Prestonwood Christian Academy



PCAplus On-Campus

PARENT / STUDENT

HANDBOOK

2012-2013

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A program of Prestonwood Christian Academy

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome (from Head of School) ………………………………………………………. 3

Vision Statement …………..……………………………………………………………… 4

Mission Statement ……………….……………………………………………………….. 4

Core Values ………………………………..……………………………………………….. 4

Doctrinal Statement ……………………………………………………………………… 5-8

School Personnel ………………………………………………………………………….. 9

Student Participation Policies…………………………………...……………………..10-11

• Academics

• Athletics

• Chapel

• Fine Arts

Prestonwood Christian Academy’s Program Participation Opportunities………..12

Prestonwood Christian Academy Parent/Student Handbook……………………….13

NetClassroom…..……………………………………………………………………………14

Final Grades & Transcript ..………………………………………………………………15

Signature Page …………………………………………………………………………….. 16

A Letter from the Head of School

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Dear Students and Parents,

Welcome to the PCAplus 2012-13 school year!

The excitement of what God is doing through PCAplus is truly contagious. We are anticipating a great school year, and we certainly feel blessed to have you on our team. Please know that it is truly our prayer that you feel welcomed and a part of the PCA family. We hope that this handbook assists you in this endeavor, and provides the pertinent information for guidance and understanding of Prestonwood Christian Academy’s PCAplus program.

The philosophy at Prestonwood Christian Academy is Kingdom Education, which focuses on bringing the home, church and school together to form a partnership for training the next generation.

Paralleling this philosophy are institutional guidelines and parameters that provide structure, accountability and direction. I want to encourage you to understand these guidelines and be supportive of them as we journey together this year. Our focus on the main objectives for the school will be clearer throughout the year if we individually and collectively honor the parameters set forth in our handbook.

We look forward to partnering with you in God’s work through PCAplus!

Warmly,

Dr. Larry Taylor

Head of School

Prestonwood Christian Academy

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Vision Statement

To offer assistance to learners by providing educational resources and/or classes of excellence through Kingdom Education so that the generations to come will know the truth of God’s Word and not forget His works, nor be taken captive by the vain philosophies of their day.

Mission Statement

In pursuit of educational excellence in assisting the community the mission of PCAplus is:

To extend Kingdom Education, which assists Christian parents by helping equip students to embrace biblical truth, strive for academic excellence, and model Christ-like leadership to influence their homes, churches, and communities for Christ.  

Core Values

In order to successfully fulfill this mission, PCAplus gives priority to seven core values. Each core value must have operating principles that allows PCAplus to put these core values into everyday practice in every aspect of its educational program.

Bible, Christ-likeness, Christian Family, Church, Excellence in Education, Service, Stewardship

Doctrinal Statement

We believe that Christian courses must be fully and equally committed to excellence in education and fidelity to biblical truth. PCAplus is unbending in its dedication to provide the very best educational opportunities for students entrusted to its care. Its administration, faculty, support staff and curriculum adhere to the precepts and principles of the Holy Scriptures and God’s inspired Word.

Statement of Faith

There is one God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, who subsists as coequals in unity, and also as three separate, distinct Persons. Jesus Christ is God’s Son. He was born of a virgin as both God and man, lived a sinless life, died to atone for the sins of human beings, was buried, rose from the grave, and ascended into heaven where He will continually minister as our Great High Priest and Advocate. We believe in the literal, bodily return of Jesus Christ to this earth. The Holy Spirit is the divine helper, assistant, counselor and instructor, and His work is to reveal Christ, convict of sin, lead to repentance, guide believers, comfort, strengthen and sanctify the soul. The Bible is God’s Holy Word, without error, and is the sole authority for life. Human beings are the special creation of God, made in His image and through the sin of the first man, Adam, have inherited a sinful nature, and thus are in need of salvation. Salvation is a gift through repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ, and every person who truly is saved is eternally secure in the Lord Jesus Christ and will spend eternity in heaven, while those who die without salvation in Jesus Christ will spend eternity in hell. Believers are to live in accordance to God’s commandment and to proclaim the Gospel to the entire world. Each believer has, by prayer, direct access to God through the Lord Jesus Christ. The church is a local body of believers with the Lord Jesus Christ as the head.

Purpose and Philosophy

An Academic Focus – A Christian Foundation

Purpose

The purpose of PCAplus is to assist Christian parents in providing a sound education for their children through the integration of faith and learning. PCAplus is committed to teaching a biblical view of God and the world through the development of basic spiritual, intellectual, physical and social skills.

Assisting Christian Parents

PCAplus endeavors to function as an extension of the Christian home, supporting parents in the biblical mandate giving them ultimate responsibility for the education of their children. Teachers, parents and students must have a common grounding in the Lordship of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Scripture and common commitment to the work of education. In order to serve these families with biblical instruction and godly examples, the school employs administrators, faculty and staff who serve as role models in their Christian walks, their professional lives and Christian faith.

Integration of Faith and Learning

The curriculum is rooted in a God-centered view of life, allowing students the opportunity to understand themselves and the world around them from a biblical perspective. All truth is found in God and is derived from His revealed Word and from objective observation of the world He created. In all matters, the Scriptures are supreme. The integration of biblical faith and learning is the responsibility and a primary function of the teacher associated with PCAplus.

We, at Prestonwood Christian Academy, believe that we have the mission of enabling our students to live wholesome Christian lives in a harsh and demanding world. In cooperation with the parents, we will make the students aware that, while they are created in God’s image, they are also blessed with distinctive personalities. They will also learn that they are endowed with special talents, which they will discover, and finally, that God has a purpose for each of them, and they can achieve that purpose. PCAplus provides an environment that balances a relationship with God through faith in Christ with intellectual and artistic pursuits. Academic excellence, coupled with the development of Christian character, will enable each student to recognize God’s special plan for his or her life and to strive to attain that goal.

STATEMENT OF DOCTRINAL BELIEFS:

a. THE SCRIPTURES: I/We believe that the entire Bible, all 66 books of the combined Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired by God and are inerrant in the original writings. Through the providence of God, the Word of God has been protected and preserved, and is the only infallible and authoritative rule of faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

b. GOD: I/We believe that there is only one true, living, sovereign, holy, and eternally existent God. He exists in three co-equal persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – each being a distinct person and with a distinct function, but all of one essence and all possessing the same nature, perfection, and attributes. The triune God is the creator and sustainer of all things, the source of all truth, and is worthy of worship, confidence, and obedience. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Genesis 1:31)

c. JESUS CHRIST: I/We believe that Jesus Christ is God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit; born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed many miracles, shed His blood on the cross to pay the debt for our sins, was buried, bodily resurrected, and ascended to the right hand of the Father; and will return literally, visibly, and personally in glory and power. (John 1:13,14; Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-9; Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Acts 1:11)

d. HOLY SPIRIT: I/We believe that the Holy Spirit is God, co-equal and co-existent with the Father and the Son. He is the chief convictor of sin, the chief agent of regeneration and sanctification. The Holy Spirit lives within every believer and empowers every believer to live a godly life. (John 14:16-19; 16:7-15; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 8:9-11; Titus 3:5)

e. MANKIND: I/We believe that in the beginning God created mankind in His image, and man is not in any sense the product of evolution. Mankind was originally created with the ability to live perfectly for God’s glory. (Genesis 1:27, 31)

f. SIN: I/We believe that Adam, the first man, sinned by disobedience. This act resulted in the fall of all mankind; therefore, all people have sinned and lost their ability to live for the glory of God. Every person’s sin incurs both physical and spiritual death until there is forgiveness and salvation by the grace of God. (Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 3:10-23, 5:12-21, 6:23)

g. SALVATION: I/We believe the salvation of lost and sinful people is a free gift of God’s grace apart from human works, based solely upon Christ’s vicarious and atoning death, effected by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, and received only through faith in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection from death. (Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

h. THE CHURCH: I/We believe that the church is the body of Christ and the family of God. It is made up of saved and baptized believers, who regularly join together for worship, fellowship, and ministry. (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Hebrews 10:25)

i. EVANGELISM: I/We believe that it is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to seek to make growing disciples. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)

j. THE HOME: In addition to these important beliefs, I/we also believe that God has given the parents and the home the responsibility to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6) I/We believe that a consistent and whole education will occur when home, church, and school work closely together and are in agreement on the basic concepts of life.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT AND AGREEMENT OF CONDUCT:

PCAplus is a program of Prestonwood Christian Academy (the “School”) a Christian school that is a ministry of Prestonwood Baptist Church. It is the School’s desire that every student reflect a lifestyle pleasing to Jesus Christ. Because of this, the School requires all on-campus students to adhere to the following code of conduct whether in or out of school. We ask PCAplus students to read the following and acknowledge receipt of this code of conduct.

a. Student agrees to strive for excellence as a student in all that he/she says and does.

b. Student agrees to obey the Bible in speech and conduct.

c. Student agrees to respect and cooperate with those in authority at the School.

d. Student agrees to abstain from alcohol, drugs, and tobacco.

e. Student agrees to abstain from cursing, sexual immorality, dissension, and cheating.

f. Student agrees to the dress code that has been set by the School.

g. Student agrees to submit to the discipline policy of the School.

h. Student understands that once he/she enrolls at the School, he/she is a part of the School family wherever he/she is. Therefore, Student agrees to abstain from behavior, both on and off campus, which would dishonor Jesus Christ, the School, the church, his/her family, and himself/herself.

i. Student understands that the School can hold himself/herself accountable for any negative behavior, both on and off campus, at any time during the year.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS STATEMENT OF SUPPORT:

a. I/We have received and read the “Statement of Doctrinal Beliefs” of the School and are willing to have the Student educated in accordance with them.

b. I/We will regularly and earnestly pray for PCAplus.

c. I/We will worship the Lord regularly at a Bible-believing church.

d. I/We will fully cooperate in the educational activities of PCAplus by doing my/our best to make Christian education effective in the life of the Student.

e. I/We will pay all of our financial obligations to PCAplus on or before the date due. If I/we are ever unable to do so, I/we will notify the PCAplus Office, giving a reasonable explanation for the delay and stating when payment will be made.

f. I/We understand that the School has full discretion in the discipline of the Student in accordance with the “discipline policy” as published.

g. I/We understand that the School reserves the right to place the Student at the appropriate grade level and designate the appropriate teacher(s).

h. I/We understand that the School reserves the right to dismiss the Student when either the parents/guardians or the Student does not cooperate with the policies of the School.

i. If I/we become dissatisfied with PCAplus in any way, I/we will strive to resolve the matter with the person(s) involved as privately and lovingly as possible, rather than spreading criticism and negativism. (Matthew 18:15-17; 5:23-24)

j. I/We will seek to support and advance PCAplus in every area possible – spiritually, academically, physically, and financially.

The School covenants to provide the best it can for the student in the way of curriculum, faculty, social functions, and instruction. The School further pledges to do all possible to support your home in growing every student in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. As the legal parents or guardians of the Student, I/we covenant to support the School in its efforts at Christian education. I/We agree that it is my/our responsibility to strive diligently toward the observance of the “Parent/Guardian Statement of Support” as God enables me/us by the power of the Holy Spirit. If for some reason I/we become dissatisfied, I/we promise to handle the matter as privately and lovingly as possible. If support or resolution cannot be reached, I/we recognize it is my/our responsibility to leave the School and seek a school in alignment with our personal convictions. Together, as a school and as parents/guardians, I/we pledge to submit our lives to one another and to the final authority of the Word of God.

School Personnel

Outstanding Christian teachers and staff will make PCAplus an enjoyable and interesting educational experience for students, families, and school partners. PCA teachers have: applied; been through an extensive hiring process including references checked, drug screening, and had a criminal background check. After this, teachers are trained, mentored and given continued staff development.

Administrative Staff

Executive Offices Lower School

Larry Taylor Head of School Paige DeLeon Lower School Principal

Dana Epperson Assistant Head of School – Academics Yvonne Valasek Lower School Assistant Principal

John Klingstedt Assistant Head of School – Operations Debi Clark Administrative Assistant

Mary Carl Finkelstein Special Assignments Coordinator Janet Ludgar Lower School Nurse

Kathy Crabb Executive Assistant to Head of School Susan McKillip Lower School Receptionist

Becky McLain Administrative Assistant – Academics

Cheryl Landis Administrative Assistant – Operations

Jamie Smith Administrative Assistant – Executive Office

Middle School Upper School

Bill Wendl Middle School Principal Terry Rodgers Upper School Principal

Phil Armstrong Middle School Assistant Principal Wendy Morris Upper School Assistant Principal

KoKo Carroll Administrative Assistant LaTrease Lindley Administrative Assistant

Janet Ludgar Middle School (5/6) Nurse Lori Liles Upper School Nurse

Lori Liles Middle School (7/8) Nurse Beth Pattillo Upper School Receptionist

Kristi Holden Middle School Receptionist Dr. Jan Miranda Dir. of Guidance & College Placement

Claire Threatt Middle School Counselor Dr. Ron Moss Co-Dir. of College Placement Beth English Registrar

Campus Ministry Fine Arts

Lainie Montgomery Campus Ministry Joel Rutherford Director of Fine Arts

Dan Panetti Biblical Worldview Director Lisa Apple Administrative Assistant

Julie Pyle Administrative Assistant Pam Hurt Theatre teacher

Corbin Purdom Ministry Team

Business Administration Curriculum

Ben Morgan Sr. Director of Business Administration Gwen Hobbs Sr. Director of Curriculum & Instruction

Leigh Rutherford Director of Human Resources Tifini Lozano Director of PCAplus and Extended Learning

Susan Verheul Controller Denise Hunter Administrative Assistant

Lori Collins Senior Accountant

Ann Cariker Accountant

Pam Chamberlin Accounts Payable Clerk

PCAplus On-Campus Course Offerings

Prestonwood Christian Academy offers homeschool students the opportunity to take on-campus courses through the PCAplus program. Students in Kindergarten through Eighth grade are offered a maximum of three Elective or Specials courses. Core courses may not be offered in Lower School or Middle School.

Upper School students may select a maximum of three courses in ninth through twelfth grades. These courses may consist of core or elective courses where there is space available. PCAplus cannot guarantee availability of any Prestonwood Christian Academy course. Students requesting Honors, Pre-Advanced Placement or Advanced Placement courses must meet the Prestonwood Christian Academy admittance requirements.

PCAplus On-Campus Student Policies

Academics

PCAplus On-Campus students may only be on the Prestonwood Christian Academy campus for their class times, unless prior arrangements are approved through the PCAplus and Extended Learning Office. Special arrangements to stay on campus cannot be made through the teacher but only through the PCAplus office. Prestonwood Christian Academy cannot be held responsible for students left on campus before or after their designated class time.

Athletics

Prestonwood Christian Academy athletics is governed by Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) who requires all student athletes to be full-time students; thus PCAplus students cannot participate in any Prestonwood Christian Academy athletics.

Chapel

PCAplus On-Campus students are welcome to attend chapel in their appropriate division. There is a $75 fee per year to do so; however, please note PCAplus students may not participate in MS or US Advisory Groups, MS or US Service Project Days or Middle School Fine China or Start Strong Programs.

Fine Arts

Honor Choir

PCAplus students are subject to the following policies as it relates to participation in PCA’s Honor Choir:

1. Admittance to PCA’s Honor Choir is based solely on audition. There are no minimum or maximum participants for Honor Choir.

2. All interested students must audition.

3. Honor Choir director will notify all participants of final decision.

ITS / Junior ITS

Any student participating in ITS must be a member of PCA’s ITS Troupe. Membership in ITS is based on points accumulated through participation in various theatre activities, and is subject to requirements specified by the Educational Theatre Association.

PCAplus students wanting to participate in ITS activities must be enrolled in a PCA Theatre or Choir course during the academic year of participation.

PCAplus students are permitted to participate in ITS activities under the following circumstances:

Group Musical

PCAplus students may audition for and participate in the Group Musical entry. Admittance to Group Musical is based on audition, as well as, the need to fill all performance slots in each category. Full-time PCA students are given first consideration for participation in the Group Musical entry. There is a limit of 16 participants in this category.

One-Act Play

PCAplus students may audition for and participate in the One-Act Play entry. PCAplus students may not be considered for lead roles.

Other Categories

PCAplus students are considered for performance spots in other categories if there is not a full-time PCA student interested in or suitable for a particular category.

Other categories include Solo Musical, Duet Musical, Monologue, Duet Acting, Group Acting, Theatre Marketing, Costume Design, and Set Design

Theatre Productions

PCAplus students who audition for PCA musicals or dramas are subject to the following policies:   

1.     To audition for a play, the student must be enrolled in a PCA Theatre course during the academic year of participation. To audition for a musical, the student must be enrolled in a PCA Theatre or Choir course during the academic year of participation.

2.     PCAplus students are not considered for lead roles or major supporting roles.*

3.     Auditions are required for any part in a PCA production.

4.     PCAplus students may work back stage on a PCA production. 

 

*Lead and major supporting roles are designated by the PCA Theatre Director. 

Prestonwood Christian Academy Programs/Activities

PCAplus On-Campus students are welcome to participate in the following PCA activities based upon division. If a program or activity is not listed below please contact the PCAplus offices for clarification.

Fine Arts:

Marching Band: must be enrolled in the PCA Band class

PCA Art Show Only: must be enrolled in a PCA Art class

Yearbook: must be enrolled in the PCA yearbook class

Newspaper: must be enrolled in the PCA Newspaper class

Theatre Productions: See above

Choir: must be enrolled in the PCA Choir

Spiritual:

Chapel (With fee)

Biblical Worldview Institute

All School Worship

Academics:

Activity Period for tutoring

Social:

Homecoming Parade

Pep Rallies

Academy Awards: If invited by a Prestonwood Christian Academy student

Lunch: Based upon class schedule

Junior/Senior Banquet: If invited by a Prestonwood Christian Academy student

Prestonwood Christian Academy and PCAplus reviews all policies and procedures at the end of every school year. We do reserve the right to alter or change procedures before the next school year.

Prestonwood Christian Academy Parent/Student Handbook

It is required that all PCAplus On-campus students and parents read the Prestonwood Christian Academy Parent/Student Handbook which is easily accessible online at:



The handbook is divided into sections detailing specific information about Prestonwood Christian Academy. The General Information section, contains information, not limited to but pertaining to vision, mission, purpose and philosophy, as well as, student discipline, communication, first aid and medication, inclement weather, lunch, security and the Technology Acceptable Use Policy. Please look through these pages with your student to familiarize your family with PCA.

The Lower School section of the handbook contains information on the policies and procedures relating to Lower School students. If there is a question as to whether or not a PCAplus Lower School student may participate in a Lower School activity, please contact the PCAplus and Extended Learning office.

The Middle School section of the handbook contains information on the policies and procedures regarding Middle School students are detailed within these pages. If there is a question as to whether or not a PCAplus Middle School student may participate in a Middle School activity, please contact the PCAplus and Extended Learning office.

The Upper School section of the handbook contains information on the policies and procedures regarding Upper School students are detailed within these pages. If there is a question as to whether or not a PCAplus Upper School student may participate in an Upper School activity, please contact the PCAplus and Extended Learning office.

NetClassroom

NetClassroom provides online access to student information including assignments, grades, class announcements, newsletters, report cards and attendance. You can access NetClassroom by clicking on the NetClassroom icon on the PCA website homepage ().

A parent account has access to class information for every PCA student in the family, whereas student accounts are restricted to viewing only their own information. Account information is emailed to families from the PCAplus and Extended Learning Office.

Report Cards

At the end of each quarter, parents of students in grades 1–12 will receive their report cards through NetClassroom.

Checking NetClassroom frequently helps ensure that parents and students have important information on class activities and progress.

Final Grades and Transcripts

Upon competition of a course or courses, the student receives their final grade and a report card may be printed from NetClassoom. Students in ninth through twelfth grades may also be issued a Prestonwood Christian Academy transcript for the course or courses taken through PCAplus. The transcript documents the course work and GPA of the courses taken on the Prestonwood Christian Academy campus. This transcript can be obtained by filling out the “Transcript Request Form” located at .

Signature Page

I/We have read the Parent/Student PCAplus On-Campus Handbook along with the Prestonwood Christian Academy Parent/Student Handbook and our signatures below indicate our acceptance of the policies of the school and the conditions set forth herein. Both parents/guardians, if applicable, and the Student entering the PCAplus program signatures are required.

Father/Guardian Date Mother/Guardian Date

Student Date PCAplus Date

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