Authorized Heritage Christian Academy spirit clothing purchased through the school office may be worn anytime on campus.
Snacks
Students will have a working snack time before 10:00 a.m. This time is at the teacher’s convenience. Parents are encouraged to provide a nutritious snack. Milk is available at $2.00 per week or $8.00 per month. Parents may choose to send a drink from home. K thru Elementary students are not allowed carbonated drinks during morning snack. Do not send glass containers.
Parents of students in elementary school are encouraged to send or buy their child something to eat, drink, or both at morning and afternoon snack break. Students get very hungry while they work all day.
K thru Elementary students may not purchase ice cream or candy until afternoon snack.
Afternoon snacks are available for $0.50, $0.55, and $0.60 each. This will include snacks from the snack vending machine, ice cream, and cold drinks.
If students want to purchase chips and crackers for morning snack, they need to do so before 8 a.m.
Lunch
Kindergarten through fifth grade go to lunch at 11:00 a.m. Middle school and High school go to lunch at 11:35 a.m. Lunch periods last for 30 minutes.
The following may be purchased from the school cafeteria:
Pizza $1.00 Hot Pockets $1.00
Bean Burrito $.50 Hamburgers $1.00
Corn Dogs $.50 Bacon Cheeseburgers $1.00
Soup $.40 PB&J Sandwiches $.50
Applesauce $.25 Lunch Pack $1.00
Crackers $.25 Pudding $.25
Can Drinks $.50 & $.55 Vending Machine Snacks $.50 - $.60
Juice Drinks $.50 Bottle Drinks $1.00
Milk $.40 Ice Cream $.50
If your child forgets their lunch you may drop it off in the office. If your child charges lunch, please pay charges promptly. Students with charges exceeding $5.00 will not be allowed to charge until their account is brought current.
Cafeteria Etiquette
Students at Heritage Christian Academy will:
¨ Respect other classes by keeping voices quiet,
¨ Be courteous and respectful to other students and cafeteria workers,
¨ Raise their hand if something is needed,
¨ Not get up out of their seats until dismissed,
¨ Not throw food or food wrappings,
¨ Make sure that the tables are clean and ready for the next class,
¨ Not run in the cafeteria,
¨ K - 3rd grade may not go behind the separation wall into kitchen,
¨ And stay in the cafeteria until dismissed.
The cafeteria door must remain closed at all times.
Visitors and Security
All visitors, including parent volunteers, must report to the office to sign in and obtain a security badge. Parents are welcome and encouraged to visit the school, volunteer, or even eat lunch with their child.
All entrances leading to the outside of the school, except the front entrance, are kept locked at all times. Visitors must use this front entrance.
Dress Code
Our dress code is in place for the following reasons: modesty, distinction and to identify with the Lord, not with the world. We want the students to care for their Christian witness and dress with cleanliness and neatness, distinguishing them from the world and bringing honor to the Lord.
Dress is not the sole responsibility of the school, but also of the parents. It is the responsibility of the parents to uphold the dress code by dressing their children.
Students that do not follow the dress code will be sent to the office and remain there until the problem is remedied. Any work missed during this period will be required to be made up; however, it will receive a grade of zero for and unexcused absence.
Shirts:
Solid color polo shirts, long or short sleeve are to be worn daily except for Tuesdays. No T-shirts (except Kindergarten) to be worn in class. (Exception: Authorized Spirit Wear purchased through the school office) Must be tucked into pants and worn with a belt.
Royal blue school embroidery shirts, long or short sleeve, are to be worn for chapel on Tuesdays. Must be tucked in and worn with a belt if belt loops are visible.
Solid color sweaters (worn over polo shirts), school sweatshirts, and turtlenecks may be worn in cold weather. (Authorized Spirit Wear sweatshirts are available in the school office.)
Solid red polo or school embroidery shirts, long or short sleeve, are to be worn on all field trips.
Shirts must have a sleeve. Logos are permitted, but must be small. No writing is permitted on shirts except authorized school shirts.
Boys: Shirts must be tucked in at all times and stay tucked in throughout the day.
(Exception: sweaters and sweatshirts)
Girls: Shirts may be worn tucked or untucked. Shirts must touch the front pocket so that when raising arms or moving around, the midriff area is not exposed.
Slacks, Capri pants, Shorts, & Skorts:
Khaki, or blue cotton twill or corduroy slacks or Capri pants. No jean material. Capri pants must not come above the calf.
Elementary: Khaki, cotton twill shorts, no shorter than 3” above the top of the knee.
Skorts:
French Toast Uniform Company, khaki, or blue 3-tab button front skort.
Elementary: khaki, or blue cotton twill or corduroy skorts, no shorter than 3” above the top of the knee.
Must wear white knee high socks or tights with skorts and black closed toe shoes.
Skirts and Jumpers:
Khaki, or blue cotton twill or corduroy skirts and jumpers, must not be shorter than 2" above the top of the knee. Slits in skirts must not be above that measurement.
Must wear white socks, knee high socks, or tights with solid color shoes in class.
Shoes:
Elementary students must have a solid color shoe with closed toe and a heel of no more than 1 ½ inches.
Middle and High school students must have a heel of no more than 2 inches.
Tennis shoes are not to be worn with skirts. Students must have athletic shoes during P.E. class. No heelies allowed.
Tights or solid socks must be worn at all times. Logos on socks are permitted.
No flip flops. No cleats.
Belts:
Required when belt loops are visible.
Physical Education Class:
Approved school P.E. uniform must be worn. Sharing of P.E. clothes is not permitted.
Other:
Students should be dressed in a neat and modest manner.
Clothing should be clean and suited for the weather conditions of the day.
Students are not permitted to wear hats in the building.
Shoes with cleats are not allowed.
Pants that are baggy or sag should not be worn.
No torn or ripped clothing, or clothing with holes.
Males must have hair neatly groomed and cut over the ears, shirt collar, and eyebrows.
Clothing jewelry, hair, and other articles which distract or disrupt the classroom will not be permitted.
No body piercing other than ear lobes. Males may not have pierced ears.
No tattoos.
No tight clothing.
Chapel Dress:
Elementary boys must wear the royal blue school embroidered shirt and khaki pants on chapel day. Elementary girls must wear the royal blue school embroidered shirt with khaki skirt, skort, or jumper on chapel day. Solid color shoes are to be worn.
Students in 7-12: Girls must wear the royal blue school embroidered shirt and khaki skirt. Boys must wear the royal blue school embroidered shirt and khaki pants. Solid color shoes are to be worn.
Field Trip Dress:
Students must wear a solid red shirt, long or short sleeve, or sweatshirt with embroidered emblem on all field trips, unless informed otherwise, with khaki pants.
Lost and Found
Students should have personal belongings labeled. Students should check with the lost and found, located in the office, as soon as possible after losing an article. The lost and found box is emptied each month.
Locker Use
Each student is assigned a locker at the beginning of the year. It is the responsibility of the student to keep the locker clean and locked. Students will be given a lock and combination. If lost or damaged a $5.00 replacement fee will be charged to the student’s account. Combinations are kept in the school office. Nothing may be permanently attached to lockers. Lockers are subject to searches at any time by school administration or appointed personnel.
School Pictures
Individual pictures are taken in the fall. Individual and class group pictures are taken in the spring. A package will be sent home to view along with a pricing guide. If you would like to purchase the package please send money to school in an envelope with your child. If you do not wish to purchase the package, return it to school.
Discipline
Teachers may choose to discipline in various manners. Each teacher is required to send home a copy of their classroom rules and discipline procedures. These procedures must adhere to school board policy. Parents need to review these rules and disciplinary actions with their child, sign one copy, and send it back to be kept on file.
Students who continue to break school policy after verbal warning is given will be subject to the following punishment:
1st offense: written warning letter to parents
2nd offense:parent telephone call, 1 hour detention, 2 page paper, letter to parents
3rd offense: parent conference, 2 hours detention, 4 page paper, letter to parents
If a student continues to break school policy after the 3rd offense, a parent conference will be required with possible suspension or expulsion.
Corporal punishment may be administered by the school administrator with a witness and proper documentation.
Withdrawal
Parents who plan to withdraw their children from Heritage Christian Academy must notify the school office. Before student records will be released all accounts must be current and all books turned in. No refunds of any part of the monthly payment will be made. Records will be sent to the new school upon receiving a request from that school.
Drills
Through out the year students will participate in fire, tornado, and lock down drills. Parents will be notified when we conduct our lockdown drills.
Please do not rely on your child to pass verbal messages!You can reach your child’s teacher or a staff member in a number of ways.
Conferences
Please make an appointment if you would like to speak with a faculty or staff member. You can arrange for an appointment by phone, e-mail, or in writing. All grade levels have two parent teacher conferences each year. You are able to find the dates for parent teacher conferences listed on the school calendar. Additional conferences can be arranged by the parent or teacher at a mutually convenient time. Parents, teachers, or staff has the right to request the presence of the school administrator at such conferences. If you feel your concerns have not been fully addressed after communicating with the teacher, please contact the school administrator through the office.
Phone
If you need to reach a faculty or staff member directly, the best time to try is before and after school. If you cannot reach them directly, a message can be left with the front office requesting a return call.
Notes
Usually the most effective and direct way to reach faculty or staff is by sending a note. (Provided your child remembers to deliver it.) Please use notes to explain absences or changes to your child’s drop off and pick up routine.
When sending checks for lunch, fund-raisers, book clubs, etc. please enclose it in an envelope with your child’s name and to whom it needs to go to.
Most teachers at Heritage Christian have personal e-mail addresses. Please ask your child’s teacher if they would like to use this method of communication before doing so. Do not send a note of absence or critical information via e-mail.
Expo Line
The Sparta Expositor has a school Expo line. There you can hear information about upcoming events at Heritage Christian Academy. The number to call is 931-836-6400 ext. 110. Each month a school newsletter will be sent home with each child. This letter will contain important information on upcoming events. In addition, teachers may send home classroom newsletters and memos. Other memos are sent as needed from the office.
Illnesses during the School Day
If your child becomes ill during the day the school office will contact you if it is necessary. Your child will need to be picked up if they have a temperature over 100 degrees, are vomiting, have an unidentifiable rash, or who has any of the contagious diseases mentioned previously. We will contact you at the numbers provided on your child’s emergency card. Please keep the office updated of contact numbers.
Head Lice
Parents should inspect their child’s hair frequently and call the school office if there are any questions. If your child does contact head lice, please notify the office. Your child will be required to stay at home while being treated for head lice and until all signs of head lice are no longer present.
Your child’s teacher will check your child for head lice frequently throughout the school year. You will be notified by the office if anything is found.
Medications
If your child has a headache, verbal permission to give your child Tylenol is permitted. Your child’s teacher or the secretary will administer the medicine to your child. Please be aware, the school does not have a supply of Tylenol available to your child unless you have provided it to us.
If your child requires over the counter or prescription medicine to be administered during school hours, the school office must have all proper forms on file and signed by a physician and parent/guardian. Without the proper forms on file and signed, medication will not be administered.
For long term prescription medication, a physician’s order must be signed and on file along with a parental consent form and an administration plan.
For short term prescription medication, a signed parental consent form and physicians order must be on file.
Medication should be brought in a pharmacy labeled container by the parent or responsible adult, not the child. Children are not allowed to keep their own medication. All medication, both prescription and over the counter medication must be turned into your child’s teacher or the office.
Television & Video Policy
Heritage Christian Academy realizes the value of television and videotapes when used to supplement the curriculum. The following guidelines are intended to facilitate responsible use of this medium.
Television and videotapes at Heritage Christian:
Will only be used to support curriculum objectives
Will be aged appropriate
Will not be used for award purposes
Will not violate copyright law
Will follow Heritage Christian Academy school board policy
It is recommended that teachers keep parents informed of television and video use in the classroom. If parents have a concern about programs being presented in the classroom they may speak to the classroom teacher. If concerns are not completely satisfied, parents may address the principal with their concerns.
Report Cards & Conferences
Constant communication between parents and teachers is very important. Report cards will be issued every nine weeks. During the nine weeks teachers will send home progress reports. If you have any questions at any time, please arrange to speak with your child’s teacher as soon as possible.
There are two conferences scheduled during the school year. The dates for parent/teacher conferences are listed on the school calendar. If you need to make arrangements at another time contact your child’s teacher. Please do not make an impromptu request for information about your child. Teachers will be better prepared to discuss your child’s performance with you and answer your questions when they have a set time away from their daily classroom responsibilities.
Textbook Policy
Textbooks are the property of the school unless these are consumable books. Rental of these books is included in the textbook fee. Workbooks will become the property of the student at the end of the school year. If a textbook or work book is lost or damaged during the school year, the replacement cost will be charged to the student’s account.
Driving To School
Students who wish to drive to school must fill out a driving permission form. Students may not park their car on school property until proper papers are filed with the school’s office.
Students may not go to their car without permission from the office.
Students may not ride to or from school with another student without written permission on file and proper notification of arrangements made through the school office.
Preschool through fifth grade will have two 30 minute recesses each day. If inclement weather arises students will have organized play in the gym or classroom.
Playground Etiquette
! No running in the hall to and from recess.
! Use quiet voices when in the hallway going to and from recess.
! Do not give pushes to others on swings.
! Do not walk in front, behind, or between swings while they are in use.
! No jumping off swings or flipping swings permitted.
! No more than one person at a time sliding.
! Slide down the slide and do no go up the slide in any way.
! Do not stand on top of monkey bars
! No fighting or name calling.
! Follow the rules of the game you are playing.
! Classroom balls must be shared.
! Do not leave the fenced area without permission.
