2017-18 School Handbook

2017-18 School Handbook Dear Parents, For more than two decades, Presbyterian School has cultivated confidence for a generation of critical and creative thinkers. Each and every day, members of our community are guided by the values set forth in this Handbook, focused on the deep and abiding love and respect we have for God, for His creation, and for one another. “Family, School, and Church united in the education and support of each Child” are central words in the active life of our school. Indeed, as you walk our halls and talk to members of our community, you will see that these words rise above mere rhetoric as they take root in our lives and in our relationships with each other. The contents of this Handbook should serve as a compass by which we all chart a yearly course to live, learn, play, and grow together in a safe and stimulating school environment. The core values and essential agreements described in these pages are the guiding principles that help us to encourage and nurture not only our students, but all members of our community and, ultimately, our world. Presbyterian School has staked its reputation on a fierce commitment to its mission and philosophy. Each day charismatic adults among us teach our students to think critically, communicate effectively, and develop their own strengths and talents. We do all of this anchored in the firm belief that by building a community of trust, we can support our young men and women as they begin to “stand up for what they believe and take risks throughout their lives.” We look forward to working with each and every one of you as we embrace and foster the important mission of our school. Together, we can help our students be prepared to meet the challenges of a changing world with humility, independence, and faith. Dr. Mark Carleton Headmaster - 2 - Purpose of this Handbook This handbook is intended to serve as a guide to help students and their families come to know Presbyterian School’s mission and programs as well as to set forth basic expectations and agreements. We encourage parents and students to take the time to familiarize themselves with the contents, and we are hopeful that what is here will answer many questions about academics, security, discipline, school rules, safety, and other topics. Attendance at Presbyterian School is subject to compliance with this handbook. Neither this Handbook, nor any of the policy statements contained in this Handbook, are a contract or create any contractual rights, nor does this Handbook create any expectancy of enrollment in future years. Parents agree to adhere to and abide by and require their child(ren) to adhere to and abide by the policies and procedures set forth in this Handbook. Any violations of these policies or procedures by parent(s) or student may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the School or non-renewal of enrollment for future academic years, at the sole discretion of the School. The School may suspend or dismiss during the school year or decline to re-enroll any student who in effort, conduct, or progress is not fulfilling the School’s expectations. The School also may dismiss or decline to re-enroll any student whose enrollment is deemed by Presbyterian School not to be in the best interests of the School or whose parents are deemed by the School not to support the School’s mission, philosophy, expectations or rules. At the same time, we know that no set of rules or guidelines can cover every conceivable situation that might arise at a school. The rules, policies, and procedures set forth in this handbook are intended to apply under normal circumstances. However, from time to time, there may be situations that require immediate or nonstandard responses. This handbook does not limit the authority of Presbyterian School to deviate from the normal rules and procedures set forth in this handbook and to deal with individual circumstances as they arise in the manner deemed most appropriate by the School, taking into consideration the best interests of our institution, its faculty, employees, students or overall school community. Additionally, a student’s disciplinary record may be reported to other schools to which the student applies or at which the student enrolls. These policies may also be revised or updated periodically, even during the school year. You will be advised of any changes as they are made either electronically (email) or by mail. Any student or parent with a question about any handbook material should feel free to speak with the Academic Dean, Division Heads, or the Headmaster. - 3 - SCHOOL HISTORY AND MISSION 7 HISTORY 7 MISSION 7 ALL SCHOOL POLICIES AND GUIDELINES 8 ADMINISTRATION 8 ADMISSION 8 ALLERGENS AT SCHOOL 8 ATTENDANCE 8 AUXILIARY PROGRAMS 8 BEHAVIOR 9 BOARD OF TRUSTEES 9 BOOKS AND SUPPLIES 9 CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES 9 COMMUNICATION 10 CONTACTING TEACHERS 10 DIVERSITY OF LEARNERS 10 DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE CAMPUS 10 ELEVATOR USE 11 EMERGENCY CLOSING OF SCHOOL 11 FAMILY MATTERS 11 FAMILY-SCHOOL COOPERATION 12 FIELD TRIPS 12 FINANCIAL AID 12 GIFT GIVING 12 HEALTH INFORMATION 12 LIBRARY MATERIALS 14 LOST AND FOUND 14 MEDICAL EXCUSES FROM PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS 14 MEMBERSHIPS AND ACCREDITATIONS 15 NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY 15 OUT-OF-SCHOOL CONDUCT 15 PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES 15 PARTY/SOCIAL INVITATIONS 15 PERSONAL BELONGINGS 16 PET POLICY 16 PHILANTHROPY OFFICE 16 PLAYGROUND GUIDELINES 16 POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION 16 PRAYER 17 PS VOLUNTEER COUNCIL 17 RE-ENROLLMENT CONTRACTS AND HOLDS 17 RESPONSIBLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY 18 SCHOOL CORE VALUES 18 SCHOOL MASCOT 18 SCHOOL MOTTO 18 SCHOOL SONG 18 SEARCHES 19 SECURITY GUIDELINES 19 SOCIAL MEDIA 20 STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE 20 - 4 - STUDENT INFORMATION 21 STUDENT TELEPHONE USAGE 21 TEACHER OBSERVATION OR RECOMMENDATION FORMS 21 TRAFFIC AND PARKING 21 TRANSCRIPTS 23 TUITION AND BILLING 23 TUITION REFUND INSURANCE 24 TUTORING 24 UNIFORMS AND DRESS CODE 24 VISION AND HEARING 24 WIRELESS NETWORK ACCESS 25 YEARBOOK 25 EARLY CHILDHOOD AND LOWER SCHOOL POLICIES AND GUIDELINES 26 ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT TEAM (AET) 26 ARRIVAL 26 ASSEMBLIES 27 ATTENDANCE 27 BACKPACK POLICY 27 BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS 27 BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS 27 CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES 28 CHAPEL 28 DISMISSAL AND DEPARTURE FROM SCHOOL 28 GRADING AND ASSESSMENT 29 HOMEWORK 29 LUNCH AND SNACKS 29 TOILET TRAINING 30 UNIFORM AND DRESS CODE 30 MIDDLE SCHOOL POLICIES AND GUIDELINES 32 ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT TEAM (AET) 32 ADVISORY PROGRAM 32 ARRIVAL & ATTENDANCE 33 ASSEMBLIES 33 ATHLETICS 34 BACKPACK & GYM BAG POLICY 35 BIANNUAL COMMENTS ON STUDENT PERFORMANCE 35 BICYCLE AND WALK TO SCHOOL POLICY 35 BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS 36 CHAPEL 36 CLASS TRIPS & OUTDOOR EDUCATION 36 COMMUNICATION 37 COMMUNITY STANDARDS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL 37 DISMISSAL AND DEPARTURE FROM SCHOOL 41 EARLY DEPARTURE FROM SCHOOL 42 EXAMS 42 GRADING & ASSESSMENT 42 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 44 HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING 45 - 5 - HOMEWORK 45 LOCKERS 46 LUNCH 46 SNACKS AND FOOD AT SCHOOL 46 UNIFORMS AND DRESS CODE 46 APPENDIX A: TECHNOLOGY POLICIES 50 LOWER SCHOOL E-READER POLICY 51 LOWER SCHOOL RESPONSIBLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY POLICY 52 MIDDLE SCHOOL RESPONSIBLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY POLICY 53 STUDENT IPAD USE CONTRACT 54 APPENDIX B: MIDDLE SCHOOL ASSESSMENT RUBRICS 56 FINE ARTS RUBRIC 56 P.E. RUBRIC 57 - 6 - School History and Mission History In 1986, Dr. John William Lancaster, Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, appointed a School Study Committee to explore the feasibility of an Early Childhood and Lower School at the church. Presbyterian School was officially founded in 1988 and opened its doors to offer a distinct educational program for families in the Houston area in the Fall of 1989. The School was founded on the vision that Family, School and Church should work together to educate and support children and their families. Most importantly, the School has always sought to kindle and nourish a love of learning in its students and to help them find new ways to discover their talents and use their potential to its fullest. In 1997, the School's Board of Trustees approved planning for a Middle School, and construction on the Lancaster Center, named for the Church’s now Pastor Emeritus began in 1998. In August 2000 the Middle School opened with 60 students in fifth and sixth grades, and in June 2003, the first class of eighth grade students graduated from Presbyterian School. As the School continued to grow, the need for additional green space soon became apparent. In 2005 a 14-acre property located off Loop 610 South on Highway 288 was purchased in order to become the School’s Outdoor Education Campus (OEC), which was dedicated in May 2008. Graduates of Presbyterian School are excelling in Houston's finest high schools and America’s most prestigious colleges. More significantly, Presbyterian School students are good people and good citizens, interested in the world around them and eager to become leaders in it. Mission Family, School and Church united in the education and support of each Child is the founding premise upon which Presbyterian School continues to nurture and challenge its students. Dedicated to strengthening the lives of children and their families, the School provides an educational program of the highest quality in a Christian environment. Students are respected and treated as individuals of worth, while being encouraged to develop a sense of responsibility in relation to God, to themselves, to others, to their environment and to the world in which they live. At Presbyterian School, children are given the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential— intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually—in a supportive yet challenging environment. The School’s curriculum is developmentally appropriate, respecting the individual learning styles and capabilities of each child.

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