Our school handbook is for both students and parents, grades K - 12. A printed version is available upon request.

The Media Policy is contained in the Family and Student Handbook. It is excerpted here for your convenience.

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.

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

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

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.

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. 

The following documents can provide insight and guidance.

Media and Waldorf Education

Slow Tech Media Guidelines

Family Resources

The Parent Code of Conduct sets clear expectations for respectful behavior and active involvement in your child's education. It encourages positive communication with staff and appropriate conduct during school events, emphasizing respect for all members of the school community, including students, teachers, and fellow community members.

The Admissions Guidelines contain details and procedures used when enrolling students including the guidelines for our Enrollment Lottery.

Gun Free School Act

Drug Free Workplace

Conflict of Interest Policy and Code of Ethics for NH Educators - These policies outline the process Gathering Waters will use when a possible conflict exists between personal interests and the interest of GW.

Sexual Harassment and Violence Prevention Policy

Finance Procedures and Policies - This document is a set of guidelines used to establish and standardize the procedure for purchasing goods and services within Gathering Waters.

Gathering Waters Travel Policy

Time and Effort - This document outines the system Gathering Waters uses to document the work of our employees and allocate their work to various funding sources.

Record Retention Policy - Addresses the process for managing documents from creation to retention or disposal.

Reporting Fraud, Waste or Misuse of Federal Funds - The OIG Hotline is available for anyone who knows of or suspects fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, or violations of laws and regulations involving U.S. Department of Education funds or programs. This includes allegations of suspected wrongdoing by Department employees, contractors, grantees, schools and school officials.