|
 |
|
Since 1959 155 Mountain Road, West Hartford CT 06107 860-521-8380 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
HARTFORD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK Revised 2007 A Ministry of Farmington Avenue Baptist Church
TABLE OF CONTENTS Meet HCA 4
MEET HCA A MESSAGE TO OUR FRIENDS Dear Parents and Students: As Pastor of Farmington Avenue Baptist Church and Administrator of Hartford Christian Academy, I want you, as parents and students, to know that you are an integral part of our ministry. We welcome you to Hartford Christian Academy and pray that together we will accomplish the goals that God has set before us in His Word. This handbook will help you to understand our goals and direction. At the same time, our day-to-day operation will be presented, although we cannot put all of the daily activities into a small handbook. One of our main goals is that we strive together as administration, faculty, parents, and students to bring glory and honor to the Lord in all that we do. Behind all the information that is presented in this handbook is a Person, a philosophy, and a church. The Person is the Lord Jesus Christ, Whom we want to magnify in our lives. To become like Christ is the goal of every Christian, and thus, a goal at Hartford Christian Academy. The philosophy is that of a Christian education, based upon the Word of God, with Christ at the center. Unlike the humanistic philosophy found in our state schools, we teach that God is absolute and that truth is found in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. The church is Farmington Avenue Baptist Church, where I have served as pastor for the past twenty-six years. Hartford Christian Academy is an integral and inseparable ministry of Farmington Avenue Baptist Church, and our goal is to train young people, not only to produce quality academic work but also to be "Christlike" in their character. The Psalmist said, "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalm 127:3). Our task is to help parents nurture that heritage by providing a challenge to each student to seek and do God's will and honor the Lord in all aspects of his or her education and life. Please pray with us and stand with us as we seek to serve God in this great adventure that involves all of us. Dr. Gary Jones Pastor School Seal School Logo School Mascot School Colors: Maroon and White School verse: "And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children." Isaiah 54:13 OUR HISTORY In the spring of 1976, Farmington Avenue Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Wendell Mullen, discovered that the Town of West Hartford had a building for lease -- the Aiken School off King Philip Drive. Driven by the conviction that the children of the church members needed a Christian education, Pastor Mullen and treasurer M.R. Terelmes signed a three-year lease for the building that summer. In a very short time, the pastor along with assistant pastor Michael Healan, who was appointed principal of the new school ministry, hired a teaching staff, procured curriculum, enrolled 225 students, and organized the Hartford Christian Academy. Since September of 1976, the Academy has met in three different buildings: the Aiken School (1976-1979), Bridlepath on Buena Vista (1979-1984), and the present church facility on Mountain Road. A move to new facilities in Farmington is planned. In 1980 the church called Pastor Gary Jones to lead the ministry. Under his leadership, the Academy has constantly focused its philosophy on meeting the educational and spiritual challenges of schooling children from strong Christian homes. Pastor Jones shifted the emphasis of the school from being a tool for evangelism to providing for the edification of saints. It was during the early days of his leadership (1984) that the school was faced with a legal battle with the town over whether it could use the church's facilities for its ministry. God gave the victory, and the education of HCA students continues to this day. In 1998, Hartford Christian Academy was granted full accreditation at the highest level by the American Association of Christian Schools. In the summer of 2003 Dr. Mark Cronemeyer became the new Principal. HCA has graduated over 300 students, most of whom have gone on to Christian colleges to further the spiritual training begun here. Some have even returned to serve on staff or as dedicated laymen in the church. HCA remains, since its inception, an integral and inseparable ministry of Farmington Avenue Baptist Church SCHOOL SONGS GIVE A CHEER (Fight Song) COMMENCEMENT HYMN STATEMENT OF FAITH Since Hartford Christian Academy is an integral and inseparable ministry of Farmington Avenue Baptist Church, all teachings, curriculum, chapel messages, and directions are in accordance with the church's statement of faith. Each faculty member has signed this statement. A copy of the statement of faith may be obtained from the office or may be viewed on the church website (www.fabap.net). The major points may be summarized in the following description of our church: a fundamental, premillenial, Bible-believing, separated, local, Baptist church. The Bible, plenarily and verbally inspired by God, is our only rule of faith and practice. Hartford Christian Academy is not a Pentecostal or Charismatic school. We consider the Charismatic movement to be unscriptural in many ways and will not allow students to bring this influence into the Academy. No student or parent will be allowed to disseminate unscriptural positions to our Academy constituency at any time (e.g., Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, Roman Catholicism, cultism, etc.). PHILOSOPHY OF HARTFORD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY The complete working philosophy of the Academy - which controls our goals, objectives, and policies - is an eleven-page document. The staff reviews it often and uses it to ensure that we do things right. Parents who are interested may obtain a copy through the school office. Below are some of the salient points. 1. The Bible is the final, immutable authority for education. 2. The authority and responsibility for all aspects of a child's development have been assigned by God to the parents. However, both the home and the church are charged with the responsibility of education. The Academy is the ministry of Farmington Avenue Baptist Church to carry out the task of educational assistance to the home. 3. God is the Creator of all truth. Christ is the Sustainer and Redeemer of all truth. The Holy Spirit is the Revealer of all truth. 4. Man is the product of special creation by God, and although fallen in the original sin, he bears the image of God. Redeemed mankind alone can understand and fully appreciate the ultimate purpose for which he was created: to be like Christ. Thus, Christian education cannot be achieved with unbelievers. 5. The three-fold goal of teaching is to transmit the truth in fullness and purity, to train the student with love and wisdom, and to glorify Christ, in whom perfect love and absolute truth are united forever. OBJECTIVES IN EDUCATION 1. To prepare children spiritually by instilling in them a love for God and a personal sense of responsibility to be all God wants them to be as Christians and as citizens. Consistent with this goal, our first objective is to guarantee that each child is a true Christian by acceptance of salvation as a gift of God. 2. To prepare each child for an outstanding position in life by equipping him for spiritual leadership in school, home, church, community, nation, and the world. 3. To offer an instructional program which meets the academic needs of children, helping them to achieve mastery in the tools of learning and communication. 4. To encourage children to think clearly, logically, and independently. 5. To develop a Christ-centered understanding of the world in which they live and the ability to appreciate and to live productively in their environment. 6. To provide children with opportunities to develop an understanding of and an appreciation for the arts. 7. To provide opportunities for developing physical skills and participating in wholesome forms of recreation. 8. To strongly influence our students to continue the commitment to Christian education in a conservative Christian college or university. Christian education is a cooperative venture. It only works when the home, church, and school work together for the good of the child and the glory of God! ADMISSIONS AND FINANCES ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Students are accepted at Hartford Christian Academy by the administration based upon the applicants' desire to cooperate with the overall purpose and program of the Academy and upon their academic ability. Admission is determined by a parent/student interview with the administration, testing results, and previous academic performance. Parents and students are required to sign the Statement of Cooperation before registration is completed. Hartford Christian Academy does not discriminate on the basis of ethicity or national origin. FINANCIAL INFORMATION A student is considered registered at Hartford Christian Academy when his registration fee is paid in full. The Academy neither solicits nor accepts government funds of any kind. Therefore, it is necessary that fees and tuition be paid when due. No refunds can be made on registration. The annual tuition charge, when necessary, may be paid in ten equal installments. A total of ten installments will be due beginning August 1 and ending May 1. All accounts will be due and payable by the 1st of each month. A late fee will be assessed for accounts not paid by the 10th of each month. Any student whose account is not paid in full up-to-date on or before the last day of each month may not be allowed to attend the Academy until such time as the account is paid in full. Report cards and/or transcripts will not be released if the account is delinquent or other fees are outstanding. EXPENSES: A schedule of tuition and fees is published each year in the spring for the next school year. That sheet details the tuition for each child in each family (tuitions are prorated according to the number of children in the family), registration fees, and matriculation fees. The latter is a payment for all of the academy's "out-of-pocket" expenses incurred in the education of each student, such as books, laboratory, music, field trips, etc.
WITHDRAWAL Withdrawals from school must be made in person through the administration and the finance office. All tuition payments will continue until parents and students have completed the official withdrawal form and delivered it to the school. The bookkeeper cannot accept the form until all signatures necessary are complete and the form is signed by one of the parents. Records will not be released until all bills are paid, materials have been returned, and the $100.00 withdrawal fee has been paid. Occasionally, a student may be asked to withdraw from the Academy for non-disciplinary reasons. Students in this category would include those whose overall performance does not measure up to the standards of the Academy. In that case, standard withdrawal procedures will be followed, but the withdrawal fee will not be charged. RECORDS It is standard procedure among schools to forward transcripts and other requested student records directly to the receiving school or institution, rather than to release official documents to parents or students. Parents may request an unofficial copy of their children's records at any time. If a parent, for whatever reason, desires an official record, he must sign a form holding the Academy blameless for the existence or validity of that record. Furthermore, while the Academy will forward originals of health data as well as academic records compiled at prior schools, the school office will only forward official copies of academic records compiled at HCA (eg. transcripts and test scores). This enables us to send copies to more than one requesting institution, as is often the case. Documents regarding discipline (other than number of demerits) are never released, as they constitute confidential records of internal relationships.
GENERAL INFORMATION LENGTH OF SCHOOL DAY The school day for all students begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m. Supervision is provided 8:00-8:30 a.m. and 3:15-4:00 p.m. Kindergarten meets full days on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only. INCLEMENT WEATHER SCHOOL CLOSING During inclement weather, parents should tune to radio station WTIC (1080 AM) or TV stations WFSB-TV (Channel 3) and WVIT-TV (Channel 30) or check the internet at www.wfsb.com or www.nbc30.com, which will announce whether the Academy will open late or close. The decision concerning school closing or late opening will be made and announced by 6:00A.M. If we are open and conditions in your area are too severe for travel, call the school to report the students for an excused absence. If the weather becomes inclement during the day, be alert for notification. SCHOOL OFFICE AND TELEPHONES The school office is the Academy’s business center and students are not to congregate there. Only those students who have permission are allowed inside the office. Students are expected to be courteous to all office staff. Students may use the phones located in the office area with permission from the office staff, but may not use other phones in the building. Students may use the reception area only if they are there for office business or other official activities. SCHOOL BULLETIN BOARDS Announcements and other matters of importance to our students will be posted on the bulletin board by the office. Students will be held responsible for the posted information and should check it at least once each day. Students are never to tamper with the posted materials on any school bulletin board and may post no announcement without first having it approved by the office staff. CAFETERIA During lunch time, students may not go in any other part of the building without permission. Drinks may be purchased from the vending machine in the cafeteria. Food may be consumed only in the cafeteria, or, with teacher permission and supervision, in a classroom. Students may not eat during the school day at times other than lunch time or snack time without a teacher's approval. This includes eating between classes. Elementary students may not talk after the quiet bell has rung during the last several minutes of lunch. Only students in grades six and above may use the microwave ovens. They may only use the ones located outside the kitchen, as the use of kitchen equipment is reserved for adults. Students are to show Christian consideration and propriety in the cafeteria. Roughhousing, horseplay, boisterousness, or throwing things is not allowed. Students should leave the lunchroom clean and neat at the end of the period. Cleaning duties are performed in the first five minutes after lunch by students. Duties include washing tables, putting up chairs, dumping trash, cleaning microwave ovens, and vacuuming. LIBRARY Students may visit the library individually when given a pass signed by the classroom teacher. They may visit the library as a class for withdrawal of books or instruction in library science. Out of consideration for others, students must maintain a quiet atmosphere while using the library. Books which have been out for two weeks may be renewed once. Overdue Books: A fine will be assessed for each day a book is overdue, not to exceed the price of the book. Anyone with an overdue book or a library fine not paid may not take any more books from the library until the overdue book is returned and the fine is paid. Damaged Books: Accidentally damaged books will be marked inside the front cover when reported and dated by the librarian. Deliberately damaging a library book is considered defacing school property. Books so defaced as to be useless will be paid for by the borrower at prices set by the librarian. Lost Books: Students will be charged the replacement value of the book. Books missing 30 days will be considered lost. Students may not take out another book until this amount is paid. Donations: Books donated to the library may be designated as gifts or memorials and receipted if the donor desires. The Academy will accept donated books on the basis of their value to the school library. COMPUTER LAB The Academy is fortunate to have a well-equipped computer lab for student use and instruction. Several grades are given instruction in computer technology, while every student has access to the lab resources. The following are the rules for the use of the lab: 1. Students are not allowed to use the lab without staff supervision.
ACADEMY ATHLETICS The purpose for athletic activities is (1) to promote Christian character, (2) to promote healthy competition and school spirit, and (3) to provide for rigorous exercise of the body. Athletes are often leaders because of society's emphasis on sports. Therefore, the Academy expects its athletes to be leaders in a positive way, both spiritually and academically. Team members are expected to attend all scheduled practices and games and to display exemplary sportsmanship. The administration may suspend or permanently relieve a player from any team for academic reasons or if that player's conduct, sportsmanship, or attitude makes him a poor testimony. OFFICE HOLDING Only eligible students with at least a 1.33 average and no F's qualify to serve as class officers or officers in any official school organization. The basis for eligibility will be the most recent semester grades at Hartford Christian Academy, which means that only those who have completed at least one semester at the Academy will be eligible. Also, the accumulation of 25 demerits will immediately disqualify a student from holding an office. Students in positions of leadership must be faithful in their local church and not participate in worldly amusements. AMERICAN CHRISTIAN HONOR SOCIETY It is our desire at the Academy to honor excellence among our student body. For that reason, H.C.A. is privileged to hold a charter in the American Christian Honor Society, a national organization seeking to recognize outstanding Christian character, service, leadership, and academics. Membership, which is life-long, not only offers opportunities for service in many capacities but also provides privileges designed to train Christian leadership. Students in grades ten through twelve may apply to join the Honor Society in the fall and those members chosen by the pastor and the principal are inducted in a special ceremony. Honor society members' academic transcripts reflect their participation in that organization. FINE ARTS Hartford Christian Academy places strong emphasis on its fine arts program. Students are urged to develop their abilities in aesthetic fields in order to enhance their appreciation of the finer things in life. Participation in fine arts programs also allows a student to use and improve his talents for Christian service. Art is part of the basic program through grade eight and music through grade twelve. All students have the opportunity to participate in the music program appropriate to their age level. A course in public speaking is required for graduation. Elementary and secondary ensembles perform for PTF's, special school programs, and concerts. Participation in some ensembles, such as the hand bell choirs, is by audition. Students who qualify may be involved in performances in churches and other organizations in the New England area. Secondary students may also participate in dramatic productions as an extra-curricular activity. RETREAT PROGRAMS Each year Hartford Christian Academy offers exciting retreat programs for the secondary students. School for all secondary students will begin with an Orientation Camp. This retreat is designed to let our faculty and students get acquainted before the actual classroom instruction begins, and it is also a time for school orientation. Spiritual, academic, and athletic aspects are stressed during the three to four days. ALL SECONDARY STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THIS RETREAT. A winter retreat is also planned, and it will be held at a similar camp. This retreat is a time of spiritual refreshment for the students and a time of great fun. Students are strongly urged to attend this retreat sponsored by the Farmington Avenue Baptist Church youth group. On alternating years, students in grades eleven and twelve attend the American Association of Christian Schools Student Leadership Conference in the fall. The cost for this conference is included in the Academy’s student matriculation fee. All students in those grades are expected to attend this four-day camp. FIELD TRIPS Field trips are taken at various times during the year to places of educational interest. The New England area abounds in places of special interest and benefit for the student. The students are required to maintain the same level of self-discipline away from school as is required at school. Information regarding times and dress standards will be sent home with the students prior to each trip. Students who miss field trips will be considered absent and must follow procedures for absences. (See UNEXCUSED ABSENCES.) All Academy field trips are adequately chaperoned. Chaperons must follow the same standard of dress and conduct as is required of the students. All drivers are adults. PARENT MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES Meetings with parents are held at various times throughout the school year to enable parents to follow the progress and development of their children as well as the direction of the Academy as a whole. Programs in which the students participate are often presented at the meetings. The dates for the meetings are posted on the calendar. Since these meetings serve to foster good home-school communication, all parents are urged to be regular attenders. The opening orientation meeting at the beginning of the school year is required of at least one parent of each student. Since the school is an extension of the home, Hartford Christian Academy recognizes the importance of the home and school working together to obtain spiritual and academic growth for the child. For this reason, individual conferences may need to be scheduled throughout the year. The school asks that all students and parents cooperate in these beneficial conferences. At the conclusion of the first quarter, parents are asked to come to the Academy to meet with their children's teachers. (See calendar for conference day.) Each student's progress will be discussed with the parents in order to set the direction for the remainder of the school year. Reasons for other teacher-requested conferences may include failing grades, repeated failure to do homework, learning difficulties, and health habits that may be endangering scholastic progress. Parents are requested to arrange all conferences in advance, as each teacher's time is heavily scheduled. SOLICITATIONS AND UNAUTHORIZED EVENTS Solicitation is forbidden at Hartford Christian Academy without the permission of the administration. Solicitation includes the selling of tickets, candy, etc.; it also includes the distribution of political materials, the circulation of petitions, or the placing of posters. No visitor may speak or perform in any program unless permission is secured from the administration. This includes guest speakers and lecturers in the classroom. Students and parents may not use the name of the school on any radio or TV program or in any publication without the prior authorization from the school administration. The school cannot be held responsible for any party or social function that is not officially approved or sponsored by the school. At all functions in which students are under the supervision of the Academy, all conduct and dress standards apply. SCHEDULING OF EVENTS Any group or individual wishing to schedule a school function or to use school facilities must make reservations through the school office. The reservation is official when it is approved and recorded on the church calendar. TEXTBOOKS All non-consumable textbooks will remain the property of the Academy and will be issued to the students at the beginning of the school year. Part of the matriculation fee helps to offset the Academy's procurement and maintenance of the books. In keeping with our goal of teaching respect for personal property, each student should properly cover his textbooks by the end of the first full week of classes. Contact paper, newspaper, and covers promoting worldly entertainment are not acceptable. The student will place his name clearly on the front cover so that its user may be readily identified. In the event that a student loses a textbook, he will be re-issued another one upon paying the replacement cost. Students who damage books during the school year will be assessed a fee based upon a portion of its replacement value. LOST AND FOUND All articles lost on the premises may be claimed at the lost and found at the school office for a fee. Although students may not normally miss class time to claim items, vital items (such as eyeglasses, coats, etc.) may be sought when the classroom teacher issues a pass. Unclaimed articles will be on display on occasion during the year. All students may view displayed articles; any items still unclaimed will be given away. WEEKLY BULLETINS Each week during the school year the Academy publishes a bulletin to keep all parents, students, teachers, and friends informed. The Weekly Bulletin - usually released on Fridays - contains announcements of events, schedules, congratulations, tips, and reminders. Occasionally included are revisions and clarifications of the rules, policies, and procedures contained in this handbook. Especially for that reason, all concerned should carefully read each issue. Four-weeks’ issues of the bulletin may be viewed at our school web site: Hartford Christian Academy. DAILY PROCEDURES EARLY-LATE STAY The official school day for students at HCA is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Supervisors will be on duty at 8:00 a.m. each day. Students are asked not to arrive before that time. Upon arrival at school, students must report immediately to the supervised area. Elementary students who must remain at school later than 3:30 p.m. must be under the supervision of a teacher. Secondary students remaining after school must be involved in a supervised activity; otherwise, they should not be in the building. Students remaining after school to attend or participate in extracurricular activities are considered to be under school rules. They must be chaperoned at all times and must have permission from the office to leave the school grounds. Please observe the following guidelines: 1. All students staying after school for supervised activities must be in the designated area by 3:30 p.m. High school students may not loiter in the locker area beyond 3:30. ARRIVING AT SCHOOL IN THE MORNING All students are to proceed at once to the center room and remain until the 8:20 bell rings. Faculty will be in a prayer meeting from 8:00 until 8:10; therefore, parents and students should not plan to meet them then for conferences, help, etc. Also, parents are asked not to take their children to the classroom before 8:20 a.m. DROPPING OFF AND PICKING UP STUDENTS For those parents who drive their children to or from school, we ask that the following guidelines be observed. Our parking is very limited, and we are concerned for the safety of the students in the school parking lot. 1. Use only the church's parking lot for drop-off and pick-up of students. Do not use the streets. Not only do the streets present a special danger, but also the Town of West Hartford frowns upon our use of the street for that purpose. Likewise, do not use the Stop and Shop parking lot. STUDENT USE OF AUTOMOBILES Students are not to drive to school unless absolutely necessary. Students are not permitted to transport other students to or from school without written permission from all parents involved. This may be a "blanket" permission for the year, filed in the school office. Once a vehicle is parked in the morning, a student is not permitted to return to it without permission. Students who drive to school must notify the office with a note from home. The privilege of driving to and from school may be revoked if at any time the driver is observed engaging in immature and reckless driving habits on or off campus. Students may park only in the parking lot at the Presbyterian Church across the street, using the last row. (The Academy rents this space.) THE PRESBYTERIAN PARKING LOT The following applies to students who drive to school and their riders: 1. Students must wait at the Presbyterian lot until all members of their party are ready to go, or the driver may go alone and drive the vehicle to the FABC lot to pick up riders. If the driver or a rider is to be detained later than 3:30, all the members of the party are to remain in the center room (7-12) or study hall (K-6) until all are ready to leave. 2. Students must use the crosswalk at all times unless they have a driver's license. Drivers should consider themselves responsible for younger riders and escort them to the crosswalk. Dropping off young students in the school parking lot before going to the Presbyterian lot is preferable. 3. Students may not loiter in the lot but must get into their cars and depart immediately. ADULT GUESTS We welcome parents and friends to visit us during school hours. Please observe the following rules: 1. Check in with the office before visiting any part of the building. CHAPEL Chapel is an integral part of the schedule for each student at Hartford Christian Academy. Chapel speakers are varied, and topics covered are inspirational, challenging, and uplifting. Time of chapel varies from grade to grade. Students are required to attend chapel. Parents and friends are invited to any chapel service and may call the school to find out the times during which chapel is held. STUDENT GUESTS Hartford Christian Academy welcomes school-age visitors who are prospective students. We ask that the following be observed: 1. The host student must obtain permission from the supervisor at least one day in advance of the visit. MEDICAL PROBLEMS The Academy is not allowed by law to prescribe or give medicine on its own. This includes even aspirin. If a student must take medicine during the school day, that medicine (in its original container) along with the Authorization to Administer form signed by the doctor is to be given to the office as soon as the student arrives at school. Medicine is never to be shared with other students. All students must have a current health form filled out by their physician and a copy of their insurance card on file in the school office. New forms are required of (1) new students who do not have a current Connecticut form from a transfer school, (2) students entering the seventh grade, and (3) students entering the eleventh grade. Because we are sympathetic with the sick child and the well child, it is the policy of Hartford Christian Academy not to allow students with communicable diseases (including conjunctivitis) to attend school. No student with a temperature of 100 degrees or above or who is vomiting will be allowed to remain in school. Parents will be called and must make arrangements to pick up the student at school immediately. Students who are unable to participate in physical education classes must have a note from home. For students to be excused from physical education classes for more than one week, a signed doctor's excuse may be required. EMERGENCY EVACUATION The route to follow is posted in each classroom. Students are assigned to turn out the lights and close the doors and windows. No talking is allowed during the evacuation. Students should go quickly to the designated areas, turn to face the building, and wait quietly for the signal to re-enter. Re-entry must also be done in an orderly fashion. Students are to leave books and personal items in the school. No one should re-enter the building without permission. TARDY TO SCHOOL Students who are tardy are to present to the office a written excuse signed by a parent. It is the responsibility of the drivers to be on time. Habitual tardiness cannot be permitted. Students who are tardy to school create an interruption for their class, miss whatever work has gone on before their arrival, and begin the day rushing to catch up, which can be very frustrating and detrimental to a good mental attitude for school work. Parents of students who are tardy to school seven or more days in a quarter must meet with the principal to discuss ways to improve their children's on-time record. In addition, students will be penalized (white slips for elementary, demerits for secondary) for unexcused tardies. Students who are late due to oversleeping or other evidences of poor morning planning will not be excused. If it can be determined in a written excuse slip that only one student in a carload is responsible for the tardy, then that one alone will be penalized. If a student continues to be tardy after the principal meets with the parents, the Academy may keep that student from entering classes after 8:30, thus forfeiting the day's work (except assignments receiving a test grade or higher). ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS The State of Connecticut requires children to be in school when it is in session unless prevented by illness or acceptable extenuating circumstances. The Academy must be informed of the nature of each absence according to the procedures in the sections below. Failure to do so may result in a student's being classified by the state as "truant." A student must attend at least three and a half hours in order to have his attendance counted for any day. Parents of students who miss seven or more days of school in any quarter, regardless of the nature of the absences, will be asked to meet with the principal to discuss the academic ramifications of the missed school time. Students who miss twenty-four or more days of school in the course of one school year may be retained in their grade for the following year; if the student is on the high school level, credit for any classes for which a student is absent twenty-four or more times may be forfeited. This policy applies to any absences, excused or unexcused. The Academy regards faithful attendance as necessary to academic success. The scheduling of family vacations or trips while school is in session is discouraged. PREARRANGED ABSENCES ("CUTS") To allow teachers to have the opportunity to make arrangements with students to make up missed work, parents should send a note to the school office no later than three school days in advance of a planned absence, explaining the reason for the absence. The Academy teachers will do whatever is necessary to help students make up missed assignments, but we ask parents to cooperate with advance notice whenever possible. When a student brings in a note for an advance absence excuse, he will be issued a special form, which must be initialed by each of his teachers. Those teachers will write make-up assignments and their due dates on the form. When the student returns to school following the absence, he must bring the form to the office, signed by his parent. This will authorize the office personnel to issue an excused absence slip to allow the student back in class. Each student will be allowed five "cut" days per year to be used for family events of any kind (except emergencies). In order to be valid for an excused absence, cuts must be approved at least three days in advance. Cuts may not be taken during semester exam days or high school orientation retreat. Those times are on the school calendar and are announced early enough to allow for proper planning of family events. Absences due to family trips in addition to the five allowable for the year will not be excused. ABSENCE – ILLNESS OR EMERGENCIES When a student is absent due to illness or emergency, he must bring a note from home when he returns to school, explaining the reason for the absence. If he does not have a note, the Academy will have no legal record of the reason for the absence. Secondary students without a note on the return day will receive a demerit penalty. If a student misses more than three days in a row due to illness, a doctor's note may be required to excuse the absence. The 24 days maximum absences policy may be set aside for students with extended or chronic illnesses which are documented by a medical doctor. In such cases, the Academy may seek alternative steps to help the student fulfill academic requirements. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES For unexcused absences, two points will be deducted from the quarter grade in each affected course for each day's absence. Furthermore, all missed work must be handed in on time with no extensions. That is, all assignments due on the day of the absence as well as the day of return are to be handed in on the day of the return. All tests and quizzes missed during the absence will be expected to be made up on the day of return. All tests and quizzes given on the day of return will be taken on time with no further preparation time allowed. Late work will be penalized ten points per day, as is the Academy's standard policy. Students should not miss school to work. Persons who employ a child under fourteen years of age during school hours are in violation of CGS Title 10, Chapter 168, Paragraph 10-197. Any absences incurred by students who stay home for reasons other than illness or prearranged cuts may not be excused unless extenuating circumstances of an emergency nature can be clearly shown. Absences due to spontaneous and casual decisions (not excused three days in advance) will be considered unexcused. Field trips are considered official school days, even if they extend the time of the school day. Students who miss a field trip without excuse will be penalized only in the subject for which the field trip was taken. High school students who have after school jobs will be excused from extended field trips if a note is presented three days in advance. MAKE-UP WORK If a student has an excused absence, it is his responsibility to see that all work is made up as soon as possible. Students are normally allowed one make-up day for each day absent. This means, for instance, that a student who has missed one day must have all make-up work completed by the end of the school day following his return; if three days are missed, all work is to be done by the third day following his return, etc. Unless the absence is due to illness or an emergency, major assignments such as term papers or reports must be handed in on time or, if the due date was during the absence, on the day of the return. In any event, make-up work due dates will not be extended beyond one week after an absence. Students' performance on make-up assignments greatly deteriorates with each day's delay. If a student is out of school on cuts, he must have make-up work completed on the due dates for the assignments prearranged by the teacher. Those due dates may be sooner (but not later) than those allowed in the previous paragraph and will be negotiated between the students' parents and teachers, considering the nature of the anticipated absence. "On state tests, kids who were in school the most did the best. The children who came to school 93 percent of the time outscored everyone else. Their scores were in the 85th to 99th percentile on the exams. When kids missed even a few days, their scores went down. The kids who were in school 91 percent of the time didn’t do as well. Their scores were in the 65th to 84th percentile...Teachers can’t teach kids who aren’t in school. Make sure your child attends every day." Source: "Just Showing Up," Time, September 4, 2000. ACADEMIC: GENERAL HOMEWORK Homework is a part of the Academy's academic emphasis. It should always be done neatly, accurately, and on time. Homework is not "busy work" but part of the entire scope of learning that includes drills and practice of learned concepts, preparatory reading for class lectures, remedial work, and special projects. Delinquent assignments result in a loss of ten points per day late. Students will be expected to serve detention for repeated delinquent assignments. Students serving detention for delinquent assignments will do so regardless of extracurricular activities missed. In order to encourage mid-week church attendance, teachers will not normally give assignments on Wednesdays nor tests on Thursdays. Secondary students may be expected to type some papers. Those students are given opportunities to use the computer lab resources for this if necessary. Copying from a source without citing it is plagiarism, which is treated as cheating, resulting in academic penalties as well as disciplinary penalties. REPORT SLIPS AND MIDTERMS The purpose of the reporting system is to give parents, students, and teachers an accurate indication of the progress which is being made. Teachers as well as the principal may comment upon students’ effort and conduct in each quarter's report slip. Parents are urged to make written comments as well on the return portion of those slips. Numerical quarterly grades are used to compute semester averages, and numerical semester averages are used to compute the final grade. Grade slips are sent home with the students quarterly and at midterms on the days indicated on the school calendar. These slips are to be kept by the parents for reference. Grade slips for both quarters and midterms have a sign-and-return portion which must be returned the next school day. Final reports are withheld from those families whose financial obligations to the Academy have not been met. INCOMPLETE GRADES If a student has not made up all required work by the close of a quarter, he will receive an incomplete on the report slip in that subject. Teachers will establish deadlines for the work to be completed, not to exceed one week beyond the close of the quarter. Students who do not meet the established deadlines will receive zeros on delinquent assignments, and the quarter's grade will include them. Students who have incompletes on their report slips do not qualify for the honor roll until all work is made up. PROMOTION/RETENTION For kindergarten through grade eight, decisions regarding promotion or retention will be made by the principal in consultation with parents and teachers. Any decision made will take into consideration such factors as maturity level, academic performance, and test scores. In the senior high school, a student's grade level is determined by the credits he has earned. See the section on "Class Standing." As a matter of policy, the Academy does not allow a student to skip to a grade beyond his chronological age. GRADE SCALE USED BY H.C.A. A+ 98-100 C+ 77-79 A 93-97 C 73-76 A- 90-92 C- 70-72 B+ 87-89 D+ 67-69 B 83-86 D 63-66 B- 80-82 D- 60-62 F 0-60 I or Inc = Incomplete CLASSROOM TESTING Weekly testing on the secondary level is coordinated so as to avoid giving students too many tests on one day. Prior to semester exam weeks, the Academy publishes a schedule which lists the days on which each subject is to be tested in the secondary classes. Again, this avoids the students’ having too many exams on any given day of the week. STANDARDIZED TESTING PROGRAMS Hartford Christian Academy has a program of standardized testing designed to measure the students' abilities and progress. The results of the testing are used to aid the teachers and administration in improving the curriculum. All students in grades K through twelve are given achievement tests in the spring of each year to measure their achievement in academic areas. The Academy uses the Stanford Achievement Test for achievement and the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test for ability. The Academy administers the PSAT to sophomores and juniors in October to show areas of weakness before the students take their college entrance exams. The ACT and SAT, which are required for most college admissions, are administered at locations other than HCA. Seniors are required to register for the ACT (American College Test). Students must pay the standard fees which are charged for these nationwide. All forms necessary for the registration for these tests are available through the school office or online at www.collegeboard.com. The school code for all testing is 070-888. HONOR ROLL Hartford Christian Academy publishes an honor roll each quarter for students whose academic work is outstanding. Grades in classes with codes 1 and 2 are the basis of honor roll computation. All elementary classes not using O/S/U grading are included in the honor roll computation. Honor rolls are based on first quarter, first semester, third quarter, and final grades. Grade point averages are computed using the following scale: HONOR ROLL Hartford Christian Academy publishes an honor roll each quarter for students whose academic work is outstanding. Grades in classes with codes 1 and 2 are the basis of honor roll computation. All elementary classes not using O/S/U grading are included in the honor roll computation. Honor rolls are based on first quarter, first semester, third quarter, and final grades. Grade point averages are computed using the following scale: A+ = 4.00 B+ = 3.00 C+ = 2.00 D+ = 1.00 A = 3.66 B = 2.66 C = 1.66 D = 0.66 A- = 3.33 B- = 2.33 C- = 1.33 D- = 0.33 Students may not qualify for the honor roll if any report slip grade for the marking period is below C-, regardless of the grade point average, or if there is an incomplete at the time of honor roll computation. HONORS 3.00-3.32 (B+) HIGH HONORS 3.33-3.65 (A-) HIGHEST HONORS 3.66-4.00 (A and A+)
ACADEMIC: ELEMENTARY KINDERGARTEN AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ACADEMIC PROGRAMS The elementary curriculum has been selected in keeping with the purpose of Christian Education at H.C.A. This curriculum is designed to teach and develop learning skills and study habits that will be a dependable foundation for the school years beyond the elementary age. BIBLE Bible is required from kindergarten through sixth grade daily. It is graded, as is any other academic subject, with a letter grade. The grade is based upon Bible memorization, testing on weekly lessons, and contribution to the Bible class. Weekly chapel programs provide further teaching from the Scriptures. READING Reading is the foundational course in our Academy and is based upon the phonics approach. Phonics is the primary tool for teaching reading in grades kindergarten through 2 and is used as reinforcement in grades 3 through 6. Students doing remedial reading at any grade level will emphasize phonics. Students in all elementary grades have regular reading periods. Students will not be accepted into any grade that is two levels above their tested reading performance. MATHEMATICS Our curriculum includes work in the accepted skill levels in each of the four functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). Concepts, computation, and application are all stressed. Drills, timed tests, and word problems are a part of the math curriculum in each grade. Rote memorization of the facts in each of the four functions is required. HERITAGE STUDIES Patriotism is an integral part of the heritage studies curriculum in each grade. History and geography are taught by the principle approach, demonstrating God's divine purpose for events and geographical conditions. Dates, places, names, and reasons are studied in that context. SCIENCE The materials for our science curriculum have been selected in view of their accuracy in light of the Scriptures, for true science and the Scriptures will always agree. Field trips and experiments add to the exciting program carried on at the Academy. PHYSICAL EDUCATION, ART, COMPUTER, AND MUSIC It is the Academy's interest to teach the whole child. Directed effort is therefore made to enrich his life culturally through art, music, computer technology, and physical development. Each of these courses is taught weekly and covers a planned curriculum to promote individual growth as well as personal interaction. Theory, as well as application and appreciation, are taught. These courses are graded in a manner that acknowledges the factor of the varying levels of ability. These grades are not included in computing the honor roll. The letter grades are as follows: O = Outstanding, S = Satisfactory, and U = Unsatisfactory. ACADEMIC: SECONDARY JUNIOR HIGH CURRICULUM Junior high school students continue a program of general studies initiated in the elementary grades. Their required course of study, which should prepare them for the rigors of high school work, is as follows: Bible 2 years SENIOR HIGH REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION Students in grades 9-12 earn credits toward graduation based upon the following criteria: 1. Each course which meets five periods per week earns 0.5 credit per semester.
GENERAL TRACK Subject Credit Bible 4.00 ADVANCED TRACK Subject Credit Bible 4.00 Bible is a required academic subject for which 0.5 credit per semester is earned. Students who enter the Academy after their freshman year may substitute other academic courses for missed Bible courses in order to meet total credit requirements for graduation. Students' schedules are worked out by the administration to assure each student of completing satisfactory work for graduation. The primary academic emphasis is college preparation, regardless of which academic track is pursued. Seniors will not be permitted to march in commencement exercises if they lack more than one credit for graduation. Arrangements must also have been made to earn that one credit in an approved summer school program before the student may march. The Academy cannot be responsible for the inconvenience caused by a senior's failing courses during the last days of school. Students who plan to attend college should write the college to find out if there are special requirements for admission. Each college has its own individual requirements, and students will need to plan a school program with the Principal to assure fulfillment of particular college entrance requirements. The Academy will assist the students in any way possible to attend a conservative Christian college. The Academy carefully tracks senior high school students' academic programs. Each year every student in grades 9-12 is issued a course planning form outlining the specific requirements for graduation. This form is a personalized program for the individual student and is updated and reviewed at the end of each school year. Both parents and students must sign it. Students transferring into the Academy from other schools after the ninth grade may present some scheduling problems. Some course work may be substituted for others, or arrangements may be made for summer courses or correspondence credits at the discretion of the administration. CLASS STANDING Students in grades 9-12 will be placed in proper class levels according to this credit scale: Freshman (9th) 0-4.5 credits COURSE CHANGE No course may be dropped or added unless the student meets with the Principal and secures permission to do so. Any course dropped after the first full week of school will be recorded as an F unless such a change is recommended by the administration. Unless unusual circumstances prevail, a student will retain the same courses throughout the entire year. A course change form must be properly filled out when dropping or adding a course. HIGH SCHOOL COURSES BY CODE CODE 1 (advanced track courses): Algebra I and II Geometry CODE 2 (general and required academic courses): Bible Government/Economics CODE 4 (non-academic courses, O/S/U grading): Band Handbell Choir GUIDANCE COUNSELING Students seeking guidance counseling are encouraged to consult with the Academy principal. Personal and spiritual counseling may also be obtained from the church pastor or youth pastor. STUDENT CONDUCT DISCIPLINE The discipline of Hartford Christian Academy is a very important part of the Academy's ministry. Without the discipline, Hartford Christian Academy would cease to be a Christian school. It would not be the kind of place that our students would want to attend; furthermore, we observe that students are most happy and secure when they know what is expected of them and realize that they are in a school where rules are made to be kept and not broken. It must be remembered that well-adjusted self-discipline can only be achieved as the Academy and the home work in harmony. We seek to cooperate with parents in obeying God's directive, "Train up a child in the way he should go." The word train is defined as "to mold the character; instruct by exercise, drill; to make obedient to orders; to put or point in an exact direction; to prepare for a contest." Training can only be prompted by external regimen, structure, guidelines, and award/punishment motivation. Cooperation can be achieved as the parents and students honestly try to understand the rationale for each portion of our disciplinary program (or candidly inquire of the administration concerning misunderstandings) and then support the program with actions and attitudes. The purpose of discipline at Hartford Christian Academy is to teach each student to achieve obedience, respect, and responsibility and to create an atmosphere where students can find true happiness. Where there is love, discipline, and happiness, students can achieve academic excellence. The Academy desires to help each student to develop his God-given abilities to be used for God's glory. It is the conviction of the administration that a proper attitude is vital to Christian growth and fellowship. Therefore, constructive suggestions are always welcome, but "griping" cannot be allowed. A proper attitude is encouraged by teaching respect for God, country, family, and fellow students. A balance is taught between loud and quiet behavior, between laughter and seriousness, between shouting and listening, between playing and working. As Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." High school students, especially in grades 11 and 12, whose testimony is compromised by poor church attendance, questionable dating relationships, rebellious attitudes towards parents, or other similar problems outside of school may be asked to withdraw from the Academy. ELEMENTARY DISCIPLINE K THROUGH 6 Since the elementary student is under the direct supervision of one teacher for most of the school day, each teacher maintains a disciplinary record for each student in the class. All counseling sessions, parent conferences, and particular disciplinary problems are recorded for the sake of consistency, objectivity, and follow-up. Various means of discipline available to the teacher are verbal reprimands, loss of privileges (e.g. recess), teacher/student counseling, and teacher/parent conferences (enlisting home reinforcement). If a teacher has exhausted all the above means and has not reversed a disciplinary problem, the administration will begin to deal directly with the situation, using detentions, conferences, suspensions, or requested withdrawal. Detention for elementary students is held in the school office from 3:20 until 4:00 p.m. within 3 days following the serving of notice to the parents. Parents are responsible for transportation at that time. Elementary teachers communicate normal student behavioral problems to the parents by using a "white slip," which is a form on which the teacher reports specific undesirable behavior. This form is sent home with the student and must be returned signed the next school day. (A return signature assures the teacher that it was read.) SECONDARY DISCIPLINE AND THE DEMERIT SYSTEM Since the students in grades 7-12 answer to the authority of a number of teachers, the administration uses a demerit system as a guide to discipline. Students are expected to maintain a high standard of behavior at all times. If a teacher determines that a student has violated a rule or policy, the teacher will issue a demerit slip, for which the student must answer to the discipline committee. The discipline committee, made up of honor society members and other qualified students under the leadership of a faculty sponsor, exists not only for dealing with less serious demerit offenses but also for training Christian leadership. Two members of the committee, along with an adult supervisor, meet weekly to hear the possible extenuating circumstances regarding demerit offenses and to assign demerits if warranted. If a student disagrees with a discipline committee decision, he may appeal that decision to the principal. It is not the function of the discipline committee to allow students to vent complaints or question the judgment of a teacher. Accumulations of demerits lead to increasingly severe penalties in hopes that undesirable behavior will change. Please keep the following in mind: (1) teachers do not actually give demerits--they are assigned by the discipline committee after the student has had a chance to present possible extenuating circumstances; (2) demerits are not a penalty but are a means of recording offenses leading to the actual penalties. Students who accumulate fifty (50) demerits in a semester are subject to expulsion from the Academy. A student who accumulates twenty-five (25) demerits in each of two successive semesters may not re-enroll without approval of the administration. Total demerits are indicated on report cards each marking period. Any student who receives five or more demerits in one week will be assigned to one day's detention for each five. The week here is any five-school-day interval. Detention for secondary students is normally held from 3:15-4:15 p.m. within three days following the serving of notice to the parents. When a student accumulates a significant number of demerits, the following steps will be taken:
Demerits Consequences 15 Conference is held with the principal and student after school to discuss ways to change his behavior. Parents will be notified. The principal may intercept demerit slips and by-pass the discipline committee for some offenses. 25 Conference is held with the principal, parents, and student. Student is placed on disciplinary probation for the remainder of the semester. The principal will deal directly with all demerit slips. 30 In-school suspension for one day 40 In-school suspension for two days 50 Expulsion
Any junior high student (grades 7 and 8) whose demerit record totals fifteen or more may lose demerits by keeping a good record. For each week the student maintains a perfect record, two demerits will be removed from the total, down to fifteen. Any senior high student (grades 9-12) whose demerit record totals more than twenty-five may lose demerits by keeping a good record. For each week the student maintains a perfect record, two demerits will be removed from the total, down to twenty-five. The following is a non-exhaustive list of offenses covered by the demerit system, along with the demerits assigned (first offense, second offense, etc.). Notice that the number of demerits increases with repetition of the same offense. 1. Less serious offenses, receiving 1,1,3,3,5... Dress Code Unreturned Forms or Papers* * Demerits will not be assigned more than once for any single form or paper. After the fourth offense, the student will receive automatic detentions for further unreturned forms or papers, but no further demerits. 2. More serious offenses, demerits range from 5-50 Disrespect Skipping Class *All students should avoid any physical contact with each other, maintaining a proper relationship at all times. Those who f | ||||||||||||||
