H O M E W O O D
C H R I S T I A N A C A D E M Y
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 16
P a r e n t - S t u d e n t H a n d b o o k
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:
Homewood Christian Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs and other school-administered programs.
Revised : 8/6/14
OFFICE HOURS
School Days: 8:15am—3:45pm, Monday—Friday Parent/Teacher conference days: 12:00pm—5:30pm In-service Days: Closed
Homewood Christian Academy 20820 S. Western Avenue Olympia Fields, IL 60461
P: 708-535-1524
F: 708-535-1525
www.homewoodchristian.com
A Word From the Principal / Table of Contents / 4About Homewood Christian Academy / 5
Statement of Faith / 6
Code of Conduct / 8
Pledges / 9
Admission / 10
Christian Leadership Training / 10
Parental Involvement / 10
Tuition and Monthly Fees / 10
Past Due Accounts / 11
Medical Guidelines & Medication Policy / 12
Attendance & Absences / 13
Daily Arrival & Departure / 14
Morning & After Care / 15
Crisis Response Plan / 16
Fire & Tornado Drills / 16
Discipline / 17
Corporal Punishment / 17
School-Wide Discipline Policy / 18
Severe Clause / 18
Probation, Suspension & Expulsion / 19
Classroom Rules / 21
1st through 4th Grades 5th through 8th Grades
Hallway, Gym & Playground Rules 27
Campus Rules 28
Parking Lot Traffic Pattern 29
Uniform Grooming Code 29
Wellness Policy 30
Physical Education 31
Breakfast and Lunch Procedures 31
Lost and Found 31
Progress Reports 32
Field Trip 33
Honor Roll 33
Transcripts 34
Achievement Testing 34
Graduates 34
School Closing 35
Sports 36
Appendix A: Dress Code Appendix B: School Forms
A Word From The Principal
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to a new school year! I am excited to begin a journey with you in the academic and spiritual de- velopment of your child. Children excel when parents and teachers work together to support learning and provide a supportive, caring environment for growth. The HCA staff is highly-trained and committed to providing the best of Christian educational excellence for all students.
After a busy summer, I am eager to begin collaborating with students, parents, and community members. I look forward to building upon the strong relationships that we have established during the past school years with all of HCA’s children and their families. I pray that your child’s school experience will be happy, productive, and full of engaging and rigorous learning experiences. I believe all children can achieve at high levels and they de- serve our very best efforts on a daily basis. However, the school cannot accomplish this task alone. We will need your help and support throughout your child’s educational journey. Together, our high expectations will help every HCA child reach his/her full potential as a student and as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Your child’s success is highly dependent upon the relationship that exists between parent, teacher, and child. Ongoing collaboration be- tween the home and school is essential to both your child’s academic, spiritual and social success. I invite you to become involved at our school, so together we can demonstrate to your child the value and importance of a suc- cessful school life. There are many avenues for parents to get involved at Homewood Christian Academy. I’d love to have you volunteer in our classroom or help at one of the many school functions throughout the school year. Stop in at any time to find out more about how we can work together to enrich the lives of every student.
Should you have any questions or concerns throughout the school year, please feel free to call
708-535-1524 or stop by our school office to make an appointment to see me. Our doors are always open, and I welcome your participation and feedback. I am dedicated to making our school a great place to learn through an ongoing focus on spiritual and academic growth. More than ever before, let’s work together to ensure success for every member of our family at Homewood Christian Academy.
Let the learning begin!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Rebecca Husbands
A word from the HCA board of Directors
We extend a warm welcome to all our school family! We sincerely appreciate the sacrifices and dedication on the part of many who have made Homewood Christian Academy possible. Since 1976, we have endeavored to present a high-quality Christ-centered education in which all academic disciplines are predicated on the belief that the universe was created by God for His glory. Our program of learning emphasizes academic excellence with learning experiences aimed at developing the child's maximum spiritual, intellectual, social, physical and emotional potential. We operate as a private, non-denominational co-educational Christian school with programs planned for pre-k through eighth grade.
The purpose in building a private Christian school is to obey the scriptural imperatives of Deuteronomy 6:6- 7a: ―And thou shalt love the Lord they God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children.‖ Proverbs 22:6 commands parents to train up a child in the way he should go. Teaching is training. Training for life must include training for eternity. A Christian school is an extension of the Christian home in training young people for time and eternity in a Christian environment. The school staff works closely with parents to train the whole child. Both students and parents are expected to be faithful and regularly attend services at a Bi- ble-believing church.
We maintain that attendance at Homewood Christian Academy is a privilege. The goals of this Christian school are not to reform but to train Christian youth of every ability in the highest principles of Christian leader- ship, self-discipline, individual responsibility, personal integrity and good citizenship. All new students are admit- ted on an ―observation‖ basis for the first grading period of nine weeks. Students are observed to determine if proper adjustment has been made. An administrative recommendation will then be provided to the parent/guardian. Homewood Christian Academy stands without equivocation for the full Gospel and the highest standards of morality and Christian behavior. Students are expected to act in an orderly and respectful manner, maintaining Christian/Biblical standards in courtesy, kindness, language, morality, and honesty. Students must agree to strive toward Christian/Biblical character in dress, conduct and attitude. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, ―Let no man despise thy
youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.‖
This handbook has been prepared to help students, parents and guardians understand both the Biblical and academic premises that steer our curriculum and guidelines at HCA Families and teachers are urged to help the students become familiar with the contents of the handbook to promote a seamless and productive learning environ- ment for all of the students of Homewood Christian Academy.
Statement of Faith
We believe:
…the Scriptures. The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. We accept the New Covenant (recorded in the New Testament) as our infallible guide in matters pertain- ing to conduct and doctrine (2 Tim. 3:15, 1 Thess. 3:13, 2 Peter 1:21).
…the Godhead. Our God is one, but manifested in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Phil. 2:6, Matt. 3:16- 17). God the Father is greater than all; the source of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter (John 14:28, John 16:28, John 1:14). Jesus is the Son of God, one with the Father, the flesh-covered Word, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1, John 1:18, John 1:14, John 10:30). The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal (John 15:26)
…man, his fall and redemption. Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam’s transgres- sion and fall, sin came into the world. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” “As it is written, there is none right- eous, no not one.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the works of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God (Rom. 5:12, Rom. 3:23, Rom. 3:9-10, 1 John 3:8, Gal. 3:13-14)
…salvation. Justification by faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for the salvation of the lost and sinful person. Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the law, and is made opera- tive by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing words acceptable to God (Eph 2:8). Man’s first step toward salvation is “godly sorrow that worketh repentance.” The new birth is necessary to all men, and when fulfilled produces eternal life (2 Cor. 7:10, 1 John 5:12, John 3:3-5).
…water baptism. Baptism in water is by immersion and is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matt. 28:19, Rom. 6:4, Col. 2:12, Acts 8:36-39).
…baptism in the Holy Ghost. The baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the ini- tial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit, Himself, gives utterance (Matt 3:11, John 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38
-39, Acts 19:1-7, Acts 2:4)
…sanctification. The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the doctrine of sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation (Heb. 12:14, 1 Thess. 5:23, 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Cor. 3:18, Phil. 3:12-14, 1 Cor. 1:30).
…divine healing. Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and by laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and it is the privilege of every member of the church today (Mark 16:18, James 5:14-20, 1 Peter 2:24, Matt. 8:17, Isaiah 53:4-5)
…resurrection of the just and the return of our Lord. The angels said, “This same Jesus shall so come in like manner.” His coming is imminent. When He comes, “The dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.” (Acts 1:11, 1 Thess. 4:16-17). Following the tribulation, He shall
return to earth, as King of kings, and Lord of lords and together with His Saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thou- sand years (Rev. 20:6).
…hell and eternal retribution. The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire and therefore has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance. The lake of fire is literal. The terms
―eternal‖ and ―everlasting‖ used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the lake of fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in noting the duration of joy and ecstasy of the saints in the presence of God (Heb. 9:27, Rev. 19:20, Heb. 6:1-2).
…communion – the Lord’s supper. We partake of the Lord’s Supper to show the Lord’s death till He comes (2 Cor. 11:23- 31). The bread symbolizes the Lord’s broken body (Is. 53:5, 1 Cor. 11:24). The cup represents the new covenant in His blood, which provides us forgiveness and relationship with God (Heb. 9, 1 Cor. 11:25). We judge ourselves and realize that this is our sal- vation and receive it (1 Cor 11:28-30) for if we receive it unworthily – without giving it honor as our salvation – we are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (1 Cor. 11:27).
…laying on of hands. A simple belief that power or anointing or any other necessary quality can be transmitted from one person touching another. Laying on of hands was practiced by the Levitical Priesthood. Jesus practiced it in Mark 10:13-16 as a blessing, and is our grounds for baby dedication instead of baptism. Laying on of hands for healing (Mark 5:22, 23, 41; Mark 5:28-31; Acts 28:8; Acts 19:11-12); laying on of hands to confer office (Acts 6:2-6); laying of hands to receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:16-18); lay- ing on hands to believe words spoken, to receive anointing, and to cultivate the anointing (1 Tim. 4:14); laying on of hands for ordi- nation to consecrate and receive the necessary ministry tools (1 Tim. 4:14).
…tithes and offerings. The practice of tithes and offerings as taught in the Holy Scriptures, according to Mal. 3:10; Luke 6:38; 1 Cor. 16:1-2: 2 Cor. 9:6-8.
…the church. The church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a body of believers who assemble to worship, carry forth the Great Commis- sion, and minister as the Holy Ghost leads them. The believers should seek, as the early disciples did, to practice a separated life from the world and to Christ, will not practice or lead a life of sodomy, and to produce standards of conduct that will exalt our Lord and His church. The local church has a right to govern itself under the Lordship of Christ Jesus and where it deems best for the life of the church and testimony of the Lord, may discipline in the Spirit of Love any member who departs from the principles set forth in the articles [of the Constitution of All Nations Community Church] or whose conduct is contrary to the Spirit and practice of the body (2 Cor. 6:17; Eph. 5:11; Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:17; Rom. 12:1-3; Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 1:22; Eph. 2:19-22; Heb. 12:23; Matt. 18:15