TABLE OF CONTENTS

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INTRODUCTION TO HANDBOOK……………………………………………………………………..

ADMISSION OF NEW STUDENTS…………………………………………………………......

WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURE…………………………………………………………………………..

ATTENDANCE POLICY………………………………………………………………………………….

ABSENCES………………………………………………………………………………………………..

PERMISSION TO LEAVE SCHOOL……………………………………………………………………

ILLNESS……………………………………………………………………………………………………

CLOSED CAMPUS……………………………………………………………………………………….

SCHOOL CLOSINGS…………………………………………………………………………………….

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT………………………………………………………………………

HALL PASSES………………………………………………………......

DRESS CODE………………………………………………………......

PHYSICAL EDUCATION POLICIES AND DRESS CODE……………………………….………….

MEDICATION POLICIES…………………………………………………………………..…………….

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES………………………………………………………………………..…

ACADEMIC INFORMATION………………………………………………………………………..……

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS……………………………………………………………………………....

DEMERIT LIST………………………………………………………………………………………..…..

SCHOOL POLICY CHANGES……………………………………………………………………..……

FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES………………………………………………………………………..….

LOST AND FOUND…………………………………………………………………………………..….

SCHOOL-SPONSORED TRIPS……………………………………………………………………..…

STUDENT COUNCIL…………………………………………………………………………………….

STUDENT DIRECTORY,,,.………………………………………………………………………...……

AWARDS…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

FIRE AND DISASTER DRILLS………………………………………………………………...……….

PARENT’S INFORMATION……………………………………….………………………………..…..

CONFERENCES WITH TEACHERS………………………………......

PARENT TEACHER FELLOWSHIP……………………………………………………………………

SCHOOL SPIRIT……………………………………………………………………………………...….

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INTRODUCTION TO HANDBOOK

The handbook has been prepared for Grace Fellowship Christian School students, teachers, and parents to inform all about the philosophy, ideals, and objectives of our school. This book was created with the hoped that it may be read and used by every student as a source of accurately reliable information.

It is the responsibility of each student and parent/guardian to read this handbook thoroughly to avoid offenses which may result in disciplinary actions.

ADMISSION OF NEW STUDENTS

REQUIREMENTS

·  Records (report cards and/or transcripts) from previous school verifying his/her academic standing.

·  Interview with principal and/or school official.

·  Current immunization records (as required by Texas Department of Health) - Document of immunizations or signed statement from a physician.

·  Chicken pox – proof of vaccine or record of having contracted chicken pox.

·  Birth certificate.

·  Social security card.

·  Signed and notarized contract.

WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURE (if moving away)

·  Notify the school as soon as you know the student will be withdrawing from the school.

·  Parent/guardian must verify that student is to be withdrawn.

·  Last full day student is at school – report to the Principal at the beginning of the school day to receive a withdrawal form.

·  Student must have all of his/her teacher(s) initial a withdrawal form to clear student’s record and enter a grade “to date”.

·  Student must bring withdrawal form back to principal at the end of the school day to be signed and a copy given to student.

·  School records will not be cleared until all financial obligations are met according to the current school year’s contract.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is a requirement.

EARLY ARRIVALS

·  School is open for students at 8:00AM. Students are not to leave the campus after arrival and must go directly to the classrooms.

PUNCTUALITY

·  Students are required to be ready for class at 8:25 am. Take care of books, lunches, bathroom etc before the bell rings at 8:25 am.

TARDINESS

·  Students are considered tardy at 8:26 am (after the bell) if they are not in their classroom.

·  Three unexcused tardies will result in a $5.00 fine and count as a half day unexcused absence.

·  Excessive unexcused tardies will be reported to authorities and could result in a large fine.

EXCUSED TARDIES

·  A note is required explaining the reason.

·  Acceptance of excuse is up to school officials.

·  Oversleeping is not accepted as an excused tardy.

ABSENCES

Excessive absences for illness will require a note from a physician.

Absences over 18 days could result in the student not getting credit for the year except in extreme circumstances (severe illness, etc.) granted by school officials.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

·  Call the school immediately with explanation of absence AND send a note to be filed in student’s records upon return.

·  Absences other than illness require prior approval to be excused. Exceptions are made for emergencies (death in the family, etc).

MAKE-UP WORK

·  It is the responsibility of the student to ask their teachers for schoolwork that they have missed immediately upon returning to school after an absence.

·  The work must be completed in the following days equal to the amount of days absent.

·  For excused absences, a student is allowed to complete schoolwork missed for full credit.

·  For unexcused absences, a student must complete work missed but the highest grade possible will be 70%.

·  If absences are due to skipping school or suspension, the student must complete work missed. 3 points will be deducted from 6 weeks grade in each class per absence.

PERMISSION TO LEAVE SCHOOL (DURING SCHOOL HOURS)

·  A written or telephoned request by parent/guardian is required.

·  The student must inform their teacher when they leave and when they return.

·  Only authorized persons are allowed to pick up students.

·  Written permission must be sent by parent/guardian in advance if the student is to ride with another student.

·  We strongly urge any doctors’ appointments to be made after school hours.

ILLNESS (DURING SCHOOL HOURS)

·  Students must report to their teacher when feeling ill.

·  The teacher or school official will contact parent/guardian.

·  Students are NOT to call parents without permission from school officials.

CLOSED CAMPUS

·  Once students arrive at school, they must remain on campus until school dismissal time.

·  The principal or school official will consider exceptions for illness or other circumstances.

·  Permission from parent/guardian for student to be released during school hours is required and must be given to school officials.

VISITATION

·  All visitors must first report to the principal/school officials.

·  To visit classrooms during instructional time, permission from the principal and teacher is required.

·  School officials reserve the right to dismiss any visitor who disrupts or interferes in the normal school environment.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS

SCHOOL CALENDAR

·  School operates according to the annual school calendar.

·  We do not participate in as many “Staff Development” days in order to observe longer breaks.

BAD WEATHER

·  Tune your radio to KEOM 88.5 FM or a local TV channel for announcements related to school closings.

·  If Mesquite public schools are closed then we will also be closed. They have the equipment to check roads, etc., and we do not.

MAKE-UP DAYS

·  Holidays may be used as school make-up days lost due to bad weather.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

START OF SCHOOL DAY:

Elementary (K through 5th)

  1. Go directly to class prior to tardy bell.
  2. Remove contents of backpack and place where teacher requests.
  3. Go to your seat.

Middle/High School

  1. Go directly upstairs to designated home room prior to tardy bell.
  2. Be sure to have appropriate materials for your first period class with you.
  3. Be sure your homework for the day is organized and ready for class.

BEHAVIOR IN THE CLASSROOM

·  Speak clearly and distinctly.

·  Do not interrupt teacher or classmates.

·  Respect individual classroom rules.

·  Do not litter – use trashcans.

·  Do not throw any item across classroom.

·  Do not damage school desks, chairs, boards etc. or anyone else’s property.

·  Students will be charged for any damages to school property.

·  Exercise good manners at all times.

·  Use spare time wisely by completing homework or other assignments.

PHONE POLICIES

·  School phone is for emergency calls and may only be used with permission from school authorities.

·  Arrange rides outside of school.

·  If permission is granted to use the phone, no long distance or toll calls are allowed.

GOOD MANNERS AND SCHOOL RULES

·  Absolutely no public displays of affection are allowed.

·  Gum chewing is not allowed on school property (Do not bring gum on the property). Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a $5.00 fine enforced upon offense.

·  No cell phones/pagers/other electronics are allowed on campus without written permission from a teacher or principal. If permission is granted, it must be left in the principal’s office or with a teacher upon arrival and picked up at the end of the day. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in the immediate confiscation of the electronic device and it will be kept for a week. We are not responsible for the safety and security of confiscated electronic devices; you will be bringing them at your own risk.

·  Horseplay/reckless behavior is not allowed anywhere on campus.

·  Sanctuary is OFF-LIMITS at all times unless accompanied by an adult

HALLWAYS – LOBBIES – STAIRWAYS

·  No running/shoving/sliding.

·  No shouting – talk quietly.

·  Walk on right side of hallways and stairs.

·  Do not block hallways – keep moving.

·  Avoid collisions – watch where you are going.

·  Use extra caution on stairs.

PROPERTY

·  Keep the campus clean inside and outside – do not litter or spill.

·  Do not deface walls.

·  Do not deface or damage ANY campus property.

·  Damages must be repaired at student’s expense.

LUNCHES

·  Students must bring lunches to school each day.

·  Soda machine is available to purchase drinks ($1.00). Snack machine is available to purchase snacks. Machines take $1 bills and change.

·  No microwave available – use wide-mouth thermos to keep food warm/cold.

·  Pizza is available on Fridays if $2.00 is paid on THURSDAY morning for 1 large slice of cheese, sausage, or pepperoni.

·  There will be a weekly menu for other days. These will need to be ordered and paid for a day ahead each time.

LUNCH ROOM RULES

·  Cooperate with teachers.

·  No running.

·  Speak quietly.

·  Quickly inform teachers of spills for clean-up instructions.

·  Kitchen is off limits to students (NO MICROWAVE for students).

·  Before you leave the lunch room:

o  Clean your area – table, chair and floor.

o  Push in chair (or stack) – ask teacher.

o  Place ALL trash in trash cans, even if it’s not yours.

o  Take your lunch bag and other belongings with you.

o  Leave lunch room with permission from teacher.

o  Leave quietly and orderly and/or go directly to assigned places.

HALL PASSES

·  Hall passes will be strictly enforced.

·  It is the responsibility of the STUDENT to make sure he/she is given a hall pass.

·  To leave a classroom during the period a hall pass must be issued by the teacher in charge - signed, timed and dated.

·  The receiving teacher will sign and time the pass and give it back to student to return it to issuing teacher.

·  Hall pass is for ONE destination only.

·  Only one student name is permitted per hall pass.

Dress Code

We enforce standardized dress – not an exact uniform.

BOYS

  1. Only solid color, straight-legged, uniform-style pants may be worn with no tears or patches.
  2. No pants with cargo pockets are allowed.
  3. No startling colors, pictures or designs are allowed on pants.
  4. No low-cut pants. Pants must be at the waist, not the navel.
  5. Pant legs must not hide shoes and must be hemmed.
  6. No pajama pants or the like is allowed other than on designated spirit days.
  7. Only solid color, straight-legged, uniform-style shorts may be worn and must be worn at the waist.
  8. Shorts must be knee length or longer.
  9. No shorts with cargo pockets are allowed.
  10. No athletic shorts are allowed outside of P.E.
  11. No cut-offs, boxer shorts, bike shorts, or short leggings are allowed to be worn as outer garments.
  12. A belt must be worn at all times.
  13. When we have occasional “Jeans Days”, the jeans must fit the following requirements:

·  No pockets on the legs.

·  No low-cut pants.

·  Must be hemmed neatly at the bottom.

·  Jeans must not hide shoes.

·  No tears or patches.

·  A belt is still required to be worn at all times.

  1. Only collared, solid color polo shirts may be worn.
  2. No startling colors, pictures or designs are allowed on shirts with the exception of school shirts that may be ordered through the school.
  3. If a student still has one of the older school T-shirts they must wear a collared shirt underneath with the collar pulled out at the neck (This is only allowed on School Colors days).
  4. Shirts must be long enough to tuck into pants and remain that way.
  5. Shirt tails must be tucked in at all times.
  6. Hoodies are allowed to be worn inside the building, but hoods must remain off of head unless outside.
  7. No caps, hats or scarves are allowed to be worn inside the building.
  8. No chain of any kind is allowed on clothing or in student’s possession. This does not include appropriate jewelry.
  9. Undergarments are not to be made visible at any time.
  10. Shoes must be worn at all times. Tennis shoes must be laced up appropriately and tied at all times.
  11. Sandals may be worn, but flip flops are not allowed.
  12. No slippers are allowed other than on designated spirit days.
  13. Hair must be of natural-looking colors. No unnatural colors and streaks are allowed.
  14. No startling or unusual hair styles.
  1. Appearance must be neat at all times with no distracting types of style.
  2. No visible piercing other than one earring.
  3. No visible tattoos.

GIRLS

  1. Modest clothing is expected.
  2. No skin-tight clothing is allowed.
  3. Only solid color, straight-legged, uniform-style pants may be worn with no tears or patches.
  4. No pants with cargo pockets are allowed.
  5. No startling colors, pictures or designs are allowed on pants.
  6. No low-cut pants. Pants must be at the waist, not the navel.
  7. Pant legs must not hide shoes and must be hemmed.
  8. No pajama pants or the like is allowed other than on designated spirit days.
  9. Only solid color, straight-legged, uniform-style shorts may be worn and must be worn at the waist.
  10. Shorts must reach to the knee or longer.
  11. No shorts with cargo pockets are allowed.
  12. No athletic shorts are allowed outside of P.E.
  13. No cut-offs, boxer shorts, bike shorts, or short leggings are allowed to be worn as outer garments.
  14. A belt must be worn at all times.
  15. When we have occasional “Jeans Days”, the jeans must fit the following requirements:

·  No pockets on the legs.

·  No low-cut pants.