Supporting a clear and connected family experience

Our Parent & Student Handbook is a shared guide for grades K–12. If you’d prefer a printed copy, just let us know—we’re happy to provide one.

The Parent Code of Conduct outlines our shared expectations for respectful communication, positive involvement, and thoughtful behavior at school and school events. It guides how we work together with care so that students, families, staff, and community members feel supported and respected.

The Admissions Guidelines explain the steps and considerations involved in enrolling at Gathering Waters, including how our Enrollment Lottery works.

Gathering Waters recommends a media and device-free childhood. We encourage a thoughtful and graduated approach to visual media, audio media, social media, video games, and internet usage in the home as the child develops. We recommend a thoughtful introduction to media as a tool for education, life, and community participation in the late middle school and high school years. 

As educators, we acknowledge current research showing the impacts of media on child development while recognizing that we live in a world where media is an essential part of daily lives for most adults.

EARLY CHILDHOOD In the early childhood years, Gathering Waters faculty advocates for and recommends a media and device-free childhood.

ELEMENTARY In the elementary school years, Gathering Waters faculty advocates for and recommends a media and device-free childhood. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL In the Middle School, Gathering Waters faculty asks families to limit students’ exposure to media and devices, especially including powerful social media images and messages, and to make a conscious and thoughtful approach to limit digital technology use at home.

HIGH SCHOOL In the high school, Gathering Waters faculty asks families to make a conscious and thoughtful effort to model and limit digital technology use at home. We recommend that families delay students’ social media use until age 16, and to monitor students’ exposure to social media images and messages thereafter. Gathering Waters recommends that students refrain from engaging with screens an hour before bedtime, and keep their phones out of their bedroom overnight. 

Find more insight and guidance here:

Media & Waldorf Education

Family Media Use Resources

This Student Use of Personal Electronic Communication Devices Policy outlines the rules, expectations, exceptions, and consequences for student use of personal electronic communication devices during the school day, ensuring a focused, disruption-free learning environment in accordance with NH state law.

The Developmentally Appropriate Daily Physical Activity Policy outlines our commitment to daily movement and a comprehensive Waldorf-inspired physical activity curriculum that supports healthy, holistic growth from kindergarten through high school.

The Drug-Free Workplace / Drug-Free Schools Policy outlines the standards and procedures we follow to maintain a safe, substance-free school environment for all.

The Gun Free School Policy outlines our responsibilities under the Gun-Free School Act and the procedures we follow to maintain a campus free of firearms.

This Reporting Abuse or Neglect Policy requires staff to immediately report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to school leadership, who then notify state authorities and file the required report within 24 hours.

Conflict of Interest Statement & NH Code of Ethics for Educators
These policies explain how Gathering Waters identifies and addresses situations where personal interests could conflict with the best interests of the school, ensuring decisions are always made with integrity and transparency.

Sexual Harassment and Violence Prevention Policy
This policy outlines our commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful environment and details the procedures we follow to prevent, address, and respond to harassment or violence within our community.

Finance Procedures
This document provides the guidelines we use to standardize purchasing and financial practices at Gathering Waters, helping ensure responsible, consistent stewardship of school resources and government grants.

Travel Policy
Our travel policy explains the expectations and procedures for staff travel related to school business.

Time & Effort Policy
This document describes the system Gathering Waters uses to record employee work and allocate time across various funding sources in a clear and compliant way.

Record Retention Policy
This policy outlines how we manage school records—from creation and use to long-term retention or appropriate disposal—to ensure accuracy, compliance, and organizational clarity.

Reporting Fraud, Waste, or Misuse of Federal Funds
The OIG Hotline provides a confidential way to report any suspected fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement involving U.S. Department of Education funds or programs.