Statement of Non-Discrimination

Age Requirements

Children entering first grade must be six years old on or before the first day of school.  Children entering kindergarten must be five years old on or before the first day of school.  Parents are requested to bring birth certificates and immunization records at the time of enrollment.

Grade Placement

The school reserves the right, after testing a child and counseling with the parents to change the grade placement of the child.

Application

The Admission Committee will consider students for school membership, after applications have been placed on file in the school office.  The following items are required:

1. The Application form – completed and signed by student and parents.
2. A copy of Immunization records
3. Medical examination for all 1st, 4th and 7th graders and all new students.
4. Consent to Treat form – completed and signed.
5. Transcripts and record transfer form completed.
6. Financial Agreement – completed and signed (Any delinquent accounts must be taken care of or satisfactory arrangements made prior to enrollment).

CHRISTIAN STANDARDS

Seventh Day Adventists accept the Bible principal of modesty.  The dress of boys and girls in our Christian schools must measure up to certain standards; therefore, our school has adopted the use of uniforms.  On days that students do not wear uniforms, we would prefer to allow each individual to decide for himself/herself what is in good taste and what is not.  When there is a question of proper attire, the principal will make the final decision.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

Experience has shown that there are some practices that cannot be tolerated in Seventh Day Adventist schools.  Since this school would not knowingly admit a student who offends these practices, the first offense on any of the following fundamental points leaves the student liable to serious discipline or dismissal:

Disseminating atheistic ideas or undermining the religious ideals of faith upheld by school.

1. Using profane or indecent language, indulging in lewd conduct, or suggestions, possessing or displaying obscene literature.

2. Using tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or narcotics in any form, or having it in one’s possession, or furnishing it to others.

3. Gambling, betting, or possessing any gambling device.

4. Dishonesty, including theft, willful deception regarding violation of school regulations, or cheating.

5. Defiance, disrespect, or disobedience by any student toward any staff member.

DRESS CODE
UNIFORMS
Purpose:  The purpose of the School Uniform Policy is to encourage our students to experience a greater sense of school identity and belonging.  We believe this would also encourage an improvement in student behavior, as well as improve and expand academic excellence.  This is also an opportunity to provide an increase in school safety on field trips.

GUIDELINES
Pants, shorts, skirts, skorts and jumpers -
            Style:
                        May be any style of the “Official School Wear/French Toast” line.
            Colors:            
                        Navy Blue, Khaki
            Sizing:

• Shorts must be at knee level.
• Skirts, skorts and jumper hemlines must be below the knee. 
• Must be no more than one size larger than the actual size of the student and must be worn at the waist.
• Pants must be off the ground and worn at the waist.

Shirts, blouses, and sweaters -
            Style:
May be any style of the “Official School WearFrench Toast” line.

            Colors:            
Navy Blue, Burgandy, Green, White
            Sizing:

• All shirts and blouses must be long enough so that the midriff does not show at any time.
• Shirts must also not exceed wrist length.

Footwear -
            It is important to have the students attend school in comfortable footwear.  Therefore, we believe that tennis shoes or a similar shoe (no backless or slip-ons) is appropriate.  They may be in any combination of the uniform policy with the addition of the color black.  At times it is difficult to find a shoe with only these colors, but we would like to keep as close to these colors as possible.

            It is also required that each student keep a pair of gym shoes (that will not leave black heel marks) in their locker to use for indoor activities only.

           
 
Students Pledge

It is distinctly understood that every student who presents himself/herself for admission in the school thereby pledges to observe willingly all its regulations and to uphold the Christian principles upon which the school is operated.  It is also a part of the student’s contract that he/she will, to the best of their ability, perform all duties assigned to them in connection with the school.

Closed Campus

Students will be permitted to leave the school during school hours only for organized class functions, or where the parents have made previous arrangements.

Students shall secure the consent of their teacher one day in advance before bringing visitors to school.  Visitors must be dressed in accordance with and recognize standards of Cornerstone Christian School.

Property Damage

School property damaged or destroyed by student misuse will be charged to the student whom is responsible.

Telephone

The school telephone is provided for business only and is not to be used except by permission from a teacher.  Parents finding it necessary to call the school for either child or teachers should call before or after school hours, except in an emergency.

School Closures

In the event of emergency or extreme weather conditions that may necessitate closing school; information may be obtained by calling our school hotline number at 208 267-6855.

Discipline

We believe the Matthew 18 principles found in the Bible should be used when any problem or misunderstanding occurs.  When you go to the person(s) directly involved in the situation, you can generally solve most of the problems.  Administration should be brought into the issue only after the student, teacher, and parents have discussed the situation.

Our discipline procedures are built on the belief that all people need to be shown kindness, respect and encouragement.  We also believe that like any learning, discipline is an on-going process.  Just as each individual is unique, the way in which we take action to teach social behavior varies according to the child, the situation and the behavior.  Our emphasis is on how we can best learn from mistakes.  Listed below are the steps taken to help children learn appropriate social behavior.

Parent-Teacher Relationships

“In the formation of character no other influence counts so much as the influence in the home.  The teacher’s work should supplement that of the parents, but is not to take its place.  In all that concerns the well-being of the child, it should be the effort of the parents and the teacher’s cooperation.”  (Ed. 283)

“Parents, when the church school teacher tries to train and discipline your children that they may gain eternal life, do not in their presence criticize his actions, even though you may think him too severe.  If you desire them to give their hearts to the Savior, cooperate with the teacher’s efforts for their salvation.”  (CT 154)

“In the planning for the education of their children outside the home, parents should realize that it is no longer safe to send them to public school, and should endeavor to send them to schools where they will obtain an education based on a Scriptural foundation.”  (FCE 285)

“One reason why it is necessary to establish institutions of our own was the fact that parents were not able to counteract the influence of the teaching their children were receiving in the public schools.”  (FCE 285)

“Without the vital principles of true religion, without knowledge of how to serve and glorify the Redeemer, education is more harmful than beneficial.”  (FCE 350)

“The teachers in the home and the teachers in the school should have a sympathetic understanding of one another’s work.  They should labor together harmoniously.  Imbued with the same missionary spirit, striving together to benefit the children physically, mentally and spiritually, and to develop characters that will stand the test of temptation.”  (ST 88, 89)

Note:  This handbook may be revised annually to meet current needs.

Mandatory Volunteer Hours
In order to keep costs down, the school has determined that there are several projects that can be accomplished by volunteers.  Therefore, the school has determined that each family needs to volunteer 3 hours per month.  Along with school needs, it has been determined that parents and other volunteers working in the school regularly help to create a true feeling of “family” in our school.  Along with special projects, we also need volunteers for the following:

All the projects are on a first-come-first-serve basis.  We urge you to sign up early to help with the projects you would like to. 

Most of the volunteer hours are to be completed away from the classrooms.  Please remember that it is very distracting to the students and teachers when there is other activity in the classroom.  There will also be some volunteer hours that can be completed during non-school hours.  These projects will allow times for those to volunteer who may work during the day.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Entrance Fees

The annual entrance/registration fee is due at the time of registration and covers: student accident insurance, textbook rental, and workbooks.  The entrance fee does not cover: personal classroom supplies such as paper, pencils, crayons, scissors, rulers, and Kleenex.  Please refer to the school supply list created for each teacher.

Tuition

We currently offer the option for either a nine (9) month or ten (10) month payment plan.  Please be sure to check the plan that works best for your family on the Financial Contract.  Current monthly tuition payments are due and payable on or before the fifth (5th) of each month.  Payments may be given to the principal or mailed to the school treasurer.  You may correspond directly with the school treasurer via email through our website.

The school is supported in part by tuition; however the set tuition does not nearly cover the expenses incurred by the school.  Great efforts are being made to avoid exclusions due to finances.  We rely on generous gifts of parents and others concerned for Christian Education.  Opportunities will present themselves throughout the school year for parents to help meet the costs of educating your children.  Please make gift giving a matter of prayer.  Please note that all gifts to the school are tax deductible, though tuition is not, according to IRS rules.

******FUNDRAISERS******

All school fundraisers will be conducted as follows:
50% of the profits will go to the school.
The other 50% will go toward your child’s tuition account.*
≈The more you sell, the more you make toward your account. ≈
This does not include specified fundraisers such as the 8th grade graduation fund, an Auction, garage sale, or any other funds raised for specific events or purposes.  (You will be notified of the type of fundraiser that is being conducted.)

* Accounts that are paid in full: parents may opt to have their portion of profits refunded, applied to the following year’s account, donated to another student’s account, or to the general school expenses.

Attendance Policy

1. School begins promptly at 7:45 am and closes at 2:30 pm Monday through Thursday, and on Fridays, school will be out at 1:30 pm.

2. Students will not arrive earlier than 15 minutes prior to school starting and should be picked up promptly after school.

3. Students are not to leave the school grounds without permission.

4. Teachers will be at the school ½ hour before school (to finish their preparation for the day) and ½ hour after school.

5. Parents wishing to speak with the teacher, please make an appointment for after school at 2:30 pm.

6. The school board chairperson is to be advised when school is to be closed, other than scheduled vacations or holidays.

7. A substitute teacher will be selected from the authorized list of substitute teachers when needed.

8. The principal will assess the medical status of all children and make appropriate recommendations to the parents.  Clearance from a physician is required before a student with a communicable disease is permitted to return to school.

Arrival & Departure

Children are to arrive no more than 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the school day and are to leave promptly on dismissal.  If the parent or driver is more than 15 minutes late after dismissal, they will be assessed a late fee.  This fee will be $1.50 per child for every 5 minutes late.

In our lawsuit society, we need to protect ourselves.  Parents, or driver, are responsible for supervising their children when they arrive at school to pick up their children.  We are asking that the children stay with the parent or driver or in their car.  If for whatever reason this is not possible, please contact the teachers about their availability to provide for after school supervision at the rate of $1.50 per 5 minutes per child.