School Policies

COMMUNICATION

As parents and school staff, we are working together for the student's benefit; communication is key.  It is our hope that through written reports, phone calls and conferences parents will be up-to-date on situations involving their student.  We encourage notes, e-mail, phone calls or dropping by the school if you have any questions. 

ACADEMIC PROGRESS

A student who earns a Grade Point Average of 3.81 to 4.0 will be on the Principal's List and a 3.5 to 3.80 will be on the Honor Roll. 

Assignment Report:  The Middle School policy regarding late homework is designed to help the student continue to develop a sense of responsibility.  A late assignment is any work that is not turned in completed when due.  Exceptions are those which stem from illness or a family emergency.  Any time a student has three (3) late assignments, he/she receives an Assignment Report.  An Assignment Report is designed to build self-managing strategies for success in school.  This report provides a method for helping a student develop good study habits.  The report lists the late assignments along with the date each one was due and the date it was turned in and/or lists any assignments still not turned in.  At home, the Assignment Report is to be completed by the student, signed by the parent(s), and returned the following day with the completed work.  Parents will be notified by phone if an Assignment Report and/or late assignments have not been returned.  Late assignments receive no credit, and a zero will be placed in the grade book.  However, all late work must be completed and turned in.  Extra credit may be available, but only if all late work has been completed and turned in.

Blue Slip: This slip notifies a parent of a low test or quiz score.  70% or below is considered a low score. 

Grading: Grading periods and report card dates are published in the school calendar each year.  At the end of a grading period, if course work has not been completed, an Incomplete (I) will be assigned to the report card.  Incompletes must be made up within three weeks of the end of the quarter.  If course work is not completed within the three-week period, a failing grade will be assigned.

 ATTENDANCE

Tardiness:  School begins at 8:00 AM .  Students are expected to arrive at school and be in each class on time.  Any tardy is considered unexcused except for illness or vehicle malfunction.  After three unexcused tardies within a nine-week period, students will serve an after-school detention.  A Purple Slip will be mailed home to notify parents of the second tardy, as well as subsequent tardies in a quarter.

Pre-Excused Absence:  Pre-excused absences must be arranged at least two days in advance of the absence by a note from a parent.  Students who plan to be absent due to non-school activities must obtain a Pre-Excused form from the office.  The Pre-Excused Absence form will be signed by each teacher who will note arrangements for completion of school work.

Make-Up Work:  It is the student's responsibility to arrange for all make-up work following an absence.  The days allowed to complete make-up work are equal to the number of days the student was absent.  This may not apply to assignments and projects that have been assigned well in advance of the absence.  Assignments not made up within the allotted time will be considered late.

EXPECTATIONS

Classroom Expectations:

• Be respectful and courteous in word and action.
• Come to class with materials, prepared to learn by sitting in an upright position, remaining on task and avoiding distractions.
• Follow directions the first time given.
• Raise your hand and receive permission to speak or leave your seat.

General Expectations:

• Quiet, considerate behavior toward adults and peers in the halls is expected at all times.  No shouting, pushing, or shoving is to occur.
• Each locker is to be used only by the student to whom it is assigned.  Students are not to open any locker that is not their own.
• Gum, breath mints, and candy are not to be used on campus, before, during, or after school.
• Notes are not to be written or passed, before, during, or after class.
• Food is only to be eaten in designated areas at designated times.  No food or drink is to be consumed in the hallways, before, during, or after school.  Open food or drink is not to be stored in the lockers.
• Quiet, respectful behavior is expected in the lunchroom.  Students are to eat their food without playing and to clean up afterwards. 
• Appropriate classroom attire and special day attire guidelines are to be followed.

STUDENT CONDUCT

Middle School Gold Card: 

Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students have the opportunity to apply for a Gold Card.  A Gold Card holder will receive added privileges and recognition.    Gold Cards are issued based on student conduct and academic responsibility.

Conduct Report:

Middle School students can be motivated toward personal accountability by nurturing each individual's strengths and providing the structure necessary to encourage behaviors which will enhance each individual's growth.  A Conduct Report is a tool designed to be used when a conduct-related offense occurs.  Immediate conduct-related offenses include disobedience/defiance, dishonesty, inappropriate language, cheating, fighting, note-writing, gum chewing, throwing food.  These violations may result in additional disciplinary action.  A Conduct Report is also given when a student receives three classroom expectations "warnings" during a class period and may also be received for three on-campus violations per quarter.  When filling out a Conduct Report, a student will identify the behavior that needs to change, the Christ-like character quality to be demonstrated, the steps to accomplish the goal, and will obtain a parent signature providing opportunity for parental guidance.  The Conduct Report is to be returned the following day to the teacher who issued the report.  Parents may be notified by phone regarding the situation if the Conduct Report has not been returned.

DISCIPLINE

The basic responsibility for discipline resides with the home.  Parents will therefore be informed when unusual circumstances needing disciplinary actions arise.  It is expected that there will be Godly parental follow-through should this occur.  It is almost impossible to be of any real help to your child unless you are in active sympathy with our disciplinary efforts (Proverbs 19:18 ; 1Timothy 3:4,5,12).  Grace Christian School is dedicated to the training of children in a program of study, activity, and living that is Christ-centered.  We appreciate your confidence in asking our staff to assist you in training your child.  Discipline is maintained which is firm, consistent, fair and tempered with love.  Our faculty maintains standards of behavior in the classroom through kindness, love, and genuine regard for their students.  However, when disciplinary actions become necessary, it is consistently carried out, tempered by good judgment, prayer, and understanding.