Statement of Faith

The basis of the Clear Creek Christian School shall be the Word of God as interpreted by the following statement of faith:

1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible and authoritative Word of God.

2. We believe that there is one God eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

3. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His 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.

4. We believe that for the assurance of salvation of sinful man, one must confess faith in Jesus Christ, followed by the repentance of sin and baptism by immersion.

5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.

6. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Vision Statement

Clear Creek Christian School exists to provide an excellent spiritual and educational environment to equip students to fulfill God’s purpose in their lives.

Statement of Philosophy

Clear Creek Christian School exists as a ministry of Clear Creek Christian Church to honor Christ in educating students in Biblical truths for spiritual, academic and social development. In this way, students may “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)

Mission Statement

The Clear Creek Christian School shall support the mission of the church by providing the children of our congregation, as well as others in the community, a superior education academically, spiritually, and socially in a Christ-centered environment.

The purpose of the Clear Creek Christian Church is as revealed in the New Testament to win people to faith in Jesus Christ, commit them actively to the church, help them grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ that increasingly they may know and do His will, and to work for the unity of all Christians in the task of building the kingdom of God.

Core Values

The board of CCCS is committed to following core values, hires staff that demonstrate these values, and seeks to instill these values in students as they grow and learn:

1. Faith: We recognize the Scriptures as the revealed word of God and teach them as absolute truth.

2. Integrity: We believe that all matters should be handled with truth in love. Ephesians 4:15.

3. Excellence: We believe that all of our efforts should be performed with excellence because God, our Creator is excellent.

4. Service: We believe in using our gifts and talents in meaningful service to glorify God.

5. Accountability: We believe that each person must accept responsibility for their actions.

Academic Philosophy

Clear Creek Christian School is dedicated to the glory of God and exists to help students grow spiritually, emotionally, physically and academically. The school is committed to high moral standards and academic excellence with an academic philosophy based on the Biblical teaching that respect for the Lord is the root of wisdom and knowledge. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7) Since God has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ and the Bible, knowledge concerning Christ and the Bible is the key principle of Christian education. We are committed to the teachings of the Bible and believe that there is a direct relationship between what Christian students believe and how they behave and approach their lives.

We have high expectations for our students and push them to achieve and excel in reading skills, math skills, written and oral communication, memory skills, thinking skills and general knowledge of the world around them. We maintain small class sizes to maximize individual student-teacher interaction. We provide quality teachers and staff that are committed to the concept of Christian schooling and the imperatives of high moral standards and academic excellence.

Parental involvement is critical to the success of any student in our school. The best efforts of our principal, teachers and staff will not bear fruit unless they are supported and reinforced at home. Parents need to be actively engaged in their son’s or daughter’s education on a daily basis. This means ensuring that homework is completed each day and working with the child and teacher when academic excellence is not achieved. This means seeing to it that your child gets adequate sleep and nutrition and arrives at school on time each day. It means encouraging the child to read non-textbook material ranging from 50 pages per week for 3rd graders to 125 pages per week for 6th graders. It means participating in after-school events and fund-raisers with your child.

With God’s blessing and our working together, the school, students and parents can produce an excellent result! The school is committed to excellence. If the student and parents are committed as well, the child will thrive and grow academically.

Arrival and Dismissal Time

School hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students should not arrive or be in the building before 8:15 a.m. and no students should be on the grounds or in the building after 3:15 p.m. unless involved in the Extended Care Program. Those students dropped off before 8:15 a.m. or picked up after 3:15 p.m. will be assessed extended care fees.

Attendance and Tardiness Policy

Students must be in school at the appointed times. If an enrolled student is not in school, the student is considered “absent” and the student’s parent is expected to call the school office between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on each day when his/her child will be absent.

An absent student’s missed work must typically be made up in the number of school days the student was absent. For example, if a student is absent for 3 school days and returns on a Monday, then all of his/her missed work is due on Thursday of that week. In some cases additional time may be necessary, and parents should coordinate with the teacher to make arrangements. Parents can help their children during absences by contacting the teacher and arranging to pick up work that the student can complete while out of school. Parents are expected to be especially helpful and encouraging when their child returns to school after an absence because the student will be working on current work as well as missed work.

Students’ academic progress is diminished when they are not in school. Thus, more than four absences (of any type) in a grading period should be discussed with the principal with the expectation that corrective action will be taken.

Beginning each day promptly and prepared to learn is imperative to each student's progress. Tardiness is detrimental to the tardy student and disruptive to the teacher and other students. The following is the school’s policy on tardiness:

1. Tardiness is defined as arrival after 8:30 a.m. on a school day.

2. Attendance will be taken at 8:30 a.m. Allow your child a few minutes to put up his/her coat and backpack so that they may be seated and ready for attendance at 8:30 a.m.

3. Each student will be allowed three tardies per 9-week grading period.

4. The principal will discuss excessive tardiness with the student’s parents.

Bible

Clear Creek Christian School offers spiritual training that is aimed at bringing students into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ while maintaining a strong academic program. This training involves daily Bible study for each student. In addition, Christian symbols, creationism, prayer and reverence for God are pervasive throughout the school. Families who disagree with this will find that a different academic environment will be a better choice for their child.

The New International Version (NIV) of the Bible will be used for instruction and memory work. Those who prefer to use another version should discuss this with the principal. We require each student to have his/her own Bible and bring it to school every day starting in the 2nd grade.

Building Neatness and Cleanliness

We encourage our students to have pride in the buildings God has provided. Care should be taken at all times to be responsible citizens both inside and outside of the school. Students who do not demonstrate the proper respect for our facilities will be dealt with by the principal.

Celebrations Policy

Within the context of the academic mission of the school, celebrations may be held as follows:

Harvest: This is a party in place of a Halloween party. We ask that no witches, ghosts, goblins, etc. be used in the school's celebration. Jack-o-lanterns may be used at the teacher’s discretion. In our school, the Harvest Party will be a celebration of the end of summer, the beginning of harvest and general thanksgiving to God.

Christmas: Christmas is a time for us to celebrate God's gift to us: Jesus Christ. Decorations may be placed in the classrooms.

Valentine's Day: On this holiday, we stress friendship and love, especially God's love. Valentines of good taste may be exchanged by students.

Easter: This is the time we celebrate the sacrificial, substitutionary, all-sufficient death and the overcoming resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the most important celebration of them all.

Birthdays: Small, fifteen-minute birthday celebrations may be held in the student’s classroom as long as arrangements are made not less than two days in advance with the teacher. These may include singing to the birthday student and a small treat to be passed out to each student in his/her class. This is a time to recognize and appreciate the birthday student within the structure of his/her classroom. Once this recognition has been made, teachers need to return to their academic schedule.

Class Schedule (example of typical school day)

8:30-8:45	Pledges, song and prayer
8:45-9:15	Bible
9:15-10:30	Reading time and Language Arts
10:30-10:45	Recess
10:45-11:45	Math
11:45-12:00	Class time (creative writing, spelling, oral reading)
12:00-1:00	Lunch and recess (morning Kindergarten dismissed)
1:00-1:30	Special classes (Chapel, music, gym, art and library)
1:30-3:00	Class time (science, history, continuation of other subjects)
3:00	Classes dismissed

Class Size

Every effort is made to maintain a target class size of 16 students per classroom. Some students study with a higher or lower grade level if they are advanced or behind in reading or math. Therefore, some classrooms may sometimes have more than 16 students for those specific subjects. Maintaining the target class size of 16 students, can require combined classes. This means that students from more than one grade share a classroom with one teacher. The principal and the teachers carefully consider the best placement for each child. Parent input to the process is welcomed and considered along with order of enrollment. However, the principal makes final decisions on class placement based on academic and social considerations.

Communication

Clear Creek Christian School is governed by its School Board. Most meetings of the School Board are open sessions. The School Board usually meets every month. Parents, staff and friends are encouraged to attend School Board meetings. Please contact the school office for the exact time and place of the School Board meetings. Teachers are encouraged to remind parents of the time and place of the next School Board meeting in the teacher’s weekly letter home. So that the School Board’s meeting will not be unduly interrupted, persons wishing to present concerns or ask questions relevant to school matters should notify the School Board President via the principal in advance so that time for them may be included on the agenda. It is understood that some sessions are closed because they deal with staff or sensitive family matters and are necessarily private. The procedures for addressing any concerns that you might have are as follows:

1. All concerns should first be referred to the appropriate staff member (example, a classroom matter to the teacher).

2. All matters not resolved by the staff member should be taken by the concerned parents to the principal.

3. Other matters not related to a staff member's area of responsibility should be taken directly to the principal.

5. Matters that cannot be resolved by the principal will be addressed by the School Board.

6. If a parent is contacted by someone about a school matter of concern, the parent should tactfully refer the person to this section of the Student Handbook so that they can appeal to the appropriate person. Parents should not be a party to rumors nor spread discontent among our children or other parents. Most school matters can be handled efficiently and promptly if this communication mechanism is followed by all of us.

Please refer to Matthew Chapter 18 for scriptural guidance on resolving issues.

Conduct of Students

As a Christian school, we are committed to the teachings of the Bible. Thus, the School Board is persuaded that there should be a direct relationship between what Christian students believe and how they behave. Unacceptable conduct serves no useful purpose for the individual student exhibiting such conduct and is disruptive and disrespectful of the learning environment, to other students, to teachers and to staff.

The following types of conduct are considered unacceptable at Clear Creek Christian School:

1. Disrespect or insubordination (e.g. backtalk, rolling eyes, etc.) exhibited to teachers or staff;

2. Destroying or defacing school or church property (parents are expected to pay for repairs or replacement of property damaged by their children);

3. Fighting, chocking, kicking, hitting;

4. Leaving the school grounds without permission;

5. Chewing gum;

6. Swearing or unclean language;

7. Horseplay in the school building;

8. Handling other students' property or taking personal property without permission;

9. Smoking and/or possession of tobacco;

10. Spitting on school property;

11. Cheating;

12. Possession of any drug not prescribed for the student by a physician;

13. General disturbances such as talking out in class without permission, interrupting the class, writing notes, throwing objects indoors, or running in the building;

14. Any other conduct which interferes with the school’s Statement of Faith, Statement of Philosophy and Academic Philosophy as determined by a teacher, a staff member, or the principal.

Unacceptable conduct will be dealt with according to the DISCIPLINE POLICY. Ultimate responsibility for a student’s conduct while in school rests with the student and his/her parents.

Curriculum

It is our aim to provide a Christian education that excels in both academic and spiritual instruction. We use curriculum from various sources: such as, A Beka, ACSI, Discovery Works, and Concordia Press. The fine curriculum from these sources is supplemented with a variety of materials. Parents are encouraged to review the books and materials used in the school and make suggestions for improvement. The Curriculum Committee regularly examines other sources of curriculum to improve, enhance and supplement current curriculum.

Discipline Policy

Disciplinary measures are used in order to correct unacceptable conduct and to assure an atmosphere in which students and teachers can best function to attain the goals of the school. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Discipline is necessary for the welfare of the student as well as for the entire student body.

Teachers and staff are primarily responsible for maintaining cooperation and order among students. When problems arise, discipline will be firm, reasonable and administered without anger. The principal bears overall responsibility for discipline in the school.

All forms of discipline will be administered with the goal of helping the student understand what was wrong with his attitude and/or conduct and to remember not to repeat it. Discipline is an educational process and part of school learning. Please note that we do everything we can to help the student become more Christ like and we encourage our teachers and staff to pray with the student after he/she has been disciplined.

The following disciplinary measures will be used as appropriate. Each teacher has his/her own list of rules that are posted in their classrooms. Consequences are included in this list. Staff members also have rules and consequences for recess, the lunchroom, and extended care. These consequences include the following:

1. Positive encouragement and non-tangible rewards

2. Verbal reminders

3. Time out

4. Loss of privileges

When a rule is broken several times or the above consequences don’t seem to be having an effect in the behavior, teachers and staff members may give out written reprimands.

1. Written Reprimand (yellow sheets): Yellow sheets are written warnings describing unacceptable student behavior that is sent home for the student’s parents to review, sign and return. Students are allowed 3 yellow sheets a semester before a red sheet reprimand is given.

2. Written Reprimand (red sheets): Red sheets are written warnings describing unacceptable students behavior that is sent home for the student’s parents to review, sign and return. Red sheets are saved for blatant disobedience that needs immediate attention. Red sheets may also be given after three yellow sheets have been issued and the behavior still continues.

3. In-school suspension: Removal of a student from the classroom. Work assignments will be completed in solitude.

4. Out-of-school suspension: Parents will be notified to pick up his/her child from school. The principal will inform the parent as to when the student will be allowed to return to school and under what circumstances, if any.

During out-of-school activities, such as P.T.F. meetings, choir performances, etc., students are under the direct supervision of their parents and school rules must still be obeyed. A student is expected to act on all occasions within the principles of representing his/her family and the school, but also our Lord. Major discipline problems at after-school activities will be dealt with in a conference with the family(ies), student(s) and school staff.

Dress Code for Students

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)

Outward appearance establishes a mood for the individual and for the school. Dress codes have proven to be a key to smooth operation. Neatness, cleanliness, and modesty are of utmost importance and honor God. If there is any doubt about the appropriateness of a garment, it should not be worn. Clear Creek Christian School considers the following to be appropriate dress:

1. Clean, casual clothing

2. Clean trousers or clean, nice (not tattered or torn) blue jeans

3. Clean shorts of reasonable length

4. Clean dresses of knee length or longer. We recommend that girls wear shorts underneath their dresses especially if they play on the playground equipment.

5. Clean t-shirts and sweatshirts (plain, stripes, plaids, floral; NOTE: those with characters, lettering, or messages that do not reflect a Christian lifestyle are not acceptable)

6. Shoes which fasten securely (flip flops, sandals without backs, clogs are not acceptable)

7. Clean hair that is styled in a manner which does not distract the student or others from school goals

8. What is not acceptable: low riding jeans, tank tops, midriff tops, spaghetti straps, earrings for boys, body piercing (other than girls’ ears), colored hair, real or fake tattoos, hats/scarves/bandanas worn indoors, etc.

The principal will make final decisions on appropriateness of students’ appearance.

Emergency Closing

In case of inclement weather or other problem, school may be canceled, delayed or closed early. Please listen to local radio or television stations during inclement weather for closing or delay information. We will follow our own schedule in these matters, so please, listen for Clear Creek Christian School specifically.

Radio Stations

WGCT	WBWB	WTTS	WGCL	WFIU	SPIRIT 95	WFHB
FM 105	FM 97	FM 92.3	AM 1370	FM 103.7	FM 95.1	FM 101.5

Television Stations

WRTV	WISH-TV	WTHR-TV
Channel 6	Channel 8	Channel 13

NOTE: Parents’ must provide the School office with up-to-date telephone numbers for use if emergency closing is necessary. Extended care is not provided on snow closing days or on mornings with 2 hour delays.

Enrollment Policy

Clear Creek Christian School enrolls students without regard to their race, color, national origin, or ethnic origin. Clear Creek Christian School is a ministry of Clear Creek Christian Church. Therefore, the school enrolls only those students from families who are willing to acknowledge and respect the Statement of Faith, the Mission Statement and the Statement of Philosophy of the school and who are willing to adhere to the policies of the school. Moreover, we recommend that you review the section on PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY in order to get a better idea of whether the school fits your expectations for your child’s education.

The school has very limited capacity and resources to address the needs of students with physical and learning disabilities. All enrolled students will be on probation for six weeks from the time they start in school. This gives the teachers, staff and principal a chance to get to know the students to determine if they have any behavioral, social or academic needs that are beyond the capabilities of the school.

Current Students

Parents of current students wishing to re-enroll for the next school year should complete and submit a Student Application Form prior to March 1st to hold a seat in the next year’s class. The enrollment fee must also be paid prior to March 1st in order to receive the early payment discount.

New Students

Application: Student Application Forms for prospective new students are available in the school office and may be completed and submitted along with the application fee any time for the next school year (although enrollment is not considered until March). If a prospective new student’s application is not accepted, the enrollment fee will be returned. Prospective new students and their parents should thoroughly review this handbook and then schedule an appointment with the principal through the school secretary as a part of the enrollment process. The school secretary and/or principal will seek to answer any questions from prospective students or their parents.

Enrollment: An approved application does not guarantee enrollment in the school, due to class-size limitations. Internal enrollment is conducted prior to March 1st and allows members of Clear Creek Christian Church and siblings of currently enrolled students with approved applications to enroll. External enrollment begins on March 1st and allows enrollment of those with approved applications on a first-come, first-served basis, as space allows. In each enrollment period (internal and external), Students will be enrolled in the sequence of the order numbers marked on the Student Applications. These application order numbers will be marked on the forms by the school secretary as the completed application forms are submitted with the enrollment fee, signed Tuition Payment Agreement, and the signed Statement of Cooperation and Agreement. Some of our classes will fill early, so it is important that you follow these procedures as early as possible in the calendar year.

Ages and grade level assignments: Kindergarten and first grade applicants must provide a birth certificate for verification of age. The standard age cutoff dates are shown below. Second through sixth grade applicants must submit records from previous school indicating last grade level completed. Testing by the staff may indicate placement in a higher or lower grade level than indicated by the student’s age or last grade completed at another school.

Kindergarten students must be five years old by September 1^st of the year they enroll in Kindergarten.

First grade students must be six years old by September 1^stof the year they enroll in the first grade.

Waivers to age requirements: Waivers to the age requirements are discouraged. The School Board will thoroughly evaluate each individual request on its own merits. The School Board will consider the interests of the student, his/her teacher, and classmates. Enrollment of students not meeting the age requirements will not be allowed before June 1^st preceding the new school year. The following is the procedure to be followed:

1. The parent(s) will submit a request for waiver at the May School Board meeting or later. The parent(s) should be prepared with all pertinent information to support the request. Written information is encouraged.

2. The board will evaluate the request and if approved, grant a three-week trial period.

3. Upon completion of the trial period, the principal along with the student’s teacher will submit a recommendation to the School Board as to whether enrollment should be continued.

4. The School Board will then decide if continued enrollment is approved.

Extended Care Program

Extended care is offered before school starting at 7:15 a.m. each day that school in session and after school each day until 6 p.m. on days that school closes at the normal time of 3 p.m. You may use this service any day that it is convenient to you and without prior commitment at a cost of $1.20 per half hour. Daily charges for extended care are totaled at the end of each month and added to your monthly statement. If you drop your child off at the school prior to 8:15 a.m., you must sign them in to morning care. If you need to pick your child up after 3:15 p.m., they will be signed into after school care.

Other important points about Extended Care are as follows:

1. After 6:00 p.m. late fees will be assessed at $5.00 per child/per 15 minutes.

2. Each child in the Extended Care Program may bring a morning and/or afternoon snack.

Field Trips

Field trips are scheduled about once per semester and integrated with the curriculum. If you do not wish for your child to participate in a field trip, please notify the school office and make other arrangements for your child during that time. Teachers will request parent volunteers for each field trip as needed. Siblings are not permitted to attend field trips. Fieldtrips will be no more than one hour and thirty minutes from the school one way unless approved in advance by the school board (such as with the annual 6^th Grade end-of year trip to Holiday World).

Fire Drills / Tornado Drills

Fire drills will be held once a month and tornado drills will be held once a semester. Teachers will escort their students from their classrooms and immediately proceed to the designated safe area.

Grading Periods

Period	Start Date	End Date	Report Cards
1	8/18/10	10/15/10	10/29/10
2	10/18/10	12/17/10	1/5/11
3	1/3/11	3/11/11	3/25/11
4	3/21/11	5/27/11	5/27/11

Grading Scales

*K - 1st Grade*		*2nd - 6th grade*
E	Excellent	A+	99-100%
G	Good	A	93-98%
S	Satisfactory	A-	92%
NI	Needs Improvement	B+	90-91%
		B	85-89%
		B-	84%
		C+	83-82%
		C	75-81%
		C-	74%
		D+	72-73%
		D	67-71%
		D-	66%
		F	65% or below

Homework

Homework is an integral part of a student's education. It is critical that students learn responsibility in this area and learn to plan their time wisely so that their homework can be completed and still allow time for other activities. Homework will vary with each grade level. Some homework assignments will be harder than others. If homework is a consistent burden, please speak to your child's teacher.

Parents are responsible for ensuring that their child fulfills his/her responsibility to complete and hand in his/her homework on time. Homework that is turned in late will receive a 10% reduction in final grade for each day it is late. All homework is required to be turned in. It is not appropriate for parents to complete a student’s homework, but a parent may help a student with his/her assignments. In addition, it is expected that parents will check a student’s homework assignments after their child completes the work so that the parent can show him/her how they can do his/her work correctly or better. Other ways you should help your child:

1. Provide a quiet, well-lit, comfortable place to study and to do homework free from interference from siblings, television and other activities.

2. Reserve a certain period of time for homework, and provide ample time for the student to complete the work.

3. Be available to answer questions or help if needed.

4. Make sure all necessary materials are available.

5. Encourage your child with praise.

Hygiene

A student’s personal hygiene can affect performance of a student and those around him/her. Hygiene matters are the responsibility of the parents but may be brought to the parents’ attention by teachers or staff, when necessary. For example, students in upper elementary grades mature at different times and the need for deodorants may become apparent. Parents are expected to deal lovingly, thoroughly and immediately with all hygiene matters.

Library

Our growing school library contains fiction and non-fiction books, resources and audio materials for the students to access. Students may also be taken to the Monroe County Public Library and the rules concerning “field trips” apply. In weeks when students do not attend the public library, students have a designated library time, which includes oral reading and related language activities.

Books that are checked out from either our school library or the Monroe County Library are the responsibility of the student and his or her parents. They must be returned promptly and in good condition each time. We will have a box at school to collect the public library books or you may return them directly to the library. Parents bear financial responsibility for lost or defaced books from either library.

Lunches

The school is not equipped to prepare or serve meals. Students need to bring NUTRITIOUS sack lunches to school. Parents are responsible to ensure that lunches are put in proper containers and for marking each individual container with the child’s name. Please, no glass containers. A microwave oven is available to warm up a child’s lunch up to 2 minutes per child. Please do not send frozen dinners or other items requiring more than 2 minutes so that all children may be fed in a timely manner.

Milk, chocolate milk and orange juice are available for purchase by the student at 30 cents each. Your child may pay daily or it will be tallied and added to your bill at the end of each month. Carbonated soft drinks may not be brought into school at any time. Juice cartons are acceptable.

Parents are encouraged to bring a sack lunch and eat with their child(ren) as often as possible but are reminded not to bring carbonated drinks for their child(ren). After first checking in with the school office, students may be allowed to leave school grounds for lunch when they are accompanied by a parent. Students may also leave for lunch when participating in a school field trip.

Medical Matters Policy

1. No student may take or receive medication unless a Medication Release Form, signed by the parent, is on file in the School office. The parent must take any medication brought to school to the school office, where the medication will be secured and administered to the student by the designated school staff member according to the parent’s instructions.

2. The Indiana State Health Department requires that the school retain, in each student’s file, adequate certification of required immunizations. No student may participate in school unless such certification is in a student’s file.

3. Each parent shall complete and sign a Medical Consent form concerning emergency medical treatment (currently addressed by the Statement of Cooperation and Agreement). No student will be allowed to participate in recess or field trips (including the public library) unless the Medical Consent form is in the student’s file.

4. If your child has a fever of 100 or more, keep him/her home. If your child is otherwise ill, keep him/her home. There are no awards for perfect attendance at the school and an ill child can recover faster with plenty of rest. Moreover, an ill child kept out of school will not cause other students to become ill.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled in the Fall and in the Spring. These are important to you and the child's teacher. We hope that, as a parent, you are interested in your child's progress and development. If you wish to have a conference at any other time, please feel free to contact the teacher or the office. Close communication between parent and teacher is very advantageous for each student’s progress. PLEASE do not feel that your child must do poor work before requesting a conference.

Parental Responsibility

By analogy to the construction industry, a child is a massive construction project. God is the owner of the project. The parents are hired by God as the general contractor. All decisions made by the parents, in consultation with God, are implemented by various sub-contractors. The school is one of those sub-contractors. The school has an important role, but that role is dwarfed by the role of the parents. We cannot overstate the importance of the parents’ role in their child’s school years, and we have highlighted numerous areas in this handbook for which the parents have specific tasks to fulfill, for example, but not limited to tasks in the areas of lunches, homework and hygiene. An assessment of the extent to which parents will undertake these tasks plays a role in the enrollment process.

Parent’s volunteering their time to work for the school is an important means of keeping tuition as low as possible. Parent volunteers perform many services for the school that reduce costs or raise funds. Please consult with your child’s teacher or the principal for in-school and out-of-school opportunities.

During enrollment, parents are required to sign a Statement of Cooperation and Agreement concerning tuition and parental responsibility.

Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF)

The PTF is chartered by the School Board and guided by the following mission statement: The mission of the Parent Teacher Fellowship is to strengthen the ministry of the school. It does so through promoting fellowship between the school staff and school families and through regular prayer. It supports the school through organizing fellowship events and fundraising projects that enhance the school’s ministry. The PTF actively works to encourage and motivate all members of the Clear Creek Christian School community to participate in school and PTF sponsored activities.

Personal Possessions

A student’s items of personal property should be permanently marked in some way so they are not confused with similar items belonging to other students (e.g., Bible, personal books, etc.). Only school-related personal property should be brought to school. Toys (including cards and collectibles) should not be brought to school except for Show and Tell in the lower grades. There will be a “Lost and Found” box in the school. Lost items may be claimed there. Any unclaimed items in the box will be discarded twice a year—once in December and once in May.

Phone Calls

Neither teachers nor students will be available to receive phone calls during instruction times (except in cases of extreme emergency). Messages may be given to have the calls returned during recess or lunch hour. Students are to use the phone only when necessary. They are not to use the phone without permission. Cell phones may not be used during school hours and must be kept in backpacks.

Pledges

(These should be memorized by all students)

American Flag: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Christian Flag: I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands: one brotherhood uniting all Christians in service and in love.

Bible: I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's Holy Word, a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Its words will I hide in my heart that I might not sin against God.

Promotion Policy

Promotion to the next grade is not automatic. The student’s teacher and/or the principal will recommend to a student’s parents, when necessary on a case-by-case basis, that the student not be promoted to the next grade level in the following school year. If the parent agrees, a seat will be held open for the student in his/her current grade. If the parent does not agree, the principal and a School Board member will meet with the parents to discuss the matter. If the parents still disagree, then the School Board will consider the matter in Executive Session (i.e., closed session) and the parents will be informed whether the child will be promoted or not.

Recess

Students are expected to be prepared to go outside for recess each day; therefore, it is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that students are dressed accordingly. Recess will be held indoors if it is raining or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Students are expected to be courteous in their actions during recess (i.e., taking turns, being careful of others, no rough play, etc.). The teacher will decide what acceptable activities are during recess. Toys from home are not allowed at recess.

Remediation

It is anticipated that, from time to time, extra work will be required for some students in order to assure their progress in school. A remediation plan will be presented to the student’s parents by the student’s teacher and the principal. Summertime is an excellent time for parents to implement a remediation plan and the public school system may be able to assist with this. In addition, some teachers give of their own time to help students during the summer.

School News

Your child's teacher will send home a newsletter each Monday with details of events for that week. The principal also distributes a weekly newsletter on Fridays which includes school-wide news and information, This newsletter will be sent by e-mail if you provide an address or by the student’s backpack if you do not have e-mail We are trying to communicate as much as we can via technology. It is very important that you watch for and carefully read these newsletters. They are among the most efficient means we have of communicating regularly with parents.

School Visitation

Clear Creek Christian School maintains an open door policy for parents. Anytime during the school day you may visit the school and unobtrusively observe any class activity. If you wish to view a particular lesson or activity, please make arrangements with the principal or teacher in advance so that you may arrive at the appropriate time. You must report to the office upon arrival BEFORE entering the classroom areas.

Sex Education Policy

Parents bear primary responsibility in this area and we recommend that each family obtain material from Focus on the Family for this purpose. As a supplement to home training, students in the 5th and 6th grade will be given some instruction in this area, after parental notice and opportunity for screening. Such training will be abstinence-based and will be sex-segregated.

Standardized Testing

All students will be given a standardized achievement test each year in the Spring. These tests will help teachers analyze your child's strengths and weaknesses so they can build academic programs from there.

Teaching Staff

All teachers and the principal have at least a bachelor's degree and hold a valid teacher's license from the State of Indiana or are certified by the Association of Christian Schools International. Staff may be hired on an interim basis if they are within 6 months of fulfilling these requirements.

Tuition

A Tuition Payment Agreement form must be completed, signed, and submitted along with the application for enrollment. This form shows several tuition payment options. The parent(s) signature signifies agreement to pay the tuition and associated charges in full when due and according to the payment plan selected. If for some reason payment cannot be made as agreed upon, the parent(s) should contact the School Treasurer immediately. A fee of $15.00 per month may be assessed for delinquent payments, so communication is essential. In the event you fail to contact us and fail to pay per the agreement, parents are liable for any legal fees associated with collection of unpaid charges on their account and student records will not be forwarded to any other institution until all charges have been settled.

Vacations

We understand that families will sometimes take vacations during weeks when school is in session. We do ask that parents carefully consider the academic and social ramifications of their child(ren) missing school for family vacations. We do require that parents provide written notice to the teacher at least one week prior departing on the planned vacation to make arrangements for the work that will be missed. It is up to the teacher to determine whether missed assignments will be provided in advance or upon return from the vacation. Students are allowed the same number of days that they missed to finish and return all assignments.

Wednesday

First Day of School All Students

Monday

First day after Christmas Break

Start of 2nd semester

Statement of Philosophy

Communication

Radio Stations

Television Stations

Period

E

Excellent

A+