Worthington Christian Schools, Inc. SYSTEM HANDBOOK

Worthington Christian Schools, Inc. SYSTEM HANDBOOK

(Revised 01-13-12)

Table of Contents

Introduction .........................................................................................................................2 Mission Statement, Vision Statement and Educational Philosophy ....................................2 Code of Conduct ..................................................................................................................3 Non-Discriminatory Policy..................................................................................................4 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)........................................................4 Sexual Harassment Policy....................................................................................................7 Payroll ..................................................................................................................................8 Summary of Benefits ...........................................................................................................8 Credentials .........................................................................................................................11 Employment Qualifications ...............................................................................................12 Faculty/Staff Dress code ....................................................................................................12 Evaluation ..........................................................................................................................13 Resolution of Concerns......................................................................................................13 Lesson Plans.......................................................................................................................14 RenWeb..............................................................................................................................14 Substitute Requests and Substitute Folders .......................................................................14 Course of Study Requirements ..........................................................................................14 Sales or Advertising in Schools .........................................................................................15 Phone Usage.......................................................................................................................15 Expense Reimbursement....................................................................................................15 Purchase Orders .................................................................................................................15 Opposite Gender Relationship Guidelines.........................................................................15 Weather-Related School Cancellations..............................................................................16 Media Selection Guidelines Addendum ? Use of Media in Classroom ............................16 Use of Non-Christian Materials .........................................................................................17 Communication with Students ...........................................................................................17 School Owned Computers-Cell Phones.............................................................................17 Intellectual Property...........................................................................................................17 Blogging Policy for Teachers ............................................................................................17 Wednesday Homework ......................................................................................................18 Sunday Activities ...............................................................................................................18 Out-of-State/Out of Country Trips.....................................................................................19 Network/Computing Acceptable Use Policy .....................................................................19 Child Protection Plan .........................................................................................................22 Appendices

1 Flow of Response to a Claim of Abuse ...........................................................35 2 Complaint for Allegations of Sexual Abuse of a Minor form .........................37 3 Employee-Student Relationship Guidelines ....................................................38

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INTRODUCTION

The policies contained in the Employee Handbook represent the most recent expression of the administration of WCS, Inc. (referred in this document as `WCS') to provide equitable and consistent treatment of employees. To assure that WCS achieves and maintains the purpose of this policy handbook, and to assure our continued ability to meet changing conditions, WCS reserves the right to modify, augment, suspend, or revoke any and all of the policies, procedures, practices, and statements contained in this handbook at any time.

MISSION STATEMENT AND PHILOSOPHY

I. MISSION STATEMENT "Worthington Christian Schools will develop in students the mind of Christ as they

engage in the intellectual, creative, and physical pursuit of truth."

II. VISION STATEMENT

Worthington Christian Schools will accomplish its mission through:

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Recruiting and developing an outstanding faculty.

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Offering excellent curricular and co-curricular programs.

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Establishing the importance of intellectual pursuit to Christian discipleship.

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Practicing genuine financial stewardship.

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Submitting to biblical authority.

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Promoting a genuine community within our students and their families.

II. EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Education is the process of discovering and applying Truth to one's life. We must understand that because of sin we have no relationship with our Creator God. But God provided the way to restore a right relationship with Him through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Without this relationship man may attain vast quantities of knowledge, but he will never be wise. True education recognizes God as the source of all Truth.

Our Creator has demonstrated the vastness of His Creativity in forming each person as a unique individual. Within this singular identity there exist needs common to all and needs common only to one. The educational process of WCS seeks to be aware of and assist in meeting both types of needs in students.

The educational experiences, provided by the Bible-based curriculum, required of each student are avenues through which these needs are begun to be met. This curriculum seeks to introduce students to the Truth which God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, has revealed in His Word, in His world, and in and through His Son, Jesus Christ. Not only are students introduced to the facts of this Truth, but they also are instructed on how to apply these truths in and through their own lives. Individual experiences are also provided through elective curricula and activities. Learning takes place through many different modes. At WCS students are given opportunities to become involved in these differing avenues of learning. Paramount to the learning experience is the modeling

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which is provided by the godly professionals who direct a student's educational endeavors.

The educational process at WCS provides opportunities for students to develop their God-given abilities and interests in ways which can serve Him. This development takes place through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit Who has been given as our Guide and Counselor. Both corporate and individual experiences are to be accomplished in ways which bring glory and honor to God.

In accomplishing this philosophy, WCS is committed to excellence in providing a godly education. To meet the goals of this philosophy, we have adopted the following criteria:

A. Our employees must be committed to holy living, continuous preparation, a servant's heart attitude, and personal professionalism.

B. The curriculum should reflect the Bible as foundational in every subject area, not just as "a part of" but rather as "the source of" the discipline.

C. The school exists to help parents meet their God-given responsibility of educating their children, not to assume that responsibility. It is imperative that the parents and children be supportive of this philosophy as practiced in the day-to-day operation of the school.

D. A Christ-centered education should provide achievable, consistent, clearly recognizable, and worthy minimum requirements. At the same time, it should provide opportunity for study and ministry beyond those minimums.

E. The Christ-centered education should reflect the Christian ethic in every area of student and employee activities (Colossians 3:17, 23).

CODE OF CONDUCT

The following policy has been adopted by the WCS School Board concerning conduct of students and employees. This policy will apply to conduct on school premises, property, and buses. It also applies to conduct off school premises which affects students, employees, or the Christian testimony of the school as well as conduct at all school activities regardless of location.

As the Bible is the foundation of all academic courses at WCS, the same is the standard for student and employee behavior. Employees should avoid any activity that is expressly prohibited in Scripture. Further, the following principles are adopted for students and staff (James 1:22; 1 John 1:6-7; 2 Cor. 3:2,3).

? We will pattern our conduct after that of the Lord Jesus. (1 Pet. 2:21, 23; 1 John 2:16).

? We will regard our physical bodies as temples of God, dedicated to Him. (1 Cor. 6:19).

? We will be careful to make the best use of the time available. (Col. 4:5; Eph. 5:15; Matt. 12:36; 1 Cor. 13:11).

? We will not participate in activities where there is danger of addiction and habituation. (1 Cor. 6:12).

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? We will consider others first, rather than ourselves. (Rom. 14:13,21; 1 Cor. 8:8-13; Rom. 15:1; Phil. 2:3-4).

? We will avoid deliberate confrontation with temptation. (Js. 1:14; Phil 2:5; 4:8).

? We will engage only in activities which are of positive benefit. (1 Cor. 10:23; 1 Thess. 5:21).

? We will avoid activities which are offensive to others. (1 Cor. 10:31-33).

? We will do only those things which we know honor Christ. (Col. 3:17; Rom. 14:23).

NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY

(Reviewed and approved by the WCS School Board 2/21/10.)

Worthington Christian Schools recruits and admits students of any race, color, or ethnic origin to all its rights, privileges, programs and activities. In addition, the school will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational programs and athletics/extracurricular activities. Furthermore, the school is not intended to be an alternative to court of administrative agency ordered, or public school initiated desegregation.

Worthington Christian Schools will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or ethnic origin in the hiring of its certified or non-certified personnel.

This statement shall be included on all employment applications, admissions materials, employee handbooks, school websites, and periodically in school print advertisement.

FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS and PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's educational records. These rights include:

? Parent(s) have the right to inspect and review their child(ren)'s student record(s). ? The school shall act within a reasonable time period on a request to view records.

(FERPA allows up to 45 days.) ? If it is not possible to view the records at the time of the request, the school shall

notify parent(s) of a time and place were the parent(s) may view the record. ? After reviewing the records, the parent(s) then has the right to request that

information in the records be corrected if the parent believes them to be inaccurate or in violation of a student's rights. ? If the school decides, after reviewing the parental request, not to change the record(s), the parent(s) should be notified and informed of his or her right to challenge the decision in a hearing. The hearing board shall consist of the

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building principal, the superintendent or his representative, the guidance director (7th-12th grade) and a faculty member. ? If, after the hearing, it is decided that the information challenged does not present the offense declared by the parent, the school shall notify the parent(s) of that fact and must present the parent(s) with the option of writing a statement, to be included in the record, of the parent'(s) position on the challenged information. ? If, after the hearing, it is decided that the challenged information is indeed incorrect or in violation of a student's rights, the school must amend the record and notify the parent(s) in writing that it has done so.

According to FERPA, these rights transfer to the student at his/her 18th birthday. Because WCS believes our partnership with the parent(s) of our students is vital, the retention of these rights by the parent(s) is a necessary condition of continued enrollment. FERPA provides two methods for this retention of rights. Therefore, all parents of students who will be turning 18 during the school year must either a) present to the school evidence of student dependency by way of a federal tax return; or b) submit to the school a copy of the "Student's Release of Educational Rights" signed by the student.

Employees are required to document every time he/she accesses a student's file. Every student file shall have a form in the front which must be completed whenever someone accesses the file for any reason.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Enforced by EEOC. The discrimination protection law. Protected classes are: Race, color, religion, sex (includes pregnancy), or national origin.

Race, color, sex, or national origin shall not be considered when making decisions such as hiring, compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges.

Churches and other Faith based organizations are exempt from discrimination laws based on religion.

Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 This Act requires provision of up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave to eligible employees because of the birth or adoption of a child or because of a serious health condition of the employee or the employee's child, parent or spouse. An "eligible employee" is defined as someone who has been employed at least twelve months by the employer and who has worked at least 1250 hours during the previous twelve-month period.

A "certification" from a health care provider may be requested before the request is honored. The certification should include:

? The date the serious health condition began ? The time the condition is expected to last ? Various medical facts known

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