BCA Fuels Young Adults’ Passion and Love for Life, for Work, for Service and for God
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Barrington Christian Academy High School Student Handbook WHO WE ARE Barrington Christian Academy High School builds on the foundation of our successful K-8 mission, vision and core values. Recognizing the developing independence of the high school student, the program endeavors to expand academic, social, physical and spiritual challenges for students in developmentally appropriate ways. This includes an increased level of participation on the part of students in determining interests and setting academic goals that prepare them for higher education. In an academically rigorous environment, we encourage students to become lifelong learners who are able to think critically and communicate effectively in writing and in speech. With a biblically integrated curriculum, we guide students in developing a Christian worldview and building both moral integrity and courage to impact the culture for Christ. Content areas are integrated to help students understand the unity of God's truth and the foundations a Christ-centered worldview. Technology is an essential tool in the learning process. Curricular and co-curricular offerings are built on a foundation of academic rigor, promoting individual student interests in academics and the arts as well as physical fitness for life. Students help develop the school community in which they learn and work. They are involved in planning field trips, service and mission projects, and other opportunities to demonstrate authentic faith in action. They are also involved in planning social activities and special events appropriate for Christian young people. Through practical, participatory and relevant experiences that support a broad range of learning styles, BCA fuels young adults’ passion and love for life, for work, for service and for God. Students who enroll in BCA High School must be willing to work hard, desire to be part of our unique Christian community, and take an active part in their education. It is our desire that the student body represent the diversity of God’s people: ethnically, denominationally, and socio-economically. Students should commit themselves to living according to the school’s moral standard of excellence based on biblical principles. All students, including those who are 18 or older, are considered by BCA to be under the authority of their parents or guardians for all school-related activities and events and, as such, require parental permission prior to participate. BCA High School enrolls students who have established a pattern of adherence to the principles outlined in this handbook. Applicants should not be involved in activities that would cause an enrolled student to be suspended or expelled. Our Mission Our mission is to nurture, equip, and encourage students in the development of their God-given potential. Our Vision Students and graduates leading by serving in every arena of society with passion, skill, integrity, and faith. CORE VALUES: BCA HAS “HEART” H – Honor God E – Embrace excellence A – Actively engage in service R – Relish relationships T – Treasure teamwork 1 Revised 3/30/17 TABLE OF CONTENTS COMMUNICATION 8 Email: 9 Phone/Fax: 9 Website: 9 RENWEB 9 ACADEMICS Error! Bookmark not defined. ACCREDITATION 12 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 12 GRADING SCALE 12 ACADEMIC HONORS 12 SEMESTER EXAMS & GRADES 13 ONLINE COURSES 13 MID-TERM PROGRESS REPORTS 13 NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY 13 STANDARDIZED TESTING 13 MENTORING 14 GUIDANCE COUNSELING 14 COLLEGE COUNSELING 14 CHAPEL 14 COMMUNITY SERVICE 14 MISSION TRIPS 14 HOMEWORK 15 TYPICAL FOUR-YEAR PLAN 17 COURSE LISTING 18 EXPECTATIONS AND POLICIES 19 ATTENDANCE 19 DISMISSAL 19 HEALTH AND SAFETY 20 SCHOOL CANCELLATION, DELAY, OR EARLY CLOSING 10 BELL SCHEDULE 20 EXTRACURRICULAR PARTICIPATION 20 PRIORITY FOR AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES 20 LOCKERS 20 ACADEMIC PROBATION 21 PHONES AND ELECTRONICS 21 2 Revised 3/30/17 FOOD & LUNCH 22 STUDENT COUNCIL 22 VISITORS 22 OPEN CAMPUS PRIVILEGE 22 PARKING 22 SUPERVISION RELEASE 23 HIGH SCHOOL APPEARANCE CODE 24 TECHNOLOGY 25 EMAIL 25 ACCEPTABLE USE 25 CONDUCT & DISCIPLINE 27 CONDUCT 27 BULLYING 27 DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES 28 EXPECTATIONS FOR BCA-SPONSORED EVENTS 28 ACADEMIC HONESTY 29 COLLEGE RECOMMENDATION AND DISCLOSURE POLICY 29 ATHLETICS & PHYSICAL EDUCATION 30 PHYSICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS 30 SPORTS FACILITIES 30 FORMS 31 Procedure and Permission for a Bake Sale Supporting a Mission Project 31 COMMUNITY SERVICE 32 COMMUNITY SERVICE 32 COMMUNITY SERVICE RECORD 33 DROP/ ADD FORM 34 HANDBOOK RECEIPT AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 35 Barrington Christian Academy Internet Acceptable Use Policy 2014-2015 36 OPEN CAMPUS PERMISSION FORM (for Seniors only) 38 PARKING PERMISSION FORM 39 Physical Education Independent Study Form 40 APPLICATION FOR SPORTS/P.E. WAIVER 42 SUPERVISION RELEASE PERMISSION FORM (for Seniors only) 43 FERPA 44 3 Revised 3/30/17 INTRODUCTION A BRIEF HISTORY Barrington Christian Academy was founded in 1979 by the Barrington Baptist Church. The school began with fifty students in grades 1–8. Since 1985 we have been governed by an independent board of trustees representing several area churches. BCA first received accreditation from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) in 1998. In 2005 also earned initial accreditation from the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) for the K-8 program. In 2010, our new high school program received full accreditation from both NEASC and ACSI. The first ten-classroom wing of the school building was built in 1981. In those early years, some of the classes were held at Barrington Baptist Church. As the Academy flourished, the school expanded a grade level at a time, and by 1983 was a K-12 school. But financial challenges and other growing pains led to the closing of BCA’s original high school back in 1985. There was always a plan to re-start the high school or develop a regional Christian high school when the time was right. When the high school was discontinued in 1985, BCA also became an independent school, an affiliated ministry no longer governed by the church. After BCA was accredited and the middle school enlarged with a 1999 building addition, the need to add a Christian high school became increasingly apparent. In 2004 the Board of Trustees voted to expand the mission of BCA to include grades 9-12. In September of 2006, that commitment became a reality as eleven students began in the ninth grade class. A success from the start, the high school development continued in earnest, and a capital campaign was launched in the fall of 2007 to raise the funds necessary to add a third wing onto the building and hire the best faculty available for the high school. That first high school class graduated in 2010 with twelve students, including a national merit scholar and many others who have led by serving on college campuses and in every arena of society. BCA is now a leader among New England Christian schools, and is the only fully accredited K-12 Christian school in Rhode Island. SCHOOL GOVERNANCE Barrington Christian Academy is governed by an independent Board of Trustees made up of no more than thirteen members. The Board has five officers and a variety of committees, some of which are standing committees and some of which are formed on an ad hoc basis to meet the needs of the strategic plan. Board members serve for up to six years. The Board is charged with ensuring the long-term, mission-based, sustainable success and viability of the school. As such, it is concerned with the needs of the school over several generations; therefore, its focus is setting the strategic direction of the school. The Board does not manage the day-to-day or tactical operations of the school. The Board hires a School Head and delegates day-to-day managerial responsibility for the entire enterprise to the Head, within the general parameters and principles that it has established. The Board meets regularly to set policy and to monitor progress of the school’s strategic plan. The Board delegates execution of the school’s mission to the School Head. The School Head is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and activities of the school and supporting the strategic plan. As such, he/she oversees all other staff (teachers and administrators) and volunteers, either indirectly or directly, to achieve the Board’s established ends. 4 Revised 3/30/17 STATEMENT OF FAITH God We believe that there is one God, creator of all things, who eternally exists in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; and that these three, having the same nature, attributes, and perfections, are worthy of all worship, confidence and obedience. (Mark 12:29; John 1:1-4; Mat. 28:19,20; Acts 5:3,4; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 1:4-6) Humankind We believe that men and women were created in the image and likeness of God, but that through Adam’s sin all of humankind has fallen and inherited a sin nature; thus, people in their natural state are lost, alienated from God and incapable of attaining salvation by any personal effort or merit. (Genesis 1:26; Romans 3, 5:12-19; Ephesians 2:1-3, 4:18-19) Jesus We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ; in his virgin birth; in his sinless humanity; in his miracles; in his perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people through the shedding of His blood and death on the cross; in his bodily resurrection; in his ascension to the right hand of the Father; in his personal return in power and glory; and in his eternal reign. (Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:14, 8:40,58, 11:33; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 5:8-10; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:8) Salvation We believe that salvation is a free gift of God offered to all humanity by grace and received through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.