Items of interest:
Board of Trustee Meeting Minutes (Board Briefs):
February 15, 2010 Meeting (19)
January 18, 2010 Meeting (33)
November 23, 2009 Meeting (38)
November 2, 2009 Meeting (44)
Attendance
Regular attendance and punctuality are expected of all students. IF A STUDENT WILL BE ABSENT OR TARDY FROM SCHOOL, THE PARENTS MUST NOTIFY THE OFFICE WITH A PHONE CALL OR IN PERSON BY 8:30am! Please do not just notify the teacher. It is not the teacher’s responsibility to inform the school office when a student will be absent or tardy.
Parents determine their student’s attendance. The school determines whether or not an absence or tardy is excused. At the secondary level an unexcused absence or tardy will result in the student not receiving credit for missed work; although, the individual teacher may require the missed work to be completed for continuity in curriculum
Excused vs. Unexcused: Excused absences or tardies must fall clearly within the following categories:
- A doctor’s appointment which could not be scheduled out of school hours. However, every effort should be made to avoid scheduling doctor or dental appointments during school hours.
- An unavoidable family emergency. This does not include over-sleeping or family transportation issues.
- Unavoidable difficulty with the roads such as unavoidable construction, congestion, or delay due to an accident. After the initial incident, families are to plan appropriate travel time.
- An absence which was arranged with the school office and the student’s teachers far enough in advance to include arrangements made for missed school work.
Student Tardies: School starts at 8:30am. Students are to be in class, in their seat, prepared, and ready to begin at 8:30am. ATTENDANCE WILL BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY, and those not present will be reported to the office. Any student who arrives late to school must report immediately to the office before going to the classroom. These same expectations and procedure will apply at the beginning of each class period at the secondary level.
Elementary (K – 6): Written notification from the office will be sent after five tardies in one quarter. If tardiness continues, administrative consultation with the family will be necessary.
Secondary (7 – 12): Three unexcused tardies will equal one unexcused absence. The school office will update parents on their student’s attendance record.
Family Vacations: Every effort should be made to avoid vacations which require taking students out of school. Our experience clearly shows that these absences negatively affect students and staff. Parents who have NO alternative but to take a student out of school must make arrangements with the school office and the student’s teachers prior to the vacation so proper arrangements for missed work are made and the absence can be considered excused.
Missed Work: If a student misses class it is the responsibility of the student and parents (not the teacher or secretary) to initiate the obtaining of all information missed (including homework assignments, class lectures, discussion notes, etc.). Students are responsible for obtaining and completing missed assignments in a timely manner. Teachers are expected to do all they can to facilitate student success, but the ultimate responsibility belongs to the student and parents.
If a student’s absenteeism is negatively affecting academic performance the school will notify the student and/or parents to suggest a suitable means for the learning of missed concepts and completion of missed work. This may involve peer tutoring, parental tutoring, or after-school tutoring by the teacher. It is the responsibility of the student and parents to see that this work is completed and that clear communication has occurred with each teacher.
Secondary Absences (7 – 12): The maximum number of days a secondary student may be absent in a semester without losing credit is ten. When this number is exceeded, the parents will be notified and asked to verify to the Administrative Team within ten days, either in written form or through personal appearance, why the student should be granted credit for the semester. Final decisions as to granting of credit will rest with the Administrative Team. The Administrative Team will consider the following in forming its recommendation:
- Absences due to extended illness or serious medical problems
- Absences due to unavoidable family emergencies (not including oversleeping, missing rides, taking family members to work, etc.)
- Absences due to educational experiences that can be written up and submitted for credit
- Absences prearranged by the family
- Responsibility in completion of work missed
Attendance and Participation in School Events: Students are required to be in attendance four class periods (not including lunch) in order to participate that day in after school or evening social school-sponsored or related events. This includes all activities such as athletics, performances, Junior-Senior Banquet, etc.
Chapel
On Wednesday mornings, before classes commence, we at New Covenant Christian School join together for a family time of worship. All students and staff gather in the Sanctuary for a chapel time of worship, testimony and praise led by secondary students and staff. Parents are always welcome to join us during this time.
Closed Campus
Leaving Campus: As New Covenant Christian School is a closed campus, all students are to stay within the bounds of the school grounds and building throughout the school day. No students are to be in parked cars during school hours, and permission will not be granted for students to leave campus at any time during the school day unless a PRIOR written request from the parent has been sent to and approved by the Administration.
- This means that students will not be dismissed from campus for lunch hour except with a parent.
- More specifically, once students are dropped off or arrive at school in the morning, they are considered on campus. Students may leave at any time if directly picked up by a parent. However, the student must sign out at the office and, if returning, sign back in.
- During the school day, no student is to leave the school grounds without written permission from their parent or accompanied by a teacher. To leave during the school day, a student needs permission of both a parent and the Administration. If an entire class leaves, students do not need to sign out in the office.
- In addition, as a closed campus, people who are not students, parents or family members, or staff members of NCCC/S are not permitted on school grounds, which includes in the school building as well as the parking lot and grounds. Non-NCCC/S people will be required to leave. Parents and students are asked to have after school gatherings/meetings with friends, etc. occur at home unless prior arrangements have been made.
NOTE: The penalty for unauthorized leaving of campus will be one day suspension and a failing grade for all work on the day of suspension.