Statement of Authority
The Bay Knoll
Seventh-day Adventist School is operated according to policies and standards of
the Departments of Education of the General Conference, the North American
Division, the Atlantic Union Conference, and the New York Conference of
Seventh-day Adventists. The
policies and information contained in this handbook are based upon those
guidelines and have been approved by the Bay Knoll Seventh-day Adventist School
Board. Any exceptions,
alterations, and/or interpretations must be approved by, and/or be subject to
the approval of the Bay Knoll SDA School principal and/or the Bay Knoll SDA
School Board.
Philosophy
The Bay Knoll
Seventh-day Adventist School has been established to provide a Christian
education primarily for the children and youth of the Seventh-day Adventist
Church as well as for others who appreciate its value. As Seventh-day Adventists, we believe
that Christian education includes subject matter, teaching methods, discipline,
character development, and respect for the personal worth of each
individual. Each student will be
exposed to and taught as truth the Bible-based Christian beliefs and doctrines
of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
We believe that
Seventh-day Adventist education provides students an environment in which to
gain an intelligent understanding of the principles governing the function and
proper care of the body. It also
helps students establish habits and practices that foster physical, mental, and
spiritual vitality and health.
The school curriculum
will include literature, art, math, science, music, writing, and the study of
the Bible in keeping with the Seventh-day Adventist doctrine.
The Bay Knoll SDA
School meets the requirements of New York State as applied to independent
schools.
Objectives
The
following objectives should expand and reflect the general philosophy of
Seventh-day Adventist education and the school’s statement of philosophy.
1. To assist students
in gaining a growing knowledge of God as Creator and Sustainer of life in an
environment conducive to the development of Christian character.
2. To encourage
students to assume a growing responsibility for unselfish service within their
homes and to all mankind; and to identify themselves with the church and its
outreach.
3. To assist students
to acquire the basic skills of reading, mathematics, and communication.
4. To enable students
to develop critical-thinking skills and to make decisions based on moral and
ethical values as well as on accumulated facts.
5. To provide both
social and learning experiences that are based on the use of materials and
methods of instruction that reflect Seventh-day Adventist values, including
healthful living.
6. To provide an
appropriate environment and encourage students to become intellectually curious
through an educational program that challenges them to academic excellence
within the parameters of individual interests, needs, and abilities.
7. To develop an
appreciation for an understanding of the Bible as the written word of God, an
infallible rule of faith and practice for the Christian; to develop a personal
religious life of Bible study, prayer, worship, wisdom, and service; and to
develop a personal sense of mission for giving the gospel message to all the
world in preparation for the soon return of Jesus Christ.
8. To encourage
students to recognize and to acknowledge God’s ownership of human resources.
9. To assist students
to develop an understanding of, and an appreciation for, the worth of all
people.
Notice of Non-discriminatory
Policy
The
Bay Knoll Seventh-day Adventist School does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, gender, or national/ethnic origin in administration of our
educational policies, admissions policy, scholarship program, or any other
school-administered program.
Admission
Enrollment in the Bay
Knoll Seventh-day Adventist School is a privilege and not a right. With it goes responsibility to respect
and cooperate with all school policy.
By enrolling, both students and parents agree to support the total program
of the school. In harmony with the
General Conference recommendation, it is strongly urged that children should
not be sent to school at too early an age. Pupils who wish to enter Kindergarten should be five years
old by December 1 of the year of enrollment. Pupils who wish to enter First Grade and have not attained
the age of six years by December 1 of the year of enrollment will be evaluated
by the Bay Knoll SDA School Board.
A birth certificate
and updated health and immunization records that conform to current state
requirements must be supplied at Registration. It is required that any child transferring from another
school presents a report card, transcript of all previous work, and two references. The Bay Knoll Seventh-day Adventist School
is open to a limited number of students who are members of other denominations.
Upon receipt of
references, all applications will be reviewed by the Bay Knoll SDA School Board
for approval. Parents and students
must be willing to observe the principles and regulations of the organization.
Registration
It
is required that one or both parents/guardians accompany their child when
registering. Children will be
accepted on the basis of room in the class, scholarship, attendance, conduct in
past schools, and suitability to the overall school curriculum.
Financial Information
An annual
registration fee will be payable upon the student’s enrollment. Tuition for the school year may be paid
in a lump sum paid in full at the beginning of the school year or in ten
consecutive payments (to be paid by the 25th of each month). The registration fee and the first
tuition payment will be due and payable at the time of Registration. The tuition rates and the registration
fee are subject to change each year. (See the Financial Information and
Agreement Form at Registration for current rates and specific guidelines.)
It is the
responsibility of parents/guardians and/or sponsors to meet their financial
obligations to the school. Keeping
one’s school account current is a condition of continued enrollment in the Bay
Knoll SDA School.
A limited number of scholarship funds may
be available to help provide assistance for those unable to bear the full cost
of tuition. However, if scholarship
funds are not available or approved, and/or satisfactory arrangements have not
been made with the Bay Knoll SDA School Board, the school is under no
obligation to accept or keep a student in school if the student’s account is
not kept current.
If financial
assistance is desired, arrangements must be made with the Bay Knoll SDA School
Board. A financial plan must be
entered into between financially responsible parties and the school board. Priority in the distribution of any
available assistance shall be given to students who are, or whose
parents/guardians are, members of the constituent church. Final scholarship eligibility will be
determined by the school board.
If for any reason
persons having students enrolled in the school are unable to make their tuition
payments at the regular time or in the full amount due as agreed upon with the
BKS Board, it is the responsibility of those individuals to make arrangements
with the school board to ensure that the obligation is met in an acceptable,
timely manner.
If a student’s
account is in arrears and satisfactory arrangements have not been made with the
school board, the student may be suspended from school. It is the prerogative of the school
board to deny students whose accounts are in arrears the taking of final tests,
permission to reregister, and/or to graduate from the school.
Attendance and Hours
School hours are 8:15
A.M. to 3:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.
It is expected that students not arrive at school before 8:00 A.M., and
that they should leave promptly after Dismissal, no later than 3:15 P.M. Prior arrangements must be made with
the teacher and/or principal if your child needs to arrive before or to stay
after school hours.
Students must remain
on the school grounds from their arrival in the morning until they leave for
home, unless otherwise authorized.
Any student who leaves the school grounds without permission will be
suspended.
If your child needs
to leave the school grounds during the school day, please notify the teacher
and/or principal ahead of time.
When parents/guardians arrive to pick up students during school hours,
please see their teacher to sign them out of school.
According to policy,
the front doors of the school will be locked during school hours. If one is planning on visiting, please
notify the principal and/or teacher in advance, and on arrival ring the bell to
the right of the door.
Emergencies,
sickness, and death in the family are considered the only legitimate excuses
for absences.
Students are tardy if
they do not arrive at or before 8:15 A.M.
Students are not considered tardy if their school bus is late. Written excuses are required for all
absences and tardinesses. A
parent-student-teacher conference will be held to determine further action in
the event of excessive absences and/or tardinesses (more than 20% of the
time). A pupil who is absent as
many as seven days out of a quarter or nine-week period, whatever the cause,
may forfeit her/his quarter grades unless it is evident to the teacher that the
work has been satisfactorily made up.
When students have an
absence, it is their responsibility to learn what work was missed. For an excused absence, a student will
be given a reasonable amount of time to do the work for full credit if
completed within the given time limit.
Dental and medical
appointments should be arranged outside of school hours when at all possible.
Parents who wish
their children to remain indoors during recess must send a signed note to the
teacher indicating the reason and period of time the request is in effect.
Transportation
Transportation is the
responsibility of the parents/guardians.
The school cooperates with the various school districts that bus the
students from their areas of residence in accordance with NY State regulations. Parents must make arrangements
(sometimes required well in advance) with their local public school districts
for bus transportation.
All changes in after
school bus transportation or other means of transportation requires written
permission from the parent/guardian detailing and approving the change in
advance.
An approved drivers
list must be filled out at Registration.
If your child needs to ride home with anyone else who is not on the
approved list, written consent must be sent in to the teacher in advance.
Good and proper
student conduct on school buses is important to the reputation of our Christian
school and of its families. Bay
Knoll students are expected to uphold the reputations of both at all times.
Snow
Days/Inclement Weather
During inclement
weather, the school will be closed when the East Irondequoit public schools are
closed. Listen to school closing
news on TV Channels 8, 10, and/or 13.
Discipline
Misconduct will be
handled by a teacher, the principal, and/or the school board according to the
seriousness and/or frequency of the offense. The principal or a teacher may suspend the offender for up
to three days. The parents will be
notified concerning the reason for the suspension, and a report will be given
to the school board. If deemed
necessary, the school board may suspend students for a longer period. Permanent expulsion is only by a
majority vote of the school board after other methods of reconciling the
problem have been exhausted. Any
extremely inappropriate behavior will result in immediate expulsion.
Responsibility of
Students
Students are expected to be courteous and
respectful at all times.
Quietness, orderliness, cooperation, polite conversation, and proper
response to correction exhibit this.
Bay Knoll SDA School will not tolerate a student who is defiant and
rebellious.
It is understood that
every student who applies for admission to the school thereby pledges to
observe all of its regulations, to uphold the principles upon which the school
operates, and to perform to the best of her/his ability all school duties
assigned. It is also understood
that to break this pledge forfeits the right to attend. Continued attendance is at the
discretion of the Bay Knoll SDA School Board.
The formation of
special boy-girl friendships at this age is not permitted.
All students are
expected to use language befitting a Christian, which excludes abusive and/or
filthy language, gestures, and/or profanity.
Stealing, willful
deception, falsehood, fraud, or any act of dishonesty will not be tolerated.
The use and/or
possession of tobacco, alcohol, narcotics, illegal drugs, weapons of any kind,
playing cards, and/or any gambling device is grounds for suspension and/or
possible expulsion. A student who
must take prescription drugs during the school day must have a “Parent’s
Request for Administration of Medication” form signed by the student’s doctor.
Non-prescription pain
relievers must be given to the teacher.
If the use of these is necessary during the school day, written parental
consent must be obtained before distribution or use by that student. A permission form will be provided
during Registration as needed.
The school will not
be responsible for personal items lost at school. Entertainment items and toys are to be left at home. Students are not to bring unusual,
distracting, or dangerous articles to school. Such items may be confiscated by the teacher and/or
principal.
Questionable
entertainment including television shows, movies, videos, dancing, and/or rock
concerts should be avoided, and the discussion of it is not approved.
The school board and
faculty strongly urge that television viewing be very selective and chosen in
such a manner so as not to interfere with schoolwork and/or the student’s
general well being.
Responsibility of Parents
In general, it is the duty of parents and
students to uphold the teachings and to adhere to the academic and spiritual
principles and standards of the Bay Knoll Seventh-day Adventist School. Parents can contribute to a successful
school by following these guidelines:
1.
Upholding in their homes the ideals taught in the school
2.
Insisting on the development of good health and work habits and sharing responsibilities
inside and outside the home
3.
Seeing that the child is in the best physical condition possible, and that
he/she
receives adequate
sleep each night
4.
Actively participating in school-sponsored activities and functions
5.
Cultivating an acquaintance with the teacher and conferring with her/him
6.
Discussing any concern or criticism of the school program directly with the principal
or the teacher
rather than with the
children; and responsibly supporting the redemptive discipline given their
children
7.
After following the Biblical guidelines, any concerns that are not resolved
with school personnel may
be presented to the school board chairperson
8. Promptly
meeting financial obligations to the school
9.
Providing adequate, scheduled time and a suitable environment and study area
for homework; allow
them to do their own work
with minimal help from you
10.
Being a positive, Christian role model to your children is extremely important.
Dress and Appearance
Dress and appearance
are highly subjective matters; therefore, the school leaves this matter to the
discretion of the teachers.
It is expected that students
will uphold the school standards for dress and appearance at all times. Parents and others doing volunteer work
at the school, chaperoning field trips, and/or participating in school
functions are requested to comply with the school guidelines for dress and
appearance.
The physical
appearance of a student and her/his peers has a major impact on their readiness
for learning and character development.
Because this is a Christian school, clothing is expected to be
conservative, modest, and simple in nature. For that reason, the following principles will help to guide
the selection of appropriate clothing for students.
Dress Code:
Clothing should be
adequate for the weather.
- Students
should wear boots outdoors when the weather requires it, but they will be
expected to bring shoes or sneakers to wear while indoors.
- Students
should wear coats, mittens or gloves, and warm headgear while outdoors.
Clothing should allow
free movement and should not be so tight as to restrict circulation to any part
of the body. It
should also be age,
size, and gender appropriate.
Clothing should be
modest and not accentuate body form.
- Tight-fitting
slacks, jeans, and tops are not appropriate for boys or girls. All shirts and blouses must have
sleeves. For example,
spaghetti straps, cap sleeves, and tank tops are not allowed, even if worn
in layers. Shirts and blouses
must also completely cover the waist when arms are fully raised over the
head.
- Pants,
jeans, and slacks must reach the ankles. Knee-length pants are allowed during hot weather. Shorts and cut-offs are not
permitted.
- Both boys
and girls must wear pants, slacks, and jeans at their waist. For example, no hip huggers or
sagging pants should be worn.
All pants, slacks, and jeans with belt loops should be worn with a
belt that fits the wearer. If
this is an issue, a belt will become mandatory attire.
- Clothing
must not have holes, tears, slits, frayed edges, or other cuts in the
material.
- Girls may
wear dresses, skirts, or jumpers.
These must be below the knees or longer. Girls must also wear shorts under their dresses, skirts,
or jumpers.
Because we are making
a conscientious effort to keep worldliness out of our school, clothing must not
have any writing or pictures that portray
images from TV, movies, music videos, cartoons, video games, and the like.
Shoes must be
enclosed and worn with socks. Students
must have appropriate footwear—shoes with adequate traction and
soft-soled—for PE classes and/or gym wear. Shoes with laces must be tied. Shoes with wheels are prohibited.
Hats and hoods may
not be worn in the classroom.
Unnecessarily
expensive attire demonstrates vanity, and it should not be worn.
Jewelry of any type is
not permitted. (Medic-Alert tags
are allowed if needed.)
Make-up should be
avoided. If used, it should
accentuate a natural appearance.
Nail polish, if worn, should be clear only.
Sloppy or
overly-casual clothing is not appropriate. Modest, loose-fitting jeans are permissible.
Hair should be clean,
neatly groomed, and of a natural color.
“Cut-outs” or other extreme styles should be avoided.
Students should take
regular baths or showers, and if necessary, use deodorant to avoid offensive
body odor.
Clean, unstained clothing should be worn to school each
day.
Dress code violations
will be handled in the following manner:
- First
violation—A note will be sent home.
- Second
violation—The teacher will call the parent at home or work.
- Third
violation—Parent must bring a change of clothes or pick up their
child.
- If problems
continue, the matter will then be brought to the school board.
Building
and Grounds
Parents will be
responsible for school property if such is maliciously and/or deliberately
damaged by their child.
Please note and abide
by the following rules.
1. Place all
trash in wastebaskets and proper receptacles.
2. Keep
classrooms, halls, restrooms, gym, chapel, and grounds neat and free of litter and other miscellaneous items.
3. Hang
coats, sweaters, and other outerwear on hangers. Put empty bookbags/backpacks on shelves.
4. Flush
toilets after use, wash hands thoroughly, dry hands, and place paper towels in
the trashcan.
Do not waste restroom supplies.
5. Help keep
the school clean, pleasant, safe, and attractive by avoiding—running or
rough play in the building;
loud voices; chewing gum; defacing or
marking walls or any equipment; leaving possessions, food, or clothing around carelessly; or by misusing any school or personal items.
Report Cards
Report cards will be issued four times per
year—at the ends of each of the four quarters. Interim reports will be sent home midway through each
quarter and/or if students have unacceptable grades.
Parents may request a
formal conference with a teacher at a time outside of the school day. All arrangements should be made in
advance.
Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences are scheduled following the First and
Third Quarters of the school year.
Parents must meet with their child’s homeroom teacher before securing
report cards for these quarters.
Final grades, diplomas, and transcripts (sent from the New York
Conference Office of Education) will be held until student account balances are
paid in full.
Lunches
The body and mind are closely linked. Anything that harms the health of the
body harms the mind also. As diet
most directly affects health, a student’s diet has a direct effect on her/his
ability to perform well in school.
Parents should ensure that their children’s diet is low in fats, salt,
and simple carbohydrates (sugar and products made from refined flours,
highly-processed foods, etc.) particularly on school days. Foods containing dyes and other food
additives should be avoided.
Choose foods with high nutritive value, complex carbohydrates, and
fiber, and that are as close to their natural state as possible. Drinking six to eight 8-ounce glasses
of water daily is important to maintain all body systems.
Lunches are not to
contain unclean meats (as defined in Leviticus 11), carbonated or caffeinated
beverages, and preferably no desserts or sugary snacks. Students should not give away or trade
any part of their lunches.
Microwave ovens are a
service that the school provides.
However, due to time constraints in the lunch period, lunches should
require no more than three minutes to heat. If more time is needed, the student will go to the back of
the line.
Once a week, a Hot Lunch
may be available for a nominal fee.
A variety of lunch menus that are nutritionally balanced are provided,
and volunteers may prepare the meals.
Visitors
Parents are welcome
to visit the school. However, when
conferences are desired, previous arrangements with the teacher or principal
should be made.
Students are not to
bring visitors without the express permission of the teacher and/or the
principal.
School Computers and
Telephones
Students are not
allowed to load any personal software onto the school computers. Non-educational games are not
allowed. All students and parents
will be required to read and sign the Acceptable Use Policy and the Internet
Access Agreement at Registration.
These forms outline the rules and regulations that govern the use of the
computers. Parental permission
must be granted and signed before students may use the Internet.
The school telephone
is to be used only with the express permission of the principal and/or
teacher. Parents should refrain
from telephoning the school during school hours except in cases of
emergency. Since the school phones
are for school business, no other use should be made of them.
Field Trips
Any trip or program
planned away from the school will first be approved by the school board. Written permission with parent/guardian
signatures will be required for all students.
School Calendar
An
annual school calendar will be provided at Registration for your convenience in
knowing the dates of certain school events and vacations. A monthly school calendar will be sent
home in the child’s Special Delivery envelope
at the beginning of each month for specific dates and special events for that
month.
Home & School Association
The
Bay Knoll Home & School Association serves the purpose of promoting a
firmer bond among the home, the school, and the church. Effective Christian education requires
the participation of parents and others as partners in the educational
process. Some of the objectives of
the association are as follows:
- To
coordinate activities in cooperation with the administration, faculty, and
staff that will bring the school family together
- To encourage
family participation in the life of the school in an appropriate manner
- To select
and organize volunteers to assist in the programs and special activities
provided by the school
- To give
leadership to fundraising activities so as to provide much-needed funds
for special projects, equipment, and other capital improvements
To provide a forum for parent
information relative to good parenting and quality home life.
A Home & School
Committee plans and helps facilitate the above-listed activities of the
school. The committee is made up
of the home and school leader, selected by the constituent church; the school
principal; and interested volunteers.
They meet approximately once a month.
Home & School
Association meetings or planned activities are also held once a month
The Bay Knoll Home
& School Association includes every member of the school family—the
school board, administration, faculty, staff, parents of Bay Knoll students,
and others interested in the welfare of the school.
Volunteers
Bay Knoll SDA School
relies heavily on volunteers. To
ensure the safety of the students, the staff, and the property, a screening
process has been initiated for individuals wishing to volunteer their time and
service. The NY Conference Office
of Education has provided these forms for the school’s use. Such forms will be provided at
Registration. Please contact the
school for further information.
School Board
It
is the Bay Knoll School Board’s task to provide funding and other essential
facilities to help the school fulfill its mission. The board
assumes the responsibility to encourage the patrons of the school to cooperate
fully with school personnel in a manner that will make BKS a blessing to its
students and a strength to the
constituent church and other supporters.
The board administers the school through the school principal.
Members of the school
board are selected for a specified term by the constituent church’s nominating
committee and then voted by the constituent members. Such individual must be strong, active supporters of SDA
Christian education and of Bay Knoll Seventh-day Adventist School. The board elects its own chairperson at
the first board meeting of the new school year, in July or August. The school principal, an ex-officio
board member, is the school board’s executive secretary. The constituent church’s pastor is also
an ex-officio member of the school board.
The school board is
ultimately responsible for the policies that govern the school and for the
procedures used. It is the
intention of the board that these policies and procedures will help Bay Knoll
SDA School fulfill its stated mission and objectives. It is the school principal’s responsibility to give
leadership in carrying out these policies and procedures and to manage the day-to-day
operations of the school.
Board meetings are
held on the first Monday of each month.
Meetings begin at 6:30 P.M., and are open to members of the
constituency. Such guests may have
a voice but not a vote. At times,
school board meetings are limited only to board members when the body meets in
Executive Session to discuss sensitive items which usually deal with personnel
matters and other confidential information.
Website
Bay Knoll SDA School
maintains a website on the Internet located at http://school.bayknoll.org.
The contents of the website includes Registration information and forms;
financial information and forms; an annual school calendar of events which are
updated periodically; contact information; a copy of the BKS Handbook; and much more.
It is the intent of the school that individuals will be able to use the
website as a primary source of information about the Bay Knoll Seventh-day
Adventist School. Please check
there often. If you have any
questions, please contact the webmaster.
Note that all guidelines and rules given orally
and/or in writing during the school year are just as binding as those written
in this handbook.
Revised
6-7-10
Bay Knoll Seventh-day Adventist School