Heritage Christian School   Student/Parent Handbook (pg. 1) Welcome to Heritage Christian School    We would like to welcome you to Heritage Christian School. In the days and weeks ahead may we work together in the common goal of the education of your child. If there is any way in which we may be able to help you, please ask, and we will do our best to accommodate you.     This handbook and the rules that it sets forth are guidelines by which we operate this school. This is not a legal document that binds this school to the policies set forth. Not all rules and regulations are set forth in this handbook, and the content of this book is subject to change either through addition or deletion without having to give notice to our school families.     Both parents and students will be required to sign a statement of cooperation. No students will be admitted or allowed to remain in the school who does not agree or cooperate with the overall purpose and program. Attendance at Heritage Christian School is a privilege, not a right. Those parents and students who do not comply with the spirit of the rules or standards will be required to leave the school.     New students entering Heritage Christian School will be on probation for the first nine weeks. During this period, the child's academic acheivement and grade placement will be evaluated. If changes are necessary the parent will be contacted to discuss a possible adjustment in grade level or enrollment status. (Pg. 2) Our Purpose    God commands parents to teach their children His statues in Deut. 6:5-7; therefore the biblical responsibility for a child's education is placed upon the parents. In order to assist Christian parents in their responsibility, Heritage Christian School was founded under the direction of God for the purpose of assisting parents in the education of their children while maintaining biblical truths. We want to stress an academic curriculum that prepares each student for the technical demands of the future while instilling in him/her a love for God that will lead him/her to a fruitful life in His service. Our Position    Heritage Christian School is a ministry of Heritage Baptist Church and thus falls under the authority of the church and Pastor Downs. All of the staff and faculty answer to the Pastor as the man of God has ordained to direct the ministries of Heritage Baptist church.     We at Heritage Baptist Church and Heritage Christian School believe that the King James Version is the only authorized translation of the Bible, thus all students are required to have a King James Bible. (p. 3) Statement of Faith We believe the Bible to be the only inspired, infallible, authoritative Word of God. We believe that  there is one God, eternally exsistent, in the persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; those that are saved unto the resurrection of life and those that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. We believe that Christians should grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We believe that the local church is the only God ordained institution on earth to carry out His Great Commission. Objectives of Heritage Christian School To lead our students to a personal knowledge of Christ as the true Savior. To prepare our students spiritually by instilling in them a love for the Lord Jesus Christ, for God the Father, and for God the Holy Spirit, and a personal sense of responsibility to do the will of God. To offer a wholesome environment in which to learn. To prepare each child for a life of spiritual leadership in school, home, church, community, nation, and in the world. (pg. 4) Enrollment The enrollment questionnaire has been designed to comply with Florida laws and the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools of which we are a member and under whose authority we are authorized by Florida law. Please fill out every section completely. All of the information is necessary to keep our records complete, and to provide the best care for your child. The following school forms must be completely and accurately filled out and signed by the parents or legal guardians: Enrollment or re-enrollment applications. Transfer of school records form. Payment of application fee. All kindergarten students and students transferring from other schools need to have an examination by a physician. Record of immunizations. A copy of a birth certificate. If required, an entrance/placement test. Tuition Payments All tuition payments are due on the 1st day of the month from September to May. There will be a $25.00 late fee applied on all payments received after the 10th of the month. If the bank should return your check to the school because of insufficient funds, the school will charge a $10.00 bad check fee. (pg. 5) Minimum School Day The required minimum class time to receive credit for a full day is as follows:      Kindergarten...................................3 hours      1st grade through 12th grade............4 hours Grading Scale                          A 94 - 100 E Excellent B 86 - 93 G Good C 76 - 85 S Satisfactory D 70 - 75 N Needs Improvement F  0 - 69 (pg. 6) Graduation Requirements To qualify for graduation from Heritage Christian School a student needs to have a total of 26 credits. Subject Required:                                          Credits Bible  ( Every Year at HCS)                                4 English  ( I, II, III, IV)                                           4 Performing Arts  (Art, Music or Drama)               1 History  (American, World, Gov)                          3 Math   (Alg I, Geom, & Elective)                          3 Science  ( Phy, Bio & Elective)                           3 Health                                                             1/2 Physical Education                                           2 Electives                                                        5 1/2 School Programs All students are required to attend all school programs as well as all revival meetings. School days during these revival meetings may be shortened or dismissed so their attendance is required at all revival meetings. If unable to attend, a letter of explanation will be required from parents but the students grade may be affected. The determination will be made by the Pastor. Medical 1. First aid will be administered by a staff member certified in first aid. No internal medication will be given without parent's written permission. Prescribed medicine may be sent from home with written instructions. 2. When sick, students must report to the school office. If necessary the school office will notify parents. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (pg. 7) Student Correction Student correction at Heritage Christian School is done according to Scripture. Our plan is to create an atmosphere in which cooperation and obedience is the norm. Many forms of punishment or correction are available to us:      1. The student will be counseled at length by the Pastor to attempt to correct the attitude at the base of the problem.      2. The Pastor will attempt to contact the parents to inform them of the impending disciplinary action and give them the option of coming to the school to administer or witness the action.      Dress Code Part of Christian training is learning to dress appropriately for all occasions. It is improper to attend school, recitals, and special programs slovenly dressed. Heritage Christian School wants the students to be concerned about modesty and neatness. Parents are also asked to abide by the dress code when coming on school and church property. Our children learn from the staff, teachers, and parents. If any disobey the rules, then we are telling our students they must obey the rules only if they want to. Your cooperation is appreciated. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Pg. 8) Girl's Dress Code * Dresses or skirts and blouses are the required dress for all classes. No culottes are allowed. * The minimum dress length shall be no higher than below the knee. * If dresses or skirts have a slit, the slit can be no higher than below the knee. * All necklines shall closely approach the point where the collar bones meet. * Modesty is the key in all apparel.  The styles may be straight and tight, but please keep it modest. Skirts, dresses, blouses or T-shirts must not be too tight. No clothing that brings attention to the human form or clings to the body and shows all curves will be allowed. * Shorts and pants are not acceptable apparel. Children in the lower grades may wear shorts under their dress for the sake of modesty when they play outside. * No sleeveless dresses or blouses. * Appropriate undergarments shall be worn at all times. Full slips, half slips, camisoles shall be worn. No see through clothing will be allowed. * Jewelry shall be limited to one pair of earrings. Watches, bracelets, and necklaces are acceptable but must be limited to one each. No more than one ring per hand. No nose rings, or rings on any other parts of the body will be allowed. * Sneakers are acceptable but must be neat and they must be laced at all times. Shoes should be comfortable so please avoid extremely high-healed shoes or platform shoes. No flip-flop shoes are to be worn to school. * Sunglasses are not to be worn inside the building unless for medical purposes. * Hair may not be dyed or cut as unbecoming to a young lady. * No clothing with any type of writing except for church or school jackets will be allowed. * No lunch boxes or notebooks promoting any cartoon character, sports team, musical group, or other worldly organizations will be allowed. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (pg. 9) Boy's Dress Code * Boy's pants are to be neat and clean. Ragged, baggy, or sloppy jeans are not acceptable. * If pants are designed for belts, then belts must be worn. Suspenders may be worn in lieu of a belt. * All boys above 6th grade must have a collar on their shirt. They are to be neat, clean and buttoned to within one button of the collar. * All shirts are to be tucked in - no exceptions. This also includes shirts that are meant to be worn outside the pants or slacks. * No sleeveless shirts, jogging suits, or shirts with questionable designs. The only designs that are allowed on shirts will be sports teams or a small design (label) on the pocket. No shirts are to have anything printed on the back. * No hats or caps are to be worn inside the building. * Boys are not permitted to wear ear, nose, tongue, eyebrow, or any other types of body piercing. The only jewelry allowed will be a watch and one ring on each hand. No skull or satanic rings will be allowed. * Sunglasses are not to be worn inside the building unless for medical purposes. * Boy's hair must be trimmed, not touching the ears, and needs to be tapered or blocked at the back of the neck, not touching the eyebrows and not turned up at the ends because of the length. hair must be cut to appropriated length rather than combed to avoid touching the ears or eyebrows. * No shaving the head, no shaving the sides and leaving a patch on top and no tails are allowed. * No coloring hair is permitted. No beards or mustaches are permitted. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (pg. 10) Assumption of Agreement It is assumed that each student and parent will read and understand the policies and procedures set forth in this handbook, and that enrollment of your child as a student in Heritage Christian School is a statement of agreement with these policies and procedures.            Pastor Ronald C. Downs           -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------