2599 E. 98th Street
Indianapolis, IN
317-844-8248
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Tabernacle
Christian Academy 2599 E. 98th Street Indianapolis, IN 317-844-8248 |
TCA Student Handbook
INFORMATION
Information concerning school policies and procedures is listed alphabetically. If you have questions concerning any of the items in the handbook, please call the school office at 844-8248.
ACADEMY SHOP
The school operates a supply store for the students' convenience for purchasing folders, crayons, scissors, glue and plastic school boxes. It is open each morning before school begins. Please come to the office for assistance.
ADMISSIONS
An enrollment application form is required to be filled out in full, each school year, plus a student information form. A medical record which includes current immunization information is required to be on file when the student begins school. In addition we must also have an emergency form, copy of the child's birth certificate, enrollment cards and a current physical check-up signed by your physician.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
All children should enter and leave the building through the main entrance by the school office. If a child has had an illness, the parent should check with the office before the child returns to his/her classroom.
Please walk your child into the building and to the appropriate classroom. All children should be picked up by the appropriate adult from the classroom or school office. The child should remain with the adult and leave the building or exit the door together. If you know in advance that you will need someone else to pick up your child, give a written note to the office or stop by to sign the transportation list. If an emergency arises, phone the office and state who will be picking up the child. Please remind the person who will be picking up your child that the office will ask for proper identification and will not allow the child to go without it.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Birthday celebrations give children recognition and make them feel special. We ask that cookies instead of cake or cupcakes be brought
for the treats. You may also bring a fruit drink. If you have a question
concerning other items that you may bring, please call the office. It is necessary to inform the teacher, in advance, so that she may include the celebration in her plans. If you bring birthday party invitations to school you must invite the entire class (or all the girls - or all the boys). If you choose to invite only a few children, invitations may not be passed out at school. (All treats must be store purchased. Home prepared food may not be used.)
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
Breakfast will be served from 7:15 until 7:55 each morning for child care students. Parents must notify the office of those children who wish to participate in the breakfast program. Parents do not stay to feed their children. A hot lunch is provided daily for all children who are enrolled. Children with allergies or specific problems related to food may bring a nutritious sack lunch provided we have a doctor's note stating the allergy and what the child is not permitted to eat. Our kitchen is not equipped to prepare special lunches to meet these needs. Soft drinks and candy are unacceptable.
BOOK FEES
Book fees will be posted at the beginning of each school year and will include a yearbook and the Kindergarten picture fee.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Click on Calendar
Current calendars of events are available in the school office.
CLASS ABSENCES
A phone call to the office is requested. When your child is absent, for reasons other than illness, please notify the teacher in writing. Eight days per semester may be missed (sporadically) and then a doctor's note will be required.
CURRICULUM
T.C.A. uses the A Beka Book Publications which provides quality education from a Christian perspective. It is built upon the firm foundation of Spiritual truth. The materials are written by dedicated and talented Christian scholars who are well grounded in the practical aspects of teaching.
DISCIPLINE
Believing that discipline is necessary for the welfare of the student as well as the entire school, we expect each child to be obedient and cooperative to any adult with whom he/she is working. Our teachers and day care givers maintain standards of behavior in the classrooms, halls and playground through kindness, love and a genuine regard for their students.
Habit training begins with the first day a child enters school. Although there are not many rules, each classroom has firmly established policies which each student is aware of and expected to follow.
Most discipline is handled by the teacher with methods such as behavior modification, paper work, redirection and time out. However, when the teacher feels stronger measures are needed, the child will be sent to the office. The director or assistant director will have a conference with the child. When there are repeated offenses or one of a more serious nature, such as when one child inflicts injury upon another child, stronger discipline may be warranted. The parent will be notified of any action taken by the office.
The administration and the staff want to work with you for the common good of your child. If you have any questions or have a home problem with discipline, please ask for a conference.
(SEE TERMINATION AND SUSPENSION)
DONATIONS AND GIFTS
T.C.A. is a non-profit corporation operating on faith principles. The tuition is kept as low as possible to make Christian education available to those who could not normally afford private schooling. Since the school is not a business but a ministry, we ask our school family and friends who share this vision to help supply the need month by month.
Cash gifts and gifts of real property are TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
DRESS CODE AND APPEARANCE
How a child is dressed is a parent's responsibility. The school does not wish to spend a great amount of energy determining what is right and wrong for your child in this matter. We only ask that they be dressed neatly and appropriately for school. We ask for your cooperation in maintaining these minimal standards.
Kindergarten children should not wear shorts, halter tops or tank tops once school is in session. Slacks and jeans are permissible. Shorts may be worn during school hours after Spring Break through the end of September, weather permitting. Kindergarten must wear shorts which fall within 2" of the knee. Spandex, lycra, and biker shorts may not be worn.
T-shirts with questionable pictures or sayings are not permissible. Thongs are not proper footwear and can be dangerous during P.E. and playground activities. Girls need gym shorts or slacks for gym and all students need tennis shoes to keep at school.
EXTRA CLOTHING
Every child must have a complete change of clothing (except shoes) at the school at all times. These may be left in the child's locker. Be sure that you have used a laundry marker or identification tag on each item.
FEES
A fee schedule which includes information concerning registration, testing, book rental, graduation, tuition, late fees, termination and returned checks is available in the school office. It is important for all parents to understand that records are not released unless all fees are paid.
FUND RAISING PROJECTS
We are a private school supported with tuition, donations and gifts. We do have to supplement our income through fund raising projects. We have at least three or four during the year. We ask your cooperation in these projects because T.C.A. could not provide some of the "extras" that benefit your child without these projects.
ILLNESS
Teamwork and cooperation are essential to preserve the good health of our children.
If you feel your child could be contagious or if he/she has been ill during the night, he/she should be kept at home. If your child does have a contagious condition, please notify the school office.
Your child will not be allowed to remain at school if he/she shows signs of fever, sore throat, nausea or diarrhea which may indicate a contagious condition.
If your child becomes ill at school, he/she will be cared for in the office away from the other children. When we notify you, we expect you to make arrangements for your child to be picked up immediately. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance that the phone number of your place of employment is correct and up to date in our files.
If your child is sent home with a fever, he/she must be clear of a fever for 24 hours before returning to school.
With pinkeye, prescription medicine must be in the eye(s) for a period of 24 hours. In the case of vomiting and diarrhea, your child must be clear of the symptoms for 24 hours. This is the same for Strep Throat and Impetigo.
Chicken Pox must be all scabbed. When your child returns to school, you will need to check in at the office before going to the classroom.
When your child leaves school due to an illness, and you aren't sure when to return to school, please call the school office.
LOCKERS
Each student is assigned a locker. These lockers may be inspected by authorized school personnel at any time. Each student is responsible for their belongings. Students are urged not to bring personal items or substantial amounts of money. Lockers should be cleaned often. Paste ups, stickers and locks are not allowed.
MEDICATION
If your child is to receive medication during the hours he/she is in our care, the State of Indiana requires that it be a personal prescription filled by a pharmacist or a physician's order, and that the label bear the child's name, physician's name, and the directions for administering. This includes aspirin, cough syrup and other over the counter medicines. No non prescription medication will be given unless it is by doctor's orders. A medical form must be filled out at the front desk giving the date the medication is to be started, the time of day to be administered and when it should be discontinued. Medications left in the office after the final date will be disposed of. No child is allowed to carry medicine of any kind on his/her person or keep it in a locker or desk.
PARENT NOTIFICATION
The school will notify the parent(s) of any significant problems, significant occurrences, or communicable diseases. Please check our weekly newsletter.
PARKING
Parking is PROHIBITED under the canopy. If you need to enter the building, please use the parking lot.
PICTURES AND YEARBOOK
School pictures are taken in the fall. Yearbook fees are included in the student's book fees.
REPORT CARDS
Kindergarteners receive their report cards in January and at the end of the school year. Check the school calendar for the specific dates.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS
T.C.A. policy has always been to remain open if at all possible. On the other hand, there are extreme cases where it does become necessary for us to close. These closings will be announced on local radio and TV stations. It will also be published on our web site www.tabernacle.com
If the weather conditions are inclement the radio and TV stations will announce as follows: Tabernacle Christian Academy, Keystone, School closed/child care open will mean only school will be closed. If the announcement is "Tabernacle Christian Academy, Keystone, School AND CHILD CARE", the entire school will be closed.
If the mayor asks for the closing of all businesses due to weather, we will abide by that decision and close the entire school.
If we close early due to weather conditions, you will be called to pick up your child.
SCHOOL OFFICE
The school is open from 6:30 A.M. until 6:00 P.M. Only urgent, important messages will be delivered to students. In case of emergencies, the students will be allowed to use the phones.
When entering the school, please check in at the office. If you need additional information, please feel free to call the office at any time.
TARDINESS
Kindergarten begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. for preschoolers. If your child is not in the classroom ready to begin at the above times, they are considered tardy.
TERMINATION AND SUSPENSION
A child may be subject to suspension for repeated disciplinary offenses at the discretion of the director. If this action is taken, the child will not be allowed to make up work missed and will earn a zero on all tests and homework assignments missed during the period of suspension.
Termination of a child's schooling will be a last resort and is also at the discretion of the director.
School Only - A two week notice must be given for a parent to terminate a child's enrollment. You will be charged the entire month even if the child does not attend. There are no refunds for terminations after April first.
Child Care - A two week notice must be given for a parent to terminate a child's enrollment. You will be charged for this amount even if the child does not attend.
Transfer - Children transferring from school only to child care or vice versa must do so at the end of the month with a two week prior notice. There is a transfer fee listed in the "Fee Schedule".
VACATION POLICY
Any full-time child care student having attended for a minimum of one continuous year will be entitled to two vacation credit weeks anytime during a school vacation period, provided there is a vacation credit form presented to the office one week prior to vacation.
THE SCHOOL DAY
6:30 a.m. Child Care
7:15 - 7:55 Breakfast/child care
7:45 - 8:00 Preschoolers go to classroom
8:00 - 8:15 Kindergarten in gym
8:15 Students may go to classrooms
8:30 Class begins for Kindergarten
8:45 Preschool begins
9:30 - 10:00 Snacks/Preschool and Kindergarten
11:25 School day ends for Preschool
11:25 - 12:25 Lunch periods
12:30 - 2:30 Rest/nap for Preschool
2:30 Snack for Preschool
3:00 School day ends for Kindergarten
3:00 Snacks for child care students
3:00 - 6:00 Child care
Last Modified: January 20, 2004