2012-2013 Ben Lippen Elementary School Handbook

7/31/2019 2012-2013 Ben Lippen Elementary School Handbook

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Elementary Schoo2012-2013

Handbook


2/232 2012-2013 Ben Lippen Elementary School Handbook

Campus Phone Numbers

Elementary School Oce- MR: Donna Branney 807-4311Elementary School Oce- SAR: Gwen Cornwell 807-4351School Receptionist: Tracey Ramos 807-4000

Other Important Numbers

Admissions Day Students: Kelly Adams 807-4110Bus/Transportation: Christy Lambert 807-4197Campus Wear: Rob Settle 807-4132Events: Kyndra Waganer 807-5510

FACTS and Tuition Payments: Susan Carpenter 807-4129Financial Aid: Sheri Burchill 807-4103Fundraising: Bonnie Spacek 807-4114Health Services: Michelle Harris 807-4126

Lost and Found: Contact School OceRenWeb: Contact School Oce

Talon Times: Kyndra Waganer 807-5510

Oce Hours

8 a.m. 4 p.m.

School Hours

Monday: 9:20 a.m. 3:00 p.m.Tuesday Friday: 8:20 a.m. 3:00 p.m.

Ben Lippen has late start or all students every Monday. School begins one hour laterand ends at the regular time. This allows the aculty and sta time or proessional

development.



Ben Lippen School Mission StatementBen Lippen School seeks to gloriy God by assisting the amily and church in equipping students spiritually,academically, and socially under the Lordship o Jesus Christ.

Ben Lippen Elementary School Mission Statement-

Early Childhood (Pre-K Second grade)

It is the mission o the Ben Lippen primary division to instill within each student the love o learning and thespiritual, academic, physical, and social oundations needed or success during the intermediate grades. Theprimary division also strives to develop the partnership with amilies that results in eective parenting skillsand school involvement that support the childs growth and academic development.

Ben Lippen Elementary School Mission Statement-

Intermediate Department (Third Fith grade)The intermediate department o Ben Lippen Elementary School creates a learning community o Christianscholars in which students come to know and ollow Christ and continue to develop a biblical perspective.Students will acquire the knowledge, the understanding and the skills necessary or critical thinking and orpractical application in preparation or middle school and beyond.



Introduction

In the center o Ben Lippens organizational target is a genuine desire to train, encourage, and equipChristian scholars. God has assembled a wonderul group o dedicated parents, talented students, andgited teachers at Ben Lippen. Together, we orm a community that, under the Lordship o Jesus Christ,prepares students or their uture.

We join together in Scriptural purity regarding the major issues o biblical teaching, all the while practicingunderstanding and harmony in important, but non-core areas. We collectively pray, work, and seek truth.

We endeavor to equip students to see the world and all that is in it through the lens o His Word, rather thanseeking to only see the Christian components o this world. This philosophy enables students to develop atruly biblical worldview.

May we all honor our Lord with our thoughts and deeds.

Mickey BowdonHeadmaster

Notice o Nondiscriminatory Policy

Ben Lippen School admits students o any race, color, sex, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges,

programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate

on the basis o race, color, sex, national and ethnic origin in administration o its educational policies, admissions

policies, scholarship program, athletic or other school-administered programs.



Elementary School HandbookSummer 2012

General SectionBehavioral and Liestyle Standards

Care o PropertyCell Phones and Other Electronic DevicesCommunicationDiscipline and ConductFinancial Policies and ProceduresHealth Requirements and ServicesMedia StandardsSaety and Security

School ClosingSchool Records

Supplementary Education ProgramTechnology PolicyVolunteersWithdrawal Procedures

Elementary School PoliciesAcademic AssessmentAcademic InormationAttendance

Ben Lippen WebsiteDiscipline and ConductDress Code and Campus WearExtended Program

Field TripsLunchParties/Holiday CelebrationsPhysical EducationRaptorRenWeb

Teacher AppreciationTextbooksToys and Electronic Devices

Visitors and GuestsHandbook Commitment Form



General Section

Behavioral and Liestyle Standards

Ben Lippen School (BLS) does not intend to take the place o the local church. Instead, we hope to comealongside our students and support what they are learning in church. For that reason, we have established

the ollowing guidelines:

Lords Day Activities

Ben Lippen School is a busy, hard-working community lled with studies, physical work, and plenty ocompetitive sports. We seek to make the Lords Day a special day in which we spend more time in quiet rest,worship, and service or our Lord. Employment and any orms o work are to be avoided on the Lords Day.

Church Attendance

Regular attendance at a local church is expected o all BLS students (Hebrews 10:25). Participation in theother activities o the church is highly encouraged.

Quiet Time

Developing the habit o meeting with God each day in Bible reading, meditation, and prayer can be themost important thing one learns while at BLS.

Chapel

Chapel is required or all students. Chapel is generally held once a week or the purpose o worship and

spiritual challenge.

Other

The biblical and philosophical goal o Ben Lippen School is to develop students into mature, Christlike

individuals who will be able to exhibit a Christlike lie. O necessity, this involves the schoolsunderstanding and belie o what qualities or characteristics exempliy a Christ-like lie. While enrolled atBen Lippen School, all students are expected to exhibit the qualities o a Christlike lie espoused and taughtby the school and to rerain rom certain activities or behavior. Thus, Ben Lippen School retains the right to

reuse enrollment to, or to expel any student who engages in sexual immorality, including any student whoproesses to be homosexual/bisexual or is a practicing homosexual/bisexual, as well as any student whosupports or otherwise promotes such practices (Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:27).

Care o Property

The Lord has entrusted the property o BLS to us and everyone is to be responsible or its care. Willuldamage to school property or to the property o another student will result in disciplinary action. The cost o

the damage due to willul acts will be charged to the student(s) at ault.

Students are asked to assist in caring or our property through accepting the challenge o good stewardshipby: Walkingonthesidewalks;

Bringingfoodanddrinkonlyintodesignatedareas;

Refrainingfromchewingguminclassroomsandareasofpublicuse.



Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices

While students are permitted to have a cell phone, they are not permitted to use or display the cameras orphone or any reason during class periods. This rule applies to all and/or any other electronic devices as well.Phones with photo/video capabilities are never permitted to be used in restrooms or locker room areas.

CommunicationRegular orms o communication include the school website (www.BenLippen.com), RenWeb, Talon Times(weekly email), and Facebook. Parents are always welcome to visit the school, email or call a teacher whennecessary. In act, many parents contribute to the school by graciously donating their time and talents ona regular basis. To assist teachers in devoting their ull attention to the students during regular classroomhours, we ask that parents who would like to have a private conerence, contact the teacher in advance tomake an appointment.

Discipline and Conduct

Godcommandschildrentoobeytheirparentsandthoseinauthority(Colossians3:20;Hebrews13:17).By

enrolling their children in the school, parents delegate aspects o their God-given authority or their childrento the teachers and administrators.

Matthew 18 Principle

When questions or problems arise, please make arrangements to speak rst with the teacher or responsible

party.Pleaserefrainfromtalkingtootherparentsaboutaproblem;itisdivisiveandnotunifying.Ifa

problem persists, then make an appointment to speak to the principal, with the teacher or responsible partypresent.

Disciplinary procedures or each school division are outlined in the divisional sections o this handbook.

Harassment Policy

We protect the right o every student to have an environment that respects human dignity. Harassment ostudents is contrary to Scripture, morally wrong, and illegal. We expressly orbid sexual harassment (oppositesex or same sex) or any threatening and oensive conduct or expressions with respect to gender, race, color,

national origin, disability, or age.

Harassment can include a pattern o remarks, gestures, jokes, physical contact, teasing, excessive attention,bullying, picture, or written material that you nd personally threatening, derogatory, oensive, or

unwanted.Sometimesindividualsresponsiblefortheseactionsmaynotknowthattheyareoensive;youshould tell them and your teacher.

Any student initiating or persisting in any orm o harassment verbal, physical, or visual is subject to

immediate discipline by the principal.

I you nd your environment hostile or oensive, i you believe you have been harassed by another student,or i you know someone who has, please promptly report this to your teacher. All reports will be promptlyand thoroughly reviewed and investigated in as condential manner as circumstances permit, and the



appropriate action will be taken. I you are dissatised with the investigation or action taken, you shouldbring the matter to the principal.

Financial Policies and Procedures

There are three tuition payment alternatives:

AnnualPlanFullpaymentdueJuly1. Semi-AnnualPlanEachsemesterfullpaymentdueJuly1andDecember1respectively.

10MonthPlanPaymentstretchedoutover10monthsbeginningJuly1viadirectbankwith

drawal through the F.A.C.T.S. Tuition Management System. The month o February is reserved

or re-enrollment deposits. There is an additional $75 payment plan ee per year to be on the10 Month Plan.

Delinquent Accounts

Studentswillnotbepermittedtostartclasseswithdelinquentaccounts.

10MonthPlanfamilieswhofallintoanInsucientFundstatusandconsequentlyfailtoclear

the F.A.C.T.S. draw must make ull payment plus any penalty ees assessed by the bank to continue at Ben Lippen School.

Studentrecordssuchasgradereportsandocialtranscriptswillnotbereleaseduntilpay

ment is made in ull. Studentswhoseaccountsare60dayspastduearesubjecttosuspensionfromschoolandall

school sponsored activities until their account is current. Studentsmaynotapply,re-activateorre-enrolliftheiraccountispastdueoriftheyhavean

outstanding balance rom previous years. AccesstoRenWebwillbesuspendedwhenaccountsarepastdue.

Financial Assistance

Families desiring to apply or nancial assistance must do so as part o the application or re-enrollmentprocess. Families may apply online at www.actstuitionaid.com or by requesting a nancial aid applicationrom Enrollment Services. A $20 nancial assistance processing ee, payable to F.A.C.T.S., is required inaddition to the application or re-enrollment ee.

Financial assistance is oered on the basis o demonstrated nancial need and is limited. Families areencouraged to apply/re-enroll as soon as possible in order to have the greatest opportunity to be awardednancial assistance (February 28 deadline / second deadline / third deadline).

Only parents or legal guardians may apply and receive nancial assistance. Nofamilywillbeawardednancialassistanceorneed-basedscholarshipswithoutapplying

through F.A.C.T.S.o Families whose data cannot be veried in F.A.C.T.S. (non-U.S. citizens, disability, etc.)

still must apply or aid via F.A.C.T.S. Allnancialaidawards(includingscholarships)willbeawardedbasedonthepaymentplan

the amily has selected (Annual, Semi-Annual, or 10 Month). Should a student withdraw romBLS, the unused portion o the scholarship/nancial aid may be awarded to another qualied

amily. Familiesmaynotreceivenancialassistanceover-and-abovetheamountforwhichtheyhave

qualied.



Late Fees

A $25 late ee will be assessed on tuition payments received 15 days past the due date.

Returned Checks (NSF)

A $25 service charge will be assessed or all returned checks and returned F.A.C.T.S. withdrawals. Ater twoNSF,onlycash,cashierscheck,ormoneyorderswillbeacceptedforallpaymentsthroughtheremainderof

the school year.

Health Requirements and Services

It is mandatory that we receive a copy o the South Carolina Department o Health and Environmental

ontrol Certicate o Immunization or each student on or beore the rst day o school. This orm is availableat your doctors oce or can be obtained rom the Health Department i you provide other proo oimmunization.

A physical is required or all new students, resident students, rising sixth and ninth graders, and studentswho participate in athletics. A vision and hearing screening should be a part o that physical. BLS accepts

records o a physical given on or ater April 1 prior to the start o school.

All students must be covered by health/accident insurance to attend BLS. You will be asked or a record

o your insurance company and policy number or given the option o purchasing insurance through theschool.

Medication

A prescription medication authorization orm must be lled out by both the parent and the physician in theollowing cases only:

Ifyourphysicianhasprescribedamedication(prescriptionornon-prescription)thatwill

require in-school administration or an indenite period o time. Ifyourchildhasbeenprescribedamedicationwithoutaclearlymarkedprescriptionbottle.

A prescription medication authorization orm does not need to be lled out i medications are to be givenor a limited number o days (i.e., 10 or 12), as long as they are brought to the oce in a clearly markedprescription bottle stating the correct dosage and times o administration accompanied by a note rom theparent.

During school hours students are not allowed to have in their possession medication/drugs o any kind

(prescription and/or non-prescription) except: Rescueinhalersforasthma;and/or

AnEpiPenforallergicemergencies.

All medications (including over the counter medications) must be given to the school nurse or distribution.

Inhalers and EpiPens must be cleared through the school nurse or a student to have them in theirpossession.

Services

The health services room is open to all Monticello Road day and boarding students during specic, posted



hours each day. The nurse is available or limited hours but remains available on campus at other times oremergencies and urgent needs. Please note that a completed, signed parental consent orm must be on lebeore medications will be dispensed to a student.

Media StandardsMedia that is not consistent with Christian living is not to be brought onto campus. Faculty andadministrative discretion will be the guiding actor in determining the appropriateness o any media item.

Dancing

Ben Lippen does not sponsor any orm o social dancing.

Movie Guidelines

PG-13 and R rated movies are not permitted on campus or at any BLS sponsored activity unless approved bytheadministration.BenLippenstudentsarenotpermittedtoviewmoviesratedNC-17andX.

Music Guidelines

Personallisteningdevicesarenotacceptableduringschoolhoursacceptindesignatedstudy

halls with proctor approval. Musicwithinappropriatelyricsorthemesisnotwelcomeoncampusoratschooleventsatany time.

Saety and Security

Concealed weapons are not permitted on any o the Ben Lippen campuses unless carried by a proessionallaw enorcement or CIU security ocer. The phone number or BLS security is (803) 513-3968.

School ClosingIn case o inclement weather or emergency, listen to radio station WMHK (89.7 FM) or to television stationsWLTX(channel19),WIS(channel10),orWOLO(channel25)forinformationregardingschoolclosings.

School Records

Change o Inormation

Please contact the school immediately upon any change in such matters as address, phone number, churchmembership, or a serious change in amily situations.Student Records

The school maintains a complete record, including a cumulative academic record, or each student. Allmaterials in these les are treated as strictly condential and are available only according to the ollowingpolicy:

StudentswhohavewithdrawnfromBLSwillhavetheircumulativerecordssentdirectlytothe

newschoolupontheschoolsrequest,providedtheirBLStuitionispaidinfull;



Administrativepermissionwillbeneededforparentswishingtohandcarryastamped

sealed copy o their childs cumulative record.

Supplementary Education Program

Private supplementary services are available on both campuses through Academic and Educational ServicesInc.AESutilizesatherapyapproachdevelopedbyNationalInstituteforLearningDisabilities(NILD).

National Institute or Learning Disabilities (NILD)

NILDistheparentorganizationwhosephilosophydeterminesourapproachtohelpingstudentswith

learning dierences. This approach believes in stimulating the decit areas as well as developing strategies

to use strong areas more eectively. This organization provides training or our therapists.

Technology Policy

In order to have network access all non-school owned computing equipment (laptops, touch pods,

desktops, handhelds) is required to be named according to the students graduation year, rst two initials othe rst name, last name (2012jaStudent) and i the student lives in resident housing, their house number(1A, 2A, 3A, 1B, 2B, 3B). All non-school owned equipment must have anti-virus and spyware sotware

installed and kept up-to-date.

Expectations o Student User

The student user o the BLS technology network is expected to regard use o computer network as aprivilege.Thestudentuseracceptsallresponsibilityfortheuseofhisorheraccount;andtherefore,heorshe

must not allow others to use their individualized network access.

Expectations or Use through the Authorization o Supervising Faculty

Student users may occasionally be granted permission rom their supervising aculty member and thedirector o IT to use the BLS technology network or non-educational activities. Permission must be grantedon a per occurrence basis.

Legal Expectations Regarding Ben Lippen Schools Liability

Ben Lippen is legally responsible or the technology network. Because o this, it is expected that studentusers do not inringe on the copyrighted works o others. This includes plagiarism, le-sharing,le-swapping, and downloading copyrighted materials. Ben Lippen reserves the right to monitor thenetwork. The community o users should not expect privacy in their les stored on the technology network.

Should a problem arise, BLS will cooperate ully with local, state, and ederal ocials in all investigationsrelated to any illegal activities conducted through the school technology network.

Consequences or Misuse

I misuse is suspected, student technology use will be suspended immediately, and student equipment canbe conscated until clarication and resolution is reached by school personnel. Students may be disciplinedor misusing school-owned technology. They may also be disciplined or inappropriate actions stemmingrom non-school owned technology use (example: demeaning statements on acebook.com).



Volunteers

Volunteerism is greatly needed and appreciated at Ben Lippen School. Volunteers must complete avolunteer application and submit to a background check beore they may serve the school in any capacity.Volunteer applications are available in the school oce.

Withdrawal ProceduresStudent withdrawals are to be initiated through the principals oce and will be subject to the termsoutlined in the Ben Lippen School Education Agreement.



Elementary School Policies

Academic Assessment

Ben Lippen School seeks to provide academic assessment and evaluation through multiple methods and

types with the goal to promote academic success in our students. While some uniormity is needed, teach-ers are encouraged to exercise proessional judgment in developing their assessment standards.

Academic Inormation

Academic and Behavioral Probation Policy

Students on academic or behavioral probation will be evaluated at each nine-week interval. An administra-

tor may place students on probation i grade averages all below a C or i behavior is consistently unaccept-able. At the end o the semester, probation may be lited or continued with or without recommendationor tutoring, retention or reerral to other proessionals, or the student may be asked to withdraw rom the

school.

Grading System

Ben Lippen uses letter grades on progress reports in academic subject areas, starting in the third grade. Re-port cards or Pre-K and Kindergarten are evaluated by teacher observations and developmental checklist.Report cards or rst and second grades are geared to developmental and academic progress.

Grades 2-5

99-100 A+ 77-80 C+

94-98 A+ 75-76 C-92-93 A- 73-74 D+

90-91 B+ 71-72 D+

85-89 B+ 70 D-

83-84 B- 69 and below F

81-82 C+ Incomplete I

Grade 1-5 Enrichments

Excellent = E+ or EGood = G

Satisactory = S+, S or S Needs

Improvement=N

Unsatisactory = U



Homework Assignments

Homework assignments are given or reinorcement o learning, projects, and remedial activity. Homeworkacquaints parents with what the child is learning and aords them an opportunity to help their child.

The only acceptable excuses or late homework are illness o the student on the previous evening or anemergency which prevented his/her studying. In such cases, a note rom the parent must be provided. Atthe beginning o the year, teachers are to communicate clearly the classroom policy regarding late assign-ments in accordance to the BLS Assessment Policy and grade level procedures.

Students should be given assignments that average 10 minutes or rst grade, 20 minutes or second grade,30 minutes or third grade, etc. This does not include work time or pre-announced projects or regular

outside reading requirements. Homework will be given on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings. Home-work will not be given on Wednesday or Friday unless it is pre-assigned.

Honor Roll

The honor roll in the elementary school is only or grades 3-5. It is as ollows:

PrincipalsListAllAs

HonorListAllAsandBs

Late Work

The purpose o late work penalties is to encourage aithulness and responsibility. Students are encouragedto turn in their work, even i it is late, to demonstrate their mastery o learned content. The standard latework penalty or students in third th grades is a grade point reduction o up to ten percent per day orthree days, ater which time, completed work may not count or more than 69 percent o the original gradeor up to two weeks. Teachers are not permitted to accept late work during the nal week o each quarterwithout the principals approval.

Make-Up Work

Two days will be given to students to make up the work or each day o excused absence. Please call theschool oce beore 11 a.m. i you want to pick up materials ater 3 p.m. Parents can check RenWeb or theirstudents daily assignments.

Parents who have prior knowledge o their childs absence, due to long-term illness (more than two days),may request make-up work by calling or sending a note to the school oce. The assignment will be readythe ollowing day or pickup.

Promotion Policies

StudententeringPre-KindergartenmustbefouryearsoldonorbeforeSeptember1.

StudentsenteringKindergartenmustbeveyearsoldonorbeforeSeptember 1. StudentsenteringrstgrademustbesixyearsoldonorbeforeSeptember1.

Kindergarten (Pre-K and Kindergarten)Students may be retained in kindergarten primarily or developmental reasons. Although teachers evaluate

students in several developmental areas, emphasis regarding academic promotion is placed on the social/emotional maturation process, in addition to achieving knowledge and skills. As learners develop sociallyand emotionally, they become ready to learn academically. In cases where students do not show sucient



evidence o social/emotional development, or i they lack sucient achievement in undamental skills,teachers encourage amilies to allow their children to remain in kindergarten another year.

A student will be promoted to the next grade level upon satisactory completion o work required by the

curriculum.

I two major subjects are ailed, the student may be asked to repeat the grade upon the teachers recom-mendation and administrative approval.

Class placement will be determined by the administration in consultation with the aculty. Parent requestsor specic teachers are not encouraged.

Report Cards

Report cards are available online through RenWeb.

Standardized Tests

Students in grades 2-5 will take the Stanord Achievement Test (SAT) and the Otis Lennon School Ability Test(OLSAT) each spring.

Attendance

Absences

Absences will be excused under these conditions:

Illness

Medicalordentalappointments

Marriageintheimmediatefamily

Deathintheimmediatefamily

Familyobligation(withpriorapprovalfromtheprincipal)

A written note should be sent to the school oce with the student on the rst day back ater an absencestating the reason or the absence. Student absences will be considered unexcused until this note is receivedrom the parents or absences are excused by the administration.

Whenever possible, medical, dental, and other appointments should be scheduled when school is not in ses-sion. Students must make up work missed as a result o absences. An unexcused absence results in zeros orany class work missed unless the absence is approved by the principal prior to the absence. Students may

not receive academic credit when there are more than 10 absences per semester not excused by a physicianor 17 absencesin a year or any reason. In some cases, a student with excessive absences may not be promoted to the nextgrade level.

Carpool Drop-Of and Pick-Up

Students are released to an adult in charge rom 8:00 a.m. - 8:17 a.m. (Monday, 9:00 a.m. 9:17 a.m.). All chil-dren should arrive by 8:17 a.m. (Monday, 9:17 a.m.) in order to be seated and ready to begin the day at 8:20

a.m. (Monday, 9:20 a.m.) sharp. Parents should never leave a child without making visual contact with oneo the BLS sta members. I you cannot see a teacher or sta member stationed at the outside door, pleasepark and bring your child to the oce.



Both hal-day and ull-day dismissals will be by a pick-up line. In order to keep the car pool line moving,the teachers and sta need their ull attention directed toward the students. Please do not use this time to

conferwiththem.Nostudentwillbereleasedtoanyoneotherthanhis/herpre-arrangedcarrier(parent,car

pool, sitter, etc.) without a note rom the parent and proper identication o that person (drivers license, car

description, etc). Your child must bring a note signed by his/her parent similar to this:

Mychild,(name,grade),willbepickedupby(driver,relation).He/shewillbedrivinga(makeand

model o car). Signature and date.

A phone call will suce only in an emergency. The saety o your child is a priority.

Early Arrivals

An early drop-o, starting at 7:15 a.m. is made available through the extended day program. Extended dayregistration orms are available on www.benlippen.com under Current Families, Registration Materials, orthroughtheelementarycampuses.Non-extendedcarestudentsmaynotbedroppedointhemornings

until 8 a.m. Students may not enter their classrooms until 8 a.m.

Early Dismissals

Early dismissal should always be done through the main oce. I a student must leave during school hours,a note to the teacher will be required rom the parents prior to dismissal. Parents must sign their child out inthe school oce and oce personnel will contact the classroom teachers. I a student returns to school the

same day, the parent must sign him/her in at the oce upon return to school. Early dismissals may be ex-cused under these conditions:

Illness

Medicalordentalappointments

Familyemergency(illness/deathwithintheimmediatefamily)

Familytrip(withpriorapprovalfromtheprincipal)

Late Pick-UpStudents must be picked up within 10 minutes ater classes nish or the day. Parents must make contactwith school personnel i they are going to be late picking up their child. Students who have not been pickedup by 3:10 p.m. will be escorted to Extended Care and hourly charges will be assessed. Parents must makecontact with school personnel i they know that they are going to be late picking up their child. I you havean emergency, please call the oce.

Lateness School Begins at 8:20 a.m.

Excused lateness will be given or sickness and doctor or dental appointments. The parent will need to sign

in and give a written explanation o why the student is late. The student will be given a pass beore goingto class. In cases where a parent assumes responsibility or the students lateness (an emergency, not justrunning late), the reason or the lateness should be noted in the student sign-in notebook or a note mustbe presented on the same day in order to be listed as excused. Failure to provide explanation will result inan unexcused lateness. Unexcused lateness and unexcused early dismissals will result in disciplinary conse-quences.



Ben Lippen Website

The schools website may be accessed at www.BenLippen.com. A great number o resources and inorma-tion may be ound on this website including: school and athletic calendars, handbooks, orms, aculty emailaddresses, curriculum lists, and links to Lands End and RenWeb.

Discipline and ConductForms o Discipline

Classroom discipline is necessary to teach children respect or God and other people in authority, and toprovide the best possible atmosphere or learning. Students are to be subject to the authority o all acultyand sta members and parent volunteer supervisors. Each class has a discipline system based on class rules,consequences and positive rewards.

Discipline in Pre-K and Kindergarten is usually handled within the classroom. The teachers use a similar sys-tem to the one dened below, but it is simpler in scope.

When minor problems arise, the teacher will provide the necessary discipline. For major oenses or contin-ued minor oenses, the parents will be called. In-school suspension may be assigned as the situation dic-tates. Parents will be provided notication and explanation o each oense leading to severe discipline by anote and/or a phone call.

Major oenses include, but are not limited to, the ollowing:

Blatantdisrespectofauthority

Cheating

Inappropriatelanguage

Lying

Aminoroensewhichhasbecomeahabit Stealing

Uncontrollablebehavior(physical-kicking,ghting,hitting;verbal-outbursts)

Willfuldestructionofschoolproperty

For major oenses, parents will be notied. Consequences may include loss o recess, ater school detentionor a supervised in-school suspension at the cost o $50 a day, out-o-school suspension or expulsion.

For the saety o all, school authorities, campus security, or local authorities have the right to search the pos-sessions o any student on campus.

Dress Code and Campus Wear

Our desire at Ben Lippen is to do everything in a way which is pleasing to the Lord and in a manner whichwill honor Him and uphold His testimony. While recognizing that true Christianity is a matter o the heartand not the outward appearance, it is nonetheless true that our appearance is important.



To assist in creating an environment which promotes learning, students will choose their school clothingrom the variety o campus wear styles available through Lands End (www.LandsEnd.com).

All attire should be:

Modest;

Neat;

Demonstratepropriety(suitabilitytotheoccasion).

Ben Lippen requires campus wear or students in Pre-K through 12th grade. TopsAllshirts,tops,andblousesmustbepurchasedfromLandsEnd.

BottomsAllpants,shorts,andskirtsmustbepurchasedfromLandsEnd.

Jumpers/DressesAlljumpersanddressesmustbepurchasedfromLandsEnd.

Pre-KSecondGradeSkirts/Shorts/Dresses/Jumpersneedtobeatleastmid-thighinlength

and loose. ThirdFifthGradeSkirts/Shorts/Dresses/Jumpersaretobenoshorterthanthreeinches

above the knee. Outerwear-Allouterwearwornintheclassroom(i.e.,jackets,hoodies,sweatshirts,sweaters)

must be purchased rom Lands End and must have the school logo.

P.E.AllP.E.attirewillbepurchasedfromLandsEnd. Socks/tights/leggingsseethedescriptionbelow

Additional items which do not have to be purchased rom Lands End:

BeltsWhenabeltisappropriate,itshouldbeblack,brownorcoordinatedwiththecolorof

the shirt being worn. Socks/tights/leggingsShouldbeasolidcolorwhichcoordinateswiththecolorofshirtor

pants being worn by the student. HeavyCoatsOuterwearnotwornintheclassroom,butisappropriatefor

wearing on cold days between buildings, etc. does not have to have the school logo. Theseitems may be purchased rom any store. I, however, the coat will be worn in the classroom, it

must be purchased rom Lands End and have the school logo. ShoesAppropriateshoesthatarecleanandingoodrepairshouldbeworn.Beach-styleor

bathroom fip-fops are not permitted. TennisshoesmustbewornforP.E.andrecess.Pleaseberemindedthatourstudentsareac

tive learners and both campuses have fights o steps to be maneuvered. To provide a saeenvironment, it is strongly recommended that students not wear open-back shoes or shoeswith heels higher than one inch.

Acceptabletopsmustcovertheshouldercompletelyandshouldnotbetooopenunderthe

arm pit. Tank tops, muscle shirts, and spaghetti straps are not acceptable. Topsmaynotbelongerthanshortsorskirtsandmustcoverthemidri.

Beltsarerequiredforloosettingpantsandshorts.Saggingisunacceptable.

Modernextremesinclothingandhairaretobeavoided.

AnyclothingwithquestionablewritingorpictureswhichcontradictChristianstandards

or school policies is not permitted. Clothing which advertises tobacco, the drug culture,liestyles or sentiments associated with social or spiritual rebellion, the occult or that whichhas slogans with ungodly or unsavory double meanings is strictly orbidden. The school reserves the right to decide what is considered inappropriate attire.

I a student comes to school wearing clothes which do not meet the dress code standard, he/she will berequired to call home and wait in the oce until a change o clothing arrives.



Friday Spirit Wear

Students are allowed (not required) to wear jeans on Friday with any shirt that has the Ben Lippen logo. Thiscan include sports, event and other shirts.

Hair Standard

All students are to keep their hair neat and well-groomed. Hair should not cover the eyes. Extreme hair stylesare not acceptable. Some examples would be hair with shaved portions, spikes and/or ponytails on boys.Boys hair should also not all below the collar or completely cover the ears.

Extended Program

Ben Lippen Elementary School is pleased to oer an Extended Program including morning and/or aternoonextended care.

Morning Extended Care: The morning extended care hours are 7:15 to 8:00 a.m. There is no ee or this ser-vice.

Aternoon Extended Care: The aternoon extended care will begin ater school at 3:10 p.m. and close at 5:45p.m.Thereisafeeforthisservice.PleaseNote:Afternoonextendedcarewillnotbeoeredonearlydismiss-al days.

Delayed Start: Extended care is provided without charge on Mondays rom 7:15 a.m. 9:00 a.m.

Field Trips

All class trips will be planned with extreme care or the saety o your child. The students will be transportedby buses. On occasion, cars driven by volunteer parents who are approved drivers will be used. Parents are

asked to sign a permission orm prior to each eld trip. Most o our eld trips will need some parent chaper-ons. For saety reasons, siblings are not permitted to attend eld trips as the ull attention o the chaperon isneeded toward the students. Ben Lippen campus wear is required or most eld trips.

Lunch

Students are to bring or purchase their own lunches. We request that students not bring carbonated drinksto school. Please be sure to have ood cut and peeled i needed (oranges, eggs, etc.). We ask that there be no

ood sharing during lunch unless it can be shared with the whole class. Please do not send ood to schoolthat needs to be heated on the stove or in the microwave. We do not have the acilities to heat your childslunch. The school does not provide spoons, orks, napkins, cups, straws, etc. or students who bring theirlunch rom home. The lunch period is 25 minutes. Parents are welcome to enjoy lunch with their children.However, they should expect to ollow the same guidelines expected o all students.

Student lunches can be purchased rom Schoolhouse Fare. To learn more about lunch menus and the proce-dures or purchasing lunches, visit www.schoolhouseare.com.



Parties/Holiday Celebrations

Parties will be planned or the students throughout the year. While classroom parties are generally not anopen invitation to all parents due to lack o classroom space, a ew parents may be asked to help in the plan-ning and preparation. There will be several special school socials and events planned or the whole amily.We encourage amilies to attend these celebrations.

Ben Lippen Elementary does not celebrate Halloween. Parents are reminded that snacks, room decorations,and student clothing should not represent this holiday in any way. Harvest celebrations may include pump-

kins as an autumn ood. Jack-O-Lanterns may be used by the classroom teacher in order to share a gospelmessage. ChristmasandEasteractivitiesshouldreectthebiblicalpurposeandmeaning.

Weaskparentsnottosendballoons,astheypresentahazardtoyoungchildren.

Invitationstohomepartiescannotbesentthroughtheschoolunlesstheentireclassis

invited, or all o the girls, or all o the boys are invited. Allnotessentbythehomeroommothers/fathersinregardtoclassactivitiesshouldbe

approved by the teacher or administration beore being sent home to parents or discussedwith students.

Parentsareinvitedtosendaspecialsnack(cupcakes,cookies,drink,etc.)fortheirchildsbirthday (or hal-birthday or summer birthdays).

Physical Education

Physical Education is a vital component o the BL curriculum. Students are expected to be active participantsduring class. Attention should be given to appropriate campus wear or a P.E. class. P.E. uniorms must be

purchased rom Lands End. Students are allowed to wear the P.E. uniorm all day i they would like. All stu-dents are expected to wear tennis shoes or recess and P.E.

Raptor

The Raptor system provides a monitored and sae environment or our students, aculty and sta by trackingvisitors, contractors and volunteers.When visitors, volunteers, or contractors check in, they will be asked to present a valid, state issued ID that

will be entered into the Raptor system. Raptor will alert us to people who may jeopardize the saety o thecampus.

RenWebThe Internet-based school management system used by Ben Lippen is Renaissance Web (RenWeb). It may beaccessed through a link on the school webpage or directly at www.RenWeb.com. Parents and students may

access grades, lesson plans, homework assignments, attendance, and behavior reports through RenWeb.



Teacher Appreciation

Over the years, parents have been very gracious and thoughtul in doing special things or our teachers.We ask, however, that all special projects such as collection o money by the parents be cleared throughthe principal and reserved or occasions such as Teacher Appreciation Week (not or an individual teachersbirthday). Individual git giving is still your prerogative. We want to be sensitive to all parents when askingor donations o any kind, knowing that some amilies are on a very tight budget.

Textbooks

Hardcover textbooks should be covered at all times. Please do not use tape or contact paper anywhere onthe book cover. Books will be evaluated at the end o each year, and charges or damages will be assessed inecessary.

Toys and Electronic Devices

Please do not bring toys, electronic devices or computerized games to school unless approved by the teach-er in advance or school purposes.

As a rule, there is no need or an elementary student to have a cell phone at school. However, i a studentdoes bring a cell phone, it must be turned o and out o sight during the school day.

Visitors and Guests

All visitors and guests must check in at the school oce and will be asked to present a valid, state-issued ID

that will be entered into the Raptor system. Raptor will alert us to people who may jeopardize the saety othe campus. Visitors will receive a Visitors Pass to wear while on campus. Student visitors in class must be ap-proved in advance by the principal.



Elementary School Handbook Commitment Form

This orm must be signed and returned each year to Ben Lippen beore your student may begin classes. Please

return this orm to the school ofce o your child and keep the handbook or uture reerence.

Parental Commitment

In signing this orm, we acknowledge rom the general section and the appropriate school level section(s) othe handbook our commitment to:

1. Participate in the Christian education o our son or daughter by regular attendance at a localchurchandexemplifyChristianprinciplesoflifeinourhome;

2. SupporttheprinciplescontainedintheStatementofFaithandMissionStatementofBLS;

3. SupporttheschoolspoliciesassetforthintheBLSHandbookforStudentsandParents;4. Regularly attend Parent/Teacher Fellowship (PTF) meetings and lend our support to the

school;

5. Communicate directly with BLS teachers or administrators in the event o confict or dis

agreementbeforeinvolvingotherparties;

6. Approve the publication o pictures o our son/daughter taken during the year.7. Approve establishing a computer account or my student(s) as outlined in the computer

policy section o this handbook.

_________________________________________________________ _________Fathers or Guardians Signature Date

_________________________________________________________ _________Mothers or Guardians Signature Date

_________________________________________________________PrintName

Student Commitment

In signing this orm, I acknowledge rom the general section and appropriate school-level section o the

handbook my commitment to: 1. Domybestinallmystudies;

2. Obeythebiblicalandcommunitystandardssetforthinthehandbookwithoutcomplaint;

3. Maintain a high standard in accordance with the handbooks social lie guidelines andentertainment standards.

4. Agree to ollow the rules contained in the handbook regarding computer usage.

_________________________________________________________ _________Students Signature Grade


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(803) 807-4000 Main Ofce

www.BenLippen.com A ministry of Columbia International University

Elementary School

Monticello Road Campus

7401 Monticello RoadColumbia, SC 29203

Phone: (803) 807-4300

FAX: (803) 807-4333

Elementary School

St. Andrews Road Campus

500 St. Andrews RoadColumbia, SC 29210

Phone: (803) 807-4400

FAX: (803) 807-4399

2012-2013 Ben Lippen Elementary School Handbook

Documents