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Immanuel Lutheran School | ||
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Parent Student Handbook | ||
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Contents |
Immanuel |
Registration |
General Information |
Student Conduct |
High School |
Extra-curricular
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Immanuel Lutheran School | ||
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Parent Student Handbook | ||
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In loco parentis means that the school has a legal obligation to act in place of parents while your children are under our care. We take this role seriously, and ask that any information that would have a bearing on the education of your child be given to us. This includes, but is not limited to, court or medical records that would help us educate your child and, perhaps, ensure the safety of others.
No school activity, either during or after school hours (except for the upper levels of study hall) is scheduled to take place without adult supervision.
A school activity outside of the school day (such as play rehearsals, banquet and banquet preparations, awards night, and graduation) will begin at the announced time. School supervision of students at these activities will end at the conclusion of the event or when the student leaves the designated location of the event. Once a school activity has ended or the student has left the event area, the parents are responsible for the students and any activity that may take place after the school activity. Once a student leaves an event or an activity, he is not allowed to return unless previous arrangements have been made by the parents of the student involved and the event supervisor. The school neither sponsors nor supervises any after-banquet or graduation parties.
Concerning sports events listed as home games (locations of home games may include public soccer fields and gymnasiums), school supervision extends only to those students who are on the team. Parents are responsible for the whereabouts and activities of their other children (those not on the team) during these sports events.
At away games and field trips when parents are not in attendance, the adult supervisors will be responsible for all students. Students will not leave the designated area of the event and will obey the supervisors. Supervisors are unable to monitor students who leave the designated area. For out-of-town events, the event ends when a student, upon returning to Immanuel, leaves the parking area.
While the Fourth Commandment and so many other Bible passages speak plainly about the sin of disrespect shown to those in authority, our culture on the other hand, in a sense, has popularized this wrongful practice. The entertainment industry provides an assortment of venues featuring an obvious disrespect for God-given authority. From the popularity and monetary gain realized by those responsible for these productions, it would seem to indicate that the culture of which we are a part has a growing appetite for sinful practices including, but not limited to, disrespect for authority.
God’s Word is treated seriously at Immanuel Lutheran School. The Lord does not want us to become desensitized to what His Word requires. The staff seeks to help students whenever problem occur. Where a disregard for what the Lord requires becomes a pattern, discontinuing enrollment is a necessary consideration.
Students should not come to school more than fifteen minutes before school is to start, or stay after school more than fifteen minutes. Those who need to come earlier or stay later must make arrangements with one of the teachers. If a student is completing a special project, the parents should arrange with the teacher involved for supervision. The student will remain under the supervision of the teacher in charge of the special project.
Good attendance is an important aspect of learning. Educators and parents alike know that unless students are in class, the effectiveness of even the best curriculum and most-skilled teaching are greatly reduced. On the other hand, exemplary attendance habits help instill reliability in young people. If a student is unable to be in school on a given day, a telephone call or note should be received by the school office on the morning of the tardy or absence. Situations where the parent does not contact the school will be treated as unexcused. If a student is more than fifteen minutes tardy, the tardy counts as an absence.
Absences and tardies will be excused only for the following reasons:
Special family events and events that are part of an extracurricular organization’s program. Plans to miss school for an event of this nature should be arranged and presented (to the principal/faculty) in advance by the parent(s). See “Request for excused absence (in advance)” shown below.
(The scheduling of these events is typically set by someone other than the student’s family, and the date cannot be changed to accommodate Immanuel’s school calendar. Families who are able to schedule their own special family events are asked to choose dates and times that do not interfere with the school calendar. If no parent is involved, either in the planning of or participation in the event, the event most likely will not qualify as a special family event.
Students are expected to be in their assigned seats when the class period starts. Students who are not in their assigned seat at the start of the class period will be recorded as tardy. Students who arrive fifteen minutes (or more) after the start of class will be recorded as absent. Unless the teacher specifies otherwise, the bell at the beginning of the class will be considered the start of the class. This applies to study halls also.
For high school students, unexcused tardies that occur after the first period will be given a fifteen-minute detention. When a student incurs three unexcused tardies for a first period class or study hall, a warning letter showing the dates of the three tardies will be given to the student. On the fourth unexecused first-period tardy and any subsequent unexecused first-period tardy, a fifteen-minute detention will be served.
Elementary school teachers may simply record an unexcused tardy; but if the problem persists to the point of turning the matter over to the principal, the same procedure as outlined above for the high school students will be used.
Detentions are given for unexcused absences. Six hours of detention will be served for every day of school missed, three hours of detention will be served for each half day missed, and lesser amounts of unexcused time missed will be matched with an equal amount of detention time.
A telephone call from the parent or a parent-signed note is required for every tardy or absence. In order for a tardy or absence to be excused, one of the seven reasons listed above must be included in the note or telephone call. Since it is advantageous for teachers to know which students will be gone for the day, it is desirable that parents call the school before 8:30 A.M.
High school students will be issued readmit slips when they return to school after a tardy or absence. A student without a readmit slip may be denied admission to the classroom. Readmit slips are available from the school secretary.
Students may not have more than six unexcused absences per semester; upon the seventh unexcused absence, the student’s status for the course will be considered “withdrawn/failed” and no credit will be given for that semester of work. All attempts will be made to avoid this outcome. At the time of the third unexcused absence, the principal, counselor, student, and the student’s parents will meet to address the following issues:
Upon the sixth unexcused absence, a letter is sent to the parents notifying them of the situation.
The meeting described above may also be held if a student missed fifteen or more days of school the previous year, has six excused absences in the current semester, or has shown a pattern of tardiness.
Unless a medical or dental appointment is an emergency, it should be scheduled for a time when school is not in session. However, we recognize that some appointment-scheduling problems do occur. Parents should inform teachers, in advance, when appointments will conflict with the school day. Driver’s license tests should be taken outside of school hours.
The Board of Education and the faculty expect students to attend all of their classes. Parents sometimes must keep children home for unplanned reasons such as student illness, but parents may also find themselves in the position of making long range plans that will cause a student to be absent from school.
Parents should contact the principal when planning an absence for the sake of taking their child to a non-school event. The principal will receive input from the student’s teachers about upcoming assignments, the student’s recent performance in class, and due dates for make-up work. This information will be given to the parents to assist them in their planning.
The reason for missing school should fit one of the seven categories listed above. The faculty and the principal may take the parents’ request to the Board of Education if there is a question as to whether or not the absence should be considered an excused absence. The Board of Education will make the final decision.
In all cases of planned absences, the school expects the students to bring a written excuse to school and to complete all make-up work promptly and in a satisfactory manner.
All choir members must be at the scheduled performances. By the end of September, choir members are given a schedule of performances. The choir directors count on each member to contribute as planned and practiced. Students forfeit membership, course credit, or both through unexcused or excessive absences. Students are to submit, in a timely fashion a reason for any absence, when absence is necessary. The director will determine if the absence is excused or unexcused on the basis of the attendance guidelines stated above.
All K-10 students are required to participate in physical education classes. If a child is unable to participate for a day, due to a health problem, the parents should send a note excusing the student from the class activities. The student will attend, but will only audit the class. Students who have a health concern that requires an extended release from physical education class activities are asked to get a doctor’s statement.
Students who ride the bus are to go to their classrooms or designated area when they arrive in the morning. At the end of the school day, students riding the bus are dismissed in time to get to their buses. After securing books, jackets, and other necessary items, they will proceed immediately to the waiting area. They will remain at least three feet behind the curb until their bus comes to a complete stop. The landing inside the front doors of the school will be designated as the waiting area when the weather is bad or when the supervisor has not yet arrived.
The supervisor may remove a student from the waiting area for any reason. Such a student will be instructed to either return to his or her classroom or go to the principal’s office. Neither the waiting area supervisor nor the school officials (teachers included) are responsible for a student missing the bus in this situation.
Furthermore, any detained student who misses the bus or is purposely kept off the bus will arrange for transportation home and will remain under the supervision of his teacher or the principal until the parents arrive. If the student is to walk home, parents must talk to the teacher or principal before the student will be allowed to leave the school.
Students who cause a disturbance in the bus waiting area will be asked to leave the area and may also be given a detention as outlined elsewhere in this handbook.
Immanuel faculty and board discourage students from driving automobiles to and from school. Parents who consider it necessary for their children to drive or ride with a student to and from school should sign our Student Driver Form. We keep this form on file in the school office.
The student parking areas are behind the gym and on the north side of the church. During snow emergency days, the city may tow cars parked on the street.
Students are expected to drive safely on or around campus. Traveling at an unsafe speed and driving while distracted are examples of misuse. If a student displays dangerous driving habits, his or her parents will be notified.
The school’s policy for students is to totally avoid use of “controlled substances” before, during, and after school. This includes weekends and vacations. The main purpose of the chemical abuse policy is to help students quit using these substances and to reduce the potential for other students to become involved with controlled substances.
The policy requires teachers to report to the administration any suspected chemical abuse problems. The administration must investigate the suspicion and determine whether a chemical dependency professional needs to become involved. If the chemical dependency professional determines a student is chemically dependent, the school may prevent the student from attending school until he or she receives treatment. The policy calls for much more punitive measures for possession of illegal substances. Suspension from school is an example of a punitive measure. In cases where it has been determined that a student is in possession of illegal substances, the school will notify the police immediately.
Immanuel’s dress code is: wear clothes that are modest and appropriate. Clothes should be clean and in good condition. Immanuel does not have a school uniform, nor do we subscribe to the other extreme, “anything goes.” We encourage our students to choose clothing which reflects Christian values with regard to fit, length and style. We would like our students to put enough care and consideration into selecting their school wardrobe, that their manner of dress is unlikely to distract, offend or entice others into improper thoughts or actions. Clothes that are too tight, too loose, too short, or do not adequately cover the trunk of the body—including the midriff—and upper thigh at all times, are not allowed. Outer clothes should always cover all undergarments. Clothes that either directly or indirectly advertise alcohol, tobacco, or drugs are not allowed. Clothes with printed matter are not to display logos, slogans, brand names, quotes, or pictures that are likely to be offensive. This includes, but is not limited to, logos and pictures of “rock” stars and their bands.
The term business like has been used to explain the look that our dress code promotes. Although there is a wide range of clothing that is considered appropriate in the business world, our dress code is intended to be more on the casual side rather than on the dressy side of business-like; casual, but not sloppy, slovenly or irreverent in appearance. Pajamas and beach wear, for example aren’t business-like. Fuzzy slippers, slippers in general, and “flip-flops” are examples of footwear items that are not business like and, therefore, should not be worn in school. Hats and caps are not to be worn in school or the lunchroom. Exceptions are granted to girls who wear an outfit that includes a hat or headgear other than a baseball cap. Shorts may be worn year-round, but should be modest in length and fit.
Students in certain classes will be asked to wear specific clothes or shoes. For example, chemistry labs do not allow open-toed shoes or sandals, physical education classes in the gymnasium require non-marking athletic shoes that are not being worn concurrently as street shoes, and students are asked to dress up when they sing in church as part of a choir.
In the past, especially at basketball practices, boys have played without shirts, often to identify the two teams—“shirts and skins.” Boys are reminded that the dress code is still in effect during physical education classes, sports events, practices, field trips and picnics unless the activity is swimming. Boys are asked to have both light and dark T-shirts at P.E. classes and practices where teachers or coaches may divide the group into teams.
Parents should keep in mind that not all footwear protects the toes and feet adequately, especially in crowded hallways, on the playground, during emergency exits, and when younger students are involved. A shoe that supports, protects and stays on the foot is highly recommended in a school setting. Participating in sports while in stocking feet or bare feet is unsafe and should be avoided.
Students who wear inappropriate clothing will be asked to change clothes or put on a jacket or some other type of cover-up garment. Students may be asked to go home to change clothes, if necessary.
Music students and band members participating in concerts and worship services are reminded that, in addition to the dress code stated above, choir and band directors may have other requirements concerning clothes and appearance in connection with public performances.
Students shall not use nor have in their possession alcoholic beverages or drugs that have not been prescribed by a physician. People may not possess or use illegal drugs or possess or use any dangerous weapon within 300 feet, or one block, of any Minnesota school, park, public housing project, school bus carrying students, or a drug treatment center.
No student, except those with “Big R” study hall status, shall leave campus during school hours or at lunchtime without permission from a teacher or parent. Students must properly sign out before leaving the building. (Before leaving campus, read Part 2: Safety in the Immanuel neighborhood.)
The school assigns one locker to each student. Students may put locks on their lockers if they provide the school office with a duplicate key or the lock combination.Locks in use without a key or combination in the office will be removed and disposed of.
Objectionable material may not be posted on or in a locker. When objectionable items or printed material (including photos) are found in or on a student’s locker, the item will be removed by a faculty member. Items removed from lockers will be disposed of or returned to the student’s parents.
Students may celebrate special events by fastening decorations to the lockers, however, adhesives that will remove paint should not be used as fasteners.
Faculty members may inspect school lockers at any time
Make-up work differs from late work in that make-up work is work that was assigned when a student was absent. Students must complete all daily work and tests missed due to an absence. Students are responsible for all assignments given and material covered (most of which will be important for future tests) while they were gone. Students should contact the teachers for the exact assignments. Two school days are allowed to complete the work of each school day missed. Work that is not made up in accordance with this time limit may be given a grade of zero; individual teachers may extend the amount of time allowed for turning in make-up work.
After the time allowed for completion of missed work has expired, the student has neither completed the missed assignments nor made satisfactory arrangements with the teachers, he or she will be lowered in study hall status. The student may also be suspended from extracurricular activities at the discretion of the teacher and the principal.
Students are to be quiet and considerate in the hallways and stairways. Students are not allowed to run in the halls or classrooms. Students will go directly to their rooms when they arrive at school in the morning. Students are not to be in the sanctuary or gymnasium without teacher permission.
All students are to eat lunch in the lunchroom. The school supervises all students who remain on campus during the lunchtime.
All elementary students will be in a supervised area during recess.
Regarding behavior at chapel, students are reminded that a devotional atmosphere is important for worship. Students attending chapel should refrain from talking, excessive movement, and napping.
Students require a safe environment for learning. Harassment prevents students from enjoying fully the educational benefits and fellowship which are part of our program. Harassment is therefore prohibited. Harrassment is defined as any improper conduct of a sexual, physical, or verbal nature which creates a hostile environment. Hazing, or initiation, of freshmen or any new student is prohibited.
Students are to use the telephone (including student-owned cell phones) only after receiving permission to do so from one of the faculty. Students are encouraged to plan their day in advance, thereby reducing telephone use.
Cell phones must be shut off so they do not ring during the school day. Students may use their cell phones before 8:00 and after 2:45 without securing permission since those times are not considered part of the school day. Students may also use their cell phones during the officially-scheduled lunch break for their grade level. Students may not use their cell phones during a study hall unless they have been granted permission by a faculty member.
No student shall possesssmoke or have in his or her possession tobacco in any form. This rule, which is a public law, shall be rigidly enforced. This rule applies to all students regardless of age. The rule also applies to all events and trips conducted by the school, no matter when or where they are held, including the senior class trip.off-campus trips conducted by the school, including the senior class trip, and to all students regardless of age.
Christian principles are the basis for discipline at Immanuel Lutheran School. Discipline that is Scripturally-based is done out of love for the student and for the good of the student.
Administering discipline is done by the teachers, the principal, and, in some cases, the Board of Education. Our interest is in helping the individual student and preserving an educational atmosphere. Teachers have rules and use corrective measures in their classrooms. Corrective measures usually include loss of privileges. If a student does not respond to these measures, the teacher may issue a detention. Detentions may be given to students who display any of the following behaviors:
The issuance of detentions is not limited by the above list and the items in the above list may be dealt with in a way other than by a detention.
Detentions are fifteen minutes long unless increased by the teacher at the time the detention is given. The length of the detention is shown on the detention slip (students receive a pink carbon copy of the detention slip).
Detentions are to be served in the designated room, immediately after the last class on the same day the detention is given. If the student is unable to serve the detention on the same day it is given, the student’s parent must contact the principal to make alternate arrangements. Students who skip detention will serve a double-length detention the next day. If bus students miss the bus due to a detention, the parents must make arrangements for different transportation.
Study hall privileges may also be withdrawn as a disciplinary action.
The principal will take cases of severe misbehavior and disregard of school policies to the Board of Education. The board may place a student who is guilty of such actions on board probation.
This is an extremely serious action. It means that the student’s actions were either repetitive or flagrant and serious enough to warrant expulsion, but in view of the student’s Godly sorrow and repentance, the Board of Education is allowing the individual to continue at Immanuel. This does not mean that a student on probation will be expelled only if they repeat the same action for which they were placed on probation; it means that the student must comply with all school rules. The student will be expected to display a positive attitude and a willingness to accept, without defiance, all admonition and disciplinary measures. The student also will not use profanity, display unruly behavior, or incur unexcused tardies or unexcused absences.
Twice a month, the principal will give a summary of the student’s behavior to the Board of Education for as long as the student is on board probation. On the basis of the principal’s reports and other pertinent information, the board will determine which course of action to take. The board may shorten, drop, continue, or extend the probationary period. The board may also suspend or expel the student.
In certain situations, the principal may request that an incoming student be placed on board probation as part of the enrollment agreement. The Board of Education must make a decision on this request prior to the student beginning classes at Immanuel. The decision by the board may be to allow enrollment with or without the probationary status or to deny enrollment altogether.
If a student fails to respond to classroom discipline and detention, it may be necessary to suspend the student from school. A suspension gives the student time to realize the seriousness of the offense, and gives the school time to evaluate the situation. If any suspension occurs, the parents are contacted as soon as possible.
There are four forms of suspension: class suspension (in school), full day suspension (in school), full day suspension (without credit for class work), or three day suspension (without credit for class work). We hope the problem will be resolved quickly through consultation with the parents, teacher, and principal. If a student’s conduct is such that his continued attendance would do harm to the general welfare of the school, the parents of that student will be asked to enroll their child elsewhere, or the student will be expelled by action of the principal and the Board of Education.
The school will respond to events that jeopardize the safety of students, school personnel, or school property. The school will also respond to matters that cause Biblical offense. The school may suspend a student from classes, during which time the school will consider the final disposition of the case. Clear and present danger to the students, faculty, or school may make immediate action necessary. The principal can issue a one-day suspension, this suspension may begin immediately. If requested by the principal, the Board of Education will become involved to determine the necessity of continuing that suspension. The Board of Education may extend the suspension. After the Board’s determination, due process will be followed as outlined in the next section.
At times, parents may have questions or concerns about anything from classroom assignments to school policies. Generally, the faculty or staff member that is most closely associated with the matter should be contacted first. For example, if a problem should arise in the classroom,In general, if problems arise, the teacher and parents should meet to discuss and resolve the problem; either party may initiate the meeting. If the teacher and parents are unable resolve the problem, they should contact the principal. The principal will meet with the teacher and parents involved and consult with anyone else (school board member, pastor, counselor) he deems necessary for solving the problem.
Problems concerning school personnel are to be handled in the same manner: parents should first get the facts from the teacher or staff member involved, and try to resolve the problem. The principal, although possibly aware of the situation, would become involved if, and only if, no solution is reached in the meeting(s) between the parents and the teacher. If the principal does become involved, but is unable to resolve the issue, a Board of Education member will be asked to hear the situation and report his findings and recommendation to the Board of Education. The Board of Education will make a recommendation to the teacher and parents involved.
For a clearer understanding of which person to contact first in any given situation, a list of personnel and their areas of primary responsibility are shown below:
Teachers: Contact the teacher when a concern relates to classroom procedure, discipline, assignments, homework, curriculum, and special events in the classroom.
Administrator: The administrator’s area include non-teaching concerns such as finance, school calendar, School-age Care, and the hot lunch program (questions concerning payments for hot lunch may be directed to the school secretary.)
Athletic director: The A.D. oversees all items that relate to school athletic programs including schedules and transportation.
Principal: The principal is responsible for all teaching-related areas such as faculty, curriculum, students, daily schedules, and high school credit requirements.
Counselor: The counselor deals with issues concerning student behavior, student/family welfare, student-faculty relations and student-student relations.
Board of Education: The board oversees all areas concerning the school. While all of the board members make themselves available for hearing concerns, each member has been given a specific area of responsibility. As such, someone bringing an issue or concern to a board member may be redirected to the board member who covers that area. It is also possible that a board member would redirect certain questions to the principal or faculty member.
Pastors: The pastors, in a general way, are responsible for all areas concerning the school and church. One of the pastors acts as an intermediary between the church and school.
Parents may address the Board of Education prior to the starting date of a student’s suspension or expulsion. The serving of suspensions or expulsions will not be delayed by more than one day, unless a longer delay is deemed necessary by the Board chairman. Therefore, parents who decide to address the Board of Education concerning a suspension or an expulsion should plan to meet on short notice.