Table of Contents
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Table of Contents Page Welcome . 2 Purpose and Objectives . 3 Mission Statement . 3 Statement of Faith . 3 Academic Standards . 4 Academic Probation Policy . 4 Spiritual Life . 5 Admission . 5 Student Withdrawal . 5 Grades Offered . 6 Before & After School Care . 6 Tardy Policy . 6 Attendance and Absences . 7 Late Work. 8 Academic Requirements . 8 Illness & Medication Procedures . 8 Cancellation, Delays & Early Dismissals . 9 Dual Enrollment . 9 Lunches . 9 School Office Hours . 10 School Telephone Privileges . 10 Tuition & Fee Payment . 10 Party Invitations . 10 School Dress Code . 11 Personal Property . 12 Cell Phone/Digital Media Policy…………………….. 12 Parent-Teacher Communication . 13 Pet Policy…………………………………………….. 13 Discipline Policy . …... 13-16 1 Dear Parents and Students: Welcome to Great River Christian School. We are a non-denominational academy whose purpose is to provide a program of Christian education offering regular courses of study taught from God’s perspective. Our dedicated faculty and staff are here to serve the Lord by assisting parents in molding the life and character of their child. This is a great responsibility and one not to be taken lightly. We value your prayers and cooperation. Information contained in this handbook is designed as a guideline for students, parents, and staff. Knowledge and understanding of this document will help to ensure a caring environment conducive to great learning. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference. We thank you in advance for taking the time to read and absorb these guidelines. We trust that your time at GRCS will be a blessing for you and your family, as well as for the school. For Christ’s glory, Timothy Ahern Administrator/Headmaster Sam Boyer Jeff Heald Rae Ludens Rick Sessions Board Members 2 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES 1. To provide for the students and faculty a classroom and campus environment commensurate with an institution having ultimate objectives in obedience to God’s Word, Christ-centered, and patriotic. 2. To aid each student in experiencing maximum spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, and physical development. 3. To provide an atmosphere that is supportive to the best Christian living and the highest gains in knowledge, skills, and wisdom to be used in serving the Lord. 4. To aid students in discerning truth from error and to integrate subjects with the truths of the Bible. 5. To teach the skill fundamentals of reading, writing, spelling, mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, and independent study. This will prepare our students for the life long acquisition of knowledge without any hindering limitations. 6. To provide students with a maximum opportunity for total participation in all phases of their learning and to facilitate the receiving and retention of knowledge. 7. To teach our true American heritage and history, Iowa history, and the current problems facing our country. MISSION STATEMENT As stewards of God’s provision, GRCS is Christ-centered. We strive to provide all students a Bible-based, academically challenging curriculum, emphasizing fundamental life skills, Christian service, and community witness. STATEMENT OF FAITH • I believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired and only infallible, authoritative, inerrant Word of God. (II Timothy 3:16, II Peter 1:21) • I believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Gen. 1:1, John 10:34, John 10:37-38) • I believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. (Isa. 7:14, Matt. 1:23, Luke 1:35, Heb. 4:15, John 2:11, Heb. 9:12, Col. 1:14, John 11:25, Acts 1:11, Rev. 19:11-16) • I believe that man is sinful by nature and that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential and an absolute necessity for his salvation. (Rom. 3:19, John 3:16-19, John 5:24, Eph. 2:8-10, Titus 3:5-6) • I believe in the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. (Eph. 5:18, Eph. 4:30, I Cor. 3:16, I Cor. 6:19-20) • I believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost. Those who are saved into eternal life and those who are lost unto eternal damnation. (John 5:28-29) • I believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 8:9, I Cor. 12:12-13, Gal. 3:26-28) • I believe in the creation of man by the direct act of God. (Gen. 1:26-28, Gen. 5:1-2) 3 ACADEMIC STANDARDS It is the belief of GRCS that a quality education is the result of: 1. Christian teachers that strive to follow biblical standards. 2. A curriculum that integrates God’s Truth into all courses and strives to adequately prepare the student for future educational endeavors. 3. Small class size which enables the student to derive maximum benefit from his/her academic experience. Each student is expected to use all available school and home resources and to perform at his/her highest level in order to take full advantage of the educational program. Originality and creativity are encouraged within the organized framework of the classroom. The focal point of GRCS’s instructional emphasis is the teacher. Each member of the faculty is qualified to be involved in the teaching process from a biblical perspective. This established atmosphere is carefully monitored to enable the student to benefit from his/her academic experience. Grading Scale A = 100-90 E = Excellent B = 89-80 S = Satisfactory C = 79-70 N = Needs to Improve D = 69-60 F = 59- 0 ACADEMIC PROBATION POLICY Academic probation is implemented when a student has received one F at the conclusion of a grading period. It is intended to give notice to the parent and student so that a mutual effort on the part of GRCS, parents/guardian, and student may be made to correct the academic deficiency. The deficiency will need to be improved to a satisfactory or passing level. If not, the Administrator and GRCS Board will decide if the student will be able to continue to attend GRCS. Academic probation will be implemented in the following manner: 1. The Administrator will notify the parents/guardian of the probation. 2. A conference will be held with the parents/guardian, student, teacher (s), and administrator to clarify probation and to outline suggestions for improvement. 3. A mid-quarter review will be held by parents, student, teacher (s), and administrator. This period shall not exceed one grading period without further review. The student will not be allowed to participate in extra- curricular activities at GRCS during the grading period. 4. If it is decided to remove the student or the student withdraws from GRCS for academic reasons, the student may apply for re-admission as a new student for the next academic year. Testing and evaluation will be conducted to determine grade placement and expectation. Honor Roll Students who have all A’s or better qualify for the “A” honor roll. Students with all A’s or B’s qualify for the “B” honor roll. Honor roll will be announced each quarter. 4 SPIRITUAL LIFE Every class day begins with devotions, which may include a reading from the Bible, spiritual encouragement, and prayer. Chapel services are held twice a month for each grade level. We invite parents of students to attend Chapel along with the students. Chapel programs typically will include music and a brief message or object lesson from a local pastor or youth worker. ADMISSION GRCS’s enrollment process prior to final acceptance shall include, but is not limited to the following: 1. Submission of properly completed application forms and fees. 2. Parents/student orientation with the teacher/administrator to: • establish that the parents/guardian recognize their child/children will receive a Christian education • establish that the parents/guardian understand the standards, policies, and values of GRCS • assess and obtain family background and other pertinent information on each student 3. Entrance testing and assessment as needed for K5-12th grades. 4. Any child applying to K3 must be 3 years old on or before September 15 and potty trained. 5. Any child applying to K4 must be 4 years old on or before September 15. 6. Any Child applying to K5 must be 5 years old on or before September 15. Upon completion of the designated steps, parents/guardians are notified as to whether their child has been accepted or not into the school. Students can be accepted with conditions, for example: the student should attend summer school, should be tutored, or must repeat a grade. All students entering under the conditions listed above are on a nine week probationary period during which the student will be evaluated to determine if they meet the minimum requirements of that grade level. It is non-beneficial for the child to struggle at a grade level they are not ready for. Students who have been accepted in the school must have their files complete and accounts current in order to begin school the first day. This includes having completed necessary physical examinations where required. All students must have immunization records and a notarized birth certificate submitted for school files. GRCS will not accept any student that is currently expelled from any other school. GRCS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational and admissions policies.