Student/Parent Handbook

W yom i n g S e m i n a ry U p p e r S c h o o l
S t u d e n t / Pa r e n t H a n d b o o k
2 01 2 -2 01 3
1
Ta b l e o f C o n t e n t s
Motto & Mission
2012-2013 Calendar
History
Welcome
Academic Programs
Schedule for the Academic Day
Honor Code
Expectations
Residential Life
Student Services
Organizations & Activities
Athletics
Parents’ Association
Telephone Numbers/Areas of Interest
Expenses 2012-2013
Alma Mater
Campus Map
Index
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
13
14
23
30
35
39
41
42
44
45
46
47-48
Motto & mission Statement
The True, The Beautiful,
The Good
Wyoming Seminary’s school motto,
Verum, Pulchrum, Bonum not only
served as the guiding spirit of Wyoming
Seminary in 1844 but as the words by
which we live today.
Sem graduate Howard Gardner ’61
embraced this motto, as was evidenced
in an interview where he defined “the
lasting values summarized in the triad:
truth, beauty, and goodness. When I talk
about truth, I’m talking about science but
also folk knowledge; when I talk about
beauty, I’m talking about the arts, but it
could be nature as well; when I’m talking
about goodness and evil I’m talking about
morality.”
The values expressed in Sem’s
motto stand in sharp contrast to the
disintegrating codes of conduct in today’s
world. And that is the Sem difference:
we dare to teach values at a time when
they are eroding around us; we stand for
something, and are proud of it.
Mission Statement
Within an exponentially changing world,
Wyoming Seminary dares to teach our
students to honor and strive for the true,
the beautiful, and the good.
Core Values
• Passion for learning, leading, and
serving
• Integrity
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Soundness of mind, body, and
spirit
Vision
As a college preparatory school, Wyoming
Seminary seeks to create active learners,
responsible citizens, community leaders,
and ethical individuals ready to take their
place in the global community of the 21st
century.
3
True to our traditions and our values,
Wyoming Seminary is committed to
supporting promising students from
varied backgrounds.
Our curriculum emphasizes competition
and collaboration, critical thinking and
creativity, self-respect and respect for
others.
We challenge our students to discover
their talents and their passions by
offering an integrated program rich in
artistic, athletic, and extracurricular
opportunities that complement the
school’s core commitment to academic
excellence, personal integrity, spiritual
growth, and community service.
2012-2013 Calendar
Fall Trimester
Winter Trimester
Wednesday-Thursday, August 21-23
Opening Faculty Meetings
Monday, November 26
Winter Term Begins
Thursday-Friday, August 23-24 New International Student Orientation
Thursday, December 20
Holiday Recess Begins – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday, August 25-26
Orientation/Registration
Monday, January 7
Classes Resume
Monday, August 27 Classes Begin
Monday, January 28*
No School – Long Weekend
Friday-Saturday, September
28-29
Homecoming Weekend
Friday, February 22
Winter Term Exams
Thursday, October 4
US Grandparent’s Day
Friday, October 5
LS Grandparent’s Day
Friday, February 22 Spring Recess Begins – 3:30 p.m.
Spring Trimester
Monday, March 11
Spring Term Begins
Friday, March 29
Easter Recess Begins – 3:30 p.m.
Monday, April 1
Classes Resume
Monday-Thursday, May 20-23
Spring Term Exams
Saturday-Sunday, May 25-26
Commencement Weekend
Tuesday, May 28 Final Faculty Meeting
* If there are significant weather related
closings prior to this date, classes will be
held on January 28.
Monday, October 15
No School – Long Weekend
Friday-Saturday, October 19-20 Parent’s Weekend
Tuesday-Friday, November 1316 Fall Term Exams
Friday, November 16 Trimester Recess Begins – 3:30 p.m.
Dress-Up Days 2012-2013
Monday, August 27, 2011
Monday, January 21, 2013
Monday, September 10, 2012
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Monday, September 24, 2012
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
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A Brief History
In September 1844, in the rural village of Kingston, 14 girls
and 17 boys became the first Wyoming Seminary students.
The new school, which stood among orchards and farm fields,
was one of America’s first coeducational boarding schools.
The present complex of Swetland, Fleck and Darte halls was
built in 1853, and is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places. Founded by Methodist leaders, but welcoming all
denominations, Wyoming Seminary educated young men and
women from northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New
York.
Throughout its history, Wyoming Seminary has benefitted from
strong, committed leaders; in 168 years, it has had only 11
presidents. One of those men, Levi Sprague, served as president
for 54 years. Its current president, Kip Nygren, took office in
2007 after serving as Professor and Head of the Department
of Civil & Mechanical Engineering at the United States Military
Academy, West Point, New York.
Wyoming Seminary built on those early foundations to meet
the changing needs of the Wyoming Valley, the nation and the
world. Following the Civil War, the school grew significantly,
adding a commercial department to prepare students for
employment in the region’s mining, banking and manufacturing
concerns. Its college preparatory program readied young
men and women for success at leading colleges, as well as
at the new comprehensive universities that emerged in the
late 19th century. In 1892, the Wyoming Seminary football
team combined modern sports with modern technology, as
it competed in the world’s first night football game under the
new electric lights at Mansfield, Pa.
The 20th century brought still more changes to the school.
Automobile and air travel brought students from a wider
geographic area, including more international students; two
floods (in 1936 and 1972) devastated the campus; and the
borough of Kingston grew up around the school. A 1951 merger
with the Wilkes-Barre Day School allowed Wyoming Seminary
to establish a continuous program for students from prekindergarten through post-graduate levels.
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Welcome
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to Sem’s 169th year
of educating students from the
Wyoming Valley and the world.
We are in the midst of great
changes in education, and we are
leading some of those changes
here at Sem. However, the
foundational mission and values
of this venerable institution have not changed over its long and
proud history, and they will continue to inspire our strong and
vital learning culture.
All communities adopt and promote expectations on the
decorum and dress of their members and also codify policies
and procedures to enhance interaction and collaboration. I
commend this handbook to you as the single best source of
information regarding Upper School’s expectations, policies and
procedures.
We have done our best to make this compendium accurate,
helpful and well organized. However, in spite of our best efforts,
you will almost certainly have questions. Consequently, do not
hesitate to call Mr. Jay Harvey, Dean of Upper School, or Ms.
Mary Swaback, my assistant, for help. Contact information for
these and other staff members is found on pages 42-44.
I am proud to be part of the Sem Community, where we inspire
students and continually improve the educational experience for
everyone at Sem.
Kip P. Nygren
President
Greetings Sem Families!
The long history of Wyoming
Seminary is something we can
all take pride in, from those who
have worked here for 28 years
as I have, to those who are just
beginning their time on campus
this fall. The Sem story is told
by its beautiful, historic buildings,
its diverse and rich curriculum,
and its thousands of alumni all around the world. This year,
Wyoming Seminary’s 169th, a new chapter will be added by a
gathering of individuals from around the country and around
the world. Although we will all gather as individuals, together
we will form a unique community. Our culture is one that
celebrates the individual while fostering the sense of community
so important to an independent boarding school experience.
To that end we have provided a framework of customs,
traditions, and guidelines that we feel give us the best
opportunity to maximize our community identity and to give
students, parents, and faculty the opportunity to enjoy a
successful year together. These guidelines, in addition to good
common sense and positive attitudes, contribute to a healthy
school environment and are spelled out in the pages that
follow. At Sem, you will have - in people, program, and facilities
– resources that will enable you to become all that you hope to
be as a secondary school student. To achieve that goal, I ask
that you review the material in this handbook and feel free to
ask questions as necessary.
We all have an opportunity to interpret and live the school’s
motto – “the True, the Beautiful and the Good” together during
the coming year. Good channels of communication can help
us all reach that end in a way in which we can all be proud.
My many years at Wyoming Seminary and my two full years
as Upper School Dean have taught me one important lesson;
our best work can be accomplished when completed in an
environment of support and respect. We are a community
of caring, talented, and committed people working toward a
common goal. I am eager to share the journey with you.
Respectfully,
Jay Harvey
Dean of Upper School
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Academic Programs
The Academic Program at Sem is a comprehensive
and rigorous course of study that is designed to
prepare students for academic success in college
while exposing them to a broad based liberal arts
education. Students and parents should refer to
the current, online Upper School course catalog for
detailed information about graduation requirements
and specific course descriptions. The following pages outline the major components of the academic
program while answering some of the important
questions most frequently asked by students and
their parents.
Who is in charge of the academic program?
The Academic Dean, Mr. Randy Granger, has oversight of the school’s
academic calendar, courses of study and student academic records.
Working in close association with him are the Director of Scheduling, Mrs. Laurie Morgan, and the three Class Deans (page 14), who,
along with faculty advisors and classroom teachers, make up a team
of professional academicians who monitor and guide each student’s
course of study at Wyoming Seminary.
How long is the academic day?
Sem follows an eight-period day (class periods are called “bells”)
starting at 8:00 a.m. each morning and concluding with the end of
bell 8 classes (anywhere from 2:15 to 2:55 p.m.). Each day follows
the calendar of letter days (see next page) that allows Sem to incorporate a variety of meetings within the school day while preserving
class times that are 40 to 50 minutes in length. Letter days are
published on our Web site both on our online electronic calendar and
on the Daily Knight & Day bulletin.
To access the Daily Knight & Day bulletin, click here.
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Schedules for the Academic Day
Note: There will be special schedules for Convocation, Parent Conference Day, Thanksgiving Chapel Day, Spring Awards Day, Special Events, snow
delays.
SCHEDULE A
20-MINUTE ASSEMBLY
Bell 1
Bell 2
Bell 3
Assembly
Bell 4
Bell 4 Lunch
Bell 5
Bell 5 Lunch
Bell 6
Bell 6 Lunch
Bell 7
Bell 8
Conference
Activities/
Sports/Drama
8:00 - 8:45 A.M.
8:50 - 9:35 A.M.
9:40 - 10:25 A.M.
10:30 - 10:50 A.M.
10:55 - 11:40 A.M.
11:00 - 11:40 A.M.
11:45 - 12:30 A.M.
11:40 A.M. - 12:10 P.M.
12:15 - 1:00 P.M.
12:30 - 1:00 P.M.
1:05 - 1:50 P.M.
1:55 - 2:40 P.M.
2:40 - 3:30 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
SCHEDULE A
45-MINUTE ASSEMBLY
Bell 1
Bell 2
Bell 3
Assembly
Bell 4
Bell 4 Lunch
Bell 5
Bell 5 Lunch
Bell 6
Bell 6 Lunch
Bell 7
Bell 8
Conference
Activities/
Sports/Drama
8:00 - 8:40 A.M.
8:45 - 9:25 A.M.
9:30 - 10:10 A.M.
10:15 - 11:00 A.M.
11:05 - 11:45 A.M.
11:00 - 11:45 A.M.
11:50 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
11:45 A.M. - 12:15 P.M.
12:20 - 1:00 P.M.
12:30 - 1:00 P.M.
1:05 - 1:45 P.M.
1:50 - 2:30 P.M.
2:30 - 3:30 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
SCHEDULE A
60-MINUTE ASSEMBLY
Bell 1
Bell 2
Bell 3
Assembly
Bell 4
Bell 4 Lunch
Bell 5
Bell 5 Lunch
Bell 6
Bell 6 Lunch
Bell 7
Bell 8
Conference
Activities/
Sports/Drama
8
8:00 - 8:40 A.M.
8:45 - 9:25 A.M.
9:30 - 10:10 A.M.
10:15 - 11:15 A.M.
11:20 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
11:15 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
12:00 - 12:45 P.M.
12:00 - 12:30 P.M.
12:35 - 1:15 P.M.
12:45 - 1:15 P.M.
1:20 - 2:00 P.M.
2:05 - 2:45 P.M.
2:45 - 3:30 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
SCHEDULE L
Late Starts/Faculty Meetings
Meeting (optional)
Bell 1
Bell 2
Bell 3
Bell 4
Bell 4 Lunch
Bell 5
Bell 5 Lunch
Bell 6
Bell 6 Lunch
Bell 7
Bell 8
Conference
Activities/
Sports/Drama
7:30 - 8:55 A.M.
9:00 - 9:40 A.M.
9:45 - 10:25 A.M.
10:30 - 11:10 A.M.
11:15 - 11:55 A.M.
11:15 - 11:55 A.M.
12:00 - 12:40 P.M.
11:55 A.M. - 12:25 P.M.
12:30 - 1:10 P.M.
12:40 - 1:10 P.M.
1:15 - 1:55 P.M.
2:00 - 2:40 P.M.
2:40 - 3:30 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
SCHEDULE E
Early Dismissal
Bell 1
Bell 2
Bell 3
Bell 4
Bell 4 Lunch
Bell 5
Bell 5 Lunch
Bell 6
Bell 6 Lunch
Bell 7
Bell 8
Conference
Activities/
Sports/Drama
8:00 - 8:45 A.M.
8:50 - 9:35 A.M.
9:40 - 10:25 A.M.
10:30 - 11:15 A.M.
10:45 - 11:15 A.M.
11:20 A.M. - 12:05 P.M.
11:15 - 11:45 A.M.
11:50 A.M. - 12:35 P.M.
12:05 - 12:35 P.M.
12:40 - 1:25 P.M.
1:30 - 2:15 P.M.
2:15 - 3:30 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
SCHEDULE T
Total Academic Day
Bell 1
Bell 2
Bell 3
Bell 4
Bell 4 Lunch
Bell 5
Bell 5 Lunch
Bell 6
Bell 6 Lunch
Bell 7
Bell 8
Conference
Activities/
Sports/Drama
8:00 - 8:50 A.M.
8:55 - 9:45 A.M.
9:50 - 10:40 A.M.
11:45 - 11:35 A.M.
11:05 - 11:35 A.M.
11:40 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
11:35 A.M. - 12:10 P.M.
12:15 - 1:05 P.M.
12:30 - 1:05 P.M.
1:10 - 2:00 P.M.
2:05 - 2:55 P.M.
2:55 - 3:30 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
How many courses may a
student take?
How many courses may a student take?
Students generally take between four
and six courses each day, with five being
the most common class load. These must
include four courses in the “core” subject
areas (English, language, history/social
science, mathematics and science) at any
one time.
How does the grading
system work?
Wyoming Seminary uses a letter grade
system for reporting academic achievement and a number-grade system for a
subjective evaluation of student effort. A
system of grade weighting for honors and
AP level courses insures that students
be given appropriate transcript credit for
work well beyond the normal high school
expectation.
Students may receive an “I” grade
for incomplete work in a course. All
incompletes must be made up within 10
school days of the end of the grading
period. Students who are unable to
make up the unfinished work in that time
period run the risk of receiving a “0” for
the assignment(s) in question, with a
corresponding reduction of grade in that
course.
Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF below
9
Numerical
Equivalent
97-100
93-96
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
60
International students in their first year
at Wyoming Seminary may be given an
“R” grade in courses where their teacher
believes their adjustment to working in
English is having an adverse affect on
their academic average. All “R” grades
signify that the school “reserves” the
right to assign a credited letter grade
during that time period. The “R” grade
has no GPA equivalency assigned on the
report card, so receiving the “R” neither
helps nor hurts the student’s overall
average. Teachers may use “R” grades in
each report period until spring midterm,
at which time all students will receive
grades that bear GPA credit.
Effort Grades
Teachers write subjective evaluations
of student effort that appear on report
cards (not transcripts) according to the
scale below.
Are there honor rolls?
Interim grade-point averages (GPA) are
calculated at each reporting period card
during the school year. Two levels of
academic honor are recognized:
•
•
Regular
Courses
4.3
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.7
0.0
Dean’s List High Honors: GPA of
3.70 and above, no grade below C
Dean’s List: GPA of 3.30 and
above, no grade below C
Honors
Courses
4.7
4.3
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.0
AP
Courses
5.0
4.7
4.3
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
0.0
How much homework should
I expect?
Students in college prep, independent
schools like Sem are exposed to an
academic program that covers more
material in a shorter period of time than
do students in most public or private
schools. As a result your teachers will
assign homework on both weeknights
and weekends, and perhaps even over
school breaks. Teachers are guided by
the standard of 30-45 minutes of work
each night. How long homework will
take each student, however, varies with
the abilities, energies, and organizational
approaches that each student can apply
to this important and routine part of a
Sem education. Judicious use of time,
whether in the school day, after school,
and at night, is essential to be successful
in a curriculum as rigorous as Sem’s.
Students who find themselves not able
to keep up with the homework load
should discuss this with their advisors.
Sometimes a change in overall courseload, or a lessening of extra-curricular or
social commitments can be an effective
solution to academic overload.
Effort Grades
5 - Outstanding effort in and out of
class
4 - Well above average effort noted
3 - Satisfactory and appropriate
effort for this student in this class
2 - The teacher judges this student
to be working below ability
1 - An unsatisfactory effort in and out
of class
Are there study halls, and how does one get
assigned?
Wyoming Seminary teachers regularly grade their students on
homework and labs or through quizzes, tests, papers, projects
and class presentations. Sem students are therefore engaged in
academic work on a daily basis, hence the report that “I have
no homework” is a rare occurrence, especially given the value
of routinely reviewing class notes well in advance of upcoming
tests. The school therefore believes that students need to learn
how to organize their efforts for best advantage in keeping
up with their academic obligations. Non-class time during the
school day provides students with one important opportunity to
do so.
All new Sem students are assigned to study halls during their
free bells to give them the best possible start to their academic
careers. After the first report cards are issued at mid-term of
the first trimester students who have met specific GPA and
effort criteria will be granted study hall “relief” (a free bell
during all assigned study hall periods) for the remainder of that
marking period. Students may continue to earn, or to lose, this
privilege during all subsequent grading periods throughout their
Sem career.
Students will receive “relief” from study hall according to these
criteria:
•
•
For students in grades PG, 12 and 11: Attainment of a 2.0
GPA for the report period with no grades below CFor students in grades 10 and 9: Attainment of a 3.0 GPA
for the report period with no grades below C+
PLEASE NOTE: Study hall assignments are meant to
reward students in grades 9 and 10 who have earned
a 3.0 and help students in grades 11, 12, and PG who
are having trouble earning a 2.0, thus jeopardizing
their college prospects. Additionally, students may be
assigned to study hall by their advisor or their Class
Dean for reasons of poor academic effort or on-campus
behavior concerns, regardless of having met the above
criteria.
Students assigned to study hall must report to the
study hall proctor during that bell prior to leaving
for the library, nurse’s office or teacher conference.
They may not leave campus during this time without
permission from the Upper School Dean or their
Class Dean. Students may use the library during a
study hall ONLY with a library pass issued by one of
their classroom teachers. Students required to be in
supervised evening study hall may use the library for
10
one hour per evening with a note from one of their
classroom teachers.
When are grades reported?
Grades and/or comments will be available approximately 5
to 7 school days after the dates listed below. If you have not
received grades one week after the due date, please contact
the Academic Office.
Please note: Midterm grades are not official
recorded grades in any course. They are intended to
give students an accurate assessment of progress and
achievement at the approximate mid-point of the term.
End-of-term grades are likewise not official transcript
grades for year-length courses, although they are
important in calculating the end of the year final grade.
Fall Trimester
October 8, 2012
Midterm grades and comments due for all courses.
November 19, 2012 Final grades due and comments for grades of D+ or lower,
efforts of “2” or lower, or incompletes
Winter Trimester
January 14, 2013 Midterm grades due with comments for term courses, grades of
D+ or lower, efforts of “2” or lower, or incompletes
February 25, 2013 Final grades due and comments for grades of D+ or lower,
efforts of “2” or lower, or incompletes
Spring Trimester
April 15, 2013 Midterm grades and comments due for all courses.
May 28, 2013
Final grades for spring and the year, with comments for grades
of D+ or lower, efforts of “2” or lower, or incompletes.
Can students change their schedules during
the year?
Academic schedules may need to be changed during the
school year, and these changes may be initiated by a classroom
teacher, an advisor, the Class Dean, or the student. While such
changes are sometimes for elective reasons, most happen in
response to an inappropriate course or class placement.
All class or course changes must be processed through the
Class Dean for that student’s particular class (see page 14).
Can students make changes anytime?
Sem gives students a limited grace period to add or drop a
course according to the
following schedule:
Adding a full-year course
• Students may not add a full-year course later than:
September 14, 2012
Adding a trimester course
• Students may not add a fall term course later than:
September 7, 2012
• Students may not add a winter term course later than:
November 30, 2012
• Students may not add a spring term course later than:
March 15, 2013
Dropping year course
• Seniors may drop a full-year course without transcript
penalty until October 12, 2012, provided their total
program fulfills curriculum requirements.
• All other students may drop a full-year course without
transcript penalty until November 30, 2012, provided
their total program fulfills curriculum requirements.
Dropping a trimester course
• Drops without transcript penalty, for all students, may
be made no later than:
Fall term course October 16, 2012
Winter term course January 21, 2013
Spring term course April 22, 2013
11
within one week of mid-term deadlines.
What should students do when they need
academic help?
Students are encouraged to work through academic problems
with their classroom teacher who knows both the student and
the curriculum. All Sem teachers are expected to be available
for conferences with students during the school day and after
school in the bell 9 conference time. Many faculty members live
on campus and also give generously of their time during the
evenings and on weekends.
Sometimes students benefit from tutorial assistance. Qualified
teachers as well as peer tutors may be engaged once the need
is identified, and the school maintains lists of those available for
specific subject remediation. Faculty advisors and Class Deans
may be contacted to help assess the need and, if necessary,
make referrals.
Does Sem give final examinations?
Wyoming Seminary believes that final examinations are excellent
learning instruments that allow students an opportunity to
synthesize a significant body of work and to demonstrate
understanding, interpretation and application of the work.
Furthermore the taking of examinations is a necessary
preparation for doing well in similar examinations that will be
given in college. Exemptions for final examinations may only be
granted in upper level courses when students meet the criteria
set by the academic department for such exemptions. It is
imperative, therefore, that students prepare well for their exams
and make plans to be on campus during the exam periods.
All students are expected to take their exams on the dates and
times when scheduled for their particular classes. No students
will be expected to take more than two exams in one day. The
Academic Dean manages a process for rescheduling exams
when there are conflicts. Students who miss an exam will have
to make it up to prevent earning a grade of “0” for the exam
and possibly failing the course.
May students study abroad during their Sem
career?
Any requests for drops after the above listed dates require
consultation with the course teacher, the advisor, and the Class
Dean. Drops after the no-penalty period will be noted on the
student’s permanent transcript with a “W/P” for withdrew/
passing or a “W/F” for withdrew/failing.
While most students choose to follow Seminary’s curriculum
throughout their careers, students may occasionally choose
to enhance their education by studying abroad. This may take
place as part of a Seminary-sponsored travel opportunity during
the summer or trimester break, or in a longer (trimester or
year-length), in-residence experience in another country.
Please note: No course may be dropped within two
weeks of the first day of the examination period, or
Students who wish to pursue a course of study in a certified
educational institution in another country, and who expect to
Fall Exams
Tuesday, November 13
Math & English
Winter Exams
Friday, February 24
Trimester Course exams only
Monday, May 20
History & Language
Wednesday, November 14
Science & Language
Tuesday, May 21
Science & Math
Thursday, November 15
History & Language
Wednesday, May 22
Language & English
Friday, Nov. 16: History & Makeups
Thursday, May 23 Math & Makeups
receive credit leading to a Wyoming Seminary diploma, must
make their intentions known to the Dean of the Upper School
well in advance of enrolling in that program.
Must students have computers at Seminary?
While Seminary students are not required to own a computer,
they will be expected to be proficient in the use of computers
for word processing, internet research and presentation
software like PowerPoint. The school maintains one computer
lab as well as a number of computers in the library, Nesbitt
Hall, student center, and in each dormitory for students to use.
Many boarding students bring desktop or laptop machines for
their use, and most day students have access to computers
for the completion of assignments and for internet and
e-mail communication with the school community (For more
information on the use of computers at Seminary, please read
the acceptable use policy. See page 21).
What should the parent’s daily involvement
be?
Deciding when and how to get involved in your child’s dayto-day school life can be difficult. Although Sem’s teachers
and administrators respect each parent’s wish to make his/
her child’s school experience the best it can be, we encourage
parents to let their children take on more of the responsibility
for the academic, social and athletic aspects of their lives. We
believe most Sem parents adopted a common sense approach
when questions arose in elementary and middle school and will
agree that the following suggestions are equally reasonable,
particularly for parents of day students.
We suggest that parents do not:
• do their children’s homework for them;
• write or phone in excuses for student absences
significantly motivated by the desire to avoid or
12
Spring Exams
•
postpone a test;
call a coach about playing time.
We suggest that parents do:
• question a student who claims to have finished all
homework during free bells;
• help their student set up a regular work/study schedule,
away from TV, phone and “instant messaging;”
• initially, let their children work out academic or social
problems on their own;
• call their Class Dean or advisor if problems persist;
• e-mail teachers with important questions;
• call Ms. Elizabeth Frosini at (570) 270-2140 to volunteer
for Parents Association organizations or events (see
page 41 for more information about the Parents
Association).
Does Sem have a policy on academic
honesty?
Teaching and promoting academic honesty is a three-way
partnership among the school, the family, and the student. The
faculty of Wyoming Seminary believes that mutual trust is a
cornerstone of its program and that any violation of this trust is
a serious disciplinary matter. Parents are urged to support our
unalterable position on all matters of academic honesty.
Academic Dishonesty: refers to forms of cheating and
plagiarism which result in students giving or receiving
unauthorized assistance in an academic exercise or receiving
credit for work which is not their own.
Cheating: intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized
materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise.
The term “academic exercise” includes all forms of work
submitted for credit.
Facilitating Academic Dishonesty: intentionally or knowingly
helping or attempting to help another to violate academic
integrity.
Plagiarism: the deliberate adoption or reproduction of ideas,
data, language, or statements of another person as one’s own
without proper acknowledgement.
School and Honor Council Chair John Hornung in each case of
academic dishonesty. Although there are no automatic penalties
with respect to violations of academic integrity, students are to
understand that cheating in any form is considered a serious
breach of conduct and will be dealt with accordingly.
Faculty members are expected to involve the Dean of the Upper
Academic Honor Code
1. Rationale:
Wyoming Seminary is an academic community based on trust. Honesty in the execution and presentation of graded work is vital
for real learning and fair evaluation.
Cheating, facilitating cheating, or plagiarism impede learning and creativity, undermine meaningful and just grading, and subvert
trust between and among students and faculty.
Each faculty member has the responsibility to delineate clearly to students which assignments should be completed without
assistance and what citations are appropriate. Students are expected to sign an Honor Code Statement on specified tests, papers
and reports:
“I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this work.”
2. Each Student Agrees:
• I understand and will support and follow the Honor Code.
• I will not personally use unauthorized materials, and I will not participate with others in cheating.
• I will not facilitate cheating, and, if I become aware of violations of academic integrity, I understand that I have a
responsibility to the community and should at least say something to the student involved or discuss the situation with a
teacher or an Honor Code Council member.
3. The Honor Council:
An Upper School Honor Council of six students and two faculty elected by Government will help educate the community on the
value of the Code and its importance to Wyoming Seminary, on an ongoing basis. Violations of the Code will be brought to the
committee by the Chair of the Council in consultation with the Dean of Upper School, upon report of classroom teachers or
members of the Council. The Council will recommend to the Dean of Upper School appropriate action which could include warning,
censure, probation, suspension or dismissal (dismissal requires approval by the President).
13
Expectations
The Wyoming Seminary Upper School is a large
community consisting of students, faculty members,
staff and constituent families. As in any functional
community, an atmosphere of cooperation, respect
for self and for others and good judgement are
essential for healthy operation. It is expected
that students who choose to enroll at Wyoming
Seminary make a good faith commitment to
respectful, responsible and honest standards of
citizenship. Our students may be held accountable
for any actions that reflect negatively upon
Wyoming Seminary, regardless of time or place.
These behavioral expectations apply to all Sem
students unless otherwise stated. Sem students
and their families are expected to understand
and embrace the spirit as well as the letter of the
school’s standards of conduct.
Leadership of Student and Academic Affairs
Each class at Wyoming Seminary is governed and advised by a Class
Dean. These school leaders, in concert with the Dean of the Upper
School, will be responsible for managing academic affairs, programs
and issues associated with students in their designated grade. On
matters of student social and academic affairs, Sem’s parents and
students should view the Class Dean and the student’s faculty
The leadership of student and academic affairs for the 2012 - 2013 school year will be the following:
14
Class of 2013/PG Mrs. Catie Kersey
[email protected]
570-270-2114
Class of 2014
Class of 2015
Class of 2016
Mr. C.J. Kersey
Mr. C.J. Kersey
Mrs. Lisa Mozeleski
[email protected]
570-270-2103
[email protected]
570-270-2103
[email protected] 570-270-2171
Dean of the
Upper School
Mr. Jay Harvey
[email protected]
570-270-2175
advisor as their primary resource people.
in a recommendation to the president.
Disciplinary System
When behavioral transgressions occur, our school culture
expects that students will be fully cooperative and honest in
their responses. Anything less will escalate the seriousness of
the situation. When appearing before a Disciplinary Committee,
a student is obligated to provide a full and accurate report of
the event(s) in question. Failure to cooperate with fact-finding
efforts concerning his/her own personal behavior will result in
more serious discipline including the possibility of separation
from the school.
A member of the Wyoming Seminary community must
expect to be held accountable for his or her behavior. When
students do not live up to established expectations, one of the
administrators listed above will intervene. The Dean’s office
endeavors to deal with behavior reasonably and fairly. Our
students should grow to understand that although there are
times when we cannot support their behavior, we do care about
them as maturing members of this community.
Violations of school rules are dealt with on a case-by-case basis
with due regard for both specific circumstances and the welfare
of the entire school community. The model that Sem utilizes
in dealing with major rule violations is intended to serve as a
teaching tool as well as an accountability plan. Our approach
emphasizes consistency in process rather than in outcome. Thus,
although precedent serves as a guideline, it will not always be
our governing principle.
Disciplinary Boards
The Class Deans and the faculty, with the support of the Dean
of Upper School, have the responsibility for managing the
disciplinary system. A Wyoming Seminary student determined
to be in violation of a major school rule will be summoned to
appear before a Disciplinary Board. This committee consists of
Mr. Jay Harvey, Dean of the Upper School, the appropriate Class
Dean and two at-large faculty representatives, as well as two
student representatives. The director of residential life will attend
if a boarding student is involved. The student’s faculty advisor
will be asked to attend, serving as a resource for all involved.
The parents or guardian of the student involved have the option
of attending the meeting. A parent or guardian may request the
exclusion of student representation on the Disciplinary Board if
concerns exist regarding the sensitive nature of the issue being
addressed.
The Class Dean will personally direct, or delegate to others,
the responsibility for making a thorough review of the facts
surrounding any case(s) being brought before a Disciplinary
Board. From this fact-finding effort, the Class Dean will develop
a statement describing the specifics of the issue in question,
citing a specific violation(s) of school rules to share with the
Disciplinary Board members. A school representative will contact
the parent(s) or guardian of the student(s) involved and apprise
them of the situation prior to and following the Disciplinary
Board meeting.
A Disciplinary Board is not an adversarial, legalistic procedure,
but rather an educational, administrative process which results
15
Major School Rules
Infractions in the following areas, on the part of students
enrolled at Wyoming Seminary, are considered violations of
Major School Rules and may result in referral to a Disciplinary
Board:
1. any behavior that infringes upon the safety and well being
of another member of the school community. Harassment,
bullying, hazing and other forms of disrespect will not be
tolerated. Incidents of racial or sexual harassment are
considered violations of Major School Rules. This includes the
transmission of disrespectful text messages, e-mail messages,
photographs and postings on social network sites.
2. dishonesty in any form: for example any act of lying, deceit
or cheating, accessing computer files that are not your own,
unauthorized use of another person’s credit card, telephone
calling card, cell phone, forgery of any type (including improper
weekend sign-outs), fraudulent excuse notes, and use of false
identification cards are forms of dishonesty. Seminary students
are accountable to the Academic Honor Code printed on page
13 of this book.
3. the willful destruction or theft of personal or school property.
Students found to be in the possession of another person’s
property without permission or who are caught in the act
of stealing are in violation of Major School Rules. Vandalism
of any type is unacceptable and will be subject to high level
consequence.
4. the possession and/or use of any quantity of illegal drugs
(including synthetic drugs), drug paraphernalia or alcohol.
Being in the presence of illegal drugs or alcohol is a major
rule violation, as is the misuse of prescription or over-thecounter medication. Note: Any student misusing prescription
medication, will, in all likelihood, be separated from the school.
(Please review the Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Policies on page
16 and the Athletic Department’s Drug and Alcohol Policy that
Major School Rules cont.
was included in the summer registration mailing.)
5. the possession or use of knives, firearms or other dangerous
weapons. Additionally, the possession or use of fireworks of
any type is prohibited.
6. sexual impropriety or sexual harassment (see page 17).
7. being in an unauthorized area of the school such as locked
offices, opposite gender dorm rooms, or another student’s
dorm room without permission. Additionally, possession and/or
use of an unauthorized school key or access card or tampering
with a school lock is prohibited.
8. creating a fire hazard of any kind. As an example, smoking
in a dormitory or other school buildings is a fire hazard and
constitutes a major rule violation.
9. boarding student possession of a motor vehicle on
campus or in the greater Wilkes-Barre area without express
administrative permission.
10. unauthorized departure from the dormitory after curfew.
11. insubordinate or disrespectful behavior.
12. the accumulation of an unacceptable number of unexcused
absences from school obligations or of other less serious
violations.
13. behavior which discredits Wyoming Seminary.
A student who engages in a major rule violation while on
probation from an earlier offense, will, in all likelihood, be
separated from school.
Wyoming Seminary reserves the right to refer a student
to a Disciplinary Board for any other offense, or trend of
inappropriate behavior, regardless of his or her standing with
the disciplinary system, if the situation is deemed serious
enough by the leadership of the school. In addition, any
student whose influence is felt to be injurious to the school or
to fellow students may be required to withdraw.
16
Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Policies
Each Sem student and family is accountable to the school’s
Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco policy.
Alcohol
The possession, supply, or use of alcoholic beverages by any
students enrolled at Wyoming Seminary, whether on campus
or off, will jeopardize his/her continued enrollment. Students
must avoid or leave gatherings at which alcohol is present for
underage drinkers. The school reserves the right to administer
chemical tests, urinalysis or “breathalyzer” tests in dealing with
any student suspected of being under the influence of alcohol.
Illicit Drugs
The possession, supply, or use of any type of illegal drug
(including synthetic drugs), misuse of prescription medication or
other controlled substances by any student enrolled at Wyoming
Seminary, whether on campus or off, will jeopardize his/her
continued enrollment. Students are expected to avoid gatherings
where such prohibited substances are present. The school
reserves the right to administer blood tests, urinalysis or hair
follicle testing in dealing with any student suspected of being
under the influence of a prohibited or misused substance.
Any student found to be involved in any way with the sale,
supply or distribution of alcohol, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia
or prescription medication, will, in all likelihood, be separated
from the school.
The school reserves the right to require a professional
evaluation or assessment of any student, at the family’s
expense, if there is concern about involvement with drugs,
alcohol or tobacco.
Tobacco
With the strong evidence available that links the use of tobacco
products to poor health, the school strongly recommends that
students avoid using any type of tobacco product. Therefore,
the use of tobacco products while under school jurisdiction is
strictly prohibited. Any violation of this expectation will warrant
a response from the Dean of the Upper School. Possession of
tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco or paraphernalia
related to the use of tobacco products, is prohibited.
A Wyoming Seminary student who is in the presence of alcohol,
illicit drugs or tobacco products is in violation of school policy.
Seminary students who find themselves in such an “at-risk”
situation are expected to separate from it immediately. Failure
to do so will result in disciplinary action.
Harassment
Wyoming Seminary does not tolerate
harassment – physical or emotional,
verbal or visual. Harassment may include
not only direct suggestions or slurs, but
also offensive movements or gestures,
as well as drawings or pictures which
may be interpreted as suggestive or
demeaning. This includes posting these
messages on social network sites or
texting them.
Students, parents, faculty or employees
who are concerned about, wish to bring
charges concerning, or need to deal with
possible harassment may follow any of
three routes:
1. conference with the Dean of
the Upper or Lower School, the
Director of Residential Life (at
the Upper School), the Academic
Dean, the Business Manager, the
Director of Physical Plant or the
President;
2. seek the guidance of one or more
of Seminary’s school counselors,
Mr. Jim Kersey or Mrs. Denny
Barber;
3. conference with any of the
following faculty: Rev. Charles
Carrick, Ms. Jill Stretanski, or Mr.
Dan Krueger.
Sexual harassment may be considered a
major rule violation dealt with through
the school’s published disciplinary
protocol.
Discretion and Sensitivity
Students are expected to behave in a
manner which exhibits respect for others.
The school will not tolerate the use of foul
language in public. Students are expected
to show restraint and good manners in
their relationship with other students. For
example, students should refrain from
public displays of affection throughout
campus because this can make others
feel uncomfortable and usurp community
spaces.
17
Dean’s Meeting
In cases where a student is in violation
of a rule other than those considered to
be major rules, a Dean’s Meeting may be
convened. A Dean’s Meeting will include
Mr. Jay Harvey, the Dean of the Upper
School, the appropriate Class Dean, the
student in question and his/her advisor.
The purpose of this session would be
to address an incident of non-major
disciplinary significance and determine a
response plan. The student would receive
a formal letter clarifying expectations,
a copy of which would be forwarded to
the parent or guardian. Subsequent or
repeated actions that warrant a Dean’s
Meeting may be referred to a Disciplinary
Board. The following points represent
examples of non-major violations:
1. Absenteeism
2. Possession of a tobacco product
3. Failure to serve an assigned “bell”
(detention)
4. Repeated minor infractions
Wyoming Seminary reserves the right to
refer a minor violation of a major rule to
a Dean’s Meeting, rather than convene a
Disciplinary Board.
School Attendance
School attendance is a priority. The
school expects students to attend classes
and expects parents of day students to
notify the school when a student will be
absent. The Class Dean, leading the grade
of the student in question, can facilitate
gathering assignments once it is clear
that the family and the school approve
the absence.
For every absence, parents are
encouraged to call the appropriate Class
Dean on the morning of the absence.
If there is no phone call, students
must, upon return to school, present
a written excuse from a parent or
guardian. This documentation should be
presented to his/her Class Dean or the
office’s assistant, Mrs. Sherry Cassetori,
at the beginning of the school day.
Documentation excusing an absence
should be presented to a class dean, or a
representative of the Dean’s Office within
24-hours of the date of return or the
absence will be designated as unexcused.
A student knowing in advance of an
absence (a family occasion, college visit,
etc.) should complete a request form
(“Green Sheet”) which may be obtained
from the appropriate Class Dean. In order
for approval to be given, signatures from
teachers whose classes will be missed
and that of his/her Class Dean are
required. This indicates that the teacher
and student have discussed all academic
requirements and that the necessary
contingency plans have been established.
This form must be returned to the Class
Dean’s office before the absence. Failure
to complete and return the sheet prior to
the absence may result in the assignment
of a consequence from the Dean.
In the event of illness or injury, boarding
students are expected to report to the
nurse’s office by 8:00 a.m. A residential
student who is unable to report to the
nurse’s office on his/her own, should call
the nurse’s office, 570-270-2180, before
the start of bell 1 or e-mail the nurse,
[email protected].
Students should also be aware the nurse
will respond to all e-mail and voicemail
messages within 30 minutes. If a student
does not get a response from the school
nurse in 30 minutes or less, they must
contact their class dean to report illness
or injury.
Any student determined to be cutting a
scheduled class, study hall, assembly or
other school obligation will be penalized
according to our published disciplinary
code. If a student cuts a class repeatedly,
the parents will be notified and may be
required to participate in a conference.
Repeated infractions of attendance
policies may result in suspension and/ or
the loss of academic credit.
absent creates significant additional work
for our faculty.
Students must attend at least
the second half of the class
day (bell 5 to Bell 8) on the day
of an extracurricular contest
or performance in order to be
eligible for participation in that
event. Exceptions to this can
only be granted by the school
administration.
Excused and unexcused absences totaling
eight or more for a trimester or twenty
for a year may result in a conference with
parents and a possible reduction in grade.
Any student arriving late for school
should report immediately to his/her
Class Dean’s office to explain his/her
tardiness and to get an entrance slip for
class. Unexcused or repeated lateness
will result in disciplinary action. Students
leaving campus during the school day are
required to sign out in their Dean’s office
prior to departure. Detention may be
assigned to any student leaving without
permission.
It is critical that boarders make travel
arrangements for vacations or long
weekends in accordance with the school
calendar. (Please review dates on page
27). Early departures and late returns
must be the exception, and these
must be discussed with the Director of
Residential Life and the appropriate Class
Dean as far in advance as possible.
Please Note: The administration
is reviewing the procedures it uses
to account for and respond to
unexcused absences throughout
the year. Specifics will be outlined
in an e-mail sent to all parents and
students before school opens in
August.
Excessive Absence Policy
Class attendance is an important
component of the academic program at
Wyoming Seminary. Students who are
absent frequently are deprived of the
benefit of instruction and class discussion.
Assisting students who are frequently
18
Excused and unexcused absences totaling
12 or more for a trimester or 30 for
a year may result in the assignment
of a failing grade or loss of credit for
the course. The Dean of the Upper
School and appropriate Class Dean will
consider and process individual situations
where extenuating circumstances have
contributed to or caused the absences.
Protocol For Students
Returning To School
If a student is absent from school for
more than a few days as a result of
emotional or medical concerns, he or she
is expected to comply with the following
guidelines and procedures prior to
returning to school.
•
•
If the departure was for medical
reasons, the attending physician
must contact the school nurse
with follow-up instructions and
clearance.
If the departure was for emotional
reasons, the school will require
clearance from the attending
counselor or physician. The
counselor or physician must
contact one of the school’s
counselors to arrange a program
of continued care and to discuss
any ongoing concerns.
The school counselors, in consultation
with the Dean and the Class Dean,
will determine when the conditions of
continued enrollment have been met, and
only then will the student in question be
allowed to return to school.
Procedure When A Teacher
Is Absent Or Late To Class
A representative of the Dean’s office
will make every effort to notify students
that a teacher is absent or will be late
to class. However, students must wait
a reasonable time for the arrival of the
teacher. Students must not assume that
the teacher is not going to arrive. If the
teacher has not arrived after ten minutes,
students should report to the Dean of
Upper School’s office for instruction.
Monitoring Weekend
Activities – Parties
Parties sometimes take place in homes
where parents are away, either for the
weekend or just for the evening. Often
the teenager invites “a few friends” to
the house for what may be an innocent
get-together. Unfortunately, the student
grapevine is very effective, and word
spreads quickly that parents are away.
The “host” may then encounter as many
as 40-50 teenagers at the door, many of
whom he/she does not know. This poses
a difficult choice for the host, who may
not be able to turn the others away.
We have been extremely fortunate not to
have had any serious injuries or fatalities
in the aftermath of these parties. We
have heard of students driving while
under the influence of alcohol or riding
with drivers who were, and we want to
do everything we can to prevent a tragic
situation.
•
•
•
As much as we wish we could
prevent these parties from
occurring, it is probably unrealistic
to count on that. Nonetheless,
here are some suggestions we
want to make in the hope of
deterring these activities.
Have a straightforward
conversation with your teenager,
sharing your expectations about
attendance or behavior at parties.
Pose some situations they might
face and help them rehearse ways
to say “no.”
•
•
•
If you plan to be away, have a
responsible adult stay at your
home or, if your youngster is
staying elsewhere, ask him/her
for the house key. Don’t put your
student in a difficult situation by
allowing access to a vacant home.
Consider a “no guests” policy
when you aren’t home.
Notify the police that you won’t be
home and ask them to check the
house periodically.
We understand that these suggestions
seem overzealous for kids who have been
trustworthy; however, many parties have
occurred in homes of reliable youngsters
who were pressured into making poor
choices.
Wyoming Seminary takes an aggressive
stance with regard to parties, and we
will notify parents whenever we learn of
possible occurrences. In some cases, our
information will be inaccurate and we
apologize in advance for calls which may
be unwarranted. It is our hope, however,
that the benefit which will come from
our continued efforts to communicate
with parents will outweigh the occasional
“false alarm.”
Ultimately, hosting gatherings involving
Wyoming Seminary students, at which
alcohol is served or illegal drugs are
being used, is a Major Rule violation.
Such circumstances will, in all likelihood,
result in referral of the host and guests to
Disciplinary Board proceedings.
Snow Day Procedure
In the event of a delayed start or
cancellation, students and parents may
rely on three “in-house” methods of
notification: (1.) by checking Sem’s Web
site at www.wyomingseminary.org where
they will see school delay information
on the home page, (2.) by calling the
main school telephone number (570)
270-2100 and listening to a recorded
19
message and (3.) by signing up for text
alerts on Sem’s Web site as well. School
delay information should be announced
on local radio and television stations
no later than 7:00 a.m. (and often by
6:30 a.m.), but the Web site should be
considered the earliest and most reliable
source of information.
In the event of a delay, classes will begin
at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., or on occasion
11:00 a.m. (The daily Bell schedule will
be listed on the Web site.) Given the
challenges posed by inclement weather
conditions, students are permitted to
dress in a manner appropriate for the
weather. Regardless of the weather, a
student’s dress should be seasonably
appropriate, suitable for school and in
good taste.
On a day when school has been
cancelled, boarding students are not
permitted to ride in non-school vehicles
without permission from a Class Dean or
the Dean of the Upper School.
If inclement weather develops during
the day, a schedule change and new bus
departure times will be announced to the
students, posted on the school Web site
and sent out as a text message. Students
who will be departing early by bus must
sign out in their Class Dean’s office. No
other day student may leave campus
without signing out and confirming that a
parent has contacted his/her Class Dean
or administrative assistant. The school is
responsible for students during the day
and must be kept informed.
Notification of delays and closings will be
conveyed contingent upon the Dean of
Upper School’s decision. If a majority of
businesses and offices in the Wyoming
Valley are functioning, then we will be
open either at the regular time or with
a delay. Weather conditions can vary
widely, even wildly, within 25 miles of
the campus, and parents must make a
personal decision about safety based
upon their own local conditions.
On days when the majority of local
school districts are closed, but Wyoming
Seminary is open, teachers will be
sensitive in terms of testing and teaching
new material. No day student will suffer
academic penalty for missing class due
to weather conditions as long as parents
have notified the Dean’s office of the
absence.
Because Lower School students are far
more dependent on local public school
bus transportation, there may be times
when the Lower School will be closed
while the Upper School remains open.
Vacations
The dates for all vacations are listed in
this handbook (see pages 4 and 27).
Students and parents should make
arrangements accordingly. Requests for
extensions of vacations must be made in
advance through the Class Dean’s office.
Such requests must be the exception
to the rule. A representative of the
Class Dean’s office, or the appropriate
Class Dean, will make a “Green Sheet”
(application for early dismissal/late
return) available to a student who will
be responsible for work covered during
extended vacations.
College Visitations during
the Academic Year
Any student visiting a college and missing
an academic day must get a “Green
Sheet” from his/her Class Dean. Students
are responsible for all work missed during
the course of their absence. Day students
will need a written note from parents.
Boarders will need to sign out in their
Class Dean’s office as well as with the
Director of Residential Life in the case
of an overnight trip. In the event that a
student does not get a card or a “Green
Sheet,” the absence will be considered
unexcused.
Absence List / Daily Bulletin
Each student is expected to check either the bulletin board
in the front of Sprague Hall or the bulletin board in the Class
Deans’ office daily. Of particular importance are the Daily
Bulletin, the absence list and the detention list. The Daily Bulletin
includes the daily schedule and important announcements; it is
available on Sem’s Web site
(www.wyomingseminary.org/knight_and_day) by 4:00 p.m.
of the previous day. The absence list includes the names of
students who must check with their Class Dean for various
reasons: class absence, notes for absences, etc. (Students must
clear their name from the absence list through a conversation
with their Class Dean within 24 hours of publication, or they
will be assigned to an afternoon detention.) The detention
list includes the names of students who have been assigned
to detention and are expected to sit for detention on the
afternoon of publication.
Standard of Dress
Wyoming Seminary students are expected to uphold a standard
of dress that we can all be proud of. As a college preparatory
school, Wyoming Seminary prepares students for college and
for life. Neatness in dress conveys a professional attitude,
self-respect and a seriousness towards academics and other
aspects of school life. Our standard of dress is symbolic of
what the school represents and is therefore an integral part of
a Wyoming Seminary education. It is in effect throughout the
entire school year and in all school buildings and on campus
(except in dormitories).
Our standard of dress allows for a degree of individual
expression, but the “spirit” of our expectation requires all
students to be dressed in a neat, clean, untorn, unpatched and
non-provocative clothing. The following points provide further
clarification:
Please note: Once each month, a certain day is
designated as a “Dress-Up Day.” Usually falling on
special occasions, dress-up days call for more formal
attire than our published standard of dress. Males are
required to wear jackets and ties, dress slacks and
dress shoes; females must wear skirts or dresses and
dress shoes. See page 4 for a complete schedule of
Dress-Up Days.
Enforcement of Standard of Dress
Faculty members are empowered to warn or assign an
appropriate punishment to students who are not in compliance
with our expected standard of dress. Warnings are kept on
record with the appropriate Class Dean, as well as the Dean of
the Upper School, who will respond in an appropriate manner.
Body Piercing and Tattoos
Wyoming Seminary recognizes that body piercing and tattoos
have taken on many forms in today’s society; however, earrings
are the only visible “pierced” jewelry permitted during the
academic day or at school functions. Unobtrusive “nose studs”
may be permitted at the discretion of the Upper School Dean.
The school reserves the right to ask that tattoos be covered up.
Dress Code
•
•
•
Males must always wear a shirt with a
collar unless wearing a crew neck sweater
or v-neck sweater with a t-shirt on
underneath. Shirts should be tucked in
during the school day.
Female tops may include a dressy blouse, a
polo type shirt, or a knit sweater. T-shirts
are not permitted; however, jewel-necked,
knit shirts may be worn. Dressy tank tops
or tank-style dresses are permitted but
they must be in good taste and will likely
require a sweater to cover the top if the
straps are less than an inch or two in
width. Strapless or open-back dresses are
prohibited.
Dresses and skirts must be of modest
length; they should not be shorter than
three to four inches above the knee. Also,
skirts should be of modest fit; form-fitting
‘tube’ skirts are prohibited.
20
•
All boys’ slacks must be full length and
hemmed; slacks may not be frayed or cutoff.
•
•
Girls’ slacks must be of modest fit and
should be of a style that is considered
dress. Leggings, ‘Jeggings’, etc. are not
permitted to substitute as dress slacks.
If worn these must be covered by an
appropriate length skirt or dress.
Sandals may be worn, but they must be
leather and not rubber or plastic beach
or shower-type sandals. Sneakers or
sneaker-type footwear is prohibited.
•
Males may wear neatly trimmed facial hair;
long hair for all students should be kept so
that it does not fall in one’s face.
•
Hats may not be worn indoors (except
dormitories) at any time during the school
day.
•
Hair colors or highlights other than natural
tones are not permitted.
•
Clothes that either expose undergarments
or are worn such that they expose
undergarments are prohibited.
•
Jeans of any color are not permitted.
•
During the months of September and May,
both girls and boys may wear Bermuda or
khaki-style shorts to school providing these
shorts come to the top of the knee.
•
Hooded sweatshirts are not permitted.
Please Note: The administration is reviewing the
procedures it uses to account for and respond to dress
code violations throughout the year. Specifics will be
outlined in an e-mail sent to all parents and students
before school opens in August.
Computer Policy
There are school computers in many locations at Wyoming
Seminary. Acceptable usage rules apply to all of them.
Hardware and software must not be moved, modified, copied or
removed in any manner. Nothing may be added to or deleted
from the hard drives or the equipment itself. Food and drink are
not permitted while using Seminary-owned computers. Those
with academic needs take precedence (on a first-come, firstserved basis) over other users.
Good network etiquette is expected, on the Internet and
in e-mail communication. Users should be polite and use
appropriate language. One should not reveal anyone’s personal
address or phone number as this could be considered an
invasion of privacy. Message boards, chat rooms, UseNet
groups should only be participated in with mature and sensitive
judgment. Old e-mail messages should be removed in a timely
fashion.
Wyoming Seminary has a strict policy forbidding the use of
any type of file-sharing software that allows free downloads
of copyrighted material. Examples include KaZaa, KaZaaLite, Limewire, BiTTorrent, Edonkey, Emule, and many others.
These programs must all be removed from students’ personal
computers before they will be allowed access to the Wyoming
Seminary data network. Programs such as iTunes, which require
payment for downloads, are allowed.
The Wyoming Seminary network is the property of Wyoming
Seminary and, as such, access to it requires an account issued
by the school. The school expects all parents and students
to have read and understood the Acceptable Use Policy as
outlined in this handbook. Use of the network at Sem is a
privilege, and users who violate our Acceptable Use Policy
will be subject to school discipline, and their accounts will be
subject to suspension or termination. Terminated accounts will
lose all network access rights including electronic mail.
Wyoming Seminary’s network administrator has the ability to
monitor the use of all computers that are connected to the
school’s network. The school reserves the right to oversee and
Click here to access the
Network Acceptable Use Policy
21
evaluate how and when students are utilizing both electronic
mail and Internet resources at their disposal.
Wyoming Seminary does not guarantee that information on
the Internet is accurate, nor can it guarantee to totally filter
or block access to inappropriate material. Wyoming Seminary
cannot guarantee the performance of any software downloaded
from the network, assumes no liability for charges incurred by a
user on the Internet, cannot be responsible for any damages or
charges incurred by users of the Internet, and cannot guarantee
at any and all times total access to the Internet.
Transportation information for day students
Pennsylvania Act 372 requires that each school district in
the state provide transportation facilities to non-public school
students living more than two miles but less than 10 miles from
the non-public school they are attending. Each district is given
flexibility as to how it implements the act.
It is advisable that you contact the people below for further details in
your district.
Berwick Area
Mountain Transit Co. Inc
142 Outlet Rd.
Dallas
Mr. John Young
675-7160
Crestwood Area
281 S. Mountain Blvd.
Mountain Top
Ms. Anne Jone
474-6782
Ext. 322
Dallas Area
Box 2000,
Conyngham Ave.
Dallas
H. S. Main Office
675-5201
then press 1
Hanover Area
1600 San Souci Pkwy.
Wilkes-Barre
Ms. Debbie Jones
831-2303
Lake Lehman Area
Market Street
Lehman
Ms. Sandy
Dobrowolski
675-2165 then
press 7, Ext.
2719
Nanticoke Area
600 East Union St.
Nanticoke, PA 18634
Ms. Janet Yezefski
Northwest Area
R.D. 2, Box 2271
Shickshinny
Ms. Lori Nafus
542-4126
Ext. 5005
Pittston Area
5 Stout Street
Yatesville
Mr. Dan Mancini
655-4105
Pocono Area
Elegance Limousine
221 Beade St.
Plymouth
Mr. Paul Smith
821-1740
735-5066
Excolo
Transportation Contacts cont.
Scranton/Clarks Summit
Bee’s Bus
Mr. Ed Burke Jr.
2378 Cherry Hill Road
Clarks Summit
587-2683
Wilkes-Barre Area
730 South Main Street
Wilkes-Barre
Ms. Linda Dane
Mrs. Diane Albrecht
826-7188
826-7116
Wyoming Area*
Memorial Street
Exeter
Mr. Angelo Falzone
655-3733
Ext. 2346
Wyoming Valley West
450 North Maple Avenue
Kingston
Mr. Frank DeSanto
288-6551
then press “8”
Motor Vehicles
Boarding girls and boys may ride in cars driven by day
students, friends or drivers other than Wyoming Seminary
faculty only with parental permission and when authorized by a
representative of the school administration (boarders, see page
26).
Day students must register their vehicles with Mrs. Cassetori in
the Academic Office if they intend to drive to school. Parking
for students is in the Buckingham Performing Arts Center lot,
in the non-reserved spaces of the Carpenter Hall lot and in
available parking spaces on Sprague Avenue, Market Street and
Maple Avenue. No student parking is permitted in the Church of
Christ Uniting parking lot. If cars are not registered, they may be
towed away at owner’s expense, or detention may be assigned
to students driving unregistered vehicles. Day students may not
use cars from the time their school day begins until the time
of their dismissal without the express permission of a dean.
“Hanging out” in the BPAC parking lot during the school day is
not permitted.
Cellular Phones, iPods and Portable Stereos
The policy for boarding students’ cell phones is on page 29.
Students are encouraged to have their cell phones with them
while at school, but must have them set to “vibrate” during the
school day. Students may only use cell phones during their free
time; not during classes, assemblies, practices, etc.
Students may not use or wear headphones, iPods or other
portable music players during the academic day other than in
study hall, the library or free time outside of class. The volume
must be kept low so that no one else can hear it.
End-of-Year Obligations
The student and his family must meet all financial obligations
to the school – including library fines – before final grades or
transcripts are released. All seniors and postgraduates are
expected to fulfill their attendance obligations by taking part in
the Baccalaureate and Commencement exercises.
22
Excolo is a program which combines community service and
activities requirements. The program is designed to help in
the development of the whole person through these out-ofclassroom activities. Each student must complete a certain
number of hours in community service. Specific requirements
are outlined in the Excolo brochure.
Fire Safety
Each building on the campus is equipped with a fire alarm
system that is connected directly to the local fire company. The
instructions for activating these alarms are on the individual
alarm boxes. Evacuation instructions are posted in buildings.
More specific instructions will be provided at the beginning
of the school year. For safety reasons, the school considers
tampering with fire extinguishers or alarm boxes a serious
matter. Firm disciplinary action and possible monetary fines will
be imposed for violations of the above.
Fireworks
The possession or use of any form of fireworks, firearms,
smokebombs, or explosives by any student while under school
supervision is strictly forbidden and can lead to serious
disciplinary action.
Lost or Stolen Articles
Any articles that are lost or missing need to be reported to the
appropriate Class Dean as soon as possible.
School Swimming Pool Use
Students must not use the swimming pool without the
supervision of a qualified person designated by the school.
Under no condition should anyone swim alone in the pool.
Student Records
The school has a written policy regarding access to student
records and procedures for challenging entries in a student’s
permanent record. This policy is available from the Registrar’s
Office. Student records may be examined by arrangement with
the Dean of the Upper School.
Campus Lock Down Protocol
In the event that an emergency develops warranting a campus
“lock down,” the Dean of the Upper School, or his designee,
will initiate the transmission of a voice message to all Wyoming
Seminary school office and classroom landlines and to all
Sem student and adult cell phones registered with our system,
announcing the initiation of a lock down. Once students and
adults on campus have been notified of the lock down a
subsequent message will be transmitted to Seminary parents.
Step-by-step lock down instructions are posted in each
classroom and office and will be explained to students at the
start of the school year.
Residential Life
The boarding department consists of faculty
families and students living in close proximity to
one another. As with the broader school community,
courtesy, respect for rights, and pleasantness are
essential for a positive operation. The goal of the
boarding department is to create an atmosphere in
which students can grow academically and socially
within a supportive structure.
Although individual living units operate with
different styles and with some minor variations, the
information and regulations that follow apply to all
boarding students except where otherwise indicated.
Boarding students should be aware that they are
under the school’s jurisdiction at all times during
the school year except when signed out with their
parents’ permission to visit another student, family
member or friend. However, boarding students need
to keep in mind that they are representatives of the
school at all times.
What to Bring
Each student is furnished with a single bed and mattress, student
desk with a bookshelf, a desk chair, a chest of drawers, and a
mirror. Dorms have common bathroom and shower facilities.
Students furnish their own washcloths and bath towels, sheets and
pillowcases, mattress pads or covers, blankets, bedspreads, and
wastebaskets.
We encourage all residential students to brighten their rooms in an
acceptable manner according to their own tastes. Curtains (with
tension rods), throw rugs, bean bag or director’s chairs, plants,
pictures and posters are all items which make rooms cheerful
and comfortable. Windows are of varying sizes; students should
23
bring expandable curtain rods. In Darte,
Fleck and Swetland Halls, window sizes
range from 24” x 60” to 38” x 68”. In
Carpenter Hall, the standard size is 44”
x 57”. Adjustable window screens are
recommended and window fans are
permitted except in cold weather. Pictures
and posters should be hung with special
materials which do not damage paint;
nails, thumbtacks and Scotch tape are
not permitted.
Students should bring their own study
lamps or a bedside table with lamp.
Students may also bring radios, stereos/
CD players and their components. A
storage area is provided for bicycles. A
small “lock box” has been placed in each
room for personal items of value such
as wallets, jewelry and laptop computers.
Students are required to bring a padlock
to secure the lock box.
Please Note: Students are advised
to consult with their parents’
insurance agents to determine
whether or not their personal
property is covered by homeowner
or other family policies. Wyoming
Seminary is not responsible for
personal effects in dormitories
and has no insurance for theft or
loss of students‘ property. Personal
property insurance is available
through the Business Office at
(570) 270-2130.
What NOT to Bring:
Boarding students are encouraged
to have personal computers (as well
as printers, if desired) in their dorm
rooms. Data ports with Internet access
are in each room and all dormitories
are now wireless. The school computer
instructional format is Macintosh and
most of the computers available in
classrooms are Macs, but students can
certainly use Windows equipment in the
library and in dormitories. A detailed
letter addressing technical aspects of
computer use in dorms, guidelines for
purchasing a computer, e-mail accounts
and network hours is mailed to parents in
the summer and is available online.
Students are NOT permitted to have
television sets, refrigerators or electrical
appliances such as air conditioners, sun
lamps, halogen lamps, electric blankets,
room heaters, popcorn poppers, hot
pots or hot plates. Animals and pets
of any kind, including fish, are NOT
permitted in dorm rooms. Irons, provided
by the school, are to be used ONLY in
designated places. Violations of these
regulations result in confiscation of the
banned item. Violations are also cause
for disciplinary actions and possible
monetary fines. Containers which contain
or once contained alcoholic beverages,
tobacco or drugs are expressly prohibited.
Posters which depict or glamorize alcohol,
drugs, or tobacco products or which are
considered sexually inappropriate are
forbidden.
Parents and students should be aware:
Fire Safety
•
•
24
possession of a personal computer
would certainly be an advantage
to any boarding student.
that some courses require typed
or word-processed essays.
that some courses require
certain work to be submitted
electronically. Computers, both
Mac and Windows, are available in
the library and computer rooms,
and there are a limited number
in public areas of the dorms, but
Wyoming Seminary takes careful
precautions to reduce the chances of
fire. Student cooperation with these
precautions is both important and
expected. Specifically, many of the items
listed above in the “What Not To Bring”
section are prohibited for fire safety
reasons. Absolutely no combustible
materials or open flames are permitted
in dormitory rooms, hallways or any other
portion of buildings in which students are
housed – this includes candles, incense,
matches, etc. Also, strong disciplinary
action will be taken for unauthorized use
of fire alarms or extinguishers. Special
instructions for students for fire drills
will be given at the beginning of school.
General guidelines are listed below.
At the sound of the alarm, all students
will dress in coat or bathrobe and shoes
or slippers, carry a towel, close all
windows, and close but not lock the door.
Proceed to the exit designated for their
area. Wait in designated meeting area
for attendance check and for further
instructions.
Cooperation and attention to these
instructions is important and could save
lives.
Medical Procedures
Mrs. Beth Blaum is our school nurse;
Ms. Maria Coons is the associate nurse.
The health services suite is located on
the first floor of Darte Hall near Nelson
Bell Tower. Office hours are 7:45 a.m.
until 4:00 p.m. every school day; Mrs.
Blaum will be in the office evenings and
weekends as needed. Mrs. Blaum (or
Ms. Coons) is available at all times by
cell phone. Boarding students should
contact the faculty member on duty if
they need to see the nurse after regular
office hours. A school doctor has office
hours on campus. Information on medical
procedure as it pertains to the doctor will
be available from the nurse’s office as
school opens.
The following procedures should be
followed in reporting illness or injury:
•
boarding students should report
to Health Services between 7:45
and 8:00 a.m. if they feel ill in the
morning.
Excuses from class for reasons of
ill health may be granted only by
the nurse. In most instances, ill students
excused by the nurse will be required to
stay in the Health Services suite during
the school day to be treated by the nurse.
Meals will be brought to the students. If
the boarding student is absent Bells 6, 7
and 8, the nurse may require that student
to remain in his/her dorm room for the
remainder of the day and evening. In such
cases, she will arrange for dinner to be
brought to the student’s room.
Boarding students who are injured in
athletic contests or practices must report
injuries to the coach and the dorm leader
upon return to the dorm.
Students who are ill or injured
on or adjacent to campus should
report to the nurse before going to
a doctor. If the nurse is not on duty, the
student must report to the dorm leader
or other dorm faculty, the Dean’s office
or (on weekends) to the staff duty person
before going to a doctor. Students may
go to any doctor of their parents’ choice
for treatment. However, the school is not
responsible for the treatment of those
students who go to a doctor other than
the school’s doctor. Students going to
another doctor should make certain
that the doctor has permission from the
parents before beginning treatment. We
ask that the doctor inform our nurse of
treatment and condition of the student.
Students who have prescription medicine
issued to them MUST report this to the
nurse and arrange a schedule with her to
take the dosage.
Evening Study Hall
All boarding students will study each
evening Sunday through Thursday from
8:00 until 10:00 p.m. Assignments and
supplies should be assembled before 8:00
p.m. For the convenience of the faculty on
duty, room doors will remain open during
study hours.
Students who wish to study or confer
25
with other students or faculty during
study hours should do so only with
permission of the faculty on duty. This
permission will be granted during the
period from 9:00 until 10:00 p.m. ONLY.
The library will be open on Monday
through Thursday evenings from 7:30
until 9:30 p.m. Students need a note from
the person on duty in the dorm. After
8:00 p.m. students that choose to go
to library before 8:00 p.m. will need to
check in with the librarian on duty and
check back in with the form faculty on
duty when they sign out of the library.
Studying between 7:30 and 9:00 p.m.
must be individual and should require the
use of library resources. From 9:00 - 9:30
p.m. students studying for the same test
or project may share resources quietly.
Sem’s evening study hall is intended to
be a quiet work session where students
are on task. Whether in the dormitory or
the Kirby Library, students are expected
to remain engaged in academic pursuits
and avoid behavior that will distract
themselves or those around them.
Students are not to be excused from
evening study hall except by the nurse,
the Dean of Upper School, the Director
of Residential Life, a Class Dean or the
dorm leader. If excused by the nurse, the
student must report this to the dorm
leader.
Students who indicate by their behavior
that they cannot handle the responsibility
of studying in their rooms will be placed
in supervised study and/or given some
form of dorm discipline that will be
discussed in detail in dorm meetings.
Students must put personal cell phones
on “vibrate” during evening study hall.
Families may call dorm heads in the event
of an emergency (see page 42).
Special Events During
Evening Study Hall
In order to maintain an academic priority
in view of the large number of evening
sports events and other activities during
the week, the following policy is in effect
during the winter term. Students are
advised to check calendars early in the
week so that they may choose their
events for that week. Students must
sign out with the person on duty in their
dormitories.
•
•
•
boarding students on the Dean’s
List may attend two evening
school functions per week.
Afternoon study hall attendance is
not required.
boarding students not on the
Dean’s List and not on the
D and F list may attend one
evening school function per week.
Afternoon study hall attendance is
not required.
D and F list boarding students may
not attend evening events.
Evening Free Time
The time between dinner and 8:00 p.m.
is free time. The Wallis Room is open for
coed visiting during this period. During
the period from 10:00 until 10:30 p.m.,
freshmen and sophomores are permitted
out of their dorms to go to the Levi
Lounge and Coffee House only. Lounge
areas within each dorm are open for use.
An exception to this rule will occur on
nights when the gym and pool are open.
It is a junior/senior/postgraduate
privilege to visit in the dorm lounge
other than their own that is open on a
designated night during the period 10:00
- 10:30 p.m. Boarding students may
not ride in cars during this period.
Boarding student may NOT leave campus
during this period and are expected to
remain on campus for the remainder of
the evening after 8:00 p.m.
Dorm lounges are open after study hall
on the evenings indicated:
•
•
•
•
Swetland’s Wallis Room – The
Wallis Room is open at certain
times. A schedule will be posted at
the beginning of the year.
Carpenter’s Basement Lounge –
The Carpenter Basement s open
at certain times. A schedule will
be posted at the beginning of the
year.
Darte Lounge – open to Darte
residents only
The Levi Lounge - The Basement
of Carpenter – a student-run
snack bar is open many evenings
after study, as announced at
dinner.
It is important that everyone adheres
to the visitation schedule outlined here.
While it may be fun to be with students
from the other dorms, some of the
people in your dorm may occasionally
want a little more privacy.
Check-in time in all dorms for all students
will be promptly at 10:30 p.m. Sunday
through Thursday evenings. Lights out for
all dorms for all students will be at 11:00
Room Condition
Boarding students are expected to keep
their rooms neat and clean. Furniture is
not to be removed from the dorm rooms
in which it is originally placed. Beds are
not to be modified in any way – removal
of ends, placing springs/mattresses on
the floor, etc. Special tape or molding
brackets are the only means by
which wall hangings or posters may
be mounted.
above, and charges will be made for
damages. Damages to common areas
will be assessed to all residents of the
living unit unless someone assumes
responsibility.
Each dorm leader will hand out a room
condition report to each boarder as
the school year begins. Each student
should take the time to see that these
reports are complete and accurate before
returning them to the dorm leader. If, for
any reason, a student should change his
or her room during the school year, he or
she must be sure to fill out another room
condition sheet and return it to either
their dorm head or a representative of
the Dean of Upper School’s office.
Room Search Statement
The dormitory rooms are the property
of Wyoming Seminary and are loaned
to the students to use for the school
year. Wyoming Seminary reserves the
right to search rooms for condition and
for the presence of any inappropriate
materials as school officials see fit. The
room may be searched without the
student present. The school also reserves
the right to engage the Kingston Police
Department to assist in room searches
when warranted.
Room Safety Tips for
Boarders
•
•
Dorm rooms will be inspected frequently
by dorm leaders and resident faculty.
Students are expected to keep rooms
clean, neat and orderly at all times.
Beds are to be made and clothes put
away. Desks are to be kept in good
order. Rooms are to be swept and trash
(including wastebasket) emptied in
hallway containers. Dorm consequences
may be assigned for violations of the
26
•
Students are urged ALWAYS to
keep rooms locked. It is even
advisable to lock the room when
going to the lavatory or just down
the hall.
Students are advised not to keep
valuables in their rooms. Money,
jewelry and credit cards should be
kept to a minimum.
The school strongly suggests that
boarders not leave credit cards,
money, checkbooks, jewelry and
other valuables around in plain
sight. School provided lock boxes
should be used to secure such
items. Parents should check bills
carefully if their son or daughter
has a credit card.
Motor Vehicles
Boarding students may not ride in a
car unless their parents have given
written permission to the school. Each
time a situation arises that necessitates
an exception to this rule, students
must gain permission from the Dean
of Upper School, a Class Dean or a
staff duty leader. Boarding students
are not permitted to drive a vehicle
(car, motorcycle, etc.) while under the
jurisdiction of the school. This jurisdiction
begins when the student arrives on
campus from home until he/she leaves
the campus to go home (or elsewhere)
in the company of parents. Boarding
students are not permitted to have a
vehicle in the Wyoming Valley.
International Students: Pennsylvania laws
make it very difficult for international
students to obtain a driver’s license.
Wyoming Seminary will not be able
to help students obtain driver’s
licenses. Boarding students are not
permitted to have vehicles on or in
the vicinity of campus.
Weekend Dorm Sign-outs
Except for a few closed weekends, a
boarding student may be excused to
visit his/her home on weekends or may
be excused for visits elsewhere with
permission from home.
Each boarding student planning to leave
campus for a weekend MUST file an
online request for permission to leave
campus before noon on Thursday of
that week. The online request form
can be found on Sem’s Web site
under the Residential Life page. (Go
to wyomingseminary.org, Student Life,
Residential Life, Weekend Sign Out.)
PLEASE NOTE: The online request
form is enabled from Monday at
8:00 a.m. through Thursday at noon.
A telephone or e-mail permission from the custodial parent,
as well as from the host, is required by noon on Friday in
each case. Correspondence concerning weekend permissions
should be directed to Mr. Logan Chace, Director of Residential
Life. Mr. Chace can be reached at his office phone: 570-2702124, the Parent Line: 570-270-2153, or by e-mail: lchace@
wyomingseminary.org.
If, for any reason, the student has a change in weekend plans,
it is the responsibility of the parent to notify the Director of
Residential Life or the administrator on duty for the weekend.
All boarding students MUST return to their dorm before
7:30 p.m. on Sunday evenings. Ample time should
be allowed to cover delays en route. If unforeseen
circumstances cause a student to be late, the student
or parent should call the dorm parent on duty that
weekend. Name and contact information for dorm
parents are listed online on each weekend bulletin.
The school reserves the right to cancel any weekend
permission at any time or to revoke weekend privilege
for students; weekend permissions are a privilege, not
a right.
Parents of boarding students are urged to notify their child’s
Class Dean and the Director of Residential Life when they will
be away for extended periods.
not leave campus until the sign-out has been approved.
PASSES NOT APPROVED BY 12:00 P.M. FRIDAY
ARE AUTOMATICALLY CANCELLED.
School Vacations
Dormitories open and close PRECISELY on the dates below.
Students will NOT be accommodated in the dormitories before
the stated arrival dates or after the departure dates. Families
of students arriving early or departing after dates listed below
must make alternative housing arrangements.
Travel plans must be made according to the schedule below:
Depart Campus
Travel Dates
Return to Campus
Travel Dates
Thanksgiving
Nov. 16 & 17
Dorms close at noon
on Nov. 17
Nov. 24 & 25 Dorms open
at noon on Nov. 24. All
students must be in the
dormitory by 7:30 p.m. on
Nov. 25.
Christmas
Dec. 20 & 21
Dorms close at noon
on Dec. 21
Jan. 5 & 6 Dorms open
at noon on Jan. 5. All
students must be in the
dormitory by 7:30 p.m. on
Jan. 6.
Spring Break
Feb. 22 & 23
Dorms close at noon
on Feb. 23
Mar. 9 & 10 Dorms open
at noon on Mar. 9. All
students must be in the
dormitory by 7:30 p.m. on
Mar. 10.
Vacation
*Students will have exams scheduled for the week
of May 20-23.
Weekend Pass Procedure
1. Students should fill out an online sign-out request
form that can be found on Sem’s Web site under the
Residential Life page. (Go to wyomingseminary.org,
Student Life, Residential Life, Weekend Sign Out).
2. The sign-out request is due by noon on Thursday, after
which the online form is disabled.
3. After the student’s request has been submitted, a
parent or guardian must e-mail or call the Director
of Residential Life no later than Friday at 12:00 p.m.
to confirm the sign-out. Call the Parent Phone Line
at (570) 270-2153 or the director’s office at (570)
270-2124 or send an e-mail to Logan Chace (lchace@
wyomingseminary.org).
4. The Director of Residential Life will notify the student
when his/her signout has been approved. Students may
* The Junior Senior Prom will be held Thursday,
May 23.
End of the Year
Closed Weekends for 2012-2013
* Commencement weekend is the weekend of
May 25-26.
Students are allowed to depart from campus
following their last academic obligation, but
may stay on campus through commencement
ceremonies.
The dormitories will close at 5:00 p.m., Sunday
May 26, following commencement. Departure
plans should be made according to this schedule.
August 31 - September 2 and September 7 - 9
The school reserves the right to add closed weekends where needed.
27
If ground transportation to/from campus
to/from an airport is needed we offer the
following:
Airport to/from Sem
Ground
Transportation
Charge
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Airport (AVP)
No charge
John F. Kennedy Airport
(JFK)
$150 per
person, one
way.
Newark Airport (EWR)
$100 per
person, one way
Philadelphia Airport (PHL)
$100 per
person, one way
PLEASE NOTE: We only provide
ground transportation on the travel
dates listed on the previous page.
*Please forward a copy of the student’s
airline ticket to Mr. Logan Chace,
Director of Residential Life at lchace@
wyomingseminary.org. Tickets are due no
later than two weeks prior to the school
vacation. Ground transportation cannot
be arranged until we have a copy of the
student’s airline ticket.
Levi Sprague Fellows
Levi L. Sprague, Wyoming Seminary’s
fourth president, was associated with
the school for 70 years. For 54 of those
years, he served as president of the
school. A student leadership program
honoring Sprague as one of the school’s
most devoted leaders was established
in 1993. Levi Sprague Fellows are
chosen annually for their leadership
roles in the academic,athletic, social
and extracurricular life at Sem. Students
chosen are honored with a scholarship
for full room and board during their
senior year.
The 2011-12 Levi Sprague Fellows are:
Olivia Barragree, Henry Cornell,
Devin Holmes, Brandon Jang,
Grigor Kerdikoshvili, Kate Maximov,
Dakota Pace, Lillian Willams
28
Dormitory Resident
Assistants
Resident assistants are the primary
student leaders in the boarding
community, with whom the dormitory
faculty have entrusted important
responsibilities. They serve as positive role
models for other students, adhering to all
school policies and upholding adherence
to all rules and policies. They serve as
a liaison between students and faculty,
developing positive relations between
these two groups in the boarding
community. If students are in academic or
personal difficulty, RAs help them get the
attention they need by referring them to
the school counselor, nurse or a faculty
member. They help monitor study halls,
lounges, dormitory floors and entrances,
and help with evening check-in and other
dormitory duties. RAs also help with fall
orientation.
Carpenter Hall
Charlie Cai, Greg Gilmore, Brandon Jang,
Grigor Kerdikoshvili, Ryan McMullan,
David Ng, Minh Tran, Peter Valentiner
Darte Hall
Peter Nguyen, Tyler Ponte, Hoang Tran,
Tyrel White
Swetland Hall
Ariko Ando, Olivia Barragree,
Cat Corcoran, Tu Dao, Jae Hee Lee,
Hoang Phan, Sarah Spillane, Anna
Warriner, Margi Wiles, Flora Yu
Guests
Any boarding student who would
like to have an overnight guest in a
dormitory must make arrangements
with the appropriate dorm leader at
least 48 hours in advance. The student
is responsible for his/her guest. If meals
are to be taken in the dining room, this
must be cleared with a representative of
the Director of Residential Life’s office
at least 48-hours in advance. Guests
are permitted on weekends, but not on
weekdays unless special conditions exist.
Standard of Dress
The standard of dress for the academic
day is outlined in detail on pages 20.
Parents and students should read that
section carefully to plan students’
wardrobes. Students may dress more
informally during free time and for
cafeteria-style meals except for lunch
on school days. (Shirts worn in the
dining hall must have sleeves.) When
in the dormitory, students may wear
casual clothes. To avoid embarrassment,
students should be attired decently
whenever outside their rooms.
Dining Room and Meals
Attendance is required at all meals with
the exception of breakfast on Saturday
and Sunday unless the student has been
excused by the Director of Residential
Life or appropriate Class Dean. Please
note that shirts and shoes must be worn
in the dining room and kitchen at all
times, in keeping with health regulations.
Promptness is expected at all familystyle dinners. Table assignments will be
posted for family-style meals. All boarding
students are expected to share in
performing “waiting duties” at the familystyle meals. Details on expectations and
procedures for waiters will be given at the
beginning of the school year.
Students are not permitted to remove
dishes, silverware, glasses or other
equipment without permission from the
dining room supervisor.
Boarding Student Allowance
Accounts
Parents of boarding students may deposit
spending money in an allowance account
with the Business Office. Allowances
will be disbursed once weekly by the
Business Office in amounts up to $50 as
directed by parents. (Average allowances
are about $20 per week.) Students may
draw from their allowance accounts on
Friday afternoon between 2:00 p.m. and
3:45 p.m.
The maximum amount the Business Office will disburse from an
allowance account per week is $50. If an allowance account
is not satisfactory for a student’s spending needs, a local bank
account can be opened. A PNC Bank ATM machine is available
to students on campus. Boarding students are advised against
keeping large sums of money in their rooms. The school will not
be responsible for the loss of money in their rooms. The school
will not be responsible for the loss of money not deposited with
the Business Office.
Coin-operated washers and dryers are in each dorm for student
use.
Cell Phone Policy
Students are encouraged to have cell phones at Wyoming
Seminary but are asked to manage them responsibly. When
managed irresponsibly, cell phones can be disrespectful and
disruptive. We expect Sem students to follow these rules:
•
•
All cell phones and their numbers must be registered
with Mrs. Cassetori in the Academic Office.
Student cell phone use is prohibited in and around all
classroom buildings during the academic day, during all
lectures and performances, in the dorms during evening
study hall and in the dorms after “lights out” through the
following morning at 7:00 a.m.
Cell phone use is prohibited at all times inside Fleck
Dining Hall, BPAC, and the Kirby Library.
A Sem student who does not follow these rules will receive one
warning and then will lose his/her cell phone privileges for a
period of time to be determined by the Class Dean or the Dean
of the Upper School.
Mail
The school mail boxes are located in Sprague Hall. Mail is
distributed Monday through Friday and may be picked up:
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. To facilitate
delivery to boarding students, please address mail as:
John/Jane Doe
Mailbox Number
Wyoming Seminary
201 North Sprague Avenue
Kingston, PA 18704-3593
Storage Policy
Because of lack of storage space, Wyoming Seminary
cannot accept responsibility for storage of students’ personal
belongings during the summer months. Only students who live
29
Items left in storage after the opening of school will be assumed
to be unwanted and may be discarded.
Evening and Weekend Schedules
Monday - Thursday
Laundry
•
a great distance from school will be allowed to store personal
items. No large items, such as sofas or loveseats, will be stored.
Wyoming Seminary assumes no responsibility for these items.
Dinner - family style
6:15 p.m.
Study Hall
8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Lights-out
11:00 p.m.
Friday evening
Dinner - cafeteria style
5:30 - 6:45 p.m.
Underclassman check-in
11:00 p.m.
Upperclassman check-in
11:30 p.m.
Lights-out
12:00 a.m.
Saturday
Breakfast - optional
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Brunch - cafeteria style
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Dinner - cafeteria style
5:30 - 6:45 p.m.
Underclassman check-in
11:00 p.m.
Upperclassman check-in
11:30 p.m.
Lights-out
12:30 a.m.
Sunday
Breakfast - optional
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Brunch - cafeteria style
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Dinner - cafeteria style
5:30 - 6:45 p.m.
Study Hall
8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Lights-out
11:00 p.m.
STUDENT SERVICES
Advisory System
Every student has a faculty advisor to whom he or she is
encouraged to go with any kind of problem, scholastic or personal.
The keen understanding and personal interest of an older person
in a student’s welfare, achievements and setbacks can give helpful
and sometimes vital personal guidance. These advisors, since they
are usually more intimately concerned with the student’s problems
and total situation than anyone else in the school, make occasional
reports to parents and can be most helpful in matters concerning
their son’s or daughter’s progress.
To provide continuity, returning students retain the same advisor
from year to year. New students are assigned to a faculty advisor
early in the school year and may request a change in May for the
next school year. Students may request changes of advisor by seeing
the Dean, Mr. Jay Harvey.
Social/Personal Counseling
Social and personal counseling is available on campus through
several trained staff members. Available for counseling sessions are
Mr. James Kersey, Mrs. Denny Barber and The Reverend Charles
Carrick.
Referral to these services can be made through several different
methods: self-referral, advisor referral, faculty referral, administrative
referral or parental referral. Counseling sessions are completely
confidential. Any questions regarding available services should be
directed to Mr. Kersey (contact information is on page 43.) A student
may be referred to outside sources at our counselors’ discretion.
Wyoming Seminary Counseling Program Mission Statement
Wyoming Seminary Upper School’s Counseling Program is
comprehensive, focusing on the needs of students, parents, and
educators. The goals of the program are to assist students in
30
developing their potential both as
learners and as community members;
and to promote health and wellness in life
choices; and to serve as a resource for
parents and educators.
Services can be categorized as
preventive and developmental, focusing
systematically on individual student
potential for growth; and as crisis
oriented, responding to students who
are experiencing specific problems
and stresses. The school counselors
are professionals who assist students,
parents, teachers, and administrators.
Three processes used by the counselors
are: counseling, which includes problemsolving, decision-making, and discovering
personal meaning related to learning and
development; consulting, a cooperative
process in which the counselor/
consultant assists others to think through
problems and to develop skills that make
them more effective in working with
students; and coordinating, a leadership
process in which the counselors help
to organize and manage the school’s
counseling program and relate services.
Confidentiality is observed in all
counseling relationships.
Health Services
The school nurse, Mrs. Beth Blaum, is on
duty every school day from 7:45 a.m.
until 4:00 p.m. in her Darte Hall office
near the front entrance of the building.
Mrs. Blaum can also be reached for
emergencies at all times by a cell phone.
The associate nurse, Ms. Maria Coons,
is in the office evenings and weekends
as needed. The nurse is available by
cell phone at all times. All excuses from
class, including physical education, must
be secured from the nurse’s office,
in advance, by the student involved.
Students taken ill during the school day
must notify the nurse’s office immediately
in order to be excused from classes.
If the nurse is not in her office, students
should report to the Dean of Upper
School’s office or to their Class Dean.
31
The Residential Life section of this
handbook advises dorm students of
procedure in the event of their illness. No
student may leave the campus because
of illness without first consulting the
nurse, who will try to notify parents.
Please Note: In accordance with
Pennsylvania State regulations,
all students must have complete
immunization records before attending
classes. Students who do not have the
necessary immunizations will not be
allowed to begin school. Immunization
waiver for medical or religious purposes
will only be accepted for day students. All
boarding students must be in compliance
with Pennsylvania immunization
requirements.
A physical exam is required for all
students yearly. Students participating
in interscholastic activity will be held
out of practice and competition until the
physical exam form is completed and
given to the nurse.
College Guidance
Wyoming Seminary’s College Guidance
program plays an integral part in
preparing students for the next phase of
their educational experience. The mission
of the counselors is to guide students
on individual journeys of self-knowledge
to identify and gain acceptance to
appropriate colleges or universities
where the student can continue to learn
and grow into their best selves. The
counselors are available to meet with
individual students and parents as often
as necessary to facilitate admission to
colleges appropriate for each senior and
postgraduate.
Sem begins the college counseling
process in the sophomore year when
students are introduced to Family
Connection, a comprehensive Web site
that students and parents can use to
help in making decisions about courses,
colleges, and careers. Individual meetings
between sophomores and their assigned
college counselor are held in the spring.
These meetings are designed to establish
a rapport between student and counselor
and initiate the student to the criteria
for researching colleges. Student and
counselor discuss course selection for
the junior year, the student’s activities/
leadership profile and his/her general
interests in a future college. Each
sophomore receives guidance to begin
to investigate colleges. Sophomores are
encouraged to visit colleges to refine the
criteria they will use to identify colleges
to which they will apply. All students who
visit colleges during the academic year
need to follow procedures outlined earlier
in the handbook (see page 17). In the
spring sophomores also take the PLAN
test to help familiarize them with the ACT,
one of the standardized test platforms
used in college admissions.
In the first half of the junior year, students
are urged to focus on their academic
preparation. They are automatically
registered to take the PSAT in October.
In the winter term, each junior completes
an interview with his/her counselor, who
helps the student to ascertain the criteria
for a list of prospective colleges an
informed standardized testing plan suited
to the student’s individual needs. During
the spring trimester, all juniors participate
in the College Guidance Seminar, which
provides students with skills to research
schools, majors and careers; students
also gain experience in completing
college applications. Juniors write a draft
of their college essay, complete a practice
college application and explore other
college-related topics. Before leaving for
summer vacation, all juniors submit a
written request to two teachers for letters
of recommendation. Because college
admission officers prefer confidential
recommendations, it is the policy of the
guidance office not to share the contents
of the teacher or college counselor
recommendations with applicants or
parents.
adhere to the network acceptable use policy found on page 21.
Parents and students should realize that Sem’s College
Guidance staff, in partnership with the deans, must accurately
and honestly respond to questions about a student’s major
disciplinary record (probation to dismissal) on the Common
Application or specific college forms.
Library Hours
The college counseling process allows students time to explore
colleges and themselves before determining the list of colleges
to which they will apply in the beginning of their senior year.
Seniors submit transcript requests to the College Guidance
Office; teacher recommendations, the school statement or
counselor recommendation, transcripts and a school profile
explaining Sem’s academic program and grading scale are then
sent to the students’ prospective colleges or universities. It is
our policy to send fall and winter term grades to all colleges
where students are active applicants. It is the student’s
responsibility to know and meet all application deadlines and to
release standardized test records and other pertinent college
admissions data directly to their prospective schools. It is also
the student’s responsibility to notify the College Guidance
office of all college acceptances and denials. Finally, the student
must notify his or her counselor of his/her college choice. After
graduation, one final transcript will be sent to the institution to
which the student has enrolled.
The library will offer extended hours Monday through Thursday
from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. whenever possible, based on studentworker availability.
Bookstore/Campus Store
Library Materials and Circulation
Students may purchase textbooks and other school supplies at
the Book Store in the basement of Sprague Hall. Purchases of
more than five dollars’ value may be billed to parents. Bills are
submitted monthly and are due as rendered.
The library holds over 20,000 books and over 1,000 DVDs for
student use. An up-to-date fiction collection offers the latest in
recreational reading, and a foreign language collection supports
students in their pursuit of language skills. In addition to the
print periodicals, electronic databases containing hundreds of
thousands of full-text magazine and newspaper articles are
available and can be accessed through the library Web site
at http://www.youseemore.com/wyomingseminary/Kirby/.
Reference books do not circulate but students are encouraged
to photocopy pertinent articles for their research. There is no
charge for printing or copying. Fiction and nonfiction books
circulate for three weeks at a time and can be renewed
via e-mail. Students are asked to be considerate of other
researchers working on similar topics by limiting the number of
books they check out on a given subject. No fines for overdue
books are charged, but lost books will be charged to the
student.
The Campus Store also a variety of school oriented
merchandise for sale. Students may purchase T-shirts, jackets,
sweatshirts, sweaters, school mugs, and various other school
items. The store is open each school day according to the
schedule posted and is located in the Student Center.
Library
Kirby Library is located on the second floor of the Stettler
Learning Resources Center. The library offers students both
academic and recreational fiction and nonfiction materials and
provides spaces conducive to studying and relaxing. Subscribing
to over 80 periodicals, the library is an excellent place to
pursue personal interests or to find the answers to intellectual
questions.
With 10 iMacs and thirty wireless MacBook laptops, the library
also provides a wireless public computing space for student
work. Two printers offer students free black and white printing,
and photocopying is also available at no cost. Students must
32
The library also displays student artwork and science projects,
and its classrooms can be reserved for club meetings or study
groups.
Monday through Thursday
Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday
CLOSED
Sunday
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
As a member of Access Pennsylvania, the state of
Pennsylvania’s library consortium, the Kirby Library can
obtain books and videos from the nine million items available
from participating libraries via interlibrary loan. Students are
encouraged to suggest books, magazines, and videos for the
library to purchase so the library fully reflects the students who
use it.
The Library Environment
Kirby Library provides a friendly,
welcoming space for students eager to
do academic work or relax with friends.
Since the library is an intrinsic part
of campus, all school rules during the
academic day are in effect, including the
school’s dress code and the prohibition
on cell phone use. All students are
expected to be mature enough to throw
away their trash and leave a clean
learning environment for others. No food
or drink is allowed next to computers, but
drinks with lids or caps are allowed in the
library.
The noise level of the library should
always be conducive to those students
studying, and library patrons are asked
to always respect the students working
around them. Groups who feel that their
enthusiasm might infringe on the learning
of others are asked to use an unoccupied
library classroom. Listening to music or
watching videos is allowed in the library
with the caveat that no sound should
be audible from student headphones,
which are available for loan if needed.
One of the library’s classrooms is usually
reserved for people wishing to pursue
work in a quieter atmosphere. There is
also one small “ultra-quiet” room that can
be reserved for individual use.
Library Visits
All students are encouraged to visit the
library during their free bells. Students
in mandatory study hall must obtain a
library pass from a classroom teacher
or dean, present the pass to their
study hall monitor, sign his or her name
legibly in the study hall binder at the
circulation desk, and tuck the pass into
the designated pocket of the binder.
Neglecting any one of these steps would
result in the student being placed on the
accountability list.
During evening study hall, the library is a
33
space for academic work only. Students
are encouraged to work alone or in
quiet groups, but they must be doing
schoolwork, otherwise they will be sent
back to their dorm room. Boarding
students interested in using the library
in the evening must obtain a library pass
from the faculty member on duty in their
dorm and must present this pass to the
library staff member on duty when they
enter the library. Each student must then
reclaim his/her signed and time stamped
pass from the library staff at the end
of the visit and return it to the faculty
member on duty to account for his/her
absence from the dorm.
Service Opportunities at the
Library
The library offers opportunities for
students to gain community service hours
through volunteering. Reshelving books,
helping with library displays, cleaning
out old magazines, and participating in
programming are some ways students
can earn hours toward their community
service requirement. Students interested
in substantial community service hours
and who have approachable, friendly
personalities should consider training
as a library after-hours assistant. These
students do not have to be members of
the LAB (Library Advisory Board) and
should speak to one of the librarians.
Library Advisory Board
Students interested in developing
leadership skills are encouraged to apply
for membership in the Library Advisory
Board. This group is a council composed
of students from all grades who organize
and lead monthly events. Its mission is to
promote the use of and programming for
Kirby Library. Students make decisions
about collection development, evening
and weekend events, and generally help
to give direction to the library and its
staff. Members collaborate with other
groups and collect information from the
student body through formal and informal
surveys.
Board members also participates
in periodic leadership retreats, field
trips, and special-interest committee
opportunities, all of which impact the
Sem community by shaping the future
of this campus resource. Recruiting for
new members occurs each fall during
Teen Read Week; there is an application
process to be approved as a member.
Religious Life
Wyoming Seminary has had a relationship
with the United Methodist Church since
Sem’s founding in 1844. From its very
beginning, however, the school has
welcomed students of all faiths. Following
our philosophy (inside front cover of this
handbook), Sem tries to incorporate
spiritual and ethical as well as academic
education.
All students are required to take a onetrimester course, “The Bible and Western
Culture.” “World Religions,” or “A History
of Judaism,” may be elected by those
wanting to develop their knowledge
in these areas. Throughout the year,
students are required to attend Chapel
assemblies once or twice a week, held
either in the Buckingham Performing Arts
Center or at the Church of Christ Uniting.
These provide an interfaith forum for the
exploration of important issues that affect
all of us. On special occasions they also
offer an opportunity to worship together
as a school community.
Those who come to Sem as boarding
students are encouraged to become
affiliated with faith communities in our
local area. A number of churches and
synagogues as well as a mosque are
accessible from our campus. The school
chaplain will assist interested students
in locating a house of worship that suits
their traditions or tastes.
Students interested in deepening their
spiritual life, perhaps through Bible
studies, fellowship groups, prayer services,
or interfaith gatherings, are urged to communicate that desire
to the staff chaplain. Likewise, students are welcome to pursue
off-campus religious involvements, providing they don’t interfere
with our academic schedules and have been cleared with the
Dean of the Upper School’s office.
return, in the same location. Students choosing to
leave campus for lunch must walk, not drive, and must
return in time for their afternoon obligations. Students
on the “D and F List” are not eligible for this privilege.
Student Activities
Day students are assigned lockers, if requested, in Sprague Hall
for storage of books, coats and other personal belongings. All
students may request a locker in the gymnasium. These lockers
are assigned for the protection of the student’s possessions.
It is expected that students keep their valuables locked in
a locker at all times. The school will not be responsible for
personal property left unattended. All lockers are the property
of Wyoming Seminary and are loaned to the student to use for
the school year. Wyoming Seminary reserves the right to inspect
lockers for condition and for the presence of any inappropriate
materials as school officials see fit.
The student activities program at Wyoming Seminary, under the
direction of Mr. Harry Shafer attempts to balance the weekly
academic load with a variety of student oriented weekend
opportunities. Therefore it is flexible, with clubs and on-campus
activities being student-driven rather than adult-driven. In recent
years, trips have included New York City, Boston, Washington,
D.C. and Philadelphia for professional sporting and cultural
events; Hershey Park, Dorney and Six Flags amusement parks;
several local ski areas; King of Prussia, Woodbury Commons,
and Crossings shopping malls. Other weekend trips have
included ice skating, hiking, bowling, roller skating as well as
weekly movie and local restaurant trips. A typical year would
include a winter weekend ski trip to Killington, Vt., and a spring
trip to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
On-campus activities have featured bands and DJs at indoor
and outdoor performances, professional hypnotists and mind
readers, game show night, casino night, and other events
organized by the Student Activities Committee.
Information about weekend events, future events and
links to athletic schedules and scores can be found on the
school’s electronic daily bulletin, the Knight & Day: www.
wyomingseminary.org/knight_and_day.
Lunch
Lunch is served in the dining room during Bells 4, 5 and 6 on
school days. Students will have access to a full-service lunch
with hot entrées, soup, salads, sandwiches, beverages and
desserts. In addition, specialty items such as pizza and made-toorder items are available several days each week.
The food service can respond to special dietary needs. These
needs should be communicated to the food service director.
Students are expected to leave the tables in the dining room
presentable by taking trays and waste paper to the “return”
area.
Seniors and postgraduates are permitted to choose one
day, either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday to go off
campus for lunch. When electing to do so, the students
in question must sign-out at the desk of the assistant
working with their Class Dean and sign back in upon
34
Lockers
Recycling
In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, Wyoming
Seminary offers the community an opportunity to recycle
through the use of paper and commingled recycling bins that
are located in most public spaces on campus. These containers
can also be found on each floor of the school’s dormitories.
Organizations & activities
Wyoming Seminary Government
Wyoming Seminary Government is an organization representing
students, faculty, and administration which is responsible for many
of the non-academic aspects of school life. The Government has one
regularly scheduled meeting per month. All meetings are open to
any member of the Sem’s community. Standing committees include
Special Projects, Boarding Life, Communications, and Fundraising,
with ad hoc committees formed at the discretion of Government
officers.
2012-2013 Wyoming Seminary Government
Executive Committee
Caroline Reppert ’13, President
Devin Holmes ’13, Vice President
Siobhan Brier ’13, Secretary
Andrew Levandoski ’14, Treasurer
2012-2013 Class Officers
Class of 2013
Caroline Reppert ’13, President
Devin Holmes ’13, Vice President
Siobhan Brier ’13 & Harold Roberts ’13, Officers
Henry Cornell ’13, Representative
Class of 2014
Nada Bader ’14, President
Ben Hornung ’14, Vice President
Andrew Levandoski ’14 & Margi Wiles ’14, Officers
Gordon Stewart Kiesling ’14, Representative
Class of 2015
Madison Sweitzer ’15, President
Cecelia Chen ’15, Vice President
Meera Patel ’15 & J.J. Simons ’15, Officers
Michael Yang ’15, Representative
35
Class of 2016 officers will be selected in
the fall of 2012.
issues of racism, substance use and
academic integrity, to name a few.
Dorm Representatives
Cum Laude
Carpenter Hall: to be chosen in the fall of
2012
Darte Hall: to be chosen in the fall of
2012
Swetland Hall: to be chosen in the fall of
2012
Scholarship has always been of
paramount importance at Wyoming
Seminary. It is, therefore, fitting that
a school of high scholastic standards
should sponsor a society whose goal is
the encouragement and the rewarding of
academic excellence. In colleges, the Phi
Beta Kappa Society was organized for
this purpose. In preparatory schools, the
Cum Laude Society fosters and acclaims
scholarship. Founded in 1906, the Cum
Laude Society now has chapters in most
of the leading preparatory schools of the
country. Wyoming Seminary’s chapter
was founded in 1930. Senior student
members are elected in the fall and in
the spring. In the fall, not more than 10%
of the senior class may be inducted into
Cum Laude. These students must have
a junior year average of at least 3.4
(out of a possible 4.0) and have had no
junior grade below “C-.” At the end of
the senior year, more students may be
inducted, bringing the total to no more
than 20% of the senior class. At the end
of the senior year, inductees must have
attained a cumulative average during
their junior and senior years of at least
3.1 and no grade below “C-.” Previously
elected members of the organization
make election of new members to Cum
Laude. All nominees – honorary, faculty,
and students – must receive at least
three-fourths of the vote of members
present and voting to be elected to
membership in the chapter. Students
whose record reflects an infraction of
the school’s honor code or standard of
conduct place their eligibility for Cum
Laude selection at risk.
Faculty and Administrators
Mrs. Rachel Bartron
Mrs. Elaine Burg
Mr. Jay Harvey
Mr. C.J. Kersey
Mrs. Catie Kersey
Mrs. Lisa Mozeleski
Mrs. Harry Shafer
Ms. Jane Slaff
Peer Group
Peer Group is a monthly gathering of
students who represent a cross-section
of the Seminary student body. They meet
with members of the administrative team
led by Ms. Rachel Bartron and Mrs. Catie
Kersey to discuss issues of interest to
the overall life of the Sem community.
Additionally the Peer Group plans
programs and initiates projects that will
have a positive influence on the school.
Each spring, a review committee made
up of students and faculty members
selects representatives from the three
returning classes, for membership, who
would make a favorable contribution
to the Peer Group for the coming year.
Prospective members are judged on their
expressed leadership ability, their ability
to communicate their ideas in a group,
and on the respect with which they are
held by their peers and by the faculty.
Considerable effort is made to insure
that gender, age, and ethnic diversity is
maintained in the group, as well as logical
representation of both boarding and
day students. Since its creation over 10
years ago, Peer Group has had a positive
impact in helping the community consider
36
development and presidential activities,
and as on-campus hosts for all campus
visitors. Visitors include prospective
students, returning alumni, parents and
other guests of the school. It should
be the goal of all Blue Key members
to present Wyoming Seminary in a
positive manner, both on and off campus,
thereby enhancing the image of the
school. Anyone interested in being an
ambassador for Sem may join Blue Key.
However, there will be strict guidelines
for remaining in Blue Key. There will
be required attendance at Blue Key
educational meetings, a required number
of service commitments each year, a
required dress code, daily checking and
response to Blue Key related e-mails, and
others. The advisor for Blue Key is Ms.
Gwyneth Hecht.
Science Research Group
The Science Research Group is open to
all students with an interest in science
and research. The group, advised by
science teacher Dr. Andrea Nerozzi,
meets on a weekly basis and works on
inquiries into biological or chemical fields.
In SRG, students will learn the nuts and
bolts of science but also gain experience
with equipment and techniques that
are not typically a part of a high school
curriculum. Students may develop their
own research projects under the guidance
of Dr. Nerozzi and often in association
with college faculty or professionals.
Examples of current efforts include the
effects of mine water on area streams,
rivers and soil. Recently, SRG projects
have included “community service”
research such as tree surveys for local
communities. Students often present their
research at regional and state science
symposiums.
Blue Key
Publications
Blue Key is a student ambassador
organization that primarily helps
the Admission and Alumni offices.
Blue Key members serve as student
representatives at admission, alumni,
“The Wyoming” is Sem’s yearbook. It is
presented to the student body at the
end of the school year followed by a
supplement in the summer that includes
spring term and year-end activities. The
staff works in the areas of business,
layout, sports and photography, all under
the direction of the editorial staff. Signups will be announced during the fall term
for this year’s “Wyoming.” The “Wyoming”
office is in Sprague Hall.
“The Opinator” is Wyoming Seminary’s
student newspaper. Published monthly
throughout the school year, “The
Opinator” is written by members of its
editorial staff, with contributions from all
members of the Sem community. Editorial
board appointments are made during the
winter term, but new writers are invited
to join at any time.”
The Madrigal Singers is a select group
that performs separately from the large
chorus and presents music written
for small vocal ensembles. It performs
locally, tours, and on occasion during
recent years, has entered international
competitions in Greece, Germany and
England. In 2009, the ensemble received
two gold medals and two silver medals
at a festival in Olomouc Czech Republic,
and won first prize in two categories
competing against 117 choirs from 21
countries! Mr. John Vaida directs both
choral groups.
Community Service
Dance
Sem’s Community Service Organization
has a two-fold purpose. It provides
students with the opportunity to perform
service-oriented tasks, and it supplies the
community with volunteer manpower.
Community Service is a prime resource
for students who need an approved
Excolo project. These projects provide
an opportunity for students to explore
human aspects of life, to grow morally
and spiritually, to exercise judgment and
to develop a community spirit. Activities
are divided into two types. The short-term
group projects encourage camaraderie
and cohesiveness. Individual placements
require a longer time commitment and
allow students to demonstrate personal
responsibility. All students are welcome
to attend monthly meetings, to present
new ideas, to participate in established
projects and to seek leadership roles.
Faculty advisor for Community Service is
Mrs. Elaine Burg.
The dance program is directed by Mrs.
Bernardine Vojtko. Interested students are
encouraged to join weekly classes and
participate regardless of previous dance
training or experience.
Choral Music
The Wyoming Seminary Chorale is a
vocal ensemble open to all members of
the student body at the beginning of the
school year. The enjoyment of singing is
more important than the ability to sing.
The chorale presents concerts throughout
the school year both on campus and in
the community. All interested students
37
may join.
The Wyoming Seminary Dance Company
is a group organized to sharpen and
showcase the talents of its members. The
group meets after school with students
joining on a term basis. Each spring a
major production is staged.
Drama
Sem’s drama program is an
extracurricular opportunity offering a full
slate of theatrical activities from acting to
backstage experience. There are generally
three major performances throughout the
year. Productions are carefully chosen to
provide a range of styles and genre, so a
typical selection might include a musical
in the fall, a modern play or one-act
workshop in the winter, and a classic or
classical play in the spring. Students take
advantage of performance opportunities
and/or instruction in the techniques of
set design, costuming, lighting, stage
management, and makeup. Mr. Jason
Sherry directs the drama program.
Film Club
Wyoming Seminary film lovers will greatly
enrich their technical skills and creative
thinking in the yearlong Film Club.
Students get to write, shoot, edit and
showcase their own short films at the
school’s annual Film Festival. Mr. Jason
Sherry is this club’s advisor.
Instrumental Music
Wyoming Seminary’s instrumental music
department offers the following diverse
ensembles that challenge instrumentalists
at every level of development.
The Wyoming Seminary Orchestra
The orchestral experience at Wyoming
Seminary is designed to expose
students to the best classical orchestral
literature of the past as well as to
outstanding contemporary works by
leading composers. Theoretical concepts,
musical terminology, rhythmic concepts,
historical facts and ideas about musical
interpretation that directly relate to the
literature being studied are explored.
Field trips to open dress rehearsals of the
New York Philharmonic and Philadelphia
Orchestra afford students additional
opportunities to hear live music and
to meet and talk one-on-one with
professional orchestral musicians. Open to
students by audition only, the orchestra
rehearses weekly and performs during
Parents Weekend as well as in two other
concerts per year. Mr. Anthony J. Kubasek
is the director.
Chamber Music Ensembles
Members of the school orchestra who
are ready to participate in a chamber
music ensemble may be invited by the
instrumental directors to participate in
one of several groups. Although the size
and makeup of the groups may vary from
year to year, chamber ensembles in the
past have included a string quartet, flute
quartet, percussion ensemble and piano
trios. The ensembles perform frequently
on and off campus. The string quartet
undertook a week long performance
tour of England in 2003. Various faculty
members who are professional musicians
direct each chamber ensemble, providing students with close
personal attention.
The Jazz Ensemble
All interested instrumentalists are invited to join the Jazz
Ensemble. In a “performing lab” setting, students explore musical
improvisation, drawing on a diverse repertoire of Afro-American
and Afro-Cuban musical structures. The Jazz Ensemble meets
a minimum of twice a week throughout the school year;
several performances are given annually on and off campus.
Jazz combos form, and students must audition for the “Big
Band.” During the 2009-10 and 2011-12 school year, the Jazz
Ensemble was the only high school band in the state chosen to
perform at the PMEA (PA Music Educators Assoc.) conference. In
June, 2011, the Jazz Ensemble toured Europe performing in the
Czech Republic.
Handbell Choir
All students with basic rhythm reading skills may participate
in the Handbell Choir, directed by Mr. Kubasek. The choir adds
its stately sound to several Chapel services each year and
performs in concerts both on and off campus. In the past
several years, this group has performed at the Scranton Cultural
Center and Kirby Center prior to the Northeastern Pennsylvania
Philharmonic concerts, as well as on WVIA, the local public
television/radio station as part of its “Sounds of the Season”
broadcast in December, 2007. Enrollment is limited to 14.
String Ensemble
Open to string players by audition only, the string ensemble
is directed by Christiane Appenheimer-Vaida. Through close
personal attention, string players are given the opportunity to
develop their personal and ensemble skills through the study
of exemplary string ensemble repertoire. The group performs in
two major concerts yearly as well as on other occasions during
the school year.
Wind Ensemble
The wind ensemble provides an opportunity for woodwind,
brass players and percussionists to develop their ensemble skills
through the study of classic wind ensemble repertoire as well
as through the study of newer compositions. Directed by Mr.
Anthony Kubasek, the group rehearses during the school day
and gives two concerts yearly.
The Wyoming Seminary Civic Orchestra
Open to advanced instrumentalists by audition only, the Civic
Orchestra is a select group of limited size comprising students
from Wyoming Seminary and the local community. The
ensemble rehearses on the Wyoming Seminary campus and
presents two concerts throughout the school year.
38
Athletics
Wyoming Seminary has a well-rounded athletic
program under the direction of Ms. Karen Klassner,
the Director of Athletics, and a talented group of
coaches. The school is proud that nearly eighty
percent of the student body participates in
organized interscholastic athletics. Its teams have
proven to be very competitive over the years. School
colors are blue and white, and athletes are called
the Blue Knights.
For boys, the school offers soccer, basketball, cross
country, ice hockey, swimming, wrestling, baseball,
tennis, golf and lacrosse on the varsity level.
Varsity sports for girls are field hockey, golf, tennis,
basketball, ice hockey, cross country, swimming,
soccer, lacrosse and softball. Most sports offer junior
varsity teams.
The following Wyoming Seminary Athletic Code should be read
carefully because the school’s philosophy and expectations are
significantly different from those prevailing in some other levels of
sports in North America.
Athletic Program and Philosophy
The Sem athletic program is intended to provide competition for
skilled and committed athletes with opponents of comparable skill.
Where numbers, facilities and league rules permit, coaches will
make every attempt to keep all committed players who go out for
a competitive sport on the squad. Being a member of a team does
not, however, guarantee playing time. Coaches choose game players
on the bases of skill level, physical condition, attitude, team loyalty,
practice attendance, sportsmanship and coach ability. Some coaches
may also tend to honor a commitment to play athletes who have
been faithful members of the team for several years. On j.v. teams,
39
coaches will generally substitute more freely; but it has to be
the coach’s judgment as to who plays when in any athletic
contest.
It is expected that athletes will attend all practices and outside
contests. Due to the school’s PIAA commitments in many sports
and the difference between Sem’s and public high schools’
vacations, varsity athletic commitments can involve the sacrifice
of some vacation time, and in some sports, weekend time.
Any athlete who must miss an athletic practice or contest
for any reason must notify the coach as early as possible
beforehand. Players who miss practices or games must realize
that their absences may affect their amount of play time. Who
plays, and how much, is, The Sem athletic program is intended
to provide competition for skilled and committed athletes with
opponents of comparable skill. Where numbers, facilities and
league rules permit, coaches will make every attempt to keep
all committed players who go out for a competitive sport on the
squad. Being a member of a team does not, however, guarantee
playing time. Coaches choose game players on the bases of
skill level, physical condition, attitude, team loyalty, practice
attendance, sportsmanship and coach ability. Some coaches
The Wyoming Seminary Athletic Code
The Seminary athlete respects coaches,
captains and fellow players, as allies in
a common endeavor to play well and
win the game. While willing to offer
constructive suggestion, no athlete
undermines or “runs down” a fellow
player or a coach. Coaches emphasize
positive reinforcement and specific,
constructive criticism. Fostering team
morale and loyalty is a prime athletic
virtue at Sem.
Visiting teams, referees and spectators
are respected as guests of the school.
Baiting of opponents, spectators or
referees is totally unacceptable. Seminary
fans, including students, parents and
friends and guests of the school, cheer
for the Seminary team, and not against
– particularly in terms of any personal
vilification – the other team.
Decisions of game officials must be
respected as honest attempts to enforce
the mutually necessary rules of the
game. Sem athletes understand and
respect the rules of the game, and
seek to gain no unfair or underhanded
advantage by circumventing the rules.
The athlete who is in control is an
effective athlete. An athlete, coach or
fan who loses his or her cool can be
an embarrassment to our team and
40
may also tend to honor a commitment to play athletes who
have been faithful members of the team for several years. On
j.v. teams, coaches will generally substitute more freely; but it
has to be the coach’s judgment as to who plays when in any
athletic contest.
It is expected that athletes will attend all practices and outside
contests. Due to the school’s PIAA commitments in many sports
and the difference between Sem’s and public high schools’
vacations, varsity athletic commitments can involve the sacrifice
of some vacation time, and in some sports, weekend time.
Any athlete who must miss an athletic practice or contest
for any reason must notify the coach as early as possible
beforehand. Players who miss practices or games must realize
that their absences may affect their amount of play time. Who
plays, and how much, is, of necessity, the coach’s decision.
Please refer to the Wyoming Seminary Athletic Code, with the
following addendum for parents. Athletes at Wyoming Seminary
are accountable to the Drug and Alcohol Policy included in the
summer registration packet and reviewed by each coach at the
beginning of the season.
school. Students, either on the field or
in the stands, may be subject to school
discipline for flagrant breaches of
decorum and sportsmanship which bring
disrespect on the school.
Wyoming Seminary’s philosophy
in athletics, like that of any good
independent school, is that athletics are
part of education; winning is desirable,
but losing can be educational and even
a triumph when the team has given
its best. Coaches, players and fans are
generous in victory and gracious in
defeat.
Addendum to Code for Parents Parents are encouraged to bear in
mind the following:
By the time a student at Sem is engaged
in interscholastic competition, the athlete
is most in need of perspective, generally
positive reinforcement, and mature
example from parents – not intense
pressure, specific coaching or uncritical
boosterism.
Except in very rare instances, Sem
coaches, though they are professional
educators rather than professional
coaches, are more qualified than the
parents to coach their son or daughter.
And in the extremely rare instances
where this may not be the case, it is
the coach, not the parent, who has the
overall responsibility for the team, while
attempting to do the best by and for
your offspring.
Not only is it extremely important that
parents abide by the spirit of Sem’s
Athletic Code above, but that they set
a good example by such actions as
applauding opponents’ good plays as
well as our own team’s.
It is almost impossible for a parent to be
the best judge of his or her offspring’s
athletic ability and achievement, or lack
thereof. Parents inevitably tend either
to give their own child an edge or to be
too hard on them. The coach, for better
or for worse, is a necessary objective
arbiter.
Just as Wyoming Seminary Upper
School encourages each student to
be responsible for communicating
with teachers, Sem athletes should
take responsibility in dealing with their
coaches. In only the most exceptional
circumstances is it appropriate for a
parent to act as an intermediary or
intercessor with a coach. Parents are
certainly encouraged, however, to discuss
serious concerns they have about any
aspect of the Sem athletic program with
the coach, the Director of Athletics, or,
finally, the Dean.
Parents’ Association
Every parent or guardian of a student who attend the Upper School
is a member of the Wyoming Seminary Upper School Parents
Association (WSUSPS).
The mission of the Parents Association is:
•
•
•
•
to promote the interests and welfare of Wyoming Seminary
to raise funds for the current needs of the School
to facilitate accurate and constructive communication
between the school, parents, the community and world at
large
to encourage parents to act as volunteers promoting and
working in constructive enterprises for the school.
2012-2013 WSUSPA Officers
Rosemary Chromey, President
Cheryl Thomas, Vice President
Officers are available to advise other parents about the school. Feel
free to contact Ms. Elizabeth Frosini to be an officer or to indicate
your volunteer interest.
41
Telephone Numbers/Areas of Interest
Absence, Attendance, Illness (of Students):
For Day Students
Mrs. Sherry Cassetori, the Class Deans’ assistant
(570) 270-2170 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
For Boarders
Mr. Logan Chace, Director of Residential Life
(570) 270-2124
Dorm Heads
Swetland Hall (for all female boarders)
Mrs. Colleen Ayers (570) 499-0064
Darte Hall (Grade 9 - 10 boys)
Mr. Justin Naylor (570) 855-8108
Carpenter Hall (Grade 11 - PG boys)
Mr. Konstantin Lyavdansky (570) 817-8787
School Nurse
Mrs. Beth Blaum, (570) 270-2180
Academic Matters:
1. Classroom Teacher
Voicemail by Name (570) 270-2203
If you don’t know which teacher you should call, ask
the Dean’s Office administrative assistant, Gloria
Wallace at (570) 270-2100.
42
2. If you can’t get the teacher or are not satisfied with your
discussion, call the department head, your child’s advisor
or the Class Dean (see page 14).
3. After exhausting these contacts, you may call the Dean.
Mr. Jay Harvey (570) 270-2175
Overall Scheduling, Curricular or Academic Matters:
1. Call your son’s or daughter’s advisor (570) 2702203 (voicemail),
2. the appropriate Class Dean (see above),
3. the Academic Dean, Mr. Randy Granger (570) 2702105 or finally
4. Dean of the Upper School, Mr. Jay Harvey
Athletic Matters:
Individual Coach
(570) 270-2203 (voicemail)
Please bear in mind the spirit of Sem’s Athletic Code (see
page 40).
Director of Athletics
Ms. Karen Klassner
(570) 270-2120
Student Life Office
(570) 270-2110
Daily Athletic Schedule and Directions
(570) 270-2120, then press 3
Sports schedules, scores and directions to home and
away games are also available on Sem’s Web site
(wyomingseminary.org). If directions are not available on
Ms. Klassner’s voicemail message or Sem Web site, parents
should call the opposing team’s athletic office. In spite of
our best efforts, we cannot be responsible for other school’s
last minute changes.
Billing, Accounts, Insurance, etc.:
Business Manager Robert Tarud
(570) 270-2130
Disciplinary Matters:
Major Issues
Mr. Jay Harvey, Dean of the Upper School
Student’s Advisor
(570) 270-2203 (voicemail)
Student’s Dorm Head (page 42)
Minor Issues
Class Deans (page 14)
If you feel you need further clarification or help on any
issue: Mr. Jay Harvey, Dean of the Upper School
Dr. Kip Nygren, President
(570) 270-2150 or Ms. Mary Swaback, Assistant to the
President
Parents may call the Dean or the President if the issue
concerns overarching policy or philosophy of the school, or
if they feel they have exhausted all other channels.
E-mail:
Every teacher, administrator and student at Wyoming
Seminary Upper School has a Sem e-mail address.
Although teachers and administrators make every effort
to respond to e-mail messages promptly, class schedules
do not allow for instantaneous replies, so extremely urgent
messages should probably be handled on the telephone.
E-mail addresses have been standardized to make contact
easy: [email protected]
E-mail addresses are also listed in Sem’s online Faculty/
Staff Directory: www.wyomingseminary.org/directory
Office Telephone Numbers
All Wyoming Seminary numbers use area code 570. Regular
office hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each school
day.
Athletic Office
270-2120, FAX 270-2122
Director of Athletics – Ms. Karen Klassner
Academic Office
270-2170, FAX 270-2121
Class Deans – see page 14
Registrar, Director of Scheduling – Laurie Morgan
Business Office
270-2130, FAX 270-2199
Business Manager – Mr. Robert Tarud
Admission Office Admission & Financial Aid
270-2160, FAX 270-2191
Dean of Enrollment Management – Mr. Eric Turner
Dean of Admission - Mr. Jack Eidam
Director of Domestic Admission – Ms. Gwyneth Hecht
Director of International Admission – Mrs. Regina Allen
Summer Programs Admission
270-2166, FAX 270-2198
Alumni/Development Office
270-2140, FAX 270-2199
Vice President of Advancement – Mr. John Shafer
Director of Development – Ms. Kay Young
Director of Alumni Programs – Ms. Julie Strzeletz
43
Chaplain’s Office
270-2203, ext. 5939
Chaplain – The Rev. Charles Carrick
College Guidance Office
270-2106, FAX 270-2487
Director of College Guidance – Ms. Jane Slaff
Associate Directors – Mrs. Denny Barber, Mrs. Anne Lew, Mr.
Ethan Lewis, Ms. Elizabeth Frosini
Counselors
Mr. James Kersey
270-2185
Mrs. Denny Barber
270-2127
Music Department
Mr. John Vaida
270-2117
Dean of Upper School’s Office
270-2100, FAX 270-2193
Dean – Mr. Jay Harvey
cell: 592-2282
Dean of Faculty – Mr. Randy Granger
cell: 498-2147
Mr. Anthony J. Kubasek
270-2203, ext. 5936
Dormitories
Boys Dormitories
Carpenter Hall Dorm Leader – Mr. Konstantin Lyavdansky
817-8787
Darte Hall Dorm Leader – Mr. Justin Naylor
855-8108
Girls Dormitories
Swetland Hall Dorm Leader – Mrs. Colleen Ayers
499-0064
Nurse’s Office
Mrs. Beth Blaum, R.N.
270-2180
PAI (The Performing Arts Institute)
270-2186, FAX 270-2191
Director – Mrs. Nancy Sanderson
President‘s Office
Dr. Kip Nygren
270-2150, FAX 270-2199
Assistant to the President – Ms. Mary Swaback
Director of Residential Life
Mr. Logan Chace
899-0709
PR & Publications Office
Mrs. Gail Smallwood
270-2192
Weekend Permission Parent Line
270-2153
Mrs. Patty DeViva
270-2499
Kirby Library
270-2168
Director of Libraries – Mrs. Courtney Lewis
Upper School Librarian – Mrs. Ivy Miller
Student Life
270-2110, FAX 270-2199
Director of Student Life – Mr. Harry Shafer
Expenses 2012-2013
Day
Boarding
$21,850
$43,200 (includes
room & board)
Technology Fee
$375
$625
Cafeteria Service
$900
Included with Tuition
Approximately $500
Approximately $500
-
$25
-
May be applied for
students requiring
travel to/from
airport.
Tuition
Book
Room repair &
replacement fee
Transportation
Schedule of Payments
Once enrolled, the student and his/her family are responsible
for payment of a full year’s tuition, room and board. No refunds
for withdrawal or dismissal will be made.
A payment plan is available through FACTS Tuition
44
Management Company. Information detailing this plan is
available on the Wyoming Seminary Web site at www.
wyomingseminary.org; click on Admission > Upper School >
Tuition > Tuition Payment Options, or by calling the Business
Office at (570)270-2131.
Fees for books and other charges are payable as billed. All
financial obligations must be satisfied before the student
may begin classes or take term examinations. School
documentation (report cards, transcripts, etc.) will not be
released until all tuition and fees have been paid in full.
Wyoming Seminary financial aid grants will be subtracted from
tuition, room and board fees.
Direct payment may be made in full in advance of August 1 or
as follows:
Day
Boarding
Upon Enrollment
$1,500
$1,500
August 1
$13,150
$27,400
December 1
$7,200
$14,300
Total
$21,850
$43,200
Alma Mater
Alma Mater
I. Where the Susquehanna’s waters
Kiss her golden sands,
’Mid the hills of fair Wyoming
Alma Mater stands.
Just beyond the busy humming
Of the bustling throng
With her head raised high to heaven
Looks she calmly on.
CHORUS
Raise the chorus, speed it onward,
Loud her praises sing;
Hail to thee, Our Alma Mater
Hail, dear Wyoming.
II. Famous is her name in story
Through her honored ones;
Cherished memory of her glory
Thrills her noble sons.
All her sons shall rally ‘round her,
True they’ll ever be,
’Til they plant her glorious banner,
So that all may see.
45
Campus Map
46
Index
Dress-up days
A
Academic honesty
12-13
boarding students
22, 26
day students
Absence list
20
Drop a course
11
Music
Academic programs
7-13
Drug policies
16
N
Activities
35
E
Add a course
11
E-mail contact
Admission
43
Advisors
30
Airport transportation
28
Alcohol policy
16
Network acceptable use policy
22
O
Evening schedule
29
Offices
43-44
Exam schedule
12
Organizations
35-38
Excolo
22
P
Excessive absences
18
Parental involvement
14-22
Parents’ Association
41
44
Parent athletic code
40
45
Expectations
Area code
43
Expenses
Attendance
40
17-18
Bells Schedule
8
Blue Key
36
Bookstore
32
Bus transportation
21-22
C
Calendar
Campus Map
F
Film club
Fire safety
22, 24
Government officers
Grades
18
44
Peer Group
36
Philosophy
35
Piercings
20
President’s letter
6
9-10
Publications
Guests
28
R
46
Harassment
RAs (Resident Assistants)
Heath services
22, 29
Choral music
37
History
Class Deans
14
Class officers
35
Closed weekends
College guidance
College visits
37-38
35
17
H
12
Payment schedule
Green sheet
4
24-25, 31
Parties (off-campus)
Performing Arts
Government
Cell phones
Community service
37
G
B
21
Emergencies
Alma Mater
39-40
22
37-38
Nurse
28-29
Athletics code
22, 26
43
Allowances
Athletics
3
36-37
28
17
Records
22
24-25, 31
Recycling
34
5
Religious life
33-34
Homework
9
Report cards
9-10
Honor code
13
Residential life
23
27
Honor roll
9
Room condition
26
31
I
Room search statement
26
19
Instrumental music
37
37
Intl. student travel
27-28
Rules (major)
12, 21
L
Contact us
42-44
Laundry
29
Counseling
30
Levi Sprague Fellows
28
Courses, drop/add
11
Library
Cum Laude Society
36
Lock Down procedures
22
Lockers
34
School rules (major)
Safety tips for boarders
32-33
15-16
S
Computers
D
26
Schedules
Academic schedule changes
11
Daily “bells” schedule
8
Evening & weekend
29
15-16
Daily Bulletin
20
Lost articles
22
Science Research Group
36
Dance
37
Lunch
34
Snow day procedure
19
Dean’s letter
6
M
Dean’s list
9
Mail
Dean’s meeting
17
Standard of dress
Student addresses
29
28
Major school rules
15-16
Disciplinary system
15-17
Medical procedures
24-25
Dormitory life
23-29
Messages
Dining room and meals
Drama
Dress code
47
Driving/auto policy
4
37
20-21
Mission statement
Motor vehicles
29, 42-44
20-21, 28
Stolen articles
22
Storage policy
29
Student activities
Program
Organizations
35-38
34
35-38
3
Student records
22
22, 26
Student services
30-34
Index
Study abroad
11
Study hall
25
Swimming pool
22
T
Tattoos
Telephones
Students
Offices, dormitories
20
22, 29
22
42-44
Tobacco policy
16
Transportation
21-22
Boarding students
28
Day students
21-22
Travel options
28
Tutoring
11
Tuition
44
V
Vacation
School
4, 27
Passes
27
Dorms closed
27
Voicemail
42-44
W
Weekend parties
Weekend permissions
27
Weekend schedules
29
What to bring
48
18
23-24