving or giving help in writing a paper without acknowledging the assistance;and obtaining or giving information about a quiz or test given to an earlier section of a course.The second form of academic dishonesty is plagiarism and is also a violation of the Honor Code.The American Heritage Dictionary defines the verb “to plagiarize” as “to take and use as one’s ownthe writings or ideas of another.” Plagiarism is the direct copying of someone else’s words or ideaswithout giving the author credit for them, thereby presenting them as evidence of your own workand thought. It also refers to the rewording of a sentence, a paragraph, a page, an entire article, or astory plot and calling it your own.To avoid plagiarism, you must footnote everything that is not the result of your own thinking. Directquotations—the exact words of another person—must be put in quotation marks and footnoted.Paraphrases—the translation of facts and ideas into your own words—must also be footnoted. Singlewords or phrases that are particularly appropriate or illuminating, the organization of ideas, and the6 The Taft School

ordering of examples given in a source must all be documented. In any case in which students feelconfused, they should consult their teachers or a librarian for guidance.Carelessness and coincidence are no excuses for plagiarism. But if every source is to be so carefully documented,a student may ask, what is the research paper but a garland of quotations? The answer is that agood research paper (or critical essay) is not an anthology of quotations but an assimilation of material fromsources. This material has been collected for a purpose: to answer some question that has been the guidingpurpose in the student’s research. The material has been penetrated, condensed, filtered, arranged, andinterpreted by the student, and bears the mark of his own intelligence. The product is an original researchpaper, fully documented on every major point, sometimes supported by and sometimes thoughtfullyrefuting the opinions of authorities, amplified by quotation when such quotation is apt and appropriate,and everywhere demonstrating the student’s intellectual mastery, honesty, and scholarly integrity.The third form of academic dishonesty is lying to a faculty member with regard to academicmatters. This covers both verbal and written interactions between students and faculty. For instance,if a student were to communicate to a teacher that he had completed and/or submitted an assignmentfor credit when in fact that was not the case, the student would be in violation of the Honor Code.Seniors who violate the Honor Code after Long Weekend in the Spring Term will not, in alllikelihood, be permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony.ACADEMICSGrading System, Academic Credit,Placement, PromotionTaft’s academic grading system includes a 40 to 100 achievement scale and an A to D effortscale. Grades of 87 and above are honors grades, while grades of 93 and above are high honors.The honor roll is comprised of students who earn an academic average of 87 or above for a semester;the high-honor roll is comprised of students who earn an average of 93 or above for a semester.A 60 is the passing grade, while a 59 or lower indicates failure. A 40 is the minimum achievementgrade in any course.Report cards will indicate students’ achievement and effort grades in each course. The followingdesignations are used for indicating effort:ABCDExemplarySatisfactoryOccasionally UnsatisfactoryUnsatisfactoryEach report card, in addition to reporting a student’s achievement and effort grade for each class,will also include the average achievement grade for all students enrolled in a particular course.This information is often helpful to those seeking to understand a student’s progress and relativesuccess, but any questions should be directed to the appropriate class dean. Students enrolled in ayear-long course both semesters shall, at year’s end, receive a year-long course grade, which will be theaverage of each semester grade (rounded up to the nearest whole number if applicable). However, forall courses, academic credit is granted on a semester-by-semester basis. Also, the academic departmentsdetermine student promotion and placement.Student Handbook 2012–137

ACADEMICSExaminations, Assessments, Extended TimeExaminations or culminating assessments are given at the end of each semester. Students may notreschedule exams to facilitate an early departure for vacation.Students who find during the term that they have three major assessments—tests, papers, projects,labs—due on the same day may request to have the last assigned exercise due at a later date.Such requests should be made at least 48 hours in advance.The following policies were written by the departments heads to clarify examination procedures:PrincipleStudents are responsible for meeting their academic obligations during the regular school yearand also at prescribed times during examination periods each semester. Failure to do so will resultin a response as described below.During the SemesterA student who misses an announced assessment as a result of an unexcused absence will be penalized10 points if (s)he takes the assessment that same day and 10 more points each day thereafter.Assessments submitted late on the due date are penalized 5 points, and submissions after thedue date are penalized 10 points per day up to five days, after which the maximum earnable gradeis a 50. Assessments of passing quality submitted after five days will receive a 50, while those not ofpassing quality will receive a 40. Assessments submitted more than one day late may not be revised.Students must complete all major assessments to be complete in a course.Students with extended time accommodations should speak with their teachers in advance oftimed assessments to determine how their teachers prefer to handle the sometimes-complex logisticsof extended time. In many cases, teacher and student may determine beforehand that the studentwill take the assessment in its entirety at a time other than the regular class meeting. But in thosecases when students with extended time accommodations begin and do not have enough time tocomplete in-class assessments, the below procedures apply.• Teacher and student will discuss and determine when and where the student will complete theassessment; this completion must take priority over other uses of available times during theclass day such as a mid-morning slot, part of a lunch block, or an afternoon Meetings block.• The student’s completing the assessment will typically take priority over his/her extra-curricularcommitments except competitions and performances.• Ideally, the student will complete the assessment under the oversight of his/her classroomteacher. If, however, the assessment is to be completed in the Moorhead Academic Center,the teacher will write on the assessment:• during what time slot the student will complete the assessment,• what materials are permitted for the student to complete the assessment,• the amount of time the student has already spent on the assessment, and• the amount of time students without accommodations were permitted.• To be consistent with the Honor Code, a student whose completion of an assessment is delayed dueto his/her extended time accommodation may not consult materials related to the assessment andmust avoid situations in which (s)he might unintentionally glean assessment-related information.8 The Taft School

During Examination PeriodsA student who misses a semester examination as a result of an unexcused absence will receive a40, which will be averaged with the grade the student receives upon making up the exam.Students who arrive late for an exam but within the first hour will receive a penalty of 5 points.After one hour, the student will receive a penalty of 10 points. In each case, the student will be giventhe full time for the exam.Students may not wear hats during examinations.Semester Examinations and Academic CreditIf a student fails a semester examination in the spring of his or her senior year, the teacher willoffer a re-examination only if the student fails the semester and needs to pass that course in order toreceive a Taft diploma. In most other circumstances, Taft does not offer re-examinations for credit.If an underclassmen or fall semester senior fails an examination, a re-examination will not be giveneven if the student has failed the semester and received no credit for the course. If the student hasfailed a semester course that is part of a sequence of semesters, after a reasonable period of timefor preparation, the student must take a placement exam in order to proceed to the next level. Forinstance, a student who fails the spring semester of Latin I must pass a placement exam in order toproceed to Latin II in the fall.ACADEMICSCopyright the New Yorker Collection 2002, Tom Cheney from Cartoonbank.com. All rights reserved.Student Handbook 2012–139

ACADEMICSAbsence and AcademicsTaft prides itself on close contact between faculty and students, and classes are the most importantplace for this relationship to develop. Being in class is essential to each student’s intellectual experience,so students should miss class only due to illness or special circumstances.We also understand that students will miss class—for brief to extended periods of time, voluntarily andinvoluntarily—due to illness, medical/personal leaves, or unique opportunities to participate in programsaway from school. The following guidelines establish the parameters for such absences and academic credit.Excused Absences Involving Missed ClassesOccasionally, Taft students may encounter an opportunity to pursue excellence in an area of longtermcommitment and expertise. In these cases, students may petition for permission to miss a totalof up to 5 academic class days in an academic year.Students wishing to leave school must submit a completed petition, including a complete explanationof the program or event in which they wish to participate, 30 days in advance of their proposeddeparture. Once they have completed their formal petition and submitted it to their class dean, theclass dean will meet with the student’s teachers, as well as any other appropriate adults (advisor, coaches,athletic director, Arts Department head, etc.) to determine whether to approve the application. Studentsshould not make travel arrangements or assume that they will be granted permission to leave until thismeeting has occurred and formal permission has been communicated. Unusual requests will be referredto the department heads, who will determine whether the proposal merits consideration.Any student planning to request an extended absence must be in good academic and disciplinarystanding. The class dean and teachers will determine the student’s academic standing. Disciplinary standingwill be determined by the dean of students. Under no circumstance may a student on DisciplinaryReport apply for an extended absence. In addition, if a student has missed significant class time forother reasons, that circumstance may have an impact on the decision about the student’s petition.Finally, if a student’s petition is approved, he or she must remain in solid academic and disciplinarystanding until the time at which he or she leaves. Changes in the student’s circumstances may resultin withdrawal of permission to leave at any point.Personal or Medical Leaves of a Week or LessBecause these are involuntary, students do not need to complete a petition. However, students areresponsible for all missed work in order to receive academic credit and Taft grades.Extended Personal or Medical Leaves up to 50 Percent of a SemesterDuring the absence, students and families must make arrangements for the completion of requiredcourse work with the dean of academic affairs and class dean. Families will need to identify a responsiblethird party to administer tests and exams. Students are eligible for academic credit when theyhave completed all of the required assignments in each class.When a student requires a leave that exceeds 50 percent of a semester, the headmaster, dean ofacademic affairs, class dean, and school counselor will convene to determine whether it is appropriatefor the student to remain enrolled in the school. Although, the student and family will sharein discussions about educational options as the student moves forward, the approval of an extendedpersonal or medical leave is at the discretion of the headmaster.10 The Taft School

RULES & CONDUCTCopyright L.J. Kopf. All rights reserved.12 Fundamental Rules18 Harassment and Bullying19 Voluntary Use of theHealth Center19 Disciplinary Response21 The Conduct System23 Response toCutting Classand Morning Meeting24 General Privileges andRegulations

FUNDAMENTAL RULESPREAMBLEIn coming to Taft, you have entered a diverse, complex community of some 700 students, faculty,staff, and families. What makes this such a vibrant place is the fact that it is made of people fromall over the globe and from many racial, ethnic, and spiritual backgrounds. For such a communityto work, each of its members must share a commitment to common values. If there were a singlecommandment, it would be one found in the world’s great religions and in infinite conversationsbetween parents and their children: Be respectful to and considerate of others. More specifically, atTaft we believe the following:RULES & CONDUCTThat we must care deeply about others and treat them as we would wish to be treated: with dignity,sensitivity, and acceptance.That the respect of property, whether the school’s or another person’s, is vital to the well beingof the school.That good citizenship in the community entails a respect for the rules.That each member of the community has the opportunity to make ours a better place.That without personal integrity, our community cannot function.Ours is a wonderful community, and it is so because of its individual members, each of whomhas the chance to affirm our most deeply held values.—William R. MacMullen, Headmaster12 The Taft School

GENERALStudents shall always act honestly and with consideration for others. Conduct that violates the lawor reflects badly upon the school, whether committed in school or elsewhere, and whether committedwhile school is in session or not, may be cause for discipline, including dismissal.A student’s standing at Taft is determined on the basis of scholarship, effort, and conduct.Failure to maintain a good standing in any one of these areas may result in dismissal and/or thedenial of a diploma.Certain rules, which the school considers particularly important for the well being of the individualand the community, are grouped together as the Fundamental Rules of the school. Violation of anyof them may be considered as grounds for dismissal.It shall be a condition of a student’s enrollment and continued attendance at the Taft School thata parent or guardian and the student, upon reaching the age of majority, shall agree in writing thatthe student shall abide by the Fundamental Rules of the school and such other disciplinary rules asappear in the Taft Student Handbook.Both parents and students should understand that while students are away on weekends, theirconduct and welfare is the primary responsibility of their host, not of the school, but students whotake weekends to nearby homes must not be in violation of Taft rules if they return to the school orto the Watertown area during the weekend. Students who take weekends to homes in the immediateWatertown area must not be in violation of Taft rules when leaving the homes of their host.When students leave Taft to participate in off-campus programs, whether it be short trips, collegevisits, or semester or yearlong programs, they do so with the school’s recommendation and thus serveas representatives of Taft. These students are expected to act in a manner consistent with the guidingprinciples and expectations of the Taft community. If a student does not act accordingly, the schoolwill respond appropriately to the situation.The school reserves the right to search student rooms for evidence of violation of school rules.Seniors who violate Fundamental School Rules after Long Weekend in the Spring Term will not,in all likelihood, be permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony, and may be subject to otherdiscipline at the discretion of the headmaster.RULES & CONDUCTALCOHOL AND DRUGSNo student may use, possess, or attempt to purchase or sell any dangerous or illegal drugs, hallucinogens,drug paraphernalia or alcohol at school.Boarding students, and day students in the company of boarding students, may not violate anyaspect of the Alcohol/Drug Rule in the general neighborhood of school, including Watertown andnearby towns. In addition, day students’ use of alcohol and drugs (including hallucinogens) is subjectto the general prohibition against violation of the law and conduct reflecting badly upon the schoolwhile away from Taft.Arrival at school with evidence of use of such drugs or alcohol is a violation of this rule, whether byboarding students following a permission, weekend, or vacation, or by day students at any time.Use of alcohol on day permissions even in the company of parents is a violation of this rule.Use of alcohol or illegal drugs while on a college visit is a violation of this rule.Prescription drugs must be kept in the Health Center. Students found possessing prescriptiondrugs without specific permission from a nurse at the Health Center are in violation of the Alcohol/Drug Rule.Student Handbook 2012–1313

PERMISSIONSStudents are not allowed to leave school property after the times specified on page 42 withoutpermission and are not allowed outside the school buildings after lights until after 6 a.m. thenext day. Although Charles Phelps Taft (CPT) and Horace Dutton Taft (HDT), Vogelstein andISP dormitories are all in the main building, they are treated as separate dormitories. Thus,when a student from HDT is found in CPT after lights—or vise versa—that student will beconsidered in violation of the Permissions Rule. Day students must be off the campus by checkin and may not return until 7:00 a.m.Boarding students may not go out of Watertown without permission. Filling out a weekend cardwith the intent to deceive or going to an unapproved destination is a violation of the PermissionsRule. See page 42 for sign-out procedures.Unauthorized use of a physical space at school is a violation of the Permissions Rule.INTERDORM VISITATIONStudents are not permitted to have individuals of the opposite sex on dormitory corridors orin student rooms except as specified by the Interdorm Visitation Privileges (see pages 34–38).Parents are permitted in dormitory rooms at any time, and other close relatives may visit dormitoryrooms with prior permission from a dormitory faculty member. Students may secure specialpermission to visit faculty in any dormitory for special help, feeds, and other functions of asimilar nature (see page 33).RULES & CONDUCTFIRE HAZARDSCreating a fire hazard is a violation of a Fundamental School Rule. Examples of such actionsinclude but are not limited to irresponsible or unauthorized use of fire extinguishers, matches,lighters, candles, cooking appliances, incense, or other combustibles in or around a school building,use or possession of fireworks, and tampering with alarms or fire equipment. Using a common roommicrowave and consequently causing something to burn will be considered a violation of the firehazard rule. Phoning in a false alarm will also be a violation of this rule. More details regarding fireand safety regulations are provided on pages 39–40.Smoking in any of the school buildings is a violation of the Fire Hazard Rule. Rules regardingsmoking can be found on page 28.FIREARMS & WEAPONSThis rule prohibits the possession or use of firearms and other weapons. This includes, but is notlimited to: firearms, BB guns, pellet guns of any kind, paint guns, martial arts weapons, crossbows,knives with blades longer than three inches, and any other object that is designed primarily to bea weapon.Student Handbook 2012–1315

COMPUTER USEStudents who do not comply with the school’s Acceptable Use Policy as defined in this handbook(see below) are in violation of a Fundamental Rule. For more frequently asked questions aboutComputers and Technology, please visit www.TaftSchool.org/academics/comp_tech.aspx.KEYSStudents found using or in possession of school keys that were not legally issued to them, as wellas students found in unauthorized areas of the school, are in violation of this rule.RULES & CONDUCTRECKLESS ENDANGERMENTStudents may not engage in reckless acts that expose others or themselves to an obvious risk ofserious injury. For instance, going out on the roofs of the school buildings is a violation of this rule.GENERAL CONDUCTStudents are expected to meet their daily commitments at the school and are also expected touphold the standards of the community. Students who repeatedly reach Disciplinary Report (seepage 22) or whose general conduct is deemed unsatisfactory will not be allowed to remain at Taft.ACCEPTABLE USE OF THE TAFT NETWORKIt is the general policy of the Taft School that computers and network services are to be used in aresponsible, efficient, ethical, and legal manner in accordance with the mission of the school. Usersof the Taft network must acknowledge their understanding of the general policy and guidelines asa condition of using the network. All users are responsible for adhering to these Taft policies andprocedures for network use. Any communication or action that would be considered inappropriate inany other setting is equally inappropriate on the computer, computer network, and/or the Internet.Use of the network is a privilege, not a right. Failure to act in accordance with the Acceptable UsePolicy as described below and published administrative procedures may result in a loss of networkaccess, disciplinary action, and/or criminal penalties under applicable state and federal law. Informationon observed or reported violations will be turned over to the Dean’s Office for disposition.Acceptable use of the network includes activities that support learning, teaching and communication.Students and faculty are encouraged to explore and develop new ways of using technology tosupport Taft teaching and learning objectives.16 The Taft School

RULES & CONDUCTHARASSMENT and BullyingAll members of the community have the basic right not to be harassed or bullied. The Taft Schoolprohibits any form of bullying or harassing behavior, whether in the classroom, on the campus, or atTaft events. Such behavior occurring outside of a school setting that has a negative and direct impacton a student’s academic performance or safety in school is also prohibited and may be subject toschool discipline. Demonstration of appropriate behavior, the treatment of others with civility andrespect, and the refusal to tolerate harassment or bullying is expected of administrators, faculty, staff,volunteers, and students.Bullying is any gesture or written, verbal, graphic, physical (including electronically transmittedacts) or other overt act by a person committed more than once against another person with the intentto ridicule, harass, humiliate or intimidate the other person.Harassment entails behavior that is inappropriate and that should not take place through ignoranceor thoughtlessness. The school recognizes and respects individual differences in background in regardto culture, race, ethnic origin, religion, gender and sexual orientation. Inappropriate behavior, eitherverbal or physical, that demeans or offends others is unacceptable. This includes, but is not limited to,unwelcome physical advances, unwarranted verbal remarks, derogatory statements or discriminatorycomments, and can occur between two individuals or groups of individuals. Forms of harassmentinclude, but are not limited to written and oral remarks, remarks posted online or to the campuscomputer network, and messages left on voice mail systems. Telephones, e-mail, and other forms ofelectronic communication may not be used to harass or bully others through anonymous calls orpostings, repeated unwanted calls or messages, or obscene calls or postings.PROCEDURES FOR ADDRESSING Harassment and bullyingIndividuals might unintentionally act in a manner that others experience as harassing or humiliating.Attempts to justify such behavior as a “prank” or “joke” do not change its harassing or bullying natureif the object of the joke is not a willing participant. Whenever possible, explaining the unwelcomeand inappropriate nature of the behavior to the offender should precede more formal action.Any student who feels victimized by harassment, bullied, or who is concerned about such behavioris encouraged to consult with any trusted adult, such as a classroom teacher, an advisor, a schoolcounselor, a class dean, the dean of students, or the headmaster.Given the wide range of behavior that constitutes harassment and bullying, cases will beconsidered on an individual basis by the headmaster, dean of students, dean of faculty, or otherappropriate authority in consultation with all involved parties. Disciplinary responses, whencalled for, will be determined at the discretion of the headmaster. Suspension or dismissal maybe warranted particularly when behaviors demonstrate a serious disregard for the welfare ofother individuals or the community as a whole.It is critically important that the school supports and protects any individual who raises a complaint.Retaliation against someone making a complaint about harassment or bullying is unacceptable andwill be subject to a disciplinary response if found to be a valid claim of retaliation by the headmasteror his designees. Any disciplinary response will be determined by the headmaster and may includepossible dismissal for a student, or the termination of employment for an adult.18 The Taft School

VOLUNTARY USE OF THE HEALTH CENTERA student may voluntarily use the Health Center when he or she has been drinking or usingcontrolled substances. This process must begin with a phone call to the Health Center or to afaculty member from the student or from a student assisting. A student confronted about alcoholor substance use cannot claim that he or she had intended to go to the Health Center or was enroute there. However, once the phone call establishes the intent, the student will not sit before theDiscipline Committee, be suspended or placed on probation. However, in all likelihood he or shewould be placed on Warning with regard to the Alcohol/Drug Rule and the student’s parents willalways be asked to come to school for a conference with the headmaster and other appropriate facultyto discuss measures that will be taken to help the student move forward. The student will be requiredto be evaluated by a member of the counseling staff.DISCIPLINARY RESPONSEWhen a student violates a Fundamental Rule of the school, his or her case is referred to theoffice of the dean of students, who will either refer the case to the Discipline Committee or will seta penalty in accordance with guidelines established by the Discipline Committee. The DisciplineCommittee is usually composed of six students and six faculty with a nonvoting faculty chair. Inunusual circumstances when students are not available to serve, the Discipline Committee will becomprised of six faculty with a nonvoting faculty chair. Students who appear before the DisciplineCommittee will have an opportunity to make a statement regarding the circumstances of the infraction.The student’s faculty advisor, the dean of his or her class, and a member of his or her studentClass Committee will also be invited to the meeting to speak in support of the student, but no otherrepresentatives may participate in the disciplinary process.The Discipline Committee may recommend Warning periods, Probation periods, suspensions, orcombinations of these; dismissal; or other responses they deem appropriate.A student may, in some cases, be placed on Warning in regard to the rule that was violatedfor a period of time recommended by the Discipline Committee. Warning indicates that astudent will most probably be dismissed if he or she violates that rule again during the periodof Warning.A student who violates more than one Fundamental School Rule or whose conduct warrants sucha response may also be placed on Probation by recommendation of the Disciplinary Committeeor by the dean of students with the approval of the headmaster. Probation indicates that a studentwill most likely be dismissed if he or she violates any Fundamental School Rule during the periodof Probation. Reaching Disciplinary Report once, although a violation of a Fundamental Rule,will not normally lead to the dismissal of a student on Probation.Of course, the Discipline Committee may recommend the dismissal of a student for a first violationof a Fundamental Rule if it feels the circumstances warrant such action. Students found sellingdrugs or alcohol or procuring drugs or alcohol for other students in all likelihood will be dismissedfor a first offense. In addition, students who consume alcohol and who then drive or ride in anautomobile will most likely be dismissed for a first offense.RULES & CONDUCTStudent Handbook 2012–1319

THE CONDUCT SYSTEMTaft’s Conduct System is not designed to penalize students for every minor infraction of the school’sregulations. We are concerned about students who, over the course of the term, cannot regularlymeet their obligations. If a student accumulates too many conduct grades in a given term, it is asignal that some part of the student’s behavior at school is not acceptable. In this case the student’sadvisor and class dean are likely to become involved in discussions about how the student can meetthe school’s expectations more frequently.Conduct grades are cumulative for each term. A daily total of each student’s grades is kept in theoffice of the dean of students and a list—disguised to protect the not-so-innocent—is posted on thebulletin board outside the Dean’s Office a few times each week.All conduct reports are issued by the Dean’s Office. An e-mail indicating the offense and thenumber of assigned conduct grades will be sent to the student. If a student has any question aboutthe report, he or she should consult with one of the deans of students within 72 hours. Studentsshould use a printout of the e-mail notice as an excuse slip. Excuses for conduct reports will generallynot be accepted after the date indicated in the e-mail notification.Most conduct grades are handed in on the day of the offense, but dormitory faculty normallyenter grades for dormitory offenses every few days.Students who miss class for illness must report to the Health Center before the class meets. Students takingmedications may not miss classes, Assemblies or Morning Meetings to pick up their prescriptions.It is the responsibility of each student to meet required appointments. Alarm clock problems will neverbe accepted as an excuse for missing class or any other obligation. We recommend that students have analarm clock with a battery backup so that power surges or outages do not cause alarms to fail.RULES & CONDUCTPlease note the following standardized penalties.1 grade offense: Lateness (Extreme lateness carries larger penalties)2 grade offense: Breakfast cuts3 grade offenses: Riding elevator, Improper dress, Late weekend sign-in or sign-out, Job cuts,Dinner cuts4 grade offenses: Assembly cuts, Exercise cuts, Morning Meeting cuts5 grade offenses: Class cuts, Leaving corridor after 10:30 p.m. room check for underclassmen orafter 12:00 a.m. for seniors1-day stayover: Throwing water balloons or anything else out of windows, Swimming in thepond, or throwing others in the pond, Failing to leave building in a promptfashion in response to an alarm2-day stayover Reaching Disciplinary Report in consecutive terms or more than two timesContinued violation or abuse of a school rule or regulation may result in a more serious penaltythan the one normally applied.Although Taft grades on a semester schedule, conduct records are maintained on a three-term basis.The Fall Term conduct records will close on Saturday, December 3, the Winter Term records will closeon Saturday, March 2, and the Spring Term records will close at the end of the school year.Student Handbook 2012–1321

DISCIPLINARY RESTRICTIONStudents who have accumulated a total of 18 grades (20 grades in the Fall Term) will be placedon Disciplinary Restriction. Students on Restriction will serve one penalty crew and other sanctionsas determined by the Dean’s Office.RULES & CONDUCTDISCIPLINARY REPORTStudents who have accumulated 25 grades (30 grades in the Fall Term) will be placed on DisciplinaryReport, and their cases will be referred to one of the deans of students for violation of a FundamentalRule. Students on Report for the first time normally receive two additional penalty crews and additionalsanctions as determined by the Dean’s Office. Students who are placed on Report more thanonce are, at the discretion of the dean of students and/or headmaster, likely to be held over at theend of the term, suspended, or dismissed from school.PENALTY CREWWhen a student is assigned a penalty crew, they are expected to do two hours of work for the school.This may take a variety of different forms such as running lines at a soccer game, cleaning sciencelab equipment, weeding gardens, helping with office work, or other jobs that can be completed withstudent labor. Penalty crews result from an excessive accumulation of conduct grades, as describedabove, or in response to other infractions at school. They are not meant to be fun.Penalty crews will be scheduled in the afternoons or on weekend mornings at the discretion ofthe faculty member in charge of work assignments. Students and coaches should understand thatpenalty crew takes precedence over athletic practice. Students who have outstanding penalty crewsto work off will not be permitted to take a weekend permission until this obligation is completed.STAYOVERStudents may be assigned to a stayover as a result of reaching disciplinary report in consecutiveterms, missing too many classes, going into the pond, throwing objects out of windows, accumulatingtoo many penalty crews, or for committing a variety of other infractions. When students are assignedto a stayover, they must remain at school at the end of the term after they have completed their finalcommitment. The stayover program runs only at the beginning of Winter, Spring, and SummerVacations. Students serving a stayover are required to work for several hours each day performingtasks for the school. In addition, students must check in several times a day with the faculty memberwho is supervising the program.ADDITIONAL DISCIPLINARY RESPONSESIn addition to any disciplinary action, the dean of students will automatically review the recordof each student on Disciplinary Report at the end of the term, or earlier if the situation warrants,and will confer with the class dean and headmaster for further action if necessary. Students placedon Report more than once will receive stiffer penalties, and the faculty will review their records atthe end of the term.22 The Taft School

RESPONSE TO CUTTING CLASSAND MORNING MEETINGIn addition to the responses outlined in the preceding pages, the school takes very seriouslya student’s obligation to attend classes and Morning Meetings. Failure to attend either of theseappointments will result in the following responses.First cutSecond cutThird cutFourth cutFifth Cut• Five conduct grades• Notification sent to class dean and advisor• Five conduct grades• Notification sent to class dean and advisor• One Weekend Restriction• One Sunday morning detention• Five conduct grades• Notification sent to class dean and advisor• Two additional Weekend Restrictions• Two additional Sunday morning detentions• Letter to parents• Five conduct grades• Student must meet with Dean’s Review Committee to discuss his or herdisciplinary status and determine appropriate course of action• One-day stayover• Five conduct grades• Three-day stayover• Parent conference: A conduct contract will be established at this meeting.In all likelihood the student will be placed on Probation with regard to majorschool rules for a period of ten weeks.RULES & CONDUCTStudent Handbook 2012–1323

GENERAL PRIVILEGES AND REGULATIONSDRESS AND GENERAL APPEARANCEClass DressThe faculty at Taft believe that the academic day is a time for serious learning, and befitting this,the dress code requires students to be in class dress. Class dress must be worn in all public areas ofthe school until the end of the class day. As spectators and/or competitors visiting other schools,Taft students must also be in class dress. Students inappropriately dressed for school will be askedto change their dress, and conduct grades will be assigned.RULES & CONDUCTClass Dress for GirlsGirls should wear dresses, slacks or skirts with blouses that are more formal than the standardT-shirt. Halters, backless, and off-the-shoulder fashions are not permitted. Midriffs may not beexposed, and necklines should be modest. Blouses designed to be worn outside of slacks or skirtsare acceptable. Sleeveless blouses or dresses must have straps two inches or more in width, and allskirts must be of a length at least two inches below the fingertips. Students are not permitted towear sweatshirts during the class day. Clothing should not be diaphanous (SAT word…look it up)or excessively clingy. Shoes may be of any style, including sneakers or sandals, except for showershoes or bedroom slippers, between the start of the year and Thanksgiving vacation and after springvacation. For health reasons from after Thanksgiving until after spring vacation, shoes or sneakersmust be worn; sandals, flip-flops, shower clogs and other forms of open-toed footwear will not bepermitted. After Long Weekend in the spring, shorts may be worn during the class day. Shorts mustbe of a length at least two inches below the fingertips.Formal Dress for GirlsFormal dress is required for sit-down dinners and other special events. Formal dress follows thesame guidelines as those above, but in addition, girls are required to wear dress slacks, skirts or dressesas well as dress shoes or dress sandals. Again, during the winter months shoes must be worn.Class Dress for BoysBoys should wear collared shirts, trousers in good condition, and shoes with the same seasonalrestrictions as specified in the girls’ section above. Button-down shirts should always be tucked in.Wearing only a sweater or wearing a sweater over a shirt does not eliminate the requirement to weara collared shirt. Shirts must be worn in all public areas of the school. Students are not permittedto wear sweatshirts during the class day. After Long Weekend in the spring, Bermuda shorts maybe worn during the class day. Facial hair may not be grown at school. Students who return fromvacation with moustaches or beards must keep these additions well groomed throughout the term.Formal Dress for BoysFormal dress requires a suit coat or sports coat, collared shirt and tie, dress trousers, socks anddress shoes.24 The Taft School

Informal DressAfter the end of the class day and on Sundays students may dress in a more casual fashion. Informaldress must be clean, in good repair, and dry. Athletic uniforms, spandex, tank tops and sweat clothesare not permitted at meals in the dining halls.Notes for AllAll clothing should be in good condition. Patched clothing, denim clothing of any kind or color,overalls, army fatigue or camouflage clothing, shorts, sweat pants, or t-shirts are not permitted forclass dress. Hats, headscarves, and “do-rags” may not be worn indoors in public areas of the schoolat any time when class dress or formal dress is required of students. Hats are never to be worn in thedining halls. With exception of ear piercing, facial or body piercing of any kind is not permitted.Tongue studs are prohibited. Class dress is not required during final examination weeks, althoughstudents taking College Boards and AP exams should be in class dress.BACKPACKS AND BOOK BAGSWhen left loose in the halls, identical books, notebooks, and calculators can often be picked up bymistake after Assemblies, classes, or meals. Students are therefore required to carry their books andnotebooks in some sort of backpack or bag during the class day. Keeping all of your belongings inone place helps to prevent loss. We recommend that you mark your satchel clearly and also suggestthat if you find a pack or bag that is some hideous color not found in nature, you invest in it forease of identification.RULES & CONDUCTCOMMUNICATIONSStudents are responsible for keeping up with communications sent to them. All students are expectedto check their mailboxes and their e–mail—both personal and news folders—at least once a day.FREE ABSENCES FOR SENIORSSeniors are permitted five free absences per term. These absences may only be used for exercise,sit-down dinners, and Assemblies. Seniors are not permitted to use cuts to miss the VolunteerProgram. Although this principle brings to mind the oxymoron “mandatory volunteer work,”the principle makes sense as people are counting on you to fulfill your commitments. Reportsof absences will be submitted to the deans of students. The deans will maintain a record of theseabsences in their office. Seniors will receive e-mails for cuts that have been reported. Unless thecut was given in error, seniors can ignore these e-mails and the computer in the Dean’s Office willnot add the first five cuts to grade totals. Seniors are responsible for informing the dean on thoseoccasions when their absences were reported incorrectly.Exceptions and ProvisionsThe first five cuts a senior receives for any of the school functions noted above will count as his orher excused absences for the term. Certain special meetings and Assemblies may be required fromtime to time. Seniors may not use cuts for these events. Programs that are required will be listed assuch on the school calendar. Cuts may not be carried over from term to term.Student Handbook 2012–1325

FUND RAISINGClass Committees, clubs, teams or organizations who wish to raise money for charitable causes, tohelp finance their activities, or for any other purpose, must consult with one of the deans of studentsfor approval of their methods and products. The Dean’s Office will not approve fund-raising projectswhose primary goal is to provide resources to feed the members of organizations. In other words,buy your own pizza and raise money for something worthwhile.Anything made for sale or distribution must be approved by the Dean’s Office.RULES & CONDUCTIN CASE OF FIREDetailed instructions regarding procedures to follow in case of fire are posted on each corridor atthe beginning of the year, but students should remember the following points:If students are in their rooms when the fire alarm sounds, they should go immediately to theirmustering points outside the buildings. If students are not in the dormitory when the fire alarm sounds,they should go immediately to their mustering points without returning to their dormitories or cuttingthrough buildings. Students must remain outside the buildings until the emergency lights stop flashing.Students should never assume that an alarm is false. Specific fire and safety regulations for studentrooms are on pages 39–40.INDEPENDENT STUDIES PROGRAM (ISP)The Independent Studies Program provides students an opportunity to explore an area of artisticor academic interest in depth outside of the regular school curriculum. Students on ISP may takean exemption from one term of exercise. In addition, they may obtain permission to miss dinner ifthey are working on their project. Students who are found to miss dinner without reason will be heldaccountable for their absence. Also, with the permission of his or her ISP advisor for extraordinarycircumstances, such as a field trip or special presentation, ISP students may miss class. Permissionto miss a class must be secured well in advance.JOB PROGRAMIn the belief that every student should have the experience of making a positive contribution tothe community, Taft has long maintained a student work program. Throughout the year, studentsparticipate in dinner jobs and the recycling effort. Other jobs evolve in response to the needs of thecommunity. A frequent job rotation ensures that all have an opportunity to serve without beingoverburdened. Most jobs require about 15 minutes daily to complete.Students who cut their jobs will be given three conduct grades. Repeated job cuts will result inincreased penalties. If students receive cuts for a job that they completed, they must see one of thedeans of students to have conduct grades removed.26 The Taft School

OUTDOOR REGULATIONSBecause of potential damage to the lawns, windows and a variety of other objects, games shouldbe confined to the athletic fields behind the school. Given its proximity to classrooms and offices,students may not play or create noise in the area surrounding the Pond, in Centennial courtyard orin the Vogelstein/CPT quadrangle.Students are not allowed to swim in Potter’s Pond or in the various ponds on the golf course orin the Watertown area.Students should never trespass on town or private property. When walking downtown, studentsshould remain on the roads. Taking shortcuts through lawns and wooded areas creates problems forthe owners of those properties.MORNING MEETINGS AND ASSEMBLIESMorning Meeting is held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Books and newspapers should beleft in lockers or in the hallways before entering the auditorium. Food and drink are not permitted inBingham. As programs for Morning Meetings are normally of a serious nature, students are expectedto enter Bingham quietly and take their assigned seats. Students should not stand in the aisles or inthe front and rear of the auditorium before Morning Meetings begin. When the speaker for the daytakes the stage, students should stop talking immediately. At the conclusion of Morning Meetings,students should quietly exit in an orderly fashion after allowing the Senior Class to leave first.Assemblies are held each Wednesday and on either Friday or Saturday mornings. These gatheringsare used for announcements or skits by monitors, faculty, members of athletic teams and theheads of clubs and organizations. Although Assemblies are not as formal as Morning Meetings, it isessential that students enter and leave in an orderly fashion and show proper respect for those makingannouncements. Seniors will leave the auditorium first.Students have assigned seats at Morning Meetings and Assemblies. Students not in their assignedseats will be given cuts.RULES & CONDUCTStudent Handbook 2012–1327

SENIOR SPRING TERMDuring the Spring Term, certain special regulations for seniors will go into effect. The school reservesthe right to withhold these privileges for a student whose conduct has been irresponsible during thesenior year. The school also reserves the right to ask a senior to spend the Spring Term away from Taft.RULES & CONDUCT1. Seniors are excused from dinner, Morning Meetings and Assemblies.2. Seniors may be downtown between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily, but must be back in theirdormitory by 10:15. As is the case during the school year, students going downtown after 5:45p.m. must be accompanied by another student. Seniors returning to school from a weekendpermission must be back by 7:30 p.m. If they wish to go downtown after a weekend permissionthey may do so, but they must sign in first by 7:30 in the School Duty Office and thenfill out a day permission card.3. During Spring Term, seniors in good standing are allowed two Friday weekend permissions.Weekend cards must be filled out by the Wednesday before departure. These cards should betaken to one of the Senior class deans for approval. Deans reserve the right to deny weekendpermission to seniors who are not in good standing or who will be missing a crucial academicobligation. A Friday weekend begins after a senior’s final commitment (academic or nonacademic)on Friday. Seniors taking Friday weekends are responsible for their work. It is neverappropriate for seniors to take a Friday weekend before a Monday Advanced Placement Exam.Furthermore, seniors who play on interscholastic teams may not leave on Friday and return fora Saturday game. Seniors who have taken more than three college days will lose the privilegeof taking a Friday weekend in the Spring Term.SMOKELESS TOBACCOFor well-documented reasons of student health and because of the sanitation hazard it poses, use or possessionof smokeless tobacco is not permitted anywhere on the Taft campus or in the vicinity of Watertown.The penalty for violation of this rule will be one penalty crew for a first offense. In addition, as a healthresponse, students found using smokeless tobacco will be required to see the school’s physician assistantfor an oral examination and to see a school counselor. Further offenses will be referred to the office of thedean of students and the response may be more severe. All students found present when the SmokelessTobacco Rule is being broken are considered to be in violation of the rule. If there is uncertainty regardinga student’s knowledge of the rule breaking, a committee composed of the headmaster, the dean of students,the class dean and the faculty advisor will determine if the student should be held in violation of the rule.SMOKINGStudents are not permitted to possess tobacco or to smoke at Taft or in the vicinity of Watertown. Studentsfound smoking outside the school buildings will be assigned one penalty crew for a first offense. In addition,as a health response, students found smoking will be required to see the school’s physician assistantfor an oral examination and to see a school counselor. All students found present when the Smoking Ruleis being broken are considered to be in violation of the rule. If there is uncertainty regarding a student’sknowledge of the rule breaking, a committee composed of the headmaster, the dean of students, the classdean and the faculty advisor will determine if the student should be held in violation of the rule.Smoking within any of the school buildings will be referred to the dean of students as a violationof the school’s Fundamental Rule with regard to creating a fire hazard.28 The Taft School

RESIDENTIAL LIFE30 Regulations andInformation31 Dormitory Monitors32 General Rules34 Evening Hours andInterdorm Visitation39 Directions for Careof Rooms39 Fire andSafety Regulations40 Room Damages41 Room Changes41 Common Rooms41 Summer Storage42 Procedures WhenLeaving Campus42 Downtown Privilege42 Sign-Out Procedures43 Day Permissions43 Weekend Permissions44 College DaysStudent Handbook 45 Vacations 2012–13 2946 Transportation47 Buses & Trains48 Day Student Information

RESIDENTIAL LIFE REGULATIONS AND INFORMATIONResponsibility for life in the dormitory rests primarily with the individual. It is assumed that studentshave the ability to cope with such freedom and will not abuse it, that students have the maturity topursue their own day-to-day lives in a self-regulated coexistence with others around them.The overriding concept of such a fluid system must be one of consideration and respect forthe individual.Of course, freedom from binding structure is not freedom from responsibility, which increases inan almost direct relationship. The role of the individual is paramount in such a system: it is expectedthat students will have the necessary sense of community to be able to reach a satisfactory compromisewith those around them regarding the various irritants of communal living.It is necessary to establish a student-faculty relationship that is informal and frank—a relationshipbased on mutual trust. Communication is essential for such a system to work effectively, andinformal dorm meetings are to be encouraged to develop such a dialogue.—The Monitors, 1970RESIDENTIAL LIFERESIDENTIAL LIFE MISSION STATEMENTThe goal of the residential life program is to create a safe, happy, healthy living environment whereTaft students can grow emotionally, physically, and intellectually.PRINCIPLES OF THE RESIDENTIAL LIFE PROGRAM• To act with honor and integrity• To serve others unselfishly• To be morally thoughtful• To be a good citizen• To live a healthy and balanced life• To work cooperatively and collaboratively for the good of Taft30 The Taft School

DORMITORY MONITORSDormitory monitors are students who are selected by the faculty to assist them in making thedorms run smoothly. They help with details of dorm life, but more importantly assist students intheir personal and academic lives in any way they can. Dormitory monitors are selected in the springafter being interviewed by the faculty.Dormitory monitors are expected to:• Carry themselves in a way that embodies the balance of community membership and selfdisciplineexpected in our dormitories.• Be excellent role models, following all the rules of the school.• Have a fundamental role in building a strong sense of community in each dormitory.• Be present and visible in the dormitories and around campus.• Plan and facilitate events in their dormitories.• Encourage and remonstrate students appropriately.• Work closely with dormitory heads to establish expectations specific to the running of theirparticular dorm.• Reach out to other students to help ease their transition to a new school or a new dormitory.• Work together to make certain that every member of a dormitory community is known well.• Immediately communicate major problems that arise in the dorm.• Support the other members of the dormitory team and serve as a spokesperson for student concerns.• Communicate as soon as possible to a faculty member or the health center via the sanctuarypolicy, if they have reason to believe that a fellow student’s health, safety or place at Taft maybe at risk. In an emergency, always call 911.RESIDENTIAL LIFEStudent Handbook 2012–1331

RESIDENTIAL LIFEGENERAL RULES FOR RESIDENTIAL LIFE1. Students must be inside the buildings at 8:00 p.m. (Please consult the Fundamental Rulesfor regulations regarding being off campus.) Naturally, students may leave buildings to moveabout the main campus area, but under no circumstances should they be out on the athleticfields, the golf course, the cemetery, etc., after 8:00 p.m. On nights when students are alloweddowntown after 8:00 p.m., they are expected to use the main roadways to go downtown.Downtown privileges do not extend to the adjacent fields and the golf course.Students are not to be off corridor after 10:15 p.m. except that seniors may visit other seniorrooms after 10:30 p.m. until 12:00 a.m.—boys between senior rooms on the second, third,and fourth floors of CPT and girls on the various floors of their own dormitories—Vogelsteinand Centennial. In addition, seniors may visit faculty apartments in their own dormitories.2. Sufficient quiet must be maintained in the dormitories at all times to allow those who wishto study or sleep to do so.3. Students may use radios, stereos, and other music-making devices. However, at no time maythis equipment be played loudly enough to disturb anyone. A further restriction is placed onthe volume level of stereos from the beginning of evening study hall until the end of classesthe next day. During these time periods, lowermids and mids may play music only throughearphones, and uppermids and seniors may play stereos only at a level that cannot be heardoutside the room.4. During study hall and after lights, lower school students may not use computers or cell phonesfor e-mail, instant messaging, texting, or Internet surfing except with permission from thefaculty member on duty.5. Dedicated game systems such as the Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, or Sony PlayStationare not allowed to be played in student rooms. However, these games are permitted in commonrooms during times designated by dormitory faculty.6. Students are not permitted to have television sets, television monitors, dedicated videogame systems, video projectors, or any permutations of TV/VCR/DVD devices in theirdormitory room.7. Televisions are installed in common rooms for students’ viewing. They may not, however, beturned on before the end of the class day, during study hall, or after lights. An exception to thisrule applies to seniors, who may watch television in their own common rooms after check inuntil midnight. Movies can be viewed on room computers only during the times that studentsare allowed to watch television.8. Students are not allowed to gamble.9. Students are not allowed to use the school elevators without permission from Health Centerpersonnel.10. Dart boards are not permitted.11. Students may not keep pets at school under any circumstances. Fish are permitted. Small,toothless fish.12. Liquor bottles, beer cans or bottles, or any other drug parapharnalia may not be used as roomdecorations or kept in student rooms. Posters or other decorations that show alcohol or grugproducts are prohibited.13. The porches of HDT and CPT are off limits for students.32 The Taft School

14. The use of rollerblades, skateboards, scooters or bicycles is not permitted inside school buildings.15. Students are not permitted to have refrigerators. Exceptions will only be made for medicalreasons and must be approved by Dr. Diane Fountas, Director of Health Services.16. Consistent with the School’s role In Loco Parentis, the dormitory faculty and school staff reservethe right to enter student rooms at any time for school business. This includes but is not limitedto daily room inspections, maintenance tasks, cleaning purposes, and other school business.RESIDENTIAL LIFEStudent Handbook 2012–1333

• A faculty member must be present in the dormitory if visiting is to take place.• Hosts and their guests must sign in, in person, with the faculty member on duty in thedormitory being visited and must sign out with that faculty member when departing.• Guests may sign in only to the room of their host.• The door to the student’s room must be kept ajar by a standard Taft-issue trash bin.• Students should expect faculty or other students to drop by at any time.• Hosts and their guests must sign out, in person, with the faculty member on duty inthe dormitory being visited.• There are no visitation privileges on any nights of long weekends.8:00–10:00 p.m. Lower School Study Hall & Room Inspections• Doors must remain open during study hall.• Rooms inspections will be held Monday through Friday.- beds made- floors cleared and cleaned- trash emptied- open food removed from room- closets straightened• Instant Messenger access is turned off.• Students may not use computers, cell phones, iPads, or other electronics for e-mail, instantmessaging, or Internet surfing except with permission from the faculty member on duty.• Students may ask the permission of the faculty on duty to sign out to the library, faculty apartments,computer labs, language lab, academic center, or counseling offices. Permission will begranted to lower schoolers only if the faculty member on duty has been given advance noticeby a faculty member. Students wishing to go to the Writing Center, Physics Table, or MathTable may do so at their discretion, and they do not need prior faculty permission, althoughthey must follow the proper sign-out procedure. Students wishing special permission to goanywhere except the above destinations must receive permission from their class dean. Thelowermid deans may require some lowermids to study in a supervised room during study hall.• Students who sign out during study hall must sign back in by 9:45 p.m.RESIDENTIAL LIFE10:00 p.m. Study Hall ends10:00–10:15 p.m. Check in with faculty member on duty and request late lights.10:30 p.m. Lights out• Internet & Instant Messenger access turned off.10:30–11:30 p.m. Late Lights (Monday through Friday only)• Lowermids may request late lights for studying purposes one night a week, but they must bein bed by 11:30 p.m. unless they have special permission from the faculty member on duty.• Mids are allowed to stay up after 10:30 p.m. for studying purposes three nights a week, but they mustbe in bed by 11:30 p.m. unless they have special permission from the faculty member on duty.• Overhead lights must be off during this time and students using late lights must be sitting attheir desk using a desk lamp.Student Handbook 2012–13 35

11:30 p.m. The Library and other Taft Academic On-line Resources are turned offSpecial Study RequirementsMids and lowermids who must attend evening practices or play rehearsals—a situation thatsometimes occurs during the Winter Term—are required to attend an afternoon study hall.RESIDENTIAL LIFEUpper Middler Evening Routine7:00–7:50 p.m. Interdorming• Begins after Long Weekend in the fall for students who complete the proper paperwork.• Uppermids may visit in uppermid or senior rooms of students of the opposite gender from7:00 p.m. until 7:50 p.m. Sunday through Friday night and Saturday evenings 9:00 p.m. until11:00 p.m.• Uppermids may visit in middler rooms on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from7:00 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. only.• A faculty member must be present in the dormitory if visiting is to take place.• Hosts and their guests must sign in, in person, with the faculty member on duty in thedormitory being visited and must sign out with that faculty member when departing.• Guests may sign in only to the room of their host.• The door to the student’s room must be kept ajar by a standard Taft-issue trash bin.• Students should expect faculty or other students to drop by at any time.• Hosts and their guests must sign out, in person, with the faculty member on duty in thedormitory being visited.• There are no visitation privileges on any nights of long weekends.Copyright the New Yorker Collection 2004, P. Byrnes from Cartoonbank.com. All rights reserved.36 The Taft School

7:00–9:15 p.m. Uppermid Sign Out• Students must sign out in person, with the faculty member on duty to sign out to the library,faculty apartments, computer labs, language lab, academic center, writing center, counselingoffices or Math Table.• Students may also sign out for cultural events when appropriate.8:00–9:45 p.m. Study Hall• During study hours students must be in their rooms or at one of the locations specified above.• Room inspections will be held Monday through Friday.- beds made- floors cleared and cleaned- trash emptied- open food removed from room- closet straightened• For purposes of maintaining quiet during this important time of the day, students are not togather in the halls or public areas of the school, but rather are expected to go to their destinationsquickly and quietly.• Instant Messenger turned off.9:45 p.m. Study hall ends10:15 p.m. Check in with faculty member on duty10:45 p.m. Room Check• Students must remain in their own room at this time.RESIDENTIAL LIFE11:00 p.m. Internet and Instant Messenger access turned off11:30 p.m. Lights OutSpecial Study RequirementsUppermids who must attend evening practices or play rehearsals—a situation that sometimesoccurs during the winter term—are required to attend an afternoon study hall.Senior Evening Routine7:00–10:00 p.m. Interdorming• Begins in the third week of September for students who complete the proper paperwork.• Seniors may visit senior rooms of students of the opposite gender from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00p.m. Sunday through Friday nights and Saturday nights from 9:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.• Seniors may visit in uppermid rooms from 7:00 p.m. until 7:50 p.m. Sunday through Fridaynights and Saturday nights from 9:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.• A faculty member must be present in the dormitory if visiting is to take place.Student Handbook 2012–1337

• Hosts and their guests must sign in, in person, with the faculty member on duty in the dormitorybeing visited and must sign out with that faculty member when departing.• Guests may sign in only to the room of their host.• The door to the student’s room must be kept ajar by a standard Taft-issue trash bin.• Students should expect faculty or other students to drop by at any time.• Hosts and their guests must sign out, in person, with the faculty member on duty in thedormitory being visited.• There are no visitation privileges on any nights of long weekends.7:00–10:00 p.m. Senior Sign Out• Senior sign out is a privilege.• Seniors do not need permission to sign out.• Seniors are allowed to sign out to the library, faculty apartments, computer labs, language lab,academic center, Writing center, Counseling offices, Physics Table, Math Table, or Jigger Shop.• Seniors must use sign out sheets so faculty can locate students if necessary.• Seniors must sign back in on the same sheet when they return to the dormitory.RESIDENTIAL LIFE8:00–9:45 p.m. Study Hours• Seniors are expected to be in their room during this time unless they have signed out to adestination listed above.• Room inspections will be held Monday through Friday.- beds made- floors cleared and cleaned- trash emptied- open food removed from room- closet straightened10:15 p.m. Check in with faculty member on duty10:15–12:00 a.m. Seniors may visit rooms of other residents after signing out on theappropriate sheet.• Seniors may visit senior rooms until midnight.• Seniors may visit uppermid rooms until 10:45 p.m.• Seniors MUST be in the room to which they signed out.12:00 a.m. Lights Out• Instant Messenger and Internet access turned off.38 The Taft School

DIRECTIONS FOR CARE OF ROOMS• Rooms should be kept clean for reasons of fire insurance and health standards (and because itis the right thing to do). All rooms will be inspected daily by dormitory faculty to ensure thatstandards (bed made, trash emptied, open food removed from the room, closet straightened,and floor cleared) are being met. Each dormitory establishes its own schedule for room inspectionsand students are responsible for knowing this schedule.• School furniture may not be moved from room to room or from corridor to corridor andshould not be modified in any way.• The use of tacks and nails is limited to the molding. Paste, glue, bubble gum, and tape shouldnot be used because these substances can pull the paint off of the walls. “Fun-tak” and othersimilar adhesive materials may be used except in Centennial and Vogelstein dormitories.• In the aforementioned dormitories, students must use tacks for all wall hangings.• Room decorations should be selected while keeping in mind that although a student’s roomis his or her own, it is also part of the dormitory and the community. Good taste and respectfor others is expected. Students may not hang posters or other decorations that display imagesof alcohol, illegal drugs, scantily clad. If you feel obligated to redecorate your room every timeyour parents visit, your choice of wall hangings is probably inappropriate.• Perishable food is not to be stored in rooms.• Faculty reserve the right to ask a student to remove inappropriate room decorations.Fire and Safety RegulationsIn the interest of safety and in order to comply with the Fire Marshal’s regulations and safety codes,students must strictly adhere to the following rules:1. Nothing may hang from or near the ceiling light fixtures or across the ceiling itself. Only onewall may be covered by a wall hanging, which must be fire-resistant and must be free and clearof any electrical outlet or fixture.2. Rooms may not be subdivided by furniture, sheets, blankets or hangings so as to prevent clearaccess or view to and from the door. Beds may not be placed in the middle of the room—theymust be arranged with one long side against a wall. Bed legs must be on the floor, except whenelevated by bed risers. Beds may not be suspended on bricks or cement blocks. Bureaus musthave their backs against a wall, and desks are to have one side against the wall. Waterbeds arenot permitted.3. Cloth coverings may not be used on any tables, chairs or pieces of furniture. The Fire Marshalalso prohibits beanbag chairs in the dormitories.4. Halls must be kept clear at all times. Bicycles may not be stored in dormitory rooms.5. Trunks and large luggage must be stored in the trunk rooms.6. Students may have additional furniture in their rooms, unless this furniture prevents an easyexit from the room, in which case it will have to be removed. A maximum of one loveseat andone extra easy chair are permitted in any student room.7. Each student may have one desk lamp and one other lamp, which must use compact fluorescentlight bulbs or LED light bulbs rather than traditional light bulbs. No light may be attachedto a wall near a blanket. Due to state fire regulations, halogen lamps are not permitted.RESIDENTIAL LIFEStudent Handbook 2012–1339

8. The use of electrical appliances such as toasters, popcorn machines, grills, hot plates, hot pots,percolators, refrigerators, heating coils, space heaters, irons and heat lamps is prohibited. Thefire marshal also prohibits strings of Christmas lights. Such items found in student roomswill be confiscated until June and penalty crew will be assigned. Students found using heatproducing appliances will considered to be in violation of the Fire Hazard Rule as describedon page 15.9. Extension cords must be UL approved. They must not be laid under rugs or walking areas.Splicing of cords is not allowed. Use only insulated staples to attach cords to moldings. Dormrooms have duplex outlets, each of which is limited to three appliances unless a junction boxwith a circuit breaker is used.10. No lighting fixtures or electrical appliances may be wired into the closets ofdormitory rooms.11. Tampering with lighting fixtures, outlets, switches, and panels is forbidden.12. Open flames of any kind are prohibited.13. Students may not tamper with fire hoses and extinguishers.14. Fire doors should be kept closed at all times.RESIDENTIAL LIFE40 The Taft School

ROOM DAMAGESThe school’s Maintenance Staff inspects all rooms a few times each year. Any damages over andabove normal wear and tear will be charged equally to room occupants.Furniture, furnishings and closet doors may not be removed from rooms assigned; if they havebeen removed there will be charges for their restoration.Room doors should be kept free of stickers and markings.ROOM CHANGESRoom assignments are made at the beginning of the school year. Because Taft expects its boardingstudents to adapt to dormitory life and sharing space with a roommate, it does not allow roomchange requests until after Fall Long Weekend. At that point, changes will only be considered if theroommates have worked with each other, their dormitory head, faculty advisors and class deans totry to resolve their differences. Further, students must recognize that it is not always possible to effectroom changes, so their only option may be “to get along”.COMMON ROOMSThe school provides common rooms in the dormitories. Common rooms, equipped with refrigeratorsand televisions, are for recreational and social use during free time.Movies shown in common rooms or anywhere else in the school should always be in good taste.Students found watching movies that are not in keeping with the standards of the community willbe reported to the dean of students for disciplinary action.As the name suggests, common rooms are meant to be shared public spaces. It is essential thatstudents assume responsibility for both behaving appropriately and maintaining a level of cleanlinessin these spaces. Unseemly conduct or unreported damage to the furnishings will be consideredgrounds for closing the rooms.Common rooms throughout the school will be open to boys and girls from 7:00 p.m. to 7:50p.m. Sunday through Friday and on Saturday evenings from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. On certainevenings when special events are in progress, these privileges may be cancelled by the Dean’s Office.Students going to common rooms to visit may not stop off in student rooms or linger in other spaceson their way to common areas.The common rooms in USGD, in Voge (first floor), and in Centennial (first floor) may be usedfor visitation from the end of the class day until 10:00 p.m. During the study hours, these areas mustbe quiet enough to be conducive to studying.RESIDENTIAL LIFESUMMER STORAGETaft does not provide storage for students over the summer. Two services are provided forstudents at the end of the school year. UPS comes to campus and will ship boxes foe students. Inaddition, all Campus Storage will store or ship students’ belongings. For more information go towww.allcampusstorage.com.Student Handbook 2012–1341

PROCEDURES, REGULATIONS, & INFORMATIONWHEN LEAVING CAMPUSWeekend and day permissions sign-outs are based on the principle of the Honor System that“A student’s word is his or her bond.”Students must always sign out when leaving campus, unless they are on a school-sponsoredtrip such as a class trip or an interscholastic athletic competition. Discussing your plans with theDean’s Office or having your parents call in does not relieve you of the responsibility of signingout properly.DOWNTOWN PRIVILEGEStudents are allowed downtown during their free time within the following time periods. Studentswho will be downtown after 6:00 p.m. must be accompanied by another student.RESIDENTIAL LIFELower Middlers and MiddlersNights when there is sit-down dinnerNights when there is no sit-down dinnerUpper Middlers and SeniorsNights when there is sit-down dinnerNights when there is no sit-down dinnerSaturday7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.7:00 a.m.–7:45 p.m.7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.7:00 a.m.–7:45 p.m.7:00 a.m.–10:15 p.m.Sign-Out Procedures• Tan cards are for Friday weekends, yellow cards are for Saturday weekends, and white cards arefor day permissions. Students fill out the cards but do not sign them. When students return froma weekend or permission, they check in by coming into the Duty Office and, in the presence ofthe faculty member on duty, signing the card at the bottom where it says, “Return Signature.”• Weekend and permissions requests must be submitted to one of the deans of students onweekdays, and on weekends to the school duty officer or one of the deans of students. Weekendrequests must be submitted by noon on Wednesday. For Long Weekends, permission requestsmay be due earlier. Students should check the weekly calendar and listen to announcementsin Assembly for deadlines.• A three-grade penalty will be assigned to students handing in late cards. Cards that are morethan a day late will not be accepted.• It is assumed that when students take a weekend or day permission they are going to a placeapproved on the form sent to the Dean’s Office by their parents. They may not take a weekendor day permission to any other place without parental permission.• When students sign out to their own homes, no invitation is necessary providing the parentsof the student have given permission to sign out home. When students go to their homes theschool expects that a parent or an adult approved by a parent will be present.• Students may not sign out to a hotel, home or any other location unless their parent, the parentof another student, or an adult approved by their parent is present for the entire weekend.42 The Taft School

Students also must have an invitation from their host for the weekend whenever they leaveschool to visit any place other than their own homes. Invitations may be called in to the Dean’sOffice or may be submitted in writing. All invitations are due in the Dean’s Office at least 48hours before departure.When attending a concert or other function before going to their home or to the home of theirhost family, students must be picked up from school by their own parent or their host parent.Upon returning to school students must be sure to come into the Duty Office to sign in. Failureto sign in by 7:30 p.m. will result in a three-grade penalty. Continued failure to sign in on time willbe treated more seriously.Finally, if you are detained in returning from your weekend for some reason, please call the SchoolDuty Office at 860-945-7800, before 7:30 p.m. to let the duty officer know where you are. If theduty officer is not present, you should leave a message in the voice mailbox.DAY PERMISSIONSAll students in good standing are allowed unlimited day permissions during free time. Permissionsare granted for travel near the school. Students wishing to visit locations farther than ten milesfrom Taft must consult one of the deans of students regarding permissions and invitations required.Saturday permissions start after a student’s last Saturday class or athletic contest and end at 10:30p.m. No students may be excused from class to get an early start. Sunday permissions run from 8:00a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Students leaving early Sunday morning are advised to have their cards approvedon Saturday as the duty officers are usually not available until 10:00 a.m.Day students may invite boarding students to their homes only if an adult is present. Aday student parent must call in an invitation for a boarding student to come to their houseon a day permission. Boarders must sign out a day permission card in the duty office, evenif the home is near campus.Boarding students who have permission to drive with a day student may ride downtownduring the hours specified on page 42, but each student must fill out a day permission card.Students may not sign out for dinner on nights when sit-down meals are served.All permissions to be away from the school for medical appointments must be cleared first throughthe Health Center.RESIDENTIAL LIFEWEEKEND PERMISSIONSWeekends during the school year are designated as being either open or closed. On a closedweekend boarding students are not permitted to be away from Taft overnight without receiving specialpermission from the Dean’s Office. The dates of the closed weekends are given below. Students areallowed to leave Taft on an open weekend, with certain exceptions explained below, as long as theydo not miss any classes, athletic contests or other extracurricular obligations.Saturday Weekends start after a student’s last class or athletic commitment on Saturday and endat 7:30 p.m. Sunday. No students may be excused from class to get an early start.Student Handbook 2012–1343

On open weekends when Saturday classes do not meet, students are permitted to leave after theirlast commitment on Saturday. Students may not leave for a weekend on Friday unless they havereceived special permission from the Dean’s Office.All students are granted three Long Weekends, one during each term. For 2012–13 the LongWeekends will be October 6–9, January 31–February 4, and May 3–6.Students on Restriction as a result of disciplinary infractions may not leave campus on any weekendsexcept the Long Weekends.On Parents’ Weekends in the fall and winter students may leave campus with their parents onSaturday night. These weekends are closed for students whose parents are not at Taft for the weekend.Weekends or permissions may not be taken after the Winter Formal or other events specified bythe Dean’s Office.A number of weekends during the year are closed. This year, closed weekends fall on the followingdates: September 8–9, September 15–16, October 13–14, November 10–11, December 1–2, December8–9, January 5–6, February 9–10, April 6–7, April 27–28, May 11–12, and graduation weekend, May25–26. No weekends are closed for seniors after spring vacation.RESIDENTIAL LIFECOLLEGE DAYSStudents are allowed to miss classes three days during their Taft career for the purpose of visitingcolleges. While these days are almost always taken during the senior year, there are rare cases in whichstudents request to use one of their college days during the uppermid year. To be granted a collegevisit day, green college cards, (available in the Dean’s Office) must be signed by one of the collegecounselors then signed by the teachers whose classes will be missed. Cards should then be broughtto the Dean’s Office for final approval at least 48 hours before departure.Students are encouraged to use school vacations and Free Day Weekends for college visits in order toallow them to use their college days for visits in late April after college acceptances have been received.Seniors should understand that College Days are to be used only for the purpose of meaningfulcollege visits and should not be viewed as “free days” that they are entitled to take for any purpose.The college counseling staff will determine if the proposed visit is a meaningful part of the student’scollege search process. If a student feels that it is unavoidable to miss more than three class days,he must seek approval from his college counselor well in advance of the proposed departure. Ifpermission is granted, the sign-out procedures described above should be followed. Seniors whotake more than three college days will not be granted the privilege of taking Friday weekends inthe Spring Term.44 The Taft School

VACATIONSIn addition to the Summer Vacation, the school provides Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring vacations.Before a student leaves for vacation, all major work in every course must be satisfactorily completed.Students who have not turned in required themes, papers, projects, and other similar assignmentsbefore the beginning of the vacation period will be held over at school until such work is completed.The school cannot provide living accommodations or board for any student during thevacation periods (Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring vacations). The dormitories will be openfor two nights prior to the first class day following a vacation and for the night of the finalclass day before vacation. When leaving for these vacations or for the summer, students mustcheck out with the dormitory faculty to assure that they have left their rooms in satisfactorycondition. Students leaving their rooms in unsatisfactory condition will be assigned a penaltycrew and billed for cleaning.If students do not go immediately home for vacation, permissions and invitations must besubmitted to the Dean’s Office just as if students were taking a weekend to a place other thantheir own homes.Transportation arrangements should be made so as to permit students to attend all of theirclasses. Class cuts will be assigned for class absences due to early departures for vacation. Onlyunder extraordinary circumstances may a student leave for vacation early without being assignedconduct grades. Special circumstances should be brought to the attention of the dean of studentswell in advance of departure.RESIDENTIAL LIFEStudent Handbook 2012–1345

RESIDENTIAL LIFETRANSPORtatIONStudents from New York should leave Grand Central on trains for Waterbury, or they should leavePort Authority by bus for Waterbury.Students from Boston should come either through Hartford or through New Haven, using buslines from there to Waterbury.There is a bus service between Waterbury and Watertown, Mondays through Saturdays. The ridetakes about 20 minutes.Bus schedules and information on other transportation options can be found at www.TaftSchool.org/parents/transportation.aspx.Cabs are available in Waterbury, but cab fares may not be charged home.If there is sufficient need, the school runs chartered buses at the student’s expense directlyfrom Taft to Kennedy and LaGuardia Airports, Bradley, Pennsylvania Station and Grand CentralStation at the beginning of Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring vacations and at the close ofschool in June. Return transportation is also provided from these points to Taft (except fromKennedy and LaGuardia Airports) at the end of Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring vacations,but not at the opening of school in September. The buses will depart from Taft approximately30 minutes after the end of the last class. Students scheduling flights should allow sufficienttime for airport check-in and travel. Depending on traffic, Bradley is one hour from Taft; JFK/LaGuardia are two hours away. Taft will not provide transportation to students who scheduleflights that require them to leave school before the end of the class day or return after the 7:30p.m. sign-in time at the end of vacations.In addition, Taft cannot provide transportation for students traveling as unaccompanied minors.Students who fall into that category must arrange their own transportation to and from the airport.Questions about transportation can be directed to the czar of transport, Mr. Mike Blomberg,MikeBlomberg@TaftSchool.org 860-945-7721.46 The Taft School

BUSES & TRAINSWatertown to WaterburyBuses leave Watertown every hour on the hour daily. Monday through Saturday, service begins at6:00 a.m. and the last bus leaves at 6:00 p.m. On Sunday, buses leave Watertown on the hour from10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.Waterbury to WatertownMonday through Saturday, buses leave Waterbury at 5:30 a.m. and then at half past every hour.The last bus of the day does not leave on the half hour, but leaves at 5:45 p.m. On Sunday, busesleave Waterbury on the half hour from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.Fare: Exact change in coins is required.$1.05 Student Fare when school is in session (up to age 18)$1.30 Adult FareWaterbury to New YorkRegularly scheduled buses and trains travel several times a day between Waterbury and New YorkCity. Buses depart from the Travel Center at 188 Bank Street in downtown Waterbury. For themost up-to-date information on bus schedules and fares, call 203-754-4343. The Metro-North lineconnects Waterbury and New York with four to six trips each day. The train station in Waterbury islocated on Meadow Street. Information on Metro-North Fares and schedules can be found onlineat: http://www.mta.info/mnr/html/fares.htm.RESIDENTIAL LIFECopyright the New Yorker Collection 2004, E. Fisher from Cartoonbank.com. All rights reserved.Student Handbook 2012–1347

DAY STUDENT INFORMATIONDay students are an integral part of the Taft community. As a school we seek to give day students everyopportunity to immerse themselves in all aspects of the residential life experience. Certain regulationsand expectations pertain only to day students, and these are specified below. More informationregarding day student life at Taft can be found on the Taft School website.DAY STUDENT ADVISORMrs. Karen MayRESIDENTIAL LIFEDAY STUDENT COUNCILAmy Feda ’13Richard Gilland ’15Sara Iannone ’13Johnny MacMullen ’14Emmanuel Mennesson ’13Will Pope ’13Kayla Romano-Pringle ’14Carl Sangree ’14Jackie Tyson ’15Preston Veley ’15Alicia Wang ’15Jillian Wipfler ’13Karina Wohlheiter ’14DROP-OFFDay students should not arrive at school earlier than 7:00 a.m. but are expected to arrive to campusat least ten minutes before their first commitment each day. The area of the “Main Circle” in thefront of the school closest to the building is reserved for day student parents who are picking up ordropping off their children.PARKINGDay students must park their cars only in the parking lot across the street from the main entrance tothe school. Day students should never drive their cars on the campus side of Route 6. Day studentsparking at the Cruikshank Athletic Center should use the main lot and not the small lot by the rink.48 The Taft School

INCLEMENT WEATHERMost of the faculty and students live on campus, and we hold classes regardless of the weather.Because some day students live a considerable distance from school while others walk across thestreet to go to class, it is not possible for us to categorically determine when day students shouldstay home or come to school late due to snowfall. Please use your discretion in deciding whetherit is possible to get to school on days when snowfall is considerable. When your child cannot getto school, please call the Dean’s Office. Also, if a potentially dangerous storm starts during theday, feel free to pick up your child whenever you think it wise to do so. Day students who leaveearly should stop by the Dean’s Office to let us know that they will be missing class.REPORTING ABSENCESA parent should call the Dean’s Office, 860-945-7800, between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. on days whenillness prevents a student from attending school. Permission for absence from school for any reasonother than illness must be requested in advance through the Dean’s Office.ILLNESS DURING THE CLASS DAYDay students who become ill during the class day should report to the Health Center. The HealthCenter staff will decide if the student should remain at school or be sent home.MEALSDay students are expected to eat lunch at school, and they are invited to eat dinner here. Daystudents who remain at school for dinner on nights when the school has sit-down dinners must beproperly dressed (see p.24 for formal dress). A few times a year, day students are required to stay foran all-school or class dinner. These dates will be posted on the school calendar well in advance.RESIDENTIAL LIFEOFF-CAMPUS SIGN OUTDay students are not required to sign in when they arrive to campus in the morning or signoutwhen they leave for the day. However, if a day student leaves campus for a portion of theday, (to walk downtown for example), they are expected to follow sign-out procedures describedon page 42.EVENING HOURSLower school day students are generally not allowed to remain on campus after 8:00 p.m. onschool nights unless they have obtained permission from a faculty member to stay later. Upperschool day students are generally not allowed to remain at school after 10:15 p.m. on school nights.During evening study hall, uppermid and senior day students may be in the Library, classroomsor faculty apartments, but they should not be in non-academic places. Senior day students maybe in the Student Union. Senior day students who visit the dormitories during study hall, mustsign in with the faculty member on duty. On weekend nights, day students are permitted andencouraged to stay on campus until check in.Student Handbook 2012–1349

OVERNIGHTSWith the approval of the Dean’s Office and the appropriate dormitory head or faculty memberon duty, day students may spend the night at Taft on an occasional basis in order to participate ina special activity at the school during the evening hours. This privilege is generally only allowed ona Saturday night. In all such cases, day students must also obtain the permission of all occupants ofthe room in which they have been invited to stay, and also should ask the permission of the facultymember on duty in the dormitory. All appropriate permissions must be secured in advance, and anovernight visitor card must be submitted to the Duty Office by the end of the class day on Friday.Stays longer than one night cannot be allowed except under extremely unusual circumstances.Requests for stays of longer than one night should be directed to one of the deans of students.LOCKERSDay students will be assigned a locker by the Dean’s Office. We strongly encourage students tosecure their locker with a combination lock. Any student who abuses the locker area or who in anyway tampers with other students’ or the school’s property will be subject to disciplinary action.RESIDENTIAL LIFEDAY STUDENT LOUNGEAll day students are permitted to be in the lounge when they are at school and do not have acommitment. Like common rooms in the dormitories, the day student lounge is meant to be a sharedpublic space. It is essential that students assume responsibility for both behaving appropriately andmaintaining a level of cleanliness in the lounge. Unseemly conduct or unreported damage to thefurnishings will be considered grounds for closing the lounge.50 The Taft School

STUDENT SERVICES52 Dining Hall Schedule,Procedures &Regulations54 Health Services54 Martin Health Center54 Athletic Trainers54 Counseling Services55 Special SupportInterventions55 Mental Health Leaveof Absence57 School Services57 College Counseling57 Hulbert Taft Jr. Library59 Moorhead AcademicCenter60 Spiritual Life61 Writing Center62 Keys62 Laundry and Linen62 Lost And Found63 The Post OfficeStudent Handbook 63 Student 2012–13 Debit Card, 51School Bank andSchool Store63 Telephones

DINING HALL SCHEDULE, PROCEDURES& REGULATIONSDINING HALL PROCEDURESWe hope that eating in the dining room will be pleasant for everyone and have designed thefollowing procedures to minimize traffic and confusion. More important, however, we anticipatethat everyone will follow, at both sit-down and buffet meals, the commonly established principlesof decorum that make dining a civilized affair.Sit-Down MealsTaft has had a commitment to formal “sit-down” dinners for over a century, and this tradition iscritical in creating a sense of community that marks the school. Attendance at sit-down dinners isrequired for all boarding students. Day students are not required to attend sit-down dinners, butthey are welcome and encouraged to attend. Typically, during the Fall Term and during the SpringTerm until Long Weekend, sit-down dinners are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Students arerequired to sit at the tables to which they have been assigned. Students who do not sit at theirassigned tables will receive dinner cuts. If a table is not set, students whose tables are “closed” arenot excused from dinner.The school will be excused from dinner together at the end of the meal. Students should not leavebefore this announcement.STUDENT SERVICESBuffet MealsAt buffet meals, students are asked to clean up after themselves and are requested to deposit theirtrash in the proper receptacles. Trays and silver should be returned to the bussing area.No glasses, utensils, plates, or other items are to be taken from the dining rooms.All dishes, glasses, cups, silver, and other hardware should be returned to the bussing area.Sponges and mops are available to clean up spills.BreakfastLowermid and mid boarders are required to attend breakfast on all class days, although theyhave the privilege of using cuts, as described below. Students must sign in for breakfast between7:00–7:45 a.m. at the table in Laube Dining Room nearest the entrance to the servery.Breakfast CutsFALL WINTER SPRINGLowermids 0 0 1Mids 1 2 252 The Taft School

Extended LeavesA student who requires a mental health leave of more than one week will in all likelihood be askedto return home for the duration of the academic year. The student may be asked to seek support andtreatment at home, and to sign release forms that allow the director of counseling to share informationwith off-campus practitioners.A student wishing to return to school after an extended leave of absence will not be required toreapply through the Admissions Office. The student will, however, be expected to meet with parents,the director of counseling, the class dean, and the headmaster to determine whether he or she mayreturn to school.Emergency LeavesIn cases when a student inflicts self-harm requiring medical attention, he or she may not returnto campus without permission from the headmaster. In all likelihood, the student will be requiredto take a short-term or long-term leave of absence and must meet the conditions described above toreturn to school.Required Withdrawal for Health ReasonsIf the headmaster determines that a student’s physical or emotional state is such that the studentmay pose a danger to him or herself or to others or to make the student’s continued participation inschool life inappropriate, the school may require the student to withdraw for health reasons.STUDENT SERVICES56 The Taft School

SCHOOL SERVICESCOLLEGE COUNSELINGThe College Counseling Office at Taft assists all families by offering a comprehensive collegeplanning sequence of academic-day programs, evening meetings, and various workshops to informthe community and to help students assess interests, identify appropriate colleges and universities,research options, apply effectively, and prepare to make the transition to college life.The director of college counseling and his associates begin the formal college counseling processby meeting individually with uppermids at the start of the second semester. From that point forwardthey meet or speak frequently with uppermids, seniors, and their parents to answer questions, offersuggestions, and tailor each college search to individual needs and circumstances.Students draw on a variety of resources including frequent visits by college representatives; alibrary of college catalogs and informational materials; Internet resources; and various guides tocollege selection, scholarships, financial aid, standardized testing, and athletics. In addition, aweb-based program called, “Naviance,” provides profiles of successful Taft applicants to specificcolleges and helps each student to manage effectively his or her personal college search, application,and selection process.More detailed information about the College Counseling program at Taft can be found at:www.TaftSchool.org/academics/college_counseling.aspx.THE LIBRARYThe Hulbert Taft, Jr., Library plays a central role in the educational and cultural life of the school.The Library houses a large collection of print and electronic reference books, over 50,000 circulatingmonographs, an assortment of current best sellers, magazines and journals, DVDs, videocassettesand CDs, and provides access to a wide variety of periodical and reference databases. In addition,the Library circulates iPads, video cameras and tripods. The Library is not only a place for researchand study but also a place for relaxation and leisure reading.The Library staff is always available to answer questions, assist in locating material, or recommendresources for projects and research papers. Most students will be formally introduced to the Libraryin an academic class, but the staff encourages students to come in anytime for a personal tour andintroduction to the Library.All Library users are requested to help maintain a comfortably quiet atmosphere that allows bothserious study and relaxation. To that end, the Belcher Reading Room is designated as a place forsilent study during study hall; in the rest of the Library, students may talk quietly as long as they donot disturb others. Small group study rooms are available for students who need to work togetheron a project and, therefore, not disturb others. Students may have drinks in covered containers andlight snacks. No greasy, messy or strong-smelling food will be permitted.STUDENT SERVICESCirculation PoliciesBooks may be borrowed for 4 weeks and may be renewed if not requested by someone else.Borrowers may renew their materials online at the Library home page or by contacting the circulationdesk at extension 7780. Audiovisual materials have a shorter loan period and Reference booksand periodicals do not circulate.Student Handbook 2012–1357

Reserve Materials: Materials on reserve may be designated as “closed” or “overnight.” Closedreserve materials may be used only in the Library, and for a specified length of time, depending onthe material. Overnight reserves may be used in the Library during the day and borrowed overnightbeginning one hour before closing. Overnight reserve materials must be returned to the Librarywithin one hour of opening on the next day.Interlibrary Loan: Research needs occasionally require researchers to go beyond the resources ofour Library. Through ReQuest, which is accessible from the Library’s home page, users may searchthe holdings of hundreds of Connecticut libraries and place borrowing requests online. Items notfound in ReQuest but cited elsewhere may also be requested – ask at the front desk. Materials thatmay be requested include books, articles, videos, theses, and dissertations. Photocopies of articles donot need to be returned. The length of the loan period, as well as renewal privileges, are dependenton the policies of the lending library. Students requesting ILL material should be aware that it maytake up to two weeks to arrive at Taft.Overdue Fines and Lost BooksMost overdue materials carry a fine of 10 cents per day per item. iPads may be borrowed for aweek and carry a fine of $10.00/day. All materials carry a fine of $1.00/day.Lost books will be charged at the current replacement cost for the item. All replacement chargeswill include an additional processing fee of 5 dollars per lost itemSTUDENT SERVICESOther Library ServicesThe Library provides access to a wide range of electronic databases and ebooks for research. Theseresources are available from the Library’s home page via the Taft network. Remote Access is availablefor Day Students and others when off-campus. (You will need your Taft Network login and password)The Library houses numerous computer workstations (both PC and Mac); and provides Ethernetaccess ports as well as wireless access throughout the library.A photocopying machine, with scanning and color capabilities, and a networked printer areavailable for student use.Library Hours*Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.Saturday 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.Sunday 12:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.*Hours will be increased during exam periods and reduced during holiday and vacation periods.These changes will be posted in advance. Please check the school calendar for any changes:www.taftschool.org/calendar.aspx.58 The Taft School

THE MOORHEAD ACADEMIC CENTERThe mission of the Moorhead Academic Center is to improve student learning, to provide supportto teachers, students, and parents, and to make available resources on the latest in scientific researchon learning and the brain.The Academic Center is open each class day, and for study hall hours Sunday through Thursdayevenings. All students are welcome to utilize the resources available. Appointments are made onan individual basis given the student’s schedule. Some students schedule several appointments toimprove in a given area; some schedule ongoing appointments throughout the year. Services providedto students are tailored to the needs of the student and are intended to empower the student withthe skills necessary to become a life-long, independent learner. Services include:• Providing strategies for learning/understanding.• Providing instruction in strategic reading techniques.• Providing methods to study and learn math, science and foreign languages.• Coaching in time management, organizational and study skills, and self-advocacy and selfdeterminationtechniques.• Assisting in the writing process involved in long-term research papers.For students without previously identified learning differences,…• Screening and evaluation to understand strengths and weaknesses of the individual’slearning profile as well as facilitating recommendations and accommodations for documentedlearning differences.Educational Accommodations and TestingTaft will provide educational accommodations to students demonstrating a need based on educationaltesting results. The school strongly recommends that parents forward any previous psycho-educationaltesting results or reports on their child to the Director of the Moorhead Academic Center. Taft musthave a student’s testing results and reports on the premises along with a signed Taft School Permissionto Share Form (obtained from the Taft website or the Director of the Moorhead Academic Center)in order to grant any recommended educational accommodations. The results of previous or recentpsycho-educational testing will only be shared with faculty members on a need-to-know basis.STUDENT SERVICESStudent Handbook 2012–1359

Parents with specific concerns regarding their child’s academic learning style, should contact theirchild’s class dean or the Director of the Moorhead Academic Center. Because class deans act as individualstudents’ academic overseers at Taft, they may gather information and coordinate meetings of a limitednumber of faculty regarding concerns raised about a student’s academic learning style. Class deans willshare with student and parents any conclusions or recommendations to emerge from these meetings.Another ongoing service of the Taft Academic Center is the Peer Tutoring Program. Each year,department heads in collaboration with their respective faculty, recommend outstanding students towork as peer tutors in their field of expertise. These peer tutors are paired with other students whohave been referred by their teachers for additional support work.The goal of the Moorhead Academic Center is to prepare independent, motivated learners whoare empowered to go forward not only with pride but also resilience and perseverance.STUDENT SERVICESSPIRITUAL LIFEAt Taft you will find a wide range of religions and philosophical views represented among thestudent population. Our goal is help students from a variety of traditions find spiritual strength andcommunity support in the religious and spiritual programs that are being offered.We view education as both an intellectual and a spiritual endeavor. All expressions of faith arecelebrated and respected as we look for common moral, ethical, and spiritual ground in the world’streasure house of great religions.In the Taft community, we believe that a sound, broad-based liberal arts education has at its corethe quest for meaning and purpose. Our understanding is that no one spiritual group or religioustradition is in sole possession of the Truth. With this in mind, we covenant with one another topursue Truth through religion, science, art, music, athletics, and in every other human inquiry.Today’s world is replete with rich opportunities for all of us to evolve as global citizens so that wecan live mindfully in this world with consideration and concern for others. We believe that educatingthe whole person encourages and challenges us to take seriously the values and moral codes that wehave inherited through our many diverse cultural and religious traditions.—Chaplain Robert GanungThe School Chaplain brings to the community an understanding and celebration of the world’svarious religious faiths. Each year two graduate students from Yale Divinity School work closely withthe chaplain in the classroom and with various religious clubs. Rabbi Eric Polokoff, from B’Nai Israelin Southbury is the associate chaplain at Taft assisting the Jewish Student Organization. The chaplainalso takes Muslim students to the United Muslim Mosque in Waterbury bi-monthly. During thefall and winter months interested students gather for meditation in the Taft Living Room beforerelaxing with a cup of tea or hot chocolate. This warm setting invites students from all religious andnonreligious backgrounds to come together in a mindful way to exchange spiritual ideas and valuesin a friendly and inclusive atmosphere.The offerings of the Global Service and Scholarship Department promote spiritual, moral, andethical discourse among students. On Tuesday and Thursday of each week, the entire school gathers forMorning Meeting in Bingham Auditorium—a time for reflection by students, faculty, the headmaster,chaplain, or outside speakers. The Paduano Lecture Series invites distinguished speakers to offer lecturesin the field of philosophy and ethics. Grounded in Taft’s mission to educate the whole person, the school60 The Taft School

provides many opportunities on campus—both formal and informal—to nurture spiritual life.In 2003 Taft purchased a Torah with the assistance of Rabbi Eric Polokoff and the generoussupport of Mr. Edgar Bronfman. The nearly 200 year-old scroll was believed to have been broughtto the Sephardic community of Tashkent, now Uzbekistan, by European Jews fleeing the Nazis. Thisacquisition marked the beginning of Taft’s Sacred Text Collection. The next gift to the school wasan original King’s James Bible printed in the early sixteen hundreds. In the fall of this 2007, twoTibetan monks from the Drepung Gomang monastery in the southern Indian state of Karnatakapresented the school with a replica of one of the earliest mandalas in the Buddhist tradition. Taft’smost recent addition to this remarkable collection is an exquisitely calligraphed pocket-sized copyof the Qu’ran from Saudi Arabia which dates back to the late 19th century. This well-preserve sacredtext more than likely made several pilgrimages to Mecca inspiring the faithful with Allah’s words asthey traveled to the holy city. We are grateful to U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mr. Ford Fraker,for this remarkable gift.Opportunities Include:• Monthly Candelight Vespers• Gospel Vespers (periodic)• Morning Meeting• Jewish Student Organization• Shabbat Dinners• Buddhist Meditation Group• Weekly Sunday Worship Service• Monthly Communion• Yoga/Meditation• Bible Study• FOCUS (Fellowship of Christians in Universities and Schools)• Coffee HousesMany of the above opportunities are available at or within walking distance of the school.Transportation to churches and synagogues not within walking distance, as well as transportationto a Muslim mosque in Hartford, is also provided. Students are urged to consult with the chaplainconcerning particular religious services. More detailed information on worship services can be foundat www.TaftSchool.rog/students/spiritlife.aspx.STUDENT SERVICESTAFT WRITING CENTERThe Taft Writing Center promotes excellence in writing across the curriculum by providing resourcesto students and teachers. Designed to complement the instruction offered in the classroom, the centeris a place where all writers in the Taft community have the opportunity to receive close personalattention as they develop their writing skills. By working in conference with faculty and peer tutors,writers can both seek counsel on papers in progress and address specific problems that their teachersor other critical observers have identified in their work. Moreover, academically proficient, talentedwriters, as well as those who are working on extra-curricular or personal writing projects, profit fromthe feedback of Writing Center tutors. In addition, the center provides an online site with a varietyof resources. More information is at www.TaftSchool.org/students/writingcenter/default.aspx.Student Handbook 2012–1361

ADDITIONAL SCHOOL SERVICESBIRTHDAY CAKESAramark Food Service will make birthday cakes for Taft students, faculty, and staff for a nominalfee. Orders must be placed at least 48 hours in advance. To place an order, contact Darcy McLellanat 860-945-7717 or DarcyMcLellan@TaftSchool.org.KEYSPost Office box and room keys and key cards are distributed in the Duty Office. Replacementkeys and key cards may be picked up during the class day Monday through Friday. Students will bebilled $25.00 for each lost key or key card. If you lose an elevator key, you may have to take out abank loan to pay the fine.STUDENT SERVICESLAUNDRY AND LINENStudents have access to internal, coin-operated laundry equipment or may send their personalclothing and linen to an outside commercial laundry service. Coin-operated washers and dryers arelocated in most dormitories. The cost is $1.00 per wash and $.50 per drying cycle.Students who wish to arrange for laundry service may do so in the Business Office at the openingof school in September. Nametags must be sewn securely in all articles sent to the laundry. Withinreason, the commercial laundry will not limit the number of items washed each week. However, thestudent will be expected to contract for this service for the duration of the school year. Cancellationof the contract for valid reasons may be arranged, but credit for a week in which laundry is not sentwill not be possible. Also, it is assumed that items to be laundered are the personal property of thestudent who has signed the contract.Personal laundry, with checklist filled out, is to be delivered to the distribution room on Mondaymorning. It will be returned on Friday morning of the same week. The laundry distribution roomis located in the basement corridor near the CPT elevator.The rental of linen and towels is not available. Students supply their own blankets, sheets, bedspreads,pillowcases and towels.Dry cleaning may be sent to the laundry and will be charged separately by the unit. Charges forlaundry and dry cleaning will be posted to the parents’ charge account.LOST AND FOUNDBooks left in the halls will be taken to the Lost and Found, which is located in cabinets outside theSecurity Office in the basement of HDT. Lost valuables such as watches, glasses and wallets shouldbe turned in to the Security Office.62 The Taft School

THE POST OFFICEThe Post Office, located on the first floor of the Main Building, is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.Mail arrives and is picked up daily except Sundays and legal holidays. Outgoing mail pickup is at3:00 p.m. daily. Stamps are available in the School Store.STUDENT DEBIT CARD, SCHOOL BANK AND SCHOOL STOREMost student purchases on campus require a Student Debit Card, and students are responsiblefor maintaining a sufficient balance on the card at all times. Students may deposit or withdrawmoney on their debit card accounts during Student Bank hours. The school imposes a $20charge for the replacement of a lost debit card and a $20 fine for student checks returned forinsufficient funds.School supplies, toilet articles, and athletic equipment are available in the School Store in thebasement of CPT.Returning students are not issued a new debit card each year. They should return to school withtheir most recently issued student debit card.Store and Banking Hours:Monday 8:00 a.m.–3:15 p.m.Tuesday 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Wednesday 8:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.Thursday 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Friday 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Saturday 8:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.Sunday closedTELEPHONESThe school’s main switchboard phone number is 860-945-7777. The school switchboard is openMonday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.Students or parents can reach the school duty officer until 11:00 p.m. at 860-945-7800. If the schoolduty officer is not available, security can be called in the event of an emergency at 860-945-7789.Students are permitted to have cell phones, but at Taft we value face-to-face interaction. As such,it is not appropriate to make calls or text in public on campus. This includes but is not limited toclassrooms, school hallways, the walkways and outdoor areas around campus, dormitory commonrooms, and the gym. Calls should be made in private spaces such as a student’s room, subject toother applicable rules and regulations. Because cell phones have many uses, students may use theirphones in public for such activities as checking the time or their calendar. But any activity whichinterferes with face-to-face communication is prohibited. This includes but is not limited to texting,tweeting, Skyping, or other forms of messaging. Violations of the cell phone policy are subject to athree conduct grade response. If a cell phone interferes with class, morning meeting, or any otheracademic setting, the phone may be confiscated and turned in to the Deans’ Office.STUDENT SERVICESStudent Handbook 2012–1363

STUDENT ACTIVITIES65 Student Government65 School Monitors and64Class The Committees Taft School66 ExtracurricularActivities andOrganizations

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATIONSSome of these clubs have been around for more than 50 years and new ones come and go all the time.There were over 80 active clubs during the 2011–12 school year. A representative list of clubs is below.For a more extensive list, or more detailed information on any of the groups listed below, visitwww.TaftSchool.org/students/clubs.aspx.STUDENT ACTIVITIESAdmissions CouncilAids AwarenessAmnesty InternationalThe Annual, yearbookArt ClubAsian ClubCHAT (Community Health at Taft)Coffee HouseDance ClubDebate ClubEconomics & Investment ClubFBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)FOCUS, Christian FellowshipFonts (Fellowship Of Non-Theistic Students)French ClubGlobal JournalHarry Potter ClubHydrox, A Cappella GroupImprovInternational ClubJapanese ClubJewish Student OrganizationMasque & DaggerMath TeamModel CongressModel U.N.One WordOperation SmileOriocos, A Cappella GroupPeer TutorsRecognize the RhinoRed, Inc., Literary MagazineReligious & Spiritual Life CouncilRobotics and Engineering ClubShout (Students, Homosexual &Otherwise United @ Taft)Spanish ClubStep TeamTaft Papyrus, newspaperTaft Environmental Action Movement (TEAM)Tour GuidesUnited Cultures at Taft (UCT)Volunteer CouncilW(I)RED, Taft RadioWISER66 The Taft School

NEPSAC CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCTAs a basic principle, we believe that the lessons learned from fairly played athletics, whetherinterscholastic or not, and including games and practices, are of benefit to our students and ourschool. The purpose of this Code of Ethics and Conduct is to define what “fairly played” means andto provide guidelines for NEPSAC athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators alike to follow.Proper Conduct and Good SportsmanshipAt the heart of this matter lie several terms which are often hard to define – yet no more importanttask confronts teacher and coaches than to set standards which are fair and honorable. Throughoutthis code, when such terms as “proper conduct” and “good sportsmanship” are mentioned, they referto such standards as these:• Treat other persons, as you know they should be treated.• Regard the rules of your games as agreements, the spirit of the letter which you should notevade or break.• Treat officials and opponents with respect.• Accept absolutely and without quarrel the final decision of any official.• Honor visiting teams and spectators as your own guests and treat them as such. Likewise,behave yourself as an honored guest when you visit another school.• Be gracious in victory and defeat; learn especially to take defeat well.• Be as cooperative as you are competitive.• Remember that your actions on or off the field reflect on you and your school.Guidelines for Spectators• Spectators—whether students, parents, faculty, alumni or friends—bear important responsibilitiesto the school for the atmosphere and conduct of games, whether home or away.• Spectators should watch games from those areas defined by each school as spectator areas. Theymust not run up and down sidelines, call to players, coaches, or officials, in any unsportsmanlikemanner, go onto the field of play, or deface property. Any action, which distracts from theability of coaches, players, and officials to do their best, is not acceptable.• Accept absolutely and without quarrel the decision of any official.• Honor visiting teams and spectators as your own guests and treat them as such. Likewise, behaveyourself as an honored guest when you visit another school.ATHLETICSStudent Handbook 2012–1371

FALLCross Country (B&G)VarsityJVDanceField Hockey (G)VarsityJVThirdsFootball (B)VarsityJVHorseback Riding (Co-ed)IntramuralSoccer (B&G)VarsityJVThirdsFourths (B)Intramural (Co-ed)Tennis (Co-ed)IntramuralATHLETIC OPTIONS BY SEASONWINTERAerobics (Co-ed)Basketball (B&G)VarsityJVThirdsIntramuralClimbing (Co-ed)Upper SchoolConditioning (Co-ed)Dance (Co-ed)Ice Hockey (B&G)VarsityJVThirdsIntramural(Co-ed, Upper School)Skating (Co-ed)IntramuralSki Racing (B&G)Varsity, JVSPRINGAerobics (Co-ed)Baseball (B)VarsityJVCrew (B&G)VarsityJVDance (Co-ed)Golf (B&G)VarsityJVHorseback Riding (Co-ed)IntramuralLacrosse (B&G)VarsityJVThirdsSoftball (G)VarsityJVVolleyball (G)VarsityJVThirdsConditioning (Co-ed)Upper SchoolYoga (Co-ed)Squash (B&G)VarsityJVThirdsIntramuralWeight Training (Co-ed)Upper SchoolWrestling (Co-ed)VarsityJVYoga (Co-ed)Tennis (B&G)VarsityJVThirdsIntramuralTrack (B&G)VarsityJVUltimate Frisbee (Co-ed)IntramuralUpper SchoolATHLETICS72 The Taft School

Academic Facilities3 Woolworth Faculty Room4 Modern LanguageLearning Center9 Arts andHumanities Center9 Digital DesignComputer Lab15 Moorhead Academic Center19 Lady Ivy Kwok Wu Scienceand Mathematics Center19 Wu Computer Lab20 Laube Auditorium21 Hulbert Taft Jr. Library22 Nancy and Ben BelcherLearning Center42 Mortara FamilyAcademic WingArts Facilities4 Choral Room5 Bingham Auditorium7 Pailey Dance Studio9 Electronic Music Studio9 Photography Dark Rooms9 Music Practice Rooms9 Woodward BlackBox Theater9 Gail Wynne Studio10 Mark W. Potter ’48Art Gallery14 Art Room41 Walker HallAthletic Facilities29 McCullogh Athletic Facility30 Mays Rink31 Logan Field House32 Paul and Edith CruikshankAthletic Center33 Odden Hockey Arena34 Snyder Field35 Rockefeller Field36 William Weaver Track37 Parents’ AssociationField House38 Geoffrey C. Camp Field39 Lawrence H. Stone BaseballPavilion at Rockwell Field40 Softball Field44 Donaldson Family PavilionA Athletics FieldsGC Golf CourseMAP KEYResidential Halls2 Horace D. Taft Hall4 Charles Phelps Taft Hall6 John L. Vogelstein ’52Dormitory13 Cruikshank House17 Congdon House24 MacIntosh House25 Centennial Dormitory26 Upper School GirlsDormitoryDining Facilities8 Oscarson Jigger Shop12 Moorhead Wing• East Dining Hall• Laube Dining Hall• Prentice Dining HallSpiritual5 Bingham Auditorium41 Walker Hall43 Woodward ChapelStudent Union8 Oscarson Jigger ShopOther1 Main Entrance4 School Store11 Potter’s Pond16 Business Office18 Martin Health Center23 Centennial Quadrangle27 Alumni DevelopmentOffice28 Wade HouseP ParkingAD AdmissionsStudent Handbook 2012–1375

Absences........................ 10, 25, 42–45, 55–56Academic Credit............................................ 7Academic Honesty................................ 3, 6–7Academic Schedule............... inside front coverAdvisors........................................................ 2Alcohol and Drugs................................ 13–14Assembly..................................................... 27Athletics................................................ 68–72Athletic Trainers.......................................... 54Bank........................................................... 63Breakfast..................................................... 53Bus Schedules.............................................. 47Calendar...............................inside back coverChewing Tobacco........................................ 28Class Committees........................................ 65Class & Meeting Cut Response................... 23Clubs.......................................................... 66College Counseling..................................... 57College Days............................................... 44Common Rooms......................................... 41Communications........................................ 25Computer Use....................................... 16–17Conduct System.................................... 21–22Counseling Services............................... 54–55Day Student Council.................................. 48Day Student Regulations....................... 48–50Debit Cards................................................. 63Dining Hall Procedures......................... 52–53Disciplinary Response........................... 19–20Dormitory Monitors............................. 30–31Dormitory Regulations.......................... 30–41Downtown Privilege.................................... 42Dress and Appearance........................... 24–25Examinations, Assesments,Extended Time....................................... 8–9Excused Absences.................................. 10, 25Extracurriculars........................................... 66Fire: Hazards, Procedures,Regulations............................... 15, 26, 39–40Fundamental Rules................................ 12–17Fund Raising............................................... 26INDEXGrading System............................................. 7Harassment................................................. 18Health Services................................ 19, 54–56Honor System........................................... 3–4Independent Studies Program (ISP)............ 26Interdorm Visitation....................... 15, 34–38Keys.................................................... 16, 621Laundry and Linen...................................... 62Leaves of Absence.................................. 55–56Library.................................................. 57–58Lost and Found........................................... 62Map of Campus.................................... 74–75Meal Requirements and Schedule.......... 52–53Medical Leaves................................ 10, 55–56Moorhead Learning Center................... 59–60Motor Vehicles............................................ 14Penalty Crew............................................... 22Permissions..................................... 15, 43–44Plagiarism................................................. 4, 6Post Office................................................... 63Rooms and Rooming............................ 39–41School Meetings.......................................... 27School Monitors.......................................... 65Senior Cuts................................................. 25Senior Spring Term..................................... 28Smoking and Smokeless Tobacco................. 28Spiritual Life......................................... 60–61Stayover....................................................... 22Storage........................................................ 41Store............................................................ 63Student Government................................... 65Study Hall............................................. 35–38Taft Writing Center..................................... 61Telephones.................................................. 63Train Schedules........................................... 47Training Rules............................................. 70Transportation....................................... 46–47Vacations..................................................... 45Voluntary Use of Health Center.................. 19Weekends.............................................. 43–44Who to Contact.......................................... 7376 The Taft School

TAFT SCHOOL CALENDAR 2012–132012Friday August 31 Boys’ varsity football, boys’ & girls’ varsity soccer,girls’ varsity field hockey and volleyball arriveSaturday September 1 Boys’ and girls’ cross country arriveSunday September 2 All monitors arrive for trainingTuesday September 4 International Students, Sponsors, and New Seniors arriveWednesday September 5 New and returning students arriveThursday September 6 Classes beginMonday September 24 Free DaySaturday October 6 College Board examinations for seniorsSaturday October 6 Fall long weekend begins after last classTuesday October 9 Students return from long weekend at 7:30 p.m.Wednesday October 10 PSAT examinations for middlers and upper middlersSaturday October 20 Fall Parents’ DayMonday October 22 Community Service DaySaturday October 27 ACT testsWednesday October 31 Grandparents’ DaySaturday November 3 College Board examinations for seniorsSaturday November 17 Thanksgiving vacation begins after last classMonday November 26 Thanksgiving vacation ends at 7:30 p.m.Friday December 7 First semester examinations beginTuesday December 11 Exams end, Christmas service this eveningWednesday December 12 Holiday recess begins at noon2013Wednesday January 2 Vacation ends at 7:30 p.m.Thursday January 3 Second semester beginsSaturday January 12 College program for parents of upper middlersMonday January 21 Martin Luther King celebrationSaturday January 26 College board examinations for upper middlersThursday January 31 Winter long weekend begins after last classMonday February 4 Winter long weekend ends at 7:30 p.m.Saturday February 16 Winter Parents’ DayMonday February 18 Free day—the formal will be Sunday nightWednesday March 6 Spring vacation begins after last classMonday March 25 Spring vacation ends at 7:30 p.m.Tuesday March 26 Second semester continuesSaturday April 13 ACT tests for upper middlersMonday April 22 Free DayFriday May 3 Spring long weekend begins after last class or gameSaturday May 4 College board examinations for upper middlersMonday May 6 Spring long weekend ends at 7:30 p.m.Saturday May 11 Alumni DaySunday May 26 GraduationMonday May 27 Second semester examinations beginFriday May 31 Second semester examinations end at noonSaturday June 1 College board examinations for upper middlersAlso, make note of the closed weekends which will be on the following dates:September 8–9, September 15–16, October 13–14, November 10–11, December 1–2, December 8–9, January 5–6,February 9–10, April 6–7, April 27–28, May 11–12, and graduation weekend, May 25–26. No weekends are closedfor seniors after spring vacation.

The Taft School110 Woodbury RoadWatertown, CT 06795-2100860-945-7777www.TaftSchool.org