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.
STUDENT WITHDRAWAL
If a student withdraws for any reason during the school year, please notify the school as soon as possible. Students transferring to another school should do so at the end of a nine-week period, if possible. Tuition will continue until the withdrawal process has been completed. All financial obligations must be met before transcripts are sent to the new school. Report cards will not be issued to any student whose account is not current
5 GRADES OFFERED
Full day programs are offered to students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th. Their school day begins at 8:10 a.m. and dismisses at 3:10 p.m. There is also a half-day Pre-Kindergarten class available to 4 year olds, beginning at 8:10 a.m. and dismissing at 11:15 a.m. We also have a half-day preschool program for 3 year olds which is currently held on M-W-F from 8:10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. or noon-3:10 p.m. or T-Th a.m. or p.m. options.
BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE
Students are not allowed to leave the cafeteria area to enter the building before 8:00 a.m. and must be picked up by 3:15 p.m. Students at school outside of these times, without parental supervision will be taken to the Before & After School Care program. The parents will then be charged for this care.
This program is offered from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and from 3:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The cost for this care is as follows:
• $4.00/hr Per child • Late Fee $5.00 per child for each 15 minute increment
School Care is charged in 15 minute increments and billed monthly. When dropping off or picking your child up from the Before & After School Care program the parents or guardians must check their child/children in or out. Any ½ day student in Preschool or Pre-K not picked up by 11:30 a.m. will be charged for school care at the above rates.
TARDY POLICY
Every moment of the school day is important, including the timely arrival of students to school. When students arrive on time this gives them time to prepare for their day. Punctuality is a basic principle of responsibility and common courtesy. Students should be prepared and at their desks by 8:10 a.m. A student is considered tardy if he/she is not in the classroom when the tardy bell rings at 8:10 a.m.. All students who are not in their respective classrooms by 8:10 a.m. must check in at the office for an admit slip to class and to sign the tardy log.
There are 7 hours in a school day 1st half of the day: 8:10-11:40 2nd half of the day: 11:40-3:10
• 8:10-8:59 = tardy • 9:00 – 10:09 = ¼ day absence • 10:10 – 11:39 = ½ day absence • 11:40 – 1:09 = ¾ day absence • 1:10 or after = 1 day absence
A student must be in school for more than 2 hours in either half of the school day to be considered present for that half of the day.
Tardiness will be determined according to the elementary office clock. All tardies will be logged in the office.
Tardiness shall be considered excessive if the student is tardy 3 times per quarter. On the 3rd tardy, parents and the principal will be notified about the number of late arrivals. The 4th and any additional tardies in one quarter will count as ¼ day absence each (See Attendance Policy).
Students arriving late to school or returning from a medical/dental appointment are required to sign in at the office. If the student leaves for any reason (illness, medical appointment, etc.) during the school day, the parent is required to either give permission via the phone or to sign the student out in the office log. Appointments are excused, but will be counted toward tardiness or absence. 6
ATTENDANCE
Philosophy Regular attendance and prompt arrival at scheduled classes and activities is essential for satisfactory achievement and progress in school. Preparation for future responsibilities is dependent upon the development of habits of good attendance and punctuality. Regular attendance at school is the joint responsibility of parents and students.
Policy Students in grades 3-12 will be allotted 16 excused absences per school year. These days are to be used for illness, appointments, family emergencies, family vacations, etc. The first 16 days of absence will be excused without question. Please note that although the school permits these absences, the school does not encourage them. Few students are able to make up the school experience missed during extended days of absence.
Any absences beyond the first 16 will be considered unexcused without a note from the doctor’s office. All school work done on days with an unexcused absence (homework, tests, quizzes, special projects) will be given a grade of zero. No work can be made up for an unexcused absence. It is the responsibility of the parent to be aware of the student’s attendance record in light of this policy.
Students are required to be in attendance for a minimum of 148 days of school at GRCS as per Iowa State Law. Students lacking the minimum 148 days of attendance and who choose to remain at GRCS will be required to repeat the grade level. Tuition is non-refundable for students who fail to meet the 148 day attendance requirement.
Note: The administrator has the authority to determine extension of absences due to illness or other extenuating circumstances.
Unplanned Absences & Tardies Please let the office personnel know the reason for and length of an unplanned absence or tardy by 8:00 am. Parents are asked to leave a message on the school answering machine if no one is available to take the call.
Homework – Unplanned absence Homework will be available at 3:20pm on the day of an unplanned absence. Parents may pick the work up in the office, or it can be acquired the next morning when the student returns to school. Teachers are not to be contacted during the school day to gather homework for an absent student. Students have one school day for each day missed to complete the make-up work and turn in major projects due during the absence. (i.e. 2 days absent = 2 days to complete and turn in missed work.) Any make-up work that is not turned in within the mentioned time period will be given a grade of zero. Tests are to be made up within a 5-day period of time from the date of the student’s return to school.
Preplanned Absences As much as possible, doctor’s appointments should be made after school hours. If an appointment is needed during school hours, please submit a note to the office for the absence record log. Upon return to school, please submit a doctor’s note confirming the appointment.
Parents are asked to schedule vacations during the time provided by the school calendar. If additional time is unavoidable, please give at least a two-week notice to the school of the planned dates of absence.
Homework – Preplanned absence In the event that a student must miss school due to a family trip, the request for homework to be issued prior to the trip must be made no less than 2 weeks in advance. If homework is issued prior to the trip, the student will be responsible to turn in all homework the second day after returning from the trip. Any work that is not completed by that day will receive a grade of zero.
If the request for homework to take on the trip is made less than two weeks prior to leaving, the teacher may use his/her discretion regarding whether or not to issue homework prior to the trip. If the teacher decides that no homework will be
7 issued prior to the trip, then all work must be completed within one week after the student returns to school. Any work that is not completed in this time frame will receive a grade of zero.
LATE WORK – (Green Slips/Orange Slips)
Students who do not turn in assigned work on time will be given a GREEN academic warning slip. This slip gives the student a chance to make up the late work and turn it in for full credit the next morning by 8:15 am without consequence. If the late work is not sufficiently completed by 8:15 the following morning, the late work will receive a score of zero.
❖ GREEN slips will be tracked by the classroom teachers and reported to the office to be recorded in each student’s permanent record.
Students will be allotted a set number of GREEN slips per quarter. After that number has been exceeded, all late work will receive a score of zero.
Green slip allowances per grade level:
6th grade – 12 green slips per quarter 5th grade – 12 green slips per quarter 4th grade – 15 green slips per quarter 3rd grade – 15 green slips per quarter 2nd grade – TBD as needed
Upon reaching the maximum green slip allotment, students will be issued an Orange Slip for parents to read and sign, alerting parents and students that any additional late assignments in that quarter will receive a score of zero.
❖ Orange slips will be kept on file and reported to the office to be recorded in each student’s permanent record.
Green and Orange slips can cause a student’s grades to suffer and could potentially lead to failing grades. The number of Green and Orange slips affect the leniency or lack thereof by the school board toward students facing Academic probation and/or expulsion.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Elementary Students To be considered for advancement to the next grade level, students must achieve a cumulative year-end score in all core subjects combined of 70% or higher. In addition, the student cannot have a failing cumulative grade for the year in more than one subject. Failure to meet these requirements may be cause for grade retention.
ILLNESS & MEDICATION PROCEDURES
Students who are ill need to be at home for their benefit and for the benefit of all concerned. The following guidelines are to be used when making a decision as to whether a child should remain at home:
• A student developing a fever must have a normal temperature for a FULL 24 hours before returning to school.
• A student who has vomited in the last 24 hours should not be sent to school.
8 • A student with a communicable disease such as pink eye, strep throat, chicken pox, or head lice must follow doctor’s instructions before returning to school; anything requiring antibiotics requires a FULL 24 hours worth of treatment before returning to school.
A child will be sent home with any of the above symptoms.
If a student needs to take medications during school hours, a parent/guardian must personally bring the medication to the school and dispense it personally or give WRITTEN permission for the office to dispense the medication. Authorization forms are available in the school office for you to fill out. None of the school staff will be allowed to administer medication to any student without written authorization; this includes non-prescription (over the counter) as well as prescription dugs. ALL prescription medications, by law, must be dispensed from the original pharmacy labeled container.
CANCELLATION, DELAYS & EARLY DISMISSALS
School may be canceled, delayed or dismissed early because of inclement, adverse weather conditions. GRCS will generally, but not always, follow the Burlington School district’s policy during the cold weather months and in the event of extremely hot weather. Announcements will be made on or via text alert, Facebook, WQAD Channel 8 , KWQC Channel 6, KCPS 1150 AM, KAYP 89.9 FM, KBUR 1490 AM, and KGRS 107.3 FM. You can also check our website at www.greatriverchristianschool.org.
DUAL ENROLLMENT
GRCS parents are encouraged to complete dual enrollment forms. Whether you take advantage of this opportunity or not it promotes a good working relationship with the local public schools and we both benefit. The following are the guidelines for dual enrollment:
1. A dual enrolled student may go off-site to take only those subjects and/or extra-curricular activities not already offered at GRCS.
2. Students will be allowed to participate in off-site classes or activities only during times approved by the teacher and administrator.
3. Transportation to and from the alternative educational site is the responsibility of the student’s parent/guardian.
4. A schedule of the class(es) taken, including beginning and ending times, must be given to the student’s teacher and with the GRCS office.
5. A dual enrolled student must maintain at least a “C” grade average in order to participate in off-site classes or activities.
6. A dual enrolled student is responsible to complete any assignments and make up any work missed during the time he/she attended on off-site class or activity.
LUNCHES
A hot lunch program will be provided and a hot lunch count will be taken each morning. Lunches are ordered in the morning, so if your student wants lunch, but will not be in school by 8:30 a.m., you must call in and order lunch for them. Otherwise, they should expect to bring their lunch.
Lunches cost $2.50 each, which includes a drink. Separate and/or additional milk or orange juice costs $.30 each. All lunch accounts must be paid in advance unless your bills are set up on a ACH draft each month. When your account drops below $10 you will be sent.Students may bring sack lunches from home and there are microwaves available; 9 however, we encourage students to bring things that do no need to be warmed up as this takes up a lot of time in the lunchroom and students will have to wait their turn for the microwaves. Occasionally we have extra entrees available and students are allowed to purchase these for $1.00. If you do not want your child to purchase extra entrees please send a note to school. Refrigeration for student lunches is NOT available so please put ice packs in your child’s lunchbox.
Peanut Policy
Many people these days are allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. Thousands of kids across the country now have emergency doses of epinephrine in spring-located injectors called EpiPens, to be administered if they go into anaphylactic shock. Anaphylactic shock is a life-threatening allergic reaction characterized by a swelling of body tissues including the throat, difficulty in breathing, and a sudden fall in blood pressure. At GRCS we have several students for whom we hold EpiPens. These allergies can be life threatening. The reactions can be caused by a single exposure to peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oil or peanut flour and many other nuts and nut based products. We ask you for your support in approaching this concern with a sense of collaboration and caring for the children for whom this allergy poses a serious risk. Please do not send any items containing peanuts to school. It is not just a simple matter of who sits with an allergic child at lunchtime. Any peanut residue left on tables, hands, drinking fountains, etc. could be a potential danger. Thank you for your cooperation and compliance with our "no peanut" policy.
SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS
GRCS office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during school days. Summer hours will be posted.
SCHOOL TELEPHONE PRIVILEGES
Messages will be conveyed to students; therefore, they will not be called to the phone unless it is absolutely necessary. In the case of emergency or illness they must obtain permission in the office to use the telephone.
TUITION & FEE PAYMENT
Tuition and fees are due on or before the 13th day of each month. Tuition is past due on the 20th day of the month. Accounts whose tuition payments are past due will be assessed a $35.00 late fee and the Administrator will call. Failure to pay your balance will result in the account being turned over to collections. Accounts must be current for a student to begin a school year.
PARTY INVITATIONS
In an effort to make each classroom in our school one surrounded by a spirit of unity the following guidelines for party invitations must be followed. Invitations cannot be distributed at school unless consideration to all students in the class is given. For example, invitations can only be passed out at school if ALL boys are invited for a male student’s party or ALL girls are invited to a female’s party. If boys AND girls are invited by a girl or boy student, then ALL students in the class must be invited before the invitation can be brought to school.
SCHOOL DRESS CODE
10 The purpose of the dress code is to establish guidelines in which students may express individual tastes while presenting themselves in a way that honors God. Improper attire can be disruptive to the educational process and detrimental to the Christian testimonies of the student and the school. In as much as each family may have their own opinions as to proper attire, we would ask that each family aid us in establishing and maintaining GRCS’s dress code.
Students not meeting dress code standards will be sent to the office and parents will be notified. The standards are as follows:
• Clothing should be clean, neat, and in good repair.
• Shoes are required at all times; flip-flops or backless sandals can ONLY be worn by 7th – 12th grades.
• Any clothing too tight or too revealing is inappropriate. Clothing should fit so that no undergarments of any kind are revealed.
• Clothing should not display symbols, pictures, or words that are in poor taste for a Christian school.
• All students are expected to be well groomed and display proper hygiene habits.
• Shorts MUST reach the end of the student’s fingertips when arms are extended and relaxed at sides (Jr/Sr High students see Jr/Sr High guidelines).
• Torn or slashed clothing is not acceptable. No holey or distressed jeans/pants.
• No pierced jewelry is allowed to be worn to school (except for modest earrings for girls).
• No dyeing of hair in an unnatural color.
• Tops MUST have a 2 inch wide shoulder strap. Tops MUST not reveal the student’s stomach or back side. Crop tops or tube tops are not allowed.
• Dress or skirt hems need to measure not more than 3 inches above the knees. Open shoulder sundresses are not appropriate.
• Fishnet materials are not allowed to be worn without anything worn underneath them.
• No hats to be worn inside the building during school hours.
• No chains or spiked jewelry, belts, or accessories.
• No hair covering the eyes.
• No makeup for boys (i.e. eyeliner, nail polish) or heavy black makeup for girls.
• No black nail polish.
Any areas that are not clearly defined are left to the discretion of the staff and administration. We are asking parents to support the judgment of staff and administration on dress code violations. As a Christian school we are called to a higher standard and we appreciate your help in maintaining a high standard.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
11 Regarding personal property, the following rules should be followed:
• Students are responsible for their valuables
• It is recommended that each student have his/her personal property clearly marked for easy identification.
• Articles lost should be reported to the teacher, office, or check lost and found.
• No student is to bring his/her own playground equipment to school unless authorized to do so by the teacher.
• No skateboards or scooters are allowed at school.
• Music, written materials, magazines, etc. must be honoring to our Lord. The Administrator can request that any material of questionable nature be taken home and not returned to school. Disciplinary consequences may be given to students who bring inappropriate material to school.
• No weapons of any kind (toy or real) are permitted.
GRCS CELL PHONE/DIGITAL MEDIA DEVICE POLICY
Students are discouraged from bringing cell phones, cameras, MP-3 players, iPods and any other audio/visual devices to school. The school provides for phone use during school hours. Please assist your student by refraining from calling or texting them during school hours. Support our teachers in their efforts to maximize instruction by minimizing disruptions. Emergency situations and calls should all be directed to the Main Office at 319-753-2255.
If a student chooses to bring a cell phone or any audio/visual device to school it should be turned off and stored in his/her locker or vehicle (if applicable).
The school will not be responsible for recovering lost or stolen cell phones or any other audio/visual devices.
In keeping with the school’s responsibility to provide a safe learning environment for all students, the board has established the following policy regarding the issue of “sexting.” Sexting is the act of sending, receiving, or forwarding sexually explicit or suggestive messages, photos, or images via cell phone, computer, or other digital devices. Students engaged in such activities are subject to state laws and school discipline. The school considers sending, sharing, possessing, or even viewing pictures, text messages, or e-mails that contain a sexual message or image a violation of this policy, a violation that will result in school discipline, up to and including expulsion, and in the notification of local law enforcement. Students are required to immediately report any such activities to a teacher or a school administrator.
In addition, GRCS holds students responsible for their behavior at all times. When the Administration has a suspicion there may be questionable material, we reserve the right to investigate up to and including locker searches, viewing text messages, cell phones, and/or other digital devices.
PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION
12 Situations of concern may arise during the school year when a parent and teacher need to communicate. GRCS has established the following policy for parents to follow when that situation arises, which is based on Matthew 18:15-20:
1. Contact the teacher(s) involved at school and schedule a conference.
2. Parents/guardian and teacher(s) should pray together for God’s wisdom and guidance in resolving the conflict or issue in a loving, caring manner.
3. If Parents/guardian and teacher(s) cannot resolve the conflict or issue contact the administrator.
4. If the conflict or issue is still unresolved, contact a school board member to request a conference with the school board.
Pet Policy
The first area of concern includes classroom pets owned by the teacher. Insurance liability is a concern where pets are involved. This means teachers should become aware of any student allergies that might be impacted by the presence of a class pet. Pets must have updated shot records and a physical exam from the veterinarian. Vets are willing to come to the classroom and demonstrate safe animal handling techniques. The classroom teachers are responsible for keeping classroom pets housed in cages in order to keep school property from being damaged.
The second area of concern is when or if a student’s pet is brought to school. Permission must be granted by the principal and the teacher before the pet comes to school. Parents may bring the pet to school during the last 30 minutes of the day. Hand washing before and after handling the pet is imperative. All pets must have updated shots and a physical exam before being brought to the classroom. If there are exotic pets involved, the teacher may wish to invite a veterinarian to talk to the class about handling and safety issues.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
Discipline and its application at GRCS are based upon the Word of God. (Prov. 12:1, 13:18, 24, 22:15, Eph. 6:1-4, Heb. 12, I Cor. 13, Rev. 3:19) Discipline should not only correct behavior, but it should also build up, encourage, and train our students in principles, concepts and behaviors that are honoring to God. The Bible instructs us to reprove and correct in love with a measure of grace and compassion. Discipline is ordained by God for the building of character and the training of behavior. Our goal of discipline seeks to encourage and develop self-disciplined students, which is a necessity for growth and maturity. We will strive to provide an atmosphere that is both preventive, and corrective in nature. Even as the heavenly Father disciplines in love, so the staff will endeavor to discipline with a tender heart and Christian love. The student who learns discipline is developing a lifestyle, which encourages obedience to God. The areas of responsibilities are outlined as follows:
• Parents/Guardians – The parents/guardians have been given the responsibility by God for the discipline of their children. GRCS parents/guardians have conferred this authority to GRCS staff while their children are at school. We ask parents to support the discipline administered by the GRCS staff, in so doing an atmosphere of obedience is created.
• Staff – The staff of GRCS is responsible to God for the lives placed under their care. (Jam. 3:1) They have the authority from the parents/guardians to administer appropriate discipline within the limits and guidelines of the Discipline Policy for that particular student. The staff is also responsible to work with parents/guardians in the matter of discipline by maintaining effective communication with the parents/guardians.
• Students – The students are responsible to God for obeying and showing respect to the staff. They are also responsible to help maintain the learning environment at GRCS.
13 The following information will help to outline what conduct is acceptable and what conduct is not, along with the definitions, rules and guidelines of disciplinary measures that may be taken. Please, read these over with your student(s):
Conduct NOT Permitted
• Activities that seriously threaten the safety of anyone at GRCS • Disrespect or mistreatment to staff, guests, or students will NOT be tolerated • Destroying or defacing of school property. (Parents will be expected to pay for repairs or replacement.) • Fighting • Swearing, unclean language, or unkind name calling • Horseplay in the school building • Habitual tardiness or absence from class • Lying • Meddling in or theft of anyone else’s property • Cheating • Disturbances and/or disruptions that prevent classroom order and instruction • Possession and/or use of drugs, tobacco, alcohol, or any weapon
Students in grades 3-12 will be issued a BLUE Slip (Behavior Detention) for activities that disrupt classroom order and instruction. They may also receive a BLUE slip for any of the “Conduct NOT permitted” behaviors listed.
A BLUE slip requires a student to stay after school from 3:10 to 3:40 p.m. in the assigned teacher’s room (unless the teacher has made other arrangements). Behavior detentions MUST be served the same day they are issued unless it is arranged otherwise at the discretion of the teacher.
❖ BLUE slips will be tracked by the classroom teachers and reported to the office to be recorded in each student’s permanent record.
If a student fails to report to detention, he/she will be required to serve an in-school suspension to be determined by the administrator. Any work missed due to an in-school suspension is due the day the student returns to class. Any work not turned in on that day will be subject to the GREEN slip policy.
Two BLUE slip detentions in one week will result in a PINK slip.
PINK slips require a student to serve a predetermined amount of community service time at GRCS. The service may be scheduled during the school day or after school, depending on the assignment given. PINK slip community service time will be scheduled at the convenience of the teacher and administrator.
❖ PINK slips will be tracked by the classroom teachers and reported to the office to be recorded in each student’s permanent record.
The number of Blue and Pink slips a student is issued could affect their eligibility to attend GRCS in the future. The numbers will be taken into consideration by the school board in determining whether a student may continue their education at GRCS.
Classroom Administered Discipline
• Loss of Playtime – 5 to 10 minutes spent sitting quietly during recess. • Loss of Privileges – Not able to serve as line leader, door holder, teacher’s helper, loss of classroom parties, field trips, etc. • Additional Work – Age appropriate work assignments done during recess time, before, or after school
14 Student Sent to Administrator’s Office – A student may be sent to the administrator’s office if deemed necessary by the teacher. Four visits to the administrator in one quarter may result in either an in-school suspension or off campus suspension. A classroom card system may be implemented for the lower grades. You may ask the student’s teacher for more information on the card system they will be implementing.
Detentions
Behavior detentions for 3rd – 12th grades will be given for student activities that disrupt classroom order and instruction, or for any of the above, but not limited to, “Conduct NOT Permitted” reasons. The behavior detention requires a student to stay after school from 3:10 to 3:40 p.m. in the assigned teacher’s room (unless the teacher has made other arrangements). The following rules and procedure for behavior detentions will be followed:
• The parents will be notified that they will need to pick up their student up by 3:40 p.m. • Behavior detentions MUST be served the same day they are issued unless it is given late in the day, in which case it may be served the next day at the discretion of the teacher. Dentist, doctor and other important appointments will be taken into consideration.
In-School Suspension
An in-school suspension will be served in the school office or the administrator’s office with no contact or participation with other students. The student will be required to work on their given assignments while in the office. All class work missed while in the office will have to be turned in as determined by the classroom teacher. Parents/guardians may be called in to observe their student within their classroom environment if a problem persists. This will be determined by the Administrator and teacher.
Off Campus Suspension
An off campus suspension is when a student is asked to leave the GRCS premises and not return for a specified number of days. A student may be suspended for, but not limited to, the above “Conduct NOT Permitted” reasons. Suspension will be immediate if a student seriously threatens the safety of himself/herself or another student(s). Academic reasons may also be a reason for suspension. The following rules and procedures apply to a suspension:
• The administrator has the authority to suspend a student at all times. • The length of suspension will be determined by the administrator according to the severity of offense. • Re-admission goals for specific changes in the student behavior or academic conduct will be set up at a parent/administrator/teacher conference. • The goals that are set must be met prior to re-admission. • A parent/administrator conference will be held to determine if the student has met his/her goals for re-admission. • A disciplinary probation is invoked when a student is suspended from school.
Probation
Probation is invoked when a student returns to school from an off campus suspension and is designed to give the student an opportunity to correct a given situation. Guidelines for probation will be determined by the administrator and the student’s teacher. If the student does not improve to a satisfactory level, he/she will be dismissed and asked to withdraw from the school or be expelled.
Expulsion
15 Expulsion is our last resort, but will be put into effect if deemed necessary. Expulsion will be strongly recommended for any student who seriously threatens the safety of himself/herself or another student(s), or a student who displays a gross lack of cooperation with GRCS staff in complying with school rules and classroom procedures. Expulsion may be recommended for unmet re-admission goals of a disciplinary or academic suspension, due to unmet probation guidelines, or activities that characteristically violate Biblical moral codes or conduct. The following rules and procedures apply to an expulsion:
• An expulsion recommendation will be reviewed by the administrator and the student’s teacher(s). • The administrator will then make a recommendation to the GRCS School Board. • The GRCS School Board has the authority to expel any student, which will be based on the facts and information presented. • If a student is expelled from GRCS, the parents/guardians are still under obligation to pay any tuition and fees owed to GRCS.
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