**Important Notice of Changes Due to COVID-19** Additional addendums have been included in sections marked with a red asterisk (*) of this handbook. (Academic Expectations, Evaluation and Student Promotion, Attendance, Illness and Tardiness, Behavior Code and Discipline, Student Social Life, Basic School Information, and Signature Page) ARETE r PREPARATORY ACADEMY ~ •• ARETE PREPARATORY ACADEMY A Great Hearts Academy 2020 - 2021 FAMILY HANDBOOK LETTER TO FAMILIES ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 OUR MISSION ....................................................................................................................................................................... 6 OUR CHARTER, ACCREDITATION, AND AFFILIATIONS ........................................................................................ 7 ARETE PREPARATORY ACADEMY’S PHILOSOPHY ................................................................................................. 8 KNOWLEDGE AND THE GREAT BOOKS .......................................................................................................................................................... 8 UPHOLDING STANDARDS .................................................................................................................................................................................. 10 MORAL VIRTUE ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 COMMUNICATION ............................................................................................................................................................ 11 GREAT HEARTS CEO AND MANAGEMENT TEAM ................................................................................................................................... 12 FACULTY AND STAFF PHONE/E-MAIL REFERENCE* ........................................................................................................................... 13 OFFICIAL SCHOOL CALENDAR ......................................................................................................................................................................... 13 OFFICIAL GREAT HEARTS WEBSITE............................................................................................................................................................. 13 Our Commitment to Help ................................................................................................................................................................. 13 PARENT INVOLVEMENT ................................................................................................................................................ 13 VOLUNTEER CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY ................................................................................................................................................... 14 VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND CHECK .............................................................................................................................................................. 14 THE ACADEMY VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT ................................................................................................................................................ 15 MATERIAL SUPPORT OF THE ACADEMY: TIME, TREASURE, AND TALENT .............................................................................. 16 TOLERANCE AND PLURALISTIC SENSITIVITY ......................................................................................................................................... 16 FOCUS ON THE WESTERN TRADITION ....................................................................................................................................................... 16 REGISTRATION AND RECORDS ................................................................................................................................... 17 OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 PRESCRIPTION AND OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION POLICY ................................................................................................ 18 ASTHMA AND ANAPHYLAXIS (LIFE-THREATENING ALLERGIES) ................................................................................................. 18 POLICY FOR MEDICATION DISPOSAL ........................................................................................................................................................... 18 FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (“FERPA”) NOTIFICATION ..................................................................... 18 Your Right as A Parent or Eligible Student .............................................................................................................................. 19 NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER THE PROTECTION OF PUPIL RIGHTS AMENDMENT (“PPRA”) .............................. 20 *ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS, EVALUATION STUDENT PROMOTION ............................................................. 21 ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 21 COURSE OF STUDY ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 22 POLICY FOR GRANTING CREDIT FOR ALGEBRA I TAKEN IN GRADE 8 ........................................................................................ 22 STUDY MATERIALS ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 LITERATURE CONSUMABLES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 23 ALTERNATE VENDORS ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 23 HOMEWORK ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 23 EVALUATION ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 24 PROMOTION ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 24 OFFICIAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................................................................. 25 SENIOR OPTIONS SELECTION .......................................................................................................................................................................... 26 FOREIGN LANGUAGE SELECTION .................................................................................................................................................................. 26 SENIOR THESIS ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27 VALEDICTORIAN .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27 GRADES AND APPLYING FOR COLLEGE ...................................................................................................................................................... 28 *NOTICE AND AGREEMENT TO TERMS RELATED TO DISTANCE LEARNING ........................................................................... 29 Consent to Use of Google and Visual/Audio Conferencing Services. ............................................................................ 29 No Hard Copy Packets. ...................................................................................................................................................................... 29 Academic Requirements for Distance Learning. ................................................................................................................... 29 Great Hearts Policies Apply to Distance Learning. ............................................................................................................... 29 Specific Times to Move to Onsite Learning. ............................................................................................................................. 29 *NOTICE REGARDING CONSENT FOR USE OF VISUAL/AUDIO CONFERENCING FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES .. 29 Options to Limit Visibility or Audio ............................................................................................................................................