Parent/Student Handbook & Directory
2016-2017
Houston Christian School
Box 237, Houston, BC V0J 1Z0
PHONE (250) 845-7736
www.houstonchristianschool.ca
A school with
“trees planted by streams of water,
yielding fruit in season.”
(Psalm 1:3)
Table of Contents
Vision Statement………………………………………………………………………………..3
Gratitude Code…..……………………………………………………………………………..4
Elementary School …………………………………………………………………………….8
50 Things parents can do……………………………………………………………………...10
High School…………………………………………………………………………………….12
Discipline……………………………………………………………………………………….18
Athletics………………………………………………………………………………………...27
Tuition………………………………………………………………………………………….31
Calendar………………………………………………………………………………………..32
School Directory……………………………………………………………………………….33
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Mission Statement:
Educating, Engaging, Equiping....to the Glory of God.
· We are committed, in faith, to a world and life view which is Reformed in emphasis and character, solidly rooted in God’s infallible Word.
· We especially recognize the need for home, church, and school to work together in enabling students to apply Biblical values to all areas of life.
· We aim to provide a secure environment in which students are able to develop academically, spiritually, physically, socially, artistically and emotionally.
· We recognize the uniqueness of each student and encourage them to develop their varied gifts to the glory of God.
· We want our children
to be equipped with discernment and confidence,
to be committed to stewardship, and
to increase their desire to imitate Christ,
so that through the power of the Holy Spirit
they will work towards transforming society
rather than conforming to it.
God’s Calling for Students:
· to become followers of Jesus in every area of their lives, both at home and in school, in their learning and in their play, in their private and public lives.
· to explore, understand, and celebrate knowledge about God’s creation and His norms for living and, in this way, to know more about God.
· to develop their God-given abilities in order to extend the “kingdom of God.” The will of God is for a kingdom of righteousness and love, a place where shalom, joy and delight reign.
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
GRATITUDE CODE
As I learn about God and His world, I will begin to see myself as having the following roles
in being a Follower of Jesus in His world:
Artist:
In God’s image, I will seek pattern and design, will create and enjoy beauty.
Athlete:
Using my body, I will enjoy what it can do.
Builder:
By loving others, I will build community.
Caretaker:
Everything I have, including myself, is a gift. I will take care of it.
Detective:
I will understand what desires and temptations keep me from loving God.
Learner:
I will learn about, discover and celebrate God’s creation.
Seeker:
I will seek to make sure things are fair for everyone, not just myself.
Servant Leader:
I will want to do good for others.
Storyteller:
I will hear and tell stories of the good news of God’s kingdom.
Worshipper:
I will accept Jesus as God or choose myself as god.
Out of gratitude to God for who I am and what He has done, I want to learn and discover how to live this out in the HCS community. With the help of the Spirit of Jesus and others, I can perform the listed behaviours, attitudes and habits in the following areas:
1. Academic: I will . . .
§ be honest.
§ finish my assignments on time.
§ work neatly where appropriate.
§ work to the best of my abilities.
§ learn and apply skills of organization.
§ participate appropriately.
2. Use of Time: I will . . .
§ use class time well.
§ avoid last minute finishing of assignments.
§ schedule out work for long term projects.
§ allow others to work undisturbed.
§ help others when appropriate.
§ practice study skills at home.
3. Relationships:
I can expect the staff to:
§ help me academically, socially, emotionally, spiritually.
§ respect, encourage me and listen to me.
§ be kind and patient with me.
§ have reasonable rules for us.
§ understand that students have different learning styles.
§ display a sense of humour and fun.
§ ask me for forgiveness when wrong.
§ confront me gently when wronged.
§ pray for me.
In my relationships to staff, I will:
§ give staff proper respect.
§ voice disagreement with proper voice tone.
§ voice disagreement at the proper time.
§ listen appropriately.
§ show courtesy.
§ ask forgiveness when wrong.
§ confront others properly when wronged.
§ help when asked or see a need.
§ pray for my teachers.
In my relationship to other students, I will:
§ respect others with the same respect I want.
§ use others’ belongings only with permission.
§ listen appropriately.
§ befriend others younger or different than me.
§ befriend new students.
§ ask for forgiveness when wrong.
§ confront others properly when wronged.
§ serve where I can.
§ help make this school a safe place.
§ show respect for other gender, other races and cultures.
§ physically touch in encouraging ways.
§ (High School students: no PDA please J)
§ pray for my friends and enemies.
4. Language: I will . . .
§ greet visitors and newcomers with hospitality.
§ seek help in conflicts I cannot resolve.
§ respect other languages and races.
§ respect new ideas.
§ listen when others speak.
§ speak kindly to and about others.
§ encourage others.
§ use God’s name with respect.
§ avoid name calling.
§ avoid vulgar or rude words.
§ not put others down.
§ not put myself down.
5. Treatment of school grounds, buildings, furniture: I will . . .
§ respect God’s world: trees, shrubs, facilities.
§ dispose of garbage properly.
§ treat books, desks and chairs with care.
§ recycle when possible.
6. Care of my body: I will . . .
§ see my body as God’s temple.
§ accept physical fitness as important.
§ maintain proper sleeping habits.
§ practice good hygiene.
§ eat nutritiously.
7. Clothing: I will . . .
§ wear clean, neat clothes.
§ avoid extremes in clothing that call attention to myself.
§ avoid shirts with inappropriate slogans.
§ avoid revealing clothing.
§ wear proper footwear.
§ only wear hats outside.
8. Public Assemblies: I will …
§ “cheer for, not against” in competitive games.
§ give my full attention to presenters.
§ watch performances with dignity.
§ leave a place cleaner than when I arrived.
§ use electronic devices only with teacher approval.
Online safety:
Realities and Responsibilities: Online Etiquette and Dangers
· You are polite and respectful in school...be polite and respectful online.
· If you join Facebook, read the rules: you are not allowed to say or show anything that is mean to others.
· Don't lie. For example: you are not allowed to join Facebook until you are 13.
· Report meanness online to your parent, trusted friend or an adult, or to Facebook (if that is where it is happening). Do not respond online to a mean comment or photo. Instead, get a paper copy of it to log the incident.
· Delete or do not use hurtful or mean comments.
· Delete or do not use inappropriate pictures.
· Delete unknown "friends". Limit site to only your real friends.
· Delete personal information that unknown people might use.
· Remember, the internet has a long memory: do not use it to do anything that will come back to haunt you in one, two, five or ten years from now.
· Do not take or share inappropriate photos online.
· Do not share your passwords with friends.
· Teacher computers must not be used by students.
· Access to the computer room or wireless system (for students with laptops) is available only by direct permission from a teacher.
· Remember school computers (and yours) may not be used to create, transmit, or receive any offensive or disruptive messages. Offensive messages contain sexual implications or jokes; or, comment offensively on a person’s race, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or religion; defame others; or intrude on another’s privacy or social conditions.
Elementary School: Kindergarten – Grade Six
Welcome to Houston Christian School! It’s our prayer that your years in Grades K-6 will be pleasant, that the days and weeks will be filled with the satisfaction of learning things, with the growth of friendship, with the sounds of singing and that you will sense how much God loves you.
Report Cards
Student progress through the school subjects will be formally reported to parents three times on report cards. Telephone calls will be made and other notes will be sent as necessary. The learning assistance teacher is available to help students experiencing difficulties. Students, teachers and parents will work carefully and cooperatively so that each student can make effective progress.
Daily Schedule
8:20 a.m. Doors open
8:30 a.m. Classes begin
10:00-10:20 a.m. Recess
12:00 p.m. Lunch
12:45 p.m. Afternoon classes begin
3:00 p.m. Dismissal
1:55 p.m. Thursday early dismissal
Students are required to attend school except for illness or other legitimate reasons as determined by parents. Parents are asked to call the school when students are to be kept at home. The secretary keeps attendance records on the computer.
Entering the School
The doors will be opened for students to come in to school at 8:20 a.m. Students are to remain on the playground until teachers invite students to enter the school. On cold winter days when the temperature is less than -15°, the principal or a teacher will open the doors so that students can wait in the entrance for school to begin. It should be noted that the playground is not officially supervised before school.
On the Playground
Recess and noon-hour are fine times for most students. Playing together is easy and fun but it needs lots of respect for each other. It’s especially important for young Christians to watch out for weaker students, for those who are shy and for those who find it hard to make friends. Always treat others with kindness and friendliness. Don’t make fun of them; don’t call them names; don’t push or hurt them.
Once at school, students must not leave the school grounds until it is time to go home. Students are not permitted to go to nearby stores at recess, noon-hour or while waiting for the bus or ride home.
Noon-Hour
Lunch is to be eaten in the classroom within a 15 minute time limit. Any remaining food is to be eaten outside. Teachers will maintain a presence in the room during eating period.
Telephone
Students are not to make arrangements to visit friends with the office telephone. Teachers will give students a pass to use the office telephone when appropriate. Elementary students are not to use the telephone in the foyer without permission of a teacher as this telephone is there for the convenience of high school students and for those who rent the gymnasium.
Medications
No medications will be administered to students without permission from parents. Written directions for any long term medications to be administered under the instructions of a medical doctor need to be provided for the school and will be placed in the student file.
Field Trips
Field trips may be arranged by teachers as part of the regular course work or for class outings. Skating at the arena requires skates and either a bicycle or hockey helmet. For field trips, parents will be given the appropriate information as needed.
Classroom Routines:
Your teacher will let you know of routines in your classroom so that you have a great learning environment.
Electronic devices need to be turned off and put away before entering the classroom (including 10 min break), otherwise a teacher will take care of it for you during the day.
Shoes
Please put outside shoes on the shelf in the boot room.
Outside/Dirty shoes must come off.
Kitchen and Computer Room
Both the computer room and the kitchen and all its supplies are completely off limits without specific permission. Please ask the office staff if you would like to borrow items.
50…
Houston Christian School believes that home and school work together to educate children. It is the God given task of parents to raise and educate their child. So we offer here a limited list of 50 things parents can do to encourage their children in Christian education:
1. Read to your child.
2. Pray with your child.
3. Recognize that you are the most important factors in your child’s education.
4. You are your child’s biggest advocate.
5. You are your child’s best cheerleader. Be enthusiastic about your child’s progress. This encourages children to take their education seriously.
6. Children of all ages need attention, affection, appreciation and acceptance.
7. Ask more specific questions about what your child did in school. This not only tells your child you are interested, but you are more informed as well. Example: “What did you do in math today?” is a better question than “How was your day?”