1
Student Handbook
2026-2027 Revised 10.16.2026
2 School Contact Information St. Martin’s Episcopal School (Ashford Dunwoody Campus) 3110-A Ashford Dunwoody Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30319
Contact Information School Phone: (404) 237-4260 Fax: (404) 237-9311 Explorers Cell Phone: (404) 421-7697
Website: www.stmartinschool.org
St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church: Email: first initial, last name@stmartinschool.org (404) 261-4292 Example: AWarrior@stmartinschool.org Administration Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
School Hours, Carpool, and Explorers Early Childhood (Toddlers-Pre-K)
Lower School (K-4)
School Hours M/T/Th/F: 8:10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. W (Late Arrival): 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
School Hours M/T/Th/F: 8:10 a.m. - 2:50 p.m. W (Late Arrival): 9:00 a.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Morning Carpool M/T/TH/F: 7:40 a.m. - 8:10 a.m. W (Late Arrival): 8:40 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Morning Carpool M/T/TH/F: 7:40 a.m. - 8:10 a.m. W (Late Arrival): 8:40 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
M-F Afternoon carpool: 1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Afternoon Carpool: 2:50 p.m - 3:10 p.m.
Holiday Early Release carpool: 11:00 a.m.
Holiday Early Release Carpool: 11:30 a.m.
Middle School (5–8)
Explorers
School Hours: 8:10 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.
Complimentary Late Start Wednesday drop-off: 7:40 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.
School Hours M/T/Th/F: 8:10 a.m. – 3:10 p.m. W (Late Arrival): 9:00 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.
EC and Kindergarten students must be walked into Warrior Hall and then to the EC Building.
Morning Carpool M/T/Th/F: 7:30 a.m. – 8:10 a.m. W (Late Arrival): 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
LS & MS (Grades 1-8) can be dropped off in the circle and enter into Warrior Hall on their own. Once inside Warrior Hall, students can walk to the Commons.
Afternoon Carpool: 3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Holiday Early Release Carpool: 11:45 a.m.
Pickup: 3:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ** Explorers pickup is not permitted between 2:20 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
MS Exams (6–8) Early Release: 12:00 noon
Revised 10.16.2026
3 INTRODUCTION Welcome Mission Statement ALL SCHOOL POLICIES Handbook Disclaimer Affirmative Action Statement School Directory Family Cooperation Social Media Policy for Parents Concerns about Instructional Materials Board of Trustees Parent Teacher Organization Pets / Animals on Campus Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Devices Middle School Food Service Food Delivery Service (External) Lost and Found Behavior Expectations and Discipline Code of Conduct Hate Speech Attendance Policies Absences During the School Day Delivering Forgotten Items to School Religious Instruction Chapel Services Visitors ACADEMIC SUPPORT/TESTING Student Support Services Tutoring Other Testing ADMISSIONS Database and Transcripts Financial Aid ADVANCEMENT The St. Martin’s Fund Georgia Private School Tax Credit Program Golf Tournament Alumni Types of Gifts ARRIVAL, DEPARTURE, PARKING, and CARPOOL COMMUNICATIONS Use of St. Martin’s Episcopal School Name and Logo Publications
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Drills School Closings and Inclement Weather EXPLORERS AND SUMMER CAMP Explorers Summer Camp FINANCE Payment Obligations HEALTH AND MEDICAL POLICIES General Medical Policies Abuse—Duty to Report Counseling Service Immunization Records Middle School Physicals (implications for extracurriculars, athletics, and other activities) Lice ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL BULLYING POLICY Discipline Policy and Reporting of Bullying Behavior Campus Discipline Procedures Investigation of Reported Bullying Behavior TECHNOLOGY AND ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY Introduction Technologies Covered Usage Policies Web Access Email Social / Web 2.0 / Collaborative Content Mobile Devices Policy Personally Owned Devices Policy Security Downloads Plagiarism Personal Safety Cyberbullying Social Media Policy Social Media Policy for Students Social Media Policy for Parents Limitation of Liability Violations of this Acceptable Use Policy LIBRARY POLICY
Revised 10.16.2026
4 Website Calling PostPromotions/Publicity Policy
Library Hours Library Books and Book Return
SCHOOL DIVISIONS EARLY CHILDHOOD Academic Policy - Early Childhood Toileting - Toddler Students Toileting - Beginners and Pre-K Students Parent-Teacher Conferences School Sanctioned Parties/Celebrations Holiday Parties Early Childhood Chapel Visitors (Beginners through Pre-K) Classroom Mystery Readers (Toddlers) Fun Friday Readers (Pre-K) Private Parties In-house Field Trips EARLY CHILDHOOD GUIDANCE, DISCIPLINE, AND REDIRECTING TECHNIQUES Biting Early Childhood Aggressive and/or Defiant Behavior Policy LOWER SCHOOL Report Cards Conference Reports Homework Artificial Intelligence (AI) Standardized Testing LOWER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS Field Trips Intramurals School-Sanctioned Parties/Celebrations Holiday Parties Birthday Celebrations Private Parties Lower School Chapel Visitor Policy Guidelines for LS Lunch Visitors Lockers LOWER SCHOOL BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS Fighting Harassment Items Prohibited On Campus Weapons and Dangerous Devices Searches CONSEQUENCES FOR FAILURE TO MEET BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS – DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES Demerits
MIDDLE SCHOOL Middle School Only – Early Drop-off High School Placement Grades and Report Cards Homework Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advisor/Advisee Program Middle School Student Recognition Head of School List Honor Roll Merits St. Martin’s Honor Society (SMHS) Oglethorpe Award Student of the Week Minimum Academic Requirements for Middle School Standardized Testing School-Sanctioned Parties /Celebrations Private Parties Middle School Behavior Expectations Fighting Harassment Searches MIDDLE SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS Field Trips Graduation BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS - DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Policy Honor Offenses Demerits Suspension/Expulsion Lunchtime detention MIDDLE SCHOOL - BEHAVIOR AND CONSEQUENCES Discipline Policy ATHLETICS Athletic Mission/Philosophy Sportsmanship/Integrity Teamwork/Leadership Academic Policy Disciplinary Policy MS Students Staying for Games Awards Assemblies
Revised 10.16.2026
5 Honor Offenses Suspension/Expulsion Addressing Parent Concerns Campus Discipline Procedures
LOCKERS UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS Uniform Guidelines Non-Uniform Days Dress Code
INTRODUCTION Dear Parents and Students, We are excited to provide you with this year’s version of the School Handbook. The Handbook can be found on the school website’s Parent Resource Board (behind the login), and it contains essential information about St. Martin’s and this school year. If we find the need to make updates throughout the year, you will be alerted via the “Weekly Warrior” e-newsletter. Please review the handbook, complete the handbook acknowledgement form and reach out to Pete Radosta, Dean of Student Life, if you have any questions. We look forward to a great school year together. Go Warriors! Sincerely,
Maria Croley Madden Head of School ---------------------------------------------
MISSION STATEMENT St. Martin’s Episcopal School is dedicated to providing a quality education of the whole person in a loving, Christian atmosphere, which fosters lifelong learning.
Revised 10.16.2026
6 ALL SCHOOL POLICIES Handbook Disclaimer All students and parents are expected to support and follow the policies outlined in this Handbook. Affirmative Action Statement St. Martin’s Episcopal School (“the School”) admits qualified students of any race, sex, color, religion, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, nationality, religion, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship program, and athletic and other school-administered programs. In addition, the School pursues a policy of open hiring without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national, or ethnic origin. School Directory The School Directory is a valuable resource for school families to create connection and communication within the school community. School families provide their personal information for the Directory with the understanding that other members of the school community will only use the information in appropriate ways and for school-related purposes. The Directory should not be shared with third parties who are not part of the School community. Inappropriate uses of the School Directory include, but are not limited to: commercial use (i.e., using the Directory to promote a business or other commercial venture), promoting political candidates or ideas, personal fundraising, sending mass emails to all or part of the school community, or sending unsolicited emails to individuals or families that the sender does not know. For questions regarding appropriate use of the School Directory, please contact kgaffney@stmartinschool.org. Inappropriate use of the Directory will not be tolerated. Violators of this School Directory policy may be subject to legal action and/or removal from the school community. Family Cooperation A positive and constructive relationship between the School and each school family is essential to the mission of the School. While the School is always open to constructive and respectful dialogue, families must understand that the School will have the final decision with respect to issues such as curriculum, policies, and student discipline and that the School will make these decisions in a manner that advances the School’s mission and is in the best interest of the entire school community. Families should respect and abide by the professional observations and decisions of the faculty. To the extent a family has concerns after meeting or speaking with a faculty member, the matter should be discussed in a conference with the Division Head of the appropriate school division. Where appropriate, the faculty member in question will participate in the conference. Following this conference, if the family still has concerns or questions, a meeting with the Head of School can be requested. The decision of the Head of School will be final. The School recognizes the right of a family to raise questions and disagree with school decisions. However, the School will not tolerate abusive or disrespectful behavior, nor will it allow conduct that undermines teachers, the administration, or the policies or objectives of the School. If such situations occur, the School reserves the right to require the family to withdraw their student from the School. Social Media Policy for Parents St. Martin’s uses social media to promote the School and to share information with the School community. School social media channels are not an appropriate channel for parents to express concerns or make complaints about the School. Rather, please contact the child’s teacher or Division Head with any concerns or complaints. Revised 10.16.2026
7 St. Martin’s expects that parents will set and maintain appropriate standards for their family’s use of social media. Online conduct should reflect the same standards of respect and consideration used in face-to-face communication. In using social media, parents must protect the safety and dignity of students and school employees from the potentially damaging effects of social media. To that end, parents should maintain the privacy of individual students and avoid tagging or identifying other families’ children on social media. Parents should not post photos or other material that may be embarrassing or may otherwise invite ridicule or negative attention. Parents should not refer to any school employee by name or description on social media without that employee’s express permission. Parents should avoid postings on social media that include school logos or images or that imply the School’s approval or endorsement of any idea, person, or event. Parents should immediately bring any social media concerns to the School. Responding in kind to uncharitable or inappropriate communications through social media can perpetuate further divisiveness. The School will take appropriate measures to address parents who refuse to abide by this policy, including removal from the St. Martin's community. Concerns About Instructional Materials We value open communication and partnership with families. Parents with questions or concerns about academic materials are encouraged to submit them in writing to the Division Head. The Division Head will hear the parent's concern, discuss it with the parent and the Director of Teaching and Learning, and, when appropriate, the Department Chair. If the concern is not resolved through discussion and clarification at the division level, the division head will bring it to the Head of School's attention. Additional meetings with the parents, teacher, department chair, librarian, and division head could result in the school sharing a written rationale for any decision made or upheld in response to the parent concern. Board of Trustees The governance of St. Martin’s Episcopal School is entrusted to the Board of Trustees, which is charged with the fiduciary and long-term responsibility of the School’s mission and well-being. The day-to-day operations of the school fall under the oversight of the Head of School. The Board consists of voting members, including the Rector of St. Martin in the Fields Church. No employee of the School, except the Head of School, may serve on the Board. Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) The St. Martin's Episcopal School PTO is dedicated to encouraging and supporting family participation in the life of St. Martin's for the purpose of supporting the School's mission. With volunteers and fundraising, the partnership of parents, teachers, and administrators supports activities that enrich students' intellectual achievement, cultural appreciation, physical development, and spiritual and moral growth. Pets / Animals on Campus To maintain a healthy and safe campus environment, pets and other animals are generally not permitted on school grounds. Exceptions to this policy include service animals, pets that remain safely restrained inside a vehicle during carpool, designated school traditions (such as the Feast of St. Francis and Blessing of the Pets), and visits with prior administrative approval. For the safety of our community, all animals must be properly restrained at all times. Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Devices (e.g. “smart watches”) Early Childhood, Lower School and Middle School Students are not permitted to have cell phones or other personal electronic devices during school Revised 10.16.2026
8 hours. The School is not liable for items such as smart watches and gaming devices that are brought to campus. Designated administrative phones are available for proper use as needed. ● Students may not have a cell phone or personal electronic device on their person or in their locker/cubby/desk/backpack during the course of the school day. ● If a teacher or administrator finds that a student has a device, the teacher will collect the device until the close of the school day after carpool. Failure to follow this expectation may result in additional consequences at the discretion of the administration. Middle School Student cell phones are not to be used at any time during the normal school day, nor are smart watches, other wearable devices, or gaming devices permitted during the school day, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Prior to entering the school building in the morning, cell phones are to be turned off and placed in the student’s locker (not visible). Following afternoon carpool, students may use cell phones outside the building to communicate with parents about transportation in the presence of a faculty member. Cell phones being used inappropriately will be taken away and held in the Middle School office. Cell phones held in the Middle School office must be retrieved in person by the student’s parent or guardian. With repeated and willful misuse, the issue will be addressed as defiance under the School’s discipline procedures. Food Service Food Service is provided by Sage Dining Services and required for all students who remain at school past 1:00 p.m. Any request for exemption for dietary or medical reasons must be submitted to the Administration and must include a written physician statement outlining reasons for an exemption. The fee for food service is included with the July 1 tuition statement. The food service also provides a monthly menu and nutritional information posted on the school website under News and Events. No outside lunches may be brought in for students without prior permission from administration. Students are permitted to have nut-free snacks at designated times during the school day. Parents must send snacks to school with students. Recommended nut-free snacks from home include fruit, raisins, crackers, and pretzels. Foods requiring preparation or refrigeration are not permitted. Beverages are not permitted. Parents are strongly encouraged to avoid sending snacks considered unhealthy, such as candy and cookies. No more than two snacks should be sent with students each day; students are not to store food in lockers or cubbies. For more information regarding the lunch program, please visit the Parent Resource Page once logged into the school website. Food Delivery Students may not order food or beverages for delivery to campus through DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, Starbucks, or any similar service. This rule applies throughout the school day and during all school-sponsored activities, including athletics. Any unauthorized deliveries will be turned away, and students may be subject to disciplinary action by the Dean of Student Life. Lost and Found The School is not responsible for lost or stolen items. All articles owned by students should be plainly and durably marked with their names. Students are expected to leave toys, money, and valuables at home. Unclaimed items are collected in bins and barrels throughout the school. Periodically, these items are donated to charity when the owner cannot be identified. Telephone Calls/Email When parents communicate with teachers through voicemail or email, every effort will be made to reply within 24 hours during the school week. Revised 10.16.2026
9 Student Calls Except in cases of emergency, students are not to make calls between 7:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. If a student needs to contact a parent during the school day, they may use the phone in their respective divisional office. Forgetting a snack, PE uniform, homework, or a parent signature is not considered an emergency. Students who are ill should not contact their parents. If a student is feeling ill at school, they will be evaluated in the clinic and the school nurse will contact parents as needed. Students cannot be called out of class for phone calls. A parent who wishes to send a message to their student should always contact the assistant in the division office. The assistant will deliver the messages at a time that will not disrupt classroom activities. Email All teachers and staff check email at the beginning and end of the school day. While 4th–8th grade students will have some access to the Internet on their school-issued devices, student email accounts cannot communicate with non-stmartinschool.org addresses (i.e. students are not able to email parents during the school day). Students may not use their school-issued devices in every class, and these devices are not to be used in the hallways without explicit teacher permission. Messages received after noon regarding student dismissal may not be delivered. Behavior Expectations and Discipline The School believes in a positive and individual approach to discipline. St. Martin’s does not condone or permit corporal or physical punishment of children. Students are expected to behave at all times with honor, courtesy, and general good manners. The expectations determined by the administration and faculty seek to strengthen self-discipline. Each student is expected to make proper choices and to accept responsibility for their actions. Consistent application by the faculty and staff of these standards and expectations will be emphasized, and developmentally appropriate consequences will be employed. Any conduct outside of school hours or away from school grounds that may adversely affect the educational process or endanger the health, safety, morals, or well-being of other students, teachers, or employees of the school will be considered within the purview of school discipline. At the discretion of the Administration, consequences may include suspension or expulsion. All final decisions regarding placement and/or withdrawal will be made by the Head of School. Code of Conduct Students are expected to behave honorably at all times and should not lie, cheat, steal, or condone the behavior of those who do. It is our belief that all children, through instruction and assistance, can learn and grow in an honorable manner. As a member of the St. Martin’s community: ● I will be honest, trustworthy, equitable, and kind. I will accept full responsibility for my actions. ● I will respect all people and treat them fairly with dignity and understanding. ● I will be an enthusiastic learner and positive role model for others. ● I will be a good citizen and respect school and personal property. ● I will represent my school with honor by being a positive ambassador. ● I will keep my faith and respect myself for who I am. ● I will not lie, cheat, or steal. The St. Martin’s community expects all members of the school family, students, teachers, parents, and staff, to uphold these values in their words and deeds. Violation of the Code of Conduct and other policies stated in this handbook will be investigated by the administration. Revised 10.16.2026
10 Hate Speech As a school with love at the center of its mission, St. Martin’s cannot tolerate racism, bigotry, or other hateful language or actions. Students found to have engaged in such speech or actions should expect a minimum of a day’s suspension and additional consequences deemed appropriate by the school administration. St. Martin’s goal regarding hateful language is to educate and guide students toward values more in line with the School’s, while at the same time preserving our campus as a welcoming, inclusive space for all members of our school community. Grace may be extended when it is possible to do so as the School attempts to work with an individual student. It should be noted that repeat offenses will likely result in expulsion from the School. Attendance Policies School attendance is essential to academic progress and should be a high priority for parents and students. Attendance is taken in classrooms daily. Excessive absences will be addressed by administration and can be the cause for repeating a grade or dismissal. Parents of students with excessive absences will meet with the Division Head and Dean of Student Life as appropriate to discuss reasons for absences and to develop an attendance plan for the remainder of the school year. If students cannot attend school or will be arriving late, parents must report their child’s absence via SchoolPass on the particular day of absence. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange with the teacher to make up work missed upon the student’s return. Absences During the School Day Absences during the school day are strongly discouraged. Medical/dental appointments should be made after school hours, on Saturdays, or on vacation days. If such an absence is imperative, a parent should enter the appointment in SchoolPass no later than the day before the appointment. Excessive absences during the school day will be treated as unexcused. Emergency requests, other than medical, will be handled on an individual basis with the administration. Lower and Middle School students entering or leaving school during normal hours of arrival and dismissal must be checked in or out at the main entrance, Warrior Hall, with the receptionist. The parent will sign in or out as appropriate. If the student is in class, the receptionist will contact the child’s teacher and request they be sent to the front desk. Students will not be dismissed during Chapel services. A note from the office will be given to the student to present to the classroom teacher permitting the student’s admission or release. Students will not be sent to the front desk to wait for a parent. Excused Absences The following will be considered excused absences: ● Student illness/medical emergency ● Family emergencies ● Religious holidays, school-related activities, and other special family events, i.e. weddings, graduations. Parents are required to request excused absences other than illness or family emergencies to the appropriate Division Head no later than one week in advance. Upon review by the Division Head and the child’s teachers, the parents) will be notified of the decision. The School expects trips to be scheduled during periods when school is not in session. Revised 10.16.2026
11 Lower School policy regarding absences and missed work When appropriate and at the teacher’s discretion, students may be provided with assignments and materials before or during an excused or unexcused absence. Unexcused Absences All other absences, including suspension, are considered unexcused. The teacher may not be available to give help to the student on work missed for an unexcused absence. Middle School policy regarding absences and missed work When appropriate and at the teacher’s discretion, students may be provided with assignments and materials before or during an excused or unexcused absence. When appropriate and possible, given the circumstances of the absence, it is often to the student’s advantage to return to school with those assignments already completed. When extra time is needed, students whose absences are unexcused will be allowed one day for each day absent to make up the missed assignments (e.g. a student who missed 2 days will have 2 days to make up assignments). Students whose absences are excused will be allowed 1 day per day absent, plus an additional day (a student who missed 2 days will have 3 days to make up work; a student who missed 4 days will have 5). Additional time may be allotted when appropriate at the teacher’s discretion. Tardiness A student who is tardy must be accompanied by a parent to the reception desk, must sign in, and must obtain an admission slip from the receptionist. If the carpool patrols have already come inside the building, students are considered late, and parents must escort them into the building. Work missed due to tardiness will not be made up in class, but will be sent home to be completed by the next day. Excessive tardiness will be addressed by the administration. Delivering Forgotten Items to School St. Martin’s works to develop independence in students and a part of that development is being prepared for school each day. Parents are strongly discouraged from delivering forgotten items to school. If items are delivered to school, the items will be placed in the Division Head’s office. Students may not receive the forgotten item before the end of the school day. Religious Instruction St. Martin’s is a parish day school that models the practice and development of the Christian faith as understood within the Episcopal tradition. The program includes daily devotionals, religious instruction, prayer, and Chapel services. Students of all faiths are welcome. Chapel Services Chapel services are an integral part of the program of religious development. Chapel services address a variety of themes in age-appropriate ways. The Book of Common Prayer is the primary liturgical resource for Lower and Middle School Chapel service. Chapel is an exceptionally important part of the St. Martin's experience, therefore, students will not be checked out during chapel due to the disruption of the service. Holy Eucharist (K-8th grades) is also part of the tradition at St. Martin’s. In the Anglican tradition, all baptized Christians are invited to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion. Students are not required to receive the sacrament. Those who do not receive the sacrament are invited to come to the altar rail to receive a blessing. Instruction regarding the Eucharist and participation is given prior to the first Eucharist service. Parents are encouraged to speak with their children regarding the communion. If it is a family’s Revised 10.16.2026
12 custom to receive communion, regardless of denomination, students may receive the sacrament. Parents are encouraged to speak with the Chaplain regarding any questions or concerns. Visitors To provide consistency with policies and procedures and the highest levels of security, St. Martin’s requires check-in for visitors at the main entrance, Warrior Hall, for all events that take place during the school day (7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.). All parents and visitors, regardless of division, are required to check in at the main Warrior Hall entrance. This includes coffees, meetings, classroom volunteering, etc. that occur during the school day. St. Martin’s uses an online check-in system to record and manage visitors to the School. Visitors are required to present a valid, state-issued ID, as the online system runs a background check on all visitors to campus. Early Childhood (EC) families To accommodate the needs of the youngest students, St. Martin’s allows for late check-in and early dismissal for Toddlers, Beginners, and Pre-K students to take place at the EC front desk, rather than Warrior Hall.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT/TESTING Student Support Services The St. Martin's Student Support Services Department works with teachers, parents, and students to determine and implement a learning plan to effectively meet the needs of the student. If the School suggests to parents that outside support may be needed, the Director of Student Support Services can provide the parent with a list of resources. Tutoring Tutors provide support for targeted skill remediation. Parents interested in tutoring for a child who has not been determined in need of remediation or support by the School can contact the Director of Student Support Services for a list of outside resources. Other Testing If, at the recommendation of St. Martin’s or by parental choice, a student is evaluated by a specialist not employed by the School, any paperwork completed by St. Martin’s personnel will be sent via mail, fax, or email directly to the tester. Parents are strongly encouraged to share results with the Director of Student Support Services following an evaluation in order to assist in educational planning. These results are held in the strictest confidence and will not be forwarded when a student graduates. Testing results provided to the School by parents will be made available to the child’s teachers via electronic means so that the information is available to those teaching the child.
ADMISSIONS The St. Martin’s Episcopal School Enrollment Management Office is responsible for all activities regarding new applicants to St. Martin’s school, including applications, school tours, and annual Open Houses. St. Martin’s welcomes children regardless of race, sex, creed, color, religion, or national origin. St. Martin’s Episcopal School is open to all students who can be expected to succeed in the School’s learning and physical environment. The School is unable to accommodate children with severe learning, emotional, behavioral, or physical problems. Database and Transcripts The Admissions Office is responsible for maintaining the database for all student biographical and transcript records. Any changes in address, phone number, email address, parental marital status , Revised 10.16.2026
13 etc. must be sent to the Admissions Office or called in to (404) 228-0737. Tuition Assistance St. Martin’s offers need based tuition assistance and is administered through the School. In order to determine the family contribution, St. Martin’s uses the analysis of Clarity Financial Aid. All applicants for tuition assistance are required to file a yearly application along with the required supporting documentation with Clarity. Please refer to the Tuition Assistance page on the St. Martin’s website for additional information about the program including deadlines.
ADVANCEMENT
The Advancement Department fosters relationships between the school and our families to create a culture of philanthropy. Like most independent schools, St. Martin's relies on philanthropic support from our community to sustain and enhance our excellent programs while advancing our mission. The School’s primary sources of income beyond tuition include: The St. Martin’s Fund, our annual giving campaign; Georgia GOAL, a state tax-credit program for need-based financial assistance; and the Golf Tournament, our annual golf event benefiting the St. Martin's Endowment. From time to time, as capital and infrastructure needs arise, St. Martin’s will implement special capital fundraising campaigns. Ultimately, all gifts to St. Martin’s allow the School financial flexibility and to operate with a balanced budget. The St. Martin’s Fund (Annual fund) The St. Martin’s Fund is our highest giving priority and is the most significant way the School covers costs that tuition cannot. This annual campaign bridges the difference between tuition and the actual costs of educating students. Every gift impacts our programs and shapes your child’s experience. We ask that all families contribute at a level that is comfortable for them. Each tax-deductible gift to The St. Martin’s Fund, regardless of size, makes an impact on the quality of the school’s programs. St. Martin’s boasts a strong tradition of reaching 100% trustee, faculty, and staff giving to the annual fund in early August and strives to reach 100% parent participation every year. For information on The St. Martin’s Fund, please contact the Advancement Office. Georgia Private School Tax Credit Program The Georgia Private School Tax Credit Program is a way for St. Martin's families to redirect a portion of their Georgia taxes to St. Martin's. The School partners with Georgia GOAL to administer this important program. This dollar-for-dollar tax credit program is offered at no cost to you and provides financial assistance to incoming St. Martin’s families. For more information, please contact the Advancement Office. Golf Tournament The annual Golf Tournament was established in 2002 to raise funds to help grow the St. Martin’s endowment. St. Martin’s Board of Trustees established the endowment to ensure the future of the School. Golf Tournament proceeds benefit the endowment. This event provides parents, friends, and alumni a great opportunity to support the School while engaging in an enjoyable activity, or through family or company sponsorships. For more information, please contact the Advancement Office. Alumni The St. Martin’s Advancement Office is responsible for all St. Martin’s Alumni programs. Each year, St. Martin’s welcomes alumni and former students for various reunions at the school. Types of Gifts Gifts to the School may be made in many ways, including cash, stock transfers, bequests, real estate, life insurance, and gifts-in-kind. The School accepts MC/VISA/AMEX/Discover credit cards for donations. Gifts can also be made online through the website. For more information regarding gifts, Revised 10.16.2026
14 please contact the Advancement Office. Cash: Gifts of cash are the simplest way to support St. Martin’s and make it possible to immediately put the donation to use. Pledge: A pledge is a signed and dated commitment to make a gift over a specified period, payable according to terms established by the donor and accepted by the School. Gifts must be paid by June 30, the end of the fiscal year. Corporate Matching Gifts: Gifts received in cash from corporations or organizations to match gifts by individuals associated with that corporation or organization will be credited to the corporation’s or organization’s gift record as well as soft-credited to the individual. Gifts In-kind: Gifts-in-kind for which donors are eligible for a charitable gift deduction in accordance with current IRS regulations should be reported at the fair market value placed on the gift by the donor. Planned Giving: The 1959 Legacy Society includes members who have made a planned gift to the School. The most common form of planned giving is including the School in your estate plan through a bequest, or as a beneficiary of an insurance policy or retirement plan. Additional opportunities exist as well. For more information, please contact the Advancement Office.
ARRIVAL, DEPARTURE, PARKING, AND CARPOOL Morning Arrival – Carpool, walkers and early drop-off ● Early Childhood arrival (7:40 a.m.) and dismissal (1:30 p.m.) for Toddlers, Beginners and Pre-K students will be at the EC driveway. ● NOTE: There is limited parking in front of the Early Childhood building. If a child is crying, the parent should pull around to the large parking lot, park, and walk the child into the building. Families with mixed carpools that include an Early Childhood student should drop all students off at the Early Childhood entrance. ● Lower School arrival (7:40 a.m.) and dismissal (2:50 p.m.) will be at the main entrance of Warrior Hall. ● Middle School arrival (7:30 a.m.) and dismissal (3:10 p.m.) will be at the main entrance of the Middle School Building. ● Parents should not arrive for the carpool line-up until 10 minutes prior to the beginning of carpool. LS/MS families should enter the morning queue and wait at the barrier until it is removed, and cars may proceed to the circle drive. ● All students are expected to use the curbside service for arrival and dismissal unless they have a Walker Form on file with the School or are a bus rider. ● No student is to be picked up or dropped off outside of the designated areas, including neighborhood streets. ● Carpool questions can be addressed to the child’s Division Head. Morning Carpool Arrival Times ● Early Childhood arrival (7:40 a.m.) ● Lower School arrival (7:40 a.m.) ● Middle School arrival (7:30 a.m.) ● Please refer to Carpool Schedules on Page 2 for more carpool details. Carpool safety ● Please do not let your child out of the car until School staff is there to assist and supervise. ● Children may only exit from the left side of the vehicle. ● NOTE: Students’ car seats must be behind the driver for safety reasons. ● Please do not attempt to pass other cars in the carpool line. Revised 10.16.2026
15 ● Please limit the use of cell phones while cars are in motion. ● For safety reasons, please do not let your children hang out of windows or sunroofs during carpool. ● Unless in the process of exiting the vehicle, children should be buckled into their seats during carpool. EC families: To accommodate the needs of the youngest students, late check in (after 8:10 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and after 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday) and early dismissal for toddlers, Beginners, and Pre-Kindergarten students is allowed at the EC front desk instead of Warrior Hall. LS and MS families: Lower School and Middle School students must check in with the Warrior Hall receptionist after 8:10 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and after 9:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. Wednesday Morning Explorers Arrival Complimentary Late Start Wednesday drop-off is offered for all students in EC, LS, and MS. Drop off is from: 7:40 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. Please follow the guidelines below based on grade level: ● EC and Kindergarten students must be walked into Warrior Hall and then to the EC Building. ● LS & MS (Grades 1-8) can be dropped off in the carpool circle and enter into Warrior Hall on their own. Once inside Warrior Hall, students can walk to the Commons. Mixed Carpools (students from multiple divisions) For carpools that have students from LS/MS, please plan to arrive for the 3:10 p.m. carpool time for Middle School, as Middle School students are not dismissed from class until 3:10 p.m. Cars arriving before their scheduled pick-up time will be asked to exit campus to re-enter the carpool line at the designated time. Afternoon Departure Dismissal from LS/MS after 2:20 p.m. is highly discouraged as it disrupts carpool. Carpool Numbers Every family is assigned a carpool number through SchoolPass. Cars must display a current St. Martin’s carpool number to pick up a student. Numbers must be displayed so that the faculty/staff member calling numbers can easily and clearly see them. Replacement or supplemental numbers can be obtained through the receptionist at the front desk. Carpool Times EC Carpool (1:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.) LS Carpool (2:50 p.m. to 3:10 p.m.) MS Carpool (3:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.) Walkers/Bike Riders To ensure the safety of students, all walkers/bike riders must have the appropriate form on file with the school. The Walker/Bike Rider Form is required for all walkers/bike riders and is available on the school parent portal. In an effort to reduce vehicle traffic on campus, walking to school is strongly encouraged for any family living within a reasonable distance. Before a student is allowed to walk/bike, the walker form must be completed and returned to the receptionist. Revised 10.16.2026
16 ● Early Childhood and Lower School students must be accompanied by an adult when walking/biking to and from school; Middle School students may walk unaccompanied. ● Middle School students may not walk Early Childhood and/or Lower School students without being accompanied by an adult. Students may not be dropped off along Lanier Drive, Windsor Parkway, or other surrounding streets to walk to school. Parking Guidelines No parking or drop offs are allowed along Ashford Dunwoody Road or along the lane into the apartment complex next door, on Windsor Parkway, or on Lanier Drive. ● Use only school-designated parking spaces. ● Do not leave cars unattended in carpool line. ● Cars improperly parked or left unattended in line are subject to fines and/or towing. ● Do not leave animals unattended. Student Patrols As a service to the School, all 4th grade students will be assigned several weeks of afternoon patrol duty. On assigned weeks, students will assist with Warrior Hall carpool until it concludes for the day. If a student is not able to fulfill their duty obligations, they must find a substitute for that shift. Adult Cell Phone Usage For the safety of our students, parents are discouraged from using cell phones while driving on campus and in the carpool line. Inclement Weather In the event of severe weather, carpool may be suspended. Faculty and staff will resume carpool as soon as conditions warrant. If we are experiencing lightning, student patrols and staff will remain inside the building.
COMMUNICATIONS
The Communications Department promotes the School’s mission through internal and external communications and protects the St. Martin’s brand. The Communications Department produces School publications, manages the website, communicates with media personnel regarding public relations and advertising, and serves as a liaison to outside vendors (printers, photographers and designers). Use of St. Martin’s Episcopal School Name and Logo Use of the School’s name or logo is permitted only with prior written approval from the School’s Communications Office. Uses of the School’s name or logo that imply endorsement of a product, service, outside fundraising effort, political candidate, or political party/issue are strictly prohibited. Publications Patterns, the St. Martin’s magazine, presents news and features about the School as well as alumni news. It is mailed to all school families and alumni. Advertising is not permitted. The St. Martin’s School Handbook and School Directory are available online in a password-protected section of the school website. The Weekly Warrior is distributed by email each week. It contains important reminders from the School and the PTO. Please ensure a correct email address is on file. Website (www.stmartinschool.org) St. Martin’s website (behind the login) is the main link between the School and families, connecting them with students’ classes, online grades, activities, sports, and other information. Parents are Revised 10.16.2026
17 strongly encouraged to log on regularly. Calling Post St. Martin’s occasionally uses the Calling Post telephone message system to alert parents to School closings and provide reminders of important events or schedule changes. It is critical that all parents keep their phone numbers and contact information updated. Promotions/Publicity Policy St. Martin’s reserves the right to use student photographs and student news for news releases and in online and print publications for promotional purposes. If you have any concerns regarding this policy or do not wish for your child to be publicized in any way, please contact the Communications Office at 404-228-0719.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES St. Martin’s Episcopal School partners with Joffe Emergency Services to ensure an effective, state-approved emergency management plan that also meets Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency requirements. This plan includes a broad range of subject matter and procedures. Its purpose is to better prepare the faculty and student body through annual training and frequent drills to meet both man-made and natural hazards. This plan demands full awareness of individual responsibilities, recognition of the seriousness of each situation, annual updates, and help from the community. Drills Drills for fires, tornadoes, and other emergencies are held on campus monthly. School Closings and Inclement Weather In the event of inclement weather that is hazardous to student safety, St. Martin’s School will be closed. School closings and other important updates will be posted on the St. Martin’s website: http://www.stmartinschool.org. St. Martin’s uses an external service to send voice and text messages of an urgent nature to all families in a timely manner. Parents should also consult local television and radio stations for school closings. If events occur during the school day that would cause school hours to be altered (sudden snowstorm, power failure, etc.), every effort will be made to contact parents using the contact information provided to the School. In order for emergency notification procedures to keep families informed, it is crucial that families promptly notify the School of any changes in telephone numbers and email addresses.
EXPLORERS AND SUMMER CAMP Explorers An outstanding feature of St. Martin’s Episcopal School is the convenient, state-licensed Explorers Program for student care before and after school hours. The program includes structured and unstructured play as well as age-appropriate activities and programs in a safe, loving, and well-supervised environment. ● The rules and expectations of St. Martin’s School are the same for all students who participate in the Explorers Program. ● Registration opens in April for the upcoming school year. If there is a need to change a Revised 10.16.2026
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18 schedule during the semester; the parent will submit changes on the online registration form. A student must attend school on that day in order to use the Explorers Program. Upon registration for Explorers , parents will submit names of those authorized to pick up their child. Only authorized persons will be allowed to pick up students. Authorizations for changes in pick-up are required via the Departure Change Notification Form. No child will be released to anyone without proper identification and authorization. Parents must inform the Explorers Program of an individual who is not authorized to pick up your student. Toys from home are not allowed. Throughout the school year, Explorers-related announcements are listed in the Weekly Warrior, and dates are listed on the school calendar.
Explorers operation hours are from 1:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. A fee of $5 per minute per student is charged for students left after 6:00 p.m. Late fees are billed to the parents by the Finance Office and are non-negotiable. Parents who are repeatedly late may lose the privilege of their child attending the Explorers Program. If a student becomes ill, they must be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to Explorers. As a state-licensed program, Explorers must abide by and meet all regulations of the Bright From the Start Program. Beginners MUST be toilet-trained to attend Explorers, as mandated by Bright From the Start. Summer Camp St. Martin’s operates The Camp at St. Martin’s each summer, which offers weekly entertainers, arts, crafts, athletics, and special activities. The goal is to continue the school-year mission of providing students with social, academic, and physical growth opportunities in a loving environment. Detailed information is available on the Camp at St. Martin’s page on the school website.
FINANCE
The Finance Office is responsible for the School’s fiscal management, including billing, tuition, and insurance. All families must enroll and pay all tuition and fees through FACTS Tuition Management. FACTS enrollees are subject to an annual FACTS enrollment fee. This fee is collected by FACTS and is not payable to St. Martin's.The optional Explorers Afterschool Program fees are listed on our website. Fees vary according to specific activities and length of attendance. Payment Obligations Tuition becomes a full school-year obligation once enrollment contracts are signed and returned to the School. The only exception is if the optional, but highly recommended Dewar’s Tuition Refund Plan is elected and purchased. Written notification of enrollment in the plan must be made by August 1, the effective date of the policy. Premium payment is due within 10 days after the first class day of the academic year. The tuition insurance is billed in July, along with any other applicable fees. Note: Tuition insurance is primarily applicable after attending more than 14 consecutive calendar days beginning with the first class day in the academic year. Please refer to the Dewar’s Tuition Refund Plan brochure for complete rules and details, or contact the Finance Office with questions. If registered students are withdrawn BEFORE JUNE 1, prior to the beginning of the school year, enrollment contracts will be cancelled. The re-enrollment deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE and no further tuition payments will be collected. Revised 10.16.2026
19 If registered students are withdrawn BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND JUNE 30, prior to the beginning of the school year, enrollment contracts will be cancelled. The reenrollment deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE AND 50% OF THE REMAINING TUITION is due. If registered students are withdrawn ON OR AFTER JULY 1, prior to the beginning of, or during, the school year, enrollment contracts will remain BINDING AND 100% OF THE REMAINING TUITION IS DUE AND NON-REFUNDABLE. WITHDRAWAL NOTIFICATION MUST BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE Director of Enrollment Management and the Head of School. If a student fails to comply with school standards in regard to conduct or academic achievement, the School reserves the right to request the student’s withdrawal, as well as immediate and full payment of the financial obligations associated with that student. Accounts in arrears are subject to a $35 late fee. To be considered for re-enrollment, all fees for the current year must be paid. Transcripts/Report Cards are held until balances are settled. A $50 fee will be assessed on any check returned to the School unpaid by the bank. FACTS will assess a $30 fee for failed ACH drafts. * Please note: This schedule of tuition and fees was adopted eight months prior to the beginning of the 2025-26 school year. Every effort was made to foresee the impact of inflation and other factors on our services. Critical fluctuations in the actual cost of these services could necessitate adjustments during the school year. The right to make such adjustments, after careful analysis of existing needs at the time, is reserved by the Board of Trustees of St. Martin’s Episcopal School.
HEALTH AND MEDICAL POLICIES General Medical Policies A current medical release form must be on file for each student. This comprehensive form is completed for each child during online enrollment to facilitate emergency medical care on campus and during off-campus, school-related events. It is imperative that the form be completed with medical information, medical conditions, medications, permission to administer common over-the-counter medications, emergency telephone numbers, and current insurance information. This information allows the school nurse and the hospital to provide immediate emergency medical treatment if needed. ● Students requiring an epinephrine auto-injector or inhaler should provide one for the clinic, or have one available in the classroom. An allergy or asthma plan should be on file in the clinic. These forms are available on the school website under Resources/Health & Wellness. ● Consult a physician for appropriate precautions concerning all illnesses, including COVID-19. ● Students must be free of fever (less than 100.4°F) without the use of fever-reducing medications for a period of 24 hours before coming to school. Symptoms of vomiting and/or diarrhea should be resolved without the use of prescription or over-the-counter medications for a period of 24 hours prior to returning to school. ● In cases of infectious disease such as flu, pinkeye, or a strep infection, students may return to school after having been on antibiotics (if appropriate) for 24 hours or 24 hours after the resolution of symptoms. ● Medications will be administered at school only with a completed Medication Release Form. Over the counter medications for common ailments such as headache, minor cold or allergy symptoms, mild pain, etc. will be given at the discretion of the school nurse and with parental permission. Students are not allowed to keep or carry prescription or non-prescription medication with them at school, school functions, or on field trips. The only exception is epinephrine auto-injectors or inhalers. ● For students who need long- or short-term daily prescription or non-prescription medications, an adult (not the student) should bring a supply of the medication in the original prescription bottle and sign the appropriate form in the clinic. ● If a student becomes ill during the school day, parents will be notified by the school nurse. Revised 10.16.2026
20 Pick-up arrangements must be made immediately. Please enter the clinic's direct line in your contacts to ensure that you recognize and accept these calls. It is (404)228-0740. ● If a student is absent for illness or leaves the School due to illness during the day, they may not attend or participate in an after-school activity. Please direct questions about health and medical policies to the school nurse at ext. 740. Abuse—Duty to Report Pursuant to Georgia Law (O.C.G.A. 19-7-5), all personnel of St. Martin’s Episcopal School having reasonable cause to believe that a child has had physical injury or injuries inflicted by other than accidental means, has been neglected or exploited, or has been sexually assaulted or sexually exploited shall report this to the Division Head or school counselor who will inform the Head of School. The Department of Family and Children’s Services will be called as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours from the time of reasonable suspicion. Counseling Service Counselors are on staff and available to students, parents, and teachers to assist with evaluations through classroom observations, parent consultation, and outside referrals. Confidentiality will be maintained unless the student is a threat to themself or others, or is in imminent danger. Immunization Records All students must have a Certificate of Immunization (3231) on file in the school office by the opening day of school. When obtaining the immunization form from the doctor, be sure that the next required date of immunization is included on the form. By state law, no child will be allowed to begin the school year or continue in attendance without a current immunization form. Immunization forms for the upcoming school year are due to the school office no later than the first day of school each August. In case of exemption, please communicate with the school nurse to ensure that you provide proper documentation. Middle School Physicals All Middle School students (grades 5-8) must have an annual GHSA pre-participation physical exam on file with the school nurse in order to attend school. Students who do not have a form on file may be prohibited from participation in extracurricular sports activities, PE, and field trips. Medical forms are due no later than orientation day. Please schedule the physicals from April 1 to August 1 so that the form will be valid for the entire coming school year. The forms are available on the St. Martin's website at Resources/Health & Wellness. Lice St. Martin’s follows head lice management guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Head lice are not a health hazard or a sign of poor hygiene, nor are they responsible for the spread of disease. They are a nuisance, and parents should check a child’s head before and after sleepovers or other activities where there is head-to-head contact. The school nurse can provide further information and a list of resources. Pediatricians can also provide diagnosis and treatment options. .
ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL BULLYING POLICY St. Martin’s Episcopal School provides a peaceful, enriching, and safe environment for all students to grow and learn. We incorporate counseling curriculum into all classrooms and emphasize respect for each other and the environment we share each day. Staff members model respect, grace and courtesy, mutual respect, and appropriate conflict-resolution skills. We expect our parents and families to also model respect, grace and courtesy, mutual respect, and appropriate conflict resolution skills when dealing with staff, teachers, administrators , parents, and students. St. Martin’s will guide the individual child’s behavior based on an understanding of their needs and Revised 10.16.2026
21 stage of development; promote the child’s developmentally appropriate social behavior, self-control, and respect for the rights of others; and ensure behavior management and guidance practices are fair, reasonable, consistent, and related to the child’s behavior. Definition of Bullying Behavior and Normal Peer Conflicts Bullying is a series of repeated, intentionally cruel incidents or threats of harm that involve the same children in the same bully and victim roles. It involves an imbalance of power, either real or perceived. It can be physical and/or verbal and may include racial, religious, and sexual harassment. Additionally, it can include offensive gestures, inappropriate touching, intimidation, and extortion. The behavior is designed to intentionally hurt, injure, or humiliate the other person. Due to the willful and conscious nature, young children are not characteristically developmentally capable of carrying out bullying and are often involved in normal peer conflicts. Normal Peer Conflict is a part of every child’s life experience. As children learn to give and take, cooperation, and social interaction, conflict naturally occurs. Young children do not always think of others. Their goal in both friendship and play is egocentric, or self-centered. They are still learning self-control and developing a sense of personal space. A common response to frustration is rejecting the other child, both emotionally and physically. Pushing or getting upset about not being first in line, grabbing an item from another child, disagreeing about what to play or how to proceed in a game, or saying, “I’m not going to be your friend anymore,” or “I/We don’t want to sit with you today” are all expressions of normal peer conflict. It is typically characterized by the developmental level of the children involved. Relationship and social struggles often surface in the early elementary years, as children become more independent and attempt to navigate friendships and group dynamics. Aggression and hurtful words are part of conflict at all ages; they do not necessarily indicate a bully-victim situation. Discipline Policy and Reporting of Bullying Behavior Discipline for young learners is based on a positive model. Students are taught that St. Martin’s is a peaceful school based upon mutual respect, and that intentional violence or bullying will not be tolerated. Appropriate use of non-violent communication and frustration-tolerance skills is expected and modeled. It is imperative that incidents be reported in a timely manner. St. Martin’s Episcopal School requires parents to report any known incidents of bullying or willful or deliberate violence within 24 hours to their child’s teacher, Division Head, or Dean of Student Life. Families of children involved in bullying will be notified. Depending on the details and events, incidents of normal peer conflict may or may not be reported. Campus Discipline Procedures St. Martin’s policy is to assist children in arriving at inner discipline through concentrated work. In all areas, the child is assisted in developing the skills necessary to control their own actions in order to develop self-discipline. Natural or logical consequences are used as a means of helping the child develop inner limits. Campus guidelines are as follows: ● If a child is disruptive or endangers others, the teacher will immediately intervene in as positive a manner as possible. ● If a child has trouble settling into the class, they are redirected to an activity by the teacher. ● If the child is still unable to settle down, the teacher will intervene and may have the child remain beside them until the child is able to calm down and make respectful choices or remove them from the classroom to meet with the Division Head, Dean of Student Life, or the guidance counselor. ● If the behavior becomes extreme, the teacher will schedule a meeting with the parents and, depending on the circumstances, with the Division Head or appropriate staff, while the Revised 10.16.2026
22 incident is still fresh in the child’s mind. Staff, parents, and child will respectfully work together to modify the behavior. It is important to note that modifying the behavior will take time as the child develops inner limits. If a pattern of willful, disruptive behavior develops: ● Teachers will record behavioral observation. ● Teachers will inform the student’s parents. ● Appropriate staff will be notified. ● The student, teacher, parents, Division Head and Dean of Student Life will work together to modify behavior, and, as appropriate, additional professional help will be recommended. ● Continued negative behavior will result in the School requiring a behavioral evaluation by a professional, possible suspension and in some instances, in consultation with the Head of School, expulsion of the student from the School. All expulsions will be determined by the Head of School. Investigation of Reported Bullying Behavior Unacceptable conduct is defined as any willful, deliberate behavior that creates unsafe conditions, including, but not limited to, acts of bullying, willful and deliberate physical violence, harassment, and illegal acts. It does not include normal peer conflict. This investigative process does not apply to normal peer conflict. The following investigative process will be followed when bullying behavior has been reported to the Dean of Student Life and Division Head within 24 hours of the incident: ● An assessment is made to determine whether immediate steps should be taken to protect the well-being of students and to prevent disruption of their learning environment while the investigation is being conducted. ● Parents of the students involved in the reported bullying will be notified. An investigation of the reported bullying will begin by the Dean of Student Life and/or Division Head and may include interviews with the person who reported the bullying, the person or persons being bullied, and any students, faculty, and staff who witnessed or may have relevant information about the reported incident. ● The goal of the investigation and any disciplinary or other remedial process imposed following the investigation is to prevent any repetition of the incident, and to prevent students targeted in the incident from being subject to retaliation. ● In appropriate circumstances, such as when a crime has been committed or a child may have been subject to abuse or neglect that is reportable under GA law, law enforcement or other state agency will be notified. ● Upon completion of the investigation, the Dean of Student Life and/or Division Head will meet with each family involved in the reported incident to report the results of the investigation and, where disciplinary or other corrective action is determined appropriate, inform the parties of steps that will be taken to correct the behavior. The Dean of Student Life and Division Head will comply with school policy regarding the disclosure of confidential information, which includes disciplinary decisions and actions; disciplinary actions will only be shared with the family of the student(s) receiving those actions. ● The Dean of Student Life and Division Head will maintain a file of all reported bullying incidents, the investigative process for each incident, and actions taken in response to the reported incidents.
TECHNOLOGY AND ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY Introduction St. Martin’s Episcopal School recognizes that access to technology in school gives students greater opportunities to learn, engage, communicate, and develop skills that will prepare them for work, life, Revised 10.16.2026
23 and citizenship. The School is committed to helping students develop technology and communication skills. To that end, the privilege of technology access for students is provided. St. Martin’s Episcopal School provides access to technologies to facilitate student research and education. To remain eligible as users, students must be in support of, and consistent with the educational objectives of St. Martin’s Episcopal School. When parents sign a contract for attendance at St. Martin’s Episcopal School, they agree to abide by the School Acceptable Use Policy. This Acceptable Use Policy for Technology outlines the guidelines and behaviors that all users are expected to follow when using school technologies or when using personally owned devices on the school campus. These include: ● The St. Martin’s network is intended for educational purposes. ● All activity over the network may be monitored and retained. ● Students are expected to follow the same rules for good behavior and respectful conduct online as offline. ● Misuse of school resources can result in disciplinary action. ● St. Martin’s makes a reasonable effort to ensure students’ safety and security online, but will not be held accountable for any harm or damages that result from use of school technologies. ● Users of the St. Martin’s network or other technologies are expected to alert the Technology Department immediately of any concerns for safety or security. Technologies Covered The Acceptable Use Policy applies to all users of the St. Martin’s network, the St. Martin’s Internet connection, and/or private networks and Internet connections accessed from school-owned devices at any time. Each student has access to a computer with Internet capabilities as well as other forms of technology, including but not limited to desktop computers, mobile laptops, iPads, digital cameras, scanners, and printers. This policy also applies to privately owned devices accessing the St. Martin’s network, the St. Martin’s Internet connection, and/or private networks and Internet connections while on or off school property. As new technologies emerge, St. Martin’s will seek to provide access to them. The policies outlined here cover all available technologies now and in the future, not just those specifically listed or currently available. Usage Policies All technologies provided by St. Martin’s are intended for educational purposes. All users are expected to use good judgment and follow the specifics as well as the spirit of this document: be safe, appropriate, careful and kind; do not circumvent technology protection measures; use common sense; and ask if they do not know. Web Access St. Martin’s provides its users the privilege of access to the Internet, including websites, resources, content, and online tools. Web browsing may be monitored, and web activity records may be retained indefinitely. Users are expected to respect the web filter as a safety precaution and shall not attempt to circumvent the web filter when browsing the Internet. Determination of whether material is appropriate or inappropriate is based solely on the content of the material and its intended use, not on whether a website has been blocked or not. If a user believes a site is unnecessarily blocked, the user should submit a request for website review through the St. Martin’s Technology Service Ticket Help Desk. Email St. Martin’s provides users with the privilege of email accounts for the purpose of school-related communication. Availability and use may be restricted based on school policies. Users should not send personal information; should not attempt to open files or follow links from unknown or untrusted sources ; should use appropriate language; and should only communicate with others as allowed by school policy or the teacher. Users are expected to communicate with the same appropriate, safe, mindful, and courteous conduct online as offline. Email use will be monitored and Revised 10.16.2026
24 may be archived. Social / Web 2.0 / Collaborative Content Recognizing the benefits collaboration brings to education, St. Martin's may provide users with access to websites or tools that allow communication, collaboration, sharing, and messaging among users. Users are expected to communicate with the same appropriate, safe, mindful, and courteous conduct online as offline. The use of social networking sites such as, but not limited to: TikTok, Facebook, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram are banned on school computers. Under the direct supervision of a teacher for a specific project, social networking sites may be accessed as a part of classroom instruction. Posts, chats, sharing, and messaging will be monitored. Users should be careful not to share personally identifying information online. Mobile Devices Policy St. Martin's provides users with mobile devices to promote learning outside the classroom. Users should abide by the same acceptable use policies when using school devices off the school network as on the school network. Users are expected to treat these devices with extreme care and caution; these are expensive devices that the school is entrusting to your care. Users should immediately report any loss, damage, or malfunction to IT staff. Users may be financially accountable for any damage resulting from negligence or misuse. Use of school-issued mobile devices off the school network may be monitored. Personally Owned Devices Policy Students will keep personally owned devices (including laptops, tablets, smartphones, and wearable technology, including smartwatches and Meta glasses) turned off and put away during school hours, unless in an emergency or as instructed by a teacher or staff for educational purposes. Because of security concerns, personally owned mobile devices used on campus will not be used over the school network without permission from the Technology Department. Please remember, this Acceptable Use Policy applies to privately owned devices accessing the St. Martin's network, the St. Martin's Internet connection, and private networks and Internet connections while on school property. Security Users are expected to take reasonable safeguards against the transmission of security threats over the school network. This includes not opening or distributing infected files or programs, and not opening files or programs of unknown or untrusted origin. If there is concern that a computer device in use might be infected with a virus, users should alert the IT Department, rather than attempting to remove the virus or downloading programs to help remove the virus. Downloads Users should not download or attempt to download or run programs over the school network or onto school resources without permission from the Technology Department. You may be able to download other file types, such as images or videos. For the security of our network, download such files only from reputable sites, and only for educational purposes. Plagiarism Users should not plagiarize (or use as their own, without citing the original creator) content, including words or images, from the Internet. Users should not take credit for content they did not create themselves, or misrepresent themselves as an author or creator of something found online. Research conducted via the Internet should be appropriately cited, giving credit to the original author. Personal Safety Users should never share personal information, including phone number, address, social security number, birthday, or financial information, over the Internet without adult permission. Users should recognize that communicating over the Internet brings anonymity and associated risks and should Revised 10.16.2026
25 carefully safeguard the personal information of themselves and others. Users should never agree to meet in real life someone they meet online without parental permission. If a message, comment, image, or anything else online causes concern for personal safety, it should immediately be brought to the attention of an adult (teacher or staff if at school; parent if at home). Cyberbullying Cyberbullying will not be tolerated. Harassing, dissing, flaming, denigrating, impersonating, outing, tricking, excluding, and cyberstalking are all examples of cyberbullying. Users should not be mean, or send emails or post comments with the intent of scaring, hurting, or intimidating someone else. Engaging in these behaviors, or any online activities intended to harm (physically or emotionally) another person, will result in severe disciplinary action and loss of privileges. In some cases, cyberbullying can be a crime. Remember that digital activities are monitored and retained. Social Media Policy By signing the Acceptable Use Policy, users are acknowledging they have been made aware of the Social Media Policy and agree to abide by its requirements. Violations of the Social Media Policy are, in effect, violations of the Acceptable Use Policy. Examples of Acceptable Use Students will: ● Use school technologies for school-related activities. Students are expected to follow the school’s guidelines for artificial intelligence (AI) use, as outlined in the Lower School and Middle School sections of this handbook; unauthorized or unacknowledged use of AI tools on assignments may be considered academic dishonesty. ● Follow the same guidelines for respectful, responsible behavior online that one is expected to follow offline. ● Treat school resources carefully and alert staff if there is any problem with their operation. ● Encourage positive, constructive discussion if allowed to use communicative or collaborative technologies. ● Alert a teacher or other staff member if they encounter threatening, inappropriate, or harmful content (images, messages, posts) online. ● Use school technologies at appropriate times, in approved places, for educational pursuits. ● Cite sources when using online sites and resources for research. ● Recognize that the use of school technologies is a privilege and treat it as such. ● Help to protect the security of school resources. Examples of Unacceptable Use Students will not: ● Use school technologies in a way that could be personally or physically harmful. ● Attempt to find inappropriate images or content; intent to seek inappropriate images or content is a violation of this Acceptable Use Policy. ● Create, distribute, or deploy multi-user servers or gaming software on or within the St. Martin's network. ● Engage in cyberbullying, harassment, or disrespectful conduct toward others. ● Try to find ways to circumvent the school’s safety measures and filtering tools; intent to circumvent safety measures and filtering tools is a violation of this Acceptable Use Policy. ● Use school technologies to send spam or chain mail, no mass emails can be sent. ● Plagiarize content found online. ● Post or otherwise disclose personally identifying information, about oneself or others. ● Agree to meet someone they met online in real life. ● Use language online that would be unacceptable in the classroom. ● Use school technologies for illegal activities or to pursue information on such activities. ● Attempt to hack or access sites, servers, or content that isn’t intended for student use. ● Download music, video, software on any school computer Revised 10.16.2026
26 ● Download games or play online games not specifically assigned in class. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Users should use their own good judgment when using school technologies. Social Media Policy for Students All St. Martin's students of legal age (13 years and older) to use social media must follow the St. Martin’s Honor Code in their behavior on these sites. Students may not use social media in hate, and may not post anyone’s confidential information. Students must use social sites responsibly and be accountable for their actions. The use of social media is not permitted on any school computers, tablets, or other equipment. Inappropriate use of social media outside of school that impacts school life will be addressed appropriately by the school administration. Social Media Policy for Parents At school events, parents should be cautious about identifying or tagging other people’s children for reasons of privacy. They may not refer to any school employee on social media channels without that employee’s express permission. St. Martin's social media channels are not the means by which parents should express concerns or negative feelings toward the School. Parents are asked to contact their child’s teacher or Division Head with concerns. Limitation of Liability St. Martin's will not be responsible for damage or harm to persons, files, data, or hardware. While St. Martin's employs filtering and other safety and security mechanisms, and works to ensure their proper function, it makes no guarantees as to their effectiveness. St. Martin's will not be responsible, financially or otherwise, for unauthorized transactions conducted over the school network. Violations of this Acceptable Use Policy Violations of this policy may have disciplinary repercussions, including: ● Suspension of network, technology, or computer privileges ● Notification to parents ● Demerit (with detention) ● Extended detention or suspension from school and school-related activities ● Legal action and/or prosecution. As a student at St. Martin’s Episcopal School and a user of its network, I hereby agree to comply with the above-stated requirements. I understand that if I do not comply with any of these rules, I am subject to a withdrawal of computer, network, and Internet privileges and may be subject to further action by the School as well as legal actions. As the parent or legal guardian of the minor student(s), I grant permission for my child(ren) to access St. Martin’s Episcopal School’s network, including, but not limited to electronic mail, Internet service, and all other technologies. I understand that individuals and families may be held liable for violations of these applications and the equipment. I understand that some information available on the Internet and electronic mail may not be appropriate and I understand that I am responsible for setting clear guidelines for my child as to what is acceptable in conjunction with the requirements that are set forth by the school.
LIBRARY POLICY Library Hours The library is open before and after school for research and book checkout. Students are encouraged to visit the library after school to return a book or check out books. Students who would like to conduct research or work on projects must have permission from their Division Head or one of the Revised 10.16.2026
27 librarians before staying in the library. Students who are repeatedly called for carpool because they are in the library may not be allowed to visit the library after school. Library Books and Book Return Students are responsible for the books they check out of the library. While there is no fine for overdue books, students must reimburse the School for all lost and damaged books. Books will be considered lost if they have not been returned to the library within 30 days of the due date, and relevant fees will be billed through the FACTS system by the Finance Office periodically throughout the school year. Books still outstanding at the end of the school year will be considered lost and submitted for billing after the last day of school. Damaged books should be returned so the librarians can determine if they can still be used or will need to be replaced.
SCHOOL DIVISIONS EARLY CHILDHOOD The Early Childhood Division at St. Martin’s is a happy, nurturing environment where children laugh, learn, and find their second home. Early Childhood serves Toddlers (2s), Beginners (3s), and PreK (4/5s). Our highly dedicated faculty members ensure that students explore an integrated curriculum in which art, science, music, math, and language are interwoven. Our primary goal is to create self-confidence and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. Academic Policy Regularly scheduled parent/teacher conferences are held in the fall and winter. Early Childhood parents may request additional conferences. Toddlers, Beginners and Pre-K grade levels have an individualized grading system that is developmentally appropriate for each level. Parents are required to attend their child's conferences. Parents who are unable to attend on the designated day will be offered an alternate time after conferences are held. Fall and Winter Conference Reports: These reports provide information about the child’s progress at the time of the conferences. Each grade level has an individualized report, which is available online to parents and is used as a guide to conference discussions. Parents are strongly encouraged to read the online report before attending their scheduled parent-teacher conference. End of The Year Conference Report: This report provides information about the child’s progress at the end of the year. Each grade level has an individualized report, which is available online to parents. Toileting - Toddler Students Children who are not yet toilet-trained will be changed at regular intervals throughout the day and as needed. The School expects children to arrive at school in a clean, dry diaper. All children must have three diapers and a change of clothes, underwear, and socks in the child’s school bag each day. Due to sanitation concerns, cloth diapers are not allowed. Store-bought wipes are used when changing Toddlers. Baby powder, which has been linked to childhood asthma and other respiratory difficulties, is not used on Toddlers. St. Martin’s will provide disposable diapers as an extra change when needed for children in the Toddler classrooms. Toddlers who are potty-trained will be assisted in the bathroom as needed (clothing, wiping, flushing, and hand washing). All trained children must have a change of clothes, including underwear, and socks, in their school bag at all times. Parents preparing to begin toilet training are asked to speak with their child’s teacher to be sure they Revised 10.16.2026
28 both feel the child is ready to begin training in the school environment. All children who are training must be sent in pull-ups with Velcro closures. Also, please remember that while teachers will cooperate as much as possible, they cannot be expected to take an individual child to the bathroom every 20-30 minutes. Please include a change of clothes, underwear, socks, and 2 extra pull-ups in the child’s school bag each day. The teachers will try to ask a child in training at least 3 times a day if they would like to use the bathroom, but will never force a child to sit on the toilet. Please keep in mind that training includes wiping, flushing, hand-washing, and cleanliness of the bathroom. When children are learning bathroom use, it is best to avoid overalls, snaps, belts, zippers, and tights in favor of pants with an elastic waistband. Toileting - Beginners and Pre-K Students As a state-licensed program, St. Martin's is required to abide by and meet all regulations of the Bright From the Start Program. All Students entering Beginners and Pre-K programs must be toilet-trained by the first day of school. This means they are not wearing disposable undergarments; they must be in underwear. There are no exceptions to this policy. These policies are in place to protect the health and well-being of all children using our facilities. To be considered toilet trained, Beginners must be able to: ● Recognize when they need to use the bathroom ● Independently pull pants up and down ● Independently wipe themselves but will receive assistance in the bathroom as necessary All Pre-K students must be toilet-trained and fully independent in all areas of bathroom use: clothing, wiping, flushing, hand-washing, and bathroom cleanliness. We allow these older students a measure of privacy; supervision is provided by standing near the restroom while they use it. We understand that accidents can occur and if that happens , we will provide appropriate care and cleaning if necessary. However accidents should not be a common occurrence. If consistently, the student is not considered to be toilet-trained. If an accident occurs more than twice a week regularly, we may ask that the child be kept at home until training is completed. Accident Policy & Support We understand that occasional accidents happen, and our staff will always provide caring and appropriate assistance when they do. However, accidents should not be a regular occurrence. If accidents become frequent, a child is not considered fully toilet-trained. To maintain consistency, we use the following thresholds to determine if a student requires additional toileting support: ● Two accidents in the same day ● Accidents on back-to-back days ● Two accidents within a three-day period If a student reaches one of these thresholds or experiences accidents more than twice a week regularly, we will partner with parents on a temporary support plan. In these instances, we may ask the student to remain at home while training is reinforced. Parent-Teacher Conferences Revised 10.16.2026
29 Parent-teacher conferences are held twice each year in the fall and spring. Any questions related to Toddlers, Beginners, and Pre-Kindergarten that cannot be answered by the grade-level teachers should be directed to the Early Childhood Division Head.
School Sanctioned Parties / Celebrations: Early Childhood All class parties are to be held in the classroom. Birthdays: To celebrate Birthdays, students may bring in a special nut-free treat to share with their class on their birthday. Please review the guidelines below if you wish to send in a birthday treat. ● The treat (a cookie, fruit snack, salty snack, small cupcake) MUST be sent to school with the child in the morning and may not contain nuts. Items must not require refrigeration. Please read the labeling to ensure no nuts. Please do not send drinks, goody bags, or favors. ● Please notify the teacher at least 24 hours in advance about sending in a treat. This allows the teacher appropriate time to plan and to notify parents who have a child with food allergies in the class. Ingredients and processing plant information is also very helpful. ● If the child has food allergies, the teacher will notify the parent about sending in an allergy-friendly alternative treat that can be kept in the classroom. The teacher will serve this item if the child is unable to have the birthday treat. ● If a student’s birthday falls on a non-school day or during the summer break, the school will celebrate their half birthday (six months prior to their actual birthdate). Families are encouraged to coordinate with the child’s teacher to plan an appropriate celebration. Additionally, summer birthdays will be recognized during chapel in the week of the student’s half birthday. Parents are welcome to attend the birthday celebration if it is coordinated with the child’s teacher ahead of time. Parents must email the teacher to arrange a mutually agreeable day and time for the celebration. Holiday Parties Holiday parties are held in the classroom on a designated day. Class parties are coordinated through grade-level teachers. Visitors must check in with the receptionist in Early Childhood. These guidelines should be followed: ● The classroom teacher must be notified by email of all activities and food that will be brought into the classroom 3 school/business days prior to the party. ● Students do not exchange Christmas gifts. Early Childhood Chapel Visitors (Beginners through Pre-K) ● Beginners and Pre-K parents will sign up through their classroom Sign-Up Genius link to attend EC chapel. There will be sign-up spots weekly by homeroom. Both parents may attend on that day. ● Toddlers do not attend chapel until the spring, and parents may begin to attend chapel when their children are in the Beginners class. ● Visitors must check in with the receptionist in Early Childhood. ● Please park in dedicated school spaces only. Do not park in church parking spots. Classroom Mystery Readers (Toddlers) ● Parents will sign up through their classroom Sign-Up Genius link. There will be 1 sign-up spot per homeroom per week. Both parents may attend on that day. ● Parents/Visitors will bring a favorite children’s book to read to the class. This should be coordinated with their child’s teacher. Revised 10.16.2026
30 Fun Friday Readers (Beginners and PreK) ● Parents will sign up through their classroom Sign-Up Genius link. There will be one sign-up spot per homeroom per week. Both parents may attend on that day. ● Parents/visitors will bring a favorite children’s book to read to the class and your child’s favorite snack to share. This should be coordinated with the child’s teacher. ● This is a different event from Mystery Reader in the library. Private Parties When after-school parties are planned, the student may not bring invitations or gifts to the school. Gifts are a distraction during the day, and students who have not been invited are often unhappy and hurt. When planning parties, please remember that the feelings of students are easily hurt. It can be devastating for a student to think they may be the only one excluded. Therefore, a student attending an off-campus party will not be permitted to leave campus in any type of commercial vehicle. In-house Field Trips All Early Childhood field trips will be held in-house. These fun and educational experiences allow EC students to explore and learn in a familiar environment. In-house field trips are interactive and engaging. Examples are visits from zookeepers with exotic animals, storytellers, performers, and community helpers.
EARLY CHILDHOOD GUIDANCE, DISCIPLINE, AND REDIRECTING TECHNIQUES The Early Childhood Division Faculty and Staff use positive discipline and guidance techniques and provide a safe, happy, comfortable environment. Our goal is to help children develop self-control, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. We strive to teach children that each person is responsible for their own actions so that a child may grow and learn to get along comfortably with others. Teachers and Staff give students praise, love, and positive reinforcement. Teachers will respond consistently to inappropriate behaviors and may use the discipline strategies of redirection, privilege denial, and/or time out. The teacher will work with the child to show there are better ways to cope. In Early Childhood, our teachers create warm and welcoming classroom environments that encourage positive behaviors, gentle guidance, and thoughtful redirection. We believe in partnering closely with families to help every child feel loved, secure, and supported as they grow into caring community members. When a child needs additional support in making kind and safe choices, our administration, teachers, and parents work together and the student may visit with the Early Childhood Division Head. Biting Incidents of biting are a common developmental occurrence among infants and toddlers. This can be frustrating and stressful for children, parents, and staff. When a biting incident occurs, both families will be notified and an incident report will be completed. The bite will be washed, ice applied, and tender loving care delivered. After multiple biting incidents, a conference will be held with the parents to discuss the child's behavior and how it can be modified. The parents may be asked to engage in additional intervention strategies. If the child continues to exhibit a pattern of biting behavior after the above steps are taken, the child may be asked to leave the School until it can be determined that the biting behavior has stopped. Parents may be encouraged to seek professional help and consider the possibility that the child may need a different school setting. Staff report all biting incidents to the Early Childhood Division Head. Revised 10.16.2026
31 Early Childhood Aggressive and/or Defiant Behavior Policy Students in the Early Childhood Division who exhibit physical and/or defiant behavior, or use threatening or violent language, or make inappropriate choices in the classroom or on the playground, will be sent to the Early Childhood Division Head and/or Early Childhood Counselor. The student’s parents will be asked to meet with the Early Childhood Division Head to discuss school policy regarding physical and/or defiant behavior. Physical behavior may include : hitting, fighting, pinching, biting, spitting, pushing, yelling, or any behavior that may inflict pain on another child and/or cause undue anxiety in other children. Defiant behavior may include disrupting the class making it difficult for the teacher to teach, or repeatedly not doing what the child is asked to do. When physical and/or defiant behavior occurs over an extended period of time, the safety of other children in the classroom becomes an issue. St. Martin’s Episcopal School must intervene to ensure that the classroom can remain a safe, nurturing environment for all children. In review, the following steps will be taken: ● Parents and the Division Head, with input from teachers, will discuss possible reasons for the behavior. ● Parents may be encouraged to have the child examined by a pediatrician to determine if there is a physical cause for the behavior (hearing problems etc.). ● The teacher may use discipline strategies of redirection and positive reinforcement when incidents occur, and will continue to collaborate with the child to demonstrate alternative coping methods. The teacher may seek additional support for the student from the counselor or Division Head if the incident persists. ● If the child continues to exhibit aggressive and/or defiant behavior after the above steps are taken, the child may be asked to leave the School until it can be determined that the inappropriate behavior has stopped. ● Parents may be encouraged to seek professional help and consider the possibility that the child may need a different school setting.
LOWER SCHOOL The Lower School program continues the nurturing support of students that started in Early Childhood with a focus on the intellectual, spiritual, physical, and social development of students in Kindergarten through 4th grade. Students are appropriately challenged throughout Lower School in preparation for independent learning and to enter Middle School with a firm academic foundation for success. All activities such as field trips and assemblies are planned and coordinated by teachers in consultation with the Lower SchoolDivision Head. Field trips and assemblies are designed to support and reinforce the curriculum. Parent-teacher conferences are held twice each year in the fall and spring. Any questions related to K-4th grade that cannot be answered by the grade-level teachers should be directed to the Lower School Division Head. Grades K-4 have an individualized grading system that is developmentally appropriate for each level. Report Cards Report cards are accessible online. First-semester report cards are available in early January. Second-semester report cards are available in June. Grading Scale: A+ 97-100 A 90-96
C D
73-76 70-72 Revised 10.16.2026
32 B+ B C+
87-89 80-86 77-79
F
69 or below
ME = Meeting Expectations SP = Still Practicing BE = Below Expectations NA = Not Assessed Conference Reports These online reports provide information about the child’s progress at the time of conferences in both core and co-curricular subjects. Each grade level has an individualized report, which is available online to parents and is used as a guide to conference discussions. Parents are strongly encouraged to read the online report before attending their scheduled parent-teacher conference. Lower School parents are required to attend their child's conferences. Parents who are unable to attend on the designated day will be offered an alternate time after conferences are held. Homework Homework is assigned on a regular basis. The purpose of homework in the Lower School is to reinforce skills learned in class, build a sense of responsibility, and establish good study habits at home. Reasonable expectations for daily homework times are as follows: ● ● ● ● ●
Kindergarten - as assigned 1st grade – 20 minutes 2nd grade – 30 minutes 3rd grade – 30-45 minutes 4th grade – 45 minutes to 1 hour
Parents can support the learning process by providing quiet, consistent time, space for working, and showing positive interest in the student’s accomplishments. Parents should consider homework the student’s responsibility. If a child is taking significantly longer to complete homework than the time suggested, please contact your child’s teacher to discuss struggles with homework. Artificial Intelligence (AI) In the Lower School, artificial intelligence (AI) tools are for teacher-use only. Students may not use AI tools for assignments or other schoolwork. Student use of AI to generate or complete work is considered academic dishonesty and plagiarism. Standardized Testing Although standardized tests can be indicative of student progress, they are most helpful in evaluating curriculum and programs. Classroom work and grades are a more accurate indication of student progress. ● The ERB CTP is administered to grades 3-8 annually. It is a rigorously designed series of assessments to help educators collect critical educational data that provides useful information about how to improve instruction and student performance. The ERB test covers essential curriculum in reading, writing, and mathematics. ● If a student has psycho-educational testing on file, parents will be contacted by the Director of Student Support Services regarding accommodations. ● The results of standardized tests are communicated to parents. ● Every effort should be made by parents to see that students are present in school and on time during testing periods. ● Make-up testing will be coordinated by the School within a reasonable timeframe.
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LOWER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
Field Trips Field trips serve as an extension of classroom instruction, and as enrichment in community service and the fine arts. Chartered buses and school buses are used for field trip transportation; students are required to use the provided transportation. While on a trip, students represent St. Martin’s School and will dress and behave according to St. Martin’s standards. Chaperones for Lower School field trips are St. Martin’s faculty and/or staff. The School makes every effort to accommodate student needs on class trips. There may be certain medical conditions that cannot be accommodated. The School reserves the right to refuse a student’s participation if conditions warrant.
School-Sanctioned Parties/Celebrations: Lower School Holiday Parties Holiday parties are held in the classroom on a designated day. Class parties are coordinated through the class PTO representative along with grade-level teachers, and parents may sign up through the classroom SignUp Genius to help with any parties. Visitors must check in with the receptionist in Warrior Hall. These guidelines should be followed: ● The classroom teacher must be notified by email of all activities and food that will be brought into the classroom 3 school/business days prior to the party. ● Students do not exchange Christmas gifts. Birthday Celebrations ● Lower School students may have a non-uniform day on their birthday. ● Students may also bring in a special nut-free treat to share with their class on their birthday. Please review the guidelines below if you wish to send in a birthday treat. ● The treat (a cookie, fruit snack, salty snack, small cupcake) MUST be sent to school with the child in the morning, and may not contain nuts. Items must not require refrigeration. Please read the labeling to ensure no nuts. Please do not send drinks, goody bags, or favors. ● Please notify the teacher at least 24 hours in advance about sending in a treat. This allows the teacher appropriate time to plan and to notify parents who have a child with food allergies in the class. Ingredient and processing plant information is also very helpful. ● If the child has food allergies, the teacher will notify the parent about sending in an allergy-friendly alternative treat that can be kept in the classroom. The teacher will serve this item if the child is unable to have the birthday treat. ● If a student’s birthday falls on a non-school day or during the summer, the teacher can easily arrange an alternate date.. Please coordinate a date with the child’s teacher. Private Parties When after-school parties are planned, the student may not bring invitations or gifts to the School. Gifts are a distraction during the day, and students who have not been invited are often unhappy and hurt. When planning parties, please remember that the feelings of students are easily hurt. . It can be devastating for a student to think he or she may be the only one excluded. Therefore, a student attending an off-campus party will not be permitted to leave campus in any type of commercial vehicle. Lower School Chapel Visitor Policy ● LS parents are invited to attend Chapel with their child beginning in October. Parents will use the Sign-Up Genius link created by the classroom rep to select a date.. Both parents may attend on that day. ● Visitors must check in with the receptionist in Warrior Hall. Revised 10.16.2026
34 ● ● ● ● ●
Visitors will travel outside of the school building to the main church entrance. Visitors will meet their child at the back of the Chapel and sit in the balcony with the child. Students should rejoin their class before leaving the Chapel. Visitors must check out with the Warrior Hall receptionist. Please park in dedicated school spaces only. Do not park in church parking spots.
Guidelines for LS Lunch Visitors ● Parents sign up through their classroom Sign-Up Genius link to come to lunch on Thursdays. ● Two guests can eat lunch with the child on each assigned lunch date. ● Visitors may begin coming to lunch during the first week of October. ● Parents should check in and pay the $6 lunch fee at the main reception desk. ● Payment must be made by credit card; no cash is accepted. ● Outside food and drink is not allowed when visiting a student for lunch. Cubbies Cubbies are the property of St. Martin’s Episcopal School. Use of cubbies is a privilege, not a right. They will not be damaged or defaced in any way. Cubbies are used for storage of books, school supplies, and personal items. No money or valuables will be left in a cubbie. Students will not write on cubbies or place decals or stickers inside or outside of the cubbie. Cubbies may be decorated appropriately on the inside only, and decorations must be removed at the close of the school year. Students are permitted to use their assigned cubbie only. To maintain order and discipline, St. Martin’s school and staff reserve the right to search a student, student bubbies, student personal belongings, or a student’s private possessions at any school function on or off campus for any or no reason.
LOWER SCHOOL BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
The Lower School faculty and administration use positive discipline and guidance techniques that are developmentally appropriate and restorative in nature. The goal of the Lower School is to guide students in making appropriate behavior choices on their own and understanding how their actions affect others. Lower School students are expected to abide by the St. Martin’s Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is at the center of the behavioral expectations of St. Martin’s Episcopal School. These expectations reflect the School Mission by promoting a loving, Christian atmosphere in which students will develop a love of learning. Students are expected to behave honorably at all times and should not lie, cheat, steal, or condone the behavior of those who do. St. Martin’s Code of Conduct As a member of the St. Martin’s community, I will be honest, trustworthy, equitable and kind. I will accept full responsibility for my actions. ● ● ● ● ● ●
I will respect all people and treat them fairly with dignity and understanding. I will be an enthusiastic learner and positive role model for others. I will be a good citizen and respect school and personal property. I will represent my school with honor by being a positive ambassador. I will keep my faith and respect myself for who I am. I will not lie, cheat or steal.
The St. Martin’s community expects all members of the school family – students, teachers and parents – to uphold these values in their words and deeds. Violation of the Code of Conduct and other policies stated in this handbook will be investigated by the administration. Lower School faculty members develop classroom management systems to reinforce Revised 10.16.2026
35 developmentally appropriate behavior choices and redirect inappropriate behavior. The Lower School believes in a team approach to help develop caring and responsible citizens. The team includes St. Martin’s administration, faculty, parents, and the student. Students who continue to make inappropriate choices will be sent to the Dean of Student Life and the Lower School Division Head. The school will notify parents of demerits, suspensions, and conferences. All demerit slips must be signed and returned to the Lower SchoolDivision Head. Parental signature verifies that parents have been made aware of the infraction and the subsequent consequence(s). For students applying to other schools, these schools will be notified of any significant disciplinary action at the discretion of the St. Martin's administration. Information regarding specific Lower School discipline policies is provided below: Fighting Fighting at St. Martin's is not tolerated. Students who engage in physical confrontations may be; assigned a partial day In-School Suspension, asked to leave school for the remainder of the school day and/or additional time away from campus may be required. A second offense in one school year may result in extended suspension or expulsion. Confirmed reports of chronic harassment of others will be entered into the student’s permanent file. Harassment Harassment will not be tolerated on school grounds or at school functions. Harassment includes threats, both physical and verbal, intimidation, such as teasing, bullying (in person or online), and inappropriate touching, or otherwise engaging in any behavior or speech that is demeaning, threatening, or harmful to others. The administration will investigate and review such allegations in a prompt, confidential and thorough manner. The following guidelines, though not absolute, will be followed: ● 1st Offense: A conference is held with the student and parents to discuss the situation and the concerns about the inappropriate actions that have occurred. Given the details of the situation, demerits may be issued and possibly a (1)-day suspension. The unacceptable behavior and consequences will be noted in the student’s disciplinary file, which is maintained by the Dean of Student Life. ● 2nd Offense: Further conversations will take place with the parents and child. Consequences will be assigned by the administration. Consequences can include mandatory counseling, or extended suspension or expulsion. Retaliation for reporting will not be tolerated. Any student who engages in retaliation toward another will receive consequences equal to or similar to those established for harassment/bullying at the discretion of the school administration. Items Prohibited On Campus The following items are not permitted on campus at any time. Students found in possession of any of these items may be subject to disciplinary action. ● Alcohol ● Drugs ● Nicotine and alternative nicotine products (vapor, zyn, elf bar, etc.) ● Explosive devices ● Fireworks of any kind ● Lighters ● Matches Revised 10.16.2026
36 ● Tobacco ● Weapons: firearms, ammunition, explosives, and weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited on school property, including school buses or other forms of school transportation and school-sponsored events. This policy applies to employees, students, parents, visitors, and contract workers, regardless of whether a federal or state license or permit has been issued to the possessor. ● Any objects that may be used as weapons ● Chewing gum. Weapons and Dangerous Devices St. Martin's requires that students not bring to school any item that could be construed as a weapon or dangerous device. If a student or parent desires such an item to be brought to school for display purposes, they must receive prior approval from the Division Head or Dean of Student Life. Upon approval, the parent must bring the item directly to the appropriate teacher. The item must also be collected from the teacher by the parent. Such items may not be in the possession of the student at any time. Failure to follow protocol will result in disciplinary action on a situational basis. Searches To maintain order and discipline and to protect the safety and welfare of students and school faculty and staff, school administrators may search a student, student locker, or a student’s personal belongings at any time for any or no reason. The School also reserves the right to search a student’s private possessions, which are brought with them to any school function, on or off campus.
CONSEQUENCES FOR FAILURE TO MEET BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS – DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES Demerits Demerits may be given to students for inappropriate behavior such as: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Willful disobedience Fighting Inappropriate language Disrespectful behavior Rough or dangerous behavior Negligent behavior Being out of uniform (multiple days) Other behaviors not consistent with the expectation that students will behave at all times with honor, courtesy, and general good manners.
Demerits do not carry over from year to year. Honor Offenses Because St. Martin's values academic honor, suspected honor offenses such as stealing, cheating, and lying, will be brought to the Dean of Student Life and Lower School Division Head. Honor offenses will be treated as significant violations and will be handled accordingly. Honor offense demerits do not expire. Grades K-4 ● 1st honor offense: Parents will be contacted by the Dean of Student Life and the Division Head. The demerit will stay with the student for the entire school year. Further consequences may be assigned by the administration. ● 2nd honor offense: The student will receive a demerit and a zero on the assignment. ● 3rd honor offense: A parent conference will be scheduled with the administration. Consequences may include extended suspension. Revised 10.16.2026
37 Suspension A student may be suspended for one or more school days as a result of failing to meet the School’s behavioral expectations. During a suspension, students will typically receive no credit for missed classwork or homework, but will make up tests and other major assignments. The student will be excluded from any school program or activity on the day(s) of suspension. Out-of-school suspension An OSS consequence may result from actions such as the following: ● Fighting with intentional injury to another ● Continued harassment of another ● Behavior unbefitting a St. Martin's student at the discretion of the administration. Extended out-of-school suspension An extended OSS may be given to students for chronic behavior or a single incident unbefitting a St. Martin's student, at the discretion of the administration. In-house suspension A partial or full-day ISS consequence may be given at the discretion of the St. Martin's administration for an incident or chronic misbehavior. Expulsion A student may be expelled for violation of school policies. Parents and the student will meet with the Head of School and Division Head to discuss. Addressing Parent Concerns Parent concerns regarding student behavior should first be addressed to their child’s teacher. If the concern continues, parents should contact the DivisionHead. All disciplinary actions taken regarding a St. Martin’s student will only be discussed with that child’s parents. Campus Discipline Procedures St. Martin's policy is to assist children in arriving at inner discipline through concentrated work. In all areas, the child is assisted in developing the skills necessary to control their own actions to develop self-discipline. Natural or logical consequences are used as a means of helping the child develop inner limits. Campus guidelines are as follows: ● If a child is disruptive or endangers others, the teacher will immediately intervene in as positive a manner as possible. ● If a child has trouble settling into the class, they will be redirected to an activity by the teacher. ● If the child is still unable to settle down, the teacher will intervene and may have the child remain beside them until the child is able to calm down and make respectful choices or remove them from the classroom and meet with theDivision Head, Dean of Student Life, or school counselor. ● If the behavior becomes extreme, the teacher will schedule a meeting with the parents and, depending on the circumstances, with the Division Head and Dean of Student Life or appropriate staff, while the incident is still fresh in the child’s mind. Staff, parents, and the child will respectfully work together to modify the behavior. It is important to note that modifying the behavior will take time as the child develops inner limits. If a pattern of willful, disruptive behavior develops: ● Teachers will inform the student’s parents. ● Appropriate staff will be notified. Revised 10.16.2026
38 ● The student, teacher, parents, and Division Head and Dean of Student Life will work together to modify behavior, and, as appropriate, additional professional help will be recommended. ● Continued negative behavior may result in the School requiring a behavioral evaluation by a professional, possible suspension and in some instances in consultation with the Head of School, separation of the student from the School. All separation from the School will be determined by the Head of School.
MIDDLE SCHOOL The St. Martin’s Middle School program (grades 5 through 8) is designed to meet the developmental needs of early adolescents by challenging and supporting them. The program is academically rigorous, and students change classes for each discipline. Classes are mixed, so that in the course of a day, students have the opportunity to interact with the majority of peers in their grade level. At each grade level, advisory groups serve as the basis of student organization. The advisories meet every morning, have study halls, elect representatives to the Student Council, and are integral to the service learning program. In addition to academics, Middle School students are involved in a variety of music and drama opportunities, participate in a full athletic program, contribute to a full club and activity program, and go on a number of overnight field trips. Parent-teacher conferences are held twice each year in the fall and spring. Any questions related to 5th-8th grades that cannot be answered by the grade-level teachers should be directed to the Middle School Division Head. Middle School Only – Early Drop-off (please read carefully) Parents dropping off Middle School students only (no EC or LS students) may do so from 7:30 a.m. 7:40 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings and 8:30 a.m. - 8:40 a.m. on Wednesday mornings. Students may enter directly into the Middle School building beginning at 7:30 a.m. Parents should use the Lanier Drive entrance for Middle School drop-off prior to 7:40 a.m. Parent arrival prior to 7:30 a.m. prevents faculty and staff from safely entering campus, and being present to receive students. The drop-off circle is reserved for moving traffic and emergency vehicles only. Parents who arrive early for MS drop-off will be asked to exit campus and re-enter at 7:30 a.m. On-campus parking space is limited; parents may not park and wait until 7:30 a.m. drop off. Per our neighborhood agreement, no parking or student drop-off on Lanier Drive or neighboring streets is permitted at any time. Students who arrive outside of the published early drop-off time (or are LS or EC students) must be escorted to Explorers by a parent/guardian and pay a fee if applicable. Each day, the carpool manager will close the Lanier Drive early drop-off entrance at 7:40 a.m. After the manager closes the early drop-off queue, all families must join the regular carpool line entering from Ashford Dunwoody Drive. High School Placement The High School Placement Office facilitates the placement process for 8th graders and their families. Early in the school year, the Director of High School Placement meets with each student and their parents during individual family placement appointments to review the process and look at high school options. During the fall, a number of local high schools visit St. Martin’s and meet with the entire class for a program overview and Q & A session. The High School Placement Office sponsors a Southeastern Boarding School Forum. In the fall, 8th-grade students overview the SSAT and participate in classes on interviewing skills as part of their guidance classes. The High School Placement Office oversees the transfer of student records and teacher recommendations to metro Atlanta high schools and boarding schools and works closely Revised 10.16.2026
39 with high school admissions directors on behalf of St. Martin’s 8th-grade students. Grades and Report Cards Middle School students begin to be evaluated more on the final product of their work. More weight is given to in-class assessments, projects, and written assignments. In some courses, the demonstration of successful learning is dictated by more objective measures of skill development that show some commonality with other middle schools and are more reflective of high school expectations. ● Online Grades. The online grade book is accessible throughout the semester so that students and parents can track performance in all classes. The online grades show all grades for homework, quizzes, tests, writing assignments, and projects, as well as the cumulative average. ● Mid-Semester Fall Comments: Comments are brief narratives indicating overall academic progress and providing an overview of skill development in areas of mastery and in areas of concern. ● Report Cards: Report cards are accessible online. First-semester report cards are available in early January. Second-semester report cards are available about a week after school ends in May. Grading Scale for Academic Subjects in Middle School: A+ 99-100 B80-82 A 93-98 C+ 78-79 A90-92 C 74-77 B+ 88-89 D 70-73 B 83-87 F 69 or below Homework Homework grades are a significant factor in final grade averages. Homework is assigned as a tool for better assimilation of subject matter and as a study skill in commitment to short- and long-range responsibilities. Reasonable expectations for daily homework times are as follows: ● 5th grade through 8th grades – 1 to 1½ hours, up to 2 hours in 8th grade Parents can support the learning process by providing quiet, consistent time, space for working, and positive interest in the student’s accomplishments. Parents should consider homework the student’s responsibility. If your child is taking significantly longer to complete homework than the time suggested above, please contact the child’s teacher to discuss struggles with homework. Artificial Intelligence (AI) On individual assignments, teachers may encourage or prohibit the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The use of AI tools will be treated as academic dishonesty when students do not acknowledge their use or use these tools without teacher permission on a given assignment. Using artificial intelligence to generate work and submitting it as one’s own without proper citation is considered plagiarism. Advisor/Advisee Program The Middle School supports a valuable Advisor/Advisee Program. The founding principles of the advisor/advisee system promote the development and continuation of a strong bond among advisors and advisees. Each advisor plays a key role in an advisee’s growth and development, offering assistance, support, and advice. Advisors monitor the overall academic progress and social adjustment of each advisee and serve as a resource for parents.
Middle School Student Recognition Head of School List Middle School Students are recognized for academic achievement and named to the Head of School Revised 10.16.2026
40 List each semester by meeting the following requirements: ● A’s in all subjects ● No suspension at any time during the semester ● No honor offenses Honor Roll Middle School Students are recognized for academic achievement and named to the Honor Roll each semester by meeting the following requirements: ● A’s and no more than two B's in all subjects ● No suspension at any time during the semester ● An honor offense makes a student ineligible for the semester in which the offense occurred. Merits Merits are awarded to Middle School students for extraordinary effort and positive behavior. ● Merits will be awarded at the discretion of the St. Martin’s Episcopal School faculty for extraordinary effort above and beyond expectation of all St. Martin’s students and for special help or kindness to faculty, staff, and/or other students. ● Special recognition will be given to 5th - 8th grade students who accumulate 6 or more merits throughout the school year. ● Merits do not cancel out demerits. St. Martin’s Honor Society (SMHS) The St. Martin’s Honor Society recognizes outstanding student accomplishments in academics, leadership, and contributions to the community. Students in 6th and 7th grades participate in an orientation in which the goals and standards for the Society are explained. SMHS Sponsors monitor student progress and confirm eligibility for each student who has requested candidate status. Successful candidates who have maintained the required level of academic performance and who have completed required community service will be honored at an induction ceremony in the spring semester of their 8th-grade year. Oglethorpe Award The Oglethorpe Award is presented to an 8th-grade student. Nominated by the faculty, this student is a good citizen of the School and community, and exhibits intelligence, compassion, enthusiasm, responsibility, and common sense. This 8th-grade student is academically sound, is involved in at least 1 extracurricular activity, and has attended St. Martin’s for a minimum of 2 years. Nominees for the Oglethorpe Award meet with a committee of Middle School faculty and administration for a casual interview as part of the process. The nominees attend a special lunch with the Head of School at the end of the school year. Student of the Week This special honor is bestowed upon a deserving Middle School student who is nominated by peers and teachers for (1) respect for property, (2) good citizenship, (3) acts of kindness, and (4) a positive attitude. Teachers meet weekly to discuss the candidates and vote to select the deserving student. The student is presented with a certificate and is recognized by the student body. Students are treated to an off-campus lunch with the Middle School Division Head and the Dean of Student Life at the end of the semester. Minimum Academic Requirements for Middle School In core academic subjects, Mathematics, English / Language Arts, Social Studies, World Languages, and Science, students must satisfactorily complete semester requirements in each course. ● A student whose grade average for the semester is 69 or below has earned a failing grade for that semester. To receive a passing grade and credit for a year-long core course, students Revised 10.16.2026
41 must earn a two-semester average of 70. ● A student must earn a 70 or above average for the second semester. A student who fails more than two core subjects for the year will be considered for repetition of the grade or dismissal. Any student failing a year-long course in a core academic subject may be required to do extensive summer work approved by the Middle SchoolDivision Head. In addition to the completion of additional coursework, the student will be expected to retake and pass the final exam in the failed course. Academic Policy Governing Extracurricular and Athletic Activities for Middle School Full participation in extracurricular activities is based on successful academic performance. Grades are reviewed on a regular basis. A student earning a D or an F during a periodic grade check will begin a period of probation during which academic performance will be closely monitored. During the probation period, the students will continue to practice with an athletic team, but may not start a game. In all other extracurriculars, participation is determined at the discretion of the activity advisor and the MS Division Head. When the grade improves, the probation status will be lifted. A student earning a D or an F prior to winter or spring tryouts or any musical audition may not participate in the evaluation process. That student’s academic status will be carefully reviewed for the causes of the failing grade, and conversations will be held with the student and teachers about the situation. Standardized Testing Although standardized tests can be indicative of student progress, they are most helpful in evaluating curriculum and programs. Classroom work and grades are a more accurate indication of student progress. ● The ERB CTP is administered to grades 3-8 annually. This is a rigorously designed series of assessments to help educators collect critical educational data that provides useful information about how to improve instruction and student performance. The ERB test covers essential curriculum in reading, writing, and mathematics. ● If a student has psycho-educational testing on file, parents will be contacted by the Director of Student Support Services, regarding accommodations. ● The results of standardized tests are communicated to parents. ● Every effort should be made by parents to see that students are present in school and on time during testing periods. ● Make-up testing will be coordinated by the school within a reasonable timeframe
School-Sanctioned Parties / Celebrations: Middle School At times, certain academic classes, advisory groups, activities, or clubs may have small classroom “celebrations”. Because of the nature of the Middle School program, events for an entire class are not possible. The distribution of invitations for out-of-school events is not permitted unless all members of a grade level are invited. Distribution of thank-you notes is also not permitted. Gift-giving among students may not take place at school, unless coordinated by an adult within a classroom. Entire grade-level parties are not permitted in the Middle School. Private Parties When after-school parties are planned, the student may not bring invitations or gifts to the School. Gifts are a distraction during the day, and students who have not been invited are often unhappy and hurt. When planning parties, please remember that the feelings of students are easily hurt. It can be devastating for a student to think he or she may be the only one excluded. Therefore, a Revised 10.16.2026
42 student attending an off-campus party will not be permitted to leave campus in any type of commercial vehicle. Middle School Behavior Expectations The Code of Conduct is at the center of the behavioral expectations of St. Martin’s Episcopal School. These expectations reflect the School Mission by promoting a loving, Christian atmosphere in which students will develop a love of learning. Students are expected to behave honorably at all times and should not lie, cheat, steal, or condone the behavior of those who do. Although younger children may not immediately recognize the importance or significance of honorable behavior, it is our belief that through instruction and assistance, all students can learn best in an environment that expects and promotes honor, kindness, and personal responsibility. St. Martin’s Code of Conduct Students are expected to behave honorably at all times and should not lie, cheat, steal, or condone the behavior of those who do. It is our belief that all children, through instruction and assistance, can learn and grow in an honorable manner. As a member of the St. Martin’s community, I will be honest, trustworthy, equitable, and kind. I will accept full responsibility for my actions. ● ● ● ● ● ●
I will respect all people and treat them fairly with dignity and understanding. I will be an enthusiastic learner and positive role model for others. I will be a good citizen and respect school and personal property. I will represent my school with honor by being a positive ambassador. I will keep my faith and respect myself for who I am. I will not lie, cheat, or steal.
The school will notify parents of demerits, detentions, suspensions, and conferences. All demerit and detention slips must be signed and returned to the Middle School Division Head or the Dean of Student Life. Parental signature verifies that parents have been made aware of the infraction. For students applying to other schools, these schools will be notified in the event of any significant disciplinary action, at the discretion of the St. Martin's administration. Fighting Fighting at St. Martin's is not tolerated. Students who engage in physical confrontations will be sent home and suspended for at least 1 full day. A second offense in one school year may result in extended suspension or expulsion. Harassment Harassment will not be tolerated on school grounds or at school functions. Harassment includes threats, both physical and verbal; intimidation, such as teasing, bullying (in person or online), and inappropriate touching, or otherwise engaging in any behavior or speech that is demeaning, threatening, or harmful to others. The administration will investigate and review such allegations in a prompt, confidential, and thorough manner. Confirmed reports of chronic harassment of others will be entered into the student’s permanent file. In the Middle School, harassment is addressed (see below) as a serious disciplinary issue. Searches To maintain order and discipline and to protect the safety and welfare of students and school faculty and staff, school administrators may search a student, student locker, or a student’s personal belongings at any time for any or no reason. The School also reserves the right to search a student’s private possessions brought with them to any school function, on or off campus. Revised 10.16.2026
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MIDDLE SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS Field Trips Field trips serve as an extension of classroom instruction, and as enrichment in community service and the fine arts. Chartered buses and school buses are used for field trip transportation; students are required to use the provided transportation. While on a trip, students are representing St. Martin’s School and will dress and behave according to St. Martin’s standards. Chaperones for EC, LS, and MS field trips are St. Martin’s faculty and/or staff. Toddlers, Beginners, and Pre-Kindergarten students do not take off-campus field trips. Students in 5th-8th grade have the opportunity to take overnight trips. Early in the school year, grades 5-8 participate in class retreats designed to build teamwork, class unity, and leadership skills. Middle School class trips occur in the spring and involve travel by air or chartered bus. Each trip is designed by grade-level teachers and focuses on specific areas of study such as history, literature, and science. The School makes every effort to accommodate student needs on class trips. There may be certain medical conditions that cannot be accommodated. The School reserves the right to refuse a student’s participation if conditions so warrant. Graduation A special Graduation Service is held at the Cathedral of St. Philip at the end of school to celebrate and honor 8th-graders. In addition to the graduation service, complementary 8th grade family activities include a luncheon, a Chapel service, and presentation of the 8th grade gift. Carrying on the honored tradition of a school gift, the graduating class chooses a gift and a fund-raising project to finance the gift.
CONSEQUENCES FOR FAILURE TO MEET BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Policy A student who is in possession of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, e-cigarettes/vaping devices on campus or at a school activity should expect to be dismissed from St. Martin’s. Possession of such substances by a minor is illegal and is not consistent with the School’s obligation to provide a safe learning environment. Parents who believe that special circumstances are involved may appeal their child’s dismissal to the Head of School, whose decision will be final. With the exception of an emergency, life-saving medications such as epinephrine injectors and rescue inhalers, possession by a child of their own prescription or non-prescription medication while on campus or attending school activities is prohibited and is treated as a serious disciplinary infraction. Such possession may or may not fall under the policy referring to “possession of drugs.” School administration will make that determination and will consider the circumstances surrounding the event, whether or not the student shared/sold/gave medication to others, and other relevant factors. Honor Offenses Because St. Martin's values academic honor, Middle School students will sign a pledge on tests and projects indicating that they neither have given nor received help, nor witnessed others doing so. Suspected honor offenses, such as stealing, cheating and lying, will be brought to the Head of School by the Division Head or the Dean of Student Life. Honor offenses will be treated as significant violations and will be handled accordingly. Honor offense demerits do not expire. Revised 10.16.2026
44 ● 1st honor offense: The demerit will stay with the student for the entire school year. Parents will be contacted by the Division Head or the Dean of Student Life. The student will have a conference with the Division Head or the Dean of Student Life. Further consequences may be assigned by the administration. ● 2nd honor offense: The student will serve an out-of-school suspension for 1 day. Parents will conference with the administration. Written work may be assigned by the administration. The demerit will be added to the student’s file. ● 3rd honor offense: A parent conference is scheduled with the administration. Consequences may include extended suspension or expulsion. Demerits Demerits accumulate over the course of a year but do not carry over from year to year. Merits do not cancel out demerits. Students may earn demerits for inappropriate behavior such as: ● Willful disobedience ● Fighting ● Inappropriate language ● Disrespectful behavior ● Rough or dangerous behavior ● Negligent behavior ● Three lunch detentions ● Other behavior inconsistent with the expectation that students behave at all times with honor, courtesy, and general good manners, at the discretion of the administration. Lunchtime detention Students may receive a lunchtime detention for minor conduct violations. Detentions serve to bring patterns of problem behavior to the attention of parents, grade-level teams and the Dean of Student Life. Lunchtime Detentions may be issued for: ● disruptive behavior ● repeatedly being late to class ● neglected books/belongings ● uniform infractions ● eating in class ● chewing gum ● other inappropriate behaviors After School Detention After School Detentions will be held after dismissal on regular school days at the discretion of the administration when behavior infractions warrant. After School Detention begins at 3:15 p.m. and ends at 3:45 p.m. Suspension A student may be suspended for 1 or more school days as a result of having failed to meet the School’s behavioral expectations. During a suspension, students will typically receive no credit for missed classwork or homework but will make up tests and other major assignments. The student will be excluded from any school program or activity on the day(s) of suspension. The student will write a reflection/self-improvement plan to be presented to the Division Head or the Dean of Student Life. See the section on steps to understand how the School works to keep parents and students informed about the student’s progress toward remediating unacceptable behavior. Out-of-school Suspension A single day OSS may result from actions such as the following: ● Fighting with intentional injury to another (physical or verbal) ● Continued harassment or cruel mistreatment of another Revised 10.16.2026
45 ● Behavior unbecoming of a St. Martin's student (at the discretion of the administration - see the section on Steps). Extended Out-of-school Suspension An extended OSS consequence may be given to students for any chronic behavior or a single incident that is unbecoming of a St. Martin's student (at the discretion of the administration). In-House Suspension A partial or full-day ISS consequence may be given at the discretion of the St. Martin's administration for a single incident or chronic misbehavior. Expulsion A student may be expelled for violation of school policies. Parents and the student will meet with the Head of School and Division Head to discuss.
MIDDLE SCHOOL - BEHAVIOR AND CONSEQUENCES Discipline Policy Discipline for students is based on a positive model. Students are taught that St. Martin’s is a peaceful school based upon mutual respect, and intentional violence or bullying will not be tolerated. Appropriate use of non-violent communication and frustration-tolerance skills is expected and modeled. It is imperative that incidents be reported in a timely manner. St. Martin’s Episcopal School requires parents to report any known incidents of bullying or willful or deliberate violence within 24 hours to their student’s teacher, Division Head, or Dean of Student Life. Families of students involved in disciplinary incidents will be notified. Depending on the details and events, incidents of normal peer conflict may or may not be reported. If a pattern of willful, disruptive behavior develops: Teachers will record behavioral observation. Teachers will inform the student’s parents. Appropriate staff will be notified. The student, teacher, parents, and Dean of Student Life and Division Head will work together to modify behavior, and, as appropriate, additional professional help will be recommended. ● Continued negative behavior will result in the School requiring a behavioral evaluation by a professional, possible suspension, and in some instances in consultation with the Head of School, separation of the student from the School. All separations from the School will be determined by the Head of School. ● ● ● ●
ATHLETICS Athletic Mission St. Martin’s offers a wide variety of competitive athletic programs that align with the interests of students, administration, parents, and members of the St. Martin’s community. These programs are designed to allow students to compete at the right pace along with other athletes of similar skill level while learning new skills, philosophies, and athletic knowledge. All teams emphasize the basics and strive to develop good habits. The goal is to create an encouraging atmosphere where teamwork, personal development, sportsmanship, and leadership are developed in a loving, Christian atmosphere. Philosophy Revised 10.16.2026
46 St. Martin’s Episcopal School offers students the opportunity to build an appreciation and love for lifelong fitness through athletics. Through a commitment to excellence in academics, athletics, and life, St. Martin's student-athletes learn that collaboration and fun, coupled with hard work and dedication, will lead to personal growth and success. The athletics program enhances the academic experience by promoting healthy competition and physical activity while stressing sportsmanship and teamwork. St. Martin’s will try to accommodate all students who wish to participate. Teams will be created to meet students where they are and group athletes of similar ability in order to generate appropriate internal and external competition. The goal is to develop a competitive atmosphere while maintaining a culture of encouragement and mutual support. St. Martin's provides dedicated and experienced coaches and top-quality resources for parents and student athletes, establishing a community in search of greater achievement. Each team and individual should strive for their best while making everyone around them achieve their best. Full commitment from the student athletes and their parents is essential to the success of the program. Through these goals and objectives, St. Martin's athletes grow spiritually and strengthen their Christian values. Sportsmanship/Integrity St. Martin’s athletes strive to conduct themselves with dignity and class while winning or losing. They uphold the highest moral standards, demonstrate sound judgment, and achieve ethical decision-making while maintaining self-discipline. Teamwork St. Martin’s strives to create and nurture athletes who encourage one another in success as in failure. Athletes thrive together in an encouraging setting. Learning to collaborate, develop team goals, and work to achieve a common vision. St. Martin's athletes strive to be their best. Leadership A focus on leadership helps prepare St. Martin's athletes to become tomorrow’s leaders, while strengthening their Christian values. Athletic schedules and directions to other venues can be found on the St. Martin's website, www.stmartinschool.org. Academic Policy as related to Athletics See the section entitled Academic Policy Governing Extracurricular and Athletic Activities for Middle School. Disciplinary Policy as related to Athletics If a student is disruptive at practice such that the coach or staff feels the team is being affected, that student will not remain at practice and will call a parent for early pickup. Should a student be removed from practice twice, the student will be removed from the team. Students must be in attendance for at least half of the school day to be eligible to participate in competition. Respect for others is expected behavior of every member of the school community. This also applies to opposing teams, as stated in the handbook. Any athlete who chooses to display poor sportsmanship will be subject to penalties as prescribed by the coach, Athletic Director, and school administration. The severity of the incident will warrant consequences that may include suspension or dismissal from the team. MS Students Staying for Games St. Martin's students are encouraged to stay and attend after-school sporting events! The procedure is as follows: Students should go to their homeroom after school until the end of carpool. Students are encouraged to bring a snack to eat in homeroom and at 3:30 p.m., student spectators should gather in the gym. Students may not walk from campus after school to surrounding establishments and return for later games. Revised 10.16.2026
47 Awards Assemblies Awards assemblies are held at the end of each athletic season. The dates are determined by the Athletic Department. Their purpose is to honor the athletes and recognize team and individual achievement in a way that allows recognition by all Lower and Middle School students and the parents of the athletes. The “team parent” is encouraged to coordinate a token of appreciation for their respective coach and is encouraged to organize a casual team gathering after the last game of the season. Because athletes will be recognized at the Awards Assemblies, no end-of-season parties will take place on campus. Teams are encouraged to celebrate their season at an off-campus residence or restaurant.
LOCKERS Lockers are the property of St. Martin’s Episcopal School. Use of these lockers is a privilege, not a right. They will not be damaged or defaced in any way. Lockers are to be used for storage of books, school supplies, P.E. uniforms, and personal items. No money or valuables will be left in an unlocked locker. Students will not write on lockers or place decals or stickers inside or outside of the lockers. Lockers may be decorated appropriately on the inside only, and decorations must be removed at the close of the school year. Locks will be provided by the school for all middle school lockers to safely secure personal belongings. Only locks provided by the School may be used. All other locks will be removed, and the student will be issued consequences for willful misconduct. Students are required to keep their lockers closed and locked when not in attendance at their locker. Students may not share locker combinations with other students. There is a $15 replacement fee for lost or damaged locks. Students are permitted to use their assigned locker only. To maintain order and discipline, St. Martin’s school and staff reserve the right to search a student, student lockers, student personal belongings, or a student’s private possessions at any school function on or off campus for any or no reason. Extra-curricular or PE lockers in locker rooms and the locker room hallway will not be assigned. These lockers are used for day-to-day storage of equipment and/or clothing. A lock will be provided by the School for these lockers only by request. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action at the discretion of the administration.
UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS
Students are expected to respect their school uniform and wear it properly and with pride. They are expected to arrive at school neatly dressed and well-groomed. Hair must be clean and neatly groomed. The School reserves the right to address extremes in hairstyles and accessories that interfere with a student’s learning environment or a student’s learning. Face paintings, decals, tattoos, and body piercings are not appropriate. Clothing should be clean, appropriate, and well-fitting. All shirts are to be tucked in. Pants must be worn at or above the hip bone. Skorts are to be no more than 5 inches above the knee. Shoes with laces need to be tied and worn properly. Boots, sandals, and open-toed footwear are not appropriate for school. Hats, head scarves and head dressings are not permitted unless specified for special events. Boys are required to wear belts but need not purchase them from Flynn O’Hara. Full uniforms will be worn on all field trips unless otherwise indicated. All uniform items (including P.E. uniforms) must be purchased from Flynn O’Hara. It is not acceptable to purchase items elsewhere and have the school logo added to those items. School ties can be acquired from the Dean of Student Life and will be sold through Flynn O’Hara. Spirit wear Revised 10.16.2026
48 items are available through Sideline Sports; spirit outerwear purchased from Sideline Sports may be worn as part of the school uniform. Parents are not required to purchase every possible uniform item (for example, is not necessary to buy both a short- and a long-sleeved Chapel shirt if your child will only wear one or the other). The PTO sponsors used uniform sales throughout the year. Appropriate outerwear may be worn on cold days. Spirit outerwear, jackets, sweatshirts and fleeces are available from Sideline Sports. ONLY St. Martin's outerwear (such as a fleece, sweatshirt or jacket) may be worn inside the school building or on field trips.
Revised 10.16.2026
49 Uniform Guidelines Early Childhood Uniform Quick Guide Lower School Uniform Quick Guide Middle School Uniform Quick Guide Formal Dress Uniform (Grades 5-8) Formal dress uniform is to be worn on Chapel days and to special events as designated by the School. Girls: Uniform skort/skirt or slacks (Skorts/skirts are to be no more than 5 inches above the knee.) Oxford cloth shirt Sweater vest Regular uniform shoes and socks Boys: Uniform slacks with belt Oxford cloth shirt St. Martin's tie (standard or bow) Regular uniform belt, shoes and socks Non-Uniform Days Dress Code Periodic non-uniform days occur throughout the school year. All St. Martin’s Episcopal School students will wear clean and appropriate casual wear. Articles of clothing that draw unfavorable attention, interfere with instruction, or threaten health or safety are not acceptable. Tights may not be worn as pants. Leggings may not be worn as pants without a long, mid-thigh tunic or dress. Shorts must be mid-thigh or fingertip length at minimum. Sweatpants and warm-ups are acceptable pants on non-uniform days. Skirts or skorts must be no more than 5 inches above the knee. Shirts may not be backless. Tank tops are not appropriate. Undergarments and midriffs may not be visible. Undergarments may not show outside the sleeve, above the waistline, or below the hem. Inappropriate wording or pictures are strictly prohibited. Articles of clothing decorated with offensive, obscene, or suggestive wording or pictures, inappropriate advertisements (i.e., alcohol, tobacco, music groups), political campaign messaging, or any language that may be interpreted as abusive, offensive, suggestive, or vulgar will not be allowed. The right of refusal is at the discretion of the school administration. No hats, headscarves, or head dressings are permitted without the permission of the St. Martin's administration. Clothing may not be ripped or torn. Jeans styled with small rips or tears are permissible, but the judgment of the Dean of Student Life will be final when determining if such rips are excessive in size, number, or placement. Face paintings, decals, and other decorations will only be allowed when specified for theme days. Head coverings will only be permitted when specified. Students whose attire does not meet school requirements may be required to change into appropriate garments belonging to the School and may be assigned a detention and/or demerit. Further consequences may result at the discretion of the administration. Families are strongly encouraged to write their names on or put labels inside of clothing that is worn to school, particularly outerwear. Revised 10.16.2026
50 Flynn O’Hara (www.flynnohara.com) Uniform items are to be purchased from Flynn O’Hara, an online and in-store uniform vendor whose focus is customer service with convenient online and in-person ordering and local inventory. Families should visit wwwflynnohara.com and enter the school code SMES1959 to place orders. Please check with the School if there is a discrepancy between the uniform requirements listed in the handbook and the vendor’s offerings.
Revised 10.16.2026