Developing Leaders today who will walk with Jesus into eternity MILWAUKEE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL HANDBOOK Grades K-10 38th Anniversary (1970-2008) Located at: 10900 West Mill Road Milwaukee, WI 53225 Phone: (414) 353-3520 Fax: (414) 353-1451 [email protected] [email protected] Website: mjaschool.org TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Subject 3 2007-2008 Staff 4 The Mission of Education 4 History of Milwaukee SDA School 5 School Objectives 5 Accreditation 5 Staff Qualifications 6 Admissions 7 Second Language Policy 7 Finances 8 Registration Fees 9 Tuition Fees 10 Bus Fees 10 Parental Choice Program 11 Attendance 12 Curriculum and Instruction 13 Physical Education 14 Grading, Testing and Reporting 15 Health 16 Fines 17 Dress Code Polices for Milwaukee SDA School 17 Reasons for Uniform Policy 18 General Policy Instructions 18 Uniform Infractions 19 Non-Uniform Policy 20 Dress Code for Boys 21 Dress Code for Girls 22 School Hours 22 School Colors 22 Snow Days 23 School Lunches 23 Birthday Celebrations 23 Telephone Use 24 Home and School Association 24 Rules for the Student 24 Disciplinary Actions - 1 - 25 Student and Parent Contract 25 I. Student Behavior 25 A. Personal Conduct 26 B. Classroom Conduct 26 C. Academic Standards 27 D. Auditorium Conduct 27 E. Cafeteria Conduct 28 F. Locker Room Conduct 28 G. Transportation Behavior 29 H. Displaying Affection 29 I. Possession or Use of Weapons 29 J. Electronic Equipment/”Electronic Pets” 29 K. Alcohol, Tobacco and Narcotics 30 L. Code of Conduct for Student Travel 31 II. Personal Appearance 31 III. Discipline 31 A. Responsibility of the Parents 31 B. Detention/Suspension and Expulsion Policy 32 C. Disciplinary Measures 32 1. Transportation Discipline 32 2. Detention 32 3. Out-of-School Suspension 32 4. Permission to Search 32 5. Police/Law enforcement 33 6. Expulsion 33 Suicide Policy 33 Police 34 Parent’s Role 35 Parent-Teacher Communications 35 Complaint & Ethics 35 Complaint Procedures 36 Retention of Students 36 Additional Rules and Regulations - 2 - 2007 – 2008 SCHOOL STAFF & SUPPORT STAFF School Phone Number: 414-353-3520 School Fax: 414-353-1451 School Website: www.mjaschool.org Teachers / Office Staff: Principal/Teacher 9-10 - Mr. Alberto Torres - E-mail address: [email protected] Teacher 7-8 - Mr. Stanley Hughes - E-mail address: [email protected] Teacher 5-6 - Mrs. Ellen Robertus - E-mail address: [email protected] Teacher 3-4 - Mrs. Sandy Degree - E-mail address: [email protected] Teacher 1-2 - Mrs. Prima Glass - E-mail address: i_teach4 [email protected] Youth Pastor/Bible Teacher – Jean-Marcel Clouzet - E-mail address: [email protected] Teacher Music and Art – Mr. Ron Robertus - E-mail address: [email protected] Secretary - Mrs. Lisa Doorley - E-mail address: [email protected] Parental Choice Administrator - Mrs. Pamela Mills - E-mail address: [email protected] Hot Lunch – Mrs. Claribel Ramirez Custodians – Mr. & Mrs. Dan & Cindy Willer - Phone: 414-353-6187 School Board Officers: School Board Chairman – Mr. Paul Freeman - E-mail address: [email protected] School Board Vice Chairman – Mr. Tim Krawczyk - E-mail address: [email protected] School Board Treasurer - Gladys Lucht - E-mail address: [email protected] School Board Secretary – Ms. Becky Arthurs - E-mail address: [email protected] - 3 - THE MISSION OF EDUCATION Milwaukee Seventh-day Adventist School is part of a worldwide educational system of colleges and universities, plus more than five thousand elementary and secondary schools. The Seventh-day Adventist Church began this system in North America in 1872. The basis of our unique philosophy of Christian education is that which is found in scripture. The two primary aims of our school are spiritual nurture and educational excellence. The educational program is founded on the belief that each student is unique and of inestimable value, and on the importance of the development of the whole person. Students are educated to accept service as a way of life, to be sensitive to the needs of people in the home and society, and to become active members in their churches. Milwaukee Seventh-day Adventist School is committed to quality Christian education and seeks to maintain an excellent staff, good pupil-teacher ratio, modern school facilities, equipment and materials. MISSION STATEMENT Developing leaders today who will walk with Jesus into eternity HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE S.D.A. SCHOOL Milwaukee Mission School began in the 1890's. It was a one-classroom school located on the first floor of a two-story home that also housed the German and English Seventh-day Adventist congregations. Toward the end of World War II the school relocated to 29th Street and was renamed Milwaukee Junior Academy. The school's legal name is Milwaukee Seventh-day Adventist School. In 1970 the school was moved to its present location at 10900 W. Mill Road. The physical plant consists of carpeted classrooms, a spacious gymnasium, and sunlit cathedral lobby overlooking a well- equipped cafeteria and administrative offices. Its 9.5-acre site provides students beautiful lawns, large playing fields, and a quiet country-life setting. - 4 - SCHOOL OBJECTIVES 1. Create an atmosphere where students can develop their intellectual, creative, physical, social and spiritual capacities. 2. Provide experiences that develop competency in the core skills of reading, writing, computation and communication. 3. Encourage standards of thoroughness and awaken in students a sense of satisfaction in work that is well done. 4. Help students view their talents and abilities as gifts from God. 5. Create learning experiences that teach students the joy of Christian service. 6. Recognize that each student is different in his interests, tastes, and abilities; therefore, encourage growth of individual personalities and the achievement of each student’s full potential. 7. Place a high regard on Christian courtesy and social development emphasizing personal discipline and respect for authority. 8. Encourage habits of clean and healthful living, cheerfulness, cooperation, and unselfishness. 9. Acknowledge the importance of being an exemplary citizen, and develop this attribute in students within a changing society. 10. To help students develop an appreciation for inductive reasoning and the scientific methods of research and study. 11. To provide laboratory experiences for students to apply scientific methods in research. 12. Provide students with appropriate opportunities for physical and motor skill development in the areas of strength, flexibility and endurance. 13. Help students acquire both knowledge and skills for participation in a variety of physical activities and encourage positive attitudes towards an active lifestyle. ACCREDITATION Milwaukee Seventh-day Adventist School is accredited by the Board of Regents of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and the National Council for Private School Accreditation. The Lake Union and Wisconsin Conference Offices of Education conduct complete evaluations of the educational program on a regular basis. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS Teachers employed by the school have teaching certificates from the General Conference of Seventh- day Adventists. Teachers may also hold other teaching certificates and advanced degrees from recognized universities. - 5 - ADMISSION Students who express an earnest desire for a Christian education and a willingness to abide by the standards adopted by the school are invited to apply. An application with references listed should be filled out. The procedure for admission of new students includes: 1. Interview with the principal or school staff member 2. Application and Registration forms to be filled out and returned 3. References returned 4. All scholastic and academic records turned in 5. All health records including immunization, health form and physician’s exam. We recommend eye exams for all students. *Physicals are required upon entrance of K5 or first grade, depending on which grade you enter our school first, as well as when in 5th & 9th grade, and anyone coming in from out of Wisconsin. Please plan ahead. 6. A birth certificate for Kindergarten applicants and all new students 7. Approval by the Admissions Committee They will need to fill out an application that will be reviewed by the Admission Committee. All new students are automatically placed on probation for the first quarter. This committee has the authority to accept or deny any application. Parents will be notified of the decision of this committee. Applicants for Kindergarten should be 5 years of age by September lst according to Wisconsin State Law, and upon approval of Admissions Committee. Each student at Milwaukee S.D.A. School is expected to function in the normal classroom environment without excessive supplemental supervision. When serious need for support services is indicated it may be recommended that the student be placed in an alternate program better suited to the child's needs. Nondiscrimination: Milwaukee Seventh-day Adventist School does not discriminate on the basis of race in administration of educational policy or applications for admission. Milwaukee Seventh-day Adventist School admits students of any race to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students in the school. Grade Placement: Transfer students may be required to take a placement test. First-Grade students may be required to take a readiness test. Current transcripts, placement test results, and teacher evaluation will determine grade placement of a student. - 6 - SECOND LANGUAGE POLICY Classroom instruction and discussion should be in English, unless translation is needed or the other language is part of the learning experience. Students may speak their mother tongue appropriately and respectfully, outside of the classroom. A child’s second language should not be used if the purpose is to exclude others from the conversation or to hide the meaning of their conversation from others. FINANCES The constituency establishes tuition charges and registration fees annually. Tuition is charged on a ten-month basis (August-May) and is due on or before the 1st of each month. The first month’s tuition is due no later than the first day of school, August 20th. The remainder of the payments are due by the 1st of each month from September 1st, 2007 through May 1st 2008. Registration must be paid no later than the first day of school. Registration fee includes book rental, testing, library materials and music supplies. The registration fee is non-refundable after the student has attended for three weeks. A 60% refund may be given if the student withdraws within a three week time period. Payment may be made by sending a check or money order to: Milwaukee SDA School, 10900 West Mill Road, Milwaukee, WI 53225. Cash will be accepted at the office. Outstanding accounts from previous years (either from this school or another school) must be cleared before admission will be finalized. If a student withdraws during the school year, tuition will be based on a percentage of actual days attended. Records and transcripts will not be released for students with unpaid accounts. Year-end grades will not be mailed until the account is paid in full. Insufficient Funds: There will be a $15.00 charge for all checks that are returned by the bank. After an account has had two returned checks, all payments will have to be by money order or cash. If the school account becomes overdrawn because of a NSF return all charges will be passed on. - 7 - REGISTRATION FEES Constituent Church Members for grades K-10: **Returning students from the constituent churches can save $75 on registration fees by following the pre-registration guidelines. • **If $50 is paid by June 29, 2007, and the balance of $250 is paid by July 31st, 2007, then your total registration fee is $300. • If you do not pay the $50 pre-registration fee by June 29, 2007, or do pay the $50 pre- registration fee, but fail to pay the balance of $250 by July 31st, 2007, then your total registration fee will be $375. *All new students from the constituent churches pay $300 regardless of when they register. Non-Constituent Church Members for grades K-10: **Returning students from the non-constituent churches can save $100 on registration fees by following the pre-registration guidelines. • **If $50 is paid by June 29, 2007, and the balance of $300 is paid by July 31st, 2007, then your total registration fee is $350. • If you do not pay the $50 pre-registration fee by June 29, 2007, or do pay the $50 pre- registration fee, but fail to pay the balance of $300 by July 31st, 2007, then your total registration fee will be $450. *All new students from the non-constituent churches pay $350 regardless of when they register. All Others for grades K-10: **All other returning students can save $100 on registration fees by following the pre- registration guidelines. • **If $50 is paid by June 29, 2007, and the balance of $400 is paid by July 31st, 2007, then your total registration fee is $450. • If you do not pay the $50 pre-registration fee by June 29, 2007, or do pay the $50 pre- registration fee, but fail to pay the balance of $400 by July 31st, 2007, then your total registration fee will be $550. *All other new students pay $350 regardless of when they register. *Please note that the $50.00 deposit is non-refundable. - 8 - TUITION FEES Our tuition fees are based on 10 monthly payments, and are prepaid each month. The first tuition payment is due no later than the first day of school, August 20, 2007. The remainder of the payments are due by the 1st of each month from September 1, 2007 through May 1, 2008. If payment is not received by the 1st, please call to make arrangements with our school office. If arrangements have not been made, and payment has not been received by the 10th, the student will be asked to withdraw from school until the account is paid or arrangements have been made with the school treasurer. Tuition fees are as follows Constituent Church Members: Monthly tuition for grades 1-8 is $200 per month for 10 months, August 2007 – May 2008. Monthly tuition for grades 9-10 is $300 per month for 10 months, August 2007 – May 2008. *There is a one time fee of $25.00 for eighth graders. **A 10% discount per month will be given to each additional sibling. Non-Constituent Church Members: Monthly tuition for grades 1-8 is $275 per month for 10 months, August 2007 – May 2008. Monthly tuition for grades 9-10 is $350 per month for 10 months, August 2007 – May 2008. *There is a one time fee of $25.00 for all 8th graders. **A 10% discount per month will be given to each additional sibling. All Others: Monthly tuition for grades 1-8 is $350 per month for 10 months, August 2007 – May 2008. Monthly tuition for grades 9-10 is $450 per month for 10 months, August 2007 – May 2008. *There is a one time fee of $25.00 for all 8th graders. **A 10% discount per month will be given to each additional sibling. - 9 -