2018-2019 Family Handbook P a g e | i Staff Administration Pastor /Head of School: Rev. Clark Hausman Principal/ Athletic Director: Mr. Jeffrey Rosado Assistant Principal: Mrs. Deana DiLuggo Office Secretary: Mrs. Chris Hayward Middle and High School Teachers Rev. Mark Cernero Mrs. Beth Delaney Rev, Clark Hausman Mrs. Diana Melendez Mrs. Sharon Miner Ms. Christine Robinson Mrs. Lori Spaulding Elementary Teachers Grades K & 1: Mrs. Dorothy Cernero Grades K & 1 Teacher Assistants: Ms. Bethany Robinson & Mrs. Leandra Rosado Grade 2: Mrs. Rhonda Hausman Grades 3 & 4: Mrs. Tracey Morin Grades 3 & 4 Teacher Assistant: Mrs. Tlona Hopkins Grade 5: Mrs. Madelyn Breeney Grade 6: Mrs. Ashley Zollarcoffer Special Area Teachers Elementary Art: Mrs. Gina Kain High School Art: Mr. Randy Smith Gym: Mrs.Crossen Music: Mrs. Diana Melendez Kiddie Kollege Head Teacher: Mrs. Diane Versari Assistant: Mrs. Jessica Brown Assistant: Mr. Donald Donaghy Assistant: Ms. Rachel Miner 2018-2019 Family Handbook Table of Contents Staff ..................................................... i Mission Statement .............................. 1 Purpose Statement ............................. 1 History ................................................. 2 Admissions & Operations Admissions Policy ............................... 3 Church Affiliation ................................ 3 Billing ................................................... 3 School Session .................................... 4 Delays and Closings ............................ 4 Parent Information Parental Involvement............................ 4 Meet the Teacher/Curriculum Night...... 5 Parent-Teacher Conferences ............... 5 Parent / Teacher Communications ....... 5 Late Rides ............................................ 5 Transportation Changes ………............ 5 School Visitors ..................................... 5 Student Life Absences ............................................. 6 Tardiness ..............................................6-7 Dress Code ......................................... 7 General Clothing Guidelines ............... 8 Girl’s Dress Code ................................ 8-10 Boy’s Dress Code ............................... 10-12 Physical Education Dress Code .......... 12 2018-2019 Family Handbook Dress-Down ....................................... 12 Learning Center General Guidelines ..12 Lunch Policies .................................... 12 Cell Phones ........................................ 13 Telephone Calls .................................. 13 Lockers ................................................13 Physical Education Classes ……........ 13 Student Driver Policy .......................... 13-14 Miscellaneous Guidelines ………….... 14 Student Conduct and Discipline Standards of Conduct ........................ 14 Language ........................................... 15 Books / Magazines ............................ 15 Cheating ............................................ 15 Cyber Ethics ...................................... 15 Discipline .......................................... 16-18 Detention .......................................... 18 Academics Accreditation ...................................... 18-19 Curricula ............................................ 19 Computer Courses ............................ 19 College Level Courses ...................... 19 Requirements for Taking College Level Courses ....... 20 Tutoring/After School Help ................ 20 Homework ......................................... 20 Sequences ........................................ 21 Report Cards .................................... 22 Honor Roll ......................................... 22 2018-2019 Family Handbook High School Courses of Study……....22 Graduation Requirements ................ 22 Athletics Team Sports ..................................... 23 Participation Policy ........................... 23 Dress Code for Sports Practices....... 23 Gymnasium ...................................... 23 Sports Awards .................................. 24 Extra-curricular Activities After-school Activities ...................... 24 Eligibility .......................................... 24 Special Events Special Programs and Events….......24 Annual Awards Night ...................... 24 Sports Awards Night ....................... 24 Miscellaneous Rights and Responsibilities …....... 25 Security System ............................ 25 Restricted Access...........................25 Fire Drills ....................................... 27 Property .........................................27 Lost and Found ............................. 27 Accident / Injury Insurance …........ 27 Christian Americanism ...................27 Courses of Study General Course of Study .............. 28 Vocational Course of Study .......... 29 College Prep. Course of Study…... 30 Honors Course of Study ............... 31 2018-2019 Family Handbook P a g e | 1 TCA’s Mission The mission of Torrington Christian Academy is to assist parents in raising Godly children by providing academic excellence in a Christ-honoring environment. Torrington Christian Academy is the only comprehensive, non-denominational Christian school in the Torrington area. Serving students from many towns, we offer a Christ-centered and family oriented environment where children are able to be “trained in the way they should go so that when they are old, they will not depart” (Proverbs 22:6). Students experience challenging coursework, extra-curricular activities that include athletics, the arts, and most importantly the opportunity to grow spiritually (biblically integrated core courses, Bible classes, chapel, community service, and mission trips). Purpose Statement It is the intention of TCA: To assist Christian parents in fulfilling their responsibilities to provide a Christ-centered education for their children. To provide opportunity for each student to develop spiritually, intellectually, physically, and socially to the highest degree for which they are capable according to their unique potential under God. To reveal Jesus Christ to the pupil through Christ-centered curricula and the example of Christ-honoring teachers and fellow students. To develop Christian character in the pupil, producing a life of victorious Christian living and faithful service. To direct each student in the development of skills, concepts, and understandings essential to their progress in becoming a successful Christian citizen. To help prepare the present generation of Christian youth to provide leadership for the next generation in America’s government, educational system, churches, and other key areas. To present curricula which are college preparatory and challenge students to do their academic work on an advanced level. 2018-2019 Family Handbook P a g e | 2 History Torrington Christian Academy began in 1978. It has from the beginning and continues to employ curriculum from Accelerated Christian Education ministries (ACE), which endeavors to meet the educational needs of today with the traditional values of yesterday and the technology of tomorrow. TCA has endeavored to expand and enhance its curricula while maintaining a thoroughly Biblical curricula and individual approach to learning. TCA employs curricula from Saxon, Abeka, Bob Jones, ACSI, Apologia, Alpha Omega, and other publishers. 2018-2019 Family Handbook P a g e | 3 Admissions & Operations Admissions Policy This school admits all qualifying students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to the students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, and national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships, athletics, and other school administered programs. Admissions Procedures: 1. Receive admissions packet from school office. 2. Read family handbook thoroughly. 3. Complete and return preliminary application for review. 4. Parents and students must have an interview with the principal or designee. 5. Complete and return an application packet for each child accompanied by an application fee of $40 each. 6. Parents will be notified of child’s acceptance status. 7. Registration and testing fees will secure students’ enrollment. Diagnostic testing is administered to students from grades 2-12. 8. Purchase uniforms, if necessary. 9. Attend parent orientation during one evening after school begins. Church Affiliation Students and parents are required to regularly attend a Bible-believing church. Billing The school will send out billing statements each month. Tuition payments will be due the 1st of each month. Torrington Christian Academy operates with a very small financial margin; the budget is based on the annual tuition with all staff and expenses determined in July and August based on enrollments. When students withdraw, their parents/guardians are obligated to pay the outstanding balances and the following minimum portion of their tuition prior to record release: 2018-2019 Family Handbook P a g e | 4 September 1 – September 30 1/3 tuition October 1 – November 30 1/2 tuition After November 30 Full tuition School Session School begins at 8:00am and dismisses at 2:45pm. Students may not enter the building before 7:45 am (unless given special permission) and should be out of the building before 2:45 pm (unless participation in a school-related activity requires otherwise). Parents and guardians should drop off and pick up students