Part Time Student Guidelines
ACADEMIC:
— HOMEWORK: Students should come to class with homework completed. Classes are all interactive, and lack of preparation affects the class; it will also inhibit students’ ability to benefit from the weekly hour. Consider your child’s schedule carefully. If he or she will not have time to do the required homework, it is best to pass up the class until it fits into the schedule. In order to make the best use of our time and your tuition money, even the “fun” classes have a homework expectation. In order to make sure that the students end up in the correct classes, there are a few that require an “interview” with the tutor; and of course you are free to ask questions of the tutors before registering. When considering the homework, please remember that we are offering tutorials – classes meet only once per week which are taught daily in a more traditional setting. The homework we give does make up for that fact, and should be completed on a daily basis. Because of this, students who are clearly capable of accomplishing the work usually need help from you in the areas of organization and accountability. Please keep in tune with their progress as the year progresses: teachers are very happy to answer the question, “How is my child doing?” This is not a place where you can just drop your child off once a week, and assume everything is going fine.
— KEEPING RECORDS: We require homework and give feedback, evaluations, and grades. As a state recognized school the grade that we provide for your student is binding. The grade that we provide will be put on the transcript that we must file. A class that meets all year is 1 credit. A class that meets half the year is .5 credits.
— DISHONESTY: Unfortunately, we need to address cheating and plagiarism, which is dealt with firmly and immediately, earning a zero. Because we meet only weekly and do not want to spend too much class time administering exams, tutors often send exams home for parents to proctor. Please follow guidelines for this very carefully. If we grow haphazard in this area, we not only encourage our students to cheat, but we compromise the integrity of our program and of the grades your children earn.
If your students have not completed their courses successfully from the previous year, please don’t register for classes without talking with the tutors. In a sense, even as the year begins, we consider every student “on probation”, and where there is academic difficulty, we will work with you for solutions, occasionally suggesting other options, recognizing that Grace Baptist is not a good fit for every family.
RELATIONAL:
— RESPECT: We do have a set system of discipline set up, although the Principal will deal with specific issues that may not be addressed in the handbook. We are assuming that students will come to class prepared and will be respectful of each other, of the teachers, aides, and other adults, and of the building that is generously made available for our use. You can expect the same kind of preparedness and respect on the part of the teachers.
— DRESS: We do have a formal dress code. Students are expected to dress modestly. If in doubt about clothing, take the safe route. Students dressing immodestly will be corrected, given a different outfit and/or asked to go home to change. Tops should adequately cover, even when young ladies are bending over and moving around. We ask that all male students wear docker style pants (no denim or ripped pants) and a collared shirt while on our campus. We ask that all female students wear either pants (no denim, leggings or ripped pants) or a knee length skirt/dress and a collared shirt or a dressy T-shirt (non athletic wear) while on our campus. For more information about uniforms please follow this link.
— OTHER: We have a strict policy of a 6 inch rule while on the GBCA campus. Therefore we ask that boys and girls refrain from “public displays of affection”: hand-holding, hugging, etc.
Please do not bring weapons to classes – we know that some of our students are used to carrying jackknives, but please, do not bring items that are considered weapons to classes – even if you are not intending to use them as such. If you think you have an exception to this rule, please ask permission first.
The use of inappropriate language, critical and disrespectful words toward teachers and other students, as well as vulgarity and profanity, is handled individually by teachers; however, our policy is definitely “no toleration”.
If there is an emergency and the fire alarms ring, all persons must evacuate the building. There are no exceptions.
THE BUILDING:
— CLASS BREAKS: Students are welcome to wait in the "Discovery Room" if they have a break between classes, only if they can be trusted to quietly socialize or do some other work. Parents should let us know on the registration form what we can expect. However, they must remain in the designated area of the building and keep from disturbing classes. On your registration form, indicate who will be the adult-in-charge when you are not there (if something should happen, we would want to have an adult be responsible). Also please indicate the hours your students will be in the building, but not in classes
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Grace Baptist are days when students enjoy being together, sitting, talking, playing. However, there have been times when there are dozens of “socializing” students – to the disruption of the classes, so we need either to cut out classes or manage the free time a little differently. We’re sure you understand. Please DO NOT drop your child off early or leave them after their classes are finished unless you intend to be there helping with supervision. We know they are “good kids who won’t cause any trouble,” but…. Thank you for understanding.
— THE PHYSICAL SPACE: Grace Baptist Christian Academy is home to full time students and part time students and we are thankful for the facility that God has given so we expect our students to be very respectful of that privilege as well. Because the school is meeting all year long and in all parts of the building, part time students and parents do not have free reign to help ourselves to supplies, cabinets, basements etc. We have a hot lunch program that the students may take advantage of, however they must be signed up ahead of time, so that we have time to prepare the food. Students and parents may not take anything out of cabinets or even open them. If something is broken we make the students either pay for the repair or come after school to fix it. We have our full time students clean up the building once a day, so please be kind and respectful to them by not adding to their work. Trash can go in designated baskets, and items for recycling should be rinsed and put in the bins rather than being thrown in the trash. Please remind your children to write their names in books and on possessions, and to check carefully for them before leaving the building.
— THE PARKING LOT: In order to avoid conflict with the neighbors, we ask that students never go across boundary lines into the surrounding yards. If a ball or frisbee goes out of the yard, it must stay there (and the neighbors may toss it back when they see it). Students should also be reminded regularly that it is a parking lot, not a playground, so there are always cars coming and going and they should always watch for cars, and play in the designated place, rather than between parked cars. We have a system for dropping off and parking on Tuesdays, so we don’t create traffic jams. Please follow the procedures, and avoid parking on that side street as well as staying more than a minute in the drop-off lanes. Although we ask that you not park on the side street beside the building, there may be times when there is no parking available in the lot. On-street parking is legal throughout Attleboro as long as you follow the ordinances, keeping off people’s grass, etc. Remember that we do have a full time school and students will be playing outside regularly for recess. If a group of full time students would like to use the basketball hoop, you are welcome to join in, but remember that they are most likely young and smaller than many 7th-12th part time students.
— OTHER: Of course, in all this, what we are saying is that respect for people is most important. Teachers are the authority in their classes, and students should respect them by honoring that. We have a great variety of students from varying backgrounds. Not only is it possible to get along and respect one another, there is great benefit that comes in the process of trying to understand others who perhaps think differently. If you are looking for a place where everyone thinks the same way, and students always conform to the expectations, Grace Baptist is not where you will find it.
Problems?
So… what if there are problems? There will be as there have been – that is one thing we can guarantee! As in the rest of life, the biblical way is always the best. Would you please, if you have an issue, go directly to the person involved? Will you encourage your students to do the same? If it is not resolved, go to someone who can help – perhaps a teacher or the principal. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and even your complaints; by God’s grace, conflict and disagreement can accomplish much good. If we can teach our children biblical problem-solving, that may be more important than all the best classes we can offer. Grace Baptist reserves the right to dismiss a student or ask him/her not to return if it does not seem in the best interest of the student, the family, or the program.
— HOMEWORK: Students should come to class with homework completed. Classes are all interactive, and lack of preparation affects the class; it will also inhibit students’ ability to benefit from the weekly hour. Consider your child’s schedule carefully. If he or she will not have time to do the required homework, it is best to pass up the class until it fits into the schedule. In order to make the best use of our time and your tuition money, even the “fun” classes have a homework expectation. In order to make sure that the students end up in the correct classes, there are a few that require an “interview” with the tutor; and of course you are free to ask questions of the tutors before registering. When considering the homework, please remember that we are offering tutorials – classes meet only once per week which are taught daily in a more traditional setting. The homework we give does make up for that fact, and should be completed on a daily basis. Because of this, students who are clearly capable of accomplishing the work usually need help from you in the areas of organization and accountability. Please keep in tune with their progress as the year progresses: teachers are very happy to answer the question, “How is my child doing?” This is not a place where you can just drop your child off once a week, and assume everything is going fine.
— KEEPING RECORDS: We require homework and give feedback, evaluations, and grades. As a state recognized school the grade that we provide for your student is binding. The grade that we provide will be put on the transcript that we must file. A class that meets all year is 1 credit. A class that meets half the year is .5 credits.
— DISHONESTY: Unfortunately, we need to address cheating and plagiarism, which is dealt with firmly and immediately, earning a zero. Because we meet only weekly and do not want to spend too much class time administering exams, tutors often send exams home for parents to proctor. Please follow guidelines for this very carefully. If we grow haphazard in this area, we not only encourage our students to cheat, but we compromise the integrity of our program and of the grades your children earn.
If your students have not completed their courses successfully from the previous year, please don’t register for classes without talking with the tutors. In a sense, even as the year begins, we consider every student “on probation”, and where there is academic difficulty, we will work with you for solutions, occasionally suggesting other options, recognizing that Grace Baptist is not a good fit for every family.
RELATIONAL:
— RESPECT: We do have a set system of discipline set up, although the Principal will deal with specific issues that may not be addressed in the handbook. We are assuming that students will come to class prepared and will be respectful of each other, of the teachers, aides, and other adults, and of the building that is generously made available for our use. You can expect the same kind of preparedness and respect on the part of the teachers.
— DRESS: We do have a formal dress code. Students are expected to dress modestly. If in doubt about clothing, take the safe route. Students dressing immodestly will be corrected, given a different outfit and/or asked to go home to change. Tops should adequately cover, even when young ladies are bending over and moving around. We ask that all male students wear docker style pants (no denim or ripped pants) and a collared shirt while on our campus. We ask that all female students wear either pants (no denim, leggings or ripped pants) or a knee length skirt/dress and a collared shirt or a dressy T-shirt (non athletic wear) while on our campus. For more information about uniforms please follow this link.
— OTHER: We have a strict policy of a 6 inch rule while on the GBCA campus. Therefore we ask that boys and girls refrain from “public displays of affection”: hand-holding, hugging, etc.
Please do not bring weapons to classes – we know that some of our students are used to carrying jackknives, but please, do not bring items that are considered weapons to classes – even if you are not intending to use them as such. If you think you have an exception to this rule, please ask permission first.
The use of inappropriate language, critical and disrespectful words toward teachers and other students, as well as vulgarity and profanity, is handled individually by teachers; however, our policy is definitely “no toleration”.
If there is an emergency and the fire alarms ring, all persons must evacuate the building. There are no exceptions.
THE BUILDING:
— CLASS BREAKS: Students are welcome to wait in the "Discovery Room" if they have a break between classes, only if they can be trusted to quietly socialize or do some other work. Parents should let us know on the registration form what we can expect. However, they must remain in the designated area of the building and keep from disturbing classes. On your registration form, indicate who will be the adult-in-charge when you are not there (if something should happen, we would want to have an adult be responsible). Also please indicate the hours your students will be in the building, but not in classes
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Grace Baptist are days when students enjoy being together, sitting, talking, playing. However, there have been times when there are dozens of “socializing” students – to the disruption of the classes, so we need either to cut out classes or manage the free time a little differently. We’re sure you understand. Please DO NOT drop your child off early or leave them after their classes are finished unless you intend to be there helping with supervision. We know they are “good kids who won’t cause any trouble,” but…. Thank you for understanding.
— THE PHYSICAL SPACE: Grace Baptist Christian Academy is home to full time students and part time students and we are thankful for the facility that God has given so we expect our students to be very respectful of that privilege as well. Because the school is meeting all year long and in all parts of the building, part time students and parents do not have free reign to help ourselves to supplies, cabinets, basements etc. We have a hot lunch program that the students may take advantage of, however they must be signed up ahead of time, so that we have time to prepare the food. Students and parents may not take anything out of cabinets or even open them. If something is broken we make the students either pay for the repair or come after school to fix it. We have our full time students clean up the building once a day, so please be kind and respectful to them by not adding to their work. Trash can go in designated baskets, and items for recycling should be rinsed and put in the bins rather than being thrown in the trash. Please remind your children to write their names in books and on possessions, and to check carefully for them before leaving the building.
— THE PARKING LOT: In order to avoid conflict with the neighbors, we ask that students never go across boundary lines into the surrounding yards. If a ball or frisbee goes out of the yard, it must stay there (and the neighbors may toss it back when they see it). Students should also be reminded regularly that it is a parking lot, not a playground, so there are always cars coming and going and they should always watch for cars, and play in the designated place, rather than between parked cars. We have a system for dropping off and parking on Tuesdays, so we don’t create traffic jams. Please follow the procedures, and avoid parking on that side street as well as staying more than a minute in the drop-off lanes. Although we ask that you not park on the side street beside the building, there may be times when there is no parking available in the lot. On-street parking is legal throughout Attleboro as long as you follow the ordinances, keeping off people’s grass, etc. Remember that we do have a full time school and students will be playing outside regularly for recess. If a group of full time students would like to use the basketball hoop, you are welcome to join in, but remember that they are most likely young and smaller than many 7th-12th part time students.
— OTHER: Of course, in all this, what we are saying is that respect for people is most important. Teachers are the authority in their classes, and students should respect them by honoring that. We have a great variety of students from varying backgrounds. Not only is it possible to get along and respect one another, there is great benefit that comes in the process of trying to understand others who perhaps think differently. If you are looking for a place where everyone thinks the same way, and students always conform to the expectations, Grace Baptist is not where you will find it.
Problems?
So… what if there are problems? There will be as there have been – that is one thing we can guarantee! As in the rest of life, the biblical way is always the best. Would you please, if you have an issue, go directly to the person involved? Will you encourage your students to do the same? If it is not resolved, go to someone who can help – perhaps a teacher or the principal. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and even your complaints; by God’s grace, conflict and disagreement can accomplish much good. If we can teach our children biblical problem-solving, that may be more important than all the best classes we can offer. Grace Baptist reserves the right to dismiss a student or ask him/her not to return if it does not seem in the best interest of the student, the family, or the program.