P a g e | 1 2019-2020 PARENT/STUDENT ELEMENTARY HANDBOOK Grand View Christian School Association Elementary & Middle School High School 2905 NE 46th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317 1701 E. 33rd St, Des Moines, IA 50317 Phone: (515) 777-3977 Phone: (515) 630-1250 Website: www.grandviewchristianschool.org P a g e | 2 NOTE TO PARENTS FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Upon registering your child(ren) in a school operated by the Grand View Christian School Association, the Board of Directors asks that all parents or primary guardians sign a Statement of Cooperation and Unity. When parents ask us to assist them in the education of their children, they are bestowing on us a huge responsibility that we take quite seriously. It becomes vital that we, parents and school, work together in a God-honoring fashion in order to fulfill that responsibility. When signing this statement, you, the parent, agree that if your child(ren) should become involved in any difficulty with other children in the school, with any school staff member, or if you have a concern about the actions, policies, or decisions of a teacher or administrator that you will respectfully approach the appropriate school personnel. We also request that you refrain from complaining or discussing these concerns in a negative way with other parents or students, but in a prayerful spirit of Christian unity work with us to resolve the concern. Our objective and resolve is to address all problems and difficulties at the source, following the Biblical principles taught in Matthew 18:15-17 while exhibiting the spirit of Galatians 6:1. For that reason, if there is a specific problem in the classroom, please approach the teacher. If the problem remains unsettled, see an administrator overseeing the school division that your child attends. If there is still an unresolved conflict, see the Executive Director. If there is a perceived problem with a given policy, please see any of our administrators. If meeting with the Executive Director fails to bring adequate closure, you may request to bring the issue to the Board of Directors. This request must be made to the Executive Director in writing within five (5) working days of the Executive Director’s decision. If you have followed the steps described above, the Board will then hold hearings into the matter and render a decision to settle the matter. The Board generally meets the third Thursday of each month. GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS Randy Knode, President Ryan Fry, Treasurer Dee Keul, Secretary Sara Burg Phil Linser Roger Miller Kevin Van Auken Heidi Warner Chris John GVCS Elementary Handbook 2019-2020 P a g e | 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Note to Parents from the GVCSA Board of Directors ........................................................ 2 Table of Contents ........................................................................................................... 3 Welcome from the Administration ..................................................................................... 6 Policy Change ............................................................................................................................ 6 INTRODUCTION TO GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL & ASSOCIATION Mission Statement ........................................................................................................... 7 Philosophy Statement ................................................................................................................ 7 Statement of Cooperation and Unity ................................................................................. 8 Doctrinal Statement.......................................................................................................... 9 Board of Directors .......................................................................................................... 10 Board Committees ......................................................................................................... 10 ACADEMICS Academic Standards ...................................................................................................... 11 Curriculum Offerings ...................................................................................................... 11 Field Trips and School Sponsored Trip ........................................................................... 11 Grading .................................................................................................................................... 12 Testing .................................................................................................................................... 13 Parent-Teacher Conferences ......................................................................................... 13 504/IEPS14 .............................................................................................................................. 13 ATTENDANCE Attendance Philosophy ................................................................................................... 14 Absences ................................................................................................................................. 14 Attendance Records ................................................................................................................ 15 Release During School Hours ......................................................................................... 15 Tardies ..................................................................................................................................... 15 EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS Behavior Standards ................................................................................................................. 16 Elementary Behavior Plan ...................................................................................................... 16 Severe Offenses ...................................................................................................................... 16 Before and After School Expectations ............................................................................. 16 Bullying/Harassment ...................................................................................................... 16 Cell Phones/Electronic Devices/Wireless Internet Usage ................................................ 17 Chapels/Assemblies/Programs/Observances ......................................................................... 17 Dress Code .............................................................................................................................. 18 Illegal Items .............................................................................................................................. 19 Internet Usage ............................................................................................................... 20 GVCS Elementary Handbook 2019-2020 P a g e | 4 Lockers and Cubbies ...................................................................................................... 21 Search and Seizure ........................................................................................................ 21 Soliciting.................................................................................................................................. 22 Vandalism/Care of School Property ............................................................................... 22 HEALTH AND SAFETY Allergies, Life Threatening ............................................................................................. 22 Communicable and Infectious Diseases…………… ...... ……………………………………22 Energy Drinks……………………………………………………… .................... ………………….23 Food in the Classroom.................................................................................................... 23 Health Screenings ................................................................................................................ 23 Healthy Kids Act – No Pop Sold in School………………………………………..………… 23 Illness or Injury at School ................................................................................................ 24 Insurance ................................................................................................................................. 24 Medical Forms – Required to be on file in the school office ............................................. 24 Medications at School .................................................................................................... 24 Nurse .......................................................................................................................... 25 Pets On School Property ................................................................................................ 25 Physical Activity Exemptions .......................................................................................... 25 Abuse of Students .......................................................................................................... 25 Dangerous Items ...................................................................................................................... 26 Emergency Drills ...................................................................................................................... 26 Physical Restraint of Students ................................................................................... ... 27 STUDENT SERVICES After School Care .................................................................................................................