Asbestos Policy

Although we are in a new facility, we are still required to have and maintain an asbestos plan.  We have received verification from the builder that to the best of their knowledge, no materials or products were used in the construction of the building that contained asbestos.  You may view our asbestos management plan in the principal’s office at any time.

Attendance Regulations

Attendance at school is critical to the success of the student.  Lectures, discussions, and activities are carefully planned by the teacher to enhance lessons and book work.  These are the things that help school “click” for a student.  Some work can be made up, but the student may be unable to recover all that was lost in a particular school day when he or she is absent.

Mid-America Union Code states that each student is expected to attend school punctually and regularly.  Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each school day.  Students should be in their classrooms and seated by 8:15 am or they will be marked tardy.  Students not in attendance by 8:30 am will be counted absent.  Afternoon attendance will be taken at 12:45 pm.  If your student is absent, excused or unexcused, a phone call to the school should be made before 8:30 am the morning of the absence.  Students arriving late must sign in at the administrative office when they arrive.  Students leaving early must sign out at the administrative office.

The student/parent responsibilities for school are:

• Student attends school for all days of the established school calendar

• Student appears in class on time, prepared for academic endeavor

• Students must participate in his/her P.E. class unless he/she has a doctor’s note stating otherwise.

• Student contacts teachers immediately upon return from absences to arrange to complete all makeup work assigned and to establish when this makeup work is due.  Work may be required to be completed and submitted in advance of a planned absence at the discretion of the teacher.

Excused absences only include illness of the student, attendance at a funeral, court appointments, and unavoidable doctor’s appointments.  To be excused for scheduled doctors’ appoints or other pre-arranged absences, a student should obtain a Planned Absence Request form from the administrative office.  After having that form signed by each of his/her teachers and parent, the student should return the form to the Administrative office.  This request should be completed no later than 9:00 am the day before the absence is expected to occur.  Permission should be arranged before commitments are made and plane tickets are purchased.  Failure to make advanced arrangements for other than emergency situations may result in a penalty applied to the attendance grade even if the absence is excused.

An approved excuse for an absence does not relieve the student of the duty of meeting the teachers’ requirements for the schoolwork missed.  Routine dental or medical treatment should be arranged outside of school hours.  Students should not be kept from school for shopping trips, etc., or other family business.  Vacations and family outings are unexcused absences; please try to plan these events during school breaks.  A parent may be asked to meet with staff if absences become excessive.  Parents may not excuse absences or tardies that occur after the student has arrived on the campus.

Classes missed during authorized school trips such as field trips, promotional trips, or other trips planned by the academy staff and sanctioned by the academy administration are considered excused absences. These trips do not affect the perfect attendance grade. It is the responsibility of the staff member in charge of the group to make certain that all students in the organization have proper clearance with the school administration and to have on the trip the Consent for Medical Treatment forms for emergency purposes.

Any student electing to miss a performance responsibility from a performance group of which he or she is a member without approval of the Administration will receive an unexcused absence from that performance group and will automatically receive a drop of a letter grade.

Students sent from class for disciplinary reasons will be given an unexcused absence.  Grades largely based on participation and cooperation may also be affected.

Attendance Grades

Each student will receive a quarter attendance grade, which will be part of his permanent record. Specifics of the policy are outlined below.

3 Unexcused tardies = 1 unexcused absence

Unexcused absence = 1 unexcused absence per day or part of day

A tardy becomes an absence ten (10) minutes after the scheduled time for class to begin. Teachers may elect to exempt the student from a semester test if he has an “A” in the class and an “A” in attendance. A test permit is required to qualify for this exception.

Grade Points (UA= Unexcused Absence)

A Less than 2 UA’s A letter of commendation.

B 2 - 3 UA’s Letter of counsel to student and parents.

C 4 - 5 UA’s Letter of warning to student and parents. Student may receive personal counsel regarding his/her program.

D 6 - 7 UA’s Letter of probation to student and parents. Counsel with an attendance officer. Special privileges and offices may be suspended.

F 7+ UA’s The student must reapply.

Reapplication procedures include filling out a new application, writing a Letter of Intent, and paying a $25 reapplication fee. Students will not be allowed to return to class until this process is complete. If re-accepted, the student will be put on attendance probation with an attendance contract. An F in attendance will remain on the report card even after the student has re-registered for classes. Accumulation of further absences resulting in a second F within the same quarter, will be grounds for dismissal. Students may apply to return to Vista Ridge Academy after a minimum of 7 weeks of success at another school, but not before the start of a new quarter. Students with a C or D may improve their attendance grade by perfect attendance. One tardy will be subtracted from the attendance grade for each week of perfect attendance (no absences or tardies). The attendance grade cannot be raised above a “B” in this manner. (Official attendance records can not be changed but attendance grades can change.)

Citizenship Guidelines

Guidelines of conduct at the school are an essential part of education because they set the atmosphere for learning through mutual respect.   It is the goal of the school that students will develop self-control and take responsibility for their behavior; build a sense of community and concern for one another; and obey the school guidelines established for their health, safety, and development of moral character.

Parents and legal guardians provide a great service to their students when they support the staff by clarifying the need for respect with their children.

Anti-Bullying Program

Faculty, parents, and School Board members have developed a program to address character development on campus.

The purpose of this program is to create a school environment that is safe both physically and psychologically.  Students will feel part of a caring community that uplifts, supports, and strengthens each other.

Students should not participate in bullying behavior which includes verbal abuse, inflicting physical harm, social alienation, intimidation, fighting, or hazing (willfully attacking, disturbing, tormenting, or forcing another student to do something he/she does not want to do).

• Bullying is the act of targeting another person for repetitive negative actions.   

• It is an imbalance of power so the victim cannot defend himself/herself.

• Bullying includes physical aggression (includes destroying property and threatening with a weapon), social alienation (spreading rumors, racial slurs, excluding from group), verbal aggression (name calling, teasing, threatening, intimidating phone calls), and intimidation (graffiti, a dirty trick, taking possessions, coercion).

Discipline

Should students violate the trust placed upon them to abide by the rules of the school, disciplinary action may be necessary.  This action is not a condemnation of the individual, but of the undesirable behavior that produced the discipline.  It is the desire of the school to hold students responsible for their actions.  It is the purpose of the disciplinary action to:

• Stop and prevent a reoccurrence of the specific misbehavior.

• Protect the rights and safety of others at the school.

• Assist the growth and understanding of the student by educating him/her of appropriate behavior.

• Preserve the integrity of the school by creating an atmosphere where standards are maintained.

• Direct the student toward a more meaningful relationship with Christ.  A balance of justice and mercy will be sought.

Harassment Policy

The school is committed to maintaining a learning environment in which all individuals treat each other with dignity and respect and which is free from all forms of intimidation, exploitation and harassment, including sexual harassment.

Bullying or harassment of any student by any other student or group of students is unacceptable. The school will treat allegations of harassment seriously.  Students expressing such behavior may be suspended from school.  If the behavior continues or is of a nature deemed very serious, expulsion may become necessary.

Harassment occurs when an individual is subjected to treatment, or to a school environment, which is hostile or intimidating because of the individual’s age, race, creed, color, national origin, medical condition, physical disability, or gender.  Harassment can occur any time during school or during school-related activities.  It includes, but is not limited to, any or all of the following:

Students who observe conduct of a harassing nature or are being subjected to any form of harassment by an employee, fellow student, or teacher are encouraged to report the matter to a teacher or staff member.

Because some forms of harassment are considered a form of abuse, school employees are required by Colorado law to report allegations of this nature to the authorities.

Student Responsibilities

Students are expected to behave in ways becoming a Christian and are not allowed to hurt themselves, others or to destroy property.  Following is a list of some specific expected behaviors of students during school and school sponsored functions: (This list is not limited to just the listed behaviors.)

• Bicycles/Skateboards - Due to insurance regulations, skateboards cannot be used on campus.  Inline skates may be used, but only under direct supervision of an adult and only with the appropriate protective gear.

• Cell Phones & Pagers – Cell phones and pagers are to be turned off and put away upon arrival at school until the student leaves school.

• Classroom Rules - Rules made by individual teachers for their own classrooms or by the faculty for the school as a whole apply equally with the rules printed in this bulletin.

• Criminal Offense - Any criminal offense will be considered very serious and appropriate measures will be taken.

• Dishonesty - Students shall refrain from cheating on tests and class work or forgery of school documents including falsification of signatures.

• Facility Safety - For safety reasons, no one is to be on any of the school roofs, trees, or fences without specific permission of the supervising staff member.

• Fire Equipment - Students should not activate fire equipment including extinguishers and alarms without permission or due cause.

• Language:  Students will maintain language, behavior, dress, and a Christian lifestyle that shows God’s love both on campus and while representing the school off campus.   Profanity, indecent or disorderly behavior, and possession of questionable material is not acceptable. Students will not undermine the religious ideals of the school.

• Leaving School Early - Students may leave the school grounds by permission only of the school administration.

• Personal Electronic Devices - Students are not to bring radios, recorders, tape/CD players, or other unusual things to school unless permission is obtained from their teacher(s).

• Pets - Students are not to bring pets to school unless permission is obtained from the administration.

• Respect:  Students are to show Christian courtesy toward all teachers, staff members, and fellow students. Respect for all teachers, staff, and volunteers are expected from the students at all times and in all places.

• School Bus/Car Pool Conduct - Students shall comply with driver’s requests while on the school bus or other designated vehicles.  Any behavior that distracts the driver and reduces his or her capacity to drive safely will not be tolerated.  Students must remain seated, show respect for other passengers, and keep all body parts inside the bus and out of the aisles.

• Social Conduct - Students should maintain a proper conduct with persons of the opposite sex.  Students are expected to refrain from displays of affection involving physical contact at all school functions.  Students shall not participate in or encourage involvement by others in sexual harassment or abuse.   (See specific policy on harassment).

• Substance Free - Students are to abstain from liquor, tobacco, and recreational use of drugs.

• Supervision:  Students shall attend all assigned classes regularly and on time.  Students are not to be in any unsupervised areas.

• Theft and Vandalism - Students shall refrain from attempting to damage, destroy, or mutilate objects or materials belonging to the school or other students; picking/breaking locks, doors, or windows;  tampering with school property or computers.

• Weapons - Students are not to bring knives, fireworks, guns, or other potentially dangerous items to school.

Citizenship Plan

Each student begins each quarter with an “A” for his/her citizenship grade.  The grade is easily maintained throughout the school year.  However, if the student is involved in an incident and a report is filled out, points will be lost from the student’s citizenship grade.  A copy of the incident report will be sent home for the parents’ records.

Each letter grade is worth the following points:

If a student should lose enough points to receive a C for their citizenship grade for the quarter (or at any time during the quarter), the student will be required to meet with the discipline committee.  At that time, the student will need to present a plan for improving their behavior.  The student will be required to meet with a member of the discipline committee each week for the remainder of the quarter to give an account of their current behavior.

If a student should lose enough points to receive an F for their citizenship grade for the quarter (or at any time during the quarter), the student will automatically be suspended until the next school board meeting.  The school board will then decide whether to allow the student to continue attending school or to expel the student.

Citizenship grades will appear on each report card.  However, the citizenship grade does not affect a students GPA.

The following list is an example of the ways that points may be lost during each quarter.  Please remember that incidents may occur that are not specifically listed.  These incidents will be dealt with during staff meetings.

1. The following items are examples that will result in the loss of 1 point:

• Chewing gum in school

• Minor incidents of disobedience

• Throwing items in class

2. The following items are examples that will result in the loss of 2 points:

• Dress code violations

• Personal listening devices (i.e. Radios, MP3 players)

• Electronic games

• Possession of obscene literature

• Gambling paraphernalia

3. The following items are examples that will result in the loss of 1-5 points (depending on severity; subject to staff meeting):

• Undermining the fundamental principles of the school

• Constant and obstinate violations of school regulations

• Insubordination

• Use of communication devices at the inappropriate times

• Intentional damage to school property

• Entering locked places without authorization

• Stealing

4. The following items are examples that will result in the loss of 5 points:

• Cheating

• Any form of dishonesty

• Possessing cigarette lighters or matches

• Knives

• Skateboards, bicycles, and scooters used inside the school building or used inappropriately

5. The following items are examples that will result in the loss of 10 points and probable suspension:

• The use, handling or possession of intoxicating beverages, tobacco or narcotics in any form

• Fighting

• Threats to people or property in any form

• Leaving the school grounds without permission

• Absence from supervised areas without permission

Counseling

Each teacher and staff member on campus is available and willing to provide guidance services to students.  The church pastors provide worship several times a week and are also available to students for spiritual and/or personal counseling.  The school has information on professional family counselors who can be recommended to students as needed.

Field Trips

Teachers often plan off-campus field trips to enhance classroom learning.  Day trips to the Natural History Museum in Denver, the Zoo, Ocean Journey Aquarium, the Butterfly Pavilion, NOAA, NCAR and other local sites are taken by various classes each year.  Older students may also take extended overnight trips. These trips are planned for educational opportunities and students electing not to go on major trips are expected to attend school and complete a major alternate project.

Fundraising and Gift Donations

It is the goal of the school to keep tuition and extra-curricular costs as low as possible for the benefit of families.  Fundraisers are conducted to provide money for classroom needs, clubs, trips, and designated school projects.  We appreciate student, parent, and constituent support of these activities. Donations to the school are tax deductible.

Grievance Process

Matthew 18:15 says, “...if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone.

The following steps should be taken for grievance resolution:

1. If a student or parent has a question regarding something at school, it should first be discussed with the teacher or staff member.

2. If a satisfactory solution cannot be agreed upon, a three-way conference including the principal should be arranged.

3. If a satisfactory solution has not been reached, a conference should be arranged including the student and/or parent,  teacher, principal and conference superintendent.

4. Finally, the issue may be presented to the School Board chairperson, and the matter will then be taken to the School Board to determine if action against a staff member is necessary or if further disciplinary action toward a student will be taken.  The conference Education Superintendent must be present when personnel is discussed at a School Board.  The Conference Executive Committee is the final hiring/firing authority for all teaching staff.

Home and School Organization

Parents and community members maintain an active Home and School Organization which coordinates the Room Parent Program, Parent Night, Science Fair, Education Fair, Track and Field Day, and other programs.   Parents are encouraged to volunteer and be an active part of this organization.

Home School Students

We realize that formal school is a choice and many parents choose to home school their children.  We support parents who are able to make this choice and seek ways to strengthen home school education for the good of the child. Schools have resources and professional expertise which may be unavailable to a parent at home.   Parents often search for outside programs to round their child’s education.  The school is open to exploring ways in which we can support parents through individual classes, the music program, sports, and other aspects of student life.  Parents should contact the principal for further information.

Insurance

Student insurance is provided to students of the school for accidents occurring during school functions.  Costs and coverage are explained in a brochure available at the school office.

The first $500 of covered charges will be paid regardless of other insurance.  Additional amounts in excess of $500 will be charged to the family insurance plan.  Student insurance will pay all covered charges above $500 not covered by the family insurance plan.  If there is no family insurance plan, the student insurance will pay all charges above $500.  Repair or replacement of glasses is excluded.

Library

A school library is available for student and parent use.  Books should be returned within two weeks after check-out.  Reference materials should not be removed from the library.  Fees will be assessed for all books returned after the due date.  The library will charge replacements costs for books not returned within one month after date due.  All books will be due two weeks before the closing of school, and replacement costs will be charged if all books are not returned by the last day of school.

Loans to Students

The school will not loan money to students.  Parents may deposit money at the office for emergencies.

Lockers

Lockers or storage bins are provided for each student.  Students are encouraged to keep their personal belongings in the lockers and locked at all times.  The school assumes no responsibility for damage to or loss of personal property left on the school premises.  The school reserves the right to search lockers at any given time.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Conferences are formally held at the end of first and third quarters.  Parent or teacher initiated conferences may also be held as needed at any time.  It is required that these meetings occur when the teacher is not in or scheduled for a class.

Personal Appearance

The matter of dress is a sensitive area.  Because of differences in individual body size and maturity, the same garment may fit two different people in two very different ways.  Different families may have different standards of dress.  Please understand that it is not our desire to dictate individual standards of dress in any of our students, but rather to encourage each student to be Christ-centered, choosing a manner of dress that would be modest, neat, bringing glory to God rather than to the wearer, and appropriate for various activities that happen within a school day.  We believe that attire is not a salvation issue, but as a group, it is important to have the same standard for each student.  We do not wish the matter of dress to be an area of difficulty between students and teachers.  In a very deliberate effort to prevent such a problem, we ask that our students (K-12) abide by the following guidelines for dress:

• Clothing should be free from pictures or words that are not in concert with Christian standards.  The administration has the right to interpret what is in concert with Christian standards.

• Shirts:  Students are expected to wear polo shirts with sleeves. Button-up dress shirts with collars are acceptable.   When needed for warmth, a turtleneck instead of a polo shirt.  Midriffs must be covered even when the student is bending or stretching.  T-shirts may be worn for P.E. class only.  Jackets, coats and fleeces may be worn over a collared shirt, but not in place of the collard shirt.  Please note:  Shirts need to be buttoned with the exception of the two top buttons.

• Sweaters or a zip-up fleece may be worn over polo shirts for warmth.  Sweatshirts or hooded garments are acceptable for P.E. or recess only.

• Pants/Skirts/Shorts:  Students are expected to wear pants, slacks, shorts or skirts without designs, decals or pictures.  Modest (when sitting, bending or standing) length shorts may be worn.  Shorts are considered to be modest when they are no shorter than 3 inches above the floor when kneeling.  Girls may wear skirts that are long enough to reach the top of the kneecap.  Pants, skirts and shorts need to be worn at the waist.

• Shoes must be worn at all times.  Tennis shoes and socks must be worn for P.E. classes.

• Students should wear clothing in their size.  Oversized or undersized shirts are not appropriate.  Saggy pants where underclothing would be seen, or low-riding pants are not appropriate.

• Hairstyles must be neat and in a natural color.  No unusual or distracting hairstyles.  The administration has the right to interpret the words unusual and distracting in hairstyle and length.  Bandanas, hats, caps or other head coverings are not to be worn during school.

• Caps and hats are not to be worn indoors whether at school or on a fieldtrip.

• We encourage our ladies to be very natural in appearance.  Natural looking make-up and nail polish may be worn.

• Jewelry of any kind is not to be worn on campus or at any school sponsored activity.  This includes “Livestrong” type bracelets, friendship bracelets, chastity rings, etc.

Formal Dress

For special events, week of prayer, some music performances and field trips, students may be asked to come to school dressed more formally.

• Formal dress requires boys and young men to wear a collared shirt with or without a tie, and long slacks.

• Formal dress for girls and young women requires a dress, dress slacks, or a blouse and skirt.

Banquet Attire

• General guidelines apply.

• Young women may wear dresses of knee length or longer.

• Dresses must have modest necklines and must not be sheer.  Spaghetti straps are not appropriate.  Dresses should have sleeves, or straps must be at least 2 inches wide.

• Young men should wear collared dress shirts and dress slacks.

• Dress shoes are required for all students.

Swimsuits at special events and field trips

• Girls and young women may wear modest one piece suits or a Tankini styled top with short type bottoms. Midriffs should be completely covered.
• Boys and young men must wear modest swim shorts secured at the waist.

Search and Interview

The school reserves the right to interview a student and to search the locker or personal property of any student at any given time at its sole and absolute discretion.  Interviews, inspections, and searches may be conducted randomly, without cause.  The purpose is to check compliance to the student guidelines.  If materials are discovered which violate school policy, they may be confiscated and used as evidence in determining disciplinary action.

Student Organizations

Eighth Grade Class

Eighth grade is the student transition between the elementary experience and high school.  The eighth grade class is an organized group with class officers.

• Class Officers:  Students elect class officers under the guidance of the class sponsor.  Meetings are held to plan fundraisers, the class trip, an outreach project, and a class gift to the school.  Class colors and a motto are also selected.  Meetings give students an opportunity to learn and use a simple subset of Robert’s Rules of Order.

• Graduation:  The end of the eighth year is celebrated with graduation ceremony on the evening of the last Thursday of school.  Students actively participate in the planning of the graduation program.   Seventh graders and their parents are also participants in these events.

• Class Trip:  The eighth grade class is allowed a class trip in accordance with the standards set by the Mid-America Union Conference.  The students must raise the funds together for the trip and each student should be allowed the opportunity to participate regardless of their family’s financial means.

• Class Gifts:  Besides raising money for class projects, the students have also used part of their funds for a class gift to the school and for a mission project. 

Sports Program

Our sports program is offered to provide students an extra opportunity to improve their sports skills.  It is the goal of the program to instill a sense of cooperation, teamwork, and sportsmanship into the lives of the young people who participate.

-“... whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31

• Eligibility Requirements:  There will be try-outs for each sport.  Try-outs will be announced and held before the start of each sport.  All students in grades 7-12 are encouraged to try out.  In order to be eligible to participate in sports, students must not be on academic probation or have any current F’s or Incompletes and no more than one D in any class.  An additional fee is required per sport for each student.  Students in 7th-8th grades will be allowed to participate unless we are playing a school who is not allowed to play junior high students.

• Possible Sports:  Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Flag Football, etc.  Sports are sometimes co-ed.

Student Association

Students elect officers which coordinate activities for the student body of the school.  Activities include banquets, alternative education days, buddy tutoring projects, and other extra-curricular activities.

Students are elected to serve as school senators.  The Senate is the sounding board for students and as a body they contribute to the in-house policies which govern student life.  This organization enables students to learn policy-making and government skills.

Please refer to student leadership qualifications listed under the academic section of the handbook.

Yearbook

The school provides a creative venue for 9-12 grade students interested in the different aspects of journalism.  Writing, organization and technical skills are taught.  For some students, the yearbook provides an exceptional opportunity to use and learn new computer techniques.

Telephone

The school telephone is a business phone and needs to be kept free for business calls.  Students should minimize calls placed in order to obtain information about rides home or after school plans. Students wanting to go home with other students after school should make prior arrangements at home.  No phone should be used without permission.

Tuesday Folders

Communication between home and school is important for the success of the student.  Folders are sent home each Tuesday with a weekly newsletter, field trip notices, upcoming projects and academic progress reports.  Folders should be signed and returned by Thursday.  Grades 1-8 give folders to their teacher.  Grades 9-12 turn in folders to the office.

Unscheduled School Closings and Delayed Starts

In case of severe weather, consult radio station 850 KOA AM, or television stations Channel 9, for information regarding school closing.  You  may also refer to the KOA and Channel 9 websites for changes in the schedule.  Please do not call the principal, School Board chairperson, or pastor, for they need to have their lines open to plan and notify radio and TV stations if necessary.

A delayed start may be implemented because of conditions.  A delayed start will usually be one hour later than normal.  In general, on snowy days, the school will be open if nearby public schools are open.

Vehicle Policy

Vista Ridge Academy cannot accept responsibility for liability of vehicles while on campus or while driving to and from school.  Drivers should be considerate of others when driving vehicles on campus.  Vehicles should be driven under control at all times and speeds should never exceed 5 mph.  Off road vehicles, including but not limited to:  four-or three-wheelers, dirt bikes and ATV’s are not permitted on Vista Ridge Academy’s property without specific written permission of the Administration.  If permission is given, all safety gear and appropriate clothing is required.

Students who wish to drive to school must make application through the Principal’s Office.  A certificate of liability insurance must be presented showing that the student is insured.  Students must agree to follow these vehicle guidelines:

• abide by all state and local traffic laws;

• drive carefully at all times so tires do not squeal or draw undue attention (this includes doing doughnuts, etc.);

• drive only on approved roads and parking lots

• use the vehicle only as transportation to and from school during appropriate times;

• park only in the assigned parking space;

• permit no students to ride in or on the vehicle.  This is the responsibility of the driver;

• allow no one, including driver, to be in or near the vehicle during school hours;

• do not loiter in the parking lot; and

• play only appropriate music, at low levels, in the vehicle while on or near campus.

Failure to comply with the above rules may result in the loss of on-campus driving privileges.

Visitors

All visitors must register at the office before entering a classroom.  Parents are welcome to observe the school program in action.  Arrangements should be made with school administration at least one day in advance.  Students must obtain a pass from the office and secure the consent of all their teachers one day in advance before bringing non-adult visitors to school.  Preschool children should be accompanied by a parent when visiting school.

Working Students

Limited jobs are available on campus for student readers and janitors.  All earnings from campus jobs are to be applied to the student’s account unless the account is fully current.