Country Day School

Boarding Program

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Boarding Program Handbook

2006-2007 School Year

This handbook is published as an addition to the CDSG Parent/Student Handbook

Welcome from the CDSG Director

Welcome to the Country Day School Guanacaste Boarding Program!

This booklet is intended to provide you some guidance on becoming an active and successful member of our boarding program. Not every question is answered, or situation addressed, but we have tried in this document, to cover the major issues and concerns that our boarding students typically encounter.

You will find your fellow boarders, the faculty, and the entire school community to be helpful and outgoing. Most have been boarding students themselves, and appreciate the challenges of settling-in to both a new school and a new living situation. You are joining an academic, adventurous and active community, that cares.

Living directly with you in the dorm are Residence Managers and Dorm Counselors. These individuals are there to guide and assist you; ask their help, follow their directives, and become part of the community.

At the end of this document is a page for the student’s and parent’s signature. This page should be signed and returned to the school.

Finally, my door is always open…do not hesitate to come to me if you just want to talk, or have a problem that I can help you solve.

Stephen Butler

Principal

CDSG

School’s Mission

The mission of Country Day School is to provide its students with a traditional college preparatory education. The school is committed to high academic standards and achievement through a balanced program structured primarily on the United States curricula.

Country Day School is a private, non-sectarian, English-language school, serving students from early childhood through high school.

School’s Objectives

In keeping with our mission, Country Day School:

· Develops the intellectual, social, aesthetic and moral values to our students.

· Maintains high academic standards and fosters a love of learning.

· Maintains a structured plan for learning and high academic achievement, and clearly articulates the curriculum content.

· Evaluates student learning frequently, with a variety of assessment tools, to ensure that each child is progressing appropriately.

· Assists students to prepare for a world of rapid change, in which continuing education, creative thought, the ability to use technology, and acquisition of skills are essential.

· Teaches the understanding and of the cultural values and customs of Costa Rica.

· Teaches and models virtues such as honesty, compassion, diligence, kindness, fairness, loyalty, and the "Golden Rule".

· Prepares students for admission to universities in North America, Costa Rica and around the world.

Academic and Dormitory Life: An Overview

CDSG welcomes boarding students in grades 8-12, who seek a challenging U.S. college preparatory program.

Students of any nationality or citizenship are accepted, but moderate competency in English is required after grade 7.

CDSG does not have special needs support, except in very mild cases.

All instruction is in English, except for foreign language classes in Spanish. Spanish language training is required in all grades, for one period per day. The school offers an extensive list of AP courses, as well as standard level high school curricula. A senior project, arts and athletics are part of the core curriculum and required for graduation.

Typically, our students graduate with 26 high school credits, 4 to 6 AP courses, and go on to attend U.S. or Canadian universities.

The CDSG boarding program is unique, in that it is the only U.S. accredited program in Central America.

The boarding program accommodates both five-day and seven-day boarding students. Five-day boarders typically have parents residing in Costa Rica, and return home for the weekends, while seven-day boarders typically have parents residing outside of Costa Rica, and return home for major holiday breaks. All boarders live and study together and often take one another to their respective homes.

Boarders reside in a new 20-room student dormitory, which features air conditioning, private bathrooms, and a large common room for recreation. The boarding residence is divided into boy’s and girl’s wings, has an alarm system, as well as external guards at night for security. Boarders take their meals in the school dining room, and enjoy the use of the gym, pool, playing field, library, and computer lab.

The boarding residence has Internet access, and students are urged to bring their own lap top computer. Ten teachers, three administrators and three dorm supervisors live on campus, including five faculty members in the dorm complex. A modern emergency health clinic is located within ten minutes of campus, and resident personnel are trained in first aid and emergency care.

Boarders have a structured day with assigned times for school sports, arts, service learning, and study hall. Recreational visits to nearby beaches and area attractions are scheduled regularly.

Boarders are allowed and encouraged to visit the homes of day students with the permission of both sets of parents.

The school takes seriously its responsibility for boarders, and believes that adherence to a clearly articulated code of conduct, that is consistently followed, is critical to assuring the safety of all students, and to maintaining a positive and supportive learning environment.

General Rules and Conditions for Dorm Life

· The Boarding Program is run by the Dorm Staff, which is composed of the Residence Manager(s) and Dorm Counselors. The Dorm Counselors handle day-to-day contact with the boarding students, such as wake-ups, study-hall supervision, off campus trips, on-campus activities, student counseling, and minor disciplinary actions. Residence Managers supervise the general operations of the Boarding Program, ensuring that procedures, protocols, and rules are followed; additionally, they handle major disciplinary issues.

· Students are expected to respect and obey Dorm Counselors and Residence Manager(s) at all times. Failure to do so is considered a cause for disciplinary action.

· Boarding students are required to follow the rules and protocols as outlined in the General Student Handbook, and all other school communications. Issues that are not specifically addressed in school regulations, are resolved and handled by the Dorm Staff at that time, pending further review.

· Alcohol and tobacco products are strictly prohibited and will result in severe disciplinary action.

· The School has a zero-tolerance policy for the possession and/or use of illegal drugs and for the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs. The possession and/or use of illegal drugs, or the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs, will result in immediate expulsion, without exception or appeal.

· The School maintains a closed-campus policy. Boarders must check-in and check-out of campus, following the procedures as directed by the Dorm Staff. Leaving or attempting to leave campus without permission is an extremely serious offense.

· All medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, must be turned in to, and held by the Dorm Counselors. Dorm Counselors will dispense medication as directed by a doctor’s prescription for prescribed drugs, or as needed for over-the-counter drugs. In the case of over-the-counter drugs, a letter from the parents giving Dorm Counselors permission to dispense such medications to their son or daughter is required. Failure to turn in prescribed and/or over-the-counter drugs is a serious offense.

· Any and all types of weapons, including camping knives, are strictly forbidden. The School reserves the right to decide when a device or implement is considered to pose a risk.

· At no time should a student be inside his/her room and have the door locked. Doors may only be (and must be) locked when students leave the dorms everyday for classes, or when they leave for home or off-campus trips.

· Students of different gender may not be in the same room together, except for special study requirements, in which case they must receive prior approval by a member of the Dorm Staff, and the door to the room must remain completely open at all times.

· Each student is responsible for waking up at required times, being on time to meals, classes, and school activities. Students should bring their own alarm clock.

· Each student is responsible for his/her own personal hygiene, being considerate of other boarders and roommates by showering regularly, and using everyday hygiene products.

· Sound systems may be used (except after lights-out) as long as they do not interfere with other students’ right to study, and sleep, and they do not disturb the general peace and quiet of the dorm for others. No audible sound systems may be used during study hall.

· Many students enjoy the use of bicycles, and bikes can be bought locally at reasonable cost. Students are responsible for locking their bicycles and keeping them secure. Helmets are required for all bicycle riders.

· Boarding students may not have a motorized vehicle on campus.

· Boarding students may not have pets on campus.

· Residents must be in acceptable attire while in the dorm hallways and common areas. Students must wear a shirt, and shorts or pants at all times that they are out of their rooms. In the case of returning from the beach or swimming pool, students will change into appropriate day wear. Pajamas are not allowed in the hallways or common areas, unless accompanied by a full robe.

· There are shared phone and computer facilities in the dorms. Boarding students must abide by Dorm Staff rules regarding call time limits and computer use limits.

· Boarding students are expected to share cooking and clean-up duties when using the Dorm kitchen or bar-b-queue. Additionally, Dorm Staff may assign weekly or other periodic clean-up duties to Boarders if it becomes necessary to keep the common areas clean and comfortable.

· Students are expected to keep beds made (weekends at the discretion of Dorm Staff), floors clear of all clutter and/or clothes, and to keep their bathrooms in an orderly condition. Failure to do so will make it very difficult for the dorm cleaning staff to do their jobs.

· Boarding Facilities can bring differences of opinion that result in disagreements between students, and between students and the dorm staff. Boarding students are expected to resolve such conflicts through respectful discussion and compromise.

· Physical violence in the dorm is absolutely unacceptable and may result in immediate expulsion.

· Harassment of another student is absolutely unacceptable and will result in disciplinary action. If a student believes they are being harassed, they should immediately speak with a dorm staff member.

· Boarding students are fully expected to maintain acceptable grades. Supporting this goal is a nightly mandatory study hall in the dorm, usually from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm, or as directed by Dorm Staff. Students study in their rooms, with doors open. Students may study in a group, if approved by the dorm staff.

· Dorm staff are available for tutoring every evening. It is highly recommended that boarding students make use of this assistance when needed.

· Students must follow laundry procedures as instructed by Dorm Counselors. Students must provide their own laundry bag, marked with their name, and place it where instructed on laundry days. All personal items must be labeled with the student’s initials. The School is not responsible for items left in clothing, or for lost or damaged clothing.

· If a student feels sick, he/she must report immediately to a member of the Dorm Staff, or if during School hours, to the Principal’s office. The student will be sent back to the dorms under School supervision, or taken to the local clinic, depending on the seriousness of their condition.

Decorating Dorm Rooms and Damages

Students may reasonably decorate their rooms, following the school’s guidelines:

· Students are prohibited from altering permanent fixtures, which have been built into the room, permanently attaching items to the school’s property, and removing/changing furniture, without the written approval of the Resident Managers.

· Room decorations must not permanently alter any aspect of the room.

· The possession of empty alcohol containers and their use as decoration is strictly prohibited.

· Students are expected to use good judgment in their choice of decorations, and the Dorm Counselors, Residence Managers, and other faculty and administrators have the right to remove room decorations they feel are offensive or inappropriate.

· Damages resulting from placement of decorative items will be charged to the student’s account.

· All damages should be immediately reported to the Dorm Counselors. Reimbursement to the school for damage is charged to the student’s deposit and account.

· The Residence Manager and Operations Manager will inspect rooms for damages, at the end of each semester.

· What constitutes acceptable decorations and room damages is ultimately at the discretion of the Resident Manager.

Security, Inspections, and Room Housekeeping

Security, occasional room inspections, and good housekeeping are important aspects of the boarding program. CDSG expects the following from its boarding students:

· Students’ rooms are to be kept clean and in an orderly fashion. Beds must be made daily, and clothing kept properly stored and off the floor.

· When students are out of their rooms for more than a few minutes, all lights, stereo, computers and air conditioners must be turned off.

· Students’ rooms can be inspected at any time. Room inspections may include opening desks, bureaus, closets, trunks, etc. While the faculty and staff respects student privacy, circumstances may require a complete and thorough room search.

· Each room is equipped with a lock and students are issued keys. Dorm rooms must be kept locked during the school day, from 7:00 am, until students return from school or after-school activities. All rooms must be locked during the weekends, while students are off campus.

· Large amounts of money and passports should not be kept in dorm rooms. The school provides a safe, where these can be deposited and retrieved as needed.

· The school does not provide insurance to cover the loss of students’ personal property. Parents should review their home-owners insurance policy, and make the appropriate coverage changes to include their student’s belongings.

· Boarding students must adhere to emergency warnings and follow the instructions of the dorm staff on duty.

· Boarding students are expected to respect curfew times established by the Residence Managers and Dorm Counselors, and remain in their individual rooms.

· All non-Costa Rican boarding students must turn in a clear photocopy of their passport and date-of-entry page; Costa Rican boarding students must provide a copy of their Costa Rican cedulas, or other forms of official identification. These copies are needed to comply with Costa Rican regulations, prior to acceptance into the boarding program.

Boarding Students’ Weekend Program

Full time boarding students typically participate in a number of weekend

activities throughout the year. These activities are also open to 5 day boarders

and day students at an additional cost. The following are examples of many

of the exciting trips and activities done in the recent past:

· An overnight white-water rafting trip and visit to San Jose.

· SCUBA certification.

· A visit to the Arenal Volcano area.

· Ocean sailing.

· An over night visit to the Monte Verde area.

· An over night visit to the Rincon Volcano and hot springs.

· An over night visit to the Jaco Beach area and Manual Antonia National Park.

· A spelunking and camping trip to local caves.

· Day and camping trips to the nearby beaches, ocean kayaking, and various camping and hiking trips into the rain and cloud forests.

· Time on the School’s ropes course.

· Equestrian/golf/tennis activities.

· Cultural events in Liberia, Santa Cruz, and San Jose.

· Weekend stays with day-student families.

· Snorkeling.

· Surfing.

· Sports and academic conferences.

Some weekends are designated for possible home-stay visits with host families. CDS believes that visits with local families are part of a balanced program and a valuable experience while living and learning in the CDS community.

In order for a boarding student to stay with a host family, both the boarder’s

parents and the hosting parents must agree to the visit, and sign the necessary

visit forms.

Weekday Schedule

A typical school day for a boarding student would be the following:

6:30 am: Wake up, clean room, make bed, breakfast at 7:00am. All students must clean their room before school begins.

7:00 am: Breakfast at the school dinning hall.

7:30 am - 2:30 pm: Classes. Classes are 55 minutes in length. There is a 15-minute morning break, and a 50-minute lunch period.

2:30 pm – 6:00 pm: After-school activities are held on and off campus. All boarders are expected to actively participate in after-school activities, at least 3 times per week.

6:00 pm: Dinner in the school’s dinning hall.

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Study Hall. Students study in the common room (exceptions require approval of Dorm Counselors).

9:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Free time. Students watch movies, play pool and ping-pong, talk, etc., usually in the common area.

10:00 pm: All freshmen, sophomores, and juniors in their own rooms. Seniors are in their rooms by 10:30 pm.

10:45 pm: Lights out.

Medical and Dental Care

Medical and dental clinics are located less than 3 miles from the campus. The medical clinic provides 24/7 ambulance service to a major hospital in Liberia, 45 minutes from campus. Additionally, a major world-class hospital is located 5 hours by car in Escazu, or 45 minutes by plane from the Tamarindo Municipal Airport. For non-emergency out-patient care, students can use the nearby clinics, or specialists in Tamarindo and Liberia.

What to Bring

What should students bring with them to the boarding program? Any list, however long, will eventually miss naming a favorite item, but the following is what most students have when they arrive:

· Clothing appropriate for the weather – shorts, short sleeve shirts and blouses, t-shirts, etc. Cotton or a blend is the preferred material.

· Footwear should include 2 pair of athletic shoes (to permit one to dry while the other is in use), sandals, rubber flip-flops, hiking boots, and some sort of beach/water shoe that can be wet while still protecting the foot.

· Cotton or cotton blend underwear.

· Cotton crew socks.

· A “nice” outfit to go to dinner, visit a family, or attend a more formal school function.

· A PC laptop with MS Office and the ability to connect to a wireless LAN.

· Medications with the doctors’ prescriptions.

· Swim suit(s) (at least 2).

· A sun hat.

· Sun tan lotion (available here, but less expensive there).

· Favorite music, iPOD, etc.

· Small appliances (Costa Rica has the same voltage, hz, and electrical plugs as the U.S.)

· Camera

· Surf board

· Extra eye glasses or set of contacts if you wear them.

· Some favorite posters, pictures, items, etc., to remind you of home and with which to decorate your room.

· Mosquito repellant (available here, but less expensive there).

· Flashlight.

· Personal books and magazines.

· A backpack.

Boarding Student Travel Policy

On major travel dates, such as the beginning and end of semesters, holiday breaks, and last day of school, Country Day School Guanacaste provides transportation services to and from Tamarindo and Liberia airports.

The major travel dates are posted on our web-site prior to each school year; students should schedule their airline tickets, to take advantage of school provided transportation to the airports.

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from weekend stays off campus. Faculty will pick up and drop off boarders only under extenuating or special circumstances, and, when asked to do so, are paid an established rate (these charges are billed home).

As a convenience, the school keeps a list of drivers available for students’ use on occasions other than the major travel dates. The school shall not be held liable for any injuries, damages, or other risks arising from the use of said drivers. Students pay for these transportation services out of their own money.

Departing Campus

Whenever leaving campus, unless on a school-organized trip, students must obtain permission and follow the sign-out procedures. There can be no exceptions; if required permission is not approved and/or the sign-out procedures are not followed, the student will not be permitted to leave campus.

Weekends Away

With proper permission, a 7 or 5 day boarding student may stay with a host family. Weekend visits can be for one or two nights. Students must follow these procedures:

· Obtain the required paperwork from both their parents and the hosting family’s parents

· Have a current Boarding Student Release Form on record.

· Have the hosting family must have filled out the necessary forms for the home-stay.

· Have the Dorm Counselors contact the hosting family.

Permission for a weekend away must be obtained from the Dorm Counselors by 1:00 pm, Tuesday before the proposed weekend. Permission is not finalized until approved by the Residence Manager.

In addition, students must accurately state where they are going; a destination may not be changed without approval of the Residence Manager. Students violating any of these procedures, will lose weekend privileges and may be subject to further disciplinary action.

Weekend visits are a privilege that is based upon a boarding student’s ability to maintain acceptable behavioral standards and academic standing as stated in the Parent/Student Handbook. A student who violates school rules or fails to maintain acceptable academic achievement will have weekend visit privileges suspended.

Guidelines for CDSG Hosting Families

CDS believes that visits with local families are part of a balanced program and a valuable experience for living and learning in the CDS community.

· Plan in advance; boarding students need time to follow proper procedures for obtaining permission for weekend leave.

· Hosting parents should communicate with the parents of the visiting student.

· Please understand that CDSG rules apply, even in your home. The use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco is not allowed.

· Plan to be home. Visits will not be authorized if we become aware that there will be no parental supervision.

· Hosting parents are responsible for the behavior and welfare of visiting boarding students.

· It is the responsibility of the visiting student to arrange transportation to and from a host family’s home. CDSG does not provide transportation for the weekend.

Please do not hesitate to contact the parents of a visiting student, or to return the visiting student to school if you are concerned about their behavior. If the students are to be returned to the school, please call a member of the dorm staff first.

· Dorm Counselors: Cell: 828-0267 or 654-5042 ext. 6113, 6110, 6134,

Regina or Jon

· Residence Manager: House: 654-5042, ext. 6115

Mark and Carol Sluzky

· Pacific Emergencies: 653-8785 Cell: 378-8265

Overnight Guests Policy

Students may have overnight non-boarding CDSG students as guests with the permission of the Dorm Counselors and the Residence Manager, and with the following conditions:

· The host & guest students fill out and return the Guest Card to the Dorm Counselors, at least 24 hours before the guest’s arrival on campus.

· The guest may only visit on a Friday or Saturday night.

· The guest is the same gender as the host student and will sleep in the same bedroom as the host student.

· The host student’s roommate must agree to sharing his/her room with the guest, and the guest is responsible for his/her own sleeping arrangements (i.e. sleeping bag).

· The guest remains at the dormitory for only one night.

· Both the host and the guest understand that the guest is subject to school rules.

· If the guest is joining an activity with the boarding students, the guest is responsible for paying for the cost of all meals, and activities that incur a cost. The guest must inform the Boarding Program Supervisor of his/her desire to participate in boarding program one week before the scheduled visit.

· Transportation to and from the guest’s home is the responsibility of the guest.

· Transportation to a previously scheduled boarding student activity will be provided for a guest only if there is space available on the bus/minivan, and may be subject to a fee.

· Students will have overnight privileges eliminated if any damage is caused to school property, and any such damages will be billed to the hosting student. Additionally, guests must follow the rules and procedures of the school.

Deposits and “Pocket” Money

Guarantee and Damage Deposit: For full time boarders, a refundable deposit of $1.000 is required upon initial admission, to cover payment of such costs as emergency medical services (ambulance service, out patient treatment, and the like) and to cover charges for damage assessment, or lost books.

The deposit for 5 day boarders is $500.

“Pocket Money:” A deposit of $500 for pocket money is required to replace lost, damaged, or worn-out personal items, or unforeseen expenses not covered by the school. Each student's account will be managed by the residential staff member.

Seven day boarders should include money for athletic costs (uniforms, tournament spending money, etc.)

Five day boarders do not require a pocket-money account.

Refunds: Tuition is non-refundable in cases related to dismissal for violation of school rules and regulations. Withdrawal refunds other than for dismissal will be considered on a case-by-case-basis at the school’s discretion.

Student Health Insurance

It is imperative that all boarders come with private medical and dental coverage. Proof of coverage must be submitted before the start of classes.

The parent or guardian must sign a contract which grants the school the right to act in loco parentis, in the case of a medical emergency. The school provides limited accident insurance 24 hours, 7 days a week while the student is enrolled at CDS.

Boarding students should have a complete physical signed by a physician, prior to attending Country Day School Guanacaste.

How to Reach Your Student and Whom to Call

Parents wishing to reach their student on a weekday, during class hours (7:30 am – 2:30 pm), may call the school office at: Country Code 506, 654 – 5042, Extension 6100. This is the school secretary’s telephone, and she will immediately notify your student. It is preferred that calls to students occur outside of class time, but emergencies do happen.

The school can also be reached by email at info_cdsg@cds.ed.cr and by fax at 506, 654-5044.

Parents wishing to reach their student during the weekend, may call the school at Country Code 506, 654 – 5042. The school’s automated attendant will prompt you for an extension number. The available extensions are the following:

· Extension 6113 (Boarding Common Room)

· Extensions 6109, 6110 or 6134 (Dorm Counselors)

· Extension 6115 (the Residence Managers)

· Extension 6117 (the Principal)

Agreement of Understanding and Compliance

We, the undersigned student and parents (or legal guardians) have read the Boarding Program Handbook, and agree to abide by the rules therein.

Signature of the student: __________________, Date: ______

Signature of the parents or legal guardian: __________________, Date: ______