Calvary Christian School Policies & Handbook 2010-2011

Financial Policies:

1. Discounts for tuition are as follows:
   7% discount for families with 2 children enrolled                                                                
   10% discount for parents “faithfully attending and financially supporting” Calvary Full Gospel Church (signature required on Financial Obligation Form).  Verification of church discount may be updated in writing up to 4 times per year.
   10% discount for families with one or more parents employed as a full time pastor
   30% discount for families with 3 or more children enrolled – 30% is the maximum discount offered. 
2. All monthly payments (tuition and technology fees) must be paid on or before the 1st (FIRST) of the month and be submitted in a Calvary payment envelope.  In the event that the 1st of the month falls on a holiday or weekend, tuition will then be due on the first business day of the month. 
3. Any payments received after the 3rd of the month will automatically be subject to a $25.00 late payment fee.  Late payment fees must be paid promptly.      
4. The Financial Obligation Form must be signed and returned to the office prior to the start of the school year.  This form is the parents’ financial contract and confirms the family’s responsibility to pay all tuition and fees on time.  Non-payment of any tuition and fees may lead to disenrollment from Calvary Christian School.              
                                                                                                                                        
   The book & material fee is $155.00 per student and is payable on or before September 1.  There are no discounts on book & material fees and the fee is non-refundable.
5. The technology fee is $230.00 per student.  This fee does not cover the total technology expense for the school year.  The remainder of technology expenses will be paid for by fundraising.  We would anticipate that parents be actively involved in our PTO and any school-wide fundraising efforts. The technology fee can be payable in monthly installments of $23.00 each.  Monthly installments are due on the first of the month with tuition and may be paid in the same check, but listed separately on the payment envelope.  The technology fee is non-refundable. 
6. The registration fee is $75.00 per family.  Only $75.00 is paid regardless of the number of Christian School children enrolled.  If a family has a child in child care (Preschool and below), an additional $20.00 registration is due to register the child for child care.  The registration fee reserves a student’s spot for the fall and is non-refundable. 
7. Payments must be made in payment envelopes, provided by the office.   Parents may drop off envelopes in person, send them in with students, or mail them.  It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that payments reach us in time in any case. 
8. We DO NOT accept cash or post-dated checks for payment.  We will expect that funds for checks are available when a check is given to us and are good for up to 90 days thereafter. 
9. There is a $35.00 returned check fee in the event that a check is returned to us by the bank for any reason.
   

Enrollment Policies:

1. Currently Enrolled Families - First priority for enrollment will be given to currently enrolled families.  This includes our preschool families in child care.  After a deadline for currently enrolled families to respond has passed, any available positions will be offered to the general public.  To reserve a spot, the $75 non-refundable registration fee will be due. 
2. New Families – New families desiring to enroll at Calvary Christian School will have additional requirements, including academic records from the previous school, an interview with the Director/Assistant Director, a completed New Student Application.  Subsequent testing may be required. Once the student has been accepted, the $75 non-refundable registration fee will be due to reserve the student’s spot. 
3. The birth date cut off for Kindergarten & 1st grade entrance will be September 1st   The school reserves the right to make decisions based also on social/emotional readiness and maturity.
4.  Calvary Christian School reserves the right to disenroll or refuse enrollment based on disciplinary problems or academic performance.  In addition, Calvary Christian School reserves the right to promote or decline promotion to the next grade level as determined by overall academic performance.  See the Calvary Christian School Handbook for clarification on discipline policies, which will be strictly enforced.   We expect full parental cooperation in the discipline policies of the school.  
5. In the event of admission mid-year, the annual tuition will be prorated for the first month of enrollment.  The book & material fee will be due in full.  The technology fee is prorated at the rate of $23.00 per month, regardless of what day in the month the student starts. 
6. For Kindergarten and all new students, a copy of the most up-to-date immunizations is required upon registration.  Enrollment may only be granted on a provisional basis (with a follow up plan) for students who do not meet these Department of Health regulations.  Once the provisional period ends, the immunizations need to be completely up to date or the student will need to be disenrolled.  Seventh Grade students may not attend, even the first day of school, without required immunizations. 
7. All new students may be subject to academic screenings.  As applicable, information about social/emotional behavior may be gathered from former teachers and parents.  We will enroll children that we feel will benefit from being in our school program and also those we feel we can serve effectively.
8. In the event that a student enrolls mid-year, or anytime after the school year begins, a full month’s tuition is due in full if the student attends any part of the month.  Annual fees will be prorated. 
9. We will need at least one week’s written notice in the case of a child’s withdraw from Calvary.  Parents are responsible to fulfill all financial obligations before leaving.  In the event of withdrawal mid-month, there will be no partial refunds of the month’s tuition.  All fees are non-refundable.  If a student attends any part of the month, full tuition is due for the month, regardless of the withdrawal date.  Failure to meet financial obligations before leaving will lead to the student’s academic records being retained until the account is paid in full.   When giving written notice of withdrawal, we will also require a record release form from the new school.  In order to assure continuity of education, we are required to report a child’s withdrawal from school to the School District Superintendent of the school district in which the child lives. 

Specific Policies:
(These will be more fully outlined in the Handbook)

1.  Tuition covers the school program only.  Additional fees apply for Before and/or After Care. 
2.  Lunch and AM snack may be packed or purchased through meal tickets (see current rates).  When packing snacks and lunches, we strongly recommend bringing healthy foods that will boost your child’s “brain power” for learning, rather than sugary snacks.   Please avoid bringing any glass, soda, or candy. 
3.  Children attending the school program only must arrive no earlier than 8:30 – between 8:30-8:55 AM. Students attending the school program only must leave promptly between 3:45 – 3:55 PM or use school district transportation.  If a student is not picked up by 4:00 PM, daily drop in fee of $10.00 is charged, unless scheduled for Before & After Care or Short Care – see appropriate child care section.   Students who are not picked up by 4:00 will be sent to After Care only if space permits.  However, the late pickup fee is charged regardless. 
4. All children enrolled in Calvary Christian School will wear a uniform as designated by the school.  We will expect each student to be obedient to the uniform policy.  A “Uniform Clarification” form will be sent home as needed for infractions of the uniform policy.  Further disciplinary action may be taken for repeated offenses.
5. Regarding inclement weather, families will primarily be contacted via the Honeywell Instant Alert System.  It is the family’s responsibility to update their information on the Honeywell System.  Parents can also listen to any of the following media:  WBCB 1490 AM, CBS, NBC 10 (TV and online), & Fox 29 for inclement weather closings.  Christian School may typically be closed or delayed whenever Pennsbury School District is closed or delayed.  Bus transportation will also be affected by individual districts’ inclement weather schedules.
6.  Parents/guardians are responsible for filling out absence or tardy cards for each absence or tardiness.  These must be returned to school within 3 school days.  Absences and tardiness are a part of the permanent school record.  A child is considered late if he/she is not in the building by 8:55 AM.  The morning drop off staff will lock the doors at 8:55.  After that time, parents will walk the student in to the building, sign in, and leave the student in the office.   A child is marked absent any time he or she is not physically present in the school.  It is imperative that students come to school on time & stay for the length of the day to receive the maximum benefit from instruction.  We trust that parents will partner with students to make punctuality a priority.  Attendance/lateness records are a part of the student’s permanent record – this information will be transferred to any new school.  All lateness and early dismissals need to be logged by parents in the office. 
7. Children may not bring toys or personal items to school unless clearly requested by the teacher.  The school will not be responsible for any items brought in from home.  We recommend that all outerwear, lunchboxes, etc. be labeled with your child’s name to avoid misplaced items.  All personal items are the responsibility of the student.  Electronics, including music players & cameras, may not be brought to school.  Cell phones, if brought to school, are stored in the office during the day and signed in/out by the student.    We are not responsible for any student cell phones or personal belongings for any reason.
8.  It is our desire that parents and teachers enjoy a warm, communicative relationship. To this end, all questions and concerns regarding the classroom should be directed to the teacher first via a note, email, or phone call.  We expect that parents participate in the parent-teacher relationship in a professional manner.  Parents need to agree to abide by and support all policies & rules and respect teachers in all areas.  Failure to cooperate in this manner can be grounds for disenrollment. 
9.  We warmly invite parents to school and PTO meetings, functions, and events.  Calvary Christian School believes that it is the role of the parent to instruct the child in the ways of the Lord, and that we are here to partner with you in this process.  As such, we strongly encourage parental participation in all events of Calvary Christian School.  During the regular school day, parents must drop off and pick up at the designated areas.  Parents are not permitted to walk up to the classroom during the school day.  When coming to volunteer for a specific reason, parents are required to sign in & out in the office and wear a visitor’s badge.
10. Conferences will be conducted twice per year. Report cards will be given out 4 times per year, with interim reports at the mid-way point in the marking period.
11. Every parent is required to submit an emergency form and update it every 6 months or when changes occur.  Additionally, every child must have a current physical upon enrollment (as mandated by Pennsylvania Department of Health).  Thereafter, updated health assessments are required for entering grades kindergarten, 1 and 6.  Each child MUST have up to date immunizations.  It is the parents’ responsibility to provide the school with any and all updated information.  For Kindergarten and all new students, a copy of the most up-to-date immunizations is necessary to be given upon registration.  Enrollment may only be granted on a provisional basis for students who do not meet these Department of Health regulations.   NEW for 10-11 for Seventh Grade:  Seventh grade students may not attend the first day of school without the MCV immunization.  There are several updated immunization regulations for 2010-2011 for Seventh Grade.
12. We love to celebrate birthdays!  If you wish your child’s birthday to be celebrated at Calvary during the school day, please communicate this with your child’s teacher.  In the event that you choose to order pizza as a part of the celebration, feel free to call the office so that we can give you the information for the business that we have contact with.  Parents, however, are responsible for all ordering and payment.  Please inform the office of any pizza delivery that will be occurring.
13. We have purchased student supplemental accident insurance for each student, underwritten by Century Life.  This insurance covers any accidents or injuries which would occur on the premises of Calvary Christian School only.  This policy is a secondary insurance ~ parents are expected to inform their primary medical insurance provider first in the event of any injury.  This student accident insurance will pay up to $10,000 per accident.  Calvary Christian School is not responsible or liable in the event of any injury or accident on the premises.  We will not assume any financial responsibility for any medical or related expenses.
14. Only the individuals noted on the emergency contact form are permitted to pick up your child.  It is the parents’ responsibility to keep that information updated.   Please use the Pick Up Authorization form for daily pick up changes.
15. Calvary Christian School will administer standardized tests each year to Kindergarten, Third Grade, and Fifth through Eighth Grades.   Results will be shared with parents in a timely manner once they are scored by the respective outside agencies.
16. Transportation is provided by some local school districts with the exception of Morrisville & Bristol Borough districts.  Children are eligible for transportation if they live within PA and a 10-mile radius of the school.  Initial transportation requests will be handled through the Calvary Christian School office and must be submitted to us no later than May 1 via the Bus Transportation Request Form.  Once your schedule has been established, in late August, all problems and questions regarding transportation, should be handled directly through the appropriate public school transportation department.  

This agreement is subject to change with one week’s written notice.

Calvary Christian School is licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of Education and is also a member of the Association of Christian Schools International. 

Calvary Christian School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.