Grande Ronde Academy

Daily Schedule at GRA

School Hours

    4 year old Kindergarten                                8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.         Monday - Friday

    5 year old Kindergarten                                Noon - 3:00 p.m.                 Monday - Friday

    Grades 1-8                                                    8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.           Monday -  Friday

Lunch

    We are a cold lunch school.  Please have your child bring a sack lunch each day. 
    Note: There is no refrigerator or microwave available for student use. 
    Hot lunch is available on Fridays.  The cost for hot lunch is $2.00 per lunch.

Absences

    Because regular attendance is crucial to optimal learning, absences should be kept to a  minimum. Excused absences are for illness, medical or dental  appointments, or family emergencies.  Class work will need to be made up for absences.  The student will be given one day to make up the work for each day he/she was absent. When a child will be absent due to illness, please call the school office by 8:30 a.m.  If we do not receive a call, we will call you to check on the status of your child. 

Illness/Injury

    In the event that a child is injured or becomes ill at school, you will be called immediately. 

    Conditions under which a child may not attend or may be sent home from school include:

    1.  Temperature of 101 or higher

    2.  Vomiting

    3.  Diarrhea

    4.  Communicable disease

    5.  Head Lice

Tardiness

    School starts promptly at 8:00 a.m.  Punctuality is very important to the classroom. Tardiness not only disrupts the classroom but also shows a lack of courtesy to the teacher and students.  Please teach your child the importance of being on time by making this a priority.  Tardiness will be noted with a letter home to parents after the first three times. Other consequences may be used to help our students understand the importance of timeliness to school if no improvement is shown.

Red Tickets

GRA uses “red tickets” to recognize positive behavior as a school wide program.  Any staff member who “catches” a student or whole class going above and beyond the expected behavior will give a red ticket to the student or class.  The tickets are added to the classroom container and when an agreed upon number is reached there is a class reward.  Individual drawings are also held from the ticket container. 

Extended Day School

We offer an extended day school from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  It starts with snack (provided from home) and recess time directly after school followed by homework time with assistance from the school personnel.  There is a $2.00 per hour fee for this program with a $2.00 minimum per day.  Extended Day School is available on an as needed basis with notice to the school office. 

Parents in the classroom

We encourage parents to visit the classroom.  Please observe in a way that does not disrupt the learning environment. Because we value the instruction time, we ask that you make specific appointments to conference with the teacher.  Please do not take class time to discuss concerns. The teacher will be available after school to visit with you. We request that you not make classroom visits during the first two weeks of school so that the teacher may establish class routines and expectations.

School Closure 

Grande Ronde Academy is able to operate when many public schools are not.  Please listen to the radio for weather cancellations (98.7 – KUBE, 104.7 – KCMB, 1450 AM – KLBM)  We will also try to call parents between 6:45 and 7:15 a.m. if there is a closure.

Emergency Plan

Fire drills are conducted every month.  Students are directed to leave the building by specific routes with the supervising staff.  In case of a power outage, students will be taken to a safe place.  If the school is without power at the beginning of the day, children will not be admitted into the building until the power is restored.  You will be notified any time a situation arises in which your child’s safety is in question.

Information Updates

Be sure to advise the school when your personal information changes.  We need to keep accurate records including your address, home and cell phone numbers, e-mail addresses, or your emergency contact people and their information.  This is important should an emergency situation arise during the school day.

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Student Behavior and Responsibilities

The school emphasizes developing godly character in children.  We expect students to take responsibility for their behavior by making decisions that honor the Lord, their parents and each other.  We look to Jesus and God’s Word for our example in setting standards and expectations for student behavior.

 Five School Rules

1. Respect everyone and their property
2. Keep your hands and feet to yourself at all times
3. Use appropriate language
4. Follow directions all the time
5. Be prepared

Attitude

Students are expected to demonstrate an attitude of mutual respect in all relationships. 

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”  Ephesians 5:21

Student to faculty

Student to student

Student to adult

Language

Students are expected to use edifying language.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”  Ephesians 4:29

We encourage:

• Problem solving
• Constructive criticism

We prohibit:

• Degrading language, oral or written
• Swearing or other forms of “foul” language
• Name calling and teasing
• Destructive criticism
• Use of obscene gestures

Safety

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a safe manner.

• Physical safety: no pushing, shoving or rough play. No unnecessary risks.
• Emotional safety: no intimidation, no name calling or degrading talk, teasing, or exclusion of others from participation.
• Facility safety: keep an orderly, clean environment; personal property will be well-cared for and will not create unnecessary temptation to others.  Do not damage or deface school property.  Students will be responsible for replacement or repair of damaged property.

Dress

We believe that appearance and performance of work are related attributes.  We also recognize the subjective nature of determining acceptable standards for clothing and appearance.  It is necessary for GRA to set standards of dress in order that the attire of students reinforces a Christian testimony in the school and community.  GRA does not have a specified uniform for students.  We seek to advance the concepts of modesty and tasteful dress styles.  All clothing must be in good condition, modest and honoring to the Lord.  The dress code is for all school days and school sponsored events (i.e. school programs or other events). 

• Clothing should be appropriate for the function and occasion. (i.e. P. E. days, cold weather, outdoor recess daily, etc.)
• Hats are not acceptable in the building.
• Clothing must not display any inappropriate words or images, including the latest fad, etc.
• No tank tops, sleeveless tops, bare midriffs, off the shoulder tops, tight or low cut shirts on girls or short skirts/shorts.  Dresses must follow the same guidelines as tops.  Dress, skirt and short hemlines are to be no more than one “credit card length” from the top of the knee when standing or sitting. 
• No sleeveless shirts, oversized clothing or short shorts for boys.
• Wear appropriate shoes for playing outside (preferably tennis shoes).  Flip flops are not to be worn to school.  Sandals must have a heel strap for playground safety.
• Makeup should be worn in moderation.  For safety reasons we encourage students to refrain from wearing bracelets, necklaces or hoop or dangle earrings. 
• Hair must be neat and clean.  No extreme hairstyles or unnatural colors are acceptable. 
• For cold weather outdoor play in the snow, students need snow pants, mittens or gloves, coat, hat and boots that can be put on and removed by the child. 

Food, Gum and Personal Items

• Gum is not allowed at school.
• Most toys should stay at home (exceptions are made for “show & tell” in the classroom on a day scheduled by the teacher).  The school will not be responsible for any lost, stolen, broken, or misplaced toys.  Bring at your own risk.
• Personal CD players, Game Boys, Ipods, or other electronics should not be brought to school. 
• Cell Phones should not be brought to school unless it is necessary for your family situation.  They are not to be seen, heard or used during school hours.  The office phone is available for  student use and to make necessary pick up arrangements..
• No animals are allowed in the school buildings.  You may make arrangements with your child’s teacher to bring an animal to be shown outside for show and tell.

Consequences/Discipline

The classroom teacher will handle most discipline within the room.  Teachers are expected to relate to the students in a positive, respectful manner.  They will maintain a Christ-centered, orderly learning environment where students take responsibility for their actions.  If a child’s attitude or behavior escalates to the point where classroom intervention is not adequate, he/she will be referred to the office.  We use a discipline program called Conducting Conduct and strive to be consistent throughout the whole school.  Conducting conduct is a series of non-verbal hand signals used for gaining attention, warning a student about their behavior, giving a second warning to students in 3rd grade and younger, time outs if they do not heed the warnings.  Please see pictures below.

Classroom intervention may include:  Non-verbal warnings (hand signals)

                                                             Time out in another classroom

                                                             Loss of recess time

                                                             After school detention

                                                             Other consequences appropriate to the infraction

Office intervention may include:        Time out and visit with office staff or administrator

                                                            Office referrals often result in a phone to the parents

                                                            Loss of recess for a prescribed number of days

                                                            After school detention

                                                            In-school suspension

                                                            Out of school suspension

                                                            Expulsion (only if all other avenues have failed)

In the event of a suspension, a meeting with the parents, child, teacher and administrator will be required before the child may re-enter the classroom.

Parental support is a crucial element in discipline as well as all other aspects of your child’s

education.  Please discuss any concerns with the classroom teacher.  

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Student Progress and Assessment

Conferences

Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled twice each year (fall and spring); however, parents are encouraged to request a conference any time there are questions or concerns about their child.  Parents are an important part of the child’s education; your participation insures your child’s success at school.

Grading

Report cards are issued three times a year in grades K-8.  These reports will record the student’s progress academically and socially.  They will indicate whether a child is working at, above or below grade level in each area of assessment.  Effort and attitude are also reported on the card.  Progress reports are also issued in the middle of the first and last trimester.

Assessment

Tests, quizzes, assignments and homework are the primary methods used by teachers to assess student progress.  Achievement testing in the spring is also taken into consideration.

Our grading policy is as follows:

Kindergarten will use E, S, I, N.*

1st-3rd Grade will use letter grades in Reading, Math, Spelling, Phonics. All other academic areas will use E, S, I, N.*
4th-8th grade will use letter grades in all subjects except Penmanship which will be an E, S, I, or N.*

Grading Scale:

93%-100%=A           83%-86%=B          73%-76%=C          63%-66%=D
 90%-92%=A-           80%-82%=B-        70%-72%=C-         60%-62%=D-
87%-89%=B+            77%-79%=C+       67%-69%=D+        59% and below= F

*E    Excellent
  S    Satisfactory
  I      Improving
  N    Needs Improvement

Homework

Homework includes daily reading for all grade levels, studying for tests, and any unfinished assignments.  Special projects may also be assigned as homework occasionally.  Homework should be approximately 10 minutes per grade level per day.  Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions regarding homework.

Curriculum

Basic Education:           Our core curriculum materials are from A Beka Book including reading, math, spelling, phonics, writing, social studies, science, and health. 

Bible:                             Bible lessons are taught daily in every classroom using ACSI curriculum, with an emphasis on
                                      godly character development in all grades.      

Chapel:                          Chapel services, like a mini church service, are held weekly for grades K-8. Chapel times give
                                      students opportunity for "up front" leadership, performing special music, as well as group singing
                                      and a short bible lesson from one of our local pastors.

Field Trips:                    A few field trips are scheduled throughout the year to provide students with the opportunity to learn
                                     outside the classroom.

Music:                            Music is taught weekly in the classrooms including theory, flutophones, singing, and bells. We also
                                      have a additional music around our Christmas and Spring Programs.

P.E.                                We offer P.E. twice weekly for all grades 1-8.

Health:                            Health is offered once a week for all grade levels.

Promotion/Retention

The success of each child is very important to the staff of Grande Ronde Academy.  We will continually work to implement the most effective methods to insure that your child progresses satisfactorily.

If at any time, the teacher or parent has a concern that the child is not making satisfactory progress, a plan for improvement will be developed.  If retention is a consideration, a prescribed process will be followed so that the child’s best interest is served.  Please note that the school does not advocate social promotion but rather considers the development of the whole child when making the decision to promote or retain.  The decision to retain a student will be made with the parent, teacher and administrator after careful evaluation.

Standardized Tests

Standardized tests are administered each spring to students in grades 1-8.  We are currently using the Stanford Achievement Test, a standardized test covering several academic areas.  The school uses these scores to determine the effectiveness of our curriculum, to determine the best educational level for our students and to improve the quality of instruction. 

Other Testing and Evaluation

On occasion, a teacher may recommend that a student be tested by the school district to evaluate certain strengths and weaknesses.  These tests frequently uncover hearing or vision problems that may be affecting the student’s progress in the classroom.  We also may be able to determine a better way to present material to your child.  Parents must sign a permission form to have a child evaluated and will be involved in every part of the process.

Learning Disabilities Policy*

Definitions:

Severe Learning Disability:  Any condition in a potential student which would require a separate classroom, program, and staff in order to provide the educational services desired by the parents (e.g. Down’s syndrome, deaf/mute, blind.)

Learning Disability:  Any condition in a potential student or student which does not require a separate classroom, program and staff in order to provide the educational services desired by the parents (e.g. hyperactivity, attention deficit syndrome, dyslexia).

Guidelines:

1. Children with a severe learning disability will not be admitted to Grande Ronde Academy
   due to the lack of adequate staff, funding and facilities.
2. Children who have been diagnosed as having a learning disability will be required to meet the same academic standards as all the other children in their level.
3. Children who have been diagnosed as having a learning disability will be given as much individual instruction and encouragement as their classmates.

* Individual needs will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

Parent Communication and Information

Your participation is a vital part of the operations of Grande Ronde Academy.  Some significant ways parents can participate:

• Pray regularly for your children, the Academy and the teachers.
• Review on a daily basis any written communications from the school, homework and completed materials, calendars and newsletters that your child(ren) bring home. Check their backpack! 
• We use a Tuesday packet system for sending home student work, school communications and necessary sign up sheets or other information.  Every Tuesday a packet will come home with each student containing their class work from the previous week and information for the next week.  All school communication that is not related to the individual student will be sent home in the youngest child’s packet for each family (fundraising flyers, newsletters, school calendar, etc).  Please take time to read the information and stay informed about your child’s progress and the events taking place for the school.
• Discuss any concerns you may have with your child’s teacher first or the teaching assistant who was in charge at the time (i.e. recess monitor).  If you still have concerns please talk to the administrator. 
• Some important events parents should plan to attend include Back to School night at the beginning of the school year, registration opening for the next school year, the annual parent meeting in February each year, and parent teacher conferences. 

Fundraisers

Fundraisers are an ongoing part of helping keep your tuition low. Parent and student participation is necessary to make them successful.  Listed below are the major fundraisers we do each school year.

• Fall Fundraiser - A catalog type or candy fundraiser
• Fall Festival - Dinner and auction in early November.
• Spring Fundraiser - A jog-a-thon or other “a-thon”.
• Various bake sales throughout the year.
• Use of the E-scrip system.
• Use of Albertson’s community partners
• Collection of Box Tops for Education, Campbell’s Soup labels, ink jet cartridges.

Please plan to participate in your school by being available to help with fundraising efforts and by helping your child to be successful during the selling campaigns each fall and spring.

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Thank you for your involvement in Grande Ronde Academy!

The information provided above is subject to change at the discretion of the Board of Grande Ronde Academy. Revision date 02/07.

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