Thank you for allowing us to partner with you in the education of your child.  We consider this to be one of the highest callings to which we can be called.  You as parents are responsible for and answerable to God for the education of your child.  You have bestowed on us an awesome responsibility.

     In order for us to do the job you have asked us to do, we need to be in agreement.  The student handbook contains the rules and regulations we expect the students to obey.  Please read it with your student and make sure you both understand it. Infractions to these rules will earn the student demerits. Probably the most important thing a student can learn is willing obedience.  Our goal is to have students who will submit to the authorities that the Lord has placed over them, not only here and now, but for a lifetime.  Life is more rewarding when we know who our legitimate authorities are, and submit willingly to them.  Now here is an important point: 

A disobedient child is an unteachable child.

     Having said all that, you need to take seriously the partnership agreement that you have signed. 

        You need to know the rules of the school and encourage your student to follow those rules.

        You need to be sure that when your student arrives at school, he is dressed according to the uniform code.

        You need to be sure that your student is not bringing the items that are not allowed at school (radios, CD players, headphones, cell phones, games, etc.)

        You need to be sure that your student does his homework.  If he receives a "Failure to Complete Assignment" form, you need to sign it, and return it with the completed assignment.

        You need to make sure your student is at school on time.  If he is to be late or absent, please call the school office before 8:00AM.  Failure to call in these instances will result in demerits.  Some students have received demerits for this, and parents have felt it was unfair to the child, because it is really the job of the parent to call.  This may be true, but we cannot give demerits to the parent, so be sure to call!  Don't let your child suffer for your irresponsibility.

        If you have a problem with the school, the teacher, the principal, the assignments, or anything else, please talk to us about it.  Remember, you are the person responsible to God for the education of your child, and we do not want to usurp that authority.

        Remember, your student's homework is his/her homework, not yours.  If you find your child truly has too much homework, or it is too difficult for him, please let the teacher know.  Do not do the work for your child. 

         School is over at 3:00PM.  Your student needs to be picked up by 3:15.  If you are late in picking up your student, he/she will stay in his/her classroom.  If you have made prior arrangements for after school care, you will be informed of the charge based on the number of students who are staying.  If you are later than 3:15, and have not made prior arrangements, there will be a late stay charge of $2.50 for each quarter hour or any portion of a quarter hour that you are late.

Discipline

     Discipline is an important part of the life of a Christian, and imposed discipline helps an individual achieve self-discipline.  Discipline is the responsibility of the parents and teachers together.  In school, discipline can mean many different things.  At the Academy, discipline of students always includes prayer.  The student may be asked to do some extra academic work, some physical work around the school, attend detention, write sentences, miss recess, earn demerits, paddling or expulsion.  Most minor discipline problems which occur in the classroom are handled by the teacher.  More serious problems are referred to the principal.  Here are two areas of discipline with which something more needs to be said.

Attendance:  A child's education is adversely affected by absence from school  One student's absence adversely affects the class as well.  The teacher may feel a need to wait until all students are present before teaching a specific lesson, or if the lesson is taught, it may have to be repeated for the student who has been absent.  There are many students who simply miss the lessons of the day, and find themselves at a disadvantage later in the year or in their educational career because they have missed important steps in the progress of learning.  For these reasons, we expect students to be present every day, and students who achieve perfect attendance are recognized and rewarded during our graduation exercises.  Any student who has more than 3 (three) days absent in any one quarter will be required to make up that time at the teacher's convenience.  Since this is an imposition on the teacher's time, an extra charge of $25.00 (twenty-five dollars) will be applied.  A student who misses 10 days in the year, and does not make up that time, will not be promoted to the next grade without the approval of the administrator.  A student who misses 20 days, and does not make up that time, will need to convince the Administrator that there is a reason for his continued attendance at the Academy.

Attitude:  A student who continually shows an attitude of disrespect to authority will not be allowed to stay at the academy.  We will do all we can to convince the student to change his/her attitude before making a decision to dismiss.

Appointments:  Please try to make doctor or dentist appointments after school hours, or as late as possible.

       We are looking forward to a wonderful school year with your student and with you.

                                  By His Grace and for His Glory,

                                  Rev. Richard Contois

When any student is enrolled at the Academy, the parents must agree to and sign the following statement. 

Statement of Partnership

1. Childhood education is the responsibility of the parents according to God.  We at the Ebenezer Academy understand that we have been afforded the privilege and trust of helping with that parental responsibility.  We see our role as coming along side the parent in guiding children to their God given destiny.  We expect the parent to help us in being certain the child is faithful in attendance, does all assignments, asks for help when needed and seek parent/teacher conferences at any time for any reason.  This partnership between parent and teacher is foundational to the child's education.

2. The Academy holds the Bible to be the primary guideline for morality and behavior.  The standards will be administered in the light of our understanding of the Scriptures.  We expect parents to reinforce these behavioral standards, and encourage the child to be obedient.

3. We believe and teach that the Bible is without error in its entirety.  We believe that the Bible is God's instruction to us, and holds the answers to all of life's questions.  We ask the parent to encourage the student in the study of God's Word.

4. Teachers and Faculty of the Ebenezer Academy pray regularly for students, parents, and each other.  We ask that the parents pledge to lift The Ebenezer Academy and staff up to the Lord in prayer regularly and frequently.

5. Because we believe that the Bible encourages modesty in our appearance, as well as our behavior, a dress code has been established:

   • Cotton twill pants, khaki in color - well fitted and worn at the waist.  Suspenders are required for students who have trouble, because of their size, keeping their pants at the waist.  Pants that have belt loops must have a belt.  No cargo pants, hip-hop pants, zippered pants, army fatigues, or blues jeans are allowed.

   • Ebenezer shirts are required at all times.  Two shirts are included in tuition of new students. Other shirts are available for purchase:  T-shirts, long sleeve t-shirts, sweat shirts. and zippered and hooded sweatshirts available for purchase.  No other sweatshirt, sweater, or jacket will be allowed in class.

   • White sneakers with backs complete the uniform.

   • Ladies may wear one pair of earrings, one necklace, and/or one bracelet.  No other jewelry is allowed.  Gentlemen may wear one necklace and one bracelet only. 

   • Unnaturally colored hair, or long hair on boys is not allowed.

6. At the Ebenezer Academy, we believe that we cannot teach a child whom we cannot control.  As the final step in a discipline process, we reluctantly use corporal discipline (spanking).  We encourage parents to attend any such discipline sessions that are needed.  Parents must be willing for their child to be disciplined in this way in order for them to be a student at the Ebenezer Academy.