National History Academy is hosted by Foxcroft School, which sits on 500 acres of countryside in Middleburg, Virginia. Just 35 minutes from Dulles Airport (IAD), 43 miles west of Washington, D.C., and within view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Foxcroft’s location is convenient to both culture and countryside.

The National History Academy will provide a shuttle bus to and from Dulles International Airport at set times to be announced closer to the start of the Academy.

Students are permitted to have cell phones at National History Academy, but please be advised that reception at Foxcroft School is incredibly limited. There are “house phones” available in the common rooms of dorms, but the easiest communication while on campus is through email and text message.

Please see National History Academy’s Cell Phone Policy below for full details regarding permitted usage.

NATIONAL HISTORY ACADEMY CELL PHONE POLICY

This policy addresses the use of cell phones, computing devices, and portable music and entertainment systems by students and staff in the classroom, on field trips, and with guest speakers.

National History Academy believes that cell phones and other electronic devices are tools and resources for learning, but that some restrictions are necessary at certain times out of courtesy and respect for students, teachers, staff, guides and guests.

CLASSROOM POLICY
Students are permitted to bring the following electronic items to class: 1) cell phones; and 2) laptops, tablets, iPads and other similar computing devices (“computing devices”). Portable music and entertainment systems, such as iPods, MP3 players, PSP, and Nintendo DS (“entertainment systems”) generally are not allowed in the classroom unless specifically allowed by your teacher for educational purposes.

Cell phones must be turned off and put away out of sight during instructional time, except for instructional and educational purposes with the explicit approval of the teacher.
Computing systems may not be turned on or used during instructional time, except for instructional and educational purposes with the explicit approval of the teacher.
Unless there is an emergency, staff or students shall not use cell phones for personal use, e.g., calls, Facetime, texting, emailing, etc.

FIELD TRIP POLICY
Field trips to historic sites are considered instructional time, and electronic devices may only be used for educational purposes.  Unless there is an emergency situation, staff or students shall not use cell phones for personal use, e.g., calls, Facetime, texting, emailing, etc., during a field trip.
Students and staff are permitted to bring cell phones, computing devices, and entertainment systems on bus rides during field trips.  Headphones should be used at all times on the bus.  Students may not have verbal cell phone conversations on the bus without permission. Staff may have limited verbal cell phone conversations on the bus only for Academy planning and coordinating purposes.

Once a bus arrives at a site destination, use of entertainment devices and headphones are no longer allowed.  These items should be secured and left on the bus or placed in your backpack.
During a site field trip, all students and staff will give full attention to the guide or guest speaker. Cell phones should be silenced. Students may not use cell phones while a teacher or guide is speaking or interacting directly with the group.  During such an interaction, staff may minimally use cell phone cameras only for taking photos to document the event or for discreetly communicating with other Academy staff about trip logistics.

An exception to the above rule applies to students using GoPros or the cell phone video function as part of a pre-approved Academy project.  If making a film, this should be done as discreetly as possible with the permission of your teacher and with knowledge of staff.

When walking between stops, at pauses during a tour, or during discretionary time, staff and teachers may use their cell phones for taking photos, the note-taking function, and for other purposes to advance their learning at the site, as long as such use does not interfere with the talk or tour.

GUEST SPEAKER POLICY
When a guest speaker visits with students at Foxcroft or at a historic site, all students and staff will give full attention to the speaker. Cell phones should be silenced and/or turned off, and securely put away.  Unless there is an emergency, staff or students shall not use cell phones for personal use, e.g., calls, Facetime, texting, emailing, etc., during a talk by a guest speaker.
An exception to the above rule applies to students using GoPros or the cell phone video function as part of a pre-approved Academy project.  If making a film, this should be done as discreetly as possible with the permission of your teacher and with knowledge of staff.

While a guest is speaking, staff may minimally use cell phone cameras only for taking photos to document the event or for discreetly communicating with other Academy staff about logistics.
After a talk by a guest, students and staff may use cell phone cameras for photos with that person.

MISCELLANEOUS
·      Cell phones, computing devices and portable music and entertainment systems may not be turned on or used during fire drills, other emergency preparedness exercises or during the event of an actual emergency unless otherwise directed by Academy staff.
·      Cell phones, computing devices, and portable music and entertainment systems may not be used in bathrooms, and may only be used on the sleeping porches with the use of headphones so as not to disturb fellow residents.
·      Cell phones, computing devices, and portable music and entertainment systems may not be used for audio/video or photographic recording of a person without their consent.

CONFISCATION AND RETURN OF ELECTRONIC ITEMS
If a student continually violates this policy and misuses cell phones, computing devices, and portable music entertainment systems in a way that interferes with the Academy’s learning environment and after a verbal warning by staff, the Academy may confiscate that student’s electronic device and return it at the end of the day.  If such misuse becomes habitual, the item may be confiscated and returned to parent/guardian after a phone conference with them.
Staff members who violate this policy will receive a warning. Habitual violation will result in appropriate disciplinary action.

NO LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE, THEFT, OR LOSS
The Academy is not responsible for stolen, damaged or lost cell phones, computing devices or portable music and entertainment systems.  In the event that a cell phone, computing device, or portable music and entertainment system is reported stolen, our staff will thoroughly investigate the incident and address any student-related misconduct accordingly. Students may want to bring some spending money to purchase souvenirs at historic sites, or to purchase snacks at the vending machine or concession stand.

Social Media:

• All students attending the National History Academy will be asked to sign a media release form, giving consent to appear in pictures taken during the site visits and exciting experiences!

Site Visit & Guest Speakers Expectations:

• Students are expected to attend all site visits in their entirety.
• Guest speakers are optional. 
• Classroom etiquette applies.

Assignments:

• It is the students’ responsibility to complete all assignments on time.
  • Teachers and TAs are available for office hours if needed.

Harassment:

• The National History Academy seeks to promote an environment where students feel safe to express themselves and grow academically, by respecting dignity and opinions of all people in this diverse community of scholars.  We expect students to show respect, kindness and consideration towards one another.  Behavior that is considered harassing, intolerant, intimidating or threatening will not be tolerated.

• Regardless of gender, clothing must cover the chest, torso and underwear.
• Students are not allowed to wear any item depicting or advocating violence, criminal activity, alcohol or drug use, pornography or hate speech.
• Students are required to wear National History Academy shirts on all trips and occasionally in the classroom (check the schedule for the specific shirt each day). When wearing National History Academy shirts, the only hat allowed to be worn is the National History Academy hat.

Students may want to bring some spending money to purchase souvenirs at historic sites, or to purchase snacks at the vending machine or in the PX (campus convenience store).

Headgear

• Sunhat or Baseball Cap (one will be provided)
• Eyeglasses and/or contacts
• Sunglasses
• Facemasks

Clothing

• T-shirts or polos (students will be given 2 t-shirts and 2 polo shirts to be worn on field trips)
• Shorts
• Long Pants
• Jeans
• Light Jacket or Sweater, just in case
• Raincoat
• Athletic clothes for activity days
• Swim Suit
• Dress Clothes for lectures and formal events – Boys should bring a blazer or a sport coat. Girls may want to bring a blazer or dress.
• Pajamas and Robe
• Underwear

Footwear

• Comfortable walking shoes (we walk a lot!)
• Sandals/Flip-flops, or other shoes that can get wet
• Dress Shoes
• Socks
• Shower Shoes

Bed & Bath

• Towels — Bath, Hand, and Beach (for the pool)
• XL Twin Mattress Pad
• Blanket
• Pillow and Pillow Case
• XL Twin Sheets
• Laundry Bag
• Laundry Soap
• Bath mat (one required per room)

Bathroom Kit

• Brush and Comb
• Shampoo
• Soap and Soap Container
• Toothbrush and Holder
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Hand soap (this is not provided in dorm bathrooms)
• Sunblock
• Insect repellant

Gear

• Laptop computer or Tablet (a limited number of loaners will be available)
• Backpack for day trips (one will be provided)
• Reusable water bottle (one will be provided)
• Notebook (one will be provided)
• Pens/Pencils
• Students not born in the USA should bring a passport or green card. Some federal facilities, including the White House, will not allow students born outside the US to enter without these documents.