VERITASACADEMY

ParentStudentHandbook

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TableofContentsI. INTRODUCTIONS

A. WelcomefromTheHeadofSchoolII. CoreCommitments

A. VisionStatementB. MissionStatementC. StatementofFaithD. CoreValues

III. ADMISSIONSA. Grammar&SecondaryB. Mid-YearC. LearningDisabilities

IV. ACADEMICS:GrammarandSecondaryA. CurriculumOverviewB. GradingGuidelinesC. GradingScaleD. HomeworkE. ReportCardsF. AcademicAwardsG. SupplyListsH. CollegeCounselingandtestingI. StandardizedTestingJ. InHouseLearningSupportK. IU-13ReadingandMathSupportL. SpeechTherapyM. Promotion:GrammarandSecondaryN. AcademicProbationO. GraduationRequirements

V. DAILYPROCEDURESANDEXPECTIONSA. SchoolCalendarB. CommunicatingwithTeachersC. WeeklyCommuniquéD. SchoolEventsandPublicationsE. AfterSchoolEnrichmentF. FACTSAccountsG. VolunteeringandStateRequiredClearancesH. TechnologyPolicyI. KeepingourStudentsGroomedJ. ClassPartiesK. HealthRecordsandPoliciesL. AttendanceandAbsencesM. TardinessN. Reverence

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O. DealingwithProblemsP. Tuition*Q. BoardmeetingsR. ControversialSubjectsS. Grammar:

i. StudentDropoffandPickupTimesandProceduresii. ChristianCharacterAwardsiii. Disciplineiv. LunchandSnackv. BusBuddiesvi. UniformGuidelinesvii. PartyInvitations

T. Secondary:i. LeadershipAwardsii. Disciplineiii. UniformGuidelines

VI. EXTRACURRICULARACTIVITIESA. FieldTrips

VII. SUPPORTINGVERTASACADEMYA. ReferringFriendsandFamilyB. SocialMediaC. StudentFundraiser*D. GivingaGifttoVeritasAcademy

VIII. APPENDIX A. MeettheFacultyandStaffB. InLocoParentisC. PhilosophyofChristianEducationD. StatementofFinalAuthorityforMattersofFaithandConductE. StatementonMarriage,Gender,andSexualityF. StatementontheSanctityofHumanLifeG. ObjectivesandStandardsofVeritasAcademy

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I.INTRODUCTIONSA.WelcomefromTheHeadofSchool

InthinkingaboutthisrevisionofourParent/StudentHandbook,Iwantedyoutohaveasenseofwhatthisdocumentisandhowyou,asaparentorstudentatVeritasAcademy,mightusethisdocumentprofitably.Thisisprobablynotadocumentthatyouwillreadfromcovertocoverormemorize.Itisadocumentthattellsyouwhatourschoolisallaboutandhowwehandlecommonsituationsinadditiontoansweringquestionsthatyoumighthaveconcerningwhyorhowwedowhatwedo.Now,youcouldvisittheschool,call,oremailsomeoneatVeritastofindtheanswertoyourquestion(andwereallywantyoutocomeandvisit!)butmanytimesyouoryourchildmighthavequestions.Theysoundsomethinglikethese:“Whataretheuniformrulesformyfieldtriptomorrow?”,“Whenistuitiondue?”,or“Ismy8thgraderonaquarterlysystemoraregradesdonebysemesterforhim/her?”Hopefully,thishandbookwillanswermanyofthesequestions,eveniftheycomeupinthemiddleofthenight,andthusmightleadtoabetternight’ssleepforyouandyourchild!Ihopeyouenjoythishandbook.Ifyouhaveanyfeedback,pleasecontactmeattyfischer@veritasacademy.com.

II.CORECOMMITTMENTS

A.VisionStatement

Tobeacommunityconnectingstudentswithtruth,beauty,andgoodnessforChrist’scalling.Weachievethevisionbyhonoring,upholding,andaffirmingourmissiontocultivateloving,serving,thinkingstudentsinallwedo.

B.MissionStatement

Tocultivateloving,serving,thinkingstudentsthroughclassicalChristianeducation.

C.StatementofFaith

VeritasAcademyaffirmsthefollowingbeliefsassetforthintheNiceneCreed:

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NICENECREED

WebelieveinoneGodtheFatherAlmighty,makerofheavenandearth,andofallthingsvisibleandinvisible:AndinoneLordJesusChrist,theonly-begottenSonofGod;begottenofhisFatherbeforeallworlds,GodofGod,LightofLight,veryGodofveryGod;begotten,notmade;beingofonesubstancewiththeFather;bywhomallthingsweremade:whoforusmenandforoursalvationcamedownfromheaven,andwasincarnatebytheHolyGhostoftheVirginMary,andwasmademan:andwascrucifiedalsoforusunderPontiusPilate;Hesufferedandwasburied:andthethirddayheroseagainaccordingtotheScriptures:andascendedintoheaven,andsittethontherighthandoftheFather:andHeshallcomeagain,withglory,tojudgeboththequickandthedead;whosekingdomshallhavenoend.AndwebelieveintheHolyGhost,theLord,andGiverofLife,whoproceedethfromtheFatherandtheSon;whowiththeFatherandtheSontogetherisworshipedandglorified;whospokebytheProphets:andwebelieveinoneholycatholicandapostolicChurch:WeacknowledgeoneBaptismfortheremissionofsins:andwelookfortheResurrectionofthedead:andtheLifeoftheworldtocome.Amen.VeritasAcademyalsoaffirmsthefollowing,basedonaProtestantandReformedviewoftheChristianfaith:

• Webelievethatthesixty-sixbooksoftheHolyBiblearetheonlyinerrant,writtenWordofGodandtherefore,ourfinalauthorityinallmattersoffaithandpractice.

• WebelievethatfallenhumanscanonlybesavedbythegraceofGod,onthebasisof

theworkofJesusChristalone,throughfaithalone,forthegloryofGodalone.

• WebelievethatGodcreatedtheuniverseoutofnothingandthatmankindisaspecialcreationofGodmadeinGod’simage.Godcreatedthetwohistoricalpersons,AdamasamaleandEveasafemale,andbroughtthemintothecovenantofmaritalunion.Therefore,weaffirmthatgenderdifferences,marriage,andsexualintimacybetweenamanandawomanistheGod-designed,createdorder.

D.CoreValues

Aswemakedecisionsthatwillfulfillourmission“tocultivateloving,serving,thinkingstudents”wewanttomakedecisionsbasedonthefollowingdeeplyheldvalues:ReflectingChrist—GodsentHisSontoredeemsinfulpeopleandourfallenworld.OurresponsetothisgracemustbegratitudetowardGodandgracetowardothersgivingupourlivesfortheirs:protectingtheneedy,theyoung,andthevulnerable.

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ExcellingwithHumility—ChristhumbledHimselftosaveHispeople.Aswelearnandgrow,wewillfightagainstpridewhilegrowingtowardourfullestpotentialandGod’scallingonourlives.JoyfulLearning—Westrivetolovelearningandtodelightinallthatisgoodwithsincerehearts.TraditionAffirming—WeaffirmthegreattraditionoflearningintheChristianWestandthedoctrinesoftheProtestantReformation.WestandonGod’sWordandwevaluetheGreatBooksandtheclassicalmethodofeducation.Webuildonthisfoundationcreatingaschoolculturethatbindsustothisgrandtradition.SupportingFamilies—Veritassupportsourfamilies.Ourgoalisnottoreplaceparentsbutinsteadtoassistparentsintheircalling.III.Admissions

A.Grammar&SecondaryWhenparentswishtoenrollachild,asanewstudentatVeritasAcademy,allsectionsoftheapplicationandcorrespondingdocumentsmustbecompleted,theapplicationsigned,andnon-refundableapplicationfeepaid.Applicationsareconsideredintheorderinwhichtheyarecompleted.UpperSchoolstudents(7-12)mustsignourUpperSchoolCodeofConduct,acknowledgingtheirwillingnesstopersonallyupholdandliveoutitsprinciples.Afterthecompletedapplicationanddocumentsarereceived,aparentinterviewisscheduled.AllparentsorlegalguardiansofprospectivestudentsarerequiredtointerviewtoallowtheVeritasAcademyAdmissionsCommitteetodetermineiftheparents/legalguardiansseekaneducationfortheirchildconsistentwiththeclassicalChristianeducationalphilosophyofVeritasAcademy.Theinterviewplaysasignificantroleintheapplicationforadmissions.Aplacementtestisalsorequiredforallnewapplyingstudents.Placementtestsareonlygiventothosechildrenwhoseparents/guardianshaveappliedforadmission.Acopyofthemostrecentreportcards(orhomeschoolevaluations)andstandardizedtestingisrequiredforallstudentstransferringtoVeritas.Otherrequiredformsincludephysicalexamformsignedbyadoctor,acopyofthestudent’sbirthcertificate,andpreviousstudent/healthrecords.Astudent’splacementatanygradeleveliscontingentuponthestudent’sabilitymeasuredbyplacementtesting,interactionwithtestingteacher,previousschoolrecords,andmostrecentstandardizedtests.Aftertheplacementtestisreviewedbytheadministration,anadministratorwillmakeacalltotheparentstodiscusstheresults.Studentsmaybeacceptedongradelevelwithoutanyprovisions,acceptedongradelevelwithprovisions(i.e.tutoringorremedialworkrequired),acceptedwithagradeplacementchange,acceptedbutplacedonwaitinglistduetofullclass,ornotaccepted.

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ParentsorLegalGuardiansofstudentsselectedforaclasswilltypicallyhavetwoweekstoaccepttheirplacementintheclass.Acceptanceofplacementisdeterminedbycompletingtheenrollmentform.Iftheyfailtorespondorrejecttheplacement,theschoolwillcontactthefamily(typicallybyphone)andthenproceedtomovethefirststudentonthewaitinglistintotheclassandinformtheparentsorlegalguardiansofthatstudent(typicallybyphone)thathe/shehasbeenplacedintheclass.WhileVeritasAcademydoesnotrequireparentsorfamiliestopersonallyagreewithVeritasAcademy’sfoundationalstatements,becauseVeritasAcademycomestogetherasacommunitytocommunicate,affirm,andliveouttheChristianfaithaccordingtoitsfoundationalstatements,itdoesrequireparentsandfamiliestoagreethattheirchildrenmaybetaughtaccordingtoVeritasAcademy’sfoundationalstatementsandavoidbeingvocallyoropenlyoppositionaltoVeritasAcademy’sfoundationalstatements.VeritasAcademydoesnotdiscriminateinitsadmissionsprocessorintheadministrationofpolicies,hiring,orotherschool-sanctionedprograms.VeritasAcademywelcomesallfamiliesandstudentswhoseebenefitinaVeritasAcademyeducationandwhoaresupportiveoftheschool’smissionandvisionasexpressedinitsfoundationalstatements.Astudent’senrollmentatVeritasAcademymaybeforfeitedatanytimeifacooperativespiritisnotmaintainedincomplyingwithfoundationalstatements,policies,rules,andexpectations.

B.Mid-Year

VeritasAcademydoesnotgenerallyadmitstudentstoGrammarSchoolaftertheendofthesecondquarter,norstudentstoSecondarySchoolafterthefirstsemester.VeritasAcademydoesthisinordertoprotecttheacademicpaceoftheclass.Becauseofthecumulativenatureofmuchofthecurriculum,studentswillnotnormallybeallowedtoenrollatVeritasAcademyafterthemiddleoftheyear.Ifaparentwishestohavehis/herchildadmittedtoVeritasAcademyafterthestartoftheyear,theymustsubmitallregularapplicationmaterialsandfeesfortheirchild.Testingofthechildwillbeconductedaftertheapplicationformsandfeesarecollected.Theteacherandappropriateadministratorswillevaluatethetestanddeterminewhetherandtowhichgradethestudentshouldbeadmitted.Thisdecisionwillthenbecommunicatedtotheparents/guardiansofthestudentthroughtheregularmethodsandwithintheregulartimeframe.

C.LearningDisabilities

Achildwithaseverelearningdisability(aconditionrequiringaseparateclassroom,program,and/orstafforuniqueevaluationmethods)typicallywillnotbeadmittedtoVeritasAcademyduetothelackofadequatestaff,funding,andfacilities.Achildwhoisunknowinglyadmittedtotheschoolwhohasorisdiscoveredtohaveaseverelearningdisabilityafterinitial

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enrollmenttypicallywillnotbepermittedtoremainattheschool.Allreasonableeffortsaretobetakenbytheadministrativepersonneltoassisttheparentsinmovingthestudenttoanotherschool.Achildwithanon-severelearningdisabilitywillbeconsideredforadmission.Veritasstudentswithnon-severelearningdisabilitiestypicallywillberequiredtomeetthesameacademicstandardsasallotherchildrenintheirclasses.AlleffortswillbemadetoaccommodateVeritasstudentswhohavebeendiagnosedashavinganon-severelearningdisability,butVeritasAcademycannotguaranteethatitwillhavetheresourcestoaccommodateallstudentswithlearningdisabilitiesandallrelatedcircumstances.IV.Academics:GrammarandSecondary

A. CurriculumOverview:

GrammarScope&Sequence

SecondaryScope&Sequence

B. GradingGuidelines

1.Nosingleassignmentmaybeworthmorethan25%ofthestudent'stotalquartergrade.2.Areportcardgrademustrepresentaminimumoftenseparategrades.Iftenseparategradeshavenotbeenrecordedareportcardgradecannotbegivenforaclass(tests,quizzes,homework,etc.)3.Semesterandquartergradesarebasedonvarioustypesofassignments.4.Ifwegradeparticipationinclassdiscussion,participationrecordswillbekeptonaconsistentbasis.5.Projects,dependingonthescopeoftheassignment,maybeusedinplaceoftests.6.Teachersareprohibitedfromassigninggradesbasedonanormalcurve.7.Teachersmaynotuseacademicgradesfordisciplinepurposes.8.Teachersshouldgivestudentsatleastoneweek'snoticepriortogivingthemamajortest.9.TestsarenottobegivenonMondayswithoutpermissionfromtheHeadofSchoolorSecondaryDeanofStudents.

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C.GradingScale

Thefollowingpercentages,grades,andgradepointsareusedschool-wide:Percentage Grade GradePointAverage100-90 A 4.089-80 B 3.079-70 C 2.069-0 F 0.0AllofVeritasAcademy’scoursesaretaughtatanhonorslevel.Nocoursesareweighted—thehighestGPAinanycourseis4.0.WedonotofferanyAPcourses.AdministrationandtheboardareconcernedthatadvancedplacementcourseobjectiveswillbeinconflictwithahighlyrigorousfullyintegratedcurriculumatVeritasAcademy.AllstudentsarerequiredtocompleteacurriculumthatgenerallymeetsorexceedstypicalAPstandards.WedoprovideadualcreditprogramthroughCairnUniversityinwhichselectedcoursesatVeritasAcademy(Sr.Thesis,AdvancedChemistry,CalculusIandII)receivecreditfromVeritasandfromCairn.

D.HomeworkPolicy

VeritasAcademyisworkingtocultivateloving,serving,thinkingstudents.Wedothisinthemidstofacommunityseekingmaturingandbreadthforourstudents.Wewanteachstudenttolovetheschoolworkthattheyaredoing.Wealsoknow,however,thatschoolworkisanimportantpartoflife,butitisnottheentireoflifeofourstudents—wedon’twantittobe.Wewantyourfamilytohavetimetodootherimportantthingswithyourchildren.Therefore,welimithomeworkinthefollowingmanner:InKthrough4thgrade:NohomeworkIn5thand6thgrade:15–30minutesofhomeworkanight(mainlyMathhomework)topracticegettingusedtodoinghomework.In7ththrough12thgrade:1to2hoursofhomeworkpernight(whichmightbeheavierduringthetimeleadinguptosemesterfinalsormidtermtests).Now,herearesomeofthecaveatsthatneedtobementioned.First,by“homework”wemeanworkassignedatschoolthatisintendedtobedoneathome.Somestudentstakemoretimetodoworkandthosestudentsmighthavetotakehomesomeworktocomplete.Theymighthavetobringworkhome,butitisnot“homework”becausetheteacherintendedandgavethestudentsampletimetocompletetheworkatschool.Also,wedonotdefinestudyingfortestsashomework.Therearesomestudentswhodonotneedtostudyasmuchasothersandsomestudentswhoarereallystrivingforveryhighgrades.Studentsmightneedtostudyasignificant

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amounttoachieveadesiredgrade,butstudyingfortestsisnot(forthesakeofthispolicy)homework.

E.ReportCards

Wewantourstudentsandparentstoknowhowwelltheyaredoingattheirschoolwork.Becauseofthis,wegradethework.Periodically,wesummarizegradesandsendreportcardshomeforstudentsandparents.Reportcardsdonottellyoueverythingaboutyourchild’sworkatschoolbutwehopethattheyprovideparentswithanaccurateassessmentofhowwelltheirchildisdoingonhisorhergradedwork.ReportcardsarehandleddifferentlyatdifferentstagesofVeritasAcademy:

• Kindergartenersreceiveahardcopyreportcardeachquarter.Theydonotreceivenumericgradesbuttheydoreceivecardsthatcommunicatetheirmastery(M)oftheworkthattheyaredoinginKindergarten.

• In1stgradestudentsreceiveahardcopyreportcardeachquarter.• In2ndthrough6thgrade,familiesareemailedreportcards.Thestudentsaregradedona

quarterlybasis.ThequartergradesareaveragedforaFinalgradeineachsubject.HonorsarebasedontheFinalgradesforthedifferentsubjectsinwhichtheyaregraded.

• In7thand8thgrades,studentsreceiveanemailedreportcardeachquarter.Theirgradesareaveragedafterthe2ndand4thquarterstocalculateasemestergraderineachsubject.

• In9ththrough12thgrade,studentsreceiveanemailreportcard.Theyreceivemidtermreportsattheendofthe1stand3rdquarters.Thesemidtermgradesdonotimpacttheirgradepointaverage(GPA)orhonors.Theyreceivefinalgradesattheendofthe1stand2ndsemester(whichcorrespondswiththeendofthe2ndand4thquarters).

Ifyouhavequestionsaboutyourchild’sreportcardpleasehavethemcontactGinnyMiller(gmiller@veritasacademy.com).

F.AcademicAwards

VeritasAcademyrecognizesthreelevelsofcumulativeacademichonors.Studentsreceivethesehonorsforgradesearnedduringtheir1stthrough12thgradecoursesatVeritasAcademy:

• SummaCumLaude:96%averageorhigherforeachsubject• MagnaCumLaude:93%averageorhigherforeachsubject• CumLaude:90%averageorhigherforeachsubject

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G.SupplyList

KindergartenGrammarSchool(Grades1-6)

SecondarySchool

H.CollegeCounselingVeritasAcademyprovidesacomprehensivecollegecounselingprogramforstudentsbeginninginthe9thgrade.Individualizationincreaseswitheachpassingyear,asthestudentandparentsworktogetherwithourCollegeCounselortoplanforthefuture.Weseektoprovidethelevelofsupportandencouragementeachstudentneedstosuccessfullymakethenextstep.Whileourrigorousacademiccurriculumpreparesallstudentstothriveatafour-yearcollege,weapproachthecollegecounselingprocesswiththeideathatGodhasgiftedeachstudentuniquely.WebelievethatGodhasdeemedallworkvaluable,andtherefore,ourgoalistoprovideeachstudentwiththeresourcestheyneedtonavigateanypaththeyhavechosentopursue.Ourcollegecounselingprogramincludesthefollowingcomponents:9thGrade

• Classworkshopinvolvingindividualparticipationinanonlineinventorytoassessinterestsandunderstandhowpersonalityrelatestocareersatisfaction

• OpportunitytoattendpresentationsgivenbycollegesanduniversitiesvisitingVeritasAcademyduringlunch

• Eveningcollegefinancialaidworkshop10thGrade

• PSATofferedinschoolmid-October• Classworkshopofferingstudentstheopportunitytoreassessinterestsandtheirrelation

tocareeropportunities• OpportunitytoattendpresentationsgivenbycollegesanduniversitiesvisitingVeritas

Academyduringlunch• Individualspringmeetingbetweencounselor,student,andparent(s)todiscuss

student’sinterestsandaptitudes,PSATscoreinterpretation,beginningthecollegesearchprocess,andanswerquestionsregardingthefinancialaidprocess

• Fieldtriptoalocalcollegefair• Eveningcollegefinancialaidworkshop

11thGrade

• Fallclassworkshoppresentinginformationregardingcollegeadmissionstesting(PSAT,SAT,ACT)andanoverviewofthecollegeadmissionsprocess

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• PSATofferedinschoolmid-October• OpportunitytoattendpresentationsgivenbycollegesanduniversitiesvisitingVeritas

Academyduringlunch• Eveningfinancialaidworkshop• OpportunitytoenrollinSATMathprepcourseofferedintheeveningsbyVeritasmath

teachers• SATSchoolDayopportunityofferedinMarch• Fieldtriptoalocalcollegefair• Eight-sessionseminarcoveringthefollowingtopics:choosingacollege,knowing

yourself,qualitiesthatwillmakeacollegerightforyou,buildingyourcollegelist,campusvisits,andfactorsintheadmissionprocess.ThisworkshoprunsJanuarythroughMayandpreparesstudentstobuildanappropriatecollegelisttailoredtotheirneedsandinterests.Studentsarerequiredtocompleteself-evaluationsoutsideofclass.

• Individualmeetingbetweencounselor,student,andparent(s)todiscusscollegestowhichthestudentisconsideringapplyingaswellasacollegeadmissionstestingtimelineappropriateforthatstudent.

12thGrade

• Individualfallmeetingswithcounselorasneededthroughoutthecollegeapplicationprocess.Mostseniorsscheduleweeklyorbi-monthlymeetingstoreviewapplicationprogressanddocumentsubmission,receivecontinuedfeedbackonwhichcollegesare“target”and“reach”,discussthepossibilityofearlydecision,andmakecallstocollegeadmissionsofficesasnecessary.

• Essaysupportandreviewasrequestedbystudent• Mockinterviewsforcollegeandjobopportunitiesasneeded• OpportunitytoattendpresentationsgivenbycollegesanduniversitiesvisitingVeritas

Academyduringlunch• Eveningfinancialaidworkshop• EveningFAFSAcompletionworkshop• Individualspringmeetingstoevaluatefinancialaidawardlettersandreceiveassistance

inunderstandinganofferofadmissionbeforecommittingtoacollege.Resourceshttp://www.pacareerzone.orghttp://www.actstudent.orghttps://www.cltexam.com/http://www.collegeboard.comhttp://www.collegedata.comhttp://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigatorhttp://www.educationplanner.org

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http://isibooks.org/choosing-the-right-college-2014-15-ebook.htmlhttp://www.ctcl.orghttp://colleges.niche.comReportingChangestoSeniorAcademicCourseworkVeritasAcademyallowssecondarystudentstodropclassesduringthebeginningofeachsemester.StudentsmaywithdrawfromacourseatVeritasduringthefirstthreeweeksofeachsemesterwithnopenalty.Ifastudentwishestodropacourse,heorshemustpresentacompleteddrop/addformsignedbyhisorherparentstotheschooladministration.TheschooladministrationoftheHeadofSchoolmayapprovetheformorrequireameetingwiththestudentand/orparentsbeforetheformisapproved.Ifastudentwishesdropacourseafterthefirstthreeweeksofschool,thestudentwillreceive(regardlessofhisorhergradeintheclass)aWithdrawFailing(WF)ontheirtranscript,thisWFwillbecountedasan0.0forGPApurposesforthatsemester.Ifasenior’sclassschedulechanges,Veritaswillsendanupdatedtranscripttoallcollegesreflectingthischange.Ifastudentwasimproperlyplacedintoacourse,thestudentmayrequestremovalfromthecourseevenafterthefirstthreeweeksofthesemester.Iftheschooladministrationapprovestherequest,thestudentwillberemovedfromtheclassandplacedinanotherclasswithoutpenalty.ReportingDiscipline ThePrinciplesofGoodPracticeoutlinedbytheNationalAssociationforCollegeAdmissionCounselingdictatesthatVeritasAcademywillreportanychangeinstatusforastudentthatoccursduringsenioryear.Achangeinstatusincludessuspension,withdrawal,orextendedleaveofabsence.StudentsareurgedtowritetoallcollegestowhichtheyhaveappliedexplainingtheirchangeinstatusbeforetheCollegeCounselorcontactscollegeadmissionoffices.Studentsmustanswertruthfullyquestionsaskedoncollegeapplicationsregardingdisciplinaryactionintheirhighschoolcareer.Collegesgenerallyexpectthatyouwillreportasenioryeardisciplineissuewithintwoweeksofitsoccurrence;theCollegeCounselorwillthenfollowupandconfirmthatyouhavepresentedtheissuecorrectlyandthatwe,asaschool,stillsupportyourcandidacy.Themajorityofcollegesaskboththestudentandthehighschooltoreportwhetheryouhaveeverbeensuspendedordismissedsinceyouenteredninthgrade.TheCommonApplication’swordingforcounselorsis,“Hastheapplicanteverbeenfoundresponsibleforadisciplinaryviolationatyourschoolfromthe9thgrade(ortheinternationalequivalent)forward,whether

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relatedtoacademicmisconductorbehavioralmisconduct,thatresultedinadisciplinaryaction?Theseactionscouldinclude,butarenotlimitedto:probation,suspension,removal,dismissal,orexpulsionfromyourinstitution.”Ifyouhavebeensuspendedforcheating,plagiarism,fighting,vandalism,drinking,druguseoranotherviolationofschoolrules–youmustreportthistocolleges.Whilecollegesareverylikelytoforgiveamistake,theyareveryunlikelytoforgivelyingaboutone.Thefollowingproceduresforreportingdisciplineviolationsareinplace:

• Whenacollegeoruniversityasksontheadmissionapplicationaboutastudent’sdisciplinaryhistoryduringhis/herhighschoolscareer(grades9-12),thestudentmustanswerthequestionshonestlyinawrittenstatementtotheadmissionoffice.

• ThestudentneedstosubmitacopyofthestatementtotheCollegeCounselorpriortosendingittocolleges.Thecounselorwillreviewthereportwiththestudent,offerguidanceastohowtheinfractionshouldbereported,andwill,ifaskedaboutdiscipline,statethatshehasreadthestudent’sexplanation,confirmthatitisaccurate,andreaffirmtheschool’ssupportofthatstudent.

• Iftheinfractionoccursaftertheapplicationhasbeensubmitted,thesameexpectationfornotificationapplies.Studentsshouldinitiatecontactwiththeircollegeswithin10daysofthedisciplinarydecision;thestudent’scollegecounselorwillsubsequentlyfollowupwiththeappropriatecolleges/universities,nolaterthan14daysafterthedisciplinarydecision.

• Ifastudentwithdrawsorisdismissed,theschoolwillnotifyallofthestudent’scollegesofthedateofdeparturewithin14daysofthefinaldecision.PriortothenotificationfromVeritasAcademy,thestudentshouldinformthecollegesofthereasonforthedeparture.

I.StandardizedTesting

VeritasconductsStandardizedTestingperiodically.Thepurposeofthesetestsissimplyhaveanobjectivestandardtomakesurethatourstudentsknowfactualdataandsothatwecantrackhowourclassesofstudentsdoovertime.WedonotfollowtheCommonCore;wedonotusethePSSAtests;wedonotuseourteststodeterminetheneedforspecialhelp,summerschool,ortracking.Typically,wetestinthefollowingmanner:

• K–9thstudentstakeStanfordTestseveryotheryear.• 10thand11thgraderstakethePSATs.For10thgraders,thesetestsarejustpracticefor

the11thgradePSATs.In11thgrade,thePSATscoresareusedtodetermineeligibilityforNationalMeritScholarships.Tenthgradersarenoteligibleforconsiderationsforthesescholarshipsin10thgrade.Only11thgradescorescount.

• TwelfthgraderstakeSATs,ACTs,orCLTtestsannually.Thesetestsareusedonthecollegeadmissionsprocess.

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• TenththroughTwelfthgradestudentsdonottaketheStanfordtests.

J.In-HouseLearningSupport

TheLearningSupportCoordinator(LSC)istoworkincollaborationwithteachers,parents,andschooladministrationtoprovideacademicsupportforanystudentthatisfallingbehind.Ateacherand/orstudentgradeswillalerttheLSCofstudentsthatarestrugglingorfailinginacertainsubject/subjects.TheLSCwillcommunicatewiththeteacherandHeadofschooltodetermineiftutoringshouldtakeplace.Theparentofthestrugglingstudentisthencontactedtogetpermissiontoworkwiththestudent.TheLSCwillthensetuptimestomeetwiththestudenttostudyortutoronaweeklybasisuntilthestudentisabletokeepupgradesontheirown.TheLSCstaysintouchwiththeteacher,parents,andHeadofschoolkeepingtheminformedoftheprogressuntiltutoringisnolongerneeded.

K.IU-13ReadingandMathSupport

WeareveryexcitedtocontinueofferingoursupplementalreadingandmathsupportfromtheIU13thisyear.Inthefirstfewweeksofschool,readingspecialistsfromtheIU13willbeadministeringtheDIBELS(TheDynamicIndicatorsofBasicEarlyLiteracySkills)testwithourteacherstoallstudentsinkindergartenthroughsecondgrade.Thistestassessesearlyliteracyskills.ThetestisgivenindividuallytoeverystudentingradesK-2andisaboutfivetotenminuteslong.Theresultsareusedtoevaluatethedevelopmentofearlyliteracyandreadingskills.TheACT89mathtestwillbegiventoallstudentsingradesK-5aswellandwillserveinasimilarmannerastheDIBELS.TheIU13willusetheresultsofthesetwotestsalongwithfeedbackfromourclassroomteacherstodeterminewhoamongourstudentsmayreceiveIUsupportforreadingormath.WeappreciatetheIU13motto,whichis“Supplement,notsupplant.”Theyviewtheirroleassupplementaltowhatwearedoinginourclassroomshereatschool.Weverymuchenjoyedtheirsupportandlookforwardtoitagainthisyear.OurhopeisthatwiththissupportfromIU13,ourstudentswillbeservedindeeperindividualwaysinreadingandmath.PleasedonothesitatetocontactTyFischerwithanyquestionsregardingthisservice.

L.SpeechTherapy

OurschoolisblessedtohaveaspeechtherapistprovidedbytheIU-13.Ifyoudesiretohaveyourchild(ren)evaluatedtoseeifspeechtherapyisrightforthem,pleaseletyourchild’steacherknow,andtheywillsetupanevaluationwiththetherapist.

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M.Promotion:GrammarandSecondary

StudentsarepromotedtothenextgradeatVeritasiftheyhavecompletedtheworkintheircurrentgradewithalevelofmasterythatdemonstratesthattheyarereadyforthenextgrade.Ifastudentreceivesafailinggradeduringmorethanoneofthequarters,theymayberetainedinthecurrentgradeorrequiredtodosummerworkinordertocontinueatVeritasAcademy.Attimes,teachersmayrecommendthatachildbeheldbackbecausetheyarenotthrivingorareimmature,eventhoughtheymightnotbefailingintheirclasses.Decisionsaboutretainingstudentswhoarenotfailingbecauseofmaturity/non-thrivingissues,willbemadebytheparentsandtheHeadofSchoolinconsultationwiththeteacher.Insecondaryschool,7ththrough12thgrade,studentsmayberequiredtoretakeaparticularclassiftheyhavefailedit.IftheirGradePointAverage(GPA)dipsbelow2,0,theywillbeplacedonAcademicProbationandmaybedismissedfromVeritasAcademyiftheyarenotabletoraisetheirGPA.(Studentsmusthavea2,0oraboveGPAinordertograduatefromVeritas,sowedismissstudentswhoareunabletoearna2.0orhigherGPAsothattheycanfindaschoolweretheycanthriveandgraduate.

N.AcademicProbationVeritasAcademywantstohelpstudentsthrive.Wewanttobeagoodfitforasmanystudentsaspossible,butifastudentisnotthrivingatVeritas,wewanttohelpthestudentthriveorhelpthemfindaplacewheretheycanthrive—evenifitisnotVeritas.OurAcademicProbationPolicyhelpsmotivatestudentstoachieveatlevelsthatenablethemtograduate.Thepolicyworksdifferentlyingrammarschool(gradesK-6)thaninsecondaryschool(grades7-12).Ingrammarschool,ifastudentfailsacoreacademicsubject(i.e.,Reading/Phonics,Math,Bible,History,LatinorLiterature)fortwoormorequartersorifastudenthasanaverageforallfourquartersthatisunder70,thenthestudentsisplacedonacademicprobation.Whileonacademicprobation,studentsarenoteligibletoparticipateinextracurricularsports,drama,oractivitiesandstudentsmayberequiredtodoadditionaltutoringworkwhichwillbepaidforbytheparents.Thereasonforthisrestrictionistogivethestudenttimetoconcentrateonhisorheracademicworkinordertobringtheirworkbacktoaconsistentpassinglevel.Agrammarschoolstudentwillberemovedfromacademicprobationwhenheorshehasaquarterinwhichheorshepassesallofhisorherclasses.Ifthestudentcannotpasshisorherclasses,formorethantwoquarterswhileonacademicprobation,thestudentmaynotbeeligibletocontinueatVeritas.Insecondaryschool,theacademicprobationpolicyisbasedonastudent’sgradepointaverage(GPA).Ifastudent’sGPAfallsunder2.0,thestudentisplacedonacademicprobation.Students

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arenotallowedtograduatefromVeritasAcademyiftheirGPAisunder2.0.Justasingrammarschoolwhileonacademicprobation,studentsarenoteligibletoparticipateinextracurricularsports,drama,oractivitiesandstudentsmayberequiredtodoadditionaltutoringworkwhichwillbepaidforbytheparents.ThereasonforthisrestrictionistogivethestudenttimetoconcentrateonhisorheracademicworkinordertobringtheirworkbacktoapassingGPA.Studentsonacademicprobationaregiven1semester(or2quarters)tomovetheirGPAbackabove2.0.Iftheycannot,thenthestudentisnotonatracktowardgraduationandtheymaynotbeeligibletocontinueatVeritas.Note,thispolicydoesnotprecludeotheracademicrequirementsforextracurricularparticipation(suchasPIAAgraderequirements).ThePIAArulesforeligibilityoftenmirrorVeritas’sbutitispossibleforeitherofthesepoliciestomakeahighschoolstudentineligibleforathleticparticipationuntilhisorhergradesimprove.Schooladministratorsmaygiveastudentadditionaltimeonacademicprobationifthereissomespecialcircumstancethatmighthavecausedadipingradesorifastudent’sgradesareheadedinapositivedirectionbuthavenotreachedthepassingor2.0GPA.Again,thereasonforthispolicyisthatwewanttohelpstudentsthriveandiftheyarenotthrivingatVeritas,wewanttohelpthemfindaplacewheretheycanthrive.Extra-CurricularconsequencesforpoorAcademicPerformanceandDisciplinaryEventsDefinitions

A. AcademicIneligibility:WhenastudentisonExtracurricularProbation,heisnotpermittedtoparticipateinanyextra-curricularactivitiesafterschool(athletics,drama,choir,etc.).

B. DisciplinaryIneligibility:Whenstudentsaredisciplinedforaseriousoffenseandsubsequentlyremovedfromschoolorsuspended,theymaynotparticipateinanyextra-curricularactivitiesduringthetimeofsuspension.Theyalsomaynotparticipateuntiltheyareremovedfromprobation(asdeterminedbytheHeadofSchoolandtheDeanofStudents).

GuidelinesforExtracurricularProbation1.StudentswillbeplacedonextracurricularprobationiftheyhaveanFinanysubject.2.Extracurricularprobationduetoacademicswillapplyinthefollowingmanner:a)EveryFridaytheDeanofStudentswillrunagradereport.StudentswhomeetthecriteriaforacademicprobationwillbenotifiedonFriday(alongwiththeirparentsandtherelevantextracurricularcoordinator)thatthey’vebeenplacedonacademicprobation.GradeswillbereviewedeachFriday,providingtheopportunityforastudenttobereinstated.Studentswillremainonacademicprobationuntiltheynolongermeetthecriteriaforprobation.b)IftheDeanofStudentsdeterminesthatastudent’sacademicsampleisnotlargeenoughtojustifyprobation,oriftherearedirecircumstanceswhichadverselyaffectthestudent’sacademicperformance(e.g.deathofafamilymemberorextendedillness),thestudentwillbe

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notifiedofhisacademicsituation,butnoactionwillbetakenuntilthegradesampleislargeenoughorthecircumstanceshavebeenprudentlyaddressed.c)Theendofagradingperioddoesnotautomaticallyleadtoreinstatement.Studentsmustdemonstrateatthebeginningofthenextquarterthattheirworknolongermakesthemsubjecttoacademicprobation. GuidelinesforDisciplinaryProbation1.Ifastudentissuspendedfromschool,hemaynotparticipateinpracticesorgamesduringhissuspension.2.Ifastudentissuspendedorremovedfromschoolduetoaseriousdisciplinaryinfraction,theHeadofSchoolandDeanofStudentswilldeterminefurtherextra-curricularconsequencesandgroundsforreinstatement.Thestudentwillnotreturntoextra-curricularactivitiesuntilformallyreinstated.

O.GraduationRequirementsCreditsforGraduationTotalCredits:30creditsMinimumnumberofcreditsindifferentstudyareas:Math 3creditsScience 3creditsForeignLanguage 3creditsHistory 4creditsTheology 4.5creditsLiterature 4creditsEnglish 3.5creditsMusic 1creditArt 1creditFreeElectives 3credits*Studentsmust:

• StudentsmustcompleteandpassayearofLogicandLatin.(Thesecoursesmaybecompletedduringthe7thor8thgradeyear.)

• StudentsmustcompleteandpassacourseinRhetoric.• StudentsmustcompleteandsuccessfullydefendaThesispaper.• StudentsmustcompleteandpassBiology,Chemistry,andoneadditionalScienceclass.• CreditRules:

o Studentsmusthaveaminimumof6.5creditsyeartobeenrolledatVeritasAcademy.

o Studentsmusthaveaminimumof7.0creditsperyeartobeconsideredforacademichonors.

o Studentsmustaverage7.0creditsduring9ththrough12thgradetobeeligiblefortheValedictorianorSalutatorianHonors.

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*FreeElectivescanbetakenfromElectiveCoursesorfromadditionalMath,Science,ForeignLanguage,History,Theology,Literature,English,Music,orArt.V.DailyProceduresandExpectations

A.SchoolCalendar

B.CommunicatingwithTeachers

Wewanttokeepourparentsinformedaboutthemoralandacademicprogressoftheirchildren.Therefore,weworkhardtocommunicatewithyouasparents.Ingrammarschool,wecommunicateinthefollowingways:

• Teacherssendgradedworkhomeonanightlybasisinawhitebinder.• Teacherssendhomeaweeklycalendartellingparentswhentests,activities,andfield

tripsarecomingup.• WehaveParentTeachersconferencesduringthe1stand3rdquarters.• Ourteacherscalleachfamilyduringthe2ndand4thquarters.• Wesendperiodicprogressreportsonstudentacademicprogress.

InSecondarySchool,weplaceincreasingresponsibilityonthestudentstomanagetheirtimeandtaketheirgradeshometotheirparents.Wedoalsoseektocommunicatewithparentsintheseways:

• WehaveParentTeachersconferencesduringthe1stand3rdquarters.• Wesendperiodicprogressreportsonstudentacademicprogress.

Ifyouhaveaquestionorconcern,however,pleasecontactyourteacherdirectly.Theywillhelpyousupportyoursonordaughter.Youmaytextthem,emailthem,orcallthemafterhours.Iftheissueisserious,pleasecontactyourchild’steacherdirectlybyphoneorsetupameetingtotalkwiththeminperson.

C.WeeklyCommuniqué

Stayuptodateonschoolevents,news,announcements,andmorewithourweeklyVeritasCommuniquénewsletter,sentviaemaileveryFriday.Besuretowatchforthisweeklyemailsothatyoudon'tmissimportantschoolinformation.YoucanalsoaccesstheCommuniquéatveritasacademy.com/parent-links.

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D.SchoolEventsandPublicationsItisimportantthatschoolprogramsmeetthesamestandardsforqualityandcontentestablishedintheeducationalprogramsatVeritas.Inaddition,thesamestandardsforstudentconductestablishedattheschoolaretobemaintainedatallschoolevents.WhileVeritasAcademyunderstandsthatitsmissionistoassistparentsinthegodlyupbringingoftheirchildren,italsorealizesthatcertaineventsandactivitiesthatdonotfitintothecategoryofanacademicendeavorcontributetoproducingawell-roundedstudent.Becauseofthis,VeritasAcademysponsorsofficialschoolevents.TheseeventswillbeonesthatareinagreementwiththegeneralgoalsandaimsofVeritasAcademy.TheywillbeattendedbyorsupervisedbyaVeritasAcademystaffmemberorboardmember,andtheywillgenerallybeopentotheentirestudentbodyorsomesectionofthestudentbodyalongwiththeirfamilies.Theseeventswillgenerallybepartoftheschoolcalendarandtheywillbepublicizedandpromotedbytheschool.WhileVeritasAcademyunderstandsthattherearemanyworthycommunity,churchandsocialevents,itwill,however,onlypublicizeandpromoteschooleventsinitsnewsletterandweeklycommuniqué.

E.AfterSchoolEnrichment

Ourafterschoolenrichmentprogramistoprovidestructuredandenrichingcareforchildrenwhoseparents/guardiansareunabletopickthemupimmediatelyattheendoftheschoolday.Whilewewantourstudentstospendasmuchtimeathomewiththeirfamiliesaspossible,wealsorecognizetheneedforadditionalchildsupervisorysupport,especiallyduringthecoupleofhoursafterschool.Duringthisenrichmenttime,studentshavetheopportunitytogetsomerest,organizedrecreation,enrichingactivities,andstudytime.Studentsareprovidedwithasnack,buttheyareencouragedtobringtheirownpleasurebooksandanyschoolbooksinwhichtheywouldbenefitfromsomeadditionaltimeandstudy.Seeschoolwebsiteforuptodatetimesandfeestoparticipatefortheprogram.Comepickyourchildupwheneveryouwouldlikebeforetheofficialendtimefortheprogram.Thecostwillberoundedtothenearestquarterhour,soifyouchildstaysfor1hourand20minutes,wewillrounditto1and¼hours.Weaskthatyoupleaseinformtheschoolofficeasfaraheadoftimeaspossibleifyouplantousethecareonaparticularday,sothatwecanensuresufficientstaffing.Itiscriticalthatyoucometopickupyourchildbytheendtimeoftheprogramlestyoubechargedalatefee.

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FastFactsforAfterSchoolEnrichment

F.FACTSPrepaidAccounts

AllfamilieshavetheoptionofopeningaPrepayAccountthroughFACTS.Ifyouhadfundsleftoverinanaccountlastyear,yourbalancewillbeforwarded.Thisisasingleaccount,whichyoucanuseforchargesforlunches,fieldtrips,afterschoolcareandanyotherincidentalfees.Hereishowitworks:

• Aminimumdepositof$50isrequired.• Topayforincidentalcharges,simplyindicatetothecashieronhotlunchdays,on

paymentsforms,etc.thatyouwantustochargeyourPrepayAccount.• Theschoolofficewillapplychargestoyouraccountastheyareincurred.• Youwillbenotifiedviaemailofthetypeandamountofchargeswhenapplied.• Ifyouraccountfallsbelowtheminimumbalancethresholdof$10,youwillreceivea

“balancealert”emailtopromptlyreplenishyouraccount.• FamiliescanopenaPrepayAccount,viewtheirbalance,oraddfundsonlineatanytime

byloggingintoParentsWebandselectingFACTSfromthemainmenu.• CheckssubmittedtotheofficeforchargesaccumulatedinyourPrepayAccountwillbe

creditedtoyouraccount.• Allfamiliesareexpectedtokeeptheiraccountbalancescurrent.

IfyouhavequestionsregardingPrepaidAccounts,pleaseemailourbookkeeper,MyleneReam,atmream@veritasacademy.com.

Purpose Toprovideaserviceforparents/guardianswhoareunabletopicktheirchildrenupimmediatelyattheendoftheday

Times Seewebsite

Whattobring Snack,boardgames,pleasurebooks,andschoolbooks

Structure Theprogramwillbebrokenupintoallottedtimesforrecreation,rest,activities/projects,snack,andstudying

Cost Seewebsite

Howtosignup Calltheschoolofficeasfarinadvanceaspossibleonthedaysyouplantousethecare.Thiswillhelpusensuresufficientstaffing.

Who AnyVeritasstudents,gradesK-12

Where Callschoolofficefordetails

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G.VolunteeringandStateRequiredClearances

VolunteerhelpisessentialforthesuccessofVeritasAcademy,andtherearemanyopportunitiesavailable.Manyvolunteersareneededforthemajoreventsduringtheschoolyear.PleasecontacttheDirectorofEventsifyouwanttohelpwithanevent.AccordingtoAct153,asofJuly1,2015thefollowingclearancesarerequiredforschoolvolunteers:

• PennsylvaniaStatePoliceCriminalRecordCheck• PennsylvaniaChildAbuseHistoryClearance• FBICriminalBackgroundCheck-PADept.ofEducation(ifyouhavenotlivedinPAforat

leastthelast10years)• VolunteerDisclosureStatement(ifyouhavelivedinPAforatleastthelast10years)

H.TechnologyPolicy

• Phonesandotherpersonalelectronicdevicesmustbekeptinone’slockerandarenottobeoutofthelockeratanypointduringtheday(includinglunch)—8:00-2:52.

• Phonesorotherpersonalelectronicdevicesthatareoutofthelockerwillbeconfiscatedandthestudentwillreceivetwodemerits.Multipleinfractionsmayresultinasuspension.

• Studentsmayuse laptopsat the teacher’sdiscretion.Laptopequivalents (tabletswithkeyboard)mayalsobeusedattheteacher’sdiscretion.

• Earbudsorearphonesarenot tobeusedatanypointduring theday (includingstudyhall).

• Studentsneedingtoorderfoodforlunchmustusethephoneintheschooloffice.• PhonesthatareconfiscatedphonewillbekeptwiththeDeanofStudentsfortherestof

theday.

I. KeepingourStudentsGroomed

• Gentlemen:Hairshouldbenolongerthancollarlength,notcoveringtheears,notin

theeyes,andnaturalcolor.Piercingsarenottobewornatschool.Additionally,secondarygentlemenneedtoshaveandarenotallowedtogrowbeardsorregularlyhavea“fiveo’clockshadow.”

• Ladiesshouldnotregularlyhavehairineyes,andshouldnothaveanunnaturalcolor

hairdye.Nose,lip,andeyebrowpiercingsarenottobewornatschool.

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J.ClassParties

Duringtheschoolyear,thereareanumberoftimeswhengrammarschoolclasseswillhavepartiesandcelebrations.Ourgoalistokeeptheseeventswithincertainboundssoastonotdistractaclassfromtheiracademicgoalsandobjectives.Feelfreetosendinatreatforyourchild’sbirthday,butwedorecommendthatyoucheckwithyourchild’steachertoseeifanystudentsintheclasshavefoodallergies(i.e.peanuts,dairy,etc.).Weaskthatyouaccommodateanysuchfoodallergiesbysendinginatreatthateveryoneintheclasscanenjoy.

Ourgrammarschoolclassroomscelebratetwoholidayparties,ChristmasandValentine’sDay.Therearealsosomeotherclass-specificpartiesthatmightbeheldfromtimetotimebecauseofthesubjectmattercoveredinaspecificgrade,suchastheEgyptianFeastin2ndGradeortheMexicanFiestain6thgrade.Theseeventswillbearrangedandcommunicatedtoyoubyteachersand/ortheirassistantsorparentvolunteers.

SecondarySchoolalsocelebratescommunitywideandclassspecificeventsthroughouttheyear.SomeexamplesoftheseeventsincludeourChristmasParty,ShroveTuesdayPancakeRace,PokenberryFalls,andChineseNewYear.

Individualteachersoftenplanclassroomeventsbasedoncurriculumincludingfeasts,teasandotherthemedcelebrations.Theseeventswillbearrangedandcommunicatedtoyoubyteachersorvolunteers.

K.HealthRecordsandPoliciesHealthRequirementsInaccordancewithstate-mandatedservices,VeritasAcademyrequiresphysicalexamsforentrytoschoolandatGrades6and11.DentalexamsarerequiredforentryandinGrades3and7effective2018-2019academicyear.PhysicalandDentalformscanbedownloadedatwww.veritasacademy.comStudentsarerequiredtohaveimmunizationsuptodateinaccordancewithPASchoolImmunizationRegulations,withallrequirementsmetwithinthefirst5daysofthenewschoolyear.Alistandexplanationofschoolimmunizationrequirementscanbefoundat:www.health.pa.gov/topics/Documents/School%20Health/SIR8.pdfUnlessthechildhasamedicalorreligious/moralexemption,studentsmusthavehadallrequiredimmunizationsorriskexclusion.Exemptionformsareavailablefromtheschoolnurseandmustbecompletedandreturnedwithinthefirst5daysofschool.

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HealthScreeningswillbeconductedannuallyofallstudents.Vision,height,weight,andbodymassindexwillbescreenedforallgrades.Scoliosisscreeningwilloccurin6thand7thgrades.HearingscreeningwilloccuringradesK-3,7thand11th.Atenrollment,parents/guardiansarerequiredtosubmitacompletedMedicalInformationformprovidinggeneralhealthinformationsuchasallergies,medicalconditions,medications,etc.AnEmergencyContactformwillalsoberequiredforeachstudentenrolled.Forstudentswithchronichealthconditions,parents/guardianswillworkwiththeschoolnursetodevelopanIndividualizedHealthcarePlan.Thisplanwillservetocoordinatecarebetweenthefamily,school,andmedicalprovidersaswellaspreventandmanageanyemergencyrelatedtothechronicillnessthatmayarise.MedicationsParents/guardianshavetheprimaryresponsibilityforthehealthoftheirchildren.Ifpossible,routinemedicationshouldbetakenathome.Intheeventthatamedicationneedstobeadministeredduringtheschoolday,theparent/guardianmustprovidethefollowing:

• Forstudentsrequiringdailyprescriptionmedications:o Writteninstructions/prescriptionfromahealthcareprovidero Writtenpermissionformtheparent/guardian

• Forstudentsrequiringtemporaryover-the-countermedications:

o Writtenpermissionfromtheparent/guardiano Writtenstandingordersfromourschoolphysician

Allmedicationsmustbeintheiroriginal,labeledcontaineranddelivereddirectlytotheschoolnurseordelegateuponarrivaltothebuildingExceptions:Inhalers-Studentsmayself-carryemergencyinhalerswithwrittenpermissionfromthehealthcareproviderandparent/guardian.Studentsusinginhalersduringtheschooldaymustreporttothenurse’sofficeforevaluationimmediatelyfollowinguse.EpinephrineAuto-Injectors-Studentsmayself-carrylife-savingmedicationswithwrittenpermissionfromthehealthcareproviderandparent/guardian.PleasenotifytheschoolnurseofanymedicationchangesthroughouttheyearIllnessIfyourchildbecomesillorinjuredatschool,youwillbecontactedandwillbeexpectedtomakearrangementsfortransportationhomeortoamedicalfacility.Intheeventthatyoucannotbereached,theschoolmaycallanambulanceatyourexpense.Also,intheeventofanemergency,theschoolnursemaycallanambulancebeforenotifyingparents/guardiansifthenursefeelsthisactionisappropriate.

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Donotsendyourchildtoschooliftheyareill.Theschoolwillnotprovidediagnosticservices,norwilltheyallowyourchildtospendthedayinthesickbay.Ifyourchildstayshomeduetoanyillness,pleasemaketheschooloffice/nurseawareofthereasonforabsence.Yourchildshouldnotattendschoolif:Theyhave/hadafevergreaterthan99.5inthelast24hoursVomiting/DiarrheaPinkeye(conjunctivitis)Flu-likesymptomsBodyrashaccompaniedbyitchingHeadLiceIfstudentsbecomeillorinjuredduringtheschoolday,theymustreporttothenurseordelegateforevaluation.Studentsarenotpermittedtocallhomefromcellphonesforparentstopickthemup.ReportableIllnessShouldastudentatVeritasbecomewillwithaReportableDiseaseasdefinedbythePennsylvaniaDepartmentofHealth,thatillnesswillbereportedtothelocalhealthdepartment.ThePADepartmentofHealthwillprovideguidancetoVeritasaswellasparentsregarding:diseaseinformation;appropriatelettersandcommunications;identificationofhighriskindividuals;appropriateactionandtreatment;andon-goingsupportandassistance.Somereportableillnessesinclude:chickenpox,measles,pertussis,meningitis,mumps,E.coli,andheadlice.Acompletelistofreportableillnessescanbefoundathttps://www.health.pa.gov/topics/school/Pages/Communicable-Disease.aspx

L.Attendance/Absences

Schoolattendanceisasignofcommitmentandinvolvement.Studentswhoregularlyattendschoolareinapositiontobepluggedintothelifeoftheschool—academically,socially,andspiritually.Studentswhobegintoenterintoapatternofchronicabsencefromschoolareindangerofbecomingdisengagedfromthelifeoftheschool(academically,socially,andspiritually).TheVeritasAcademyattendancepolicyaimstoencouragemaximalstudentinvolvementandtofacilitatesuccessatschool.I.Attendancestandards-TheVeritaspolicyhastwonumericalcomponents:(a)cumulativeattendancefortheyearand(b)semesterattendance.

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(a)Fortheyear,Veritasrequireslessthan15%absence.Thismeansthatinthecourseofayearastudentshouldnotmissmorethan25daysofschool(excusedorunexcusedabsences).

(b)Foranysemester(twoquarters),nomorethan13absences(again,notexceeding25totalfortheyear).

II.PartialDayattendance:Theattendanceofastudentwhomissestwoclassesonagivenday(excusedorunexcused)willbedesignatedas“partialday.”Twopartialdaysinattendancewillbecountedasonedayofabsencetowardsthecumulativetotal.Forinstance,astudentarrivingthirdperiodorleavingfifthperiodwouldbegiven“partialday”status.

III.Schoolintervention:

Attenabsencesinagivensemestertheschoolwillcontacttheparentstodiscussthesituationandconsiderhowtheschoolandfamilymightbestfacilitatecompliancewiththeattendancepolicy.Unforeseencircumstances,suchasextendedillnessoratragicevent,areobviouslyexceptionalandwillbegraciouslyandmercifullyconsidered.

IV.Consequencesforchronicabsence:At13absencesinagivensemester(or25fortheschoolyear),schoolofficialswillmeettodeterminehowthemissedschoolwillbemadeup,andwhatacademicconsequencestherewillbeforanyfurtherabsence.Schoolofficialswillthenmeetwithparentsandinformthemofanydecisionsthathavebeenmade.

V.Leavingschool:Anystudentleavingschoolearlymusthavealegitimateexcusefromparents.Thisshouldbeinoneofthefollowingforms:awrittennote,aphonecalltotheschooloffice,orane-mailtotheschooloffice(receptionist@veritasacademy.com).Parentsneedtoindicatethereasonforleaving,andthatreasonshouldprovideadequatejustificationfortheearlydismissal.Studentsshouldnothaveparentstexttotheirphones(tobeshowntothereceptionist),orhavetheparentsgivethemverbalpermission(tobethencommunicatedtothereceptionist).Permissiontoleave(withoutastatedreason)willbeconsideredunexcused,andmaynotbegranted.

M.Tardiness

Studentsaretoarriveatschoolnolaterthan8:00AM.Latestudentsaretocheckinattheschoolofficeandexplainthereasonfortheirlateness.Secondarystudentswhodonotcheckinattheoffice,andarrivelatetoschool,willbemarkedabsent.Excusedlatenessisacceptable,however,regulartardiness(excusedorunexcused)willbeaddressedwithparentsandstudents

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asnecessary.ForbothGrammarandSecondarystudents,parentsshouldbeprovidingaphonecallore-mailtotheschoolofficewithanexplanationforthelatenessifthereisalegitimatereason.Grammarstudentsarrivingtoschoollateshouldreceiveaslipadmittingthemtoclass.Chroniclatenessingrammarschoolwillbehandledbytheschoolindirectcommunicationwiththeparents.Latenessduetooldersiblingdriverswillbehandledwithbothparentsandstudentdrivers.ConsequencesofRegularTardiness:Whensecondarystudentsareregularlylatetoschooltheywillstartreceivingdemeritsfortheirtardiness.Thereisagraceperiodoffivetardies.Afterthatpointdemeritswillbeissuedforfurtherunexcusedtardies.Asperabove,grammartardinesswillbehandledwithparents.TardinesstoClass:Secondarystudentswhoaretardytoclasswillreceiveademeritiftheirlatenessisunexcused.Studentscominglatetohomeroomorclassshouldhaveapassfromtheofficeortheirpreviousteacher.

N.Reverence

• Student’s,makesurethatyoudonotuseateacher’scomputerortouchthingsonhisorherdeskwithoutpermission(respectthespaceofteachers).

• Astudent’sresponsetoinstructionshouldbepromptandrespectful.Ifyouhavea

questionaboutadecisionateacher,administrator,orstaffmemberhasmade,makesuretohandlethisinabiblicalmanner(speakdirectlytothepersonandprovidethatpersonwithanopportunitytoexplainthedecision—donotusegossipasyourfirstresort).

• TheBibletellsustoloveourneighborasourselves.AsstudentsatVeritasAcademy,this

iswhatyouwillbeexpectedtodo.Hereareafewparticularareaswherethisapplies:o Begoodexamplesforyoungerstudentstofollow.o Encouragethemtowardsrighteousnessandmaturity.o Makethemfeelliketheyareinasafe,protective,Christianenvironment.o Youngmenshouldshowconsiderationandrespectforthewomenin

theschool.Theyoungmenofourschoolwillbethehusbandsandfathersoftomorrow.GodhascalledonhusbandsandfatherstolaydowntheirlivesfortheirwivesandchildrenasChristlaiddownHislifefortheChurch.Herearesomeexamplesofwhatthisshouldlooklike:

o Gooutofyourwaytobewarmandfriendlyinyourinteractionwithyoungerstudents.

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o Opendoorsforwomen—whetherparents,teachers,orstudents.o Allowthewomentoexittheroom(orthebus)whentheyarenearyou

(don’ttrytopushpastthem).Don’tjust“pushthrough”inthehallway,orattempttogetintolinefirstforpizza.

o Ifawomaniscarryinganarmloadofbooks,orafemalestaffmemberorparentismovingheavyorawkwarditems,pleaseoffertoprovideassistance.

o Beginclassbytheboysseatingtheladies—yes,evenintheuppersecondaryclassrooms.

o Inalleventswherefoodisserved,wherereasonableandpracticalthewomenareinprincipletobeservedandseatedfirst.

o Ladies,whenagentlemanshowsthissortofdeferenceandconsiderationforayounglady,sheshouldalwaysrespondwiththankfulgratitude.

O.DealingwithProblems

AsmuchaspossibleweaimtofollowMatthew18inourapproachtodealingwithproblemsatVeritas.Ideally,parentsshouldtrytobeasdirectintheircommunicationaspossible.Thismaymeancontactingotherparents,teachers,orinsomecasesadministration.Asaruleofthumb,itiswisetomakesurethatthecommunicationhasbeenasdirectaspossibleandimmediateaspossiblesothatwecanavoidgossip,calumny,andothersinsthatcandestroycommunity.Parentsshouldalsoconsidercommunicatingwiththeclassroomteacherassoonaspossible(andencouragechildrentodosoaswell)sothattheclassroomteachercandealwithproblemsastheyoccur,inatimelyfashion.Delicatemattersrequireprudenceandtherewillbetimeswhendirectcommunicationisdifficult.Itisideal,inthesesituations,tocallore-mailMr.Dennisorarrangeforaface-to-facemeeting.Beingproactiveinhandlingdifficultsituationsenablestheschooltodeterminewhataprudent,Biblicalresponsewouldentail.

P.Tuition

TheVeritasAcademyBoardiscommittedtokeepingtuitionlowtoensurethatasmanyChristianparentsaspossiblecantakeadvantageofVeritas’seducationalprogramswhilehavingenoughfundstofindandretainexceptionalteachersthatwillprovideanexcellenteducationtothestudents.Instrikingthisbalance,Veritasalsoreliesupongenerousgiftsfromthecommunitytomakeupforwhattuitiondoesnotcover.VeritasAcademyofferstwopaymentoptions.Afamilymaypayalloftheirtuitionupfrontinonelumpsumordividedequallyover11months(July-May).WemanagealltuitionagreementsandpaymentplansthroughanonlineservicecalledFACTS.Eachnewschoolyeara

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newtuitionagreementisinitiatedforeachfamilyduringthere-enrollmentprocess,accordingtothatyear'stuitionrates.Onlinepaymentplansthroughchecking,creditcardordebitcardareencouraged,howevercheckpaymentstotheschool,ifpreferred,arealsowelcome.Veritasalsooffersneed-basedfinancialaid.Thetotaltuitiontopayupfrontorover11monthsisreducedbythefinancial-aidamount.Allre-enrolledfamiliesneedtoapplyforfinancialaidbyJuly1stfortheupcomingschoolyear.

Q.BoardMeetings

TheVeritasAcademyBoardmeets10timeseachyear.TheboarddoesnottypicallymeetduringDecemberorJune.Themeetingstypicallyhappenonthe3rdTuesdayofthemonth,butthemeetingsmaybemovedtosuitthescheduleofthemajorityoftheboardmembers.ThemeetingsusuallyhappenatVeritasAcademy,butoverthesummertheboardoftenmeetsatthehomeofoneoftheboardmembers.Ifyouwanttoattendaboardmeeting,pleasecontactourHeadofSchoolorhis/herExecutiveAssistant,andyouwillbeputintouchwiththeBoardChairmantodiscussyourvisit.Typically,parentsarewelcometoobserveboardmeetings,buttheboardmaygointoExecutiveSessiontodiscussanyconfidentialmattersontheagendaifavisitorispresent.Ifyouwantanitemaddedtotheboardagenda,youshoulddiscussthisitemwiththeboardchairman.TheChairmansetstheagendafortheboardmeetinginconjunctionwiththeBoardOrganizingCommitteewhichistypicallymadeupoftheBoardChairman,theViceChairman,andtheHeadofSchool.

R.ControversialSubjects

VeritasAcademylovestodiscusscontroversialissueswithourolderstudents,butweaskourGrammarandSecondaryschoolteacherstohandlecontroversialsubjectsinamannerthatisconsistentwithChristiancharityandwithourschool’scommitmentsinourStatementofFaith.Here’showourteachershandlecontroversialsubjects:

• Ifthecontroversialsubjectisnotpartofthelessontheyareteaching,theteacherwilloftensettheissueasideoraskthestudenttoasktheteacher,hisorherparentsorpastorabouttheissuetokeepthelessonfrombeingobscuredbythetangentialcontroversy.

• IfthecontroversialsubjectisimportanttothelessonandisanissuethatisinourStatementofFaith,theteacherwillteachconsistentlywithVeritas’sStatementofFaithshowingChristiancharitytostudentswhomightnotagreewiththeschool’sStatementofFaith.

• IfthecontroversialsubjectisimportanttothelessonbutitisnotmentionedinVeritas’sStatementofFaith,theteachershouldmakesurethattheissueisclearlyunderstoodby

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thestudents.Theteacherisallowedtotellthestudentswhatheorshebelievesbutiftheteacherchoosestorevealwhatheorshepersonalthinks,thisshouldbedonewithcharity.Finally,teachersinthissettingshouldpointstudentsbacktotheirparentsandpastorsforfurtherinstruction.

S.Grammar:

i.StudentDropOffandPickupTimesandProcedures

Studentsmayuseeitherofthedoorsatthefrontofthebuildingtoenterschool.Wediscourageuseofthereardoorstoenterthebuildinginthemorningunlessaparentiscomingintothebuildingwiththeirchildren.Wealsorequirethatyoupleasenotdropyourchild(ren)offatschoolbefore7:30am.Onthefirstdayofschool,ALLstudentsK-12shouldgostraighttotheirhomeclassrooms.Afterthefirstdayofschool,kindergartenersand1stgraderswillcontinuetogostraighttotheirclassroomseverymorningwhile2ndthrough6thgraderswillgostraighttothecafeteriaat8:00formemoryperiod.Parentsareencouragedtoaccompanytheirchildtotheclassroomonthefirstdayofschool.

Kindergartenwillbedismissedat12:00pmeachday.Kindergartenparentscancomeinsidetogettheirchildrenorpulluptothecurbinthefrontofthebuildingdownbythelibraryandwaitfortheirchild’steachertowalktheclassouttotheirvehicles.

Allfirstthroughsixthgradersandfull-daykindergartenersaredismissedat2:53pm.Studentsridingthebuscanexpecttobeoutsidetoboardtheirbusesnolaterthan2:55pm.Studentsridingincarscanexpecttoboardtheircarsnolaterthan3:05pm.Whenpickingupstudentsattheendoftheday,pleasepulluptothefrontofthebuildinginthecircledrivewaybehindthebuses.Weaskthatcarsformalinebehindthebusesalongthecurb.ThecarlinewillextenddownHillcrestAve.and(ifnecessary)intotherearfirestationparkinglot.Oncethebusesclearout,thecarlinewillbemotionedtomoveforwardtopickupstudents.

ii.ChristianCharacterAwards

EveryyearthegrammarschoolfacultyelectsoneboyandonegirltoreceivetheVeritasAcademyChristianCharacteraward.Thisawardisgiventostudentswho,intheirday-to-dayinteractionswithfellowstudents,teachers,andadministratorsdemonstratethefruitsofthespirit.

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iii.Discipline

Objectives:ToensureconsistentbiblicaldisciplineatVeritasAcademytotheendthatan environmentofexcellenceandgodlinessismaintained.Scope:ThispolicyappliestoallstudentsenrolledatVeritasAcademyingradesK-6.1. GeneralGuidelines

a. Alldisciplineshouldbeadministeredaccordingtobiblicalprinciples,e.g.ofrestitution(publicandprivate),redemption,andrepentance.

b. Exceptionsoralterationscanbemadetothispolicyatthediscretionofschooladministration.

2. Disciplinetypicallywillfollowtheprocessoutlinedbelow:

a. Firstoffense—Student’snameisplacedonchalkboard.Teachershouldspeakwiththestudentregardingtheissue,bringingthelightofscripturetobearonthestudent’sactionandseekingtoencouragethestudenttowardsgenuinerepentanceandrestoration.

b. Secondoffenseinsameday—Checkmarkisplacedbystudent’snameandstudentmakestriptoadministrator’soffice.Thestudent’sparentsarealertedofthemisconductbytheadministrator.Administratorwillseektobringthelightofscripturetobearonthestudent’sactionandwillseektoencouragethestudenttowardsgenuinerepentance,restoration,andredemption.Studentstypicallyapologizetotheteacher(andanyothersinvolvedthattheiractionsmayhaveaffected).Theadministratorprayswiththestudentbeforesendinghimorherbacktoclass.

c. Thirdoffenseinsameday—Secondcheckmarkisplacedbystudent’snameandstudentmakestriptoadministrator’soffice.Thestudentmay,ifdeemednecessarybytheDeanofStudents,beremovedfromschool(lengthofremovalisatadministrator’sdiscretionbutwilltypicallybefortheremainderofthatschoolday).

3. Disciplineofmajoroffenses(i.e.directdisrespect,dishonesty,rebellion,fighting,or

profanity):a. Sentstraighttoadministrator’sofficeforevaluationandpossibledisciplinaryremoval

fromschool(lengthofremovalisatadministrator’sdiscretionbutwilltypicallybefortheremainderofthatschoolday).

4. CumulativeEffectsofDiscipline:Note:Whilethestructureoftheseguidelinestypicallywillbefollowed,exceptionswillbemadebyadministrationifcertainsituationsdeemnecessaryandappropriate.Also,thestructureofcumulativeeffectsdiffersfromK-3and4-6.ForK-3:

a. Uponastudent’sfifthtriptotheadministrator’sofficeinoneschoolyear,hewillbegintoreceivearecessdetentionforeverytripmadetotheprincipal’sofficethereafter.

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b. Uponastudent’stenthtriptotheadministrator’sofficeinoneschoolyear,hewillreceiveasuspension(lengthwillbedeterminedbyschooladministrationbuttypicallywillbeonefullschoolday).Theadministrationwillcontactparentsandarrangeaconferencetodiscusshowbesttoturnthestudent’sbehavioraround.

c. Uponastudent’sfifteenthtriptotheadministrator’sofficeinoneschoolyear,hewillbesuspendeduntilthenextboardmeeting,atwhichtimetheboardwillhearthecaseandconsiderexpulsion.

d. Schooladministration,incollaborationwiththeapplicableteacher(s)andparents,mayhastenorhindertheprogressionofastudent(s)throughthedisciplinarystepslaidoutinpoints4a,4b,and4cifdeemednecessary.

For4-6:

a. Uponastudent’sfourthtriptotheadministrator’sofficeinoneschoolyear,hewillbegintoreceivearecessdetentionforeverytripmadetotheprincipal’sofficethereafter.

b. Uponastudent’sninthtriptotheadministrator’sofficeinoneschoolyear,hewillreceiveasuspension(lengthwillbedeterminedbyschooladministrationbuttypicallywillbeonefullschoolday).Theadministrationwillcontactparentsandarrangeaconferencetodiscusshowbesttoturnthestudent’sbehavioraround.

c. Uponastudent’stwelfthtriptotheadministrator’sofficeinoneschoolyear,hewillbesuspendeduntilthenextboardmeeting,atwhichtimetheboardwillhearthecaseandconsiderexpulsion.

d. Schooladministration,incollaborationwiththeapplicableteacher(s)andparents,mayhastenorhindertheprogressionofastudent(s)throughthedisciplinarystepslaidoutinpoints4a,4b,and4cifdeemednecessary.

iv.LunchandSnackKindergartenersshouldbringasnacktoschooleveryday,buttheydonoteatlunchatschoolunlesstheyareinthefull-daykindergarten.Firstthroughsixthgradersshouldbringasnackandalunchwiththemeveryday.Eachteacherwillgivetheirclassasnacktimeinthemorningorafternoon,dependingontheteacher’spreference.Hotlunchesareofferedseveraldaysperweek.Seetheweeklynewsletterfordetailedonwhichdaysitisofferedandwhatthemenuitemsare.Studentscanchoosetopurchasetheselunchesinlineinthecafeteriaatlunchtimeorbringtheirownfromhomeifpreferred.FACTScanbeusedforthepurchaseofhotlunches.

v.BusBuddies

Ifyouhaveayoungergrammarschoolstudentwhowillberidingthebus,wearegladtohelparrangeanolderstudenttoserveyourchildbyhelpingthemonandoffthebusandassistingwithanyotherneedstheymighthave.PleaseemailtheDeanofStudentsifyouareinterested

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inarrangingabusbuddyforyourchild.Whilewewon’talwayshaveanolderstudentavailabletohelponeverybus,wewillcertainlytry.

vi.UniformGuidelines

vii.PartyInvitations

InvitationstoastudentpartymaybedistributedinclassONLYifthestudentisinvitingtheentireclass.Iftheyarenotinvitingallstudentsintheclass,weaskparentstocommunicatetheinvitationsoutsideofschool.

T.Secondary:

i.LeadershipAwards

EveryyearweelecttwosecondarystudentsfortheVeritasAcademyLeadershipAward.Therecipientsoftheleadershipawardareelectedbythesecondaryschoolstudentbody.Mark10:42-45isusedtoguidetheselectionprocess:AndJesuscalledthemtohimandsaidtothem,“YouknowthatthosewhoareconsideredrulersoftheGentileslorditoverthem,andtheirgreatonesexerciseauthorityoverthem.Butitshallnotbesoamongyou.Butwhoeverwouldbegreatamongyoumustbeyourservant,andwhoeverwouldbefirstamongyoumustbeslaveofall.ForeventheSonofMancamenottobeservedbuttoserve,andtogivehislifeasaransomformany.”

ii.Discipline

Demerits:Thesebehaviorswillearnyouanimmediatedetention:disrespect,rebellion,cheating,fighting,foullanguage.Thesearethreedemeritinfractions(or,possibly,asuspension).Teachershavebeeninstructedtobeparticularlysensitivetohurtful,sarcastic,ordisrespectfullanguage.WearecalledbyChristtoloveoneanothersothattheworldmightknowthatweareHisdisciples.

Teacherswillcommunicatetostudentsthatthey’vereceivedademeritordemeritsforoffenses.Theteacher,viae-mail,sendsdemeritstotheDeanofStudents.TheDeanofStudentswillthenenterthedemerit(s)andtheparentswillbenotifiedoftheinfraction.

Studentswillreceiveadetentionforeverythreedemeritsearned.Ifyoubelievethatyou’ve

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receivedademeritunfairly,pleasespeaktotheteacherrespectfully.Ifyouareunabletoresolvethesituation,pleasespeaktotheDeanofStudents.

DetentionsareservedWednesdays,from3:00-4:00.

After12demerits,aparentconferencewillbearrangedwiththeDeanofStudents.15demeritsresultinasuspension.18demeritsresultinthepossibilityofexpulsionfromtheschool.

iii.UniformGuidelines

VI.ExtraCurricularActivitiesExtracurricularactivitiesatVeritasAcademyareorganized,school-sanctionedactivitiesprovidingstudentparticipationandenrichmentbeyondthenormalacademicprogram.Participationintheseactivities(whichoccuroutsideofregularlyscheduledclasstime)isvoluntary.Examplesofextracurricularactivitiesarestudentorganizationsandclubs,athletics,drama,specialmusicgroups,debate,etc.Allextracurricularactivitiesareintendedtofallinlinewiththeestablishedphilosophy,purposeandstandardsofVeritasAcademy,andaretobeapprovedbytheBoard.ExtracurricularactivitiesatVeritasAcademyshallremainwithintheseguidelines.Theyshallinnowayhamperortakeawayfromtheacademicandcurricularactivitiesofthestudents.Studentsmusthaveparentalpermissionbeforetheycanbeinvolvedinanyextracurricularactivity,andmustmaintainaGPAabove2.0.IfaqualifiedstaffmemberorBoardmembercannotbefoundtoleadanextracurricularactivity,aparentoradultmaybeacoachorcoordinator.ThispersonmustbeaChristianandanoutstandingexampleofChristiancharacter.Ifanyfundsarerequiredtohaveanextracurricularactivity,thefamiliesthatareinvolvedintheactivitymustpayfortheparticipationoftheirchildrenunlessmoneyisspecificallybudgetedforthisactivity.

A.FieldTrips

FieldtripsareanexcellentopportunityforVeritasAcademystudentsandfamiliestoenjoylearningandexperiencemanyinterestingthings.Generally,theteacherissuesfieldtrippermissionformsnolessthan2weeksto10daysbeforethedateofthefieldtrip.Studentswillnotbeeligibletogounlesstheschoolhasreceivedthecompletedfieldtrippermissionformandanymoneythatisrequiredforthestudenttoattendthisfieldtrip.

1. TeacherResponsibilities• Primaryresponsibilityisstudentsafetyandgeneralleadershipoffieldtrips• Donotletastudentgoanywherealone;alwaysassignabuddyand/orchaperone

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• Remindallchaperonesoftheirexpectationspriortofieldtrips• Ensurethatallchaperonessignedupforthefieldtriphaveuptodatebackground

clearancesonfileattheschool.• Conductregularface-to-namecounts(alwaysuponarrivalanddeparturefroma

particulardestinationonatrip).

2. ParentChaperoneResponsibilities• AlladultsattendingVeritasfieldtripswillbeconsideredofficialchaperones(this

includesparents,guardians,grandparents,oldersiblings,andotherindividualswhomayvolunteertobechaperonesonVeritasfieldtrips).Noadultispermittedtoattendafieldtripunlesstheyagreetobeanofficialchaperone.

• Theroleofallfieldtripchaperonesistoassisttheteachersonthetripinmonitoringandaccountingforstudentsandinothertasksthatarise.

• Allfieldtripchaperonesmustbeprompt.• Ifdrivingstudents,allvolunteersmusthavevaliddriver’slicensesandnotbeunder

anydrivingsuspensionsorpenalties.• Inordertochaperoneafieldtrip,individualsmustreadandsigntheFieldTrip

ChaperoneExpectationsform.• AllFieldTripChaperonesmusthaveonfileattheschoolallmandatedclearances.• Chaperonesmaybringotherchildrenwiththemonfieldtripsbutonlyiftheyare

alsoabletofulfillalloftheirchaperoneresponsibilities.• Chaperonesarerequiredtosticktotheagendaanditinerarylaidoutbytheteacher

orleaderofthetrip.• Chaperonesmustremainwiththegroupatalltimes.• Chaperonesmustsetanexampleofdignity,modesty,andstrongcharacterintheir

attire,behavior,andattitudeonfieldtrips.• Studentdisciplineofstudentsotherthantheirownchildisnotachaperone

responsibility;chaperonesshouldreportanydisciplinaryconcernsthattheyobservetoteacherleadingthegroup.

• Atanypointonafieldtrip,chaperonesmaybeassignedtomonitoragroupofstudents.

• Chaperonesshouldalwaysavoidsituationsinwhichtheyarealonewithastudentone-on-one.

• Allchaperonesshouldhelpconductregularheadcounts.• Noalcoholispermittedonfieldtripsforchaperonesorteachers.• Chaperonesmayrequestreimbursementforgas,tolls,andparkingonfieldtrips.• Chaperonesmustshowimpartialitytoallstudentsonfieldtrips.

B. StudentTransportation

VeritasAcademydoesnotprovidetransportationtoand/orfromstudents'homestoschoolorschoolrelatedevents.Incertainexceptionalcircumstances,iftheschooldoesneedtoprovide

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transportationtoorfromthestudent'shome,writtenpermissionwillbeobtainedfirstfromthestudent(s)guardian.Theschoolwillmakearrangementsforstudenttransportationforfieldtripsandcertainevents,includingselectathleticpurposesandotherspecialactivitiesthatoccuroffschoolgrounds.Insomeinstances,schoolownedbusesorvansdrivenbyschoolemployeeswillbeusedtotransportstudents.Atothertimes,parent/chaperonehelpwillberequestedtotransportstudentsinparent/chaperoneownedvehiclesdrivenbyparentsorotherapproveddrivers.Wheneverparentsorotherapproveddriversareservingaschaperones,thechaperoneguidelineslistedabovemustbefollowed.VII.SupportingVeritasAcademy

A. ReferringFriendsandFamily

WerealizethatourcommunityofparentsmakesupourmostpowerfulteamofambassadorsforVeritasAcademy.Amajorityofourstudentscometothisschoolthroughwordofmouthreferrals.Ifyouloveourschoolandhaveseengoodfruitfromyourchild’sexperiencehere,wehopethatyouwillsharewhatyouappreciateaboutVeritasoftenandopenlywithyourfriendsandfamily.Inordertomaintainathrivingschool,it’simportantthatVeritascontinuetowelcomenewstudentsyearafteryear,andyouplayabigpartinhelpingustoreachourenrollmentgoals!TherearemanywaysyouasparentscanspreadthewordaboutVeritasAcademy:

• Sharingsocialmediapostsoronlineparentresourcesofferedfromourschool• TalkingaboutVeritasinpersonalconversations• Handingoutpostcards,flyers,and/orpostersforschooltoursandevents• WritingonlinereviewsforVeritasonsiteslikeGoogle,

Facebook,GreatSchools.net,privateschoolreview.com,andNiche.com.• SharingthebenefitsofVeritaswithyourchurch

Ifyouarepassionateaboutourschoolandwanttogoanextrasteptohelpmakesurethatothersknowaboutit,wewelcomeyoutojoinourWordofMouthteam,aselectgroupofparentswhoarespeciallyequippedtoreachouttoprospectivefamiliesandkeptintheknowaboutschoolhappeningstoshare.YoucancontactKyleeBowman,DirectorofMarketing&Communicationsatkbowman@veritasacademy.comorJillTrimbath,DirectorofAdmissionsatjtrimbath@veritasacademy.comifyou’reinterestedinlearningmore.

B.SocialMedia

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IfyouhaveaFacebook,Twitter,orInstagramaccount,besuretolikeandfollowVeritasAcademysoyoucanseeschooldayphotos,videos,andmore.It'sagreatwaytostayintouchwithallthat'shappeningwithyourkidsduringtheday,andalsotohelpusspreadthewordaboutthegreatthingsthatgooninatVeritas.Weencourageparentstosharepoststhattheyfindparticularlyinspiringorthatfeatureyourkids,tohelpincreaseawarenessofourschoolwithpotentialfamilies!facebook.com/VeritasAcademyLancasterPAinstagram.com/veritasacademypatwitter.com/veritasacademy1

C.StudentFundraiser

Eachyear,wehavetwocommunityfundraisers:TheExtraordinaryGiveandtheServe-a-thon.TheExtraordinaryGivetakesplaceinthemonthofNovemberandisorganizedbytheLancasterCountyCommunityFoundation(LCCF).This24-hourperiodoffundraisingtakesplaceonlinethroughtheLCCF.ApoolofcashandprizesfromtheLancasterCountyCommunityFoundation,Rodgers&Associates,theHighFoundation,andothercommunitysponsorsstretcheseverydollardonatedtolocalnonprofits.Thestudentfundraiser,alsoknownastheserve-a-thon,istheonefundraiserweaskourstudentstoparticipatein.Thisthree-weekfundraisingeventandonedayofservicetakeplaceeachspring.AsacommunitywewantotherstoseeusreflectingChristwhilefulfillingourmissiontocultivateloving,serving,thinkingstudents.Avarietyofserviceprojectsincludebutarenotlimitedtolocalparks,nonprofitministries,andretirementcommunities.WhenindividualssponsoraVeritasstudent,theirsponsorshiphasadoubleimpact,bothtoVeritasandourcommunity.

D.GivingaGifttoVeritasAcademy

VeritasAcademyreliesuponcontributionsfromourgenerousdonorstofurtherthemissionofourschool.Forthoseinterestedingivingtoourschool,thereareseveraldonationopportunities.TheAnnualFundensuresthatVeritasAcademystudentshaveexceptionalopportunitiesintheareasofacademics,athletics,andarts.Eachgiftisappliedtothecurrentacademicyear,eithertowardsbudgetedprogramimprovementsorpromisedfinancialaidpackages.Eachgift,fromthelargesttothesmallest,helpsusequipthenextgenerationofstudentstoleadandtransformtheculturethroughadistinctivelyclassicalandChristianeducation.

TheAnnualFundalsoallowsthedonortodirectgivingtowardshispersonalpreference:AreaofGreatestNeed,ScienceandTechnology,FineArts,Athletics,Library,orFinancialAid.Thedonor

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maymakecontributionsofcash,stock,property,orotherassets.Inaddition,manycorporationsoffermatchinggiftprograms,allowingcontributorstodoubletheircontributions.Pleasecontactyouremployerforinformationregardingthispossibility.Inadditiontoourannualfund,weareverythankfulforauniquetax-creditopportunitythathasbecomeatremendousandmutuallybeneficialblessing.Foroveradecade,VeritasAcademyhasparticipatedintheEducationalImprovementTaxCredit(EITC)andOpportunityScholarshipTaxCredit(OSTC)programswhereinbusinessownersreceivea90%statetax-creditinexchangeforadonationintheamountoftheirstatetaxliabilitytoanapprovededucationalentity(inourcase,VeritasAcademy).DonationsreceivedthroughEITCandOSTChelpourschoolmeettheneedsofdeservingstudentswhoqualifyforfinancialaid.Threeyearsago,ourschoolpartneredwithCentralPennsylvaniaSpecialPurposeEntitytoallowindividualswithastatetaxliabilityof3,500ormoretosecurethesesamecreditsformerlyonlyavailabletobusinessowners.IfyouhaveaqualifyingtaxliabilityandareinterestedinredirectingyourstatetaxfromHarrisburgtoVeritas,pleasecontactourDevelopmentDirector,SarahYacovielloatsyacoviello@veritasacademy.com.VIII.Appendix

A. MeetTheFacultyandStaff

B. InLocoParentis

Thepurposeofthispolicyistoensurethatparentalauthorityovertheeducationoftheirchildrenisrespectedatalltimes.Thispolicyappliestoallteachersandstaffwhoexerciseauthorityofanykindoverthestudents.ThephraseInLocoParentismeans"inplaceoftheparents."Teachersaretorememberthattheydonotfunctionaboveparentalauthoritybutratherwithdelegatedauthority(inlocoparentis)fromtheparents.

C.PhilosophyofChristianEducation

VeritasAcademywasestablishedin1996asaprivateChristianschoolcommittedtoprovidingaclassicalChristianeducationtoyoungpeopleinprimaryandsecondarygradelevels.EducationatVeritasAcademyisintendedtobeChristianandClassicalinphilosophy,contentandmethodology,makingitdifferentfrommostotherschools.VeritasAcademystrivestooperateasanextensionofthefamilyundertheassumptionthattheeducationofyoungpeopleistheGod-givenresponsibilityofparentsandtheimmediatefamilyratherthantheresponsibilityofthestate.VeritasAcademyprovidesabiblically-basedcurriculumandteachesallsubjectsaspartsofanintegratedwholewiththeSacredScripturesatthecenter.Inconjunctionwiththebiblicalemphasis,VeritasAcademystrivestofollowtheclassicalChristianmodel,asdescribedinthefollowingresources:

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A.TheLostToolsofLearningbyDorothySayers B.RecoveringtheLostToolsofLearningbyDouglasWilson C.TheSevenLawsofTeachingbyJohnGregory

D.StatementofFinalAuthorityforMattersofFaithandConduct

Thisstatementoffaithdoesnotexhausttheextentofourbeliefs.TheBibleitself,astheinspiredandinfallibleWordofGodspeakswithfinalauthorityconcerningtruth,morality,andtheproperconductofmankind.ForpurposesofVeritasAcademy’sfaith,doctrine,practice,policy,anddiscipline,ourboardofgovernorsisVeritasAcademy’sfinalinterpretiveauthorityontheBible’smeaningandapplication.

E.StatementonMarriage,Gender,andSexuality

Webelievethateverypersonmustbeaffordedcompassion,love,kindness,respect,anddignity.(Mark12:28-31;Luke6:31.)HatefulandharassingbehaviororattitudesdirectedtowardanyindividualaretoberepudiatedandarenotinaccordwithScripturenorthedoctrinesoftheschool.WebelievethatGodoffersredemptionandrestorationtoallwhoconfessandforsaketheirsin,seekingHismercyandforgivenessthroughJesusChrist.(Acts3:19-21;Rom10:9-10;1Cor6:9-11.)WebelievethatGodwonderfullyandimmutablycreateseachpersonasmaleorfemale.Thesetwodistinct,complementarygenderstogetherreflecttheimageandnatureofGod.(Gen1:26-27.)Denialofone’sbiologicalsexisdefacementoftheimageofGodwithinthatperson.Webelievethattheterm“marriage”hasonlyonemeaning:theunitingofonemanandonewomaninasingle,exclusiveunion,asdelineatedinScripture.(Gen2:18-25.)WebelievethatGodintendssexualintimacytooccuronlybetweenamanandawomanwhoaremarriedtoeachother.(1Cor6:18;7:2-5;Heb13:4.)Webelievethatanyformofsexualimmorality(includingadultery,fornication,homosexualbehavior,bisexualconduct,bestiality,incest,anduseofpornography)issinfulandoffensivetoGod.(Matt15:18-20;1Cor6:9-10.)WebelievethatinordertopreservethefunctionandintegrityofVeritasAcademyasaChristiancommunity,andtoprovideabiblicalrolemodeltotheschool’smembersandthecommunity,it

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isimperativethatallpersonsemployedbyVeritasAcademyinanycapacityagreetoandabidebythisStatementonMarriage,Gender,andSexuality.(Matt5:16;Phil2:14-16;1Thess5:22.)

F.StatementontheSanctityofHumanLife

VeritasAcademybelievesthatallhumanlifeissacredandcreatedbyGodinHisimage.Humanlifeisofinestimableworthinallitsdimensions,includingpre-bornbabies,theaged,thephysicallyormentallychallenged,andeveryotherstageorconditionfromconceptionthroughnaturaldeath.Wearethereforecalledtodefend,protect,andvalueallhumanlife.(Ps139.)

G.ObjectivesandStandardsofVeritasAcademy

Intheprogramsandteachingatalllevels,aswellasinextracurricularactivitiesandexamplessetbyfacultyandstaff,VeritasAcademystrivesto:

1. Emphasizegrammar,logic,andrhetoricinallsubjects.(Grammaristobeunderstoodasthefundamentalrulesanddataofeachsubject.Logicistobeunderstoodastheorderedrelationshipofparticularsineachsubject.Rhetoricistobeunderstoodasthemeansbywhichthegrammarandlogicofeachsubjectmaybeexpressedclearly.);

2. Encourageeverystudenttodevelopaloveforlearningandtoachievemaximumacademicpotential;

3. TeachallsubjectsinthecurriculumaspartsofanintegratedwholewiththeScriptureatthecenter(IITimothy3:16-17);

4. ProvideaclearmodelofbiblicalChristianlifethroughtheschoolstaffandboard(Matthew22:37-40,Col.1:28-29,John17:1-3);

5. EncourageeverystudenttocultivateapersonalrelationshipwithGodtheFatherthroughJesusChrist(Matthew28:18-20);

6. Provideanorderlyandsecureatmosphereconducivetomaintainingthesestandards.

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