Christian Core Academy

Student/Parent Handbook

Fall 2009

ADMISSIONS

Christian Core Academy (CCA) admissions policy does not discriminate as to race, color, national or ethnic origin. CCA will admit a student of any religious affiliation, provided the student will abide by all CCA standards of discipline, dress, academic and spiritual instruction. CCA expects parents to be supportive of all practices and policies, to cooperate respectfully with the authority of the teachers, and to enable the child to cooperate fully with all programs and activities of CCA. CCA does not encourage parents to place students in CCA against their will. Students are admitted with the understanding that a student who cannot adjust to the program at CCA may need to find another school that is better able to meet the needs of that student. CCA reserves the right to deny admission to students when the student’s academic or other records, references, or the initial interview and/or entrance examination results are unfavorable and indicate questionable success. CCA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ENROLLMENT OR RE-ENROLLMENT TO ANY STUDENT WITHOUT CAUSE.

ADMISSIONS: ENROLLMENT/REGISTRATION

Students are pre-enrolled at CCA upon completion of enrollment forms and entry testing (1st-8thgrade), and payment of all enrollment and testing fees.

Returning students are required to complete an enrollment form during the month of March and to return the form no
later than April 1 in order to secure a place at CCA for the following year. The registration fee of $250 per student is due by June 1. A $50.00 late fee will be charged after July 1.

New students registration will open in April and continue until August 15. After August 1, a $50.00 late registration fee
will be assessed for late registration.

ATTENDANCE

In order for your child to achieve maximum academic results, consistent attendance is required. Excessive absences affect the student’s grades and attitudes. Excused absences are for illness or a death in the family only. Students will be expected to make up all missed tests, class work, and homework after returning to school from an excused absence. They will have as many days to complete the work, as they were absent. An excused absence and make-up work can be requested in advance for an absence other than illness for such activities as ski trips, youth activities, family outings, or any activity not sponsored by the school.

COMMUNICATION

It is the goal of the CCA staff to stay in close communication with the parents of the students. We ask that parents use the following method to communicate with teachers. If you have questions, concerns or ideas, please contact the teacher by e-mail first. If follow-up is needed, please make an appointment for a conference outside of class time. If the parents cannot come to an agreement with the teacher, please respectfully request that the teacher set up a meeting with both parties and the director of CCA. If further discussion or mediation is needed, the director will set up an appointment with all parties and a board member.

CURRICULUM

Christian Core Academy follows the Core Knowledge Curriculum written by E.D. Hirsch. School administrators have and will substitute any teachings/readings/materials that contradict the Christian faith.

DISCIPLINARY CODE

Christian Core Academy strives to set a standard of conduct that will provide a healthy academic environment, and teach the child to live a moral, Godly life. CCA will aim to develop the following characteristics in its students.

  1. Cooperation with others within and without the classroom.
  2. Cheerful obedience to all in authority. (Rom 13:1, I Pet. 2:13-22)
  3. Responsibility in doing assigned or expected tasks. (Matt. 25:45-46)
  4. Courtesy and respect for others: such as being quiet in class, raising hand to speak, not interrupting others, walking, not running in the building, and eating with proper manners.
  5. Cleanliness in person and property: cleanliness in dress, neat desk, picking up trash, etc.
  6. Truthfulness and honesty in work and life. (Prov. 12:22, Eph. 4:32)
  7. Respect for classmates and their property.
  8. Promptness in attendance and completing assignments.
  9. Morally good conduct in respect to recreation, social relationships and language. (Students will refrain from swearing, use of any type of tobacco, drinking alcoholic beverages, sexual activity, pornography and abuse of drugs.)

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

When a student’s behavior is unsatisfactory, the school will employ the appropriate action for correction. The following steps may be used to achieve appropriate behavior and attitudes: (We never assume a student knows proper behavior until we have explained it to him/her.)

  1. A verbal warning will be issued to the student and a student in grades K-8 will turn discipline light to yellow and grades 4th-8th will be asked to place name on board.
  2. A concrete warning follows the verbal warning which is turning discipline light to red for grades K-3 and a check by the student’s name on board for grades 4-8. The following consequences will then be enforced.
      The student will miss his/her break for the morning
      A note will be sent home for the parent to sign in acknowledgement of the student’s behavior.
  3. After the verbal and concrete warning, the student in grades K-8 will turn light to double red and the student in grades 4th-8th will place another check by name. Once the double red light and double check by the name has been reached, the parents will be notified to come to the school and administer consequences according to their family rules.

SUSPENSION

In severe cases of misbehavior academic dishonesty or refusal to do academic work, suspension may be necessary as a disciplinary measure. The purpose of suspension is to bring the child to repentance and corrected behavior. We encourage parents to work with the teachers to this end. A policy of 1-3 day suspension will be followed. Extended suspensions will be applied when circumstances warrant. Any student who receives 2 suspensions in one school year will be considered for extended suspension or expulsion.

PROBATION

The teacher will put a student on probation if other forms of discipline have proven ineffective, or at any time it becomes questionable as to whether a student should remain at CCA. A period of probation gives the teacher time to consider carefully the needs of the student and the issues involved, and gives the student time to prove himself. Probation will be set for a definite period of time, and with definite pre-determined goals. At the conclusion of probation the student will either have accomplished the goals set and be taken off probation, or will be recommended for expulsion.

EXPULSION

A student will be considered for expulsion from school if it becomes the opinion of the teacher that CCA can no longer effect positive conduct change or positive academic training. If a student is not making progress towards obedience or academic success, the teacher will recommend the child be expelled. The director will review the situation, and consult with parents and staff before making a final decision. Students will forfeit the privilege of attending CCA if at any time during their enrollment the administration becomes aware they are participating in and are unwilling to repent and accept consequences for any of the following: drugs, pregnancy, abortion, sexual misconduct, pornography, moving away from home (out from under parental authority covering.) Students who have been expelled will not be allowed to attend any CCA sponsored school function.

DRESS CODE

Self-discipline results in self-respect, which is characterized by modesty and good taste in personal grooming. Students’ dress will affect the atmosphere of the school, academic achievement, student attitude, and student and staff behavior. We do not suggest that a specific code of dress is mandated by the Bible. The Bible does not say precisely what kind of clothes a Christian student should wear. But the Bible does say to students of every generation that their appearance must be modest. Boys should dress in masculine fashion. Girls should dress in feminine fashion. And all young people are to be examples of the believers.(1 Tim. 4:12) For your child’s safety there are to be no weapons brought onto school property or to any school sponsored activity.

EARLY CHECK OUT PROCEDURES

Any student needing to leave the school prior to 12:15 p.m. must be checked out through the student’s teacher.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Students are not to bring radios, tape recorders, pagers, walkmans, CD players, electronic games, etc. to school unless for a specific reason with permission from the classroom teacher. If a student is discovered to have an electronic device, the device will be secured by the teacher and claimed by a parent. Students may bring a cellular phone to school. Cell phones must be turned off in the building at all times. Students may use the phone outside the building. Students found using the phone in the building or text messaging in the building will receive discipline and lose the privilege of bringing a cell phone.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

School closures due to weather or other public disasters will follow the Poudre School District procedures. Please check their website for school closures when needed.

FEES AND FINANCIAL PROCEDURES

Christian Core Academy is an independent Christian school, operated solely on the tuition and contributions it receives. The following fees represent CCA’s goals of offering a reasonable academic opportunity and maintaining financial credibility with its staff and creditors. However, behind the financial procedures is a deep awareness that it is GOD alone that causes a school to stand or to fall. God’s provision has brought us each step we have taken and it is with deep gratitude that we anticipate each new step.

  1. Keep an open communication with the school regarding your financial obligations. Make sure you understand your financial responsibilities and that the school office is aware of any changes you may need to make. If for any reason payment is to be late, notify the school immediately.
  2. Enrollment fees are paid on June 1 for enrollment for the following year. This fee is non-refundable unless the family moves out of the Fort Collins area.
  3. Monthly tuition is due on the first of each month. It is late after the 5th of the month, and a $15.00 late charge will be assessed.
  4. Transactions returned will be accessed a $10 service fee
  5. Tuition for students Kindergarten and above is an annual fee. Parents will pay their tuition in 9 monthly payments. Each family enrolled at CCA is responsible for the full year’s tuition EVEN IF THE FAMILY WISHES TO WITHDRAW THEIR CHILD FROM THE SCHOOL DURING THE YEAR. We have to pay our teachers with the monthly income from tuition and are contractually obligated to pay them for the full nine months so enrolling your child at CCA entails a nine month commitment from our families.
  6. Fees for art and music are assessed on either a monthly basis, or a semester basis as appropriate. A list of fees is included with registration and enrollment packets.

FIELD TRIPS

Classes may take trips to interesting and educational places in the greater Fort Collins area from time to time as a vital part of the instructional program. Parents will be notified beforehand as to when the field trip will take place. Small fees may be charged to cover expenses. The school may require certain dress for field trips.

HOMEWORK

CCA course of study is based on the students completing their independent work at home. The student (depending on his age) will be responsible for writing down assignments in his assignment notebook, completing and returning homework and obtaining parent’s signature. The signature states that the homework is complete and approved by the parent. Routine failure to comply with this policy will result in disciplinary action.

ILLNESS

A child that is running a fever, is contagious, or too ill to participate fully in classroom activities should be kept at home. Any child having a fever, vomiting or diarrhea during the night or prior to class time should be kept home that day. A student who becomes ill during the day will be allowed to rest comfortably until his parents can be notified and he can be picked up from school. A student must be free of fever, vomiting, and diarrhea 24 hours before returning to school.

LEGAL REPORTING OBLIGATION OF A SCHOOL

In accord with state law and school policy, school staff are obligated under penalty of fine and jail term to report the reasonable suspicion of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or child neglect. In this very serious and legally narrow area, the school will not contact parents in advance of making a report to authorities, which would be the procedure followed in most other legal matters. The clear intent of the law, based on the seriousness of the crimes listed above, is to mandate that a report of reasonable suspicion of abuse be made. School staff will make such reports in the best interest of the affected child; and do not, once reasonable suspicion is established, have any legal alternative except to make the report to the proper authorities for their investigation and review.

PARENT/STUDENT ORIENTATION

An orientation will be held prior to the beginning of the school year for students and parents to outline expectations, policies, school rules and other pertinent information. Students will also be allowed to bring their supplies at the time of the orientation to arrange them before the first day of school

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parent-teacher conferences will be held the first and last quarter of the year. Other conferences may be scheduled with the classroom teacher as needed during the year.

PHYSICAL ATTENTIONS

Physical display of affection in girl-boy relationships IS NOT ALLOWED .Students are expected to keep their hands entirely to themselves and to pursue relationships off campus. Class time is for study and students are to give their attentions to the course agenda and not to other students. Writing or passing notes will be dealt with promptly.

PICKUP AFTER SCHOOL

Students will be picked-up after school each day at 12:15, Monday through Wednesday, and 11:45 on Thursday. Parents are to sign their child out at the gymnasium each day promptly at the designated time. Parents with more than one student need to pick up the youngest child first and then proceed to pickup other children in order of age. Parents are to pick up their students at the west entrance/exit of the gymnasium. When students have been signed out, please exit the building promptly. Parents who are more than 10 minutes late to pick up their child will be assessed a $15.00 fine to compensate the teacher for the extra time. Please be considerate of the teacher’s time.

PLAYGROUND RULES

During the school year students will be going outside for recess and Physical Education whenever possible and are expected to dress appropriately.

REPORT CARDS/GRADING SCALE

Report cards will be issued at the end of each nine-week period. The grade scale and description of terms used on the cards are as follows:

A+ 97-100 B+ 87-89 C+ 77-79 D+ 67-69

A 94-96 B 84-86 C 74-76 D 64-66

A- 90-93 B- 80-83 C- 70-73 D- 60-63

E: Excellent: Student is performing above the average standard for his grade level.

G: Good: Student is performing well for his grade level and doing his work responsibly.

S: Satisfactory: Student is applying himself adequately and consistently.

N: Needs Improvement: Student should put forth more effort and apply himself to his work.

U: Unsatisfactory: Studentis not applying himself according to his ability and is performing below average level.

*Elementary grading scale same as above. Effort will be evaluated on a +, – scale and attitude on a numerical scale.

SAFETY

Any student, by word or deed, threatening the safety or well being of another student, faculty member, staff member, or the school at large will be subject to disciplinary action by the administration and/or board. Disciplinary action may include suspension or dismissal.

SCHOOL HOURS

8:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Mon, Tues., and Wed

8:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Thursday(building use conflict)

STANDARDIZED TESTS

Standardized achievement tests will be given annually. Parents are provided copies of their child’s test results. CCA will utilize the PASS test system.

TARDINESS

Arriving at school late disrupts the school prayer assembly and/or the classroom setting. Please be considerate and have your child at school on time so we can begin school in a timely manner.

TRANSFERS

Students transferring from CCA to another school need to give the school at least a one-day notice so records and grades can be prepared. The student’s grades and records will be transferred to the new school when all accounts have been settled with the school bookkeeper.

VISITORS

Parents are welcome to visit the classroom while the class is in progress. It is our goal to conduct class in such a way that parents are always welcome to visit, but we discourage casual, frequent interruptions to classroom activities. Parents should not interrupt class to relay messages, or to ask questions of teachers or students without prior permission.

WEAPONS

For your child’s safety, there are to be no weapons brought by students onto school property or to any school sponsored activity. Pocketknives are not permitted. If a weapon is discovered, the child will be suspended or expelled.