MISSION OurmissionistodiscipleimagebearerstoloveGod,totrainintruediscernment,andtoequipthemtorightly ordertheirloves
SCHOOLHISTORYANDGOVERNANCE HastingsChristianSchoolisgovernedprimarilybytheWordofGod,asunderstoodandappliedbythe school’sBoardofDirectorsandadministration Theboardoperatesundertheschool’sadoptedby-laws,vision andgoalsstatements,andprovidespoliciestotheadministrationforimplementationintheschool More detailsontheboard’soperationandpoliciesmaybeobtainedfromtheschooloffice.
DEEPHOPE OurdeephopeatHastingsChristianSchoolisforourstudentstodevelopintomatureadultswhofaithfully liveinsubmissiontoGod.Weaimtograduatelifelonglearnerswhoconstantlyseektruth,goodness,and beauty.Wedesirethattheylovetheirneighborswell,livelivesofintegrity,andworkhardinallthattheLord givesthemtodo.WehopethatgraduatesofHCSwilldiscipleothersandspreadthegospelmessageuntilJesus’ imminentreturn.
AESTHETICVISION TheapostlePaulinstructsustosetourmindsonthatwhichistrue,noble,just,pure,lovely;wearetomeditate onthosethingswhichareofgoodreport,virtuous,orpraiseworthy.AsaclassicalandChristianschool,we haveparticulardutiesinthisregard;wehavebeenentrustedbyourschoolparentswiththeresponsibilityto helptrainanddisciplinethemindsoftheirchildren Weunderstandthatthelovelinessandnobilityenjoined bytheapostleinvolvemorethanjustspiritualtruths,andthatourdutyasaschoolincludesthedisciplineof aestheticeducation.
WethereforeaffirmthatthetriuneGodcontainswithinHimselfallultimatelovelinessandbeauty.AsHis creatures,therefore,wearetoserveandworshipHiminallthatwedointhebeautyofholiness.Hehascreated usinHisownimage,andrequiresustostrivetoimitateHiminallthatwedo,whichincludesthedutyof understandingourresponsibilitiesofappreciatingandcreatingobjectsofloveliness.
Intheeducationweprovide,wethereforedenyallformsofaestheticrelativism.Atthesametime,weaffirm ourlimitationsascreatures.Thismeansthatinanyworkofartcontainingtruebeauty,onlyGodknows exhaustivelyallthatisbeautifulaboutthework,whileweseethebeautyonlypartially Becausedifferent humanobserversseedifferentpartialities,thiscreatesanillusionofsubjectivity Becauseourvisionofthe beautifulmustnecessarilybepartial,weseektoinstructourstudentstomakeallaestheticjudgmentsin
humility Atthesametime,wewanttotrainthemontheirresponsibilitytomakegroundedandinformed aestheticjudgments,rejectingallformsofprincipled uglinessoraestheticnihilism
Weseektoteachtheimportanceofaestheticstandardsinallactivitiesassociatedwiththeschool,strivingfor thatformofexcellencesuitabletoeachactivity Thisobviouslyincludesastrongemphasisthroughoutour curriculumonthefinearts music,painting,drama,poetry withthe attendantresponsibilitiesofthe studentsincludingstudy,meditation,andmemorization.Butouremphasisonaestheticsalsoextendstomore mundanematters thecleanlinessanddecorationof classrooms,studentdress,athleticcompetition, handwriting,etc.Inallthis,weaimtoteachourstudentsthereasonsforwhatwerequire,andnotjustimpose thebarerequirement AsaChristianschoolwewanttoparticularlyavoidallformsofpiousortraditional kitsch aestheticfraudswhichcanevokeasentimentalandsuperficialaestheticresponse
Thestandardsweuseindeterminingwhatweconsidertobeaestheticallyvaluableinclude,butarenotlimited to,conformitytothestandardsofScripture,historicaldurabilityandtheapprovalofmanymindsover generations,abalanceofcomplexityandsimplicity,dignity,metaphorical strength,harmony,subtlety,the powertoevokeloveoftruthandgoodness,theartofconcealingart,acuityorcraftsmanship,anabilitytowork againststandardswhilehonoringandemployingthem,avoidanceofformulaiccliches,andwisdom.
STATEMENTOFFAITH TheApostles’Creed WebelieveinGodtheFatherAlmighty,Makerofheavenandearth AndinJesusChrist,Hisonlybegotten Son,ourLord HewasconceivedbytheHolyGhost,andwasbornofthevirgin,Mary Hesufferedunder PontiusPilate,wascrucified,died,andwasburied.HedescendedintoHades.Onthethirddayheroseagain fromthedead,ascendedintoHeaven,andsitsattherighthandofGodtheFatherAlmighty;fromthencehe willcometojudgethelivingandthedead.WebelieveintheHolyGhost,theholycatholicChurch,the communionofthesaints,theforgivenessofsins,theresurrectionofthebody,andthelifeeverlasting.Amen.
TheScriptures Wereceivethesixty-sixbooksoftheOldandNewTestamentsastheperfect,infallible,andauthoritativeWord ofGod.WiththefullnessofrevelationgiveninChristandHiscompletedredemptivework,nonewnormative revelationwillorneedbegivenuntilChristreturns.Scripturealoneisoursupremeandfinalauthorityandthe ruleoffaithandlife.TheScripturesmustnotbeaddedtoortakenawayfrom,andallcreeds,confessions, teachingsaretobetestedbythefinalauthorityofGod’sWord
TheTriuneGod TheonetrueGodeternallyexistsasthreepersons Father,Son,andHolySpirit infinitelyexcellentand all-glorious.EachpersonisfullyGod,sharingthesamedeity,attributes,andessentialnature,yetthereisbut oneGod.Eachpersonisdistinct,yetGodisnotbythisdistinctiondividedintothreeparts,natures,orgods.
God’sSovereignPurposes Fromalleternity,GodsovereignlyordainedallthatexistsandallthatoccursinHiscreation,inordertodisplay thefullnessofHisglory.ThesedecreesareanexerciseofHisfree,unchangeable,wise,andholywill.YetGod, inHisforeordination,isnottheauthorofsin,nordoHisdecreesnegatethewillofHiscreatures,whoactwith thepowerofwillingchoiceinaccordwiththeirnature.
God’sGraceinElection GodinHisgreatlove,beforethefoundationoftheworld,chosethosewhomHewouldsaveinChristJesus God’selectionisentirelygraciousandnotatallconditioneduponforeseenfaith,obedience,perseverance,or anymeritinthosewhomGodhaschosen.Hisdecisiontosethissavingloveontheelectisbasedentirelyonhis sovereignwillandgoodpleasure.ThenumberofGod’selectisfixedforeternity,andnoonewhohasbeen chosenbyGodwillbelost.
Secondarydoctrine:InthesecondaryyearswewilldiscusstheArminianviewofsalvationalongsideCalvinistic understandingofelection.Butourpositionisultimatelythatgenuinebelieverswillnotfallaway(Philippians 1:6)
Creation Inthebeginning,thetriuneGodfreelycreatedoutofnothingtheuniverseandeverythinginitbythewordof Hispower,allforHisownpleasureandthedisplayofHisglory.GoddeclaredtheentiretyofHiscreationto beverygood,andeveninitsfallenstateittellsofHisgreatnessandistobedelightedinandstewardedforHis glory
Secondarydoctrine:WereadGenesis1–3fromtheframeworkofanorthodoxChristianperspective.Wewillteach fromtheperspectiveofaliteral24-hourday,butwillopenthediscussioninthesecondaryyearstoincludeother orthodoxviewsandtheirinterpretations
TheOriginofSin Godoriginallycreatedmaninnocentandrighteous,withoutstainorcorruption.Inthisstate,AdamandEve enjoyedafullnessoflifeincommunionwithGod,delightinginHimandHisrighteouswillyetcapableof
transgressing Despitetheseprivileges,theywereledastraybySatanandwillfullysinnedagainsttheirCreator bydoingwhatHehadforbidden IntheirrebelliontheydoubtedHischaracter,rejectedHisauthority,and disobeyedHisword.Man’strespassofGod’scommandbroughtenmitywithGodandthecurseofdeath. BecauseGodhadestablishedAdamastherepresentativeheadofthehumanrace,hissinwasimputedtoallhis descendants,bringingguilt,condemnation,anddeathtohumanity.Therefore,weareallbynaturecorrupt andinclinedtoevilfromconception.
ThePersonofJesusChrist InthefullnessoftimeGodtheFathersentHiseternalSon,thesecondpersonoftheTrinity,intotheworldas JesustheChrist.HewasconceivedbytheHolySpiritandbornofthevirginMary,takingonHimselfafully humannaturewithallitsattributesandfrailties,yetwithoutsin.Inthisunion,twowhole,perfect,and distinctnatureswereinseparablyjoinedtogetherintheonepersonofthedivineSonwithoutconfusion, mixture,orchange.ThusourLordJesusChrist,GodtheSonincarnate,isfullyGodandfullyman,abletobe ourall-sufficientsaviorandtheonlymediatorbetweenGodandman
TheDeathofJesusChrist HavingfullyobeyedHisFatherinlife,ourSaviorwasalsoobedientuntodeath.Hewascrucifiedunder PontiusPilate,dyingasubstitutionarydeathforthesinsofHispeople.Hewasburiedandarosebodilyfrom thedeadonthethirdday,vindicatingHisidentityandsavingworkasGod’sMessiahandguaranteeingthe defeatofdeath,ourfutureresurrection,andtheglorificationofourphysicalbodies
ThePersonoftheHolySpirit TheHolySpiritisthethirdpersonoftheTrinity,whoproceedseternallyfromtheFatherandtheSon.Heis equalindeity,attributes,andnaturewiththeFatherandtheSon,andwiththemistobeworshipedand glorified.AfterChristascendedtotheFather’srighthand,thepromisedHolySpiritdescendedatPentecost andusheredintheneweraoftheSpirit’sfullness,indwellingbelieversandempoweringthemforlifeand service
TheGospel ThegospelisthegoodnewsofJesusChristandallthatHedidinHislife,death,resurrection,andascensionto accomplishsalvationforhumanity.ThegospelstandsasthecoremessageoftheBible,whichinallitsparts testifiestoGod’ssavingactsculminatinginthepersonandworkofChrist.Thisgoodnewsisthepowerof Godforsalvationforallwhobelieve,providinghopeforthelostandabidingcomfortandstrengthforthe believer ThereisnosalvationapartfromJesusChrist,forthereisnoothernamegivenunderheavenbywhich wemustbesaved.
RegenerationandConversion Throughtheproclamationofthegospel,theHolySpiritregeneratestheelectandbringsthemintoaliving unionwithChrist,bestowingnewspirituallife,openingtheireyestoseeGod’sgloryinChrist,andenabling themtorespondtothegospelinfaithandrepentance.Onlythosewhorespondtothegospelinthiswaywill besaved,yeteventhisresponseisagiftofGod’smercifulgrace,ensuringthatHealonereceivesthegloryfor oursalvation
Justification ThosewhomGodeffectuallycallstohimself,HejustifiesinChrist,forgivingalloftheirsinsanddeclaring themrighteousandacceptableinHissight.ThesolegroundofourjustificationistherighteousnessofChrist, whoselifeofperfectobedienceisimputedtousandwhosesubstitutionarydeathonourbehalfcompletely satisfiesthedemandsofGod’sjusticetowardoursins
Sanctification Allbelievers,byvirtueoftheirunionwithChrist,areprogressivelytransformedintoHisimage.Thislifelong processofgrowthtakesplaceastheSpiritempowersustoabideinChristandstriveforholinessineveryareaof life.Amongthemanypublicandprivatemeansofgrace,theWordofGod,prayer,worship,andfellowshipare primaryinstrumentsofoursanctification
TheChurch Theuniversalchurchisthetrue,worshipingcommunityofGod’speople,composedofalltheelectfromall time.AsanexpressionofChrist’suniversalchurch,thelocalchurchisthefocalpointofGod’splantomature Hispeopleandsavesinners.AtruechurchismarkedbythefaithfulpreachingoftheWord,theright administrationofthesacraments,andtheproperexerciseofchurchdiscipline
TheSacramentsoftheChurch ThesacramentsorordinancesgivenbyGodandinstitutedbyChrist,namelybaptismandtheLord’sSupper, arevisiblesignsandsealsthatweareboundtogetherasacommunityoffaithbyHisdeathandresurrection.By ouruseofthem,theHolySpiritmorefullydeclaresandsealsthepromisesofthegospeltous.
Secondarydoctrine:Whilewebelievethesacramentsarecovenantaltheyarenotsalvific.Wewilldiscuss,inthe secondaryyears,pedo-baptismandcredo-baptism(seemoreunder“SecondaryDoctrine”).
Christ’sReturnandJudgment AttheappointedtimeknownonlytoGod,JesusChristwillreturntotheearthinpowerandgloryasJudge andKingtowhomeverykneewillbow.OnthelastdayallpeoplewillappearbeforeChrist,whoisthejudgeof all.ThosewhosuppressedGod’struthinunrighteousnessanddidnotobeythegospelofChristwillsufferthe righteouswrathofGodandbejustlycastintothehelloffirewiththedevilandHisangels Theretheywill experienceeternal,consciouspunishmentaccordingtotheirsins ThosesavedbyChrist,whosenamesare writteninthebookoflife,willbewelcomedintothejoyoftheirmasterandrichlyrewardedforeverygood workdoneinHisname.
Secondarydoctrine:WewillteachabouttheimminentreturnofJesusandthatthedeadwillberaisedtoeternal lifeoreternaljudgment.Thiswillexpand,inthesecondaryyears,todiscussionofotherheldviewsofeschatology includingpremillennialism,amillennialism,andpostmillennialism(seemoreunder“SecondaryDoctrine”).
Marriage,Gender,andSexuality TopreservethefunctionandintegrityofHastingsChristianSchool,andtoprovideaBiblicalrolemodeltothe studentsandothermembersoftheHastingsChristianSchoolcommunity,aswellasthecommunityatlarge,it isimperativethatallpersonsemployedbytheschool,orwhoserveasvolunteers,agreetoandabidebythe following:
A. Godwonderfullyandimmutablycreateseachpersonasmaleorfemale.Thesetwodistinct, complementarygenderstogetherreflecttheimageandnatureofGod(Gen.1:26–27).Rejectionof one ’sbiologicalsexisarejectionoftheimageofGodwithinthatperson.
B. Theterm“marriage”hasonlyonemeaning:theunitingofonemanandonewomanin asingle, exclusiveunion,asdelineatedinScripture(Gen.2:18–25).WebelievethatGodintendssexual intimacytooccuronlybetweenamanandawomanwhoaremarriedtoeachother(1Cor 6:18;7:25; Hebrews13:4) WebelievethatGodhascommandedthatnointimatesexualactivitybeengagedin outsideofamarriagebetweenamanandawoman.
C Anyformofsexualimmorality(includingadultery,fornication,homosexualbehavior,bisexual conduct,bestiality,incest,anduseofpornography)issinfulandoffensivetoGod(Matt.15:18–20;1 Cor.6:9–10).
D. Godoffersredemptionandrestorationtoallwhoconfessandforsaketheirsin,seekingHismercyand forgivenessthroughJesusChrist(Acts3:19–21;Rom.10:9-10;1Cor.6:9–11).
E. Everypersonmustbeaffordedcompassion,love,kindness,respect,anddignity(Mark12:28–31;Luke 6:31).Hatefulandharassingbehaviororattitudesdirectedtowardanyindividualaretoberepudiated andarenotinaccordwithScripturenorthedoctrinesofHastingsChristianSchool.
TheSanctityofHumanLife WebelievethatallhumanlifeissacredandcreatedbyGodinHisimage.Humanlifeisofinestimableworthin allitsdimensions,includingprebornbabies,theaged,thephysicallyormentallychallenged,andeveryother stageorconditionfromconceptionthroughnaturaldeath.Wearethereforecompelledtodefend,protect,and valueallhumanlife(Psalm139)
SecondaryDoctrine Secondarydoctrineisimportanttostudy;Hastingswillapproachsecondarydoctrinediscussionsfroma protestantandorthodoxperspective.Intheprimaryyears,thesediscussionswillbelimitedtoquestionsfrom thestudents(notintentionallydiscussed).Inthesecondaryyears,wewillencouragerobustdiscussionand debatesothatstudentslearntointerrogateScripture,toseektruth,andtodebateinawaythatlovestheir neighbor
Thefollowinglistisnotexhaustivebutrepresentssomeofthesecondarydoctrinediscussionsthatmayoccur (mainly)atthesecondarylevel
AgeoftheEarth WereadGenesis1–3fromtheframeworkofanorthodoxChristianperspective.Wewillteachfromthe perspectiveofaliteral24-hourdaybutwillopenthediscussionupinsecondaryyears,wherewewilldiscuss otherorthodoxviewsasviableinterpretations
Eschatology WewillteachabouttheimminentreturnofJesusandthatthedeadwillberaisedtoeternallifeoreternal judgment Thiswillexpand,inthesecondaryyears,todiscussionofthreeheldviewsofeschatology:historical premillennialism,*amillennialism,† andpartialpreteristpostmillennialism.‡
*HistoricPremillennialism:anon-literalinterpretationofthetrialsdescribedinRevelation,thisviewholdstothe imminentreturnofChristafteraperiodoftribulationwithafollowingageofpeacewhereSatanisbounduntil rightbeforethefinaljudgment.
†Amillennialism:themillenniumissymbolicandrepresentsthetimeofChurchgrowththatisspiritualrather thanphysical.Jesus'imminentreturnwilloccuraftera“millennium”ofpeoplecomingtoChrist.Thereare variousaspectstotimingheldwithinthisview.
‡Postmillennialism:Satanwasboundatthecross,themillennialperiodisaperiodoftimeratherthanaliteral thousandyears.Duringthismillenniumthegospelwillspread“totheendsoftheearth”untildeathisthelasttobe conqueredandputunderJesus’feet,whentheearthwillbetransformedinthe“blinkofaneye”withJesus’
imminentreturn ThisviewholdsthatmanyoftheNewTestamentpropheticpassageswerefulfilledbythefallof Jerusalemin70AD
Baptism Weholdthatbaptismisnotsalvific,andholdacredobaptistviewofbaptism(theideathatbaptismoccursafter comingtoasavingfaith) But,inthesecondaryyearswewilldiscussnon-salvificbaptismofinfants (paedobaptism)asaviable,orthodoxbeliefandapartofcovenanttheology.
Tongues Wedonotholdthat“tongues”isevidenceofsalvation,butisagiftgiventoafewforthepurposeofsharingthe gospeltothenations
AReturntoJudaism WeholdthatintheNewTestament,referencetoGod’schosenpeopleisinregardstotheChurch(thosesaved, bothJewsandGentiles)andnotreferencingareturnofJudaism WeholdthattheOldTestamentceremonial lawwasfulfilledinJesus'death,burial,andresurrection.
AtHastingsChristianSchoolwecelebratethefollowingHolidays:
● Christmas
● Thanksgiving
● SaintValentine’sDay
● Jesus’death GoodFriday
● Jesus’resurrection EasterSunday
PHILOSOPHYOFEDUCATION HastingsChristianSchoolutilizestheTrivium(grammar,logic,andrhetoric)tocultivatedeeplearning. Ratherthanmerelyfocusingoninformation,weareprimarilyfocusedonformation.Studentswillmovefrom concreteknowledge(grammar)topuzzlingtowardstruth(logic)towisdompouringout(rhetoric)inthe varioussubjectsandtopicstheystudy.Intheprimaryyears,ourdesireistocultivatewonderandcuriosityso thatchildrenseek truthastheyinterrogatetheworldaroundthem Inthesecondaryyears,wewantstudents todeeplyponderandwrestletowardstruthwhilestudyingavarietyofengaging thoughts,ideas,and philosophies.Ourultimateacademicaimismastery,wherebystudentsbecomedeeplyproficientineachfield ofstudy,sothattheycanapplymasterfulunderstandingtotheirfutureendeavorsandultimatelydiscernthe rightfromthealmostright.
PhilosophyOfHumanities PhilosophyofLiterature AtHastingsChristianSchool,studentswillreadliteratureforthepurposeofknowinganddiscerningtruth, goodness,andbeauty.Studentswillencounterliteraturesteepedinthetranscendentals,andbechallengedby literaturethatrevealswhatisalie,whatiswrong,andwhatisugly.Literaturethatrevealsevilasevilaffords studentstheopportunitytofacewhatisungodlyfromaninnocent,though notnaïve,vantage Thistrains studentsindiscernmentofgoodandevilbyallowingthemtoface“giants”throughthepagestheyreadandthe discussionsthatfollow,withouteverbeinginthearenaofdanger.
PhilosophyofHistory HistoryrevealsthesovereignorchestrationofGodandaffordsstudentstheopportunitytounderstandtheir placeintheworld Wewantstudentstointerrogatehistorywithquestionsof“why”sotheyseeGod’sstory unfolding.Weteachhistorythroughwell-toldstoriesandoriginalsourcematerial,whilegivinganchorpoints onavisualtimeline.Studentswilllearnhowtoengagewithhistorybydeeplystudyinghistoricaleventsand people,ratherthansimplymemorizingfactsordates.Understandinghistoryincorrelationandcontextwilllay thefoundationforseeingGod’ssovereignprovidenceandpointustowardsHisgloryrevealed.
PhilosophyofBible TheBibleisthewrittenrevelationofGod’struthandholdsauthorityforalloflife.Scripturewillthereforebe infusedthroughoutallthatwestudy,withatargetedsurveyfocusatthebeginningofHumanities.During chapelwewillworktogetheroncatechism,layinganchorpointsfordoctrine WewilllookatScripture throughanhistoricalchurchlensandteachinterpretationfromagrammatico-historicalexegesis Studentswill betrainedtointerrogateScriptureastheygainaworkingunderstandingofbiblicaltheology.Ouraimisthat studentsseethebeautifulandcomplexstoryofredemption,thatiscohesivethroughoutallofScripture,so thatitformstheirlives.
PhilosophyofArt Theevidenceofwhatisbeautifulisinterwoventhroughoutcreation.Truth,goodness,andbeautyare objectivebecauseGodoffersthesestandardsthroughoutScriptureandweseeHisreflectivebeautyincreation. AsimagebearersoftheLivingGodweare“sub-creators”andourartshouldreflectGod’screation.Artreveals cultureasmuchasithelpsformculture,asChristiansweshouldbeproducersofgoodartandnotjust consumersoftheworld’sart Thereforeweholdrecognizingbeautifulartaswellastheskillofcreating beautifulartinhighregard.Weunderstandart'stransformativenatureandtheneedtodiscerntruebeautyas integraltoaChristianLiberalArtsfoundation.
PhilosophyofLanguage Latinisaveryorderedlanguagewithcleargrammaticalrulesthatcognitivelyequipsforlanguageaswellas otherfieldsofstudy.Latinisthesourceformuchofourtechnicalvocabulary,andthestudyofLatinreinforces Englishgrammarskillsandaffordsstudentstheopportunitytohonetheseskillswithinthecontextofanother language TostudyLatinistounderstand,moredeeply,theRomanworldinwhichJesuswasborn Latinis alsothefoundationoftheRomanticlanguages,layinganimportantfoundationtofurtherforeignlanguage study,andproficiencyinLatincanequipareadertonavigatehistoricalChristiantext.OuraimatHastings ChristianSchoolwillbetohonetheskilloflanguageandprovideadeeperunderstandingoflinguisticcontext.
PhilosophyofMusic TheCreatorgaveChristiansatimelesssongbook,thePsalms,with150differentsongstosingandpraiseHis name,aswellassongsscatteredthroughouttheOldandNewTestaments Bothvocalandinstrumentalmusic aretobeusedbymantopointbacktoGod.Musicisnotjustasubjectthatweshouldteach,itisawayto expressthegoodnessofGodandthejoywehaveinlivinginHispresence.Therefore,wenotonlyteach studentsthebasicknowledgeandrelatedbenefitsofmusic,butalsohowtodistinguishgoodmusicfrom mediocremusic.Wewantthemtorecognizethatthoughwelimittheirexposureintruth,beautyandgoodness inmusic,goodmusicisnotboundbyaperiodoftimeorbyaparticularstyle,butthatgoodandbeautiful musicisagiftfromGodtomanthroughoutallages
PhilosophyofScience ScienceistheinvestigationofGod’screativeexpression,as“theheavensdeclarethegloryofGod,andthesky aboveproclaimsHishandiwork”(Psalm19:1).WewillequipstudentstokeenlyobserveGod’screationand developaholycuriosityabouttheworldaroundthem acuriositythataimsatdivinetruth.Studentswillbe taughtconcreteskillsofobservationwithinthecontextofhowGodspoketheworldintoexistenceandholds allthingstogether(Colossians1:17) Atthesecondarylevel,studentswillwrestlethroughthevaryingorthodox viewsofcreationwhileengagingwithsecularinterpretationsofdata.Studentswillbeencouragedtoenjoy, ratherthanfear,scientificdiscoveryastheyseethecohesionbetweenScriptureandscience.
PhilosophyofMathematics MathisthelanguageofGod’screatedorder,andisthereforeacreativeendeavorthatChristiansshouldengage inthroughoutlife Mathisnotsomethingtosimply“getthrough,”butsomethingthatweshouldmaster The languageofmath,coupledwiththeskillofproblemsolving,equipsstudentsforfaithfullivingand stewardship.Becauseofthis,wewilltrainstudentsthroughamasteryapproachthatbuildsresilienceas studentsaimatfindingabsolutetruth.“GodHimselfhasanumericalnature,”andmathisareflectionofthat
nature TounderstandmathwellistounderstandmoreofthenatureofourCreator (Forfurtherreflection: https://frame-poythressorg/a-biblical-view-of-mathematics/)
WorkingwithStrugglingLearners HastingsChristianSchoolaimstoteachstudentsofallabilitylevelsthroughsolidChristianpedagogyand materials.Becauseweareabletoacceptbothconventionalanduniquelearners,ourprogramisverydistinct. Weofferclassicalteachingasinput,butonlyexpectclassicaloutputbasedonthegiftingofeachstudent.We wanttoseestudentsindividuallygrowingintheirabilitiesandwewantsuccesstobequalifiedby progress notbyarbitrarytime-boundgrades Weareuncouplingfromstructuresthatassumeallchildren learnatthesamerate,aswewanttomaximizeachild’sabilities;notdefinetheirabilitybyage.Weaimtohelp eachchildinvesttheirGod-giventalentandprogressasfarasheorsheisable.Therefore,ourprogramwillhire teacherswhowillmaximizetheuseofcuratedcurriculumandcreateastructuretoadvanceindividuallearners atanappropriatepace.
Wherelearningwithintheclassroomisdifficult,wemayrecommendanintentionalinterventionwitha targetedgoal ThiswouldbethoroughlyvettedbyourEducationCouncilandthenbroughttotheparentsfor consideration Interventionssuchasthismayrequireanadditionalfee,butwouldbediscussedpriorto implementation.
Pleaseunderstandthatwedonotusethechild’sconditionasanexcuseforsin,butwemaymakeacademicand behavioralaccommodationsforchildrenattherecommendationoftheEducationCouncil,uponreviewof diagnosticinformationand/orcircumstances.Thisdecisionwillnotbeautomatic,aspertherequestofa parent;wewillseekprofessionaladvice,pray,andconsultwithinvestedpartiestocomeupwiththebest decisionforthestudentandcommunity.
Wedesireto:
1. Provideourstudentswithawell-ordered,consistentenvironment
2. HelpourstudentsseewhotheyareinthecontextofGod’sworld
3 Teachourstudentsclearcommunicationanduseclearcommunicationintraining
4 Coachourstudentsinlovingtheirneighborsthroughstructuredactions
5 Guideourstudentsthroughasmuchacademicmaterialastheyarecapable
PARENTPARTNERSHIP/ALLIANCE SexEducation Duetotheextremelysensitiveandintimatenatureofhumansexualrelations,discussionand instructionon thistopicgenerallywillbelimitedtohumanreproductioninbiology,andbiblical principlesandreferences,as theyariseinappropriateclasscontexts.Allotherinstructiononthis topicwilltakeplaceathome.
ParentalInvolvement Asasupportandextensionofthefamilyunit,HastingsChristianSchoolconsidersthefamilytobeoffirst importancetoachild.Therefore,wearecontinuallyseekingwaystoactivelyinvolveparentsintheschool.
Parentsarewelcometojoinusforchapelandlunch.Ifyouwouldlikeaclassroomvisitpleasecall aheadandwewillarrangethisforatimethatisnotdisruptivetoclasstime.
SickChildren Colds Pleasekeepyourchildathomeifhehasafeverof100degrees Thechildmayreturntoschoolafterhehasbeen fever-freefor24hours(withoutfever-reducingmedicines)
Conjunctivitis(Pink-eye)
Followyourdoctor’sadviceforreturningtoschool
Diarrhea/vomiting Achildwithdiarrheaand/orvomitingshouldstayathomeandreturntoschoolonlyafterbeingsymptom-free for24hours.
Fever
Thechildshouldremainathomewithafevergreaterthan100degrees.Thechildmayreturntoschoolafterhe hasbeenfever-freefor24hours(withoutfever-reducingmedicines).
StudentHealth Pleasenotifyusofanyallergiessothatwecanbeawareandhelpthestudentnavigatethisatlunchtime
UNIFORMPOLICY PleaseCLICKHEREtoseeourUniformPolicy Studentsareexpectedtobeinuniformwhileoncampusunlessspecifiedotherwisebytheadministration.The administrationisresponsiblefortheinterpretationofthepolicy,andtheenforcementofthepolicyisthe responsibilityofparents,administration,andstaff Ifastudentcomestoschooloutofuniformfivetimesina year,itwillresultinanofficevisit.
SchoolUniformRationale Ourdevelopmentofauniformpolicyisdrivenbyadesiretocreateandpromoteanenvironmentoflearning wheredressisnotadistractiontotheeducationalprocessbasedonthefollowingprinciples:
1. OurgoalistohonorGodinallwedo,acknowledgingtheLordshipofJesusChristinourchoices
2. Allhumanactions,includingoutwardmanifestationssuchasclothing,revealandcommunicatethe dispositionoftheheartatsomelevel.Itisourdesiretoaddresstheseheartissuesinoneuniformpolicy ratherthanseekingtoanticipateandcurbthenumerousmanifestationsofitthatsurfacethroughout theyearwithalooserdresscode
3. Clothingrepresentsthevocationalcallingofaperson,andinherentintheuniformpolicyisadesireto createanenvironmentwhereundueattentionisnotdrawntospecificstudents Theneatappearance createdbyauniformenhancesaready-to-learnatmosphere
4 Uniformshelpengenderacohesivepresentationofthestudentsinourschool Whenourstudentsare inuniform,itcommunicates,aesthetically,thattheyarepartofthesameteam,workingtowardthe samegoals.Thestudentispartofagroupidentitythatstrivesforexcellence,andthecodeestablishesa traditiontowardthatend
5. Theuniformcodeshouldsaveparentsmoney.Theuniformcodede-emphasizesthesocialimpactof dressandhelpsfocusthestudentsoncharacterandacademicissues
6. Theuniformcodeaddressessecurity.Onfieldtrips,studentsinuniformaidtheteachersinkeeping trackofeveryone.Ontheplaygroundorintheschool,teachersandstaffcanclearlyidentifystudents fromoutsiders.
GRADING&HOMEWORKPOLICY Gradingshouldtellastoryofachild’sprogressinlearning,andbecause,asChristians,webelievethat educationofthewholemanisessential,HastingsChristianSchoolusesbothacademicandcharactergradesso thatparentscanseewhetherapoorgradeisasinissueoranacademicstruggle.Reciprocally,parentscansee thatagoodgradedoesnotnecessarilyimplyrighteousness.ForthisreasonHastingsChristianSchoolwillgive bothacademicgradesandconductdescriptionssothatwecantrulydisciplethewholechild.
ConductItems 1 Excellence
a. Excellenceindiligence
b. Excellenceinselflessness
2. Gratitude
a. Excellenceinthankingothers
b. Excellenceinaheartofgratitude
3 Service
a Excellenceinservicetoothers
b. Excellenceinservicetotheschool
Primary&SecondaryWeightedCategories
LowerPrimaryGrading(K–3)
UpperPrimaryGrading(4–6) Mastery 90+
GoodUnderstanding 80–89
BeginningtoUnderstand 70–79
NotUnderstanding 0–69
Secondary&SecondaryPrepGrading Assessment&GradingProtocol Humanities
● Softgradingthroughouttheweekonvariouswritingandspeakingassignments
● MagnumOpusforeachweekthatisgradedinthegradebook(maybewrittenororal)
● Assessmentattheendofeachbookthatincludes:
○ Grammarsection
○ Logicsection
○ Rhetoricsection
Mathematics
● 1hardgrade*perweekofhomework/practicework
● 1assessmenteveryotherweekasahardgrade*
Science ● 1hardgrade*perweekofhomework/practicework
● 1assessmenteveryotherweekasahardgrade*
Music&Art
● 1hardgrade*perweekofhomework/practicework
● 1assessmenteveryotherweekasahardgrade*
Latin
● 1hardgrade*perweekofhomework/practicework
● 1assessmenteveryotherweekasahardgrade*
*Hardgrade:afterpracticingthechildwillbeassessedonmasteryorimprovement.
ReviewweekandfinalsweekbeforeChristmas.
Reviewweekandfinalsweekattheendoftheyear.
ParentCommunicationaboutGrades ● GradeswillbecommunicatedthroughClassReach
● ConductitemswillbeenteredpriortotheFallandSpringParentPartnershipMeetings
● Teacherswillcontactparentsonaregularbasisinthesuccessesorfailuresoftheirchild
● PleaseuseClassReachasthebestwaytocommunicateimportantinformationwiththestaff
ExpectedHomeworkLoad AgeGroup
School)
GradesatHastingsChristianSchooldonotinanywayreflecttheimmeasurableworthandvalueofeachchild madeinGod’simage,butrathertheyareareflectionofthequalityofworkinagivenfieldofstudyatagiven time.AtHastingsChristianSchool,gradesservethreebasicpurposes:
1. Tohelpstudentstoimprove
2. Todeterminethebestplacementlevelconsideringacademicability
3. Toprovideajustandlegitimatemeansofholdingstudentsaccountableforthequalityoftheirwork
Gradesprovideawidelyunderstoodmeansofcommunicatingprogressandachievementtoparentsandother partiessuchascollegeentranceboardsorotherschoolstowhichtheyoungstudentmaytransfer.
IndividualGrades HastingsChristianSchoolwilluseauniquemethodofgradingthatensuresstudentshavetimeto“practice” beforetheyreceiveagrade Thereforeregularfeedbackwithinthescopeoftheclassregarding newconcepts willbegivenand“practice”gradeswillberecordedwithinthegradebook MagnumOpusassignments(best work), thatwillmoregreatlyaffectoverallstandings,willalsoberecordedfortranscriptpurposes.Consistent witheducatingthewholechild,bothattitudeandeffortwillbeconsideredwithinourgradingsystems.
GroupProjectGrades “Andweurgeyou,brothersandsisters,warnthosewhoareidleanddisruptive,encouragethedisheartened,help theweak,bepatientwitheveryone”–1Thessalonians5:14
Groupprojectsareapartofcourseworkanditshouldbeexpectedthatgradingofthesewillnotbe individualizedbecausewebelievethatcharacterincommunityrevealstheheart HastingsChristianSchool caresevenmoreabouttheheartthantheacademics,groupprojectsallowteacherstoseewherecharacterwork isneeded,andsincewearepreparingstudentsforlife,notjustcollege,characterinChristiancommunityis integralto“lovingGodandlovingneighbor”(Matt.22:36–40).
MathematicalGradingPolicy Becausemathproblemsareobjectivelyrightorwrong,gradingwillfollowasimplenumbercorrectoutofthe numberofproblems,inadditiontothis,teacherswillrequireexcellentpenmanshipfor100%
ScienceGradingPolicy Sincescienceistaughtthroughexperiments,anddiscovery,thiswillinvolvealotofparticipation,skillbuilding inknowledge,andgroupworkintheprimaryyears.Thiswillmovetowardsmasterygradingthroughoutthe variousscientificfieldsofstudyinthesecondaryyears.
LatinGradingPolicy LatinistaughttobuildvocabularyandcontinuetogrowEnglishaswellasLatingrammarskills.Assessments willbebasedontheseconceptsandpointswillbeawardedforthepurposeofdemonstratingmastery.
HumanitiesGradingPolicy Vocabularyterms,spelling,grammar,anddirectcharacternamesordateswillbeobjectivelygradedandwillbe onapoints-basedsystem Withmasteryasourgoal,studentswillbeaskedtocorrectthewronganswers
Assignmentsthataremorephilosophicalinnaturewillbegradedwithauniquerubriccreatedforeach assignment Withineachassignment,grammatical,andspellingmistakeswillbeclearlymarkedandstudents willbeaskedtoreviewthewordorgrammaticalruleandedittheirwriting Thispromotesmasteryinwriting assignments.
FailingandRetakes Retakeswillbelefttotheteacher’sdiscretion.Astudentwhohassimplyfailedforalackofunderstandingmay begivenanotheropportunitytoprovetheirunderstandingafterfurtherpractice Astudentwhoneglected theirstudiesandthereforefailed,maynotbegivenaretakeopportunity
Ifastudentfailsanentirecourse,thestudent,parents,andteacherwillmeetwiththeEducationCouncilto determinethebestcourseofactionforthestudent Circumstances,understandingofdirectionsandeffortwill allbetakenintoconsideration.
Parentswillbenotifiedwithinthreeweeksoftheendofthegradingperiodiftheirstudentisinjeopardyof failing.
GRADUATIONSECONDARYPROGRAM StudentsatHastingsChristianSchoolprepareforoursecondaryprograminourSecondaryPrepclass When ready,astudentwillmovetoourSecondaryprograms.Wewillholdanimportant“CreditObjectives”meeting tocreatearobusthighschoolprogramtailoredtothestudent.InApril,asastudentiscompletinghis/herthird yearofhighschoolcredit(traditionallyajunior),heorshewillpresentaSENIORPROJECTPROPOSALto
theEducationCouncil Thiswillbesubmittedandtheneitherapproved,sentbackforrevision,ordeniedwith resubmissionguidelines sothestudentcanbegintheprojectoverthesummer(priortotheirSenioryear) The SeniorProjectwillbedueinApriloftheproposedgraduationyearandwillbepresentedtotheboardandthe EducationCouncil.Thiswillbethecapstoneofourprogram.
HighSchoolAdmissions 1. PetitiontobeginHighSchoolCredits
2. EducationCouncilapproval
3. UponacceptanceintoourHighSchoolProgram,wewillholdaCreditObjectivesMeetingwherewe willvisitwithparentsandstudentsandcreateacreditplanforthestudent’shighschoolcareer
Humanities(Recommendation:12credits)4years Studentswillreceivearobusthumanitiesinstructionthrougherasoftime:AncientWorld,MedievalWorld, ModernWorld,andPostModernWorld.Asstudentsmovethroughtheseerasoftimeinhistorytheywillread acombinationoforiginalsources,historicalfiction,andgreatbooksthatembodytheseerasoftime.A literature,history,andtheologycreditwillbereceivedbythosewhomeettheir“CreditObjectives”Rhetoric andlogicskillsareintertwinedinthiscourseandstudentswillreceivea025creditinthesefieldsofstudy annually.
Mathematics(Recommendation:4credits)4years Studentstakingourregulartrackofhighschoolmathematicswillbegivenadeepunderstandingofalgebra, geometry,andadvancedmath.Thesewillbeattributedtothetranscriptastraditionalcredits.
Science(Recommendation:4credits)4years Studentswillreceiveadeepandrigorousstudyinphysicalscience,chemicalscience,andthebiologicalsciences Weuseexperimentsasfoundationaltothescientificprocessofhypothesisandconclusion Wewanttofoster curiosityintheworldGodcreated.
Latin(Recommendation:3credits)3years WeprovideLatinlevelssostudentscanstartatLevelIandprogressthroughtoLevelIIIorasfarastheyare able.Latinallowsourstudentspracticeingrammar,etymology,masteryoflanguageskillsandrichhistorical contextofthelanguagethatisfoundationaltoourwesternworld.
Language(Recommendation:1credit)1year ThiscanbetakenoutsideofHastingsChristianSchoolandmustbeapprovedbytheEducationCouncil.
Music(1credit)
Thiswillbeofferedat0.25credithoursperyearthroughHastingsChristianSchool.
Art(1credit)
ThismustbetakenoutsideofHastingsChristianSchoolandmustbeapprovedbytheEducationCouncil.
PhysicalEducation(1credit)
Thiswillbeofferedat0.25credithoursperyearthroughHastingsChristianSchool.
Electives(1credit)
ThismustbetakenoutsideofHastingsChristianSchoolandmustbeapprovedbytheEducationCouncil
HonorsDiploma (Transfercreditsmustbepre-approvedbytheEducationCouncil)
● 4CreditsofLiterature(throughintegratedhumanities:ancient,medieval,modern,post-modern)
● 4CreditsofTheology(throughintegratedhumanities:ancient,medieval,modern,post-modern)
● 4CreditsofHistory(throughintegratedhumanities:ancient,medieval,modern,post-modern)
● 4CreditsofScience
○ Biology
○ Chemistry
○ PhysicsorHumanAnatomy
○ GeneralScienceorPhysicalScience
● 4CreditsofMath
○ AlgebraI
○ AlgebraII
○ Geometry
○ Trigonometry/Calculusorbusinessmathcourse
● 4CreditsofLanguage
○ Atleast3inLatin(additionalcreditmaybetakenoutsideofHastingsChristianSchoolwith approval)
● 4CreditsElectives(1music,1art,1PE,1additional)
○ Music0.25creditperyearthroughHastingsChristianSchool
○ Art0.25creditperyearthroughHastingsChristianSchool
○ Othercredithourscanbeobtainedthroughprivatelessons,sportsetc.andmustbe pre-approvedbytheEducationCouncil
● SeniorProject
○ Projectsmusthavewrittencomponent
○ Musthaveanoraldefense
○ MustbeapprovedbytheEducationCouncil
Diploma (Transfercreditsmustbepre-approvedbytheEducationCouncil)
● 4CreditsofLiterature
● 4CreditsofTheology
● 4CreditsofHistory
● 4CreditsofApprovedScience(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)
● 4CreditsMath(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)
● 2CreditsofLatin(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)
● 3CreditsElectives(1music,1art,1PE)
○ Music0.25creditperyearthroughHastingsChristianSchool
○ Art0.25creditperyearthroughHastingsChristianSchool
○ Othercredithourscanbeobtainedthroughprivatelessons,sports,etc andmustbe pre-approvedbytheEducationCouncil
● SeniorProject
○ Projectsmusthavewrittencomponent
○ Musthaveanoralcomponent
○ MustbeapprovedbytheEducationCouncil Certificate
● 2CreditsofLiteratureorequivalent(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)
● 2CreditsofTheologyorequivalent(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)
● 2CreditsofHistoryorequivalent(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)
● 1CreditofRhetoric/Logicorequivalent(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)
● 2CreditsofScience(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)
● 2CreditsofMath(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)
● 1CreditofLanguage(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)
● 1CreditofElective(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)
○ Othercredithourscanbeobtainedthroughprivatelessons,sports,etc andmustbe pre-approvedbytheEducationCouncil
● Seniorprojectmustbepre-approvedbytheEducationCouncil
DISCIPLINEPOLICY Werecognizethatmaintainingawell-disciplinedclassroomiskeytolearning.Webelievethat“knowledge withoutvirtueisdangerous”Therefore,encouragingvirtuousbehaviorthatstemsfromtheheartisas importantasencouragingexcellenceinmathandgrammar Ayoungstudent’sbehavior,attitude,andphysical dispositionshouldcontributepositivelytotheclassroomenvironmentandHastingsChristianSchool’svalue ofshapinggodlycharacter.Ourruleissimpleformaintainingthisdisciplinedatmosphere:“loveyourneighbor asyourself.”
HastingsChristianSchoolusesastructureddisciplineplanfortheclassroomwhilevaryingtheconsequences basedontheframeofthechildandtheparent’sinput.Althoughourmethodofhelpingthemreachthe standardof “lovingGodandlovingourneighbor”maybedifferent,thestandardremains.
ElectronicDevicePolicy Useofpersonalelectronicdevices(i.e.,phones,smartphones,portablegamingdevices,smartwatches,etc.)by studentsisprohibitedoncampus.Suchdevicesmaybeputonsilentorturnedoffandleftinbagsorbackpacks whileastudentisatschooloroncampus.AnyuseofphonesmustbeapprovedbytheAdministrator.
● Useoflaptopsispermissibleforsecondaryacademicpurposesonlyunderthepre-approveddirection andsupervisionofateacher
● Afirstviolationofthispolicywillresultinimmediateconfiscationofthedevice,tobereleasedtoa parentorguardian
● AsecondviolationofthispolicywillresultinaparentconferencewiththeAdministration
● Athirdviolationofthispolicywillresultinadisciplinaryhearing
● HastingsChristianSchoolacceptsnoresponsibilityforuse,breakage,theft,orlossofphoneorother personalitems
CheatingAndPlagiarism Cheatingisdefinedaslookingatanother’sworkwithouttheteacher’spermission,orcommunicatingwith anotherduringanexamwithouttheteacher’spermission
Plagiarismisdefinedasusinganother’sworkwithoutthankingthemfortheuse
Ifeithercheatingorplagiarismisnoticed,theassignmentorexamwillimmediatelyreceivea0 Parentswillbe notified AsecondcheatingorplagiarisminfractionwillresultinanEducationCouncilreview
DressCodeViolation Iffacultynoticesadresscodeviolation,*theywillinformAdministration,whowillnotifyparentsthrougha DressCodeViolationForm(viaClassReach).Afterfourdresscodeviolations,anofficevisitwillfollowin additiontoemailnotification.Afterthefifthviolationwithinasemester,thestudentwillbesenthome. SubsequentdresscodeviolationswillrequiretheAdministrationtotreattheviolationsasofficevisitsin accordancewiththedisciplinepolicy
*Adresscodeviolationissomethingthatcannotbecorrectedinclass
PrimaryStudentDisciplinePlan TheruleisloveGodandloveyourneighbor.
1
Ifastudentisovertlydisrespectfultoauthorityanimmediateofficevisitwillfollow
2. Ifthereisunlovingbehaviorintheclassroom,duringbreaksorlunchtimetheteacherwhoobserved thesituationwillgiveawarningandcorrectthebehavior
3. Ifasecondinfractionoccurstheinfractionwillbedocumented
4. Ifaninfractionoccursduringabreakthestudent’sleadteacherwillbenotifiedanddocumented accordingly
5. IfathirdinfractionoccurstheteacherwillsendthechildtotheAdministrationforanofficevisitwith informationspecifyingtheissue
a. TheAdministrationwillnotifytheparentsthroughemailofwhatoccurredandthediscipline given
6. Homework:Anymissinghomeworkwillbeenteredasa“0”inClassReach.Afterthethird“0”orthird poorgrade,theparentswillbenotified Thelateassignmentpolicyis10%gradereductionthefirstday, 20%reductionthesecondday,and1percentagepointforanydaythereafter Astanding“0”willmean theassignmentwasneversubmitted
SecondaryStudentDisciplinePlan TheruleisloveGodandloveyourneighbor.
1. Ifastudentisovertlydisrespectfultherewillbeanimmediateofficevisit
2. Ifastudentisspeakinginappropriatelytherewillbeanimmediateofficevisit
3. IfastudenthasnotcompletedhomeworktheteacherwillnotifytheparentsandtheAdministrator
4 Homework:Amissedassignmentwillbeenteredasa“0”untilsubmitted,andthelatepercentageswill apply:10%fornotbeingsubmitted,20%forthe2nddayand“1”thereafter.Astanding“0”willmean thestudentneversubmittedthework
OfficeVisitProtocol 1. TheAdministrationmaydisciplineinoneofseveralwayspendingthestudent:
a. Cleaning
i. Pickinguptrash
ii. Cleaningbathrooms
iii Vacuumingandorsweeping
iv. Cleaningdesks,walls,whiteboards,etc.
v. Cleaningoutside
b. Physicalendurance
i. Wallsit
ii. Runninglaps
iii Pushups
c Writing
i. Anoteonwhatthestudentdidwrong
ii. Anoteaskingforgiveness
d. Other
i. Lossofprivilege(s)
ii. Repetitionandpracticeofproperorexpectedbehaviors
iii Beingsenthome
iv Aconsequenceordisciplineplanparticularlysuitedtothestudentandsituationas agreeduponwiththeparent(s)
2 IfanofficevisitoccursadisciplinenotewillgohomefromtheAdministrationtotheparents
ExcessiveOfficeVisits Asnotedabove,thepurposeofthedisciplinepolicyistoshapegodlycharacterinthestudent.Ifitbecomes apparenttotheAdministrationthatthestudent’scharacterisnotimprovingovertimeand/orisbecoming worsetothedetrimentoftheschoolculture,theAdministrationwillmeetwiththeparentsandtheywillcome upwithaplantoresolvetheissue.TheAdministrationwillalsomeetwiththeparentsincaseswherethe studentexhibitsalackofrepentanceorlacks interestinattendingHastingsChristianSchool The Administrationmay,attheirdiscretion,allowforadditionalmeetingswiththeparentsiftheprevious disciplineplantohelpthestudentwasunsuccessful.Tohelptheparentsunderstandtheirchild’sbehavior, theymayberequiredtositwiththestudentduringapartoralloftheschoolday.IftheAdministrator determinesthatthestudent’sbehavioralissuestillcannotbecorrectedthroughthedisciplineplan(s)generated bythemeeting(s)withtheparents,thenitwillbeconsidereda“SeriousDisciplineCase”.
SeriousDisciplineCases ASeriousDisciplineCaseoccurswhenastudentexhibitsextremeungodlybehaviorthatimpedestheculture oftheschool.Examplesinclude(butarenotlimitedto):
1. ExcessiveOfficeVisits(seesectionofthesamenameabove)
2. Unrepentant,consistent,orseriousdisrespectofauthority
3. Unsafebehavior endangermenttothemselvesorothers
4 Overtmoralissuesincluding(butnotlimitedto):
a Inappropriatetouching
b. Substanceabuse
c. Illegalactivity
IftheAdministratorhasdeterminedthatthestudent’swordsorbehaviorconstituteaSeriousDisciplineCase, thestudentwillbesubjecttoadisciplinehearingbeforetheschoolboard.Thedisciplinehearingwillinclude thestudent,theparent(s),theteacher(ifapplicable),theAdministration,andschoolboardmembers.Atthis pointtheschoolboardwilldeterminethenecessarycourseofactionwhichmayincludesuspensionor expulsionofthestudent Tuitionwillnotbereimbursedforsuspensionsorexpulsions
Staff/StudentInteraction Outofadesiretoprotectourstudentsandstafffromeventheappearanceofevil,HastingsChristianSchool hasadoptedthefollowingguidelinestobestrictlyenforced:
1. Staffmaynotinitiatesocialmediainteractionwithstudents
2. Anyintentionaldiscipleship(outsideofclassroominteraction)betweenafacultymemberanda studentwouldneedparentandAdministrationapproval
StudentEtiquette Therearenumerouswaysthatstudentsareencouragedandexpectedtoshowkindnesstooneanother,andto theirteachers,duringtheirhoursatHastingsChristianSchool Periodically,studentswillreceiveteachingand remindersabouttheseexpectations.Itisourhopethattheseactionswillbecomepartofthedailyfabricatthe school.
Wetrainouryoungmentoshowconsiderationandrespectfortheladiesintheschool Wewanttotrainour youngladiestoacceptthesacrificeoftheyoungmenwithhumilityand thankfulness Assomeapplicationsof thistruth,wewanttheyoungmentodothefollowing:
1 Opendoorsforallladies,whetherparents,teachersorstudents Alwaysallowladiestoexitaroomfirst Inthehallways,menarecourteousanddefertoladiesbygivingthemspace.Inalleventswherefoodis served,thewomenaretobeservedandseatedfirst.
2. Wewanttotrainourstudentstoshowproperrespecttotheirteachersandadministrators.Students pleaseaddressteachersbyMr.,Miss,orMrs.Studentspleaserespondbysaying“yes”or“no”,rather than“yeah.”“Sir”and“ma’am”are alsoappropriatewaystoaddressadults
3. Wedesirethatstudentsshowhospitalitytovisitingguestsastheygreettheminthehallwaysand commonareas.WewouldliketheschooltobeaplacewherevisitorssensethearomaofChristianlove. “ButthanksbetoGod,whoalwaysleadsusintriumphalprocessioninChristandthroughusspreads everywherethefragranceoftheknowledgeofhim ForwearetoGodthearomaofChristamong thosewhoarebeingsavedandthosewhoareperishing Totheonewearethesmellofdeath,tothe other,thefragranceoflife”(2Corinthians2:14–15)
UnexpectedGovernmentAgencyVisits HastingsChristianSchoolvaluesourparentpartnershipandassuch,ifagovernmentagencyshowsup unexpectedlywewillnotifyparentsofanyinteractionwithagovernmentagency,suchaschildprotective services,asitrelatestoyourchild Ourpolicyisasfollows:
● Parentswillbenotifiedandtheirpresencerequestedpriortoagovernmentagencybeingallowedto interviewachildduringschoolhours
● HastingsChristianSchoolwilldoitsbesttoupholdthispolicywithanygovernmentagencybut cannotbeheldliableifwearenotabletogetaholdofafamilyorifthegovernmentagencyuseslegal forcetodemandtheinterview
SchoolSponsoredEvents School-sponsoredeventsareeventsapprovedbytheAdministration,publishedontheyearlycalendar,and/or whichreceivefinancialsupportfromHastingsChristianSchool School-sponsoredeventsrequirethe attendanceofastaffmemberfromHastingsChristianSchool Attendanceatschool-sponsoredactivitiesis limitedtostudentswhoarecurrentlyenrolledattheschool.HastingsChristianSchooldoesnotsponsora seniorclasstrip.Studentsareencouragedtoworkwiththeirparentstoplanthisactivityiftheysochoose.
Attendance HastingsChristianSchoolhasintentionallysetitsvacations,schedule,andstructuretoallowimportanttime forfamilies.ByregisteringachildinHastingsChristianSchool,theparentorguardianisagreeingtothis scheduleanditislovingtothecommunityofstudentstobeinattendance.Emergenciesorimportantfamily timearisefromtimetotime;thereforestudentshave6academicdays*withineachsemesterforschoolabsences withoutconsequencetotheircreditsunlesspre-approvalsarearranged WeaskthattheAdministrationbe notifiedassoonaspossibleforanyabsences.Astudentthatsurpasses12days,oratotalof6daysinasemester willbesubjecttoanEducationCouncilreviewwhichmayresultinretention,apaidtutoringsupplement,or thestudentnotbeinginvitedback.
Forsickness:pleasenotifyadministrationthroughtheClassReachformprovided.
Forprolongedperiodsofabsence(toextendbeyondthe6academicdays):pleasegetpre-approvalfromthe Administration.
*Emergencysituationswillobviouslybetakenintoconsideration.
SnowDays Snowdaysmaybeaddedtothecalendarpendingweatherconditionsduringtheacademicyear
Tardies Astudentwhoarriveslaterthan8:30AMisconsideredtardy.Fourunexcusedtardieswithinamonthwill constituteaparentemail.A5thtardywillresultinanofficevisit.Subsequentunexcusedtardieswillbetreated asofficevisitsinaccordancewiththedisciplinepolicy
DropoffandPickUpTime Studentsmaybedroppedoffbetween8:15–8:30AMandpickedupbetween3:00–3:15PM.Studentsthatare pickeduplaterthan3:15PMmaybechargedafeeforlatepickup.
ENROLLMENTPOLICY Anti-DiscriminationandADAStatement HastingsChristianSchooladmitsstudentsandhiresemployeeswithoutregardtorace,color,nationalorigin, orethnicorigin,ensuringequalaccesstoallrights,privileges,programs,andactivitiesgenerallyavailabletoour schoolcommunity Wearecommittedtoupholdingapplicablenondiscriminatorypoliciesinthe
administrationofeducationalpolicies,admissions,scholarships,loanprograms,athletics,andother school-administeredactivities HastingsChristianSchooldoesnotacceptfederalfunds
ChildrendiagnosedwithalearningdisabilityarewelcometobeapartofHastingsChristianSchoolsolongas theycanmeet,orbeassistedtomeet,thedisciplinestandardsoftheclassroom,discussions,anddailyroutine Studentsapplyingforadmissionsshouldhaveadesiretoreceivethisformofeducation.Wedonotmind assistingparentsinfosteringthisdesire,butthestudentneedstoattheveryleastbe“willingtobemade willing”tobediscipledthroughaClassicalChristianeducation.
EnrollmentProcess Regardingcandidatesforadmission,weareaClassicalChristianschoolcommittedtopartneringwithChristian parentswhoshareourmissionandareintentionallynurturingaChrist-formedpaideiaintheirhomes.
1 GeneralInquiry
2. FamilyInterviewRequest
3. AdmissionsInterview
TUITION Formoreinformation,pleaseseetheTuitionGuide
TuitionAssistance WedonotwantfinancestobeareasonthatafamilycannotsendtheirchildrentoHastingsChristianSchool whilewealsowanttobegoodstewardsofdonorfunds.Weaskthatfamiliesinneedoftuitionassistanceask grandparents,churches,andfamilybeforeapplyingforfinancialaid.Iftuitionassistanceisstillnecessarywe useathirdpartyfinancialaidprocessorcalledBenefaq.Theapplicationis$35andHastingsChristianSchool receivesareportrelatedtowhatafamilycanfeasiblyaffordbasedontheirfinancialportfolio Withthis information,ourcommitteemakesadecisiontakingintoaccountthereportandanyextenuating circumstance.Ourdesireisthatafamilyinneedoftuitionassistanceisabletopayaminimumof10%oftheir
salarytowardsChristianeducation,butwealsoreviewthefinancialcircumstancesinmakingour determination
Step1: Askforhelpfromyourchurch(manychurcheshaveeducationfunds)
Step2: ApplythroughBenefaq
Step3:Thecommitteewillreviewandmakearecommendation
Step4: Youwillbenotifiedofanyaidtobeawarded
Step5: Payyournewtuitionamountthroughmonthlytuition
EVALUATIONS 1 Teacherswillevaluatestudentsregularlyforthepurposeofassessingskillandknowledge
2 Teachersareevaluatedunannouncedthroughouttheyear
3 Theadministrationwillbeassessedperiodicallybythestaff
4. Parentswillevaluatetheschoolannually
General Agreement: All parents and students who are enrolling in Hastings Christian School affirmbytheirapplicationandenrollmenttheirintentionalwillingnesstoabidebytheChristian conduct(wordanddeed)presentedinthishandbookandallotherschooldocuments,bothexpressed andimplied.ThisincludestheStatementofFaith,CulturalIssues,andallpoliciesstatedherein.
Disclaimer: The readershouldtakenoticethatwhileeveryeffortismadetoensuretheaccuracyof the information provided herein, Hastings Christian School reserves therighttomakechangesat any time without prior notice. Parents willbenotifiedofanychangestothehandbookthatoccur duringthecurrentacademicyear.HastingsChristianSchoolprovidestheinformationhereinsolely for the convenience of the reader and, to the extent permissible by law, expressly disclaims any liabilitywhichmayotherwisebeincurred.
