Cape Christian Academy

Building Students from the Inside Out

"I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you." 

 Psalm 119:11

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CAPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

10 Oyster Road, Cape May Court House, New Jersey  08210

Telephone (609) 465-4132 · Fax (609) 465-0170

Website: www.capechristianacademy.com   Email:  info@capechristianacademy.com

CAPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

2011-2012 PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK

MISSION

"By the grace of God, Cape Christian Academy is a loving Christ-centered ministry, assisting the family and church in preparing students for a life of Godly understanding and servant leadership, by providing excellent education established upon a biblical world view."

VISION STATEMENT

By the grace of God, Cape Christian Academy will be a caring and committed Christ-centered organization whose biblical mandate and mission is to assist the family and church to provide a distinctive Christian education predicated upon the Word of God.  CCA educates the whole student with a traditional Christian curriculum in order that students may achieve their greatest academic, social and spiritual potential.  Motivated teachers will encourage the student to develop their God-given talents by challenging them to think biblically and critically, while nurturing Christian character and servant leadership.  The ultimate goal is to graduate a mature, well-rounded Christian student with an excellent education established upon a biblical world-view, walking in the truth with a personal commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. ~Colossians 2:6-8

STRUCTURE

Cape Christian Academy (CCA) is a pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade evangelical Christian day school.  What we teach and promote is clearly stated in our Articles of Faith which contains the basic tenets of evangelical Christianity that the church has believed for 2000 years.  We welcome evangelical Christians, e.g., all who believe that salvation is only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (of all persuasions to both staff and student body).  We will always seek to teach only what the Scriptures teach clearly.  Students are encouraged to take their questions on specific doctrinal distinctives to their parents and pastor.    CCA is organized as a non-profit corporation governed by a Board of Directors consisting of parents, pastors, business and professional people.

CAPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY ARTICLES OF FAITH

WE BELIEVE:

THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

·    The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, the only authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writing, infallible, and God-breathed.

 THE GODHEAD

·    God, eternally exists in three persons- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-eternal in being, identical in nature, equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections.

THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST

·    The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, to redeem sinful men.

·    The Lord Jesus Christ accomplished redemption through His perfect righteousness, and His atoning sacrifice.

·    The resurrection of Christ was in bodily form. 

·    The Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, and is sitting at the right hand of God the Father, reigning over the Church and the nations.

·    Christ's continual work of intercession is accomplished at the right hand of God the Father.

THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

·    The Holy Spirit convicts mankind of sin.

·    The Holy Spirit works regenerating grace in sinful men, resulting in being born again by the Spirit and Word.

·    The Holy Spirit indwells believers, sealing them in faith unto entrance into heaven.

SEPARATION

·    The saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord, according to the moral law summarized in the Ten Commandments, and endeavors to separate ourselves from all acts of ungodliness.

MISSIONS 

·    It is the obligation of the saved to witness by life and word, "be(ing) ready always to give a reason for the hope that is within them".

SATAN 

·    Satan and his devils are the open and declared enemy of God and man, and they shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire.

THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST 

·    The Lord Jesus Christ will return upon the Day of Judgment for His redeemed ones which will enter into the new heavens and the new earth; and the heathen and unbelievers will be cast into the Lake of Fire.

THE ETERNAL STATE

·    At death the souls of the redeemed are absent from the body and present with the Lord, where they will worship the triune God.  Upon the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved will enter into the new heavens and the new earth.

·    At death the souls of the heathen and unbelievers enter hell.  When, with soul and body re-united, they shall suffer everlasting conscious punishment.

·    Upon the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved will enter into the new heavens and the new earth; and the heathen and unbelievers with soul and body reunited shall suffer everlasting conscious punishment.

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

We believe that parents have the responsibility for the education of their children. Cape Christian is an institution developed to aid and complement the family.  Our educational philosophy is to clearly teach our students the truth about God, about life and living, about our world and all it holds, about the nature of mankind, and how to love people of all kinds through the power of Jesus Christ, and to present the Word of God as the absolute source of authority upon which to build a purposeful and meaningful life.

Objectives

1.   To present the Bible as the only Word of God and the final authority in all matters.

2.   To relate all curriculum matter with the absolute truth of Scripture.

3.   To teach kindness, courtesy, love, and other Christian principles and to create an atmosphere of learning and fellowship.

4.   To teach that the Bible is to be applied to every aspect of a student's life.

5.   To teach patriotism and love of God and country.

6.   To teach Christians to live with non-Christians and to accept Christians who hold a different viewpoint.

7.   To prepare the students for adult responsibilities as a citizen of heaven.

8.   To provide an uncompromising staff of dedicated, born again teachers and administrators.

9.   To teach academic skills of the highest caliber.

10. To provide a total education, not only academically, but also spiritually, physically, and socially as well.

PHILOSOPHY OF OPERATION

1.   CCA is operated by a Board of Directors, which has the final say in all decisions regarding policy.  All matters pertaining to personnel, procedures, and program are deferred to the school Administrator.

2.   CCA is administered by the Administrator and supported by the staff.

3.   The teachers are responsible to educate, encourage and discipline all students under their authority.

4.   Parents are expected to give the teachers and administration the benefit of the doubt regarding
matters of discipline, policy, and personnel.

5.   Parents are encouraged to attend called meetings of the school and Parent-Teacher conferences.

6.   Prompt tuition payments are critical to CCA.  Tuition payments are used primarily for faculty and staff salaries.

7.   The main line of communication from the school to the parents is the weekly "Cougar Tracks."  Parents need to read this carefully to be kept up-to-date on all activities and events.  E-mail will be used as primary means to provide the "Cougar Tracks" and other important messages.

8.   CCA's existence is dependent upon the unmerited favor of Jesus Christ our Lord and His direction becomes evident as we seek Him through prayer.

In order for any organization to operate properly, the proper flow of authority must be followed whenever a problem arises.  Parents are required to follow this flow of authority to resolve any questions, problems, or grievances.  Begin at the lowest level with the person directly involved in the situation.  If it cannot be resolved with that individual, you can request the next higher level to become involved.  Do not skip steps.  People at each level want to help you resolve any difficulty.  This follows the Biblical principles of dealing with problems found in Matthew 18.

PHILOSOPHY OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Matthew 18 Principle

We believe that in obedience to the Word of God we are responsible to commit ourselves to the goal of giving a good report about each other.  We believe that when this is not possible, we are to remain silent until we can privately go to the person, confirm our goal, and explain the offense that would hinder us from giving a good report.  We believe that we must purpose to approach an offender in a spirit of genuine love having first explained and corrected our own attitudes and actions.  We believe only if we are unable to restore an offender will we share the problem with others according to the principles of Scripture.  We believe that when we violate this goal, we purpose to ask forgiveness knowing that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCEDURE

In every school or institutional system, problems or disagreements are bound to appear.  A procedure has been set up for these situations.  Only issues or complaints that follow this procedure can be adequately reviewed by the administration or Board of Directors.  It is the desire of the teachers, administration and Board of Directors to be open to suggestions and criticisms made in a proper manner and to answer the same in an efficient and clear manner.  The school desires to see a unity of purpose even in the midst of a diversity of opinions.  It is our desire that all things might be done decently and in order.

Classroom or Teacher Related Problem

1.   If a problem arises in the classroom or with a student, a person should first go to the teacher and attempt to resolve the problem.  If a solution cannot be worked out, the next step would be to go to the Department Head.

2.   The Department Head will endeavor to work with both the parent and the teacher to come to an agreement. 

3.   If the party is still not satisfied, the party shall submit the matter in writing to the Administrator (within a maximum of five school days of their meeting) who will respond in writing within a maximum of five more school days.  

4.   If the party is not satisfied after reviewing the Administrator's response, the party must notify the chairman of the Board of Directors and Administrator in writing, who will then pass on all of the written documents to the Board of Directors for review.

School Policy

If there is a problem or grievance about a policy that is not classroom related, the party should meet with the Administrator to attempt to resolve the problem.  Should the Administrator be unable to resolve the problem to the satisfaction of the party or parties concerned, the petitioner shall within a maximum of five school days submit the matter in writing to the Administrator, who will respond in writing within a maximum of five school days later. If the party is not satisfied after reviewing the Administrator's response, the party must notify the chairman of the Board of Directors and Administrator in writing within five school days, who will pass all written documents on to the Board of Directors.

Board of Directors Action

After receiving all related documents, the Board of Directors shall review the grievance or complaint and may request the petitioner to appear before them.  A written decision shall be rendered to the petitioner.

DAILY OPERATIONS 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

In order for your children to gain the most in school, they must have regular attendance.  When children are absent for any reason, a parent must call the office by 9 a.m. and a written excuse must accompany them on their return.  Any absence beyond 3 days requires a note from a doctor.  If a child has been absent 10 days in a marking period, each additional absence must have a doctor's note.  Any contagious illness requires a doctor's release in order to return to school.  Notice will be given at the 10-day mark (7 day mark for grades six to twelve) of such absences.

Any pre-kindergarten to fifth grade student who misses 20 or more days, or any six through twelve grade student who misses 18 days in a school year will be at risk of not receiving credit for that year.  Tutoring, credit restoration (after school or on Saturdays), and/or summer school at an additional charge will be required for students that exceed the allowed number of absences.

Parental notes are kept on file in the school office.  If you are anticipating an extended absence from school, it is essential to notify the school office in writing at least two weeks in advance.  This provides the teacher adequate time to supply the student with the assignments they will miss.  Please refer to the high school section below for additional information on absences for high school students.

All schoolwork must be made up within an amount of time equal to the length of absence.  For example, a child who is absent for three school days has three days to make up the work.

For planned trips or vacations, work must be completed prior to vacation when possible.

Please remember that three unexcused tardies or three early dismissals count as an absence.

Mission Trips

When a student goes on a Church sponsored mission trip, a mission trip form is to be filled out and approved by the administration prior to their departure.  A class report is to be given upon return.  Work should be completed prior to trip.

Junior High and High School Attendance Policy

Any junior or senior high school student who misses over 18 days/classes during the school year will be at risk of not receiving credit for that year/class.

Absences: Excused

Early Dismissal

When a student needs to leave school during the school day for a medical or dental appointment, they must bring a note from their parents to the homeroom teacher at the beginning of the day.  Parents must sign the student out at the office.

A student who drives may not get phone or faxed permission to sign himself/herself out of school early.  Exceptions are student illness and family emergencies. Student drivers who become ill during the school day may receive oral phone or fax parental permission to leave early.  Students must sign out at the office AFTER permission is received by the office.

Student drivers must have parental permission given to the office in order to leave school for emergency closings and early dismissals due to weather.  (See "Student Driving" for more detailed information.) 

Three early dismissals will result in a one day absence unless a doctor's note is received.

According to New Jersey State educational law, a student may only leave early for legitimate reasons: Illness, family emergency and medical appointments.

Tardiness

School begins each day at 8:10 a.m.  Attendance is taken at the beginning of the day.  Any child not present at this time will be marked as absent.  Any child arriving later must be signed in at the office, and the attendance record will then be changed to "tardy" for that day.  Every three unexcused tardies will result in one unexcused absence.  Students in grades six to twelve will also receive a detention for three unexcused tardies.  Children attending school for less than three hours are not considered present for the day.  Junior and Senior high school students must be in school at least three and a half hours to be considered present.

CHAPEL

Chapel is held once a week.  Parents and friends are invited to attend.  If parents know someone who would be interested in sharing with us in a chapel program, please call the school office.  

CONCERTS AND OTHER SCHOOL FUNCTIONS

Concerts

Two musical concerts are held yearly, one before Christmas break and one in the spring. Student attendance is mandatory for those participating in the concert.  Music grades will be affected by non-compliance with this policy.  Valid excuses must be addressed to the music teacher at least two weeks in advance of the concert or they will not be considered. 

Boys are to wear dress slacks and shirts. Coordinating ties are required for boys in third through twelfth grades.  Girls are to wear modest dresses or skirts and blouses.  Hem lengths must extend to the knee or below.  Children are expected to dress up for the concert.  Jeans, T-shirts, sneakers, flip-flops, shorts, spaghetti straps, and Hawaiian prints, etc., are not permitted.  Students who are not participating but wish to attend the concerts must dress in school att