Parent - Student Handbook 2017-2018
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Parent - Student Handbook 2017-2018 A Vision of Fresh Wind Christian Community 18201 Honor Hwy. Interlochen, MI 49643 (231) 640-2324 “Make a Distinctively Christian Difference” Page 1 of 49 Welcome to the New Covenant Christian Academy A Private Christian School for the People of Benzie County and the Surrounding Area Imagine... Imagine a school, beginning with grades kindergarten through sixth, then expanding each year to ultimately see students all the way through to high school graduation,... Where the students run in early, excited about the day, and are slow to leave at its conclusion because of the great day they have just had. Imagine a school... where everybody is greeted and known by name; kids, parents, grandparents and all are honored and cherished by teachers, administrators, support staff and volunteers. Imagine a school... where the staff can't wait for each new day and their focus is on the students. Imagine a school... where there is truly mutual love and respect for each other and not simply the words painted on the wall; a safe, healthy environment in which to learn and grow. Imagine a school... that is not merely a drop off point for parents to leave their kids, but an entry point for parents to learn and grow and be celebrated with their kids. Imagine a school... where academics are taught and embraced at the highest possible level for all students who begin at many starting points and abilities. Imagine a school... where the whole person is addressed, including the development of a firm Biblical worldview, connecting each child in each class to the application of core principles of life itself to the subject matters at hand. Imagine a school... where prayer and Scripture are not forbidden but embraced. Imagine a school... where athletics and extra-curricular activities are a reflection of the same principles and values presented and expected throughout the academic day. Imagine a school... though private, that is so supported and endowed by the community that it's possible for motivated students and families from all financial situations to participate if they so desire. Imagine a school... which can help change the shape of the community landscape for a healthier and prosperous Benzie County and surrounding area for generations to come. It's called New Covenant Christian Academy. Page 2 of 49 History In April of 2008, Pastor Chuck Towersey and his wife, Susan, with their children, Katie and Collin, were led by God to begin a new ministry in the heart of Benzie County called Fresh Wind Christian Community. Fresh Wind is a non-denominational "missional" church, focusing on mission and outreach into the local community and the surrounding area above and beyond facilities, programs and infrastructure. Some of its ministries include an aftercare for those out of jail and prison, a large food pantry, "The Zone" youth ministry, a radio ministry, "Divorce Care" and free, daily meals for the community. While similar programs exist in some of these areas in the secular realm, Fresh Wind has been called to "make a distinctively Christian difference." The church family has grown over the years and includes persons from Benzie, Manistee, Leelanau, Grand Traverse and Wexford counties. Recognizing a great need for change in the overall health and well-being of the community, Pastor Chuck and Susan were led in January of 2012 to ask the Fresh Wind congregation to consider starting a K-12 Christian school, seeing the development and Christian education of children, teens and their families as critical to the reshaping of the community. The congregation enthusiastically embraced the concept and has been working diligently ever since to see New Covenant Christian Academy become a reality, including the formation of a school board, the purchase and renovation of a building to house the school, numerous trips to glean from existing Christian schools, fundraising for scholarships and other expenses and much, much prayer. While New Covenant is and will continue to be a mission of the Fresh Wind Christian Community, it is intended to be a private, Christian school for the entire community, anticipating students and families from many area Christian churches, as well as those who are exploring faith. Mission It is the mission of the New Covenant Christian Academy to provide kindergarten through twelfth grade students with a high quality education in a safe, challenging and nurturing environment based upon Biblical principles and Christian values to ultimately prepare well educated and grounded Christian young people to be leaders in and for the sake of the community and the world. Vision Jeremiah 31:31 says, in part "The time is coming', declares the Lord, 'when I will make a new covenant..." with my people. As God has made all things new, bringing grace and new life through His son, Jesus Christ, so New Covenant Christian Academy seeks to bring grace and new life to the community through the Christian education of new generations of young people and their families. Page 3 of 49 Both a Discipleship and an Evangelical School Most private Christian schools are either "discipleship" based schools, embracing existing Christian students from Christian homes or are "evangelism" focused schools, seeking students and families who are not presently Christians yet who are open to learning about the things of God. Given the vision God has given us for the school and community and the need to reach and impact the community as a whole, New Covenant Christian Academy will be both a discipleship and an evangelical school. Christian students enrolling from Christian homes will be asked to identify their local congregations where they are active and submit recommendation from their pastor. Those students and their families who do not come to New Covenant as existing Christians will be expected to be open to the Christian faith. All students, regardless of their backgrounds, will be learning and growing side by side and will be participating in weekly chapel. Prayer and Scripture will be incorporated throughout each school day and in each class. The Christian values and behavioral expectations detailed in the Student Handbook will be adhered to by all students. Educational Philosophy The approach taken to educate a child in a Christian environment is unique from other forms of education, in the sense that it takes into account not only more traditional educational approaches which focus on academics in key areas, but also bring into focus God's plans and purposes for the development of the whole person. The educational philosophy of the New Covenant Christian Academy seeks to bring a balance between academics and faith; the knowledge that is learned in the mind and the God given passions which are found in the heart. 1. Christian values, prayer and Biblical teachings are woven into each and every subject in each and every class period, helping students develop a comprehensive Biblical worldview as it applies to literature, history, mathematics, science, etc. All students will participate in weekly chapel. 2. Each student is embraced as a unique creation of God, coming to New Covenant at his or her own starting point academically, socially and spiritually. As a result, personal attention will be given to each student "where they are at" and a plan developed and implemented to help each student attain the height of their potential. With smaller class sizes and attentive educators, we believe that academic excellence can be achieved not just by some, but by all, thus giving all graduates of New Covenant numerous options regarding higher education and career opportunities. 3. Above any other factor, including facilities and materials, the most important component of a great school and education is the staff. All educators, administrators and support staff at New Covenant will be passionate about the students and their families and passionate about their relationship with Jesus, Page 4 of 49 demonstrated in their lives and character both within and outside of the school. Full time teachers will have a minimum of a bachelor's degree and will be fully certified in the state of Michigan. 4. Curriculum will be carefully selected which will challenge each student to the highest academic standard. All curriculum must be consistent with Christian values and the rich heritage of our nation and culture. Literature promoting inappropriate behaviors, lifestyles and language will be rejected, as well as materials which present a "revisionist" approach to history. Science curriculum and teaching will be consistent with what the Scriptures reveal regarding God's created order and is also, furthermore, proven again and again in both the natural sciences and in the field of biology. In both curriculum selection and teaching style, New Covenant will utilize the "classical" method of education. (See next section) 5. Fine arts and physical education are important to the development of the whole person and will be offered to the best of our ability. Specific classes in the Bible and Christianity will also be offered. Being creative with the gifts and talents of existing staff and volunteers in these areas may often be utilized when it is not practical or possible to have persons on board in such specific fields. 6. While students will be learning certain "absolute truths" found in God's created order and will also be held to many academic absolutes (i.e. 1+1 always equals 2), students will learn how to think independently within those absolutes, knowing who they are, what they believe and how to defend their beliefs. Classes will thus be a combination of teacher lectures, hands on application, class discussion and, at times, debate, especially in the older grades. 7. Students grow and learn most effectively in a safe and nurturing environment.