In general, children with infectious diseases and/or parasitic infestation are not to be in school. 

Please observe the following guidelines:

1). Do not drop off sick children at school. If your child has a sore throat, heavy cough, headache, stomach ache, nausea, diarrhea or fever, arrange to have the child stay home or to be cared for elsewhere. The child may return to school 24 hours after the last major symptoms have subsided.  

If your child has more severe symptoms, such as those related to norovirus, your child may not return to school until 48 hours have passed without any symptoms. The school must be notified immediately if your child has been exposed to, or has been diagnosed with an infectious disease.

When a child becomes ill at school, a parent or other designated adult will be called to pick up the child immediately.  The child will be masked while waiting for an adult to pick the child up. Parents can designate another adult to pick up a sick child on the Student Information Form, which is submitted to the school with other registration materials.

2). If your child is not immunized, and has been exposed to a communicable disease, such as COVID-19, chicken pox, measles, pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, etc., we require the parents to notify the school immediately to protect those with compromised immune systems.  You must arrange to have your child/ren stay home or be cared for elsewhere during the incubation period. 

Children with parasitic infestations (i.e. head lice, pin worms, scabies, etc.) are not allowed in school.  Please notify the school immediately of any infestations; informational letters will be sent out to the school community stating which classes are affected.

Re-admittance of a child who had parasites will be granted upon proof of treatment, including any prescribed waiting period, should a physician or the health department order one. Re-examination upon return, especially in the case of head lice, may be necessary, in which case the parent must accompany the child until he or she is readmitted.

3). In the event medicine needs to be administered during the school day, there are clear procedures in order to protect the school, the staff, other children, and naturally, the individual child.

Staff members are not allowed to give medicine to children except under the following conditions: The medication must be provided in the original container (prescription bottle if appropriate). The parent is to bring the medicine to the office along with the written authorization and very specific instructions. Under no condition should medication, remedies or supplements — prescription or non-prescription — be sent to school with the child in lunch baskets, with snacks, or in backpacks. If there is a specific, individual need, please discuss it with your child’s teacher or the administrative staff.

Our community takes great care to ensure that our school’s environment is conducive to learning. When students wear comfortable clothing suitable for both classroom work and outdoor play, it ensures their comfort and good health and supports an optimal learning environment.

This dress code has been developed in dialogue with parents, students, teachers, and staff, and we ask that each parent supports us with our intention of prioritizing physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. 

Religious and cultural exceptions will always be accommodated. 

All Ages

• School clothing should fit comfortably, and allow freedom of movement. 
•  Torsos should not be exposed, and hands should be free for working. 
• Shoes should be sturdy, comfortable, and suitable for running. Light-up shoes are not permitted.
• Jewelry should be small so it cannot be caught during activities.
• Clothing should be weather appropriate. Long sleeves and pants are required from October through March. 
• Extra layers may be kept at school in case of inclement weather.
• Jackets and hats or hoods are required when the weather dictates.
• All clothing and school materials must be without writing, advertisements, violent images, or media figures. 
• This includes but is not limited to lunch bags and backpacks. 
• Shirts that commemorate a Waldorf school event, such as the Greek Games, may be worn.
• Skirts and shorts should be at least mid-thigh length,or worn over pants, tights or leggings.
• Undergarments should not be visible.
• Rips or tears should be neatly mended. 
• Perfumes and scents are not permitted.
• Electronic devices are not permitted
• This includes but is not limited to cell phones, tablets, gaming devices, music devices, and headphones.
• Digital watches may be worn from 4th grade onward.
• Medical devices will always be accommodated. 

Early Childhood

• Please refer to your parent handbook for specific guidelines for young children.

1st - 3rd Grade

• Children should keep an extra set of weather-appropriate clothes at school, both for added warmth and for dry changes.
• Indoor shoes are required; please ensure they fit well to enable safe movement. Avoid open-back clog-type shoes.

1st - 5th Grade

• Makeup and hair coloring is not allowed.

6th - 8th Grade 

• Clothing associated with a sport or activity in which a student participates may be worn.

Strings, Choir, Band Performances

• Black skirts or pants, dark shoes, and solid colored jewel tone tops are required. 
• Jewel tones may include but are not limited to: ruby reds, emerald greens, sapphire blues, amethyst purples and golden yellows.
• Some performance attire is available for student use.

Punctual regular attendance at school supports learning and develops healthy habits for students of all ages, as well as shows respect for fellow students and teachers.  The school day’s schedule from the morning greeting onward is carefully crafted to support each student’s social, emotional, physical, and academic development. Late arrivals disrupt this learning environment. Start time for all grades is 8:30 am.

Tardies

When the bell rings at 8:30 students should be with their class. If they are late, students must check-in at the office to get a late pass before joining their class.   If there is a pattern of lateness, parents will be notified and a meeting may be set up with the Pedagogical Director and the teacher.   If needed, a Family Attendance Agreement will be established. Failure to comply with this agreement could result in the student missing class events or disenrollment, at the Pedagogical Committee’s discretion. 

Absences

After 2 unexcused absences in a term, a notification will be sent home.  Students arriving after 10:15 AM or leaving before 12:45 PM and not returning are considered absent from that school day. After continued unexcused absences, the teacher and Pedagogical Committee will determine whether or not a Family Attendance Agreement needs to be established.  Failure to comply with the Family Attendance Agreement could result in missing class events or disenrollment, at the Pedagogical Committee’s discretion.  If an extended absence is planned (there days or more), please request a Pre-Arranged Absence form from the office, and complete at least two weeks prior to the planned absence.

Some reasons for an excused absence are: 

Child’s illness or injury
Family emergency
Death of a family member
Doctor or dental appointments that cannot be scheduled before or after school hours
Religious holidays  

Some examples of unexcused absences are: 

Staying home to take care of or visit with family members
Missing the school bus
Working at a job
Sleeping too late 

Core Value Statements

• May our actions convey respect, responsibility, and integrity.
• May we strive to ensure the physical and emotional safety of all members of our school community, and in doing so, cultivate and nourish an enduring sister and brotherhood.

Expectations of Conduct

• Students and adults are expected to be courteous and respectful to all members of the school community and to the general public; to respect the differences and rights of others; to use clean language, to avoid bullying*, harassing or in any way endangering or harming others, physically or emotionally.

*Bullying is defined as:

• Persistent verbal abuse
• Physical violence and/or threat of physical violence
• Intimidation 
• Prolonged and aggressive exclusion of another from a group activity
• Interference with the property of others
• Incitement or coercion of others to carry out any of the above points 

• Students and adults are expected to treat their own and others’ belongings with respect and to conduct themselves in a respectful manner on the school property, our neighboring areas and the places we visit.

• Students and adults are expected to respect the learning environment of the school; to engage fully in the work of the class, not to disrupt unnecessarily, to bring issues forward in an appropriate manner and to be timely in arrival, departure and turning in assignments and paperwork.

• WHWS does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.