STUDENT HANDBOOK

2013

The Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy is a program of Middlebury Interactive Languages (MIL). MIL is a joint venture between Middlebury College and K12, Inc.

Language education for a gLobaL worLd

Table of Contents

Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Introduction to Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy 4

Information for Parents and Guardians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Academic Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

The Language Pledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Campus Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Campus Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Residential Life Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Dining Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Health Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Student Disability Accommodation Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Community Standards and Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Guests and Going Off-Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Admissions and Tuition Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Checklist for Students and Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

General Information

MMLA AT A GLANCEJune 23, 2013–July 18, 2013

MMLA Administrative Office (Year Round) Phone: 802.458.925223 Pond Lane Fax: 802.419.4111Middlebury, VT 05753 mmla.info@middleburyinteractive.com mmla.admissions@middleburyinteractive.com http://mmla.middlebury.edu

Key MMLA Year-Round Staff MembersVice President for Academic Programs Cynthia M. Patterson cpatterson@middleburyinteractive.com 802.458.9247Director of Educational Programs Amy Kluber akluber@middleburyinteractive.com 802.458.9257Director of Enrollment & Business Services Pam Billings pbillings@middleburyinteractive.com 802.458.9242Director of Residential Life and Experiential Learning Jane Young jyoung@middleburyinteractive.com 802.458.9251Director of Curriculum and Instruction Amy Shen ashen@middleburyinteractive.com 802.458.9243Director of Professional Recruitment & Training Betsy Otalora botalora@middleburyinteractive.com 802.458.9256Admissions Manager Mimi Clark mclark@middleburyinteractive.com 802.458.9252

This handbook provides general information. For site specific information, such as mailing addresses, travel information, phone numbers, etc., please see the site specific insert.

MMLA complies with applicable provisions of state and federal law which prohibit discrimination in employment, or in admission or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, marital status, place of birth, service in the armed forces of the United States, or against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability. Questions relating to compliance during the summer session may be addressed to the MMLA Human Resources Department, 23 Pond Lane, Middlebury, VT, 05753.

MMLA endeavors to present an accurate overview of the programs, facilities, and fees of MMLA in this publication. However, MMLA reserves the right to alter any program, facility, or fees described in this publication without notice or obligation. MMLA welcomes students, faculty, and staff with many abilities and disabilities.

Welcome

Dear Language Academy Student,

The directors, faculty, and staff welcome you to the 2013 session of the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy. You will be joining a truly exceptional community of learners; teachers, staff, and students dedicated to world languages and global citizenship. We know you are ready to embark on a fun, exciting, and challenging summer experience, and we are eager to meet each of you when you arrive on campus.

For nearly a century, the world-renowned Middlebury College Language Schools’ “No English Spoken Here” programs have taught academics, artists, diplomats, and those who simply have a love for language, to become quickly proficient in the language of their choice. The Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy brings together the expertise of Middlebury College’s Language Schools and the Monterey Institute of International Studies with the innovative learning methodologies of Middlebury Interactive Languages, a leader in K-12 world language education.

Our immersion approach combines classroom learning with hands-on, experiential projects and activities enabling utilization of language in a variety of contexts. On a typical day, you might hear music, be part of a cooking project, take a walk around campus, visit a farm, go swimming, watch a movie, be part of a movie, play a soccer match against a rival language academy, be part of a political campaign, write an article, hear a presentation from a writer, diplomat, artist or musician, learn new slang or vocabulary—and the list goes on. A summer at MMLA is fun, but it is also a very demanding and serious commitment on the part of each student. Teachers move through material quickly to cover as much as possible. Students are expected to put forth their best effort in order to see maximum improvement in their language skills.

“Immersion” means that MMLA students spend all waking hours “in language”; that is, they take their meals in our dining hall where they speak and hear the language they are studying; they speak the language with their roommates and classmates, friends, teachers, and administrators at all times. Students sign the MMLA Language Pledge® at the beginning of the summer session, and they are required to abide by it for the duration of the summer. Those students with no previous experience in the language will be given a modified Language Pledge® for the first week of the Academy. The Pledge is a very serious commitment, and while we understand the difficulties of remaining in the target language, we believe in the power of this commitment and hold our students to this standard.

This handbook contains important information to help prepare you for a successful summer. As with any program, we have rules and expectations to ensure a productive learning community. We take these guidelines seriously. If you have any questions about any of the policies outlined in this handbook, we encourage you to contact our office at 802-458-9252 or e-mail us at mmla.info@middleburyinteractive.com. We always welcome inquires and calls. We look forward to meeting you on arrival day!

Sincerely,

Cynthia M. Patterson, Ph.D.Vice-President for Academic ProgramsMiddlebury Interactive Languages

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MIDDLEBURY INTERACTIVE LANGUAGES (MIL)Middlebury Interactive Languages is a new company forged from a unique combination of Middlebury College, with nearly 100 years of academic world language learning excellence, and K12 Inc., the nation’s largest provider of proprietary curriculum and online education programs for K-12 students. MIL offers a rich portfolio of world language products, both online and in brick-and-mortar schools, with varying levels of immersion methodology to accommodate different learning styles. Each product is designed with the goal of language proficiency in alignment with national standards set by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

MIDDLEBURY-MONTEREY LANGUAGE ACADEMY (MMLA)Recognizing a need to offer quality language instruction, Middlebury College and the Monterey Institute of International Studies collaborated to form the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy. All language programs and curriculum highlight what both institutions do best–provide effective, high quality experiential immersion experiences to its students. MMLA began in 2008 and due to its success, became part of Middlebury Interactive Languages. This move allowed MMLA to grow to more campuses across the country and build upon the products and expertise of this important venture.

MMLA’S MISSION AND PROGRAM GOALSThe mission of Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy is to provide excellent instruction in language, literature, linguistics, and culture each summer in a controlled intensive immersion environment that offers students unlimited opportunities to use the target language with native and near-native language professionals, and with each other. We are dedicated to the premise that without real competency in language there can be little true cultural understanding, and that, to be truly effective, language teaching must provide meaningful insight and access into other cultures.

The MMLA immersion language program, curriculum and pedagogy is intentionally designed for secondary school students based on the expertise and experience of Middlebury Language Schools’ Immersion Language Methodology. The core focus of MMLA is referred to as the Middlebury Magic, or the Five Pillars. These key components serve as an anchor, keeping us grounded in what is important, and a compass, guiding us to deliver a 21st century whole person language immersion learning experience to our students. MIDDLEBURY MAGIC (Five Pillars)1. The function of education is to teach the whole person.2. Teach according to how teenagers learn.3. Teach language for real life communication.4. Expecting perfection too early only delays learning.5. Immersion learning does not equal speaking zero English.

Introduction to Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy

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Information for Parents and GuardiansMMLA staff will establish relationships with students which are supportive and are marked by their openness of communication, a hallmark of a successful working relationship. The Academy also strives to establish successful working relationships with students’ families, as we know that these can be invaluable in maximizing students’ positive experience at the Academy.

We urge parents and guardians to read this handbook thoroughly with their children, so that all involved are knowledgeable about what to expect from the Academy, and what the Academy expects from its participants.

MMLA expects both students and parents will come to the Academy understanding, respecting, and accepting its rules and expectations. Just as the Academy cannot retain a student who is not willing or able to live within the standards outlined in this handbook, MMLA reserves the right to separate from the Academy any student whose parent/guardian is not accepting of or compliant with Academy policies and procedures.

Once a child has been admitted to an MMLA program, parents and guardians are expected to inform the Academy of any physical, emotional, or developmental condition or history that might impact their child’s assimilation to, or participation in the Academy. This also includes information pertaining to academic and disciplinary history. MMLA reserves the right to require a student’s withdrawal from the Academy in the event that material information of this nature is withheld. Special accommodations can be requested with the Student Disability Accommodation request form, and by providing pertinent personal history and information on the required health forms.

Academic InformationINTRODUCTIONThe Middlebury College Language Schools and the Monterey Institute of International Studies have a proud tradition of teaching world languages through a commitment to speak, read, write, and listen only in the target language. At the core of this tradition is the Language Pledge®, which embodies

an attitude toward language learning that calls on all participants to summon the personal discipline to “stay in language.” It is at the core of MMLA’s four-week immersion program as well. Students, whether beginners or advanced or somewhere in-between, make every possible effort to stay in the target language through the entire day. Staff members work hard to create an atmosphere that supports the efforts of the students. (See sections on the Language Pledge®.)

The MMLA language program consists of four weeks of hands-on language immersion with both academic and residential curricula. On each weekday (Monday – Friday), students participate in three hours of in-class language instruction, and three hours of experiential learning. On each weekend day (Saturday and Sunday), students participate in nine hours of experiential learning. Every student is required to honor the Language Pledge®, which requires students and staff to remain in the target language for the entire Academy. Given the Language Pledge®, these contact hours reflect supervised instruction. On the average, students receive 215 hours of supervised instruction and participate in an additional 144 hours in the target language in residential and informal settings. Classes bring together groups of students at similar levels to complete a variety of projects designed by the Academy teachers who have a passion for a particular subject. On a given day, students may engage in various activities, listen to speakers, watch movies, engage in cultural presentations, travel on field trips, and hold conversations during meal times—all in the target language. Our curriculum is coherent and comprehensive, connecting all parts of the day so students maximize their learning by utilizing language in a variety of contexts.

ACADEMY FACULTYMMLA hires a diverse group of top high school and middle school teachers with a wide variety of international backgrounds in order to expose our students to different accents and vocabulary. MMLA’s teachers are among the most creative and dynamic in the field—teachers who bring the language alive. They come from public and private schools, colleges and universities, both from the U.S. and abroad. We strive to hire as many teachers as possible with

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experience teaching high school and middle school students in a residential setting.

LANGUAGE LEVEL PLACEMENTEach student will be placed with a small group of other students at approximately his/her language level. Ability varies among students, and MMLA’s placement of a student is designed to strengthen the areas in which an individual student needs improvement. The curriculum provides a wide range of speaking, listening, reading, and writing opportunities for students in every skill level. Students may be moved between groups by our faculty to ensure they are appropriately challenged during the session.

In May, before the start of the Academy, every student will receive instructions to complete a placement test online. Please complete the placement test by the deadline provided. The information gathered will be used to place students in an appropriate level in the Academy. If students need to change level during the session, they will do so in consultation with the Language Director.

ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION EXPECTATIONSBecause every component of the Academy’s curriculum is designed to reinforce language learning, students are expected to attend and participate fully in all scheduled activities—assemblies, classes, after-class sessions, trips, group meetings—seven days a week. We ask that families minimize requests to have their child excused from the Academy; any such requests must be made in advance and must be approved by the Summer Site Manager or Director of

Educational Programs. Excessive absences—approved or otherwise—may jeopardize a student’s ability to achieve the full language proficiency possible and receive the Certificate of Completion.

We will evaluate, on an individual basis, requests to be excused from campus during the Academy session. In the event that your child will need to leave campus for an approved absence, all travel arrangements must be made by the family. MMLA will not be responsible for the transporting of students to and from campus except during arrival and departure travel between campus and the approved airport, train, or bus station.

Unauthorized absences initiated by the student (cutting class, skipping activities, etc.) will be handled as violations of the Student Code of Conduct, as these constitute breaches of Academy rules pertaining to the safety and whereabouts of Academy participants.

HOMEWORK AND STUDY HALLStudy Hall is staffed by teachers and Residential Advisors and scheduled each evening to give students the opportunity to complete group work, class assignments or homework, to receive extra help from teachers, and to work on their own individual language learning goals.

ACADEMIC PROGRESSBecause each student is unique, we do not predict how far a student will progress during their participation at MMLA. However, it is useful to note that MMLA students will have over 200 hours of language instruction and use during the summer

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session, compared to about 180 hours of instruction in a regular year-long academic program.

FINAL ACADEMIC REPORT AND SCHOOL PLACEMENT To facilitate middle or high school recognition of language study with MMLA, each student will receive a Final Academic Report approximately three weeks after the completion of the Academy. This report includes a summary of the results from assessments taken during the Academy and will assist school officials in student placements.

DAILY SCHEDULEStudents are engaged throughout the day in varied activities, classes, and events. While the schedule below is a general one and may change to make best use of space and needs, students should expect consistent day-to-day scheduling and will be made aware of any schedule changes with advanced notice. Please note that schedules may change during the week, for Opening Day and Closing Day, for the 4th of July holiday, and off-campus excursions, and to accommodate special speakers and performances.

Monday–Friday 7:30–8:45 Breakfast 9:00–9:20 Morning Assembly9:30–11:15 Cultural Exploration11:30–12:25 Class Block 1 12:30–1:15 Lunch 1:30–2:20 Class Block 2 2:25–3:30 Class Block 3 3:45–4:45 Activities 4:45–5:30 Free Time/Calling Home Time (Two days each week after just one day in first week.)5:30–6:30 Dinner6:45–7:45 Study Hall 8:00–9:00 Evening Assembly 9:15–10:00 In Dorms/Snack/Hall Meeting10:30–11:00 Lights Out

WeekendsWeekend schedules are similar, but allow more time for afternoon activities, field trips, living group activities, and rest.

Saturday8:15-9:15 Breakfast 9:30–11:00 Cultural Exploration11:00-12:15 Free Time12:15–1:15 Lunch1:30–4:30 Campus-wide Olympics, Field Trips, or Academy Specific Programming4:30–5:30 Free Time/Calling Home Time based on Academy schedule)5:30–6:30 Dinner6:30–7:30 Free Time7:30–9:30 Academy Dance/Event9:45 In Dorms11:00 Lights Out

Sunday8:00–9:00 Continental Breakfast9:30–11:00 Living Group Activities: Clean room, do laundry, Café Time activity choices11:00-12:30 Brunch1:00–4:00 Cultural Exploration4:00–5:30 Free Time/Calling Home Time5:30–6:30 Dinner6:45–7:45 Study Hall 8:00–9:00 Evening Assembly (Language Pledge Re-Commitment Ceremony)9:15–10:00 In Dorms/Snack/Hall Meeting10:30–11:00 Lights Out

The Language Pledge®At the core of the language teaching philosophy of MMLA, as in the Language Schools at Middlebury College, is the Language Pledge®. The Pledge is both an ideal to aspire to, and a concrete and effective tool to greatly enhance the process of language learning. The power of MMLA’s immersion environment relies on the creation of a community of learners striving to achieve shared language learning goals, in which each member commits to work as hard as possible to use only their target language. The Language Pledge® is the vehicle that creates such a community, and supports the student in that effort.

All MMLA students agree to abide by the Language Pledge®, a formal commitment to speak, listen, read,

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and write the language of study as the only means of communication for the entire summer session.

The Pledge helps students focus their energies on the acquisition of language skills and to internalize the patterns of communication and cultural perspective associated with the target language. It plays a major role in the success of the program, both as a symbol of commitment and as an essential part of the language learning process. It ensures that the vocabulary and structures gained in class are “put in motion” right away, so they are acquired, used, and not forgotten.

Each student commits to his/her own skill-level-based Pledge, translated into the target language: the Standard Language Pledge® for the non-beginner, and the Modified Pledge for the beginner.

STANDARD LANGUAGE PLEDGE® In signing this Language Pledge®, I will do my utmost to follow the letter and spirit of the Pledge as defined by the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy (MMLA).

I understand … that [language] is the means of communication for me during all four weeks of the MMLA session, except for the few times specified by the Language Director as non-immersion moments.

I will respect … the Language Pledge® taken by other students in my Academy, and I will not speak a language other than [language] in their presence.

I will respect … the Language Pledge® taken by all

staff members in my Academy, and I will not speak a language other than [language] in their presence.

I understand that failure to comply with the Language Pledge® may result in a call to my parents or guardians and that subsequent infractions may result in my expulsion from MMLA without credit or refund.

MODIFIED LANGUAGE PLEDGE® In signing this Modified Language Pledge®, I understand that although my proficiency in [language] is limited, I will do my utmost to follow the letter and spirit of the Pledge as defined by the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy (MMLA).

I understand that [language] is the means of communication for me during all four weeks of the MMLA Session, except for the beginning of the program when it will be made clear to me when English is acceptable, and during the few times during the rest of the month specified by the Language Director as non-immersion moments.

I will respect the Language Pledge® taken by other students in my Academy, and I will not speak a language other than [language] in their presence, unless it is to fellow-beginners in the beginning of the program during the times that have been made clear to me that English is acceptable.

I will respect the Language Pledge® taken by all staff members in my Academy and I will not speak a language other than [language] in their presence, except in the beginning during the times when it has been made clear to me that English is acceptable.

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I understand that failure to comply with the Modified Language Pledge may result in a call to my parents or guardians and that subsequent infractions may result in my expulsion from MMLA without credit or refund.

LANGUAGE PLEDGE VIOLATIONSMMLA’s goal is to have students succeed in the Academy’s immersion environment. MMLA recognizes that living 24/7 in a language other than one’s native language is a significant challenge for any person, let alone an adolescent. MMLA staff will support, encourage, and work with students as they acclimate and adjust their behavior to meet the Language Pledge®’s expectations.

The MMLA staff recognizes that fidelity to the Language Pledge® is a significant challenge and commitment for all students. The Pledge is also the core value within the MMLA community. Our approach is to support students in meeting their obligations to each other by honoring the spirit, philosophy and integrity of the Pledge. While inadvertent or unintentional mistakes may result in a break from speaking in language, intentional, multiple, and on-going failures to speak, listen, read, and write in language will be treated as conduct that violates the Language Pledge® and will result in disciplinary action.

During the first week of the Academy, violations will be resolved through discussion with the Assistant Director of Residential Life and Language Director of the student’s Language Academy. Staff will respond with graduated disciplinary responses to continued Language Pledge violations. Sanctions will be determined based upon the nature and scope of the violation and the student’s prior language pledge record. Disciplinary and corrective actions may include, but are not limited to, a written warning and a conversation with the student’s parent/guardian. Other disciplinary consequences, such as the loss of privileges, may also be applied. Should violations continue, a more serious disciplinary response will be handled by the Director of Residential Life, and include further loss of privileges, probation, and dismissal.

Language Pledge® violations which are considered by MMLA staff to be deliberate, provocative and/or

demonstrate a non-cooperative attitude are grounds for dismissal.

COMMON QUESTIONS REGARDING THE LANGUAGE PLEDGE®

What is the Language Pledge®? All MMLA students agree to abide by the Language Pledge®, a commitment to speak, listen, read, and write the language of study as the only means of communication for the student. It is the foundation of our intensive immersion program and originated with the Middlebury Language Schools.

What does the Language Pledge® say? Basically, the Language Pledge® says: In signing this Language Pledge®, I agree to use my language of study as my only language of communication while attending the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy.

Why are students required to take the Pledge? The Pledge helps students focus their energies on the acquisition of language skills and to internalize the patterns of communication and cultural perspective associated with the target language. The Language Pledge® plays a major role in the success of the Academy, both as a symbol of commitment and as an essential part of the language learning process. It ensures that the vocabulary and structures gained in group sessions are “put in motion” right away so they are acquired, used, and remembered.

Are beginning students, who have never studied the language, required to take the Language Pledge®? Students who are beginning their study of a language take a modified, and progressively more rigorous, Pledge. The Academy has built-in times and structures to enable beginners to succeed during the early learning period. All academic and residential staff members at the Academy are bilingual and can speak to students in both the target language and English.

When is the Language Pledge® waived? Students are not expected to speak in their language of study when they are faced with an emergency, when conversing with a member of the MMLA administrative staff, when speaking with the nurse or a health care professional, when speaking with

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a member of the host institution staff, or during phone calls with family. In addition, students are not required to speak in their language of study during specific times designated by MMLA faculty, or when they are not under the jurisdiction of the Academy. Most important is adherence to the spirit of the Pledge and the sincere effort to use the target language as exclusively as possible during the session.

May I call my parents, family, and friends? For calls home and when you are not under the jurisdiction of the Academy, (i.e., off-campus after being signed out by a family member), the Language Pledge® is waived. We know that it is important for students to maintain contact with their families and friends, and encourage you to call or e-mail your family and friends during the designated times each week. Keeping this contact to a minimum will enhance your language learning success at the Academy.

As indicated in this Handbook, there are no phones or computers in student rooms, and limited time is available for students to phone or email home. These policies are in place to support both the Language Pledge® and your successful transition from home. In case of an emergency, students may use the phone or send an e-mail message from the MMLA Site Office.

Are there incentives to adhering to the Pledge? The first and most important incentive is the major progress that students experience if they speak only in the target language throughout the session. Each Academy also has built-in rewards for those students who are exemplary in their commitment to adhering to the Pledge.

What happens if I violate the Language Pledge®? Adhering to the Language Pledge® is part of our Code of Conduct. However, because MMLA recognizes that maintaining the Pledge is a challenging undertaking, a student will receive Verbal Warnings for the first few violations. If a student continues to violate the Pledge, he/she receives a Written Warning and a call to his/her parent/guardian. Continued violations will result in more serious discipline, up to and including dismissal from the Academy without tuition refund. (Please see the Code of Conduct section.)

What can I do if I’m having difficulty honoring the Language Pledge®? MMLA’s goal is to have students succeed in the Academy’s immersion environment, not to punish them for trying. Please seek out MMLA staff who will be happy to discuss the nature of the problem, brainstorm ideas for success, and offer encouragement and support. Remember that you are probably not alone in experiencing challenges, but the goal is to try your best to overcome—not succumb to—them.

When does the Language Pledge® begin? Is it different for beginners? Adherence to the Pledge begins when you sign the Language Pledge®, which will occur in your language Academy at the end of the first day of classes. Once signed, the Pledge is in effect, and each student is expected to strive to honor its terms and spirit. Beginners sign the Modified Pledge (which makes allowances for this level of knowledge), while those in higher levels sign the Standard Pledge.

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I have a friend studying another language, and once in a while we have a conversation in that language, which I also speak. Is that allowed at MMLA? After all, I am not speaking English. Remember that the Pledge is not simply a rule against using English or other languages; it’s a commitment for using your target language. Therefore, using any language other than your language of study is a violation of the Language Pledge®.

May I read books, newspapers, or magazines in a language other than my target language? May I listen to music in other languages? Please do not bring reading material and/or music in English or any language other than your target language. Again, the Pledge is not simply a rule against using languages other than your target language; it’s a commitment to using your target language. Therefore, students should read, listen and write (except for letters home) only in their language of study. Doing otherwise is a violation of the Pledge.

However, language use at MMLA includes listening, reading, writing, as well as speaking; students will have access to lots of interesting things to read, listen to, and watch in their target language.

Families are encouraged to send mail in either English, the student’s native language, or in the language their child is studying. While letters in English (or their native language) are fine, please refrain from sending English-language/native language magazines, videos, DVDs, etc. The use of all such material will slow a student’s progress in their target language.

Campus OverviewTRAVELStudent travel plans to and from campus must be submitted before the Academy begins. MMLA staff must receive requests for shuttle transportation between the airport and campus ahead of time, and confirmation of the adult(s) authorized to meet each student on Departure Day.

Arrival DayPlease plan to arrive at your MMLA college campus between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Arrival Day. Families are welcome to accompany students as they go through registration and obtain IDs, keys, housing assignments, check in with the nurse, and take a tour

of the campus. We ask that families not arrive before 1:00 p.m. and depart by 5:00 p.m. when programming begins for students. We ask that families park in designated areas.

Arrival Day Schedule1:00 p.m. Registration opens: IDs, keys, tours, nurses, activities by language, moving in2:00 p.m. Welcome meeting for family members— Session 1 3:30 p.m. Welcome meeting for family members— Session 25:00 p.m. Students gather by dorm groups; families depart

Early or Late ArrivalsWhile we strongly encourage families to adhere to our 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. window, we do recognize that schedules do not always allow this. All early and late arrival requests must be communicated to our administrative offices before June 15th so we can make the necessary arrangements.

Arrival by AirWe will meet students at designated airports. We ask that you arrange flights that arrive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., so that students will be able to participate in all Arrival Day activities. We recognize that some flights may arrive earlier or later, and we will accommodate reasonable requests.

At the airport, students should proceed to the baggage claim area on the main level, where they will see MMLA staff wearing an MMLA t-shirt. If the student is registered with the airline as an Unaccompanied Minor, one of our staff members will obtain an escort pass to meet him or her at the gate. All other students should wait at baggage claim for an MMLA staff member. If the student has a problem connecting with one of our staff members, he or she should contact MMLA’s main office (802-458-9252) or Academy campus office. No student should leave the baggage claim area with anyone other than a staff member wearing an MMLA t-shirt.

Departure DayIf you are picking up your student by car, please plan to arrive on campus between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Departure Day. We ask that all students depart by 12:00 p.m. due to the college’s

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need for a tight transition between our program and others scheduled on campus. Due to our diverse student body that travels to us from many parts of the U.S. and abroad, we hold our main celebration and awards ceremony for students on the evening prior to Departure Day. We generally do not allow families to attend these events. However, families will have the chance for informal conversations with faculty and staff on Departure Day.

Departure Day Schedule 9:00 a.m. Students complete final dorm departure tasks and sign out of the Academy.12:00 p.m. All students and families are asked to depart by this time.

Minors Traveling AloneIf your child will be traveling alone, please consult your transportation service (airline or train) on its Unaccompanied Minor (UM) policy. Passengers aged 16 and younger are often required to use the carrier’s UM service which provides your child with an escort from the trip’s beginning to its end. To use the service, parents must notify the airline in advance and complete the appropriate paperwork. MMLA staff will be prepared to escort each officially registered UM through security to and from their gate. The MMLA authorization contact for Unaccompanied Minors is: Program Representative, Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy, 23 Pond Lane, Middlebury, VT 05753. To be sure we are prepared for your UM and are in compliance with any specific UM procedures, please submit your UM requirements in the online Travel Information form. An MMLA representative

will contact you to confirm travel arrangements. All students arriving unaccompanied to the Academy will call home upon arrival on campus.

Visa Information for International StudentsStudents who are non-U.S. citizens coming to MMLA from outside the United States will need to review their visa status to ensure that they can enter the U.S. and participate in our program. International students and families can contact the MMLA Admissions Office to verify visa requirements. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of State website: http://www.state.gov/travel/.

PACKING LIST Clothing Emphasis should be on comfort and suitability for a range of activities, from relaxing in the dorm to hiking and sports, concerts, and museums visits. In recognition of the diverse cultural community at MMLA, please bring clothing with modest styles.

• T-shirts, shorts (no offensive logos, words, or images, including references to drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. English words on clothing are discouraged.) • Long pants, jacket/sweater for layering • Rain jacket, umbrella • Swimsuit and towel• One or two “casual-dressy” outfits• Sleepwear, robe, shower shoes• Athletic shoes (no black soles permitted in gym)• Footwear that can get wet (i.e., Teva-style sandals or sneakers)

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Bath Supplies• Toothbrush• Toothpaste• Soap• Shampoo• Plastic cup, etc.• Shower caddy

Study Supplies• Pens• Pencils• Highlighters • 1-2 pads of paper or notebooks

Miscellaneous • Medications in their original containers • Back-up pair of contact lenses or glasses • Alarm clock (not on a cell phone)• Flashlight • Hangers• Desk lamp and fan for dorm room • Stationery and postage for letters • Sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses • Insect repellent • Comfortable daypack • Water bottle • Musical instruments • Sports equipment (Frisbee, Hacky Sack, tennis racquet, soccer ball, etc. No skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles)

Spending MoneyStudents may wish to bring $50–$100 in spending money for occasional snacks, laundry machines, and any purchases they wish to make in the campus bookstore and during off-campus trips. Students are responsible for providing their own spending money and for keeping it secure. For that reason, we discourage families from sending large amounts of money. Debit cards and pre-paid debit cards designed for teens are recommended instead of cash. Upon request, students may keep debit cards, cash, and valuable transportation documents in secure storage in the Site Office. There will be an ATM available. We also recommend that students have some spending money for airline luggage fees and meals during their travel to and from MMLA.

Replacement or forgotten items may be sent from home to the campus address. Students may also

be able to purchase needed items from the college bookstore or nearby stores.

Items to Leave at HomeThe following items are not allowed at the Academy or on campus:• Weapons of any kind • Any flame-producing device • Pets of any kind• Televisions, computer/video games, DVDs• Water guns• Appliances, halogen lamps, refrigerators, or cooking devices• Laser pointers

In addition to the above list, we reserve the right to confiscate for the length of the Academy session any items that, in our judgment, pose an undue risk to the safety and well-being of students or property. We also discourage students from bringing:• Personal computers and laptops* • Electronic devices with wireless internet capabilities* • Any materials that are not in the target language*

* These items, if brought to the Academy, must be stored in the Site Office for the duration of the session.

Students are responsible at all times for the safe-keeping of their personal belongings. We urge you to label all belongings, including clothing, with first and last names. Neither MMLA nor the host college can be responsible for theft or other losses of, or damages to, personal belongings, including musical instruments or electronic equipment. When considering whether to bring an expensive item, families may wish to investigate possible coverage under their own insurance. In general, we recommend that students leave valuables at home.

KEEPING IN TOUCH The following policies have been developed to maintain MMLA’s immersion environment and to support students in their adherence to the Language Pledge®.

Communication with Staff and StudentsFamilies are always welcome to call the Academy Site Office or the MMLA administrative office with

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any concerns or questions. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are worried or would like to check in with a staff member to see how your child is doing. During the summer, our Site Office will be staffed between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Any emergency calls made after 10:00 p.m. will be forwarded to the administrator on-call. We ask that no one call after 10:00 p.m. unless it is a true emergency.

Please note that the Academy on campus works through a system of messages, as our administrators, staff, and faculty are generally engaged with students throughout the day. Messages are responded to within 24 hours. If families are inquiring about an academic matter, the appropriate Language Director or Assistant Language Director will return the call. If families are inquiring about well-being, logistics, or any other type of personal student matter, our Site Manager or a Residential Life administrator will return the call. Any emergency message will be returned expeditiously by the Site Manager or Residential Life administrator.

A student will not be removed from any daily programming to answer phone calls unless it is an emergency. Families can leave messages for students, which will be delivered with the mail after dinner each evening. Students will be able to return phone calls during designated phone use times.

Families can also leave messages for students by faxing or emailing them to the Academy Site Office. All phone numbers and e-mail addresses will be provided. To ensure delivery, any faxed or e-mailed messages should include a student’s full name and language Academy.

Communication by PhoneStudents can check out their cell phone in the Site Office (See Cell Phone Policy below) during designated times. We will have a limited number of phones available for students who did not bring their own in the Site Office during the times listed below. Students will need to arrive with prepaid phone cards to utilize a phone provided by MMLA. These cards may also be available for purchase at the campus bookstore. Students will be allowed to use their personal phone each week during the assigned times per Academy, usually before or after meals, or during free time. Each student’s calling home schedule will be provided.

Cell Phone PolicyWhile we recognize the importance of keeping in touch with family and friends, we want students to be fully engaged in the Academy environment. Other than during designated calling times, the use of cell phones is prohibited at the Program because such use seriously undermines language learning, breaks our immersion environment, and disrupts students’ engagement in the Academy. Students are not allowed to keep cell phones on their person or in their rooms. They must be checked in on arrival day and stored in the Site Office. Students found to be in possession of their cell phones outside of the Site Office will face disciplinary action.

E-mail and Computer AccessMMLA will provide computer access for language learning during the session. However, like cell phones, students’ use of computers to communicate in English seriously undermines language learning and breaks our immersion environment. Therefore, we strongly discourage students from bringing computers/laptops

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to campus. Computers/laptops that are brought to the Academy must be checked in on Arrival Day and stored in the Site Office, and are not permitted in dorm rooms.

To maximize student learning, students will only be permitted to access e-mail on Academy computers during designated time periods each week. Generally, Monday through Friday e-mail access will be allowed before or after meals, or during free time. Please refer to your site-specific insert for the Academy e-mail schedule.

Mail DeliveryWe encourage families to send mail to students, and students to send mail home. We will deliver mail Monday-Friday after dinner time. The mailing address for each Academy will be provided in the site-specific insert.

Care Packages from HomeWhile dining services offers varied and ample menus and provides for students’ special dietary needs, students love to receive food packages from home. At MMLA, culturally-appropriate treats are especially welcome. Please prepare such packages with an awareness of the limited storage available in the dormitories and the possibility of food allergies among other students. Due to nut allergies among students and staff, please be sure to send foods that are both nut-free and produced in a nut-free environment.

Campus VisitsTo maximize student safety and their language immersion experience, visits and trips off-campus with family or friends during the session are discouraged. The time spent ‘out of language’ is disruptive to the learning process, and often results in increased difficulty with the immersion environment. Unavoidable family visits and off-campus excursions during the session must be approved and scheduled on or before Arrival Day with the MMLA Admissions Office or campus Site Manager.

Campus BlogWe strongly encourage families to visit the MMLA blog for each site. A link can be found on our main webpage at http://mmla.middlebury.edu/blog/. When time allows, staff in each campus Academy will

post photos and a brief summary of daily events, as well as highlights of special happenings on campus. This is an excellent way to see what is happening at the Academy.

Campus StaffThe members of the Academic, Administrative, and Residential Life teams at the Academy work closely together, as well as in conjunction with full-time staff members at Middlebury Interactive Languages. The goal of all staff is to promote a safe, productive, and enjoyable environment for students that is conducive to personal growth, language learning, and development of community.

ACADEMIC TEAMAcademic staff members oversee implementation of the Academy’s curriculum and ensure that all aspects of life on-campus are supportive of students’ language learning.

Language DirectorThe Language Director supervises and runs all aspects of a specific language Academy. This person coordinates and implements the curriculum, organizes all programs, and ensures the quality of the language instruction, both in and out of the classroom.

Assistant Language DirectorThe Assistant Language Director supports and aids the Language Director in his/her administrative responsibilities, and may also teach a language course. By attending daily residential meetings and coaching residential staff, the Assistant Language Director acts as a bridge between the academic and residential programs.

TeachersTeachers prepare and teach language classes and project based electives. They assist with evening activities and also help supervise students.

RESIDENTIAL LIFE TEAMResidential Life staff members provide supervision, direction, and support to students, and also uphold and enforce Academy expectations and rules.

Director of Residential LifeThe Director of Residential Life coordinates and is primarily responsible for all facets of the residential

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life program. Along with the Language Directors, he/she oversees all residential staff, and often serves as the first contact with parents. The Director of Residential Life works closely with Language Directorsand Dorm Heads to ensure that each part of the program continues to be a learning opportunity, and ensures that there is clear communication between residential and academic staff regarding all aspects of student life.

Assistant Director of Residential LifeThe Assistant Director of Residential Life supports and aids the Director of Residential Life in the supervision of residential life staff and the implementation of responses to Student Code of Conduct violations. The Assistant Director of Residential Life is the key administrator concerning the mental and physical well-being of all students.

Activity CoordinatorThe Activity Coordinator develops and organizes a diversity of active non-academic programming for students. He/she coordinates the RAs and other participating staff to ensure the quality of these activities. The Activity Coordinator works closely with Academy staff to deliver culturally relevant activities and programming, and organizes the Olympics, weekend activities, and other special events.

Dorm HeadsDorm Heads are responsible for student life in a specific language Academy dorm, and for the supervision of the dorm’s RAs. Dorm Heads help

ensure that all dorms are running well, coordinate daily programming, and manage administrative tasks pertinent to the residential program.

Residential AdvisorsEach RA is primarily in charge of and lives with a group of approximately 15 students. RAs provide supervision, coaching, support and serve as teachers during informal parts of the day, and are present with students during all non-academic time, and lead afternoon activities.

NurseThe MMLA nursing staff sees students in need of health care services, dispenses medications stored in the Health Office, and oversees all medical, mental, and health-related issues. The nurses also consult with Residential Life staff to ensure all students’ needs are being met.

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAMThe administrative team oversees the overall operation of each Academy.

Summer Site ManagerThe Summer Site Manager oversees all aspects of the Academy’s operations on campus and supervises all on-site academic and residential staff members. The Summer Site Manager works closely with the Director of Residential Life to coordinate disciplinary decisions and ensure the creation of a safe, welcoming environment for all students.

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Office ManagerThe Office Manager works closely with the Summer Site Manager to ensure the quality and success of the operations of the Academy on a day-to-day basis. The Office Manager works closely with the Director of Residential Life and the Language Directors to support their academic and program needs.

Technology CoordinatorThe Technology Coordinator oversees and ensures the running of all technology needed on the Academy campus.

YEAR-ROUND ACADEMY TEAMVice President for Academic ProgramsThe Vice President for Academic Programs is responsible for all aspects of the residential programs, coordinates all full-time staff, and works directly with other staff to direct the activities at each Academy campus.

Director of Curriculum & InstructionThe Director of Curriculum and Instruction creates and coordinates all summer program curriculum, and is responsible for student learning assessment as well as training of the academic staff.

Director of Educational ProgramsThe Director of Educational Programs has direct, daily oversight responsibilities for the operations of each Academy campus, and oversees Academy staff hiring and evaluation as well as planning of programming for each Academy.

Director of Residential Life and Experiential LearningThe Director of Residential Life and Experiential Learning has responsibilities for both the residential and co-curricular programs in each Academy, and duties in the areas of parent communications.

Residential Life InformationINTRODUCTIONAcademy students benefit from living with a group of peers under the guidance of caring and trained staff. In their dorm setting, students will encounter a host of real-life social and communication opportunities and challenges. Room and floor mates will experience and practice group problem solving, self-assertion, negotiation, compromise, cooperation, and will

develop a new appreciation of their own and others’ unique points of view and contributions.

One of the greatest academic advantages of the Academy is that students are fully devoted to learning their target language during the entire waking day. MMLA’s residential program is an extension of the learning that takes place throughout the day. It is as essential to a student’s success as is the quality of instruction.

LIVING IN THE DORMSDorm AmenitiesAll campus residence halls are equipped with study areas, lounges, laundry facilities, and vending machines. Rooms are furnished with a bed, pillow, dresser, desk, chair, and closet space. As lighting is from ceiling fixtures, students are encouraged to bring a desk lamp with them. Campus dormitories are not air-conditioned, so students should also bring a small fan, or purchase a fan on or near campus. Linens are provided. Please refer to the Campus Information page on the website at http://mmla.middlebury.edu/about/student-information.php for details.

If a student requires an accessible dormitory room due to disability, please refer to the Student Disability Accommodations section for information on how to make this request. MMLA strives to ensure that all housing needs of enrolled students are met.

Roommate AssignmentsStudents reside in campus dormitory housing and live with others who are in their language Academy. There are several residence halls on each campus, and each dorm will be assigned to a particular language Academy, with the exception of one or more dorms that may be split between two or more languages. Within their language Academy, students are assigned their rooms according to gender and age, i.e., girls room with girls, boys with boys; younger students room with other younger students, and older students with other older students. Dorms will have both male and female students, but they are housed on separate floors. Residential Advisors live on each floor of student dormitories. Some campus dorms may have primarily single rooms in which case having a roommate may not be an option.

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While the information provided in the Residential Life Preferences form will help us create the best possible roommate pairings, we also know that there are no guarantees that roommates will be perfect matches. MMLA staff will actively support students in their adjustment to living with a roommate—learning to compromise, resolving conflicts, etc.

Room ChangesMMLA does not allow roommate switches or room changes except for exceptional circumstances, and then only if approved by the Director of Residential Life. MMLA believes that learning to live with a new individual is part of the learning process at MMLA.

Dormitory Regulations• Students are not allowed to go on floors of the opposite sex. • To respect the rights of both roommates, both need to agree if entertaining other students in their room.• Rooms must be locked when students are away from their rooms, and unlocked when they are in their rooms. • For added security, students should store passports, travel documents and valuables in the Site Office. MMLA is not responsible for lost or stolen items.• All students are to be in their dorms by 9:30 p.m.• At room curfew (11:00 p.m. for juniors and seniors, 10:30 p.m. for all others), students should be in their dorm rooms unless they have permission from a staff member for a later curfew. • All students must sleep in their own rooms. • Quiet hours are from 10:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Privileges for Older StudentsMMLA recognizes the need for greater privileges for older students. Therefore, students who are rising juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to sign out of some scheduled afternoon activities for some free time. Residential staff may monitor students to verify their whereabouts. Students who do not abide by the MMLA policies can expect their privileges to be revoked.

Room Access, Room Inspections, Room SearchesWhile MMLA respects the measure of privacy that students’ rooms provide, MMLA reserves the right to enter a room for issues of safety, maintenance or to determine if illegal, stolen or dangerous items are contained therein. Room inspections to ensure that rooms are being kept safe and reasonably clean may be done periodically. Students are responsible for keeping their individual rooms clean and orderly. Disciplinary action will be pursued if illegal, dangerous, stolen or prohibited items are in plain view during routine room inspections. Room searches will be authorized by the Director of Residential Life in certain situations where there is concern that illegal, dangerous, stolen, or prohibited items may be present.

DamageRooms are thoroughly checked before the beginning of the session to ensure that they are ready for student use. Any problems noted by students at arrival should be brought to the attention of MMLA staff and be reported immediately for repair. Any damage caused by a student during the session will be charged to the student’s account. Hall damages

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will be assessed on a per-capita basis if damage cannot be attributed to a specific student.

Keys and ID CardsStudents will be given a key or key card to their room. Dorm entrances are unlocked during the day, but locked each night between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Students will also be issued an ID card for access to meals. Each student will receive an MMLA neck wallet to hold their keys and ID, and must have his/her key and ID with her/him at all times.

To ensure that only members of the MMLA community (and authorized visitors, who will receive a special “visitor” lanyard) are present at the Academy, all students and staff must wear their neck wallet at all times, except when sleeping, showering, or during sport activities.

LaundryWashers and dryers are available for students to do their own laundry. The machines are coin or card operated; change can be obtained at the Site Office. Some campuses offer free use of washers and dryers. Please refer to the Campus Information page on the website at http://mmla.middlebury.edu/about/student-information.php for details.

LinensLinens will be provided on each campus, but please refer to the Campus Information page on the website at http://mmla.middlebury.edu/about/student-information.php for details. It is advised that students bring additional towels for pool and sports use.

CookingStudent dorms are equipped with a number of communal kitchenettes. Cooking is allowed only in the presence of a faculty or staff member.

Housekeeping General housekeeping for common areas is provided on a daily basis. Students are responsible for keeping their individual rooms clean and orderly.

BathroomsStudents share communal bathrooms and showering facilities in the dormitory halls.

Lost ItemsMMLA maintains a Lost and Found at each Site Office, and we make every attempt to return lost items to students. Should you realize that you left or lost something at the Academy after the session ends, please call the MMLA’s administrative office as soon as possible, as that may help to increase the chance of the item(s) being found. Unfortunately, the chances of recovering a lost item after MMLA vacates the host campus are very small. Labeling all items is a useful precaution. MMLA is not responsible for lost items.

Public SafetyMMLA employs the services of the host college Public Safety Office for any security or emergency needs. Public Safety staff provides a 24-hour presence on campus and are another layer of security and support for MMLA students and staff.

There will be a fire drill shortly after the start of the Academy session to rehearse dorm evacuation. An earthquake drill will also take place in earthquake prone areas.

Dining ServicesDinner on Arrival Day is the first meal provided by MMLA to students; the final meal is breakfast on Departure Day.

Three daily meals are provided, served cafeteria-style in the college dining hall. Meals are balanced and wholesome, with vegetarian entrées available at each meal. Meals are similar to those provided to college students throughout the year. When students participate in off-campus Academy activities, either bag lunches are provided or students eat in nearby restaurants.

An evening snack will be available to all students at a time assigned per Academy. In addition, students may bring snacks to have access to in their rooms, which should be stored in closeable Zip-lock bags or containers. There is a small refrigerator on each dorm floor.

SPECIAL DIETSSpecial dietary needs should be indicated on the student Health Information and Residential Life Preferences forms. Please contact the MMLA

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Admissions Office (802-458-9252 or by e-mail mmla.admissions@middleburyinteractive.com) to discuss special dietary requirements.

ORDERING FOODStudents wishing to order food from nearby vendors may only do so with the approval and supervision of a staff member.

BIRTHDAY CAKESMMLA can work with each host campus to arrange for birthday cakes for those students whose birthdays fall during the session. Each cake will be made to order and presented to the student on his or her birthday. The cakes will be shared with a student’s living group and other students living on the hallway.

Birthday cakes can be arranged prior to the start of the MMLA session with the Admissions Office (802-458-9252 or by e-mail mmla.admissions@middleburyinteractive.com), and/or during registration on Arrival Day. To ensure that your cake order is filled, please pre-order, as last minute orders run the risk of not being able to be filled by the campus catering team. We encourage you to consider ordering a cake for your child to celebrate this special day.

Health CareINFORMATION FORMSAll students must have on file by campus Arrival Day the following health information forms: Health and Medications Information, Permission to Treat, Health Insurance Information, and Physician Release. All required forms are available in your online admissions account. Providing MMLA staff with as much information as possible prior to the start of the session will ensure the best care for each student. Please notify the Admissions Office at 802-458-9252 to obtain forms and to address specific health concerns.

INSURANCENo student may participate in MMLA programs without proof of health insurance coverage. The insurance company must have a contact office in the United States. Short-term insurance coverage is available through Middlebury Interactive Languages; please call the MMLA Admissions Office (802-458-9252 or by e-mail mmla.admissions@middleburyinteractive.com) for details. During the summer, should your child see a doctor, dentist or orthodontist, need to use local medical facilities, or require a prescription medication, MMLA will forward any related bills directly to you for submission to your insurance company, direct payment to the provider, or reimbursement.

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MEDICAL CARE ON SITEThe Health Office is available to students throughout the day, and a nurse is on site or on call 24 hours a day. MMLA health staff members provide routine medical treatment, including dispensing of medication and bandaging cuts and scrapes. For more serious medical issues, students will be taken to local physicians, clinics, or emergency rooms for treatment. We utilize the same local resources that the host college’s students would utilize throughout the year. MEDICATIONUpon arrival at the Academy, all medications (prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins) must be deposited with MMLA health staff at the Health Office. The health staff will hold and dispense medications to students at the Health Office at scheduled times.

Students may not keep medication of any sort (prescription or over-the-counter) in their rooms or on their person, with the exception of topical creams and ointments, asthma relief medications, insulin, and epinephrine.

In order for MMLA’s health staff to be able to dispense medication to a student, the appropriate sections of the health information forms must be completed both by parents and the physician, and the doctor’s written medication order must be on file in the Health Office. On it, the doctor must list, in English, all prescription and non-prescription medications that the student is taking, along with his/her dosages and frequency. A prescription bottle with the information on it is not adequate and will not replace the written doctor’s order. Medications must be in their original containers and labeled with the student’s name. We recommend that any student taking medication bring enough for the entire four-week session.

Any planned changes in student medication use just prior to or during the session must be discussed with MMLA’s medical staff prior to the start of the session, including those medications taken during the school year, which will not be taken at MMLA.

MMLA health staff members generally do not give allergy medication injections. If your student requires allergy injections, please communicate with our

administrative office before the start of the session in order to make all necessary arrangements. Students may keep Epi-Pens with them; we recommend that they bring at least two to the Academy.

FAMILY NOTIFICATION MMLA staff will notify parents and guardians in the following medical situations: • Whenever we determine that a child should go to the hospital. • Whenever an illness or injury necessitates a stay in the infirmary of more than 24 hours. • Whenever prescription medication is prescribed. • Whenever there is a condition which might impact the family at home. • Whenever a student sees a dentist or an orthodontist.• Whenever the Summer Site Manager or nurse feels contact with a parent is in order.

MENINGITIS VACCINEMMLA does not require that students get the meningitis vaccine. However, as our students do live in residence halls, we are providing the following information as recommended by the American College Health Association:

“Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The most common cause of this disease in young adults is the bacterium Neisseria meningitides, also known as meningococcus. Recent evidence shows that college students residing in dormitories are at higher risk for meningitis than are college students as a whole. Due to this finding, the Centers for Disease Control has recommended that undergraduates planning to reside in dormitories consider getting the meningococcal vaccine. The vaccine is very safe. Please ask your family physician for more information and advice about the vaccine.”

Student Disability Accommodation PolicyMMLA welcomes students with disabilities and is committed to making reasonable accommodations for disabilities that will substantially impact program participation. In assisting individuals with disabilities, MMLA is guided by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the ADA amendments, which are designed

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to eliminate discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Although students participating in MMLA programs are generally of the age to be covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), MMLA is a college based program that follows procedures, standards and laws that pertain to provision of disability accommodations in post-secondary institutions.

MMLA endeavors to make reasonable accommodations that afford access to and full participation in its programs and services without fundamental alterations or undue financial burden. Disabilities can include, for example, visual impairments, hearing or mobility impairments, psychological conditions, medical conditions, and learning disabilities which substantially limit one or more of a person’s major life activities and may necessitate accommodations or modifications to the facilities, programs, or services provided by MMLA. Accommodations and services for students with disabilities are determined on an individual basis; accommodations can relate to the instructional components of the Academy and/or the residential elements. It is essential that parents complete the Disability Accommodation Request Form and return it to MMLA to begin the process for accommodations. The full MMLA Disability Accommodation/ADA Policy is available from the main office.

The information provided regarding any special needs will be shared only with those individuals involved in the coordination and facilitation of services and

accommodations required to make our programs accessible. To determine the presence of a disability and need for accommodation, MMLA requires thorough, current documentation of physical and/or mental conditions. Documentation requirements are described in the Disability Accommodation Request Form and discussed in more detail in the Disability Accommodation/ADA Policy; these documents are available in alternate formats upon request.

Please note that MMLA is not responsible for services of a personal nature. Students with needs in this area are encouraged to consider obtaining a personal assistant or personal care attendant if they are unable to function independently on the MMLA campus.

MMLA’s Disability Consultant will review all accommodation requests as well as disability documentation. In many instances the Disability Consultant will contact a child’s parent to best understand how disability has impacted the student. Decisions on accommodations will be made before a student begins their MMLA program. Disability needs will be communicated to the MMLA site manager in sufficient time for necessary arrangements to be coordinated. Parents will be contacted by the Disability Consultant to confirm accommodations or discuss reasons that a particular accommodation will not be provided. It is critical that parents alert MMLA in a timely manner about special needs that will require accommodation; use the Disability Accommodation Request Form to make accommodation requests. Late requests may

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be denied if inadequate time is available to make accommodation arrangements. For further disability-related information, contact the MMLA office for a referral to the Disability Consultant.

Please refer to the ADA Policy and Disability Information page in the Student Information section of the MMLA website for policy details and an accommodation request form.

Community Standards and RulesINTRODUCTIONThe Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy offers a unique opportunity for middle and high school students to join together to improve their world language skills, learn about new cultures, and make life-long friends. The Academy’s standards are designed to help create and maintain the safe and productive environment in which these goals can be attained.

Participation in MMLA is voluntary. In choosing to attend MMLA, students agree to abide by and uphold the values, principles, and policies of MMLA. MMLA strongly believes that young people flourish in an environment where there are clear expectations, caring support, and clear consequences for violations of community standards. Disciplinary action will be taken if it is determined that a student has violated the Academy’s policies, standards of conduct, rules and regulations. As a learning community, MMLA approaches every disciplinary intervention as a learning opportunity for the student involved. Disciplinary decisions are made based on the circumstances of the offense and the well-being of the Academy community. MMLA strives to keep parents informed during any disciplinary process. All students are expected to follow the Code of Conduct and adhere to all rules and policies.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCTThe rules and expectations below have been formulated to insure a safe and productive environment for all members of the MMLA community. They are based in the concepts of respect for all community members, honesty and integrity in conduct and relationships with others, concern for the well-being of self and others, and an appreciation of hard work and a positive outlook.

MMLA expects that students arriving at the Academy are knowledgeable about these expectations, and come ready and willing to do their best to abide by them. MMLA will educate, support, and work with students as they adjust to the Academy’s expectations: the goal of the Academy is a successful experience for every one of its members. However, MMLA cannot accommodate students who are unwilling or unable to live within the following standards.

MAJOR RULESStudents who violate any of the following in the Student Code of Conduct will be considered for dismissal and should expect to be dismissed. Students who knowingly and willingly remain in the presence of open violations of any rule in the Student Code of Conduct shall be treated as though they themselves had violated the rule. Students are expected to:

• Act with respect for others and their well-being. Examples of behaviors that violate this rule: bullying; harassment, and hazing; impinging on the well-being of others; physical threats and violence; unwanted physical contact, such as pushing, touching, tripping, etc.; verbal threats and the use of language that disparages others based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnic origin or other characteristics protected by law in the state in which the Academy is being conducted; and behaviors or language intended to humiliate and/or denigrate others, or that cause emotional or physical harm to others.

• Act with honesty and integrity.Examples of behaviors that violate this rule: lying and deceitful behavior; telephone or computer fraud; academic dishonesty.

• Respect community property and the property of others.Examples of behaviors that violate this rule: theft; the use or possession of stolen property; the unauthorized use or possession of another’s property; the destruction of or abuse of individual, Academy, or host site property.

• Maintain a safe environment for themselves and others.Examples of behaviors that violate this rule:

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possession of or use of dangerous objects or substances, weapons of any kind (knives, firearms), fireworks or explosives, or caustic materials; violation of fire safety regulations; possession of incense, candles, matches, lighters; use of, or evidence of the use of, an open flame inside any Academy building (i.e. cigarette butts, burnt candles or incense, etc.).

• Abide by Academy standards and state and federal laws concerning the use and possession of alcohol, illegal substances, tobacco, and prescribed medications.Examples of behaviors that violate this rule: possession, use, providing or distribution of alcohol, illegal drugs and substances (including drug- or alcohol-related paraphernalia), or tobacco in any form; misuse of prescription drugs (including the providing of prescription drugs or other chemical substances to others); possession of prescription or over-the-counter drugs without Academy permission.

• Uphold boundary and whereabouts policies of the Academy.Examples of behaviors that violate this rule: leaving the boundaries of the Academy without permission; deliberate absence from any scheduled Academy activity; leaving the dorm and/or floor after curfew; being on the floor of the other gender; being in dangerous or unauthorized areas (restricted dorm areas, window ledges, roofs, etc.)

• Be a positive and cooperative member of the community.Examples of behaviors that violate this rule: refusal

to respect and follow the instructions of all leaders, faculty, staff, and residential advisors at MMLA; unfriendly, irresponsible and/or disrespectful behavior toward others in the MMLA community or toward persons they may have interactions with while under the jurisdiction of the Academy; deliberate disobedience; use of profanity; possession of prohibited or inappropriate items (cell phone, mobile internet device, pornography); uncooperative and/or disruptive behavior and/or attitude; non-compliance with Academy rules and expectations and/or staff requests.

LANGUAGE PLEDGE VIOLATIONSMMLA’s goal is to have students succeed in the Academy’s immersion environment. MMLA recognizes that living 24/7 in a language other than one’s native language is a significant challenge for any person, let alone an adolescent. MMLA staff will support, encourage, and work with students as they acclimate and adjust their behavior to meet the Language Pledge’s expectations.

The MMLA staff recognizes that fidelity to the Language Pledge® is a significant challenge and commitment for all students. The Pledge is also the core value within the MMLA community. Our approach is to support students in meeting their obligations to each other by honoring the spirit, philosophy and integrity of the Pledge. While inadvertent or unintentional mistakes may result in a break from speaking in language, intentional, multiple, and on-going failures to speak, listen, read and write in language will be treated as conduct

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that violates the Language Pledge® and will result in disciplinary actions.

During the first week of the Academy, violations will be resolved through discussion with the Assistant Director of Residential Life and Language Director of the student’s Language Academy. Staff will respond with graduated disciplinary responses to continued Language Pledge violations. Sanctions will be determined based upon the nature and scope of the violation and the student’s prior language pledge record. Disciplinary and corrective actions may include, but are not limited to: a written warning and a conversation with the student’s parent/guardian. Other disciplinary consequences, such as the loss of privileges, may also be applied. Should violations still continue, more serious disciplinary response will be handled by the Director of Residential Life: these responses include further loss of privileges, probation, and dismissal.

Language Pledge® violations which are considered by MMLA staff to be deliberate, provocative and/or demonstrate a non-cooperative attitude are grounds for dismissal.

DISCIPLINARY RESPONSES AND PROCESSMMLA usually utilizes a graduated system of response to violations of the Code of Conduct. Our goal is to use early interventions—or a series of interventions—to educate students about why the identified behavior constitutes a problem at the Academy, and to allow the student to adjust his or her future behavior accordingly. Continued violations lead to more serious discipline, with Dismissal as a last resort. Violation of our Major Rules cause serious disruption to the safety and integrity of the Academy environment. Therefore, MMLA reserves the right to dismiss any student who violates any of the major rules.

Following are the disciplinary responses utilized at MMLA:

Verbal WarningA verbal warning is the first level of discipline at MMLA. Typical offenses may include: early violations of the Language Pledge®, being late to an event, inappropriate language, being disruptive, violations of dorm protocol, etc. These are simple statements

letting the student know their behavior is problematic and why, and that such behavior should not be repeated.

Written Warning—Parent Contact A Written Warning, the first formal disciplinary status of the Academy, is completed by a member of the Residential Life staff or a Language Director. It occurs after a student receives several verbal warnings or violates a significant rule. The Written Warning is placed in the student’s file, and parents are contacted to let them know of the behavior. The student meets with the staff member and any other party involved, and the conversation is conducted in English to ensure understanding.

Probation—Parent Contact A student may be put on Probation after he or she has received a Written Warning and continues the behavior, or if he or she exhibits a behavior of a more serious nature. (See Student Code of Conduct section.) A record of the violation is placed in the student’s file, and the parents are contacted and informed of the situation. The Director of Residential Life, or his/her designee, initiates the conversation with the student and speaks to the parent. A student who is on probation is likely to be dismissed if he/she subsequently violates an MMLA rule or policy.

DismissalA student is liable for dismissal if he/she, being on Probation, continues his/her behavior, or breaks another Academy rule. Students violating a Major Rule will be liable for dismissal at the first occurrence. The Director of Residential Life, in consultation with on-site staff, makes the initial recommendation to dismiss the student. The final decision is made by year-round Academy staff members.

In the event of dismissal (or voluntary withdrawal), parents, at their expense, must arrange for their child’s expeditious transportation from the Academy. MMLA cannot house a dismissed (or withdrawing) student for more than 24 hours after they have been separated from the Academy. There is no refund of any Academy charges for students who are dismissed from the Academy. If a student damages property, the cost of repair or replacement is added to the student’s account balance. If a student is dismissed from the Academy for disciplinary reasons, he/she

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will not be allowed to enroll in a subsequent summer Academy.

STATE AND LOCAL LAWSIn addition to enforcing the Academy’s Student Code of Conduct, MMLA must abide by all local, state and Federal laws and statutes that apply. Therefore, certain incidents and/or knowledge may require MMLA staff to inform appropriate outside authorities, including law enforcement and/or child welfare agencies. Examples of such situations can include, but are not limited to, suspected abuse (past or current), hazing, or illegal sexual behavior.

LEAVING THE JURISDICTION OF THE ACADEMYFamilies should know that, for safety reasons, any student leaving the physical boundaries of the Academy or leaving their group on any Academy-conducted excursions without explicit permission of an MMLA staff member and/or without using the Academy’s established sign-out procedures will face immediate dismissal from the Academy. All students will be shown the boundaries of the campus and will receive a map on the first day of the program.

NOTE ON SELF-DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIORS Behaviors and conditions such as eating disorders, cutting or other self-harm, suicidal ideation, threats or attempts, and similar behaviors are potentially life threatening and require the intervention of trained medical personnel. MMLA is not designed to provide appropriate treatment and support for these behaviors. MMLA will require students exhibiting these behaviors to leave the Academy to ensure their safety and well-being, and that of others. MMLA

reserves the sole right to decide whether a student’s behavior requires separation from the Academy.

STATEMENT ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND OTHER HARASSMENT BASED ON PROTECTED CHARACTERISTICSIn accordance with MMLA’s determination to provide a safe and positive environment for all Academy community members, no form of sexual harassment or harassment based on characteristics protected by the law applicable in the state in which the Academy is operated (e.g. where applicable, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnic origin, etc.) will be tolerated at the Academy. Any reports of sexual harassment will be investigated by the Director of Residential Life, and any individual found to have so harassed another Academy participant or staff member will be liable for sanctions up to and including immediate dismissal.

DRESS CODEDress at MMLA is generally informal, so a wide variety of styles are acceptable at the Academy. However, students may not wear clothing that includes offensive logos, images or words, or contains references to alcohol or drugs. In recognition of the diverse cultural community at MMLA, please bring clothing with modest styles. This means that halter, backless, and off-the-shoulder fashions are not permitted. Midriffs should not be exposed. Clothing should not be transparent.

STATEMENT ON SEXUAL BEHAVIORBecause MMLA aims to create a comfortable environment for a culturally and age diverse

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community, students are prohibited from engaging in any inappropriate physical contact or overtly sexual behavior. Students who engage in inappropriate physical conduct or overtly sexual behavior will be spoken to by the Director of Residential Life regarding the implications of their actions and the impact of their behavior on the comfort and sensibilities of others. Parents/guardians are notified, and students are asked to speak with them regarding their actions. Students will face disciplinary action if, in the course of their inappropriate behavior, they violate other Academy rules (e.g., being on the floor of the other gender in the dorm; leaving the Academy’s boundaries.)

STATEMENT ON COMPUTERS AND MP3 PLAYERS MMLA will provide computer access for language learning during the summer. If students bring computers/laptops with them to the Academy, they must be checked in on arrival day and stored in the Site Office (see the Keeping in Touch section).

Because listening to music that is not in the target language is a violation of the Language Pledge®, students are not allowed to use iPhones, iPods, or any device that connects with a wireless signal. Basic MP3 players that contain music that is in the target language are allowed. Students may not utilize these devices during class time or during any programming that requires students to engage with others.

Devices being utilized inappropriately or in a way that violates Academy policies will be confiscated until the last day of the program and the student may face disciplinary action. MMLA cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage that may occur to a laptop or MP3 player during the summer session. It is neither necessary nor encouraged that students bring such devices to MMLA.

Guests and Going Off-CampusGUESTSAll visitors to the Academy must sign in at the Site Office, show identification and receive permission from the Site Manager to visit any part of the campus. Visitors must abide by the Language Pledge® and refrain from speaking in English within hearing distance of students in the Academy.

LEAVING CAMPUSFor reasons of safety and to maximize the time spent in MMLA’s immersion environment, we discourage and generally do not allow students to sign out of Academy during the session, or to accept visitors. All requests to arrive late, depart early, or leave the Academy for any reason must be approved before the beginning of the session. Requests must be submitted to the MMLA Admissions Office by e-mailing mmla.admissions@middleburyinteractive.com.

Should a student need to go off-campus for any reason, he/she must be signed out by a parent or legal guardian in the presence of the Site Manager. If the parent/legal guardian is not the person signing out the student, we must have written permission from the parent/legal guardian to authorize who is allowed to sign a student out of the Academy. Each student must be signed back in to the Academy upon their return to campus.

While we recognize that the session dates may interfere with family and other plans, we will evaluate, on an individual basis, requests to be excused from campus for these events. In the event that your child will need to leave campus, all travel arrangements must be made by the family. MMLA will not be responsible for the transporting of students to and from campus.

GOING TO TOWNIn order to maintain our immersion environment, students generally do not go to town or leave our campus boundaries unless part of a class or group activity. Students who are rising juniors or seniors may be allowed to sign-out and walk into the town surrounding campus only on designated days.

An Academy may choose to go into town, but always as part of an activity or class. The Language Pledge® is in effect during such outings. Regardless of the situation, all students (and classes) sign out and back in at the Site Office.

RELIGIOUS SERVICESShould a student wish to go off-campus for a religious service, he/she must be signed out by a responsible adult that has been identified by the student’s family. This individual must show proof of identification and sign in at the Site Office. Individual families will be

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responsible for providing written transportation and pre-arranging all transportation to and from a place of worship.

Admissions and Tuition ServicesDEPOSIT AND TUITIONA deposit is due with your application. Paying this fee does not guarantee admission to the Academy. The first half of tuition is due by April 1, 2013 and final payment due by May 15, 2013. After May 15, applicants must submit the full tuition balance upon acceptance to the Academy. Students who have outstanding balances will not be allowed to register on Arrival Day.

Payment MethodsPlease send checks or money orders to:

Middlebury-Monterey Language AcademyFinancial Services23 Pond LaneMiddlebury, VT 05753

For online debit or credit card payments: • Go to the Log In page of the MMLA website at http://mmla.middlebury.edu/how-to-apply/login.php• Click on the Orange Log In Button• Submit your username and password• Click on the top blue Tuition Account button to access your tuition account

For payments by phone: • Call 802-458-9242Cancellation PolicyIf a student is declined acceptance into an Academy program, the entire application and deposit fee will be refunded. If a student is accepted into an Academy program, and voluntarily declines to enroll, written notice of cancellation must be received before March 1, 2013 to receive a full refund of all payments, less a $75 application processing fee. After March 1, the application and deposit fee is non-refundable. Between April 1 and May 15, 50% of your tuition balance is required to be paid upon acceptance and is non-refundable; only tuition paid above and beyond 50% of your tuition balance is refundable in this time period. There will be no refunds of any kind after May 15, 2013.

Please send cancellation notice in writing to Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy, Admissions Office, 23 Pond Lane, Middlebury, VT 05753 or to mmla.admissions@middleburyinteractive.com.

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Task Deadline Notes

Pay tuition balance. May 15 See Payment Methods above for more infor-mation

Complete and submit Student Health Information form.

May 15 Log In to complete online formhttp://mmla.middlebury.edu/how-to-apply/login.php

Complete and submit Physician Release form.

May 15 Log In to complete online formhttp://mmla.middlebury.edu/how-to-apply/login.php

Complete and submit Student Health Insurance form, including photocopy of front and back of card.

May 15 Log In to complete online formhttp://mmla.middlebury.edu/how-to-apply/login.php

Complete and submit Residential Life Preferences form.

May 15 Log In to complete online formhttp://mmla.middlebury.edu/how-to-apply/login.php

Make travel arrangements, and submit Travel Information form.

May 15 Log In to complete online formhttp://mmla.middlebury.edu/how-to-apply/login.php

Complete language placement test. May 1-31 Instructions will be sent to your primary contact email in April.

If necessary, contact MMLA to seek accommodation for student’s learning, physical, or medical disability.

June 1 See Student Disability Accommodation/ADA Policy for more information.

If necessary, contact MMLA for allergy or special dietary requirements.

June 1 Contact MMLA at 802-458-9252 ormmla.admissions@middleburyinteractive.com

Bring student’s prescription medica-tions in original containers with proper labels written in English.

June 23 All medications must be checked in with the MMLA Nurse on Arrival Day.

Arrive on campus for registration be-tween 1:00 and 5:00 pm.

June 23 Campus details for Arrival Day will be provided in June.

Depart campus between 9:00 am and 12:00 noon.

July 18 Campus details for Departure Day will be pro-vided in June.

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STUDENT HANDBOOK

2013

The Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy is a program of Middlebury Interactive Languages (MIL). MIL is a joint venture between Middlebury College and K12, Inc.

Language education for a gLobaL worLd