Ebenezer Academy Student/Parent Handbook

Dear Student,

      We, the staff and teachers at Ebenezer Academy are happy that you and your parents have chosen us to help you reach your potential.  We believe that you are here because God, Himself, has ordained that you and we should be here at this time, in this place, for this purpose.  We welcome you with open arms and hearts.  It is our desire that you would reach your full potential, and we will be challenging you to reach a little higher and stretch a little wider as you grow into the person God has created you to be.  One of the first, probably the most important, and sometimes the most difficult of lessons that you will be expected to master, is that of willing obedience.  We define obedience as

        doing exactly what you are told,

        doing it immediately,

        and doing it with a cheerful heart.

It is our goal and sincere desire for you to learn the joy of willing obedience.  Here are some of the rules we expect you to obey.

ATTENDANCE:

     We expect you to be in school every day.  We begin each day at 8:00AM sharp at the flagpole.  You are encouraged to be here a few minutes before that. 

     If you are going to be late or absent for any reason, please call the school (834-4517), or your teacher (numbers have been given to you) before 8:00AM.  You may also notify your teacher by email if you so desire.  Failure to notify the school of these things will result in demerits. 

     School ends at 3:00PM at the flagpole.  You will be dismissed after the flag is lowered, folded, and we have sung.  Please do not go to your car until you are dismissed.  If you are released from class early, you may wait on the front steps of the church for everyone else to arrive at the flagpole.

     If you miss more than 3 days in one quarter for any reason, you will be expected to make that time up at a time convenient to your teacher.  It may be done on a Saturday, in 3 after school days, or in the summer.  Since the teacher is having to put in extra time from her/his schedule, there will be a $25.00 charge for each day of school made up.

AFTER SCHOOL CARE

     We provide after school care for students who are not picked up by 3:15PM.  There will be one teacher responsible for this service each day, and for those students with whom prior arrangements are made, the charge will be dependent upon how many students there are.  The teacher will expect a reasonable compensation, and that will be divided among the students staying.  For students who are late leaving, with no prior arrangements, the charge will be $2.50 for each 15 minute period (or any portion of thereof).  

SICKNESS

     If you are really sick please stay home and get well.  When you come back to school, please bring a note from your parent telling us why you were absent.  If you are out three or more days due to illness, you will have to have a note from your doctor.  Please do not stay home for trivial reasons.  It is difficult for you to make up assignments, it is difficult for your teacher to have to give extra time to teach you missed lessons, and it is difficult for your classmates to have to wait for you to catch up. Remember, you must call each and every day that you are going to be absent.  The call is for courtesy, the note is for your records.

APPOINTMENTS

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

HOMEWORK

      We expect that you will have your completed homework assignments with you and ready to turn in at the beginning of each class.  Because our assignments build one upon another, we consider it a serious problem when a student does not do the necessary work.  If you have not done your work, you will receive an "Incomplete Homework Assignment" form which you will have to take home to your parents.  Your parents must sign the form, and you must bring it back the next day, with the completed assignment attached.  If you do not bring the form back, or do not complete the assignment, you will be referred to the principal for discipline.  If you are having difficulty with an assignment, see the teacher before class and explain the problem.  Be ready to ask specific questions to receive help.  In this event, you and your teacher will decide what to do about the unfinished work.

BE READY FOR SCHOOL   

     School is your job.  When you have a job, you are expected to be on time and ready to work.  You can only do this if you take care of yourself.  We ask that you go to bed early enough each school night so that you will be able to stay awake during school hours.  We ask you to eat a good breakfast, and bring a nutritious lunch with you.  Please do not bring candy or sugary treats to school.  These basic health measures will help you to focus your attention and get the most out of your classes.

PARTIES

     We like parties as well as anyone else, however lots of sugar is very disruptive in a classroom.  Therefore, on your birthday, if your parents would like to bring a treat for you to share with your classmates, we ask that that be done at 2:30PM. Be sure to let the teacher know ahead of time so she/he can be prepared. Near the end of the year, we will have one big party for those whose birthdays fall during the summer.

DRESS CODE   

    Our dress code is absolute. 

Our uniform is khaki pants with no more than two front pockets and two back pockets.  Knee length khaki shorts are acceptable during warm weather.  Pants must be well fitted (not tight on girls, not loose or baggy on boys) and worn properly at the waist.  If a boy has trouble wearing pants around his waist, suspenders are required.  Pants with belt loops must be accompanied by a belt.  Please note: Cargo pants, hip-hop pants, zippered pants, or blue jeans are not allowed.

Academy Shirts are navy blue golf or tee shirts with the Academy Logo embroidered on them.  Two shirts are included with the tuition for new students. Others are available to purchase.  We have available golf shirts, tee shirts, long-sleeve tee shirts, sweat shirts, and zippered sweat shirts.  In school, a student must always have a shirt with the logo showing (no plain sweaters or sweat shirts, no jackets, etc).  Shirts must be tucked in.

Predominately white sneakers complete the uniform.  We encourage you to find sneakers that are reasonably priced, and not get into the competition of having the most expensive shoes. 

Young ladies may wear one pair of earrings, one appropriate bracelet, and one appropriate necklace.  Boys may wear one appropriate bracelet.  No other jewelry is allowed.

If you wear a hat to school, you will be required to take it off when entering a building.

Students arriving out of uniform will receive demerits.

SAFETY

    There are several things to consider in the area of safety.  We have students from ages 4 to 18.  We require the older students to be aware of the presence of the younger children, to be careful around them, to know that the younger children will copy your behavior, and so we expect you to set a good example for them.  We also ask you to be a big brother or sister to these youngsters.  If you see a child doing something he/she is not supposed to be doing, or is dangerous, please speak to him/her or a teacher.  Our school is still small enough for us to be a family, and as such, we all take responsibility for each other.

        RIDES HOME FROM SCHOOL - You will be allowed to leave only with drivers who have been pre-approved by your parents and we have a copy of their license.  Any special arrangements will have to be made by your parents and your teacher.

    You should be dropped off and picked up at the end of the building by the playground.  There will always be a teacher there to greet you.  If there is no one there, it is because the teacher has stepped inside for some purpose.  Please do not get out of your car until the teacher returns.  Students driving their own cars are not allowed to leave the school grounds without specific permission from their parents.

        FIRE DRILLS - Fire exit routes are posted in each classroom area.  Be sure to look it over and know where you will have to go during a fire drill.  When exiting the building during a drill, you should not be talking.  You and your classmates may need to hear some life or death instructions.  You should also not run during any kind of a drill.  An orderly exit is the safest way to leave a building.  If you are separated from your class during a drill, you are to go first to the flag pole, and then to the front porch of the Christian Life Center (CLC).

        TORNADO DRILLS - When we receive word of a tornado watch, which means that conditions are right for a tornado, we will stay in our classroom and review the procedure for a warning.  We will then go back to our class work.  If we are advised of a Tornado warning, which means a tornado has been spotted in the area, or if any teacher feels the conditions are such that we should proceed to a warning, we will go to Mrs. Gaddy's classroom and stay there until the all clear is given.  Listen to your teacher and obey everything she/he says.  If you are separated from your class at the time of a Tornado drill, go directly to Mrs. Gaddy's classroom.

A drill is a practice.  We don't think any of these things will happen, but if they do, we will know what to do.

BEHAVIOR CODE:  We expect our students to stand out for their good behavior and manners.

1.    We strive to honor and glorify our Lord, Jesus Christ in all that we do.

2.    We answer teachers and elders with respect, "Yes Ma'am, Yes Sir" is required.

3.    We do not lie - ever.  Lying is one of the things hated by the Lord (See Proverbs 6:16-19.  Lying can be telling an untruth, or not telling the whole truth.  Lying is also making excuses for things done or left undone.  We strive for honesty in all our ways.

4.    We do not cheat - ever.  Cheating is lying and stealing put together.  Cheating is trying to make someone believe we know something that we do not know.  We do our own work, and learn our own lessons. Cheating is also copying something from the internet and calling it our own work.  Don't do it!

5.    We do not steal -- ever.  Stealing is taking someone's property.  If we find something that does not belong to us, we find out to whom it belongs, and return it to that person. 

6.    We are responsible to keep our school clean and neat.  Each person has a chore at the end of the day and each person is held responsible for doing that chore well.  Failure to do chores will result in demerits as well as having to do the chore in the morning.

7.    We do not take the name of the Lord in vain nor use vulgar or street language.

8.    We do not tease others or call names

9.    We do not chew gum in school.

10.When we are left in a classroom while the teacher steps out, we     

     behave as if she/he was still there.

11.We do not bring things to school that have been banned.  The list of

     such things includes drugs or drug paraphernalia, any tobacco

     products, weapons, cell phones, games, electronic gizmos, etc.  The

     Administrator reserves the right to search desks, backpacks,

     lunchboxes, or ask a student to empty pockets at any time, and will exercise that right  

     on a random but regular basis, with or without provocation.

12. Now Pay Attention - This Is Important:  If you see someone 

     breaking one of these rules, you  are required to tell a

     teacher.  We do not tolerate behavior which reflects

     negatively  on parents, teacher, school, church, community,

     or God.  If you know something negative is going on, and you

     do not tell, you are as guilty of the act as the person actually

     doing it, and can receive the same discipline.

DEMERITS - Be sure to check the demerits page to see what demerits you will be earning.  You do not want demerits, and we do not want to give them out, so be sure you know the rules.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

The following items are a distraction in class, and are not allowed in school:  Radios, CD players, headphones, cell phones, electronic games, etc.

REST ROOM

Normally you should go to the rest room during breaks and at lunch time.  People coming and going during class is disruptive, so try to time your visits to the restroom during the allotted times.  If it is necessary for you to go during class, your teacher will tell you what he/she wants from you.  Only one person may leave the classroom at a time.  Come back as quickly as possible.  Grades K4 - 3 will use the rest rooms in the kindergarten area.  Grades 4 and above will use the rest rooms up stairs.  Remember, you will be responsible for cleaning the bathrooms, so be careful during the day.  Clean up after yourself, put paper towels in the waste basket, wipe up any splashes at the sink, etc.

SCHOOL CLOSING

In the event of inclement weather, the decision as to whether to have school or not will be made by the principal.  The decision will be posted on WYFF (Channel 4).

FINAL THOUGHTS

We have tried to answer as many of your questions as we can think of. You may have more, and if you do, please ask and we will give you an answer.  We are all excited about another school year.  It is said of our Lord, Jesus Christ, "He grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2:52)  That is our prayer for you this year, and we are looking forward to being witnesses of your growth.

                                                     Rev. Contois

                                                     Rev. Davis

                                                     Mrs. Contois

                                                     Mrs. Gaddy

                                                     Mrs. Wright