LeADERSHIP aCADEMY wELCOME gUIDE 2023
Hello Parents/Guardians & Teens!
It is with enthusiasm that we welcome you to Leadership Academy, the premier program for empowering teen leaders. Commonly referred to as "LIFE CHANGING!” by our students, we equip teens with the methods and mindsets to transform their success within their teams, community, and most importantly, themselves.
With an overarching emphasis on stepping out of your comfort zone and stepping up to lead, we educate teens to become the strongest version of themselves. Our learn-through-action format puts students into leadership positions in which they explore the tensions and triumphs of positive leadership through hands-on experience.
It is a highly energized and transformative week for our students to broaden their perspectives, increase their gratitude, and learn to live a successful life.
Evren Gunduz, Tom Coburn, Meredith Saeger, Tara Gunduz
Leadership Academy Founders & Directors
Important Contacts
During Leadership Academy
Before Leadership Academy
Leadership Academy is Screen Free
Leadership Academy is a 5-day break from the constant tether to social media. This will have a profound and enlightening impact on our students and staff. It is truly an awakening to our life and the present moment!
We kindly ask that students keep their cell phones locked in their dorm rooms all day. We will also provide secure boxes to keep them at the start of each session.
REASONING: Being present for our shared experiences and the college environment are what make Leadership Academy a positively life-changing experience! It is our belief, as well as backed by research, that the time we spend constructing identities on social media, connecting with people not around us, and scrolling for the dopamine hit…
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Stunts our growth in cultivating a healthy identity.
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Negatively promotes dangerous comparisons and false expectations.
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Inhibits our awareness of the present moment.
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Lowers our gratitude, confidence, perspective, and happiness.
Packing List
Clothing
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Sneakers (we are active, sandals & crocs won't work)
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T-shirts (active/athletic style)
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Shorts (active/athletic style)
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Long Sleeve Shirt
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Sweatshirt (for air-conditioned rooms)
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Underwear & socks
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Long pants
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PJs
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Athletic clothing and shoes for morning pick-up sports
Supplies
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Water bottle (with your name labeled on it)
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Fan for dorm room
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Nut-free snacks for dorm room
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Medications you may need to take.
MEDICATION REMINDER: students will be responsible for administering their own medications per their doctor recommendations.
Bedding
Toiletries
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Bath towel
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Soap or body wash
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shampoo/conditioner
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Deodorant
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Toothbrush
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Toothpaste
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Floss
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Tissues
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Tampons/Pads
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Sunscreen
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Shower sandals
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Contact lenses/glasses
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Hair brush/hair elastics
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Anything else relevant for your needs.
What NOT to bring
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Alcohol/drugs/vape pens
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Tobacco in any form
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Weapons
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Candles, incense, lighters
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Gaming systems
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Sheets for a twin XL size bed OR a sleeping bag
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Pillow & pillow case
drop off & Pick Up
Address
Stonehill College
320 Washington St, North Easton, MA 02357
Students
Fellows
STUDENT Arrival Monday July 10
Arrive between 11:15am-11:45am
Our staff will be at the entrance to direct you
Fellow Arrival Sunday July 9
Arrive between 11:15am-11:45am
Our staff will be at the entrance to direct you
Student Pick-up Friday July 14
Arrive at 1pm to be a part of our commencement ceremony!
Fellow Pick-up Friday July 14
Arrive at 1pm to be a part of our commencement ceremony!
We are committed to involving our students’ family members in our educational experiences. We often hear students say, “It’s impossible to explain what it feels like at the Leadership Academy!” So, we want parents/guardians and siblings to experience it.
If you can't make it by 1pm on Friday for the commencement activities, arrive at 3pm when the students are released.
Safety & Health
Leadership Academy prioritizes the safety of all our students. Our policies align with the Massachusetts Educational Summer Program Guidelines as well as the policies of Stonehill College that are implemented for their student body.
Medical Safety
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Most of our staff is CPR/first-aid certified and are equipped to help in time of an emergency.
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We have a Registered Nurse on site for 24/7 coverage throughout Leadership Academy.
Medications
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Students are responsible for administering their own medications per their doctor or parent/guardian recommendations.
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If the student requires an over-the-counter medication, we will call parents/guardians to gain consent.
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If you would like Leadership Academy staff to possess a student’s prescription medication, it must be handed in on the first day in the following format:
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In a ziploc bag.
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Labeled with the STUDENT NAME & MEDICATION NAME.
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Note on the inside with dosage instructions.
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Physical Safety
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At move in, your child will be provided with a room key and security card which will grant them access into their dorm, dining hall, and academic buildings on campus. Any civilian without a key card cannot gain access to any on campus buildings.
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Stonehill College is patrolled by Public Safety 24/7, 365 days a year by sworn police officers. The campus is outfitted with an Emergency Call system, which is maintained by the Public Safety Officers, ensuring the safety of your student in the case of an emergency.
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Leadership Academy prides itself on a 3:1 student to staff ratio.
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Each night, designated staff members and Stonehill staff will be monitoring the halls and readily available in the case of emergency.
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY on Campus or at the Student’s home…
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In the case of an emergency, Leadership Academy staff will follow our emergency protocol and will immediately contact 911 and Campus Police.
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We will provide the medical personnel with the student’s Health & Wellness information that you provided in registration.
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Staff will contact the student’s Parents/Guardians & Emergency Contacts.
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If there is an emergency in the student’s family while they are at the Academy, please contact Inna at (508) 816-4240
Life on Campus
Stonehill College Dorms
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Dorms are separated by gender with male & female students in different buildings.
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Each room has 1-3 twin beds and each floor has common same-gender bathrooms.
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Roommates will be given upon arrival.
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We predetermine roommates using an algorithm based on year of graduation, experience with Leadership Academy, and where students are from.
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We do not accept roommate requests as this is an experience to expand comfort zones and learn to collaborate and connect with new people!
Stonehill College Dining
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Students & staff will be eating all their meals in Roche Commons Dining Hall and we are getting the exact same full service offerings that the college students get during the school year.
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The dining hall will offer multiple options for each meal including pastas, proteins, stir fry, salad bar, a variety of ethnic cuisines, fruits, vegetables, breakfast choices galore, soft-serve ice cream machine, etc. The food at Stonehill College is spectacular!
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There are multiple meal choices for every dietary profile including vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, nut free, gluten-free, etc.
Follow the action on Instagram
Our Media Associates will be posting photos, videos, and updates of the Leadership Academy on our Instagram & Facebook account all week as well as sending out a newsletter each evening. Follow our accounts to be a part of the action!
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Behavior Expectations
All students and staff are expected to uphold a high standard of excellence in mindset, actions, and courage. Please follow our Leadership Academy core tenets throughout the experience (and hopefully beyond!)
Leadership Academy Core Tenets
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Leave every place better than when we found it.
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Leave every person better than when we found them.
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Leave ourselves better than who we were in the previous moment.
Examples of our core tenets in action:
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Early is when you should arrive at everything!
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Network with people in a respectful way free of physical or verbal harassment.
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Join in on every opportunity to expand your comfort zone.
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Organize your personal belongings and materials.
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You should be open minded to other people’s perspectives.
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Live a clean, healthy week free of illegal substances.
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If you see trash on the ground or a chair out of place, improve it.
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Free yourself of your phone and screens for this one week and be present.
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Engage with others and give people a chance to be their authentic self!
Tell Someone
Our Staff are trained to provide you with a safe and positive learning environment. If we don’t know about something, we can’t help! Inform a staff member of a concern, question, or issue you have.
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Virtual Prep Webinar
For those of you, parents/guardians and teens, interested in meeting with Evren, going over the Success Guide together, and asking any and all questions, we are hosting a virtual webinar. If you can’t make it but have question, feel free to email Evren: evren@enjoylifeeducation.org