General Information & Policies

Athletics:
All students who plan to participate in athletics must have a physical examination and insurance or an insurance waiver. Team members will be expected to pay a fee to help cover transportation costs and other expenses. Other specific sport policies may apply.

Automobiles:
Student parking on campus is allowed under the following conditions:

1. Cars are to be appropriately parked in the morning and are not to leave the designated area at any time during the school day.
2. Sitting in the cars or loitering in the parking area during the day is not permitted. Students must show proof of minimum liability insurance and a valid driver's license.

Parking on campus is a privilege that may be revoked by the principal. No A.C.S. students or undesignated drivers shall operate vehicles to school sponsored events (in lieu of the school bus or van) without parental permission. If a student wishes to drive to school-sponsored event, the following steps must be taken:

1. A written parental request must be given to the sponsoring staff person prior to the event or outing.
2. The sponsoring staff person(s) will issue written approval or depending disapproval on the need or circumstance.
3. Student drivers may not transport other students unless they have obtained first sponsoring staff approval and written permission from parent of any student involved.

Bible Versions:
A.C.S. does not have one particular official version of the Bible. Students are encouraged to explore many reputable versions. The memorizing of lifetime verses is usually done in the KJV, NIV, RSV or NAS.

Bicycles: All bicycles are to be locked up during the school day and are to be unlocked only when the rider is ready to leave the campus.

Books:
Books will be checked for damage. Students are expected to use care when using school owned books. A damage fee may be charged for books damaged beyond reasonable wear. Fees must be paid before end of the school year.

Campus Policy:
Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds at any time during the school day without checking out at the school office. Students leaving the campus without permission are subject to dismissal.

Conferences:
Teacher conferences are scheduled following both the 1st and 3rd quarters for reviewing the progress of each student.

Dress Code:
A.C.S. students have established a tradition of moderate dress standards, thus avoiding a burdensome dress code. Students are encouraged to avoid fashion extremes in order to maintain this standard.

All clothing worn to school should be neat, appropriate, and modest. Examples of inappropriate school wear are: shorts (except in Sept. and after Resurrection Weekend which should be knee length), sweats, clothing with suggestive pictures, or offensive words, symbols. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list. Other fashions considered by the administration to be inappropriate maybe included. Additional examples of unacceptable dress include bare midriffs, low necklines, above the knee skirts, and sleeveless tops, and low hanging pants. Examples of unacceptable appearance include tattoos, body piercing, boys with earrings, girls with more than one earing per ear, and non-naturally occurring hair coloring ( blue, green, etc) the Scriptures remind us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. ( Psalm 139:14) Paul reminds us in Corinthians 6:19, 20 that our bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost and that we are not our own, but have been bought with a price (the death of Jesus) therefore, glorify God in your body!

Arriving at school in the unacceptable attire will result in the following:
First occasion the student will be sent to the office for a loan of "modest" clothing.
Second occasion the student will be sent home to change clothes (if authorized transportation is not available, the student will wait in the office). Any student who disregards the dress code may become subject to disciplinary action.

Drug, Alcohol, Tobacco:
The use or possession of tobacco, alcoholic beverages, or non-prescription drugs is grounds for dismissal.

Facilities:
Damage by a student to the campus or classrooms may result in restitution to the school by the perpetrator and/or dismissal may result.

Lost and Found:
Lost and found items are donated to charity at the end of the year.

Lunches:
A hot lunch program is not available at A.C.S., however the Student Council operates a snack bar which is opened as announced.

P.E. Dress:
Grades 6 - 12 are required to bring appropriate clothing for outdoor activities during P.E. This includes sweats, modest length shorts and tennis shoes.

Playground /0ther Equipment:
In addition to the equipment furnished at A.C.S., students are welcome to bring balls, etc. from home provided that they check with their teacher and identify their equipment. NO SKATEBOARDS OR ROLLER BLADES ARE ALLOWED! Students must conform to all the playground rules, (refer to Playground Rule Section).

Electronic equipment (radios, tape players, Game Boys, calculators with games, etc.), knives, playing cards, etc. are only to be brought to school with permission from the teacher. Failing pre-approval such items may be confiscated.

Telephone:
A "courtesy" phone is located in the school office for local calls. It is for outgoing calls only. It is available for students with teacher permission. Calls should be kept brief. Please do not ask to use the other school phones, as the lines must be available for incoming calls and school business.

Testing:
Stanford Achievement Tests are administered yearly to help us evaluate individual students and our educational program. The testing results from the SAT are mailed to parents. These tests are an indication of the student's proficiency and test taking ability in the major areas of reading, math and language development. A.C.S. students consistently test above the national norms and at approximately the same level as other Christian Schools in the testing program. SAT's, when scheduled are mandatory.

Visitor Policy:
Students may bring visitors to school if permission is granted by the Administrator.

Weapons:
Weapons, with the intent to intimidate or harm, are not permitted on campus and are not to be brought to school or school administered events.

Winter Weather:
In case of poor road conditions due to snow and ice we will cancel or open school two hours late. Announcements will be made on a number of radio stations. They will be identified in the school newsletter (or on this web page) throughout the winter. The school voice mail will also have current information as soon as a decision has been made to change the daily schedule.

ATTENDANCE AND PROBATION POLICY

Attendance:
It is important in the learning process that students consistently attend school and arrive on time - however, for special circumstances the following do apply:

Absences:
Thirteen or more absences of any kind per semester will jeopardize a student's credits.
Excused Absences/Tardies: (Work can be made up)

1. Absences/tardies may be considered excused for the following reasons: sickness, accident, death in the family. Other reasons may be considered.
2. To receive an excused absence/tardy, the student (grades 6 - 12) must bring a note from home to the office and receive a make-up form. The ratio is 1:2 (the student will be given 2 days to make up work for each day missed). Grades K - 5 bring a note to the classroom teacher.
3. Failure to bring an excuse note by the 2nd day back to school results in an unexcused absence/tardy.

Pre-arranged Absences:
All absences other than illness and family emergencies should be planned for in advance. When teachers are notified several days in advance of the planned absence, they may prepare materials to send home with the student.

Un-excused Absence/Tardy: (Work/tests cannot be made up)

1. Any absence/tardy that is not pre-arranged or excused is considered un-excused
2. Three un-excused absences (excluding suspensions) will lower the student's quarterly grade one grading step. (e.g., B+ to a B)
3. Three un-excused tardies make one un-excused absence.

Probation:
A student can be considered for probation in the following three areas or any combination of them: academic, attitude and/or behavior. Academic probation will be considered for any student who does not achieve a 2.0 gpa in any quarter. Students may also be placed on probation for negative, rebellious, disruptive, or otherwise uncooperative attitude or behaviors.

Students placed on probation will be required to meet with a committee composed of the Administrator and all of their teachers. The purpose of this meeting will be to determine the caused of the current probation and to plan for a better performance in the following quarter.

Students may not participate in extracurricular activities while on probation.

Two consecutive quarters on probation indicate that the student may not be willing to continue at A.C.S.

Discipline
Discipline at A.C.S. is carried out with the support of the home, which bears the responsibility for discipline and training in correct social behavior. The following are used as a means to enforce school rules and maintain a learning environment.

Classroom Discipline: Each classroom has its own rules and processes by which students are encouraged or corrected. This involves warnings for some violations, rewards at times for good behavior, loss of privileges, extra assignments, isolation, a call home by student or teacher and other procedures as set forth by individual teachers. The Middle School and High School also make use of interim progress reports. The teachers contact parents frequently regarding any discipline they feel should be discussed with parents. Parents are encouraged to make appointments to conference with teachers whenever necessary.

Office Time Out:
Time in the office may include a discipline sheet identifying, in writing, the specific transgression or behavior and possible solutions as well as researching Scripture for applicable passages. Some classes use an in-school suspension time in the office or a required after-school detention. Administrator's office: The first visit to the Administrator's office usually entails a heart to heart talk with the understanding that everything possible has already been done by the teacher to change the behavior or that the transgression is of a more serious nature than should be handled by a classroom teacher. At this point, teachers must be able to see a marked effort toward change.

Conference:
When needed, a conference will be scheduled with both parents, teacher, and Administrator's.

Suspension and Expulsion:
Used per school policy. Warnings are not necessary for behaviors which threaten the safety of the students or teachers, or for the breaking of standard school rules. The Administrator may suspend or expel students at any time that he feels the actions of the student warrant such severe penalty.

Family Fellowship
The Family Fellowship of Arlington Christian School is an organization which is designed to fulfill a need for fellowship among the parents, students, teachers, and board members of the school. The meetings include such features as outstanding speakers, school-produced programs, sharing among members and a bonding together of a unique group of people. The Family Fellowship also operates as a prayer committee for the daily operation of the school.

Another function of the Family Fellowship is that of fund raising. Several times during the year the members may organize various events such as rummage sales, bazaars, and other types of fund raisers. The money raised is put into special fund for projects such as playground equipment, P.E. equipment and instructional equipment as determined by Family Fellowship Council, and the Board of Directors.
Please Note: It is important that the students understand they are expected to participate in the scheduled Family Fellowship activities (unless announced, there is no playground supervision).

Tuition Payments
Tuition payments are due by the first of each month. You may pay in the school office or by mail. A $25.00 late fee will be added to any payment received after the 10th of the month. Families with tuition accounts 30 days in arrears must make satisfactory arrangements with the Business Manager. The Business Manager presents these arrangements to the Board at the monthly meeting. The Board then decides upon the action to be taken. Students are subject to dismissal from school if their tuition account is 45 days past due.

The registration fee is paid annually. This is a nonrefundable fee and is paid by each family to have their places reserved for the coming year. New applications are not considered until the fee is paid.

Students may be assessed fees for study trips, high school labs and athletics or other requirements. Fees are not refundable except for illness.

No tuition deduction will be made for absence during the school year, regardless of the cause of such absence. All withdrawals, whether before the school year begins or after, must be made in writing and shall be effective when such notice is delivered to the school.
Please note: Tuition does not cover the entire cost of educating your child. Remember the school's needs as the Lord blesses you.

Public Display of Affection
Primary children naturally admire teenagers. As the social conduct of the high schoolers promotes positive peer pressure amongst the younger student body, we will have cultivated the ideal campus environment we desire. The safeguard guaranteeing moral purity is, and always has been, restraint from premature physical contact. Special friendships deepen the need for restraint and discipline. Our requirement to refrain from any public display of affection at all school activities will retard premature infatuations, promote the continued respect and admiration by the little people on campus, and will foster the commitment to abstinence that we expect of all ACS students.

Remember...No P.D.A.

Holiday Policy
Holidays such as Halloween, Easter and Christmas all have teachings and traditions which are considered by some of our families to be ungodly and unscriptural. The teachers at A.C.S. will limit celebrations to those things which we know are right and good. Halloween is not celebrated and is replaced with harvest parties involving celebration of God's bounty and costume parties celebrating All Saints Day. The history of traditions, such as Santa or the Easter Bunny, may be mentioned on occasion, but as a rule the teachers will focus on the birth of Christ and the Resurrection during these seasons. Other holidays will be handled in like manner. Children will be taught to be considerate of one another in speaking of traditions other families keep.