What do dorm counselors do?Each residence hall has dorm counselors who are on duty at night and in the afternoons. They are here to act as your parents in the dorm and to help enforce dormitory rules. Dorm counselors are the people you should go to at night if you have a problem or just want to talk to an adult friend.
Where do I get mail?
Student mail boxes are located in the Student/Faculty Center in the basement of our school library, the Viola Woolfolk Center. Mail is received after school.
What address should my friends and family use to send me letters?
Your Name
St. Margaret's School
P.O. Box 158
Tappahannock, VA 22560-0158
U.S.A.
Packages and boxes should be sent to the school's physical address instead:
Your Name
St. Margaret's School
444 Water Lane
Tappahannock, VA 22560-0158
U.S.A.
How do I mail a letter?
Correctly stamped mail may be deposited in the mail box in St. Margaret's Hall. A letter (one ounce) which is to be mailed to a United States destination requires a $.37 cent stamp. If you are mailing a letter of similar weight to your home country, perhaps the following list of postage costs will help.
Country Letter Post Card Japan $0.80 $0.70 Germany $0.80 $0.70 Mexico $0.60 $0.50 Spain $0.80 $0.70 Korea $0.80 $0.70 If you are not sure about the postage cost of certain items, these should be taken to the post office for specific handling. The post office is a 2 minute walk from campus located at the corner of Wright and Charlotte Streets.
Is there a fax machine which my parents can use?
Our campus fax machine number is: (country code +1) 804-443-1832, and is available for students to both send and receive faxes.
How do I use the telephone?
Telephones are located on each dormitory floor. The cost of a local call is $.35 cents. To make an international collect call, dial 001 for an operator and give the appropriate country code. Discount phone cards are available in local stores which give much lower international rates.
Using the phone in a foreign country is always confusing at first. If you have any questions, ask your dorm counselor to help you.
We have found that it is helpful for international students to set up a regular time to talk to their families. For example, you may plan to call home the same time each weekend. This allows you to avoid the frustration of not reaching your family. We also encourage students to bring a calling card which will allow you to charge (or pre-pay) your calls. If this is not possible, collect calls can easily be made.
How can my friends or family reach me by telephone?
Each dorm floor has telephones for in-coming calls. Of course, if your families need to get in touch with you in an emergency or need to leave you a message during school hours, they may call the main school number +1-804-443-3357. Most students can have their own telephones in their room if they choose to lease this service from the local telephone company Verizon; this provides each student with their own private number.
Where can I do my laundry?
The basement of Latané Hall and A-House both contain laundry facilities. To use the washing machine and dryers, you will need two quarters for each plus laundry detergent. Quarters and laundry detergent are available within walking distance at 7-11 or Tappahannock RX Pharmacy. If you have questions about how to do your laundry, ask your roommate or dorm counselor for help.
What do I do if I am not feeling well?
We have a nurse on duty at all times. If you are not feeling well, go see the school nurse in the student health center on the first floor of Latané Hall. She'll be happy to help! She is available before class in the mornings, during lunch time, and after school. If you are not feeling well during class, ask your teacher for a permission slip and then you may go to the nurse. We also have several doctors in town, as well as a hospital 5 minutes from campus, in case of an emergency.
Will I ever have the chance to change roommates?
It's not always easy to live with someone you don't know, but it's part of the fun of boarding school life! Give your roommate a fair chance, it might just take a little while for you both to get to know each other. Although you might be surprised, it is often best not to live with your very best friend. We ask that you try your roommate situation for the first four weeks. If you are still interested in a switch, changes will be made. Remember since you are here to learn about American life and culture, you will always have an American roommate.
Will I have an American friendship family?
Yes. At the beginning of the school year, we will talk to you about what it means to participate in this program. This is a unique opportunity to spend some time with a real American family. You may be invited over for dinner, a quiet evening, or a weekend.
How should I act with my friendship family?At first you might feel uncomfortable until you get to know the family. They will treat you as a daughter, sister, or friend. Remember to be friendly and gracious and you will soon be considered family.
What kinds of things will I do with my friendship family?
You could do any of a variety of things, have dinner, go shopping, watch movies, sit and talk, do regular household tasks, or cook an international meal. The possibilities are endless and your family will probably ask what you would like to do.
What is chapel?
Chapel is a christian worship service for all students on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Students sit with their advisors and the service usually lasts about 20 minutes.
How can I participate in chapel?
Everyone is asked to stand, sit, or kneel when it is appropriate. Chapel is an excellent opportunity to follow along in the prayer book and hymnal to improve your English. You should participate if you feel comfortable and always respect the service and other people around you.
What if I am not a Christian?
That's okay. Chapel is an opportunity to learn more about one of the largest religions in the world. By observing, you will learn a lot!
Are there other church obligations?
Yes. One Sunday per month all students attend a church service in Tappahannock. There are several churches to choose from.