Dear Upper School Parents:
 
We trust you are enjoying your time with family and friends during summer break. My hope is your son or daughter will return rested, refreshed, and ready to begin a rewarding new school year. During the summer there are many details involved in preparing your child for the first day of school. Hopefully, this information will assist you in getting your son or daughter organized and answer any questions you may have about the upcoming year.
 
Handbook Changes: I am asking that you review and read the 2018-19 Student/Parent Handbook located at www.maclay.org/USHandbook. Be sure to pay special attention to the following changes and/or updates for the 2018-2019 school year:
  • Daily Schedule
  • Attendance (Definitions, Tardiness and Absences, Policy Regarding Work Missed During Tardies/Absences, Care Plan, FLEX)
  • Electronic Devices
  • Library
  • Lunch Off Campus
  • Review Board (Social Probation, Academic Warning, Academic Probation)
  • Dress Code (Dress for Success)
  • Conduct Grading Scale
  • MARC
  • Freshman Academy
  • Academic Advisors
  • Directed Individual Study
  • Center for Learning
  • Cheating
  • Lunch Detentions
  • Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs
  • Anti-Bullying
  • Visitors/Volunteers
  • Policy on Running for Office and Holding an Office
  • All appendices to the Handbook:
    • Maclay School Driving and Parking Permission Form
    • Junior/Senior Off-Campus Lunch Privilege & Permission
    • Pre-Approved Absence Form
Upper School Bell Schedule: The 2018-19 school year introduces a new block schedule in the Upper School www.maclay.org/USSchedule. Changing the educational landscape for the enrichment of our students, families, and faculty will magnify our academic strengths while providing our community time and balance. We anticipate a short transition period while we all acclimate to this new structure, but are confident the end result will be a positive one.
 
Course Schedules: Your child's list of courses for the 2018-19 school year will be emailed within the next few days. Students should carefully review the courses they have been assigned and email their academic advisor, www.maclay.org/USAdvisors, and email [email protected] with any questions, concerns, or changes needed. Often, changes are difficult, but we will try to accommodate any changes that are necessary.
 
Textbooks: You can find a complete list of textbooks for your son or daughter at  www.maclay.org/books starting July 24th. This year, eTechCampus will offer our families two options when ordering textbooks.
  • Option 1: Rental Bundle - When logged in, your son's/daughter's schedule will appear, and they will receive everything needed for each class for a flat $350 rental fee. Students will return the rental books at the end of the year buyback (except for consumables and e-licenses). The rental bundle is usually significantly less than purchasing books and materials a la cart (Option 2), as well as has the benefits of automatically sending books for dropped and added courses.
  • Option 2: Shop by Course - This option will allow your son or daughter to pick and choose only what they want to buy (new, used, rental, marketplace) just as they have in the past.
  • Free Shipping by USPS is available from July 24 to July 31

If you choose Option 1 and your son/daughter needs to change his/her schedule after they have ordered books, the Rental Bundle automatically updates based on their revised schedule, including adding and dropping courses. Prior to shipment, materials will be removed or added to the order when necessary. After an order has been shipped, added course materials will automatically be sent separately. This will result in multiple packages, but all course materials are included in the low price. Dropped course materials will need to be returned. If you choose Option 2, students will have a return period of 30 days from the start of class to return unused books.

 
Dual Enrollment:  This Fall, we are excited to announce a new partnership with Thomas University. We will offer a Dual Enrollment Program to qualified 11th and 12th grade students wishing to receive college credit. Students accepted into the Dual Enrollment Program need to be motivated to reach their academic goals and demonstrate the responsibility and maturity needed to be successful in a college level class. Classes will be taught on campus during FLEX by Maclay faculty.  Thomas University Dual Enrollment courses are transferable  to any state university and many other colleges. Students should see their Academic Advisor for course selection or click here for more www.maclay.org/DualEnrollment.
 
2018-2019 Enrichment Courses: During FLEX, we will offer a number of Enrichment courses to students who embrace intellectual challenge and who seek to expand their horizons. These courses are designed  to open students' minds to new ideas, encourage their creativity, and help them to think and problem solve in new and exciting ways. Click here to see the list of courses www.maclay.org/Enrichment,
 
Student Orientation Programs: The beginning of the school year is very busy, and we hope to make your child's transition as easy as possible. To assist in this transition, I would like to invite you and your son or daughter to the following orientation programs happening Thursday, August 9th.
 
New Family Fair and Orientation: At 8:45 a.m., all NEW Upper School students and parents are invited to Cartee Gym for an orientation that will consist of an overview of the Upper School and its Administration. The New Family Fair will be open 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and will have information tables for Marauder Meals, parent portal support, athletics, arts, and more.
 
Freshman Academy Orientation: At 9:30 a.m. ALL 9th grade students are invited to meet at the Oak Tree with Freshman Academy Director, Angela Croston for fun class activities geared to help the students transition to Upper School. They will also get their class t-shirt and be provided a pizza lunch.  Mrs. Croston will be sending an email with further information.
 
New Faculty/Staff: When your son or daughter returns to campus, there will be a few new faces in the Upper School. We are excited to welcome Joe Kupiszewski (Computer Science/Engineering), Walter Liebrich (Forensics Coach), Emily Manning (College Counselor), Angie Milford (Life Management), Gina Proctor (Forensics Coach/Debate), and Justin VanTassel (Risk and Reward) to our faculty/staff.
 
The final link I'm sending is the calendar for the school year which you can download by clicking here.  I am excited about the upcoming year, and I hope this letter serves to ease your child's transition back to school.  Enjoy the rest of your summer, and please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
 
All the Best,
Charles E. Beamer, Jr.
Assistant Head of School
Upper School Director
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