Medical Information

The health, safety and general welfare of the individual student is the first concern of the Kennedy School. No activity is undertaken without proper supervision. The school offers an excellent health and accident insurance scheme and local medical services are of a very high standard. The regional hospital is also located in Saanen.

In order to assist the school in providing the best possible medical care, we ask each year that parents complete a health certificate signed by both a doctor and a parent. It is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that each child's vaccinations and immunizations are up to date and that the school has a copy of the immunization record. The school should also be made aware of any allergies which a child has, special measures to be taken concerning a student's health, and any accidents or illnesses which occur during school vacation periods. Dental check-ups, and eye and hearing examinations are the responsibility of parents and should be arranged regularly during school holidays. New medical information can be easily communicated to the school by carefully completing the general information questionnaire at the beginning of each school year.

Insurance

It is obliged by Swiss law that students who are registered as residents of Switzerland have health and accident insurance coverage that is valid for Switzerland. Full-time students, i.e. those registered for a full school year, must therefore select one of the insurance options offered by the school or show proof that they have valid health and accident insurance which covers them in Switzerland. Our health and accident policy covers 90% of doctors' fees and medicine as an out-patient, and 100% of treatment and expenses in a hospital, either in a semi-private room or a private room depending on the program option selected. This insurance is only valid during the school year, and, although it can be extended for the whole year, it is generally only valid for medical costs as they exist in Switzerland.

Conduct and Disipline

A lengthy rulebook has never seemed appropriate in our small school. Students, however, are obliged to follow the rules and procedures that have been established for the safe and orderly operation of the school. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action, usually in the form of the withdrawal of privileges. Further, the school reserves the right to dismiss at any time a student who has proven to be an unsatisfactory member of the school community. The first responsibility of each Kennedy School student is to complete all school programs, both academic and extra-curricular, to the best of his or her ability and to an acceptable standard. In addition, students are expected to assist in caring for school property and equipment, and to have a high regard for the rights and property of others. Any student unable to maintain an appropriate standard of conduct or who is consistently out of sympathy with the ideals and objectives of the program will be asked to withdraw.

Dress Code

All students must wear school uniform. This has been specially selected to ensure comfort, flexibility and ease of maintenance. During the fall and spring terms, the daily uniform consists of corduroy trousers, cotton cargo pants or quick-dry hiking pants. All trousers must be navy blue. Navy Bermuda shorts may be worn in warmer weather. A navy blue v-neck sweater, worn with plain-coloured shirts, completes the uniform. These shirts must be of the short-sleeved polo type or long-sleeved turtleneck variety. The basic uniform is complemented by an all-weather JFK jacket, trousers and polar-fleece combination outfit, as well as Kennedy School T-shirts, sweatshirts and tracksuits needed for sports. Winter ski uniform consists of a red ski sweater, ski hat and the school jacket, worn with navy blue ski pants.

During the first week of the fall term, our uniform suppliers visit the school and outfits students with the items that they do not have.

Students participating in special activities must have the proper clothing and equipment. For tennis this includes 1 pair of tennis shoes as well as a racquet. Horseback riders must have a protective hard hat and riding boots, and riding pants are strongly recommended. For dance participants, tights and a leotard and soft ballet shoes are required.

The good outfit mentioned on the boarder's clothing list refers to clothing for more formal occasions such as special evening meals, parties, etc. A blazer or suit for boys and an appropriate dress or pantsuit for girls is recommended.

Parents of boarders should use the clothing list as a packing list and enclose it in a suitcase. Any items not sent will be purchased and charged to the student's account. Do not send clothing or equipment that is not on the list. It is, however, understood that each child will want to bring to school a special toy, books, a camera, etc. We do request that such items be kept to a minimum due to the limited storage space available as well as the inevitable pressure that the students come under to share such items. Students should not bring special possessions to school that they are not prepared to share.

For both boarders and day students, all clothing and equipment must be clearly labelled. Please note that all students will be sent a supply of nametapes.

Optional Activities

Students can choose optional activities such as music, tennis, horseback riding, karate, ballet and jazz dance. Due to the fact that the students have a very full course of studies, plus many compulsory sports, activities, team sports, e.g. soccer, and excursions, we suggest that only one activity be selected. Each child needs a certain amount of free time when he or she can choose to relax, to play independently, or to work on projects, and thus develop his or her own interests. Choosing an optional activity is a commitment for the term. Please choose wisely.

Weekends and Pocket Money

Weekends are planned to encourage a relaxed family atmosphere for our boarders. Students receive weekly pocket money on Saturdays and may go shopping in Saanen or Gstaad, or an out-of-town location, under supervision. Other activities might include swimming, other leisure interests, special lessons, a restaurant outing or movie nights. Sundays are excursion days.

Candy & Sweets

The school tries to provide students with a well-balanced and nutritious diet, but this does inevitably include sweets and desserts. We ask parents not to send such items to class or the boarding house unless they are in such quantities that they can be distributed equally among all the children at an appropriate time.

Telephone Calls

Students are not allowed to place long distance calls from school phones except in the case of emergency. Parents may call from Monday to Thursday between 16.30 and 18.45, or 20.00 and 20.30. They may call on Friday, Saturday or Sunday evenings until 21.00, and during the day on Saturdays and Sundays. Please keep in mind that telephoning too frequently creates an unnecessary distraction, and that, in consideration of others, calls should be restricted to a maximum of 5 minutes in length. The school has two phone numbers available to parents (0)33 744 13 72 and (0)33 744 68 22. There is also a fax line (0)33 744 89 82. The country code for Switzerland is 41. Please eliminate the first zero when calling from outside Switzerland. Students may also be contacted at their personal e-mail address or through the school's address at lovell@jfk.ch.

Cellular Phones

Boarding students may have mobile phones. Phones must be turned in to the housemother upon arrival at school and will be issued during regular phoning hours Monday to Thursday, i.e. 16.30 to18.00 and 20.00 to 20.30. Phones will also be available on the weekends from 09.00 to 21.00. Having a mobile phone is a privilege. If we find that allowing these phones detracts from the quality of school life, then this privilege will be withdrawn. Please note that it is not necessary to have a cell phone! Day students are asked not to bring mobile phones to class.

Television, Video & Music

Playing video games, watching television, video films and DVDs, with the exception of educational programs, is restricted to the weekends. Students may listen to music during their free time, but not during homework periods or during quiet reading time at night.

Visiting Students & Invitations

Parents are welcome to visit their children during non-class hours and to participate in school excursions. Boarders may go away from the school on weekends with their parents or with persons authorized by their parents, but such arrangements should be made with the school well in advance. At no time may a student leave the school grounds unaccompanied or without the permission of both the school and the parent. Day student families who wish to extend an invitation to a boarder on the weekend must obtain permission from the school administration no later than the Wednesday before.

Travel Arrangements

Parents are responsible for arranging that their children arrive at and depart from school on the correct days according to the school calendar. Upon request, a school representative will be available to assist unaccompanied students who are travelling by air. The normal charge for this service will be CHF 120 per airport trip. Charges for special trips to the airport will be calculated separately. The school is prepared to advise parents on all matters concerning travel to and from school. Depending on nationality, some students may require a visa to enter Switzerland. Please contact the school office for advice concerning visa application procedures. The school will organize Swiss student residence permits after the child has arrived here in Saanen.

The closest airport to the school is in Geneva.