Upper School: New Handbook, New Schedule

Welcome to the 2012-13 school year!  I am thrilled to hear the clamor of students on Darlington’s campus again. Seeing them smile and greet each other as hey come back together, from all over the world, it is clear that the bonds formed here are powerful and deeply meaningful. 

I’d like to begin by extending a special welcome to our new families. You have joined a truly remarkable community. Darlington’s faculty and staff care deeply, and we pride ourselves on making strong connections with our students, your children. You have trusted us with your most preciouscreations and we don’t take this lightly. We are dedicated to their success. Therefore, we pledge to seek excellence inall we do – in the classroom, on stage and on the field. 

As we gear up for the year, there are some exciting developments that I’d like to share with you. Thanks to the great feedback we received last year from parents and students, we have overhauled the Parent and Student Handbook. Policies, although not the most lively topic of conversation, need to be clear and readily accessible. In addition to posting this content on our website, it is now a polished electronic publication. Please download it to your computer, iPad, e-reader or preferred electronic device. Whether you need to check graduation requirements, Dress Code regulations or travel guidelines, we hope you will find this new tool intuitive and helpful. Please click here for a link to the new Upper School Parent and Student Handbook and download it today! Five minutes spent exploring this new resource could answer many of your questions and save you a lot of hassle.

For those of you who are returning, our daily school schedule has changed. I think that within a few weeks, you’ll find the routine is comfortable and the schedule much improved. For those who are joining us this year, you can access the new schedule by clicking here or by looking in the Parent and Student Handbook’s “Academic Life” section.

This new-and-improved schedule offers longer blocks of time so that advisors canconnect with their students in meaningful ways and so that we can integrate two important teaching initiatives – project-based learning and continued growth intechnology integration. These are game-changers for Darlington as we continue to push ourselves to a higher level. These initiatives will allow us to maintain our “vigorously college-preparatory” identity, while also developing the skills needed for success in the 21st Century. 

This year, there are also some updates to our advisory program. Ninth-graders will participate in Freshman Seminars throughout the year, working with teams of subject-specialists on topics such as learning strategies, social skills, research methods, writing conventions, technology, leadership, philanthropy and more. 

Let me end by saying thank you to each and every one of you for choosing Darlington School. We encourage you to participate in school events and take advantage of everything Darlington has to offer to get the most out of your time with us. 

Have an outstanding day and a wonderful year!