2010-2011 Parent/Student Handbook

MT. PLEASANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK

MISSION STATEMENT

As a witness of God’s love in the world, Mt. Pleasant Christian School, in partnership with parents, is dedicated to the teaching of God-given truth, the nurturing of faith, and the development of individual learning potential.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

God, the creator of the universe, exists in three persons- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ died, shedding his blood for our sins, and was raised again from the dead. Our sin separates us from God, but all can become His children through repentance and acceptance of Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord. The Holy Spirit lives in the believer and enables him to walk in submission to the will of God. The Bible is God’s truth and reveals the only way to know reality and fulfillment in life.

PHILOSOPHY AND PURPOSE

The educational philosophy of Mt. Pleasant Christian School is three-fold:

* Christian education starts at home. Our goal is to work with parents to lead children to a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and to disciple them in their Christian walk.

* All truth is God-given and needs to be taught from God’s perspective. He is Creator, Savior and Lord. We seek to relate God and His Word to all areas of study and daily life.

* The school administration, staff, and students should seek to further God’s kingdom and to be a witness of God’s love in the community.

CURRICULUM

Our goal is to create an environment which will nurture the students’ spiritual, academic, and social growth. This includes daily worship experiences, instruction in the Bible, and regular chapel times. Our curriculum uses standard textbooks taught in the light of Biblical truth. Our teachers are academically qualified and, even more importantly, dedicated to Christian service.

Outdoor play and guidance toward healthy relationships with classmates are a part of the educational experience. Field trips, guest speakers, special projects, and presentation of public programs also provide learning experiences and educational enrichment. Each classroom has computers in them which are connected to the internet. These are used for Accelerated Reader testing, research and enrichment activities.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

* Intramural Sports: Coed teams from grades 4-8 compete after school in soccer, basketball, and softball. Students may sign up for one or all of the sports offered.

* Musical Instrument Instruction: Music lessons are available weekly for those families interested. There will be an informational assembly early in the school year for the students.

* Praise and Worship Team: Students in grades 5-8 may join the team to lead in music during weekly chapels and to minister in churches when invited. Members are expected to demonstrate a consistent lifestyle and character that honors God.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

You can be a partner in your child’s education by participating in the following ways:

* Maintain a positive attitude toward school attendance.

* Communicate regularly with the teacher and principal.

* Assist with homework and look over completed tests and papers brought home by your child.

* Volunteer to help in the classroom, lunchroom, or library. Each teacher will have specific suggestions.

* Assist with fund-raising events.

* Attend school functions.

* Pray regularly for the students, and staff.

THE SCHOOL DAY

8:30 First Bell

8:35 Tardy Bell

11:25 -11:50 Grades 5-8 Lunch

12:00 –12:25 Grades K-4 Lunch

3:00 Dismissal

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

Students should not arrive before 8 A.M or stay after 3:10 without prior approval. Students arriving before 8:30 will go to the activity room. Students will be dismissed from the activity room at 8:30.

In order to leave school before the dismissal bell, a student must submit a parent’s note to their teacher that morning. The note must have the time of dismissal, the reason, and the parent’s signature. Please avoid picking you child up early if at all possible, as it is a distraction for the teachers and students. The parent should come to the office and sign out their child if leaving before dismissal time.

Be sure your child’s drivers are listed on the registration form. Please send a signed, dated note in the morning if there will be any changes in transportation plans. We want to be sure we have your permission before we send your child with someone. Please be sure that any substitute driver knows the proper procedure for pick up so that they do not endanger students by driving where students are walking.

The lower parking lot is reserved for parents with children in the car in car seats, persons with a physical condition which makes walking unadvisable, and for the person who purchased a parking space at last year’s auction. All other drivers should use the upper lot when picking up their children. Please do not park along the driveway around the lower lot. If you are eligible, please be sure to pull into a parking space.

Students in grades K-4 will be dismissed under the portico and grades 5-8 will be dismissed from the front of the gymnasium. Please come to the area of your child’s class so that the teacher knows that you have your child. Please supervise your children and keep them with you as you return to your vehicle. Exit from the upper lot will be beside the gymnasium and out onto Berndale Road.

Safety and courtesy are the goals for the rules for arriving and dismissing at school. Please watch carefully for children at all times, and never leave your car where it will impede the flow of traffic. If it is necessary for you to come into the school in the morning, please feel free to use the lower lot.

INCLEMENT WEATHER DISMISSAL

Cones will indicate if the rainy day procedure will be used. For rainy day pick up, drive into the upper lot on the right and circle around the back of the lot. Exit the upper lot, and drive to the front of the portico to pick up your passengers. Please display a sign in your car window listing the children you are picking up. For the sake of safety, do not pass another car in line. Please avoid having students load their gear into the back of a vehicle during rainy day pickup. Also, it is safer if all students can enter the vehicle from the passenger side.

AFTER-SCHOOL CARE

After school care is available until 6:00 P.M. on full days of school. This must be pre-arranged through the office. The cost is $3.00 per hour or portion of that a student is in after care.

TARDIES

If a student arrives after 8:35, they should go to the office and get a tardy slip. If the student does not have a note, the tardy will be unexcused. The driver may come to the office to write a note. If a student receives 3 unexcused tardies in a 9 week period, they will serve 3 before school detentions. They will need to arrive at 8 AM for the next three consecutive mornings.

ABSENCES

If a student must miss school, he or she must bring a note which includes the date of the absence, the reason for the absence, and the parent’s signature. If a child arrives before 10:00 they are considered tardy. If they arrive after 10hey will have a half day absence. If they leave before 1:30, they will have a half day absence. If they leave after 1:30, they will receive credit for a full day.

Absences may be excused for sickness, medical appointments, deaths, family obligations where the child’s absence is necessary, or for any reason approved by the principal. If a returning student does not bring an excuse not, the absence will not be excused until a note from the parent is received. A note is needed even if the reason has been given by telephone or in person.

Students may be excused for trips in which their parents want them to be involved if the teacher is notified ahead of time. This advance notification should be equal to the length of the absence. Please give the teacher written notification.

Work missed should be made up as soon as possible, at least within twice the amount of time that was missed. Work or tests assigned prior to the absence which falls due on the date of the absence or the following day should be turned in or taken on the day the student returns to school. An exception to this can be made if there is a note from the parent stating that no studying could be done during the illness. A test could then be delayed at the discretion of the teacher.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Students are required to wear athletic style tennis shoes for P.E. Shoes should be securely tied and stay on during activities. Girls wearing skirts or dresses should wear shorts underneath. Clothes worn on P.E. days should be comfortable and modest enough to be able to participate in a variety of activities. Belts are recommended for pants that have belt loops so that they will stay comfortably up. Students not following these requirements will not be allowed to participate.

Grades 5-8 will receive a letter grade for P.E. based on skill, improvement, participation, sportsmanship, physical fitness, and written rules tests. The Presidential Fitness Test will be given in the fall and spring. The grade will be negatively affected if the student cannot participate because the shoe or clothing requirements have not been followed.

If a student needs to be excused from P.E. for health reasons, he or she must provide a signed note from the parent with the date and the reason. A doctor’s note is needed for an extended excuse.

DISCIPLINE

The teachers’ goal is to prevent behavior problems by making rules and expectations clear and by keeping students actively involved and interested.

When a student has willfully violated school rules or defied the authority of the teacher, the student will be sent to the office. Any student sent to the office may be placed in time out for a specific period of time. Parents will be notified if the offense is a serious one or if the student’s behavior does not improve. For more serious offenses or chronic misbehavior, in-school or out of school suspension may be necessary.

A student with severe or chronic behavior problems will be put on probation giving him/her the opportunity to correct the problem. If improvement is not seen, the student will be dismissed or asked to leave the school. A meeting with the parents and school staff, including the principal, will be held to state the reasons for the probation and the goals and length of the probation.

DRESS CODE

Students should dress in a manner that is appropriate for a Christian school. Cleanliness, neatness, and modesty are parts of the standard which we wish to uphold. We reserve the right to require a student to change clothes if the clothing is immodest, sloppy, dirty or otherwise inappropriate. Here are some specific guidelines:

Wear athletic shoes for recess and P.E.
If skirts or shorts are worn by 1st – 8th graders, they must come to the top of the knee. If skirts are worn for recess or P.E., shorts should be worn underneath.
Students in grades 5-8 may not wear sweat pants.
Do not wear cutoff or tank tops, sundresses, midriff or short-cut tops. No skin should show when your arms are raised. No hats, form-fitting pants or sleeveless tops or dress are allowed.
Shoes should be safe and comfortable. No flip flops are allowed.
No T-shirts with inappropriate messages are allowed.
Jeans may be worn if they fit appropriately and do not have holes or fringe.
Hair coloring that is not a natural color is inappropriate for school.
For intramural sports, the dress code is as above, except that shorts at fingertip length or below are allowed. We ask that spectators also follow this rule.
For all program, special clothing may be required.

Parents and visitors are asked to follow the student dress code when in the school building or at school events such as intramural games. This supports the students in respecting school standards.

BASIC RULES OF CONDUCT

Teachers and fellow students are to be treated with respect.
Name-calling, racially oriented jokes and disparaging racial comments are not allowed.
No crude language or gestures.
Walk and talk quietly when inside the building. When lining up after recess, get quiet before entering the building. Avoid yelling or loud talking beside the windows and doorways.
Tripping, hitting, or kicking another student are not allowed.
Respect and care for school property is expected. If a student intentionally destroys school property or damages school property through careless behavior or disobedience to school rules, that student will be expected to help repair or replace the property.
Healthful foods are recommended. No trading or selling of food is allowed. Chewing gum is not allowed. If you send microwave lunch meals, choose those with a very short preparation time. Make sure that your child can open and prepare the food himself.
Students may not have weapons or simulated weapons at school.

BOOK POLICY

If a textbook, workbook, or library book is damaged or lost, replacement at student cost is required.

REPORT CARDS AND CONFERENCES

Report cards are sent home one week after the last day of each 9-week period.

Grade scale:

A+ 100 A 95-99 A- 94

B+ 93 B 87-92 B- 86

C+ 84-85 C 79-83 C- 77-78

D+ 76 D 71-75 D- 70

F below 70

O- Outstanding S- Satisfactory U- Unsatisfactory

Teachers will schedule at least one conference with parents during the year. A parent may request a conference with the teacher or principal at any time.

PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS

K-5: In order to progress to the next grade level, the student must do passing work and be recommended by the teacher. If subjects are failed, and the teacher and principal think the student can go on to the next grade, the school will consult with the parents about any makeup work to be done.

Grades 6, 7, &8: A student who fails a subject may go on to the next grade if that course is made up in a summer school program. A student who fails thyree or more subjects must repeat the entire grade.

MEDICATION

All medications (prescription or non-prescription) to be administered at school must be brought to the office with a parental permission note.

All prescription medications to be administered at school must be brought to the office by the parent. The medication must be in the original container and be accompanied by a Request for Medication Administration form.

FINANCIAL POLICY

The fee for books and supplies is a non-refundable fee. Tuition may be paid in full by August 15 or in 10 or 12 equal monthly payments, August to May or July. A 5% discount will be given if tuition is paid in full by August 15.

If you choose to make payments, the first payment is due by August 15. Subsequent payments are due by the 15th of each month. A $10 late fee will be added if payments are more than 10 days overdue. A 2% monthly service charge will also be added to any balance which is more that 30 days overdue. If a contract is 90 days in arrears, the student may not be permitted to attend classes.

Monthly statements will not be mailed. You will receive a notice only if your payment is late. If a student is withdrawn from school during any given semester, full payment for that semester is still due. Report cards or records will not be released until all payments, including fees, fines, or late charges, are complete.

Post-dated checks do not constitute timely payments. Records or items associated with post-dated checks will be held until the check is valid.

Students will not be permitted to begin a school term until all fees for the preceding year have been paid in full.

PARTIES AND HOLIDAYS

A parent may bring in refreshments for a child’s birthday if planned ahead of time with the teacher. End of year parties and other social outings must be planned for after school hours.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter parties are traditional at MPCS. These are planned by the teachers with the help of room mothers. Halloween is not celebrated. The origins of holiday customs can be studied, but symbols such as Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny should not be the focus of holiday celebrations or decorations. The holiday parties provide an opportunity to emphasize God’s goodness and love and his gift to us of His Son, Jesus.

At Christmas, students may exchange names for gift giving. The students will be given a price limit for the gifts. The gifts should be kept simple. We also have a Christmas project to provide a chance for the students to give to others.

For parties outside of school, invitations may not be handed out at school unless the entire class is being invited. Please be sensitive to the feelings of all students in the class. Transportation arrangements must be made ahead of time, not at school.

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are important and valued at MPCS. Volunteers always work under the direction of the classroom teacher. The teacher is always responsible for the volunteer’s schedule, the lesson plans and the grading. It is important for the teacher and volunteer to meet before the volunteer works in the classroom, to talk about what is to be taught. Continued communication is important.

We ask that volunteers adhere to the student dress code as a minimum standard. This sets a good example for our students.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Any person having a school related concern should always talk first with the person directly involved or responsible. (Matthew 18:15-17) Talking about a problem or person to others can be hurtful, spreads misunderstandings, and does not solve the problem.

If the problem cannot be resolved between the parties involved, it should be referred to the principal, or if the principal is involved, to the chairman of the Board of Directors. Problems which cannot be resolved by working with the principal should also be referred to the Board Chairman.

Mt Pleasant Christian School Calendar 2010-2011

Sept. 7 First day of school

Nov. 24 Half day

Nov. 25-26 Thanksgiving Vacation

Dec.22-Jan. 2.Christmas Vacation

Jan. 17 Martin Luther King Day

Feb. 21 Presidents Day

Feb. 25 Closed--HRACS Conf.

April 18-22 Easter Vacation

May 30 Memorial Day

June 3 Half Day

June 4 Last day of school

2010 - 2011 Supply Lists

Kindergarten

Plastic box with lid (about 5”x8”)
Elmer’s white school glue, 4 oz.
1 pack of glue sticks
2 folders with horizontal pockets with student’s name written on them
2 boxes of 24 crayons
Pencils
2 boxes or baby wipes
1 pair blunt scissors
2 boxes of tissues
1 pack of stickers (100)
1 kindergarten mat for resting
Optional: Pillow, blanket

Grade 1

2 folders with pockets
2 large boxes of tissues
2 boxes of baby wipes
2 spiral notebooks
2 packages of 3”x5” index cards
1 one-inch 3 ring binder with 20 page protectors
1 plastic pencil box for the following:
1 box 24 crayons
4 oz. Elmer’s white glue
2 glue sticks
Scissors (Fiskar’s is recommended.)
Pencils

Grade 2

NIV Bible
2 boxes baby wipes
2 boxes of tissues
4 packs wide ruled paper
1 plastic shoebox with lid
2 boxes 24 crayons
1Scissors
1 pack 3”x5” index cards
1 pocket folder
pencils
Eraser
2 glue sticks
1 small Elmer’s white glue
Ruler

Grade 3

NIV Bible
10 packs of wide-ruled white notebook paper
4 folders with horizontal pockets
4– 1 subject spiral notebooks
2 boxes of 20 #2 wooden pencils
4 boxes tissues
4 boxes of baby wipes
12 inch ruler with inches and centimeters
Baggie containing 4 quarters, 10 dimes, 20 nickels, 100 pennies, 1 dollar bill
1 plastic shoe box with lid for the following:
Crayons
Markers
Elmer’s glue
Eraser
Colored pencils
Scissors (Fiskar’s)
Glue sticks

Grade 4

NIV Bible
4 folders with pockets
1 large box of tissues
1 one-inch 3-ring binder (hard cover, not flexible)
10 packs of white notebook paper, wide-ruled(keep at home until needed)
1 steno pad (spiral on top)
1 plastic shoebox with lid for the following:
Crayons
Markers
Scissors
Jumbo-size eraser
2 Glue sticks
2 Highlighters
Large Elmer’s white glue
2 boxes #2 wooden yellow pencils or mechanical pencils
1 black ballpoint pen
1 red ballpoint pen
Ruler, 12 in., with inches and centimeters

Grade 5

NIV Bible
4 packs loose-leaf notebook paper
Binder
5 notebook dividers with index tabs
Crayons
Markers
Scissors
Highlighter
Protractor
Pencils / Pens
2 glue sticks
Plastic shoebox
memory stick

Grade 6

NIV Bible
1 set color markers
Scissors
Pencils
2 large boxes of tissues
1 Elmer’s glue
1 glue stick
Protractor
2 packs index cards
pens (dark blue or black ink only)
1 one-inch 3-ring binder
1 hard plastic folder with pockets
Ruler with inches and centimeters
3 packs loose-leaf notebook paper
6 single subject spiral notebooks
3 bags of individually wrapped candy or lollipops

Grades 7 & 8

NIV Bible
Pens (dark blue or black ink only)
Pencils
White notebook paper, loose-leaf
1 folder with horizontal pockets
1 set standard size markers
1 set colored pencils
6 notebook dividers with index tabs
1 large notebook binder
2 boxes tissues