Student Handbook Randy Karlberg Chris Gionet 2018 - 2019 | Elementary Sami Graham Janet Pargeter Paul Salima Tyler Jackson Steve Magestro Tammy Hovila OUR VISION To educate leaders who have a passion for Jesus Christ through the integration of faith and learning. OUR MISSION Grace Christian School, working together with the home and church, provides a Christ-centered spiritual, academic, and physical foundation in a nurturing environment to produce citizens who will be a transforming influence in their world. CORE DISTINCTIVES Integrity Driven Culture | Biblical Disciples | College Ready Scholars ADMINISTRATION Randy Karlberg Superintendent Chris Gionet Secondary Principal 2018 - 2019 | Elementary Sami Graham Elementary Principal Janet Pargeter Guidance Counselor Paul Salima Athletic Director Tyler Jackson Chaplain Steve Magestro Director of Advancement Tammy Hovila Admissions Grace Christian School admits students of any race, sex, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at Grace Christian School. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of our educational policies, scholarship, and financial programs, athletic, and other administered programs. Grace Christian School reserves the right to admit and retain students on the basis of academic performance, religious commitment of parents and students, philosophical compatibility, and a willingness to cooperate with the Grace administration and abide by the school’s policies. Grace Christian School Board and/or administration may change policies and procedures as deemed necessary. 1 INTRODUCTION MISSION STATEMENT Grace Christian School, working together with the home and church, provides a Christ-centered, spiritual, academic, and physical foundation in a nurturing environment to produce citizens who will be a transforming influence in their world. HISTORY Grace Christian School is a ministry of Anchorage Grace Church. Grace was founded in 1980 to provide Christian education to the Anchorage community. STATEMENT OF FAITH Each member of the school board, and each employee of the corporation, having accepted Jesus Christ as personal Savior, shall subscribe annually in writing to the following Statement of Faith: 1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible authoritative Word of God. 2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 3. We 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. 4. We believe that for salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. 5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling, the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. 6. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. 7. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES The educational process in a Christian school is dependent on a biblical philosophy, which provides the right worldview and essential truths for life so that children may be prepared to assume their proper place in the home, the church, and the community. Accordingly, the educational philosophy of Grace Christian School is as follows: 1. Concerning spiritual and moral development, graduates of Grace Christian School: a. Understand that the Holy Scripture, including its basic doctrines and precepts, is God’s revelation of Himself and is His intended standard for faith and living; b. Understand and personally accept salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; c. Understand the Lordship of Christ, pursue intimacy with God, and demonstrate love for God by obedience to His commandments; d. Exhibit ethical and moral application of a biblical worldview in all areas of personal life as well as national and global concerns; e. Understand that they are uniquely created in the image and likeness of God and possess the potential to develop their personhood and affect their family, church, and world for Christ; and, f. Embrace biblical excellence in the pursuit of education as a means of being a good steward of the gifts that God has given them. 2. Concerning academic/intellectual development, graduates of Grace Christian School: a. Commit to developing their God-given intellectual potential through all areas of study; b. Pursue knowledge as a means of knowing and understanding God more fully; c. Possess a comprehensive command of communication skills including reading, writing, speaking, and listening; d. Demonstrate critical-thinking skills in research, logic, and problem solving; e. Demonstrate the ability to perceive and cope with ambiguity and opposing viewpoints; f. Integrate an appreciation of God’s creation with a sense of ethical and moral stewardship of both the environment and human culture; g. Understand that biblically-based education includes development of the physical and aesthetic part of man as well as the academic part; and h. Pursue godly wisdom and discernment in applying knowledge to life situations. 3. Concerning personal and social development, graduates of Grace Christian School: a. Understand that they are made by God in His own image, are unique in personality and potential, and have a unique role to fill in God’s plan for the world; b. Honor Christ by respecting the unique worth of others; c. Internalize a biblical concept of the roles of society, marriage, home, and church; d. Embrace a strong work ethic and derive satisfaction from progressive achievement; e. Recognize Jesus Christ as the model for spiritual, emotional, social, and academic development; and, f. Continue to model servant-hood by seeking opportunities for service in the home, church, and community. GENERAL INFORMATION School Colors // Maroon and Gold School Mascot // Grizzly bear School Logo // Torch School Communications Along with our school website we also connect with our families and the community through email and social media. Two Minute Tuesday is a short weekly email that gives you a brief overview of what you need to know each week. Facebook is a huge resource for daily announcements and updates. Instagram features fun photos from around the school just about everyday. Twitter provides GCS noteworthy information to the broader community. Facebook: facebook.com/GraceChristianAK Instagram: instagram.com/GraceChristianAK Twitter: twitter.com/GraceSchoolsAK Athletics Twitter: twitter.com/GraceGrizzlies Website: Gracechristianalaska.org 3 Additionally, the school has a mobile app that you can download for iPhone and android users. The app is a wonderful tool that puts all of the GCS information noted above right in the palm of your hands. Class Lists and Family Information Class and family information can be found on our Grace Christian website by clicking on the RenWeb link and logging into your RenWeb account. You will see a directory link in the left column. This information is not to be used or distributed for solicitation purposes. Lost and Found Lost items are turned into the school office and kept for two weeks. Items may be retrieved by students or parents from Lost and Found. A charge for lost books may be assessed. Unclaimed items are donated to charity every other Friday. Lunches Students must remain at school during lunch (unless accompanying a parent out of the building). Elementary lunch is held in the classroom. Students will be responsible to put trash in wastebaskets and to clean up the area when finished. Elementary Hot lunches are $5.00 and are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can purchase a lunch ticket for $45 for your student which saves you $5.00. Students may bring cash to the elementary office or purchase lunch cards through your FACTS account by emailing the elementary office at [email protected] Hot lunch menus change weekly and are posted on our website and Facebook. On Mondays and Fridays, Elementary students may purchase a sub sandwich, chips or cookie, and drink for $5.00. On Wednesdays they may purchase a hot dog, chips or cookie, and drink for $5.00. Visitors and Volunteers Visitors and volunteers are welcome at Grace Christian School. We ask that upon arrival, visitors are buzzed in and report to the school office to obtain a visitor or volunteer tag. Visitors are not permitted in the hallways or classrooms without checking in. Grace does require and provide background checks for all volunteers. All volunteers must have completed and passed a background check prior to helping in the classroom or participating in field trips. Parents helping in the classroom, lunch time, library, etc. are asked not to bring young children with them. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their children’s learning experience by volunteering (sign up directly with your child’s teacher) for various activities, such as: • Room Parent – Enthusiastic parents who work alongside the homeroom teacher to help secure refreshments, volunteer drivers, parent helpers, etc. for classroom and school events. • Field Trips – Volunteer to drive students to various planned field trips. Volunteer drivers must be on the approved drivers’ list prior to the date of the field trip. Please check with the elementary office once paperwork hasen be filled out to verify approval to attend field trips. • Lunch Time – Volunteer to help at lunch time in the classroom once or twice a month, to allow the teacher time to have lunch in the faculty room or to help serve food in the cafeteria. • Library – Volunteer to assist in the library and with the school book fair. • Fundraisers – Volunteer to help with school sanctioned fundraisers. (Contact the Development Office) • Pictures – Volunteers are needed to help with student picture days.