POLICIES
VISITORS
Visitors
are welcome, provided they register at the school office.
DAILY ENTRANCE
PROCEDURES
Teachers are scheduled to arrive at
7:15 A.M. Students may enter the building either
by the Orange Street door, West Penn, or courtyard door when arriving in the
morning. The tardy bell rings at 7:55 A.M. All students should be in
their seats at that time and ready for morning devotions. Students
arriving after the tardy bell must report to the office and sign in before
entering the classroom.
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
Kindergarten dismissal will be at 11:20
A.M. and procedures will be established by the Kindergarten teacher. The
students will leave the building by the courtyard door and may be picked up at
the flagpole.
At 2:15 P.M. a warning bell will be
rung. Students should prepare to go home at that time.
At 2:20 P.M. the dismissal bell will be
rung. All students should leave the building at this time unless arrangements
have been made with the teacher to remain after school.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS
School closing due to inclement weather
will be announced over radio stations W100, WHYL and WHP as early as possible.
The Christian School follows the Carlisle Area School District delay and or
closing.
If classes are already in session and
inclement weather forces an early dismissal, an announcement will be made on
radio stations WHYL, W100, WHP. Whenever time permits, the school office will
attempt to contact parents by phone to inform them of early dismissal.
Essentially, our school follows Carlisle Area School District delay and or
closing announcement.
RECESS AND
RAINY/SNOWY DAY PROCEDURES
Students without written permission
slips must go outside.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
The Compulsory School Attendance law of
Pennsylvania requires that all pupils, upon admission to grade one, must attend
school regularly until the age of seventeen.
1. State law requires that when a
student returns to school after an absence, he must bring a note signed by a
parent or doctor stating the exact reason for the absence. The note must be
given to the homeroom teacher.
2. Any student who arrives at school
after the scheduled starting time will be considered tardy. Bussing delays are
excepted. Students arriving after 9:00 A.M. will be considered a 1/2 day absent.
Students leaving before 1:30 P.M. will also be considered a 1/2 day absent.
3. Students will be permitted 3 school
days to turn in their absence excuse. If a note is not turned in within this
period of time, the absence will be considered unexcused at the Headmaster's
discretion.
4. After a student has accumulated 10
absences during the school year, a doctor's excuse will be required for all
future absences. The excuse must be presented on the day the student returns to
school and must indicate the days the student was under the doctor's care. If a
student fails to present a doctor's excuse, the absence will be considered
unexcused.
5. After excused or unexcused absences,
all students are required to make up all missed work. After unexcused absences,
missed work must be made up within 3 school days or an "F" will be
given for missed work.
Pre-Arranged Absences
1. Request for prearranged
absences may be approved, at the discretion of the Headmaster. Students may be
excused for a total of not more than 5 days for such absences.
2. Students are permitted to be excused
from school for dental and doctor appointments, eye examinations, and related
appointments if a note signed by the parent is first presented to the homeroom
teacher or the Headmaster.
3. While school is in session, no
student may leave the building/school property, without permission of the
homeroom teacher/Headmaster.
Make-Up Work
A student who has been absent is responsible for making arrangements with
his teachers to make up all missed tests, papers, homework, and/or related
school work. In the case of excused absences, length of time for making up this
work shall be at the discretion of the teachers or Headmaster. All work, if
possible, should be completed within the marking period.
If
a student is absent, his/her parent should contact the teacher regarding missed
assignments. You may contact the school office to request assignments.
In the case of illness, the teacher must
determine which assignments should be completed and which assignments should be
waived in order to keep up with the necessary skills.
HOMEWORK
The purpose of homework is to
reinforce classroom instruction, to develop individual study habits, to
encourage a sense of responsibility and of organization in a developing and
inquiring mind.
TESTING &
GRADING SYSTEM
The Kindergarten teacher keeps a record of the progress of each child.
Reports will be sent home at the end of each semester.
The progress of students in grades one
and two is indicated on the report cards by the following system:
O- outstanding
S- satisfactory
N- needs improving
U- unsatisfactory
The progress of students in grades
three through eight is indicated on the report cards by O - S - I - N - U for Art,
Music, Writing, Physical Education. In other subjects grading is as follows:
A - Superior 94% - 100%
B - Above Average 86% - 93%
C - Average 78% - 85%
D - Below Average 70% - 77%
F - Failure Below 70%
Report Cards
Students in Grades 1-8 receive report cards four times during the school year,
each period covering approximately 45 school days. In addition, periodic reports
will be sent home if a student is having difficulty in a subject.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled during the school year. The
parent/teacher conferences are held on one day in each semester.
Honor Roll
Students in grades 5-8 who earn an average of 94% in each subject are placed on
the distinguished honor roll. Those who maintain an average of 86% or above in
each subject will be placed on the honor roll.
Year-end Averages And Honors
The eighth grade student with the highest accumulated average in both seventh
and eighth grades at The Christian School of GBC will be declared the class Valedictorian.
Students may be recognized at the end
of the school year as well as throughout the year for various special
achievements.
Semester exams will be given in grades
7 and 8 in four subjects: Math, science, literature and English. First and Second semester exams combined will count 1/12 of the
final average for the year.
Achievement Tests
The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills is administered to all students. We use this
instrument so that we may measure our progress in relation to other Christian
schools. The Achievement Tests are administered to all students each academic
year.
Promotion And Retention
Retention of any student must be based upon failure in no less than two basic
subjects, except in the primary grades where it may be based on reading or
arithmetic alone.
Teachers are generally aware of failure
in academic achievement long before the last marking period. If a pupil is in
danger of failing a subject it must be discussed with the Headmaster and then a
conference will be held with the parents and the Headmaster.
GRADUATION
The graduation exercises are considered part of the school year calendar and all
students and faculty are expected to attend.
PLAYGROUND
REGULATIONS
General Rules:
The school playground is located across Orange Street from the school
building. Access to this field is from the corner of Orange and West
Penn Street. Crossing must be supervised by a teacher or a person designated as
a crossing guard. When it snows, boots, or the equivalent
must be worn to play on the playground. Throwing of snow is forbidden.
Sticks or stones are not to be used as
toys in play. The carrying of other children is forbidden as well as other
kinds of play that could easily result in an accident.
Bicycles and skateboards may not be
ridden on the blacktop area or on the sidewalks around the school and church
buildings during school hours, 7:40 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Use Of Balls:
Use only balls such as rubber playground balls, basketballs or volleyballs on
the blacktop area.
Regulation
footballs, soccer balls, hardballs are not permitted to be thrown or used on the
blacktop area or near any buildings. These sports are played with nerf
balls. Balls are not to be kicked, except as part of an organized game
during P.E.
LUNCH TIME
PROCEDURES
Students must bring their own lunch to
school each day. Milk or orange drink may be purchased on a prepaid
basis. Parents of kindergarten children are requested to provide a snack
for the entire class on a rotating basis throughout the school year.
At 11:30 A.M. a lunch bell will be
rung. The milk distributor for the day will obtain straws and milk and
take them to the classroom. The teacher should see that prayer or a song
of thanks is offered before the children begin to eat.
Good
table etiquette is to be observed during mealtime.
During inclement weather each teacher
may keep his/her class in the classroom during the lunch recess.
Lunch is to be eaten in the classroom
and not carried onto the playground. When the bell is rung at 11:50 A.M.
lunch boxes/bags are to be put away and the classroom readied before going out
to recess.
Lunch Duty Volunteers:
Wednesday Volunteers (Moms, Dads, Grandparents, etc.) supervise lunch and
recess to allow the teachers time to eat and fellowship together. One
volunteer is scheduled for each classroom. Volunteers serve about once a
month and are welcome to bring other younger brothers/sisters. Sign-ups
and schedules are done at the beginning of the year. This occurs on the
2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.
CONDUCT AND MANNERS
"I will behave myself wisely in a
perfect way." (Psalm 101:2)
All student behavior should reflect:
Obedience to authority (parents, teachers,
headmaster, car pool or bus drivers, etc.) even when the person in authority is
not immediately present. Such obedience should be willing, cheerful, and
immediate.
Responsibility in doing assigned
or expected tasks.
Courtesy and respect for other
students, teachers, visitors, etc.
Cleanliness in person and
property.
Respect for the property of
others and of the school.
Morally good conduct in respect
to recreation and social relationships.
DISCIPLINE
The goal of our discipline code is to
maintain a proper and safe atmosphere so that teaching and learning will not be
impeded. Teachers are asked to make classroom rules clear on the first
day
and then to enforce them fairly and consistently throughout the year. Specific
means of discipline will be discussed with parents during the admissions
interview so that everyone understands clearly the standards necessary to
maintain a fertile learning environment.
While not an all inclusive list, the
following is representative of the types of offenses in which
suspension/expulsion could result: Use of tobacco products, use of
alcoholic beverages, use of marijuana, use of any illegal drugs, pharmaceuticals or
controlled substances, also for lying, stealing, cheating, disrespect for
authority and for causing consistent classroom disturbances.
Suspension
A student may be suspended by the Headmaster for up to two (2) school days
without prior notification of the School Board. In such cases the President of
the Board, the Vice-president in the absence of the President, and at least one
other officer of the Board must be notified within twenty-four (24) hours of the
action. If after consideration of the matter, it is determined to warrant
stronger discipline, a hearing will be scheduled. The parents of offended
student will be notified by the Board President or his designee of the time,
place, and purpose of the hearing. Prior to the parents' arrival the Headmaster
will give the Board a report of the circumstances of the action in addition to
his recommendations for further action. Student and parents will then be
given opportunity to present their side of the situation. Following closed
Board deliberation, members of the Board will vote regarding the action to be
taken. If a hearing cannot be
held within the time of the original suspension, the student may return to class
until the hearing can be held. However, in no instance will a period of
greater than one week lapse between the time of the suspension and the hearing.
DRESS CODE
The primary focus of the dress code is
for students to be neat, clean and modest. Shorts are permitted for both
boys and girls through Grade 4. Students may not wear tank tops or muscle
shirts. Clothing which contains vulgar, suggestive statements/pictures or
which advertise products that would be inappropriate in a Christian setting are
also not permitted.
Gym Class
Gym suits are not required. Students may wear shorts for gym class.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
The School Health Act of Pennsylvania
mandates that each child have a tuberculin test on original entry (K-1) and in
grade 9. This test is usually done annually so any test done with the past year
is acceptable. The tests may be done by the multiple puncture method or by
the Mantoux test. The patch test is not acceptable. Since the 1997-98 school year, three doses of hepatitis B vaccine
have been required of students entering school for the first time (i.e., kindergarten
or first grade). This new law does not apply to students already attending
school. Provisional enrollment will be
allowed. That is a new student who has only one or two doses of hepatitis
B vaccine may be enrolled if there is a plan to complete the remaining doses
within eight months.
The certificate of Immunization (the
green and white card) will be modified to accommodate the new hepatitis B
vaccine requirements.
MEDICATION POLICY
All medication should be stored in the
school office and will be administered to the student from the school office.
Prescription Medication
All prescription medication must be in a prescription bottle with a current date
and the name of the student on the bottle. A written order from the
physician and a note from the parent stating how may days the prescription is to
be given must accompany the prescription.
Medication that is to be given 3 times a day may be given before school, after
school and at bedtime at home.
Non-Prescription Medication
Parents may send a non-prescription medication to school with their child
provided it is accompanied by a note from the parent requesting that it be
given. The medication must be in its original container or
packaging. Please do not send tablets in envelopes or baggies.
Permission is given to school personnel to give the students Tylenol or antacid
by signing the back of the Emergency Card which is issued every September.
CHAPEL AND
ASSEMBLIES
Chapel is held approximately every 2
weeks from 8:00 A.M. until 8:45 A.M. in the Fellowship Hall. This is in
lieu of Bible class for that morning. All classes shall be in attendance.
Students are to become silent upon
entering the assembly room and to remain quiet and reverent throughout the
chapel service. Kindergarten,
grades five, six, seven and eight sit on the left side in order from front to
back. Grades one, two, three and
four sit on the right side from front to back. Parents are always welcome
to attend.
BUSSING
Transportation to and from school is
the responsibility of the parents. In accordance with Pennsylvania State
law, students residing in school districts having boundaries within 10 miles of
our school are entitled to transportation by the district. Those school
districts affected by this statute are Big Spring, Carlisle, Cumberland Valley,
Mechanicsburg, South Middleton, Susquenita, and West Perry.
Families living within the following
school districts may avail themselves of transportation on public school busses
or whatever means has been established by that school district for transporting
private and parochial school students.
Big Spring School District: 776-2000 Ext. 203
Carlisle Area School District: 240-6810
Cumberland Valley: 249-6996
Mechanicsburg: 697-9109
South Middleton: 240-2605
West Perry: 789-3934
Car pools are sometimes arranged by
parents. Proper conduct must be maintained at all times in an automobile used in
car pools. Parents are to be notified by the car pool drivers if a child's
conduct is objectionable.
The school districts require that only
the students registered in their district may ride the bus. Other students
cannot ride the bus. Also because of insurance purposes, and over crowding
on busses, students are not allowed to bring friends to or from school with them
on the bus.
TUTORING
Limited help is available to students who need
extra time/instruction in certain areas. This is provided during the
school day at no additional cost. Classroom teachers make the
recommendation for this program.
TELEPHONE USE
Students may use the phone only by
special permission.
No student will
be called from class to take a phone message except in the event of an
emergency. Ordinarily the message will be taken by the secretary and given
to the pupil.
FINANCIAL AID
Limited financial aid is available to
parents who make a written request at the time of application. A copy of
the most recent tax return, employment status, statement of amount you can
contribute, as well as an explanation of why you have chosen Christian education
will be requested. A subcommittee of the Board will consider the
information and make a recommendation to the Board. The amount of aid will
not exceed 50% of tuition.
SCHOOL PICTURES
Individual pupil and class
pictures are taken early in the school year and delivered before
Christmas. Purchase of any or all of the pictures is entirely optional.
ACCOUNTS IN ARREARS
Where unforeseen financial difficulties
regarding payments should arise after the school term has started, parents
should notify the school office immediately. Parents with payments in
arrears who have not notified the school, will be contacted about the account. If payment is not received upon notification, or definite
satisfactory arrangements made, they will be considered delinquent. In the
case of any delinquent accounts at the end of the first semester, the affected
student may not be admitted the second semester until this account is current.
All tuition and other
bills must be paid by the last day of school or satisfactory arrangements made
with the school office.
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