I.TheScriptures
TheHolyBiblewaswrittenbymendivinelyinspiredandisGod’srevelationofHimselftoman Itisaperfect treasureofdivineinstruction IthasGodforitsauthor,salvationforitsend,andtruth,withoutanymixtureof error,foritsmatter.Therefore,allScriptureistotallytrueandtrustworthy.Itrevealstheprinciplesbywhich Godjudgesus,andthereforeis,andwillremaintotheendoftheworld,thetruecenterofChristianunion,and thesupremestandardbywhichallhumanconduct,creeds,andreligiousopinionsshouldbetried.AllScripture isatestimonytoChrist,whoisHimselfthefocusofdivinerevelation.
Exodus24:4;Deuteronomy4:1-2,17:19;Joshua8:34;Psalms19:7-10,119:11,89,105,140;Isaiah34:16,40:8; Jeremiah15:16,36:1-32;Matthew5:17-18,22:29;Luke21:33,24:44-46;John5:39,16:13-15,17:17;Acts2:16ff, 17:11;Romans15:4,16:25-26;2Timothy3:15-17;Hebrews1:1-2,4:12;1Peter1:25;2Peter1:19-21.
II.God
ThereisoneandonlyonelivingandtrueGod.Heisanintelligent,spiritual,andpersonalBeing,theCreator, Redeemer,Preserver,andRuleroftheuniverse.Godisinfiniteinholinessandallotherperfections.Godisall powerfulandallknowing;andHisperfectknowledgeextendstoallthings,past,present,andfuture,including thefuturedecisionsofHisfreecreatures ToHimweowethehighestlove,reverence,andobedience Theeternal triuneGodrevealsHimselftousasFather,Son,andHolySpirit,withdistinctpersonalattributes,butwithout divisionofnature,essence,orbeing
A.GodtheFather
GodasFatherreignswithprovidentialcareoverHisuniverse,Hiscreatures,andtheflowofthestreamof humanhistoryaccordingtothepurposesofHisgrace Heisallpowerful,allknowing,allloving,andallwise GodisFatherintruthtothosewhobecomechildrenofGodthroughfaithinJesusChrist HeisfatherlyinHis attitudetowardallmen
Genesis1:1,2:7;Exodus3:14,6:2-3,15:11ff.,20:1ff.;Leviticus22:2;Deuteronomy6:4,32:6;1Chronicles29:10; Psalm19:1-3;Isaiah43:3,15,64:8;Jeremiah10:10,17:13;Matthew6:9ff.,7:11,23:9,28:19;Mark1:9-11;John 4:24,5:26,14:6-13,17:1-8;Acts1:7;Romans8:14-15;1Corinthians8:6;Galatians4:6;Ephesians4:6;Colossians 1:15;1Timothy1:17;Hebrews11:6,12:9;1Peter1:17;1John5:7.
B.GodtheSon
ChrististheeternalSonofGod InHisincarnationasJesusChrist,HewasconceivedoftheHolySpiritand bornofthevirginMary JesusperfectlyrevealedanddidthewillofGod,takinguponHimselfhumannature withitsdemandsandnecessitiesandidentifyingHimselfcompletelywithmankind,yetwithoutsin.He honoredthedivinelawbyHispersonalobedience,andinHissubstitutionarydeathonthecross,Hemade provisionfortheredemptionofmenfromsin.Hewasraisedfromthedeadwithaglorifiedbodyandappeared toHisdisciplesasthepersonwhowaswiththembeforeHiscrucifixion Heascendedintoheavenandisnow exaltedattherighthandofGodwhereHeistheOneMediator,fullyGod,fullyman,inwhosePersoniseffected thereconciliationbetweenGodandman Hewillreturninpowerandglorytojudgetheworldandto consummateHisredemptivemission.HenowdwellsinallbelieversasthelivingandeverpresentLord.
Genesis18:1ff.;Psalms2:7ff.;110:1ff.;Isaiah7:14;Isaiah53:1-12;Matthew1:18-23,3:17,8:29,11:27,14:33, 16:16,27,17:5,27,28:1-6,19;Mark1:1,3:11;Luke1:35,4:41,22:70,24:46;John1:1-18,29,10:30,38,11:25-27; 12:44-50,14:7-11,16:15-16,28,17:1-5,21-22,20:1-20,28;Acts1:9,2:22-24,7:55-56,9:4-5,20;Romans1:3-4, 3:23-26,5:6-21,8:1-3,34,10:4;1Corinthians1:30,2:2,8:6,15:1-8,24-28;2Corinthians5:19-21,8:9;Galatians 4:4-5;Ephesians1:20,3:11,4:7-10;Philippians2:5-11;Colossians1:13-22,2:9;1Thessalonians4:14-18;1 Timothy2:5-6,3:16;Titus2:13-14;Hebrews1:1-3,4:14-15,7:14-28,9:12-15,24-28,12:2,13:8;1Peter2:21-25, 3:22;1John1:7-9,3:2,4:14-15,5:9;2John7-9;Revelation1:13-16,5:9-14,12:10-11,13:8,19:16.
C.GodtheHolySpirit
TheHolySpiritistheSpiritofGod,fullydivine HeinspiredholymenofoldtowritetheScriptures Through illuminationHeenablesmentounderstandtruth HeexaltsChrist Heconvictsmenofsin,ofrighteousness, andofjudgment HecallsmentotheSaviour,andeffectsregeneration AtthemomentofregenerationHe baptizeseverybelieverintotheBodyofChrist.HecultivatesChristiancharacter,comfortsbelievers,and bestowsthespiritualgiftsbywhichtheyserveGodthroughHischurch.Hesealsthebelieveruntothedayof finalredemption.HispresenceintheChristianistheguaranteethatGodwillbringthebelieverintothefullness ofthestatureofChrist.Heenlightensandempowersthebelieverandthechurchinworship,evangelism,and service
Genesis1:2;Judges14:6;Job26:13;Psalms51:11,139:7ff;Isaiah61:1-3;Joel2:28-32;Matthew1:18,3:16,4:1, 12:28-32,28:19;Mark1:10,12;Luke1:35,4:1,18-19,11:13,12:12,24:49;John4:24,14:16-17,26,15:26, 16:7-14;Acts1:8,2:1-4,38,4:31,5:3,6:3,7:55,8:17,39,10:44,13:2,15:28,16:6,19:1-6;Romans8:9-11,14-16, 26-27;1Corinthians2:10-14,3:16,12:3-11,13;Galatians4:6;Ephesians1:13-14;4:30,5:18;1Thessalonians 5:19;1Timothy3:16,4:1;2Timothy1:14,3:16;Hebrews9:8,14;2Peter1:21;1John4:13,5:6-7;Revelation1:10, 22:17
III.Man
ManisthespecialcreationofGod,madeinHisownimage Hecreatedthemmaleandfemaleasthecrowning workofHiscreation ThegiftofgenderisthuspartofthegoodnessofGod’screation Inthebeginningman
wasinnocentofsinandwasendowedbyhisCreatorwithfreedomofchoice.Byhisfreechoicemansinned againstGodandbroughtsinintothehumanrace ThroughthetemptationofSatan,mantransgressedthe commandofGodandfellfromhisoriginalinnocencewherebyhisposterityinheritanatureandan environmentinclinedtowardsin Therefore,assoonastheyarecapableofmoralaction,theybecome transgressorsandareundercondemnation.OnlythegraceofGodcanbringmanintoHisholyfellowshipand enablemantofulfillthecreativepurposeofGod.ThesacrednessofhumanpersonalityisevidentinthatGod createdmaninHisownimage,andinthatChristdiedforman;therefore,everypersonofeveryracepossesses fulldignityandisworthyofrespectandChristianlove
Genesis1:26-30,2:5,7,18-22,3,9:6;Psalms1,8:3-6,32:1-5,51:5;Isaiah6:5;Jeremiah17:5;Matthew16:26;Acts 17:26-31;Romans1:19-32,3:10-18,23,5:6,12,19,6:6;7:14-25,8:14-18,29;1Corinthians1:21-31,15:19, 21-22;Ephesians2:1-22;Colossians1:21-22,3:9-11.
IV.Salvation
SalvationinvolvestheredemptionofthewholemanandisofferedfreelytoallwhoacceptJesusChristasLord andSaviour,whobyHisownbloodobtainedeternalredemptionforthebeliever.Initsbroadestsensesalvation includesregeneration,justification,sanctification,andglorification.Thereisnosalvationapartfrompersonal faithinJesusChristasLord
A Regeneration,orthenewbirth,isaworkofGod’sgracewherebybelieversbecomenewcreaturesinChrist Jesus ItisachangeofheartwroughtbytheHolySpiritthroughconvictionofsin,towhichthesinnerresponds inrepentancetowardGodandfaithintheLordJesusChrist.Repentanceandfaithareinseparableexperiences ofgrace.
RepentanceisagenuineturningfromsintowardGod.FaithistheacceptanceofJesusChristandcommitment oftheentirepersonalitytoHimasLordandSaviour
B JustificationisGod’sgraciousandfullacquittaluponprinciplesofHisrighteousnessofallsinnerswho repentandbelieveinChrist JustificationbringsthebelieveruntoarelationshipofpeaceandfavorwithGod
C.Sanctificationistheexperience,beginninginregeneration,bywhichthebelieverissetaparttoGod’s purposesandisenabledtoprogresstowardmoralandspiritualmaturitythroughthepresenceandpowerofthe HolySpiritdwellinginhim.Growthingraceshouldcontinuethroughouttheregenerateperson’slife.
D.Glorificationistheculminationofsalvationandisthefinalblessedandabidingstateoftheredeemed.
Genesis3:15;Exodus3:14-17,6:2-8;Matthew1:21,4:17,16:21-26,27:22-28:6;Luke1:68-69,2:28-32;John 1:11-14,29,3:3-21,36,5:24,10:9,28-29,15:1-16,17:17;Acts2:21,4:12,15:11,16:30-31,17:30-31,20:32; Romans1:16-18,2:4,3:23-25,4:3ff.,5:8-10,6:1-23,8:1-18,29-39,10:9-10,13,13:11-14;1Corinthians1:18,30, 6:19-20,15:10;2Corinthians5:17-20;Galatians2:20,3:13,5:22-25,6:15;Ephesians1:7,2:8-22,4:11-16; Philippians2:12-13;Colossians1:9-22,3:1ff.;1Thessalonians5:23-24;2Timothy1:12;Titus2:11-14;Hebrews 2:1-3,5:8-9,9:24-28,11:1-12:8,14;James2:14-26;1Peter1:2-23;1John1:6-2:11;Revelation3:20,21:1-22:5.
XVIII.TheFamily
Godhasordainedthefamilyasthefoundationalinstitutionofhumansociety.Itiscomposedofpersonsrelated tooneanotherbymarriage,blood,oradoption.
Marriageistheunitingofonemanandonewomanincovenantcommitmentforalifetime ItisGod’sunique gifttorevealtheunionbetweenChristandHischurchandtoprovideforthemanandthewomaninmarriage theframeworkforintimatecompanionship,thechannelofsexualexpressionaccordingtobiblicalstandards, andthemeansforprocreationofthehumanrace.
ThehusbandandwifeareofequalworthbeforeGod,sincebotharecreatedinGod’simage.Themarriage relationshipmodelsthewayGodrelatestoHispeople.AhusbandistolovehiswifeasChristlovedthechurch. HehastheGod-givenresponsibilitytoprovidefor,toprotect,andtoleadhisfamily Awifeistosubmitherself graciouslytotheservantleadershipofherhusbandevenasthechurchwillinglysubmitstotheheadshipof Christ She,beingintheimageofGodasisherhusbandandthusequaltohim,hastheGod-givenresponsibility torespectherhusbandandtoserveashishelperinmanagingthehouseholdandnurturingthenextgeneration. Children,fromthemomentofconception,areablessingandheritagefromtheLord.Parentsareto demonstratetotheirchildrenGod’spatternformarriage.Parentsaretoteachtheirchildrenspiritualandmoral valuesandtoleadthem,throughconsistentlifestyleexamplesandlovingdiscipline,tomakechoicesbasedon biblicaltruth Childrenaretohonorandobeytheirparents
Genesis1:26-28;2:15-25;3:1-20;Exodus20:12;Deuteronomy6:4-9;Joshua24:15;1Samuel1:26-28;Psalms51:5; 78:1-8;127;128;139:13-16;Proverbs1:8;5:15-20;6:20-22;12:4;13:24;14:1;17:6;18:22;22:6,15;23:13-14;24:3; 29:15,17;31:10-31;Ecclesiastes4:9-12;9:9;Malachi2:14-16;Matthew5:31-32;18:2-5;19:3-9;Mark10:6-12; Romans1:18-32;1Corinthians7:1-16;Ephesians5:21-33;6:1-4;Colossians3:18-21;1Timothy5:8,14;2Timothy 1:3-5;Titus2:3-5;Hebrews13:4;1Peter3:1-7.
ReadCommentaryonArticleXVIII–TheFamily
CULTURALISSUES
BethelAcademybelievesthatallhumanlifeissacredandthatwearecreatedintheimageofGodandcalledto defendandprotectthatlife.Webelievetherearetwodistinctgenders,maleandfemaleandtogethertheyreflect theimageandnatureofGodandtheBiblicalmeaningof“marriage”describedinScripture(Gen.2:18-25).
BethelAcademyiscommittedtoahealthydiscussionofthisissueinawaythatvaluesallthoseofotheropinions yetdoesnotcompromiseourvalues OurultimategoalisChristianunitywithintheparametersoftheApostles’ CreedandthetruthofScripture
UNIFORMPOLICY
PleaseclickfortheUniformPolicy
DISCIPLINEPOLICY
BETHELACADEMYHONORCODE
BethelAcademystrivestoguidestudentstowardsexcellenceinChristiancharacteraswellasacademic achievement.Weunderstandthatthisisamaturingprocess,andtheseguidelinesprovideaframeworkfrom whicheachparent,teacher,andstudentmayassessgrowth Wewanttocooperatewiththehometohelp studentsformtraitssuchascheerfulobedience;integrity;honesty;responsibility;andrespectforthetime, dignity,andpropertyofothers
Thiscodeofconductguidesteachersintheirdiscernmentofstudentconductthatmayrequirediscipline.The studentsareexpectedto:
1.ObeyPromptly.
Hebrews13:17:“Obeyyourleadersandsubmittothem,fortheykeepwatchoveryoursoulsasthosewhowillgivean account.Letthemdothiswithjoyandnotwithgrief,forthiswouldbeunprofitableforyou.”
Itisexpectedthatstudentswillobeyimmediately.Studentsshouldhavearespectfulattitude,makingeyecontact withthepersongivingdirections.
2.ObeyCompletely.
Deuteronomy4:2:“DonotaddtowhatIcommandyouanddonotsubtractfromit,butkeepthecommandsofthe LordthatIgiveyou.”
Itisexpectedthatstudentswillneitherobey“halfway”norreinterpretacommandgivenbytheteacher,whohas authorityandisintendedtobeabiblicalrolemodel.
3.ObeyCheerfully.
Philippians2:14-15:“Doeverythingwithoutcomplainingorarguingsothatyoumaybecomeblamelessandpure, childrenofGodwithoutfaultinacrookedanddepravedgenerationinwhichyoushinelikestarsintheuniverse ”
Itisexpectedthatstudentswillobeywithathankfulattitude Grumbling,grimacing,sighing,andother complainingisnotacceptable.
4.ExerciseDiligenceinWork.
Colossians3:23:“Whateveryoudo,workatitwithallyourheart,asworkingfortheLord,notformen”
Itisexpectedthatstudentswillbehardworkers Theirworkshouldgiveevidenceofneatness,precision,and effort Theyshouldfocusappropriatelyonthetask Assignmentsshouldbecompletedandsubmittedina timelyway.
5.DisplayConsideration,Kindness,andCompassion.
Ephesians4:29,32:“Donotletanyunwholesometalkcomeoutofyourmouths,butonlywhatishelpfulforbuilding othersupaccordingtotheirneeds,thatitmaybenefitthosewholisten Bekindtooneanother,tenderhearted, forgivingoneanother,justasGodinChristhasforgivenyou”
Itisexpectedthatstudentswilltreatotherswithkindnessinactionandinspeech Harshwordsandharmful behaviorarenotacceptable.
6.SpeakWithHonestyandEdification.
Ephesians4:25:“Thereforeeachofyoumustputofffalsehoodandspeaktruthfullytohisneighbor,forweareall membersofonebody”
Itisexpectedthatstudentswillspeakhonestly,withoutrationalizationandexcuse Gossipandslanderarenot edifying.Intheeventofrelationaloffense,studentswillbeencouragedtospeakdirectlywiththepersonwith whomtheyhaveaconcernandtomodelthebiblicalprincipleinMatthew18:15-17.
7.ExerciseSelf-Control.
Proverbs25:28:“Whoeverhasnoruleoverhisownspiritislikeacitybrokendown,withoutwalls”
Itisexpectedthatstudentswillcontroltheirtonguesandactions Studentswillbeencouragedtospeakat appropriatetimesandtocontrolthemselves
8.DisplayOrder.
ICorinthians14:40:“Everythingshouldbedoneinafittingandorderlyway.”
Itisexpectedthatstudentswilltakeanactivepartinmaintainingtheirpersonalbelongings;respecttheschool’s propertyandappearance;andupholdthedresscode,practicingmodesty
Student’sPromisePledge
IwillactlikeJesusanddowhatHeteachesinallIdo. Iwillspeakwithloveandrespect.
Iwillnevercallanyoneabadname.
Iwillberesponsibleforpreparingforschooleachday
I’llthinkaheadandplanforwhattowear,whattobring,andstay“ontop”ofmyschoolwork Myparentswill helpme,butIamresponsible Iwillnotbemeannorgiveexcuses.
Iwillbothleadandfollowwithhumility.
Iwillencouragethosewhoarefeelingdownanddefendtheweak.
Iwilldothethingsthatarehard
Iwillturnawayfromsinandthingsthatareharmfulformetosee,hear,taste,feel,orthink
PHILOSOPHYOFDISCIPLINE
Scripture
Hebrews12:11.“Nodisciplineseemspleasantatthetime,butpainful.Later,however,itproducesaharvestof righteousnessandpeaceforthosewhohavebeentrainedbyit”
BethelAcademyrecognizesthatthepurposeofdisciplineistodevelopourfellowshipandloveforGodand neighbor(Mark12:30-31) Disciplineisnecessaryfordiscipleship Tothisend,disciplineisnotmeanttosimply modifyoutwardbehavior,butrathertotrainthehearttoloveJesus.
ClassroomDiscipline
GodisaGodoforderandourteachersfosterthisorderthroughclassroommanagement(1Cor 14:33,40) Studentswillbeaskedtobehaveinawaythatfostersrespectfortheirteacher,especiallyasitrelatestolovefor Godandtheirneighborsinclass.Generalbehaviorsthatcanbecorrectedinclassinclude:
● Minorclassroomdisruptions
● Nuisancebehaviortoteachersorstudents
● Inappropriateuseofclassroommaterials
Multipleopportunitiesmaybeofferedtohelpstudentscoursecorrect.Ifateacherneedsassistance,astudent maybesenttotheoffice.
OfficeVisits
Overtbehaviorswhichrequireadministrativeinvolvementnecessitateparentnotification Dependingonthe severityoftheinfraction,studentsmayneedtobepickedupimmediatelyfromschooland,insomecases,be suspended.Fordisciplinetobeeffective,itisimperativeforteachersandparentstobehaveasateam.Ifthiscan’t beaccomplished,astudentmayneedtobeunenrolleduntilsuchatimeasanagreementcanbereached.
Behaviorsthateffectofficevisitsinclude:
● Flagrantdisrespectshowntostaff
● Dishonesty(eg,lying,cheating,stealing)
● Defiance(e.g.,outrightdisobedience,consistentcorrection,orrebellion)
● Fighting(eg,strikingwiththeintentiontoharmanotherstudent)
● Bullying(ie,deliberatelyharassinganotherstudentduringoroutsideofschool,including cyber-bullying)
● Enablingothers’badbehavior
● Actsthatendangerthelifeofanotherperson
● Vandalism
● Theft
● Inappropriateuseofschoolpropertyorthefacility
● Inappropriatelanguage(eg,obscene,vulgar,profanelanguage)
● Romanticdisplaysofaffection(e.g.,kissing,hugging,hand-holding)
● Sexualmisconduct(e.g.,inappropriatetouching,useofpornography)
● Illegalsubstanceuse(e.g.,drugoralcoholuse)
● Weaponsoncampus(e.g.,guns,knives)
DegreesofDiscipline
Thedegreeofdisciplinedependsontheseverityoftheoffenseandfallssomewherealong(butnotlimitedto) thiscontinuum:
1 Verbalwarnings(eg,student’sopportunitytoself-correct)
2 Acknowledgingoffenseandmakingapologies(publicoffensespromptpublicapologies;privateoffenses promptpersonalapologies)
3. Makingrestitution
4. Changeoflocation(e.g.,desk/chairchange)
5 Sittingoutofanactivity
6 Documentationforstudent/parentfile
7 Removingofsomeprivilege(eg,fieldtrip)
8. Communityservice(e.g.,janitorialwork)
9. Sendinghome(e.g.,earlypickup)
10. Detention
11. Parentalattendanceduringtheschoolday
12 Suspension
13 Expulsion(inthisevent,studentswillNOTreceiveatuitionrefund,norwillotherfeesberefunded)
ExcessiveOfficeVisits
IfitbecomesapparenttotheHeadofSchool thatthestudent’scharacterisnotimprovingovertimeand/oris becomingworsetothedetrimentoftheschoolculture,theHeadofSchool willmeetwiththeparents,andthey willdevelopaplantoresolvetheissue.TheHeadofSchool willalsomeetwiththeparentsincaseswherethe studentexhibitsalackofrepentanceorlacksinterestinattendingBethelAcademy.TheHeadofSchool may,at hisorherdiscretion,allowforadditionalmeetingswiththeparentsifthepreviousdisciplineplantohelpthe
studentwasunsuccessful.Tohelptheparentsunderstandtheirchild’sbehavior,theymayberequiredtositwith thestudentduringapartoralloftheschoolday IftheHeadofSchool determinesthatthestudent’sbehavioral issuestillcannotbecorrectedthroughthedisciplineplan(s)generatedbythemeeting(s)withtheparents,then theissuewillbeconsidereda“SeriousDisciplineCase”
SeriousDisciplineCases
ASeriousDisciplineCaseoccurswhenastudentexhibitsextremeungodlybehaviorthatimpedesthecultureof theschool.Examplesinclude(butarenotlimitedto):
1 Excessiveofficevisits(see“ExcessiveOfficeVisits”above)
2. Unrepentant,consistent,orseriousdisrespectofauthority
3. Unsafebehavior endangermenttothemselvesorothers
4. Overtmoralissuesincluding(butnotlimitedto):
a. Inappropriatetouching
b Substanceabuse
c Illegalactivity
IftheHeadofSchool hasdeterminedthatthestudent’swordsorbehaviorconstitutesaSeriousDisciplineCase, thestudentwillbesubjecttoadisciplinehearingbeforetheSchoolBoard Thedisciplinehearingwillinclude thestudent,theparent(s),theteacher(ifapplicable),theHeadofSchool,andEducationCouncilmembers At thispointtheEducationCouncil willdeterminethenecessarycourseofactionwhichmayincludesuspension orexpulsionofthestudent.AsstatedinDegreesofDisciplineabove,tuitionwillNOTbereimbursedfor suspensionsorexpulsions.
Readmittance
Shouldastudentwhowasexpelled,orwhowithdrewtopreventexpulsion,desiretobereadmittedtoBethel Academyatalaterdate,BethelAcademywillrequireadisciplinehearinginvolvingtheparents,teachers,and schoolAdministration.TheEducationCouncil,inconsultationwiththeHeadofSchool,willmakeadecision basedonthestudent'sattitudeandcircumstances.
ElectronicDevicePolicy
Useofpersonalelectronicdevices(eg,phones,smartphones,portablegamingdevices,smartwatches)by studentsisprohibitedoncampus Suchdevicesmaybebroughttoschooliftheyremaininstudents’backpacks Useofpersonalelectronicdevicesmustreceiveapproval
● Useoflaptopsispermissibleforsecondaryacademicpurposesonlyunderthepreapproveddirection andsupervisionofateacher
● Afirstviolationofthispolicywillresultinimmediateconfiscationofthedevice,tobereleasedtoa parentorguardian
● AsecondviolationofthispolicywillresultinaparentconferencewithAdministration
● Athirdviolationofthispolicywillresultinadisciplinaryhearing
● BethelAcademyacceptsnoresponsibilityforuse,breakage,theft,orlossofphoneorotherpersonal items
CheatingandPlagiarism
Cheatingisdefinedaslookingatanother’sworkwithouttheteacher’spermissionorcommunicatingwith anotherduringanexamwithouttheteacher’spermission.
Plagiarismisdefinedasusinganother’sworkwithoutacknowledgingandthankingthemfortheuse.
Tothisend,thiswouldalsoincludetheuseofAI (artificialintelligence,ie,ChatGPT)todraftessays,writings, ortocompleteassignments
Ifeithercheatingorplagiarismisnoticed,theassignmentorexamwillimmediatelyreceivea0. Parentswillbe notified. AsecondcheatingorplagiarisminfractionwillresultinaSchoolBoard review.
DressCodePhilosophyandViolations
Inacultureinwhichpersonalexpressionisexalted,beautyisheldinquestion,thegoodofourneighboris subordinatedtothedesiresoftheindividual,andevenbiologicalgenderofmenandwomenascreatedinthe imageofGod(maleandfemale)isbroughtintoquestion,itisthedesireofBethelAcademytoglorifyGodin boththecharacterandcultureoftheschool.
AsambassadorsforChristtoeachotherandtoawatchingworld,thefollowingprinciplesshouldguideour choiceofattire:
1. OuractionsandourattireshouldpointtotheLordweserve
2. Ouractionsandourattireshouldportrayaheartofbothmodestyandhumility
3. Ouractionsandattireshouldseektoreflectrespectfulconformitytoourbiologicalgender
4 Ouractionsandourattireshouldnotseektoexalttheoutwardbeautyoftheindividualstudentbut ratherseektoinvestinandprotectthevirtueandcharacterofthatportionoftheBodyofChristthat findsitselfatBethelAcademy
5. Ouractionsandourattireshouldsupporttheorderlyoperationofourschool
6. Asweseektoinvestinoneanother,ouractionsandourattireshouldsupportaschoolculturethat requiresadecreasinglevelofoversightincontrasttoacultureoftheindividualthatrequiresincreased regulationandoversightandthelossofthefreedomthatwehaveinChrist
Inlightoftheabove,weaskthattheparentsandstudentsadheretothedesignateduniforminordertosupport amannerofdressthatreflectstheChristian,classical,andscholarlyimageofBethelAcademy Assuch,Bethel Academystudentsshouldappearneat,clean,andmodestduringtheschoolday,seekingnottodistractothersor solicitoversightbytheirappearance.
Ifafacultymembernoticesadresscodeviolation,theywillinformAdministration(HeadofSchool),and AdministrationwillnotifyparentsthroughaDressCodeViolationForm(viaClassReach)
● After4dresscodeviolations,anofficevisitwillfollowinadditiontoemailnotification
● Afterthe5thviolationwithinasemester,thestudentwillbesenthome
● SubsequentdresscodeviolationswillrequiretheHeadofSchooltotreattheviolationsasofficevisitsin accordancewiththedisciplinepolicy
Adresscodeviolationcannotbecorrectedinclass
HonorCode
Discipleshiprequiresgenuinepartnership Faculty,students,andparentswillberequiredtoreadandsignBethel Academy’sHonorCode,whichservesasacovenantalagreementforhowteachers,students,andparentsshould relatetooneanother.Thisisessentialtodiscipleshipsothatallpartiesinvolvedwillunderstandwhatisexpected aswestriveforspiritualmaturityinChrist.
OURPROGRAMANDPHILOSOPHIES
EDUCATIONSCHEDULE
BethelAcademyoffersa4-daycoreacademicstructure OuracademicdaysareMondaythroughThursday
LIMITINGSUBJECTS
C.S.Lewis:“…thegreatestservicewecandotoeducationtodayistoteachfewersubjects.Noonehastimetodomore thanaveryfewthingswellbeforeheistwenty,andwhenweforceaboytobeamediocrityinadozensubjects,we destroyhisstandards,perhapsforlife.”
Ourgoalistoteachdeeplyratherthanbroadly Whatcountsisnotthenumberofsubjectstaught,buthowwell studentslearntothinkwhiledoingthem.BethelAcademywillfocusonlearningfewerthingsverywell.Rather thanofferingstudentsasmall,shallowtasteofaplethoraofsubjects,classicaleducationusessubjectstoteach thinkingskills:skillsoflanguage,communication,investigation,andcriticalthinking
ONCURRICULUM
AtBethelAcademy,webelievethatcurriculumisatool,whichisessential,buttheteacherbringseducationto lifethroughuseofthattool Assuch,inadditiontousingvariouscurriculaandadevelopedlistofskillsand objectives,wewillobtainthemostqualifiedanddedicatedteachersaspossible:teacherswhoexemplifyaloveof learningandpointstudentstoJesusChristbyimbuingtheirteachingingoodness,beauty,andtruth
AssignmentswillbegivenanddirectedbyBethelAcademy faculty;studentsthatneedassistancemayhave parentalaid,butassignmentsmustbecompletedasdirected.
Thefinalaimofeverysubjecttaught:
Augustine:“TofallinlovewithGodisthegreatestromance;toseekhimthegreatestadventure;tofindhim,the greatesthumanachievement.”
PHILOSOPHYOFEDUCATION
Asaschool,BethelAcademystrivestohonorGod’swordanddoeverythingtoGod’sglorybymakingour programofthehighestacademic,spiritual,andmoralqualitytoassistparentsintheirGod-givendutyofrearing theirchildren
AsaChristianschool,wearededicatedtoteachingeverydisciplinefromaChristianworldview.AtBethel Academy,childrenaretaughtthattrustingandreveringGodisthefirstandmostimportantstepinacquiring knowledgeandthatChristiscentraltoallwedo.
Asaclassical,Christianschool,weseektocultivatewisdomandvirtuebynourishingthesoul ontruth,goodness,andbeautybymeansofthesevenliberalartsandthefoursciencessothat,inChrist,the studentisenabledtobetterknow,glorify,andenjoyGod
Ourcommitmenttograduatingstudentswithtenderhearts,sharpminds,andbiblical discernmentflowsfromourconvictionthatallthingscohereinChrist(Colossians1:17),whoisthe True,theGood,andtheBeautiful ThefinalgoalofaBethelAcademyeducationisnotamere transferofideasbutthetrainingupofgodlyyoungmenandwomenwithrenewedminds(Romans12:1-2)and servanthearts(Philippians2:5-8)
HUMANITIES
Thehumanitiesuniteliterature,history,writing,geography,andtheBibleintoacohesivewholethatisrootedin andintegratedwiththeliberalarts Ourteachersareguidesleadingstudentstogreatworksandinfluentialideas whilehelpingthemnavigatecontext,bias,originalsources,andstoriesinordertodiscerntruthfromlies, goodnessfromevil,andbeautyfromugliness.
BIBLE
TheBibleisessentialtoeducationatBethelAcademy.ThewordsandtruthofScripturewillbeexplicitlyand intentionallyinterwovenintothefabricofourschool.Wewillseektohelpstudentsknowthestories,wisdom,
andAuthoroftheBible.ThekeytorightlyrelatingtotheScripturesistoseeChristastheirfocusand culmination
THEARTS
Anart,asusedinthe“liberalarts,”isamodeofproducingsomethingotherthantheartitself.Theliberalarts areorderedtoproduceknowledgeandthereforearetheartsofthinking Theyareconcernedwiththe foundationalskillsofthinkingthatareneededtolearnanysubject Thefollowingartsaresomeofthekey componentsofclassicaleducation:
Grammar(andLatin)
Humansareuniquelyabletothinkusinglanguage.Thus,theskillfulandfittinguseoflanguageisessentialto thefulldevelopmentofouruniquecallinginGod’screatedorder.Throughthestudyofgrammar,werefinethe student’sabilitytouselanguage.Thelanguagewe’veinherited(English)isrooteddeeplyinLatin.Themastery ofEnglishisadvancedbylearningLatinaswell
Mathematics
Inadditiontohumanity’suniqueabilitytothinkusingwords,wearealsouniqueinourabilitytothinkusing numbers,symbols,andtheirrelations.Mathematicartssuchasarithmeticandgeometryrefinethisability.We taketimetohelpstudentsdevelopmasteryinthemathematicarts.Mathematicssolvesforobjectivetruth,which translatesintoalloflife.GodisaGodoforderandhisunchangingnatureisrevealedthroughhisorderly creation
Music
Godhascalledhispeopletosingandmakemelodies BethelAcademywillinterweavesingingthroughout students’education Wewillalsointentionallydevelopthetheoryandskillnecessarytoelevatemusic The pursuitofmusicisaworthycalling,evenforthosenotnaturallygifted.Thereforetechnique,worship,practice, andcommunitywillbeintegraltoBethelAcademy’sapproachtomusic.
Art
Beyondthemusicalarts,beautyisrealizedinothercreativeexpressions Wearecreativebecauseweareimagesof theCreator Nurturinganappreciationandunderstandingofgreatworksofartwillbeincorporatedintothe humanities Wewillalsocultivatecreativityandthedevelopmentofkeyskillsassociatedwithartisticcrafts
THENATURALSCIENCES
Thenaturalsciencesarethoseofthephysicalorder,suchasbiology,chemistry,andphysics Thegoalofthe naturalsciencesistoknowthecausesofchangeinthephysicalworldsothatonecanlivewiselyinrelationtothe CreationanditsCreator.Themodeofinquiryofthenaturalsciencesisinvestigationintothematerialand efficientcauses.Observationandmeasurementareparticularlyapttothisdomain.
PHYSICALEDUCATION
Humanbeingsareheart/soul/mind/strengthunities.Thewholestudentmustbetrainedinaqualityeducation. Thebodymustnotbeneglected Wewillincorporatephysicalengagementandmovementintothejourneyof learning Gamescombinejoyandpractice Competitionprovidesatraininggroundfornoblecharacterin community
PHILOSOPHYOFGRADING
GRADINGPOLICY
GradesatBethelAcademydonotinanywayreflecttheimmeasurableworthandvalueofeachchildmadein God’simage,butratherreflectthequalityofworkinagivenfieldofstudyatagiventime AtBethelAcademy, gradesservethreebasicpurposes:
1. Tohelpstudentstoimprove
2. Todeterminethebestplacementlevelforayoungstudent'sacademicability
3. Toprovideajustandlegitimatemeansofholdingstudentsaccountableforthequalityoftheirwork. Gradesprovideawidelyunderstoodmeansofcommunicatingprogressandachievementtoparents andotherpartiessuchascollegeentranceboardsorotherschoolstowhichtheyoungstudentmay transfer
Wehaveestablishedabalancedandobjectivegradingsystembasedonthesevalues
PRIMARYGRADINGSCALE
≥90% ExcellentUnderstanding
≥80%+GoodUnderstanding
≥70%+NeedsImprovement
0-69%UnabletoProceed
60%MagnumOpus
40%Practice
SECONDARYGRADINGSCALE
≥98%A+
70-79%C
0-69%Failing
70%MagnumOpus
30%Practice
INDIVIDUALGRADES
BethelAcademywilluseauniquemethodofgradingthatensuresstudentshavetimeto“practice”beforethey receiveagrade. Thereforeregular“feedback”grades,or“softgrades”onnewconceptswillbeinternallykept whilegradesthataffectoverallstandingswillberecordedinoursoftwarefortranscripts.Consistentwith educatingthewholechild, bothattitudeandeffortwillbeconsideredwithinourgradingsystems.
GROUPPROJECTGRADES
Groupprojectsareapartofcoursework,anditshouldbeexpectedthatgradingofthesewillnotbe individualizedbecausewebelievethatcharacterincommunityrevealstheheart;IThessalonians5:14:“Andwe urgeyou,brothersandsisters,warnthosewhoareidleanddisruptive,encouragethedisheartened,helpthe weak,bepatientwitheveryone”BecauseBethelAcademycaresevenmoreabouttheheartthantheacademics, groupprojectsallowteacherstoseewherecharacterworkisneeded,andsincewearepreparingstudentsforlife, notjustcollege,characterinChristiancommunityisintegralto“LovingGodandLovingNeighbor.”
MATHEMATICALGRADINGPOLICY
Becausemathproblemsareobjectivelyrightorwrong,gradingwillfollowasimplenumbercorrectoutofthe numberofproblemsbutthiswillbegradedalongsideorderlysubmissionsandpenmanship. Exercisesthatare philosophicallybasedwillfollowthehumanitiesscale(seebelow).
SCIENCEGRADINGPOLICY
Sincescienceistaughtthroughexperiments,anddiscovery,thiswillbeaparticipationandgroupprojectgrade intheprimaryyearsandwillmovetowardsmasterygradingthroughthevariousscientificfieldsofstudyinthe secondaryyears.
LATINGRADINGPOLICY
LatinistaughttobuildvocabularyandcontinuetogrowEnglishaswellasLatingrammarskills. Assessments willbebasedontheseconceptsandpointsawardedforthepurposeofrevealingmastery.
HUMANITIESGRADINGPOLICY
Vocabularyterms,spelling,grammar,anddirectcharacternamesordateswillbeobjectivelygradedandwillbe onapoints-basedsystem.WithMasteryasourgoal,studentswillbeaskedtocorrectthewronganswers.
Assignments thataremorephilosophicalinnaturewillbegradedonascale. Withineachassignment, grammaticalandspellingmistakeswillbeclearlymarkedandstudentswillbeaskedtoreviewthewordor grammaticalruleand“edit”theirwriting Thispromotesmasteryinwritingassignments
FAILINGANDRETAKES
Astudentwhohassimplyfailedforalackofunderstandingmaybegivenanotheropportunitytoprovetheir understandingafterfurtherpractice Astudentwhoneglectedtheirstudiesandthereforefailed,maynotbe givenaretakeopportunity
Ifastudentfailsanentirecourse,thestudent,parents,andteacherwillmeetwiththeEducationCouncilto determinethebestcourseofactionforthestudent. Circumstances,understandingofdirections,andeffortwill allbetakenintoconsideration.
Parentswillbenotifiedifastudentisrepeatedlyfailinginaskill
ARRIVALANDDISMISSAL
Schoolbeginsat8:15AM. Studentsareabletoarrivebetween8:00and8:15AM. Studentsneedtobepicked upnolaterthan2:55PM. Schoolendsat2:45PM.
Earlierarrivalorlaterpickupwillincuranadditionalfee.
PICKUPANDDROPOFFPROCEDURES
Familiesmustcompleteaformtodenotewhomaypickuptheirchildren Ifachangeisnecessarythenthe familymustcompleteaformthatgivespermissiontoanadditionalindividualtopickuptheirchild
Parentswillpulluptothedesignateddropoffdoorandateacherwillmeetstudentsandescortthemintothe building.RollwillbetakenintheClassReachsoftwaresystemasstudentsarrive.
Parentswillbegivenalaminatedsigntohaveintheirwindshieldforpickup Afacultymemberwillcall studentsasparentspullupandafamilymusthavethelaminatedsigninordertopickupachild
ATTENDANCE
BethelAcademyhasintentionallysetitsvacations,schedule,andstructuretoallowimportanttimeforfamilies ByregisteringachildinBethelAcademy,theparentorguardianisagreeingtothisscheduleandbehaving lovinglytothecommunityofstudentsthroughattendance.Emergenciesandimportantfamilytimearisefrom timetotime;therefore,studentshave8academicdays(theequivalentof2weeks)withineachsemesterfor schoolabsenceswithoutconsequencetotheircreditsunlesspreapprovalsarearranged. Weaskthatteachersbe notifiedassoonaspossibleofanyabsences DuetothenatureofClassicaleducation,preworkisnoteasyto deliverandthereforewillnotbegivenpriortoabsences Thefamilyisresponsibleforcollectinganyworkmissed
Forsickness,pleasenotifytheschoolthroughtheClassReachformprovided.
Absencesthatarenotduetosicknessoremergenciesneedtobepreapproved.
Forprolongedperiodsofabsence(toextendbeyondthe6academicdays theequivalentof2weeks),please procurepreapprovalfromtheHeadofSchool
Emergencysituationswillobviouslybetakenintoconsideration.
TARDIES
Astudentwhoarriveslaterthan8:15AMisconsideredtardy 4unexcusedtardieswithina monthwillelicita parentemail A5thtardywillresultinanofficevisit Subsequentunexcusedtardieswillbeconsidered accumulativeofficevisitsinaccordancewiththedisciplinepolicy
PARENTCOMMUNICATIONANDINVOLVEMENT
AtBethelAcademy,werecognizethatparentsareultimatelyresponsiblefortheeducationandflourishingof theirchildren.Webelievethateducatorsarefacilitatorsandadvisorsasparentspursuethisimportantwork.
Thursdayafternoonswillbereservedfrom2:45to3:30PMforparentstoscheduleaparent-teacherconference ClassReachcommunicationwillbesufficientforregularcommunicationneeds
TeachersmaybecontactedthroughClassReachoutsideofregularworkinghours.Whenaddressingany concerns,parentsshouldcopytheHeadofSchooltokeeptheschoolinformedofclassroomcircumstances. Teacherswilldothesamewhenaddressingconcernsviaemailswithparents.
Ifyouhaveaconcernaboutcurriculumcontent,BethelAcademypolicy,orphilosophy,communicatewiththe HeadofSchool Ifyouhavequestionsabouttheweeklyworkingsofaparticularclassroom(homeworkload, etc),contacttheteacherthroughClassReach Atnotimeshouldanindividualstudent’sproblembeaddressed tononinvolvedparties Inthegreatmajorityofcases,ifyouhaveworkedpatientlyandingoodfaithwiththe teacheranddirectors,youwillfindasatisfactoryresolution.
Pleasefollow Matthew18:15 todeterminetheproperorderofcommunication:“Ifyourbrothersinsagainst you,goandtellhimhisfault,betweenyouandhimalone Ifhelistenstoyou,youhavegainedyourbrother”
HEALTH&WELLNESS LUNCH
Studentswillbringpackedlunchestobeeateninourmultipurposeroom.Pleasepacklunchesthatdonothave tobeheatedorrefrigerated.Pleasealsoalertustoanyallergiesyourchildhassowecanaccommodateasneeded andalertotherfamilies(iftheallergyisverysevere).AtBethelAcademy,wevaluehealthandwellness,soplease keepthisinmindwhenpackinglunches
SNACKS
Parentsofprimaryschoolstudentsarewelcometosendaneasytoeatasnackformid-morning. Wateristhe onlybeverageallowedtoaccompanysnacks.
HEALTHINFORMATION
BethelAcademyshouldbenotifiedofanysevereallergiesorhealthconcerns
ADMINISTRATIONOFMEDICINES
BethelAcademyadministrationiswillingtoadministeranyover-the-countermedicationtothechildrenintheir careonlywithauthorizationfromthechild’sparentorguardian.
Prescriptionmedicationcanbeadministeredonlywhenthefollowingconditionsaremet:
1. ThemedicineisbroughttoBethelAcademyinitsoriginalcontainerbytheparentandisdelivered directlytothedesignatedadministrators Undernocircumstancesshouldachildhandlehisorher medication(exceptionswillbeassessedonacasebycasebasis)
2 Anotefromtheprescribingdoctorisprovidedthatstatesdosage,frequency,andalistofpossibleside effects.Pharmacy-printedinformationmaybeacceptedinlieuofadoctor’snote
BethelAcademyreservestherighttorefusetheresponsibilityofprescriptionadministrationforanyreason.If thisoccurs,wewillbehappytoaccommodateparentvisitsduringthedayforthepurposeofmedication administration
Basicpainmedicationwillbeonhandfordistributionbytheschoolstaffifapprovedbyaparentorguardian throughtheClassReachform
ILLNESSPOLICY
Inconsiderationofyourstudent’swellnessandpreventingthespreadofillnesstoyourchild’sclassmatesand teachers,astudentshouldbesymptom-freeafull24hoursfromthefollowingbeforereturningtoonsiteclasses:
• Fever:atemperatureof101degreesorabovewithouttheuseoffever-reducingmedication
• Vomiting/diarrhea
• Persistentcoughingaccompaniedbydarkmucous
• Strep
• Pinkeye
CHILDSAFETYPOLICY
AllfacultyandstaffreceivecriminalbackgroundcheckseverytwoyearsandarerequiredtoparticipateinaChild SafetyCourse.
The“MoreThanTwoRule”ofstudent/facultygatherings isourstandardprotocol Duringone-on-one discussions,clearvisibilitywillbemaintainedatalltimesthroughanopendoororwindow
Faculty maynotinitiateorfacilitateanyprivateorisolatedtypesofcommunicationwithstudentsthatmightbe interpretedasunprofessional.Allfaculty communicationwithstudentsshallbethroughtheMessagessystemin ClassReachwhereparentsareautomaticallycopied.
