HCA Elementary School Student Handbook
Heritage Christian Academy East Campus 9333 W 159th Street Overland Park, Kansas 66221 913/681-7622 | elementary@hcakc.org www.hcakc.org
INDEX
Mission Statement
4
Daily Schedule
5
I.
COMMUNICATION
5-6 5-6
School-to-Parent Communication Parent-to-School Communication
6
II.
ACADEMIC MATTERS
7-12
Grading Systems
7 8 8 9 9 9 9
Homework
Incomplete Grades
Library
8-9
Class Lists
Tutoring
Make-up Work
Probation
Promotion Policy Physical Education Standardized Testing
10 10 10 11
Student Activities and Field Trips
Student Records
11-12
Textbooks
12
III.
ATTENDANCE
12-15
General Policy on Absence
12
Absences Excused
12-13
Unexcused Absences with Parent Permission
13 13 13 14 14
Absences Due to Truancy Early Dismissal from School
Late Drop-off to/Pick-Up from School
13-14
Family Trips
Leaving Campus
Release of a Student to Other than Custodial Parent
14-15
Withdrawals
15
IV.
APPEARANCE AND DRESS Elementary Dress Code
15-17 16-17
Infractions
17
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Rev.2026
V.
STUDENT CONDUCT Personal Virtues Discipline Methods
18-21 18-19 19-21
VI.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
21-23
Medication Policy Illness or Injury
21 22 22 22 22 23 23 23 23
Head Lice
Health Records
Traffic Procedures for Drop-off and Pick-Up
School Closings
Emergency Action Plan Fire and Tornado Drills Visitors on Campus
VII. GENERAL INFORMATION
24-28
STUDENT LIFE Telephone Calls Hot Lunch Program
24 24 24 24 24
Chapel
Computer Resources Acceptable Use Policy
Media Policy
SCHOOL ORGANIZATION Church Membership
25
Debts/Tuition
25-26
Building and Grounds
26
SCHOOL COMMUNITY Teacher Appreciation Gift Policy Student Birthday Celebrations
27 27 27 27 28 28 28
Class Parties
Opportunities for Involvement Connections Team
The Literary Guild
Room Moms
Moms In Prayer
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Gospel-centered education for life
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Heritage Christian Academy is to glorify God by serving Christian parents and their children while providing a high quality, Christ-centered educational program, marked by academic excellence, and the development of a Biblical worldview and strong Christian character.
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DAILY SCHEDULE The elementary school day begins at 8:15 AM and ends at 3:05 PM. Children should enter the building no earlier than 8:00 AM as teachers will be preparing for classes and there will be no supervision for students before that time. Pick-up procedures are timed so that all students are out of the building by 3:25 PM (See Health and Safety section for traffic procedures). Students who have not been picked up by 3:25 PM will be sent to Aftercare with charges beginning at a rate of $25/hour with a minimum of $10. Parents must walk in to pick up students in Aftercare. We are pleased to provide this service to HCA parents (on full school days only). COMMUNICATION School-to-Parent Communication Communication formats used by the school to communicate with parents are as follows: I. School Newsletter - This weekly communication is published via email on Friday afternoon most school weeks and is sent to all East Campus families and staff, as well as grandparents or other friends who have requested it. General announcements, reminders and scheduled social and sports events are included. Sharing the Blessings - This periodic email communication from the Principal highlights school happenings and encourages the Heritage community in our pursuit of Christian education for our students by reflecting on what God is doing in our midst. E-Notes - These informal email notes are sent to all East Campus families on an “as needed” basis. They contain less formal announcements, reminders and updates. Classroom Newsletters will be sent home weekly by each classroom teacher. These contain news and updates on classroom activities, instructional matters and other information from the teacher. Teachers may choose to send these electronically. Progress Reports noting concerns about unsatisfactory progress are either emailed or mailed home to parents, midway through each grading period, as needed. Academic Report Cards are issued four times each year at the conclusion of each quarter. Report Cards are posted on Blackbaud. Parents are encouraged to review the on-line report cards promptly and print out a copy for their records within a week of their posting. Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled as listed in the school calendar. Parents are requested to attend the fall conferences. Spring conferences are optional, though your child’s teacher may contact you to request a conference, if they feel it would be beneficial to your student. Any parents who would like to meet with their child’s teacher at this time are encouraged to sign up.
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Blackbaud - Heritage utilizes the Blackbaud data system for much of its communication. Parents are able to log on, download various documents and view the calendar, lunch menu and directory, among other functions. Parents can also view report cards for their students with grade 5 being able to view their assignments. Each family should update their information on Blackbaud to ensure accuracy. Parent-to-School Communication When parents desire direct communication with a teacher, they should email the teacher; teachers check their email periodically during the day. If it’s an urgent need, parents may call the office. Absences should be reported by 8:00 AM by calling the attendance line (913/681- 7622 option 2) . Requests for make-up work for sick students should be made to the teacher via email. Most homework requested in a timely manner can be picked up in the office at the end of the school day. Teachers are selected not only for their instructional skills and academic preparedness, but also for their love for and understanding of children. Ongoing, open communication between parent and teacher will greatly benefit each student and avoid potential misunderstandings. Any problems within the classroom should be discussed directly with the child’s teacher. If, after several attempts, the issue cannot be resolved, the parent or teacher may request a meeting with the Principal to work towards a solution. Issues regarding daily operations or policies and procedures should be taken up with the Principal. The Principal will either resolve the issue or, if appropriate, ask the parent(s) to submit their request in writing. The Principal is always available to meet with parents to address any questions or concerns.
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II.
ACADEMIC MATTERS
Grading Systems The following grading systems are used:
Kindergarten Progress
Effort
S – Satisfactory Progress
1 – Excellent
+ Strength
I – Improving
2 – Good
— Area for Growth √ Age Appropriate
N – Needs Improvement
3 – Fair
N/A – Not Assessed
Grades 1 and 2 S – Satisfactory
Steady growth at the child’s particular level and consistent achievement of instructional objectives. Is beginning to demonstrate consistency in achievement of instruction objectives. Inconsistent achievement of instructional objectives.
I – Improving
N – Needs
Improvement U – Unsatisfactory
Unsatisfactory achievement of instructional objectives.
√ + Outstanding √ – Area for Growth
√ Good Progress N/A Not Assessed
Grades 3 through 5 A– Superior
B – Above Average
C – Average 77-79 = C+ 73-76 = C 70-72 = C–
95-100 = A 90-94 = A–
87-89 = B+ 83-86 = B 80-82 = B–
D – Below Average F – Failing
S+
Excellent
67-69 = D+ 63-66 = D 60-62 = D–
59 and below
S
Satisfactor y
S–
Needs Improvement
U
Unsatisfactory
I Incomplete N/A Not Applicable * Modifications
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Homework Homework shall be assigned in such quantities as to provide adequate training in independent study and in practicing the skills covered in the classroom, but without significantly impacting non-academic activities or meeting a healthy bedtime hour. As a general rule, homework will not be assigned in kindergarten, will be given primarily to reinforce reading and/or math skills in first grade, and will be given sparingly in second grade. If a student consistently has difficulty in this area, something is wrong with either the number of assignments received or with his/her handling of time, or with the amount of time spent on extracurricular activities. Homework is given for the following purposes: • To provide essential practice in needed skills • To train students in good work habits • To afford opportunities for increasing self-direction • To enrich and extend school experiences • To help students learn to budget their time • To promote growth in responsibility Parents can encourage good homework habits by the following methods: • Cooperate with the school in making homework effective • Provide suitable study conditions (desk, light, books, supplies), reserve time for homework, silence the phone, turn off the television and turn away visitors • Encourage your children, but avoid any undue pressure • Be interested in what your children are doing, but do not do their homework for them • Understand what the school expects homework to accomplish Incomplete Grades A student receives an incomplete grade when, due to various circumstances, he/she does not earn a grade in a subject because of work that has not been completed or turned in. The responsibility of making arrangements for make-up work belongs to the parents. Incomplete grades must be made up within a reasonable period of time agreed to by the Principal. Library No books are to be taken from the library unless checked out through the student’s teacher. Students must pay for the replacement of any lost or damaged library materials checked out in their name. Donations for purchasing books are always welcome; the library staff has a list of books the school wishes to acquire. Book donations are also accepted; however the library only accepts hardcover books.
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If you wish to donate other books, they can be passed on to classroom collections or donated to the public library. The Literary Guild assists the librarian in the organization and maintenance of the library. Class Lists Each year, the Principal and teachers will thoughtfully and prayerfully make decisions about student class assignments. At Heritage, we strive to provide every student with the best possible academic experience each year. Our goal is to fairly address the needs of all students in each classroom, therefore, requests for specific teachers or classes cannot be accepted. Class groupings of students are determined by a number of factors, including academic performance, as well as social and disciplinary needs. Parents are always encouraged to communicate with the classroom teacher and Principal throughout the school year regarding any areas of concern for their student. Class lists for the coming school year are emailed in late July/early August. Tutoring Students who could benefit from tutoring have this option at Heritage. Arrangements can be made for after-school tutoring by Heritage teachers if available, with payment per agreement and paid directly to the teacher. Make-up Work Students who are absent for any reason are required to make up work missed in each subject. Normally, one day will be allowed for each day missed, except in cases of prolonged absences where the teacher involved may make other provisions. It is the student’s and the parents’ responsibility to obtain all make-up work from his/her teacher. Failure to obtain make-up work is no excuse for not doing work missed. When tests are missed due to an absence, they are to be taken at the teacher’s convenience. Parents are responsible to make the necessary arrangements. Probation A student who is consistently unsatisfactory in achievement, or – in the opinion of the teacher – is not making sufficient effort, will be placed on academic probation. The parents will be informed of this action. If the teacher and administration do not see marked improvement by the next grading period, the parents may be asked to withdraw the student or to enter him in a specially designed program of study. A student will be automatically placed on academic probation upon receiving a “U” (grades 1-2) or an “F” (grades 3-5) in any two academic subjects during a given quarterly grading period.
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Promotion Policy A student who fails one or two academic subjects may proceed to the next grade on probation if the academic deficiencies are made up through summer school or private tutoring (20 hours minimum). Parents are responsible for making these arrangements and showing proof of proficiency to the Principal before the student will be promoted. A student who fails three or more subjects must repeat the entire grade.
Physical Education Policy Concerning Absences and Illnesses
Physical education is required of all students. There are occasions when students have legitimate reasons for extended or temporary excuse from the regularly scheduled physical education program. Following are the policies approved by the administration of the school for such absences.
Excused Absences Medical Excuses
Permanent Excuses: These must include a description of physical limitation which would prevent participation of any kind; they will be kept in the student’s permanent file. Extended Time Excuses: These are for non-participation during an extended time period because of temporary physical limitation (e.g., broken bones, surgery, severe illness) . Parental Excuses Parental requests covering a particular minor ailment (flu, colds, headaches, minor injuries) will be accepted for up to three consecutive days. Thereafter, medical excuses are required. If the faculty sees a pattern developing whereby a student is habitually misusing this privilege, no excuses other than those validated by a physician will be accepted. Standardized Testing Comprehensive standardized tests are administered periodically to grades 3 through 5. Heritage utilizes standardized tests with the Bible component; scoring is done through the Association for Christian Schools International (ACSI), our accrediting entity. Students are given practice tests; sufficient preparation given by the teacher will make special efforts at home unnecessary, other than a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast. Standardized tests measure a student’s relative progress in essential skills in comparison to his or her anticipated progress, in comparison to the other students in that grade at Heritage and at other schools nationally.
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Student Activities and Field Trips Teachers arrange varied activities for student participation at each grade level. These activities include field trips, chapel services, assembly programs, athletic field day, and musical programs. Generally speaking, two field trips are planned each year for grades K-5 and are educationally driven. No student may attend such a trip without a signed permission slip. Transportation will be provided by the school’s bus. Admission charges, food, and drinks are paid by the student. Ideally one adult chaperone is required for every 10 students. Parents who wish to accompany their child on field trips should make this request to the teacher and transport themselves to the event. Heritage understands the desire of parents to share in this activity with their child; however, the number of parents per field trip is limited , since additional people impact the activity in various ways. Although the students are off campus during the activity, it is still considered a school function and the students are participating as a class under the teacher’s direction. Parents are expected to assist the teacher as requested and function as part of the group at all times. No siblings, please. Student Records The school maintains a file for each student. All student file materials are treated as strictly confidential and are available only according to the following policy: • No report cards or student records will be released to parents or to another school if the family is delinquent in tuition payments or has a debt of any kind with the school. • Parents or guardians have the right to inspect and review all official records, files and data directly related to their child’s academic progress, including all material that is incorporated into their student’s cumulative record folder. • Parental requests to inspect and review official records relating to a child shall be made in writing to the Principal. Such requests will be honored within ten school days following receipt of the request. All records will be reviewed or inspected in the presence of the Principal so that proper explanation can be given. There will be no release of a student’s personal records, files or any data in those records without the written consent of parent or guardian to any individual, agency, or organization other than the following: • Staff members of the school who have legitimate educational interest • Court or law enforcement officials if the school is given a subpoena or court order • Certain federal, state, or local authorities performing functions allowed by law
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• Officials of other schools in which the student intends to enroll. No records shall be transferred to another school without the initiation of such by the parents or guardians through a signed parent records release form supplied by either the sending or receiving school. Non-custodial parents have equal access to report cards, teacher conferences, etc . If the final judgment and/or settlement agreement stipulates otherwise, the custodial parent must submit a copy of that judgment or agreement to the Principal if the school is to comply. Such documents shall be placed in the student’s file. Whenever a request by a non-custodial parent is made for information, appearance at a teacher’s conference, etc., the custodial parent shall be promptly notified by the school of the non-custodial parent’s request. Textbooks Textbooks are selected by the faculty and Principal on the basis of their objectives, suitability to our established curricula and appropriateness to a Christian school’s mission for promoting and teaching truth. We believe God requires excellence in all things, and we strive to give each student the best possible Christian education by utilizing outstanding curriculum in each subject, coupled with a Christian worldview actively taught and applied by our teachers in the classroom. Textbook costs are included in tuition. If a student damages a textbook, the parents are required to purchase a replacement copy. III. ATTENDANCE General Policy on Absence If a student is absent, his/her parents should notify the school by 8:00 AM of the reason for the absence. Parents are requested to leave this information on the Attendance line (913-681-7622 option 2) or email the teacher directly. If a student is gone part of the day, he or she must be signed in by a parent or appropriate adult upon his/her return and walked to his/her classroom. For absence due to reasons other than illness or bereavement, the parents must bear the responsibility for class work missed. Absences Excused Excused absences include school days missed due to illness or death in the family. Certain family trips, medical appointments and other reasons may be excused if approved by the school prior to the absence. Students absent more than ten (10) days each semester will incur academic penalties. This policy may be waived for an extended illness validated by a physician’s signature and approved by the Principal. Extraordinary circumstances, if approved by the Principal, may also result in the policy being waived. Students who exceed the limits will receive a 3% deduction from the quarterly grade for each class session missed in excess of the limit.
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Parents may elect to have the academic penalty rescinded by arranging for tutoring sessions. Heritage teachers may be available for tutoring, at a rate set by the teacher and paid directly to her/him. If a student is absent for three (3) consecutive weeks or more for illness, the family should arrange for a private tutor or home teacher. All excuses accompanied by a physician’s signature must be on his/her letterhead and
submitted within five (5) school days of the absence. Unexcused Absences with Parent Permission
The Principal will make the final decision regarding whether the absence is excused or unexcused. A student who is unexcused with his/her parents’ knowledge may be required to make up the missed time as assigned by the Principal. Absences Due to Truancy Any class missed for unexcused reasons during the school day will result in a “0” for that class and for any related sessions missed (e.g., tests, projects, quizzes). Early Dismissal from School Early dismissal will be granted for the same reasons allowable for excused absences. Parents are encouraged to schedule appointments with their doctor or dentist after school hours. However, if they must take place during school hours, appointments should be made as early or as late in the day as possible. Should an early dismissal be necessary, the parent should inform the teacher in advance by email or a written note. If the student will be in a special class (art, music, etc.), the classroom teacher will furnish the special teacher with the note which authorizes early dismissal of the student. The parent is responsible for checking their student out on the iPad and picking them up from the classroom. If the student returns the same day, the parent is responsible for checking the student back in on the iPad and returning the child to the appropriate classroom. Late Drop-off to/Pick-Up from School Promptness is expected in student attendance at all times. The practice of being on time teaches our children good habits, while respecting the time and efforts of others. All times will be calculated by the school’s clock. Travel distances or parental work schedules are not acceptable excuses for consistent tardiness. Students should arrive in their classroom by 8:10 AM in order to be ready to begin class at 8:15. Any student arriving after 8:20 without prior approval will be counted as tardy. Only four morning unexcused tardies will be without penalty each quarter. Should a fifth tardy occur, a conference will be scheduled by the classroom teacher for the parents, teacher and Principal. At that meeting, steps will be taken to eliminate the existing pattern of tardies.
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All students should be picked up no later than 3:25 PM by the school clock on full days, and by 11:20 AM on half-days. As with morning drop-offs, four late pick-ups will be without penalty each quarter. Should a fifth late pick-up occur, the teacher may request a conference with parents and Principal to address the problem more specifically. Family Trips A student may be excused for family trips if this procedure is followed: • A written request from parents to the teacher is submitted, outlining the requested dates at least one week prior to the requested dates. • The teacher will add comments to the request and forward it to the Principal at the conclusion of the same day. • The Principal will add comments to the request based on the comments received from the teacher. • The request will be returned to the parents — via the students — by the end of the next day. Students with low achievement, students not current in their assignments, or students seeking to be absent during inopportune times during the school year (testing period, etc.) will be advised not to be absent. If a student’s absence has been excused for a family trip at a time other than a school-scheduled vacation time, you may request the work your student will miss if you notify the classroom teacher at least ten (10) school days in advance. Leaving Campus All students leaving campus must be signed out by a parent or appropriate adult. Any student leaving campus or absent from class without permission will be suspended from classes for one day. Release of a Student to Other than Custodial Parent/Guardian Heritage Christian Academy will take all reasonable steps to ensure, and safeguard, the safety of children while at school. No student will be released by a teacher during the day unless directed by a custodial parent or guardian by phone or in writing. Emergency forms include up to three names the custodial parent or guardian has designated to whom their child may be released. Should a written or personal request be made by a non-custodial parent for the early release of a child into his/her care, such a request will be honored only with the consent of the custodial parent through a school-initiated telephone conversation, or by receipt of instructions from the court.
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In the event that parents are going out-of-town without their child(ren), the custodial parents must notify the school of adult caretakers who will be responsible for their child(ren). The names, phone numbers and any alternate procedures to be followed should be included in the notification. Withdrawals If a family decides to withdraw their child(ren), the Principal may conduct an exit interview with the family to ascertain the reason for the withdrawal and to remind the family that their contract calls for them to pay the full tuition for that academic school year. The Board may waive this provision under unusual circumstances, such as loss of employment or relocation. The same policy applies if the child(ren) is dismissed by the Principal once classes have begun. IV. APPEARANCE AND DRESS Heritage Christian Academy is a uniformed school to ensure the neatness of its students and to allow students from all economic backgrounds the freedom to be themselves apart from the stress of competitive dress. Students are to be tidy, modest and well-groomed. Students attending any school event or function must be appropriately dressed. Students are to wear the school uniform at all times; parents will be informed by the Principal or teacher if dress other than the uniform is appropriate. PARENTS assume responsibility for the appearance of their sons and daughters within these guidelines. We encourage parents to put their child’s initials/names on clothing items for lost and found purposes.
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ELEMENTARY DRESS CODE
BOYS
GIRLS
TOPS No jackets, coats or sweatshirts in the classroom; no layering
ALL STUDENTS Plain short- or long-sleeved polo-style knit shirt in solid burgundy, solid heather gray or white, tucked in. Plain or mock turtleneck in solid burgundy, solid heather gray or white, tucked in. White oxford cloth shirt, tucked in. Burgundy cardigan*, v-neck sweater* or sweater vest* with HCA logo. Burgundy fleece zippered pullover* with HCA logo, worn with a uniform component underneath. No jackets or coats in the classroom and there is no layering allowed including on Spirit Days. Solid navy uniform shorts or pants (traditional style with no cargo pockets or decorative details, such as brads, grommets, etc.) No elastic around the ankles. Belt loops and belts are required for grades 4-5; belts must be plain and traditional in solid black, solid brown or solid navy with a buckle. Pants or shorts should not be form-fitting but should be uniform-style. K-2 nd GIRLS – all of above plus: Plaid* jumper or skirt worn with white short- or long-sleeved blouse with Peter Pan collar; solid navy skort, plaid* walking shorts or plaid* skort with uniform top tucked in. Skirts and skorts should be straight or pleated (no ruffles). 3 rd -5 th GIRLS – all of above plus: Solid navy uniform skort or skirt; plaid* skirt with uniform top tucked in. Skirts and skorts should be straight or pleated (no ruffles). Shorts (in solid navy or solid black) must be worn under jumpers and skirts.
BOTTOMS Shorts, skorts, skirts and jumpers
should be no shorter than 2 inches above
kneecap and no longer than at the top of the kneecap
*Plaid items, sweaters, vests and fleece pullovers must be purchased from Lands’ End; all sweaters, vests and fleece pullovers must have the HCA crest embroidered on them. SHOES Regular dress shoes or athletic shoes appropriate in design, color and condition to the total uniform. All shoes must be closed toe. No light-up shoes, no sandals, slippers, boots, flip-flops, clogs or “Croc”-style shoes are permitted; boots can be worn for recess only, if needed. SOCKS/LEGGINGS Socks or tights are to be worn at all times and must be solid white, solid gray, solid navy or solid black — no stripes, logos, or ruffles.
Ankle-length leggings in solid white, solid gray, solid navy or solid black may be worn under jumpers and skirts and must be worn with socks. Capri-length leggings are not permitted. BOYS GIRLS Students are to keep their hair neat, well-groomed, and in styles appropriate to a uniformed school (no bleaching, dyeing, Mohawks, etc.)
HAIR
Boys’ hair should be above the eyebrows, off the collar
Girls’ hair styles and accessories should be modest and tasteful. Headbands should be small in black, burgundy, gray, navy or matching ‘uniform’ plaid. Headscarves and headbands with large flowers are not permitted.
and no longer than the earlobe. No ponytails.
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BOYS
GIRLS
JEWELRY
No pierced earlobes or body piercing is permitted. No wristbands or necklaces.
Girls may have pierced earlobes; no other body piercing is allowed. Overly large or dangly earrings are a safety hazard so are not permitted. Students may wear a watch on their wrist at school – no Smart Watches; bracelets or wristbands are not allowed; exception Kindness Counts. No necklaces.
BOYS
GIRLS
SPIRIT DAYS
Students have the option to wear HCA t-shirts or sweatshirts on Fridays which are designated as Spirit Days. Any changes to this schedule will be communicated by the teacher or school office. Spirit wear is offered for sale from an approved vendor periodically throughout the school year; only the spirit wear from this vendor is approved for Spirit Day wear. HCA sweatshirts are allowed in the classrooms on Spirit Days only. No layering allowed and uniform bottoms must still be worn.
DRESS UNIFORM FOR FALL PICTURE DAY/ GRANDPARENTS’ DAY/ SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Boys – solid navy long pants, white long-sleeved polo, oxford cloth shirt, or a turtleneck and school sweater or vest with logo embroidered on it.
Girls - plaid jumper with Peter Pan- collared blouse OR plaid skirt/skort with long-sleeved white polo or turtleneck and school sweater or vest (solid navy skirt/skort may be worn as an alternative when student does not own plaid).
VENDOR INFORMATION
All sweaters, vests, plaid and fleece items must be purchased through Lands’ End. All sweaters, vests and fleece items must have the HCA crest embroidered on them. Logo embroidery is available through Lands’ End. Other components are available at Lands’ End and JC Penney. Lands’ End – www.landsend.com – 1-800-landsend; Preferred school no. 9000-5864-5 HCA crest embroidery available on purchased items only; logo numbers 0642063K & 1618314
Note: We encourage parents to put their child’s initials/names on clothing items for lost and found purposes.
** SOLID = NO VARIEGATION
INFRACTIONS - The administration reserves the right to interpret the dress code to ensure appropriateness. It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure their students are in compliance with the dress code. Should a student be non-compliant, the parents may need to bring appropriate clothing before the student may re-enter the classroom.
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V.
STUDENT CONDUCT
Personal Virtues Our goal should always be to live the Scriptures, which say, “So then, whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do all to the glory of God.” In the best interest of the entire school community, and so that we might all live happily together, and function as smoothly as possible, certain guidelines of conduct must be maintained by all students of Heritage, both on and off campus. The following personal virtues are required of all students and serve as the social code regulating community life at Heritage: • Kindness • Truthfulness • Respect for and courtesy towards the person and property of others • Punctuality in attendance and work • Respect for and obedience to those in authority • Diligence in effort and attention In addition, the following are rules to be obeyed: Abstain both on and off campus from the use or possession of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, drugs and other undesirable practices which are generally recognized to be harmful to health and Christian character. Any student found in violation of this rule while on campus, while on a school-sponsored trip, or while attending a school-sponsored function, will be automatically expelled. Abstain from profanity and vulgar or abusive speech or actions. Such speaking and acting are harmful to others and certainly not appropriate nor conducive to one’s own moral and spiritual development. Any student using profane, vulgar language or who is physically or emotionally abusive may be suspended on the first offense. The second offense will result in a more severe suspension, and the third will result in expulsion. Expulsion can be administered surpassing the previous process if the situation merits. The chewing of gum is not allowed during school hours. It is not a healthy habit, and it is an unpleasant, difficult and expensive task when others have to remove the gum from desks, chairs and carpeting. Leave all annoying or dangerous items at home, such as any weapons (including pocket knives), water pistols, fireworks and matches. Electronic devices can only be brought to school when permission has been granted by a teacher or Principal. Phones must be turned off and left in backpacks and lockers until the student leaves the building at the end of the day. Students are not permitted to wear Smart Watches at HCA during the school day. Fitbits or similar health monitoring devices are permitted.
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Do your own work. Do not cheat. Honesty is a Christian virtue to be displayed by all students. Students should not give or receive help on tests or homework unless the teacher has granted this privilege on a particular project. Each student’s record is to reflect his or her own individual effort. Cheating is a very serious offense, whether you give or receive information. Cheating and/or copying will result in a “0” for the work and a conference with the student’s parents. During a test, quiz or exam, it is the student’s responsibility to avoid every appearance of cheating. All books and papers must be out of sight and no talking is allowed. Do not steal. Stealing will be dealt with severely, including possible expulsion. Discipline Methods Discipline is God’s method of maturing each of us. A proper response to it results in our blessing; to ignore it is foolishness. As a Christian school, it is our task to provide the proper learning environment for students. It is the student’s responsibility to make a commitment to live within the rules and regulations that are necessary for all of us to function together each school day. The discipline strategy at Heritage is consistent from grade to grade. The goal of our discipline policy is to develop mature, Christian character in each of our students by ensuring that they take personal responsibility for their actions, by applying Biblical standards to evaluate right and wrong and by determining an appropriate plan for future action. Students who do not correct wrong behavior will experience consequences for their actions. Discipline Referral A Discipline Referral may be issued to students who violate classroom or school rules and policies. These referrals will state the misconduct involved, the method used to correct the behavior, and any further comments regarding the discipline procedure. This referral must be signed by the student’s parents and returned to school the following day. Dismissal from Class If a teacher finds it necessary to send a student from the classroom because of flagrant violation of classroom rules or disruptive behavior, the student is to report immediately to the Principal with a referral from the teacher. To be reinstated to class, the student must confer with the Principal and the teacher concerned. The student will not be readmitted to class until there is some evidence that improvement is forthcoming. Detentions Students may be served detention during lunch and/or recess by the classroom teacher as a disciplinary measure. Students may also be detained by the Principal for other reasons deemed appropriate.
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Suspended Attendance A student may be suspended from classes for inappropriate actions or attitudes or repeated infractions of school regulations. Parents will be notified personally and always in writing of the reasons for the suspension. A suspended student will be reinstated to class after consultation with both the student and parents, with assurance from them that such behavior and/or attitudes will be discontinued, and that the student will assume his/her place in the school community with a cooperative and happy spirit. All assignments, tests or exams missed during the suspension must be made up. One-day suspensions may be served on the school premises in a designated location. Suspended students must come prepared to study all day. Multi-day suspensions will be administered for repeated occurrence of truancy or leaving campus without permission, forged signatures, excessive tardies, and, if expulsion does not occur, for the use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs or other undesirable practices whether on or off campus, possession or use of weapons on campus, or other serious breaking of expected patterns of behavior. These suspensions will normally be served off campus. A family delinquent 60 days in making tuition payments (and have not otherwise made arrangements with the administration) will result in their student being suspended from classes until the account is satisfied. Expulsion When a student is expelled, both he/she and his/her parents shall be notified in person and in writing as to the reasons for the expulsion. The Principal alone has the authority to expel a student and may do so for any reason he/she deems necessary, with or without the consent and/or agreement of the parents. Parents are responsible to pay the full tuition for the academic year in which the student is dismissed. The student and his/her parents may appeal their case to the school board only if the evidence upon which the decision HCA made is possibly inaccurate or insufficient. The appeal shall be in writing and shall be presented to the Principal within three (3) days of the expulsion. A decision will be made in a specially called board meeting, and only the parent, guardian, or a member of the school board may represent the student’s case at that meeting. The school board’s decision shall be final. A student who has been expelled or withdrawn for disciplinary reasons normally may be considered for re-enrollment and re-admission to the school only at the beginning of a new school year. Expulsion may result from serious departure from school policies or expectations for students, including but not limited to the following: • Repeated misconduct • Failure to respond positively to repeated efforts at correction by the School’s personnel
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• A serious breach of the school’s code for student conduct, including the use or possession of drugs and/or alcohol, whether on or off campus, and weapons; secreting the same at any place on the school grounds • Threatening or bringing harm to the person or property of a teacher, Principal or staff member • An action or attitude that seriously harms the Name of Christ and the School’s reputation in the community, or an attitude not in harmony with the goals and spirit of same • Any action by a parent or guardian which seriously interferes with the School’s ability to accomplish its educational purposes VI. HEALTH AND SAFETY Medication Policy Non-Prescription/Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medication The School does not administer OTC medication to students. Parents have the choice of coming to school and administering it themselves or sending it with students with written, signed instructions. School staff members are not responsible for students taking OTC medications. Self-Administration of Allergy/Asthma Medication The self-administration of medicine for the treatment of anaphylactic reactions or asthma is allowed for all students. Students who need to self-administer PRN (as needed) allergy or asthma medication (inhalants, meds, EpiPen) will have these medications or devices kept in the first aid kit of the appropriate classroom. Parents should sign the Student Annual Health Information Sheet at the beginning of each school year. It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that these devices/medications are up-to-date. Also, parents should send extra medication/devices from home with students on field trips or other off-campus school-sponsored activities. Medication/devices will be sent home with the student at the end of the school year. Prescription Medication A student is eligible to take medication at school if it is to be given more than 3 times a day. If possible, medication administration at school is strongly discouraged. When your child must have prescription medication of any type (over-the-counter meds, inhalers or daily meds) during school hours, you have the following options: • Discuss with your doctor an alternative schedule of medication administration so it can be given outside the school hours. • When the medication is prescribed three times daily, your child should be given the medication before coming to school, after returning home from school and before bedtime. • You may come to school and administer the medication yourself.
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Illness or Injury Should a student become ill or receive an injury while at school, he/she will be aided by the classroom or specials teacher. First aid will be administered and only medication provided by the parent with specific instructions will be given. Students who are sent home or who are absent from school due to illness should be kept home at least 24 hours after a temperature has returned to normal or vomiting and diarrhea has ceased. Children with sore throats (other than resulting from allergies) should not attend classes. Because most illnesses are airborne, returning an unwell student to class or any school event will not only infect others, but it can also compromise the sick child’s health further by potentially exposing them to other illnesses while they have a weakened immune system. If a student has a contagious illness and exposes his/her classmates, the school will send home a contagion notice for parent information. If you know your child has exposed others to a contagious illness, please notify the teacher or school office as soon as possible, so that other parents can be alerted. Students who have been home sick from school for all or part of a school day cannot participate in class parties, field trips or other school events that take place on that day or that evening . Head Lice If there is an outbreak of head lice, the school may call in volunteer personnel to check students, as a service to parents. Other classroom prevention and containment methods will also be utilized. Ideally, students who have been found with head lice should return to class only when they are completely nit-free. The school reserves the right to require students to be checked by medical personnel before returning to school. Health Records Medical records of all students are part of their permanent school file. In accordance with Kansas law, all students entering school for the first time must show evidence of In order for traffic to flow smoothly, it is imperative that all parents and students obey school procedures when arriving and departing from campus. Safety Guidelines and Drop-Off/Pick-Up Procedures are distributed before school begins in the fall. Please ensure that anyone who picks up your child is familiar with the drop-off/pick-up procedures. If safety and efficiency are hampered, new guidelines for pick-up and drop-off will be instituted. a physical examination by a licensed doctor. Traffic Procedures for Drop-Off and Pick-Up
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School Closings In inclement weather, classes will be canceled if the Blue Valley school district cancels classes. Tune to local television or radio stations for notification. If school must be canceled due to an emergency other than weather, an email will be sent out to all custodial parents. Heritage does not generally close school early in inclement weather; however, if parents wish to pick up their children before the end of the school day, it is their prerogative; advance notice to the office is not necessary. Emergency Action Plan HCA has a School Safety Plan for unexpected emergency situations. The faculty has been instructed in how to handle any such cases. If you would like to review those plans, please see the Principal. Fire, Tornado and other Emergency Drills Emergency drills are done periodically during the school year, to develop safety practices to enable students to move quickly and with order in case of an emergency. Evacuation routes are posted in each room. Visitors on Campus While school is in session, the main entrance doors will be locked between the hours of 8:35 AM and 2:45 PM. All visitors – including parents – must be buzzed in via the intercom system (to the right of the main doors), show ID and check in using the iPad. We also request all visitors wear a visitor tag in a visible place while on campus. Should parents wish to visit a class, they should contact the Principal ahead of time to schedule a time that will not interrupt the learning process. Friends of students are not permitted on campus during the school day unless prior permission has been secured from the Principal.
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VII. GENERAL INFORMATION STUDENT LIFE Telephone Calls
A parent may call the office at any time to leave a message for the teacher via their voice mail. Note that email is the preferred mode of communication for most teachers. Messages to students regarding transportation, medical appointments or other business should be handled in advance by parents and students. Hot Lunch Program Heritage East Campus offers hot lunch through the Olathe School District on most full days of school. Lunches are selected and paid for a month in advance. Milk is included with the hot lunch; it is also available for purchase by students who bring their lunches. Please keep track of your child’s lunch schedule as there are periodic days throughout the school year when hot lunch is not available. Each student’s chosen hot lunches can be found on Blackbaud. If a student does not have a lunch, his/her parents will be called and requested to bring one. Chapel In addition to class devotions and Bible study, all grades attend a weekly chapel program conducted by Redeemer pastors. Parents and relatives are welcome to attend any chapel service. Computer Resources Acceptable Use Policy Upon initial enrollment, parents will be required to sign an Acceptable Use Policy form so that their students may access school technology. This policy outlines the expectations for both the student and the school. Media Policy Heritage utilizes student photos on our website, in print media and various displays for marketing purposes. Also, there may occasionally be public media on campus for various reasons. Upon initial enrollment, parents will be requested to indicate their consent for each of their students to be photographed, interviewed or videotaped for any of these purposes. Parents who wish to change their consent at any time must request a new form from the office for this purpose.
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SCHOOL ORGANIZATION Church Membership
Church membership and Christian virtues are lifetime patterns which are developed early in a child, and the development of those patterns are the primary responsibility of the parents. Attendance at a Christian school is intended to reinforce patterns already established by the parents. Initial enrollment requires prior evidence from at least one parent of the applying student that: • they believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant and authoritative Word of God • they personally trust in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation • their personal lives exemplify this faith • they are faithful members of a local evangelical church This evidence shall be obtained through: • Written parental responses on the student application • Signature on the Statement of Faith in the application • Completion of a school-provided reference form by the pastor of their church • A personal interview with the principal Re-enrollment requires that regular church membership be maintained, with confirmation made each year through the re-enrollment process. Church attendance for both parent(s) and children should be regular, and the family should be active participants in the life of their church. Only in this way can the school assist a family. If a church does not have formal membership, the parent(s) are expected to enter into whatever formal relationship is established by the leadership of their church, attend regular services and be active participants in the life of their church. Debts/Tuition The school has financial responsibilities to faculty, staff and vendors. It is assumed that Christian schooling is a high priority for all families who have chosen to be enrolled in HCA. The student and parents are responsible for all debts incurred at Heritage Christian Academy. If parents anticipate difficulty making a tuition payment at any time, it is their responsibility to inform the school in advance and to keep the school updated on the status of forthcoming payment. HCA utilizes Blackbaud for tuition management. We require all payment plans to be set up through Blackbaud. The tuition charged by HCA may be paid in one of the following ways: 1. Prepaid in full through Blackbaud on or before August 15 th (3% discount)
2. Two payments through Blackbaud on July 9 th and January 9 th 3. 10 Monthly payments through Blackbaud – August through May 4. 12 Monthly payments through Blackbaud – July through June
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