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Below are abbreviated policies and procedures that effect students on a daily bases while on campus at Grace Academy.  This is not an exhaustive list. For a complete list, you may request a copy of the Grace Academy Parent/Student Handbook from the school office.

Attendance

Attendance at Grace Academy on school classroom days and Extended Learning days for those enrolled, is expected in order for your child to receive teacher instruction and explanation of the week’s assignments. Parents of students who need to miss school classroom instruction for any reason should contact the student’s teacher ahead of time or as soon as possible (as circumstances allow) in an attempt to keep the student current with assignments. Depending on the age of the student, it is always the student’s and/or parent’s responsibility (not the teacher’s) to initiate recovery of missed information and to pursue the make-up of assignments and tests. School classroom instruction cannot be delayed or repeated for a returning student who has been absent and is not current with the assigned work.


Tardiness

Being on time exhibits respect for teachers and classmates and is a skill that is important for our students to acquire. School exterior doors are locked at 8:15 AM.  Students are expected to be in the classroom unpacked, seated and ready to begin the day at 8:20 AM. A student must be accompanied to the office by a parent if they arrive after 8:20 AM.


Excused Absences

All absences will be considered excused if the student is current with all assignments when returning to class. If a student is not able to meet any requirement or deadline because of extended absences or extenuating circumstances, parents and/or the student must make special arrangements with the child’s teacher(s) to produce a reasonable and agreeable plan for assignment completion.  In such cases, if the student is able to complete assignments adequately under these new special arrangements, the absences will be considered excused.


Unexcused Absences

If the parent and/or student has not made an honorable effort to be current with the material and complete all assignments according to the above guidelines, the absences will be considered unexcused. Excessive unexcused absences, because they severely hinder the student’s academic success at Grace Academy, will place the student in jeopardy of suspension. The GA board, in consultation with the teacher and administration, will have the final determination in this judgment.

Please schedule doctor and other appointments for your children outside of school classroom times.


Snow Days

Decisions for delays and closings will be made by 6:30 AM. In the event of inclement weather, a text alert will be sent. Information will also be posted on raysweather.com. If inclement weather occurs once the school day has begun and a decision is made to close early, Grace Academy will use the same procedure as stated above. If school is canceled on a Monday or Wednesday, the snow day will be made up on the Friday of the week that they are missed unless inclement weather that Friday requires rescheduling. If two school days are missed, the make-up day will be added on to the end of the school year. Students will have home classroom assignments that will need to be completed regardless of inclement weather. 

Computer Usage

Students may bring personal computers, Kindle-type equipment, iPads, etc. to school for student use ONLY for the following reasons:

  • As an aid as specified by a physician.
  • For use in Extended Learning for word processing and/or accessing research of reference sites assigned as homework (e.g., dictionary.com).

Students may bring computers to school for student use only under the following conditions:

  • All computers brought to GA at any time must have filtering software installed.
  • Parents and students must sign the Computer Usage Family Contract before bringing a computer to school or to Extended Learning.
  • Inappropriate use of computers or similar equipment by a student will lead to disciplinary action.
     

Dress Code

Our dress code is effective any time a student is on the Grace Academy campus for class, on campus for an after school activity, or on a field trip in the community.
 

Girls: Shirts/Dresses

  • Must have a collar or turtleneck
  • Plaid, stripes or solid colors only (no neon colors or any other pattern)
  • No logos (small manufacturer's emblem is acceptable)
  • May not be sleeveless or tightfitting
  • No cleavage or midriff showing
  • Dresses must not be more than 2 inches above the knee
  • Shorts or leggings must be worn underneath dresses
     

Girls: Pants/Shorts/Capris/Skorts

  • Solid shades of black, blue, gray, khaki, or solid denim only
  • May not be tightfitting, too loose, torn, frayed, or dragging the floor (pants)
  • Must be worn at the waistline and be appropriately sized
  • Shorts and skirts must not be more than 2 inches above the knee
  • Shorts or leggings must be worn underneath skirts


Boys: Shirts

  • Must have a collar or turtleneck
  • Plaid, stripes or solid colors only (no neon colors or any other pattern)
  • No logos (small manufacturer's emblem is acceptable)
  • May not be sleeveless or tightfitting
  • Must be tucked in


Boys: Pants/Shorts

  • Solid shades of black, blue, gray, khaki, or solid denim only
  • May not be tightfitting, too loose, torn, frayed, or dragging the floor (pants)
  • Must be worn at the waistline and be appropriately sized
  • Shorts must not be more than 2 inches above the knee
  • Pants and shorts must be worn with a belt


All Students: General Guidelines

No sweat pants, athletic wear/uniforms, overalls, or sleepwear. No undergarments should be visible. Solid color sweaters, vests, or hoodies for classroom wear are acceptable as long as a collared shirt is worn underneath. Shoes must be worn and tied. Sandals and clogs with a back strap are allowed. No flip-flops. No hats, bandanas, or head coverings allowed in the buildings. No tattoos or body piercings, but girls may wear earrings. Hair should be neat and of a natural color. Students should also practice good personal hygiene.

Drop-off and Pick-up

The procedures below are designed with students safety in mind. Please be vigilant in following these guidelines and please share them with others whom you have given permission to drop-off and pick-up your child(ren).

 

Morning Drop-off

Drop-off begins at 7:45 AM. If you plan to walk your child into the building at drop-off, please park in Parent Visitation Parking.
 

Afternoon Pick-up

Students are dismissed at 3:00 PM. Please do not block traffic on New Market Blvd. Use the gravel lot as the overflow pick-up line. Do not leave your car while in pick-up line. If you need to converse with a teacher or another parent, do NOT enter the pick-up line; instead, park in the Parent Visitation Parking.

No student will be released from the building until a teacher has connected him/her with an authorized adult. If you would like your child to walk home, please provide a signed note at the beginning of the school year to the GA office.  

If someone other than a parent is picking up your child, call the office or send a note to your child's teacher. No student will be allowed to leave early unless a parent has given prior written approval to the Headmaster or teacher.


 

Food/Beverage Limitations

Snack/break time is provided each day, mid-morning, in all grades. Snacks may be eaten in classrooms, but only dry and/or solid foods (no pudding, for example) will be allowed. Water is the only beverage allowed in the building and should be sent in a bottle with a push-down or flip-top spout, not a screw-off top. Candy or gum is not allowed in the building. Please do not pack high-sugar food that might keep your child from focusing during classroom instruction time. There are no refrigerators or microwaves available for the use of students.
 

Personal Property

All personal property of the students should be properly labeled with their name. Students should bring only personal effects necessary for classes and programs at Grace Academy, and all materials should be brought to school and kept in the student’s book bag until needed during class time. Hand-held electronic games, iPods, cameras, etc. are not allowed in the GA classroom and should be left at home. Cell phones should be kept off during school hours and their use is prohibited except in the case of an emergency. See Computer Usage Guidelines section for information about personal technology that is allowed in the classroom.