Parents, as we enter the home stretch in the academic year, we could use your help on the following matters:

 

Dress code. I hope I do not sound sexist when I note that we don’t have any issues with the ways boys are dressing right now. (Thankfully our school culture has not widely embraced the look of wearing pants too low.) However, the fashion trends of the moment have girls coming to school too often in shorts that are too short or in tops that violate our dress code because they have spaghetti straps or no straps at all. Please help us by observing what your daughters are wearing when they leave for school, keeping in mind that the sweatshirts they may leave in are not the shirts they wear throughout the day. My guess is there are some battles going on in CA households every morning (“You’re wearing that to school!?”) We are also speaking to students as needed at school. I have addressed the students about this in our town hall and in an e-mail. Please refer to our Student Handbook under the Dress Code section for more details.

 

Prom Season. Prom is coming next weekend and it will be a great event as always. We hope all parents will take the opportunity to discuss student safety and wise decision making. We know that a majority of student driving accidents and poor choices in regards to drinking and sexual activity happen in the spring--too often these events get connected to major school events like Prom or other rites of passage. AfterProm helps us tremendously as it gives students a safe alternative on Prom Night. Similarly, Think & Drive Day (next Thursday) gives students ample evidence as to why they should never drive when distracted (whether by phones, alcohol, drugs, or too many passengers). But we know these efforts on the school’s part can only go so far. We hope all parents share our concerns for student safety and well being and will do their part to uphold a high standard for their children.

It is always distressing for me to hear about a parent-sponsored party at which alcohol is knowingly served or allowed. I have heard adults argue “At least I know where they are when they are drinking.” This is such a risky and misguided notion both from a legal and moral standpoint. But again we have to be clear about our expectations and the consequences should students make poor choices at this time of year. I am happy to elaborate or discuss with anyone who would like to contact me.

 

Attendance. Please remember to call in your son or daughter if he/she is absent for all or part of the day. The first means of communication for you to use is the main attendance line (303-914-2598) to leave a message. That line is checked multiple times during the day. An e-mail to either Amber DuVall or Sheila Chennell is also acceptable. If your son or daughter is marked absent during either of the first two periods of the day and we have not heard from home, we will contact you via e-mail or phone. Students coming late or leaving early should also sign in or out on the sheet in the main office. Also, no sophomores have open campus yet, even if they can drive. That means once a sophomore has arrived on campus and parked his/her car, they may not leave campus unless we have parental permission. All of these procedures are put in place with the main goal of student safety.

 

In the Upper School we strive to maintain a strong partnership between the school and the child’s home. We hope that we can be on the same page in regards to our expectations of student conduct. The more consistency in an adolescent’s life, the better. Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

 

Jon Vogels