RESIDENTIAL LIFE HANDBOOK George Stevens Academy is an independent high school on the coast of Maine. The Academy is a caring educational community committed to meeting the needs of each local and residential student with a challenging, comprehensive academic and experiential program that fosters the pursuit of knowledge, inspires creativity, develops self- reliance, and prepares graduates for a purposeful life in a changing world. To our Residential Students: GSA s Residential Life Program is designed to make your time at GSA as positive as possible: to encourage academic success, foster personal growth, and help you be an active member of the GSA community. You will get the most out of your year if you: Get involved in as many ways as possible: in your classes, your dorm, sports, the fine arts, clubs, student government, and the community. Speak up! Ask questions about anything you do not understand or want to understand better. Express your needs and desires openly. Make friends. Don t just wait for others to befriend you, get to know the people in your dorm and your classmates. Be willing to talk about your country and its culture. People are curious and will enjoy learning about your experiences. Speak English as much as possible. It s the best way to learn the language and improve. Also, speaking your native language (if it is not English) in a mixed group is rude because it excludes others. Please read this handbook carefully. You are responsible for knowing and understanding everything in it. The Residential Life Handbook is an extension of the all- school Student- Parent Handbook, and you are responsible for following all the rules in both handbooks, whether you are on campus, in the dorms, or on school trips.
RESIDENTIAL LIFE STAFF For a list of Residential Life staff, see the end of this handbook. DORMITORY POLICIES All GSA students are expected to follow dorm rules. They exist to create a safe environment, to promote your academic success, and to provide a comfortable and welcoming living space for you and other residents. SAFETY AND SECURITY Ensuring the safety and security of our students, including our residential students, is GSA s highest priority. The following rules are intended to keep students safe. Students who do not comply with these rules can expect disciplinary action. Every residential student is given an emergency information card with important telephone numbers. Carry your emergency card with you at all times. If it is lost or stolen, let your Dorm Parent know immediately so that it can be replaced. Fire Safety Rules Residential students are responsible for helping keep the dorms safe from fires. Violations of these rules and guidelines are grave matters, and will result in disciplinary consequences up to and including expulsion. Dorm Parents and school administrators may enter rooms at any time to inspect for compliance with fire- safety rules. Fire drills are held periodically throughout the year. Each dorm has fire drill procedures and a location to meet outside the building. Students are expected to respond immediately whenever they hear a fire alarm. Fire extinguishers, sprinklers, and alarms are located in each dormitory. It is critical for this equipment to be in top working order at all times. Any student who tampers with or deliberately misuses this equipment will be suspended or expelled. Smoking in the residence halls is forbidden. Stairwells and hallways must be kept clear at all times. Residents may not have any appliances that contain a heating element. This includes, but is not limited to, microwaves, coffeepots, rice cookers, and irons. 2
Strings of lights are not allowed. Residents may have the following electric equipment in their rooms: clock radios, alarm clocks, personal computers or laptops, small refrigerators, and lamps (maximum 100 watts). Stereos and other music- playing equipment are allowed. Lighting candles or incense is forbidden. Students' rooms must be arranged in a way that allows a clear path from the bed and desk to the doors, so that students and rescue professionals can enter and exit easily. Furniture may not be made to create a "cave" or wall in the room. Security of Personal Possession Students should only enter another person s room when that person is present and gives permission. Dorm parents will not let students into other students locked rooms. Students must not prop open an outside door, as this allows access for anybody from the outside into the building. Students should give all travel documents (i.e., passports, I- 20 s, etc.) to the Director of Residential Life when they arrive at GSA. All documents will be kept in the school safe. GSA is not responsible for lost personal items. Students should keep expensive jewelry, large amounts of money, and important papers or documents in the school safe. Money can be withdrawn during the school day, before school, at break, at lunch, or after school. Students who need money at other times should speak to the Director of Residential Life. Students should always lock dorm rooms when they are not in their rooms. Students will be charged for replacement of keys and locks. LIVING IN THE DORM Common areas Common spaces are for everyone's use and enjoyment. All dorm residents are responsible for keeping these common areas neat by cleaning up after themselves. Before leaving a common area, students should 3
Throw away trash. Put away food items. Clean spills. Wash dishes. Take all personal belongings with them. Bathrooms, in addition to lounges, hallways, and laundry rooms, are also considered common areas, and should be kept clean and free of personal items. Any water on the bathroom floor, particularly after a shower, must be cleaned up and dried. Students are expected to be fully clothed in any common space, including hallways. Common Rooms Dormitory common rooms are for residential students and their guests to enjoy. Students who use the common room should: Respect others who are also using the common room by not disturbing them or disrupting their activities. Keep TV and music volumes low. Include others - use English to communicate when in multilingual settings. Use the common room for quiet, indoor activities. Physical activities and sports should be played outdoors or in the gym. Refrain from physical displays of affection. Holding hands and sitting side- by- side is fine, but sitting on laps, kissing, or lying together is not acceptable. Damage to the Individual Rooms and Common Areas We expect our students to take care of their residence hall as they would their own home. Students should report any damage, including accidental damage, to the Dorm Parent. Unreported damage will be investigated and the individuals responsible for it will be charged for repairs. Any damage to individual rooms that is not accounted for will be billed to the residents of the room. Unaccounted damage in common areas will be divided among all residents of the dorm. Care of Rooms and Other School Property Students are encouraged to decorate their rooms, but pictures, signs, or other materials that are sexually explicit, or whose aim is to exploit, harrass, denigrate or demean persons or groups, are forbidden. In cases where there is disagreement about whether an item crosses these lines, the Dorm Parent has the final say. Nails or other methods to attach pictures or signs that may cause damage to school property are not allowed. Ask your Dorm Parent for help hanging things. Residents must remain in the room assigned to them by the school. Students may request room changes through the Director of Residential Life or Dorm Parents. 4
Appropriate use of stereos is allowed in resident rooms. However, excessive volume, use during study hours, and use after bed check will result in loss of privilege and/or removal of equipment from the room. Room Inspections As part of their community responsibility, students are expected to keep their rooms, bathrooms, common areas, and other areas of the residence hall neat and clean. Cleaning supplies will be stored in the common area and be available to all students. If supplies are running low, please tell the dorm staff. The Dorm Parent inspects rooms several times a week. Dorm Parents have the right to go into a dorm room for inspection even when a student is not there. During room inspection, dorm parents will check to see that the bed is made, the room, dresser, and desk are clear of trash and clutter, the floor is swept or vacuumed, clothes are picked up and either put away in a closet, dresser, or in a dirty clothes bag. The inspection will also check for safety issues. When leaving GSA, whether at year s end or upon withdrawal, residents are expected to leave their dorm rooms in the same condition in which they were found. Dorm Parents will check each student's room before he or she leaves to assess for damage. An excessive cleaning fee will be charged occupants of rooms left without being cleaned. Chores & Responsibilities Every dorm resident shares responsibility for maintaining a clean, healthy, and welcoming environment throughout the residence. The Dorm Parent, along with residents, creates a chore list that is posted, and each chore will be rotated throughout all residents. Students are responsible for completing their assigned chores within the stated time period. As stated above, students must help clean common areas of the residence hall, manage recycling, sweep or vacuum stairwells or hallways, and clean bathrooms. Residential students and staff are expected to contribute to the care of the dining area before and after the evening meal. These duties include: moving the tables and chairs, washing the tables and tablecloths, picking up food and garbage in the cafeteria after meals, stacking dishes and utensils neatly, and cleaning the floors in the cafeteria of any spills. Dorm Parents will assign these duties to residents as part of the chore list, on a rotating basis, and will supervise the cleaning. Laundry Each resident is responsible for doing his or her own laundry. Use detergent for a high efficiency machine only in the washers and use fabric softening sheets in the dryers. 5
No liquid softeners may be used in the washer or dryer. No shoes or sneakers in the dryer. Students should empty the machines when the cycle is completed and remove the laundry from the room once they have finished. There is also a local laundromat in Blue Hill that students can use, if preferred. Recycling Students should use the recycling containers provided in the residence hall for food cans, beverage containers, white paper, cardboard, newspaper, and #2 plastic containers. Cans and containers must be thoroughly rinsed before putting them in the recycling containers. Cooking Cooking is allowed in the common room kitchens, but not in bedrooms. Cooking in a bedroom is a fire hazard, and will be considered a serious offense. Each Residence Hall has a rice cooker, microwave, toaster, and hot water heater (for water only). Any cooking beyond light meals and snacks should only be done with the aid of a Dorm Parent or the Director of Food Service. Any infringement of cooking and kitchen practices may result in a restriction, limitation, or loss of cooking privilege. Quiet Hours Dormitories house many people in a relatively small space, and so it is important that students maintain respect and care for one another. Quiet hours ensure times when students can study or sleep. Music may be played and the television in the common room may be used, but the sounds must be kept very quiet - headphones are ideal at this time. If noise can be heard in the room next door, it is too loud. Roommates will decide together on an appropriate level of noise during quiet hours. If asked to turn down music, the television, or to lower voices, we expect our students to do so. Sunday - Friday morning: 7:00 p.m. - 7: 00 a.m. Friday - Sunday morning: 10:00 p.m. - 10:00 a.m. Mandatory Residential Study Hall Mandatory Residential Study Hall is held each night, Monday through Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Students are required to be at Study Hall and ready to begin at 6:30 p.m. No food or drinks are allowed during study hall. Study hall starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. in the GSA library. Student guests may not remain in the residence halls from 6:30-8:30 p.m., but must either attend study hall or leave campus. Dorms reopen at 8:35 p.m. Cell phones may not be used during Mandatory Study Hall. 6
Evening Activities and Lights Out Meals After study hall students may sign out of their dorms for only one destination per evening and must remain at that location or return to their residence hall. Once back in the residence hall, all students must stay at the dorm for the remainder of the evening. Students are not allowed to leave campus during this time. Any students signed out must return to the residence hall by 9:30 p.m., at which time the doors are locked and the alarm is set. On school nights, lights- out is at 10:30 p.m. After lights- out, internet use, including texting, is not permitted. On school nights, students may ask the Dorm Parents for an extra hour of study time (called "late lights") in order to continue studying and finish homework. Students with late lights may have their lights on until 11:30 p.m. At 11:30 pm, all lights must be out. Late- lights is solely at the discretion of the Dorm Parent. On Friday and Saturday nights students must be in the dorm by 11:00 p.m. and lights must be out at 11:30 p.m. Breakfast is served from 7:15 a.m. 7:50 a.m. in the cafeteria. All students are to check in at breakfast with the Dorm Parent on duty between 7:30 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. Residence Halls close for the school day at 7:30 a.m. Brunch is served from 10:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. in the cafeteria on days when there is no school. All residents must check in at brunch with the Dorm Parent on duty in the cafeteria at 10:30 a.m. Residence Halls will be closed during brunch. Dinner is served from 5:30 p.m. 6:15 p.m. in the cafeteria. All residents must check in at dinner at 5:30 p.m. with the Dorm Parent on duty in the cafeteria to hear community announcements. If a student is going to miss dinner, for an excused absence (a school event, practice, etc.), he or she must let a Dorm Parent know in advance. Dormitories will be closed during dinnertime. Students on kitchen duty during dinner must stay for the meal to help clean up afterwards. Use of electronic devices during brunch and dinner are not allowed and will be confiscated. Student Telephones Telephones for student use are available in each of the residence halls; students may also use personal cell phones. Calls should be limited to 15 minutes when others are waiting to use the phone. 7
The phone provided in the residence should always be returned to the common area when not in use. Use of any phone between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. is not allowed except for emergencies. We recommend that students use a long distance calling plan or calling card, as international calls are very expensive without such a plan. Students should also consider using Skype on their computers; Dorm Parents and other staff can help students choose the best calling plan. Visitors to the Dorms Students are encouraged to invite guests into the residence halls, but are responsible for their behavior and actions. Both residents and visitors are expected to follow all dormitory policies. Visitors will be admitted at the discretion of the dorm staff. Visitors of the opposite sex are permitted in the common areas only. No visitors of the opposite sex are permitted in a residential student s room at any time unless approved by a Dorm Parent or Dorm Assistant. Violation of this policy is a serious offense. Non- residential GSA students are encouraged to visit residence halls whenever the visit can fit into the schedule of events and activities of the dorms. Residential students wishing to bring a guest to dinner must get permission from the Dorm Parent or person on duty. Guests must pay the going rate for a meal, and must get a meal pass from the Director of Residential Life by 9:30 a.m. the day of the meal, so the Director can inform the dining hall staff. Dorm Parents must have the permission of a guest s parent or guardian for an overnight visit. Family Visits Although parents and relatives of residential students are welcome to visit their child s dorm during approved family visiting hours, it is important that the privacy and daily dormitory activities of other residential students are respected. Family members can always arrange visits with their child off campus, but should be mindful of dormitory and school duties and activities that are an integral part of the student s residential and academic experience. Families should consult and make all arrangements for visits with the Director of Residential Life, the Dorm Parents or on- duty residential staff. Family Visiting Hours: Monday- Friday 3:00 p.m. dinner Saturday/Sunday/Holidays 10:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. Parents and relatives are always welcome to join students at meals in the cafeteria, but should inform the Director of Residential Life or dormitory personnel of their intention to attend at least several hours before the scheduled mealtime. 8
GSA Internet Access Pets George Stevens Academy offers internet hookup in the residence hall. Computers and other devices with internet connections must meet GSA security requirements as determined by the school s technology policy. Students must have a legal operating system as well as acceptable virus and spy ware protection. Passwords must be provided to the staff and be able to be read in English. Upon arrival, all students who choose to connect to the GSA network will need to have their computer or device configured and deemed appropriate by the staff before access will be granted. Qualifying students will be issued a password to access the network. This password is for residential students only and may not be shared with friends or classmates outside the residence hall. Pets are not permitted in the dormitories. Open Gym and Intramurals The GSA gym is used for intramural sports, open gym, and other supervised activities. The hours of use will depend on availability of facilities and staff, as well as scheduling of activities. All students in attendance are expected to actively participate. The programs and scheduling will be determined and posted in the residence halls. Bicycles Residential students who ride a bicycle must always wear a helmet. Weekend Travel and Overnights To obtain permission to be absent from the dormitory overnight on a weekend, students must observe the following protocol. Last minute permission is often impossible to receive, so students should plan accordingly. The Director of Residential Life must receive written permission from the hosting parent or guardian. If it is not possible to get written permission, a hosting parent may call and speak directly to the Director of Residential Life. This permission must be finalized at least 24 hours before departure. Besides the invitation, the Director of Residential Life must have a record of who will provide transportation to and from the home a resident is visiting, as well as assurance that an adult will be present. In some instances, if it is not possible to arrange for a weekend sleepover or trip 24 hours in advance, hosting parent/guardians may contact Dorm Parents or on duty dorm personnel to seek permission. It is entirely up to the 9
judgment of the on- duty Dorm Parent or residential personnel whether to approve last minute plans. Dorm Parents and the Director of Residential Life may deny permission for a student to leave the dorm for a weekend for disciplinary, safety, or health reasons. Students should understand that disciplinary action may alter permission to leave on a weekend (detention, residence hall restriction). In the case of an emergency or change of weekend plans, notify the Dorm Parent or person on duty immediately - 1- (207) 907-5237 (Mr. Goldman)/ 1- (207) 266-4540 (Ms. Steeves)/ 1- (207) 284-1976 (Mr. Wrobleski). Hotels Residential students are not allowed to stay in a hotel unless accompanied by one of their parents or another approved adult. The Director of Residential Life must approve any exceptions to this rule in advance. Any student given hotel permission must have a stateside adult designee assigned through their parents as an emergency contact. In the event that the student wishes to check out or has any problems, this adult designee accepts the responsibility for going to the hotel. The designated adult is responsible for all of the student's needs until their return to GSA. RESIDENTIAL STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful of others and appropriate to their surroundings at all times. Students who violate any of the rules or regulations of GSA or the State of Maine, should expect disciplinary action. The Dorm Parents, or a member of GSA's faculty or staff, may require a student to perform beneficial services for the school or greater GSA community or place a student on restriction and/or probation when the students's conduct is unsatisfactory. GSA may expel students for poor academic achievement, lack of effort, or continued behavioral violations. Refer to the Student/Parent Handbook for details of disciplinary procedures. Alcohol The possession or use of alcohol on school property is strictly forbidden. Students found to be in possession or under the influence of alcohol will face disciplinary action as outlined in the GSA Student/Parent Handbook. Additionally, empty alcoholic beverage containers are not allowed and will be considered the same as possession of alcohol. Violation of this rule may result in expulsion. 10
GSA s Drug and Alcohol Policy Please consult GSA s Student/Parent Handbook for this important policy. Smoking or Tobacco Use GSA is a smoke- free campus. Smoking, and the use of tobacco in any form, is not allowed anywhere on GSA's campus, including the Residence Halls. Under Maine law, possession, use, or distribution of tobacco products by anyone less than 18 years old is illegal. A student caught smoking or in possession of tobacco products on school property, during school hours, or at school- sponsored activities will be suspended from school for three days and, if under eighteen, may be reported to the appropriate law- enforcement agency. In addition, the student will be referred to a smoking cessation program. Smoke- free and e- cigarettes are also forbidden. Sexual Activity Students are fobidden to have intimate sexual relations while at GSA. Riding Permission All GSA students have permission to ride in vehicles driven by GSA employees and host parents. Additional student riding privileges are determined prior to the beginning of each school year by means of the Riding Permission Form, which is filled out by parents. This form is kept on file with the Director of Residential Life; however, all students should know their level of riding permission. There are three levels of Riding Permission: Specific Permission: Director of Residential Life or Residential Supervisor on Duty must receive parental approval of both destination and driver Permission to ride with Adults: Parents give permission to ride with other adults in the community under the GSA guidelines Blanket Permission: Parents give permission to ride with any licensed driver under the GSA guidelines Riding privileges are always subject to the discretion of host parents, dorm parents on duty, or the Director of Residential Life, and may be denied at their descretion in order to ensure the safety and well- being of students. Residential students may ride with other GSA students, if it is approved by the residential student's parents, the parents of the driver, and a dorm parent. 11
Personal Automobiles Residential students are not allowed to operate any motorized vehicle, except in the course of a licensed and bonded driver education class or driving examination through the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Residential students may not take part in such a class until their second semester at GSA and then only with the written permission of their parents, or the Director of Residential Life. Residential students who violate this policy are subject to expulsion. Off-Campus Behavior Students represent GSA at all times and good behavior is expected both on and off campus. Campus Boundaries The GSA Campus proper consists of the academic, administration, and dormitory buildings, and the area within the junction of High St. and Mill St. to the north, Mill St. and Main St. to the east, Union St. to the south, and High St. to the west. Travel to any other location, including the tennis courts, is considered leaving the campus, and requires signing out. Signing Out GSA is responsible for all our students at all times. We must know where all students are, so we can be sure they are safe and can locate them in case of an emergency. Students wishing to leave the campus must sign out in the log book. Upon returning to the residence hall, each student must sign back in the log book, with the time of return. Students who are going to be absent for more than 2 hours, or who are going to leave Blue Hill for any length of time, must speak to whoever is on duty to get permission before leaving. If a student is going to miss dinner, he or she must speak to the dorm parent on duty before 5:00 p.m. If, after signing out and leaving the building, a student decides to go to a new destination, he or she must either come back to the residence hall to sign out again, or call and speak directly to the person on duty. Leaving a message is not sufficient. At 9:30 p.m. (11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday) the alarm on all outside doors will be activated. Students who are late to return or leave and sound the alarm will face disciplinary action. Students who do not adhere to these basic rules may be restricted to campus, receive detention, be assigned a cleaning duty, or have electronic equipment (computers, ipods, cell phones) temporarily withheld. Fraudulent or dishonest use of the sign- out procedure is a major offense. 12
Consequences of Violations of School Rules When a student violates school rules, the Residential Director, Dorm Parents and attending dormitory staff may assign a violation consequence to the offending student. Violation consequences will consist of beneficial services or disciplinary restrictions (defined below) that the student must perform that will be at least two hours in length, and may be longer for more serous infractions. Upon observing a student committing a violation or receiving reliable information that a student has violated school policy, dormitory staff will inform the student of his or her offense and provide the Director of Residential Life with a short written description and the time and date of the violation. The Residential Director or Dorm Parents will review and record all violations and, together with the Director of Student Conduct, assign services or restrictions to students who violate the rules. A student will need to serve all violation consequences incurred within the time assigned, and in all cases, must be completed by the last date (academic calendar) of that semester. Students who feel they have unfairly received a violation consequence may appeal their penalties with the Director of Residential Life or head dorm parents. Disciplinary Restrictions Disciplinary restrictions place certain limitations upon a student s activity as a result of violations of the school's behavioral policies. Campus Restriction: The student may not leave campus and may not attend extracurricular events. Residence Hall Restrictions: The student may not leave his/her assigned residence hall except to attend classes, meals, and disciplinary requirements such as detention. Students may not have visitors when on this type of restriction. Room Restriction: The student must report to his/her room after class and remain there with the exception of attending meals and meeting disciplinary requirements. Students may not have visitors when on this type of restriction. Residential Community Service: The student may be required to fulfill an obligation of service to the hall or community. Disciplinary Probation: The student will be placed on a probationary contract, which will outline expectations and potential consequences for violations of those expectations. 13
MEDICATIONS AND ILLNESSES Medications No medications are allowed in student rooms in the residence halls. All medications, including over- the- counter medications, must be left with the nurse or the Dorm Parents upon arrival at the School. In order to continue taking any prescriptions from home while at GSA, residential students must have with them a perscription written in English. Dorm Parents will have access to over- the- counter medications. Vitamins are not considered medication, but should be kept in containers with labels written in English, in order to avoid confusion with medications. Illness TRAVEL The school nurse is on duty during all school hours. Residential students who feel ill and wish to be excused from class are required to check in with the nurse before their first period class begins. Any student who comes from the nurse s office and is late to first period must first check in at the Front Office and get a pass. When ill during the academic day, students must stay in the nurse's office. Residential students who have seen the nurse must bring a pass from that office to the front office to be signed prior to going back to class. Any residential student who misses class, including Fridays, as a result of being ill, must stay in the residence hall after classes for the remainder of the day or until he or she is well enough to be given permission to leave the residence hall by the Dorm Parents. Residential students may not be excused from study hall at night for reasons of illness without permission from the nurse. In the case of an illness that arises after achool hours, Dorm Parents may excuse a student from study hall. The nurse, Dorm Parent, or another appropriate staff member will schedule any needed appointments for residential students who require further treatment or examination from a physician. PLEASE NOTE: For doctor appointments, health insurance is required. However, insurance will not cover the complete cost and students are responsible for paying these bills. Residence Halls close during school vacations. The residences close the day classes end and do not reopen until noon the day before classes start. All residential students are responsible, along with their parents, for making arrangements for themselves during these time periods. Travel plans might include staying with a friend or relative; the Director of Residential Life or another staff member are available to help students find suitable host families to stay with over school breaks. GSA cannot guarantee finding host families to house students during school vacations. 14
Students who leave early or return late from vacations or long weekends without prior permission will receive unexcused absences. Students may be granted special permission by the Director of Residential Life to miss school in the event of emergencies or unusual circumstances. Travel Arrangements GSA will provide transportation to and from either the Bangor International Airport or one of the two bus stations in Bangor. Students transported at times other than designated shuttle times need to make their own plans for transportation. It is the responsibility of the student and the parents or guardians to coordinate travel arrangements with the Director of Residential Life. Students must inform the Director of Residential Life of travel plans (beginning and ending of school year and vacations) by the established deadlines below. Students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements but may ask the Dorm Parents for assistance, if necessary. The deadlines for submitting travel plans are as follows: Travel Dates for Residential Students 2015-2016 Thanksgiving Break (travel plans due by Friday, October 23rd) GSA will provide shuttle rides from GSA to Bangor on Tuesday, 11/24 until 5:00pm when the dorms will close. Dorms will reopen at noon on Sunday, 11/29. GSA will provide shuttle rides from Bangor to GSA on 11/29 from 11:00am until 6:00pm. All students must be back to the GSA dorm or host family by 7:00pm on 11/29. December Break (travel plans due by Friday, November 13th) GSA will provide shuttle rides from GSA to Bangor on Thursday 12/17 after 3:00pm and on Friday 12/18 until 5:00pm when the dorms will close. Dorms will reopen at noon on Sunday, 1/3. GSA will provide shuttle rides from Bangor to GSA on 1/3 from 11:00am until 6:00pm. All students must be back to the GSA dorm or host family by 7:00pm on 1/3. February Break (travel plans due by Friday, January 8th) GSA will provide shuttle rides from GSA to Bangor on Thursday, 2/11 after 3:00pm and on Friday, 2/12 until 5:00pm when the dorms will close. Dorms will reopen at noon on Sunday, 2/21. GSA will provide shuttle rides from Bangor to GSA on 2/21 from 11:00am until 6:00pm. All students who are not on independent study must be back to the GSA dorm or host family by 7:00pm on 2/21. 15
ISIP (for Juniors and Seniors who qualify.) Students MUST return to the GSA dorm or host family by 5:00pm on Sunday, 3/6. We recommend students return on Saturday, 3/5 to allow for a day of rest before classes begin. GSA will provide shuttle rides from Bangor to GSA on Saturday, 3/5 from 11:00am until 6:00pm. April Break (travel plans due by Wednesday, March 11th) GSA will provide shuttle rides from GSA to Bangor on Thursday, 4/14 after 3:00pm and on Friday, 4/15 until 5:00pm when the dorms will close. Dorms will reopen at noon on Sunday, 4/24. GSA will provide shuttle rides from Bangor to GSA on 4/24 from 11:00am until 6:00pm. All students must be back to the GSA dorm or host family by 7:00pm on 4/24. End of Year Return Home (travel plans due by Friday, May 13th) GSA will provide shuttle rides from GSA to Bangor on Tuesday, 6/21 for students. The rules, policies, dates, and times contained in this handbook are subject to change whenever it is deemed necessary by the School. RESIDENTIAL LIFE STAFF Your Dorm Parents are responsible for ensuring that you, and all students, have a safe living environment that encourages personal and academic growth. The staff is charged with promoting and enforcing all school policies and state laws. There may be situations in which your Dorm Parent overrules permission given by your parents. In this event, the Dorm Parent or Director of Residential Life will follow up with your parents. Students are expected to respectfully cooperate with all residential life staff and other GSA employees in establishing and maintaining a healthy and safe living environment. Phone Numbers School phones: (207) 374-2808 or (207) 374-2120 Wyandotte Dorm (Boys dorm): (207) 374-5071 Wyandotte Dorm Parent, Mr. Joe Wrobleski: (207) 284-1976 Hanley Dorm (Girl's): (207) 374-5011 Hanley Dorm Parent, Ms. Judy Steeves: (207) 266-4540 Parsonage Dorm Parent, Mr. Jeff Goldman: (207) 907-5237 Director of Residential Life, Mrs. Kathy Pelletier, (207) 266-7788 (cell), (207) 667-1849 (home) For other phone numbers, please refer to the Dorm Staff Phone List posted in the residences. (Revised February 2016) 16