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Horizon Christian School

Junior High and High School Handbook

Attendance

Our policy is to encourage punctuality and regular attendance by all students. We believe this is important for the following reasons:

  1. No student can achieve his or her full potential by receiving the benefit of only part of an assignment or discussion.
  2. Research clearly demonstrates that regular class attendance is the single greatest predictor of academic success.
  3. We also believe that good work and attendance habits, which are cultivated in high school, will help our students be prepared for both higher education and the world of work.

Students are expected to be in attendance in their assigned classes from 8:10AM to 3:20 PM.

Absences

Absences will be recorded as either excused or unexcused. Attendance records are kept as part of the student's permanent record.

Unexcused absences will result in zero credit for the work assigned, including exams, during the classes missed.

Excused absences include, but are not limited to:

  1. Death in the family
  2. Injury or illness
  3. Medical or dental appointments that cannot be scheduled outside school hours
  4. Transportation problems
  5. Severe weather
  6. Absences approved in advance for extenuating circumstances, by WRITTEN request

Notification

When a student is absent, the parent or guardian shall call the school office by no later than the end of first period class (9:00 am). A student whose parent or guardian does not make that call on time will be considered unexcused until a written note, signed by a parent or guardian, is brought into the office.

Parents should feel free to discuss unusual circumstances with the dean of students. We encourage all parties to make every effort to have the student in attendance in every class of every day school is in session.

Make Up Assignments

Excused absences allow for work to be made up for credit. Students are allowed to make up work missed during unexcused absences also, but no credit will be given for it. As a general rule, students have one day to make up work for each day they have been absent. Arrangements for making up missed work are the responsibility of the student, not the teacher. It is the student's responsibility to contact each teacher about all tests and assignments missed and to complete the makeup assignments within the specified time limit.

Final examinations. The curriculum of Horizon Christian High School requires students to complete final examinations to reinforce the important concepts learned in each class. Students are required to attend all final examinations, which scheduled over the last week of each semester.

If a student misses a final examination, AND has an excused absence, the final grade in that course will be recorded as an "incomplete" until the final can be taken at a mutually convenient time. After satisfactorily completing the final examination, the grade will be changed to what was earned.

Excessive unexcused absences. A student with more that four days of unexcused absences will receive no credit for that grading period for each class.

Extended and/or excessive absences (excused or unexcused). Teachers must communicate to the dean of students when individual students have excessive absences. Parents will be contacted when their student has reached eight (8) absence days in a semester.

  1. Students who miss up to twelve (12) days of school during a semester will be allowed to receive a letter grade for all completed courses.
  2. Students who miss more than to twelve (12) days, but less than twenty (20) days in a semester will only be able to receive credit (without a grade) for courses completed.
  3. Students who miss more than twenty (20) days in a semester will no longer be eligible to receive credit for any course in that semester.
  4. The above rules apply for BOTH full days AND for individual classes.

In extenuating circumstances, parents may request a review of the case of their student by the attendance committee, comprised of the student's teachers, the dean of students and the principal.

Medical or other appointment

HCHS is a closed campus, and students are not allowed to leave e the school during the day without prior notification from a parent or guardian. When a student leaves early, he or she must sign out at the office. If it is absolutely necessary for a student to miss school for a medical or other appointment, the absence must be authorized by a parent or guardian in advance. The student must sign out when he or she leaves, and sign in upon return.

Permission to Remove Students from the School

No students shall be taken from school during school hours by a person other than a school employee.

The following are exceptions to this rule:

  1. By a parent or guardian, when properly identified. If parents are divorced or separated, the student may only be released to the parent having legal custody of the student.
  2. By another person upon written request, properly verified, of the parent or guardian.
  3. By properly identified representatives of law enforcement agencies, and only upon presentation of appropriate documentation. The law enforcement officer must first contact the Principal or designee to both identify himself and give the motive for the actions contemplated. The Principal or designee shall the assist the officer in accomplishing his duty.

Tardiness

Tardiness is also detrimental to student performance and is a disruption to the smooth operation of classes. Avoidable tardiness is also a discourtesy to classmates and teachers.

Late for class. The school provides five minutes between classes. Students are expected to be in their classroom ready to begin on time. Each classroom teacher will decide whether to issue a warning or a tardy slip to individual students. Any student who receives four (4) tardy slips in any nine-week grading period shall be required to serve a pre-arranged detention period (see policy on "Detention"). For each additional two (2) tardies, the student shall be required to serve an additional pre-arranged detention period.

Late for school. Students who are late for school, must sign in at the office as late and may receive an unexcused tardy slip. Any student who receives four (4) tardy slips for being tardy in any nine-week grading period will be required to serve a pre-arranged detention period (see policy on "Detention"). For each additional two (2) tardies, the student shall be required to serve an additional pre-arranged detention period.

Student conduct

A major element of a Christ-centered education process is the achievement and maintenance of levels of conduct and discipline, which are consistent with God's standards as revealed in His Word. At the heart of a Christian school is an atmosphere in which the fruit of the spirit is practiced as well as preached. We approach discipline in all areas, not as punishment, but as instruction.

We recognize that God has given parents authority over their children and responsibility for their discipline. We understand that parents have conferred this authority on the school during the school day and we take that charge very seriously. As we believe that a student's conduct reflects upon the Lord Jesus Christ, the school and his/her family, we have high expectations in terms of how our students relate to their teachers and to one another.

HCHS sets forth a limited number of regulations for the purpose of meeting state laws, maintaining order, developing responsibility, and building character in Horizon Christian School students.

Violations of the following can lead to expulsion on the first infraction:

  1. The use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs, the abuse of chemical substances and immoral sexual conduct.
  2. Knives, guns, and weapons of any kind. This includes any object or projectile that could be a danger to the student or others.
  3. Deliberate destruction of school property or the property of others.
  4. Sexual harassment, physical or verbal threats and insults or fighting.
  5. Theft
  6. Betting
  7. Pornographic materials or suggestive slogans.
  8. Violation of the student technology agreement, examples of which are:
    1. Tampering with another student's computer or one of the school's computers, including changing screen savers, passwords, altering programs or installing unauthorized programs.
    2. Bringing inappropriate computer programs to school.

We also feel that attitude plays an important role in determining student behavior. As maturing Christians, we expect all our students to adhere to the following:

  1. Courtesy is to be extended in all relationships - both student to student to staff. Continued disrespect to teachers or classmates will lead to suspension and possible expulsion.
  2. Students are expected to do their own work and to be responsible for completing assignments. Students will receive no credit for assignments completed by cheating and/or plagiarism.
  3. Food is to be eaten in approved areas only. All students are expected to help in keeping, eating areas, classrooms and restrooms clean. Vending machines are to be used only at noon and after school. No food or drink is to be taken into the classrooms unless it is a part of a legitimate classroom activity.
  4. All medications, prescription or non-prescription, are to be stored in the clinic and will be distributed by staff.
  5. Running in the building is prohibited.
  6. Graffiti is not permitted.
  7. Profane, vulgar, or offensive speech is considered as an insult to God and others.
  8. Open displays of affection, such as holding hands, embracing, or kissing are not permitted.
  9. Cellular phones, radios, tape players, CDs, playing cards, games, and other items that might distract from the school atmosphere are not allowed on campus.

A student's conduct away from school is just as important as his or her conduct while at school. As a representative of the school, each student must adhere to Horizon's behavior policies when not at school or at school-related functions. Violations occurring away from school are subject to the same potential consequences.

Student dress guidelines

At Horizon Christian High School, we believe that each student is already a beautiful person because God created him or her. We also know that God considers how we look on the inside to be much more important than how we look on the outside.

However, we also know that people often judge by first appearances. Part of their education should help students learn to present themselves in a way that is both appropriate and in their own best interest.

To that end, we think scriptural principles are much more helpful than long lists. These three would seem to be rather clear:

  1. Honor your parents - which means respecting their choices in clothing.
  2. Modesty - which simply means not to go out of your way to attract attention to yourself [1 Timothy 2:9]
  3. Sexual distinction - which simply means to recognize that you are young men and women and to dress accordingly [Deuteronomy 22:5]
  4. Freedom from lusts of the world - which simply means that we want you to dare to be different enough not to offend anyone with your dress [1 John 2:15]

While we give a lot of freedom to students who seem to be paying attention to those principles, parents and students sometimes ask for more particular guidelines, and we offer these to help understand what we mean by "appropriate."

  1. All clothing should be clean, neat and in good repair.
  2. No shorts are to be worn during school.
  3. Jeans are permissible, but should not have holes in them.
  4. No sexually suggestive clothing will be permitted.
  5. All shirts, blouses and dresses should have sleeves. Messages on shirts that promote ungodliness, controlled substances, alcohol, tobacco or other negative things will not be permitted.
  6. Students will not wear hats or coats in the building
  7. Shoes which are appropriate for casual wear [athletic, dress, sandals, etc.] are fine. Students are to wear shoes at all times as a matter of safety.
  8. Faddish hairstyles and other decorations of a bizarre nature will not be allowed. This includes body piercing, tattoos, excessive jewelry, and words or symbols cut into the hair.
  9. Students are encouraged to "dress up" on special occasions. This does not necessarily mean suits and ties, but we do want our students to present themselves well.
  10. These guidelines apply to all school-sponsored extra-curricular activities.
  11. Parents participating in school activities are asked to observe these same general guidelines.