ABSENCES

Excused Absences:

      Absences are excused only in case of illness, doctor/dentist appointments, death in the family, and explained emergency situations.  On the first day of a student's absence, the parent must call the school secretary.  When the student returns to school, he/she must have a dated and signed written excuse from home or from a doctor, stating the reason for the absence to present to the school office.  In case the note fails to arrive upon the student’s return, this will be considered an “unexcused” absence.   Three “unexcused” absences will result in an after school detention.

Unexcused Absences:

     Reasons for “unexcused” absences from school include: overslept, alarm did not go off, ride was late, working on a project, brother or sister is late, etc.  It is the responsibility of the student to make up work missed during an “unexcused” absence.  Three “unexcused” absences will result in an after school detention.
Excessive Absences:

     A secondary school (7th-8th) student missing 15 days or more of classes in major subject areas during a semester may not receive credit for that class unless unusual circumstances warrant permission.

     Way of Faith reserves the right to require any student absent in excess of 30 days for the year to be retained in their current grade level the next year.

Special Student Trips:

     Students may be excused from school for special occasions such as the following: church-sponsored retreats, or special trips taken with the family.  These special family trips must be cleared in advance with the Administration.  The student must do the following:

1.    Bring a note from home signed by the parent(s) explaining the trip.  The Administration and        staff will approve or disapprove.  A copy of the signed letter will be placed in the student's        file and a copy returned to parents.

2.    If absent for one (1) week or more, make-up assignment sheets will be provided for        teachers to complete on a daily basis.  Upon returning to school, the make-up assignment        sheets will be given to the student.   It is the responsibility of the student and his/her parents        to get all the make-up work to the teacher.  Depending on the situation, the student may be        asked to stay after school daily until all work is complete.  If so, arrangements will be made        through the Administration to the parents.

Faith in Action:

     Periodically opportunities will arise for short-term mission trips in the United States and abroad.  Students desiring to apply are requested to submit a letter from home signed by the parent(s) explaining the reason for their absence.  The Administration and staff will approve or disapprove according to the academic and behavioral standing of the student.

     During the trip, the student(s) may be requested to keep a journal giving a detailed description of his/her daily activities.  In addition, the Administration may require additional work depending on the nature of the mission trip.

     If absent for one (1) week or more, make-up assignment sheets will be provided for teachers to complete on a daily basis.  Upon returning to school, the make-up assignment sheets will be given to the student.   It is the responsibility of the student and his/her parents to get all the make-up work to the teacher.  Depending on the situation, the student may be asked to stay after school daily until all work is complete.  If so, arrangements will be made through the Administration to the parents.

Tardy:

A.M. Arrival:

     Students need to arrive at the Academy by 7:45a.m.   The bell will ring at 7:50 a.m.
Classes will begin at 8:00 a.m.   If a student should arrive after 7:45 a.m., he/she will need to proceed to the Academy Office and receive a yellow AM PASS to enter his/her classroom.  If a student arrives after 8:00 a.m., he/she will need to proceed to the Academy Office and receive a blue CLASS PASS stamped "tardy" (excused or unexcused) to enter classroom.  A note from the parent must accompany a "tardy" student if they are to be considered excused.  If a note does not accompany a "tardy" student, he/she will be considered "unexcused" and this will be recorded on his/her report card.

     It is mandatory that all students arrive on time and are in their home rooms and first period classes before the bell rings.  Students in Junior High School (7^th & 8^th) sup>th) must have a certain number of classroom hours in a subject before credit will be granted.  If tardies continue and classroom hours are missed, credit may not be granted and the student may have to repeat the subject the following year.

To Class:

     Students who change classes or who are on break are considered tardy to class if they are not seated in their classroom seat when the bell sounds.  Teachers are to send tardy students to the Academy Office for an unexcused tardy form before they re-enter class.   The student will receive one demerit for each class he/she arrives late to.   Three unexcused tardy demerits will result in after school detention.

Emergency Closing:

     All closings due to weather conditions will coincide with Fairfax County.  However, when a two hour delay is announced for Fairfax County, Way of Faith Christian Academy will be open unless we decide that opening the school would present a danger to our staff and students because of hazardous parking lot conditions.  Our teachers make calls to parents to provide closing information.

     Inclement weather conditions for closings will be announced on the following radio stations: WTOP (103.5 FM, 820 AM), WMAL (630 AM), and TV channels: NEWS 4, ABC 7, and NEWS Channel 8.   We encourage you to listen to or watch one of these stations.

     There may be occasions when there will be no county statement broadcast because of differences in Way of Faith and Fairfax County school calendars.  If this is the case, calls will be made to parents providing closing information.

Fire Drills:

     Fire drills are conducted monthly following the directives of the Fairfax County Fire Department.

Severe Weather Drills

     All staff members have received an Emergency Planning Procedure Manual designed for the specific needs of the Academy.  Severe weather drills are conducted periodically.

Emergency Preparedness Procedures

     The Academy has adopted the procedures of an emergency preparedness program administered by the Fairfax County School Board Department of Regulations and by the Office of Homeland Security of the U.S. Government.

Health:

     As a health precaution for all concerned, we must require that parents keep children at home if they are sick, have an elevated temperature, or have a contagious illness.

Illness at School

     Students who are either sick or injured should report to the school office where they may receive care.  In case of more serious illness (head injury, bleeding wound, broken bone, fever over 100 degrees) the family will be contacted by the Academy office, and the parents will be requested to come to the school to pick up the ill child.  Parents need to give the Academy phone number changes as soon as they occur - so immediate contact can be made.  Children who are sick must be picked up as soon as possible.  While waiting for the parent to arrive, the sick child will remain in the designated area away from other children.

First Aid Procedures :

     First aid treatment will be administered to stop bleeding, restore breathing, or prevent shock or infection.  Parents will then be notified.  If they can be consulted immediately, efforts will be made to find out which physician is to be secured or where the child should be taken.  This information will be on file on the "Emergency Treatment" form for each student in case the parents cannot be reached.  A representative of the school faculty shall stay with the child until the parent assumes responsibility.   Any medication taken by mouth will be given only by or on the order of a physician.

Health and Medical Records:

     Parents are required to inform the school in writing of any existing condition which may cause a student to be unable to participate in our complete school program.  The school should be informed at the beginning of the school year, or at the onset of the condition if it occurs during the school year.

EXAMPLES:    Foods to which the student is allergic
                         Health problems, making a limited physical education program necessary
                         Sight or hearing problems affecting the student's classroom work and
                         seating
Medication:

     The school authorization form for taking medication must be filled out by the parent each time a medication needs to be administered at school.  The medication and authorization form is kept in the Academy Office.  Students are not allowed to take any form of medication at any time or carry it on their person or in their book bag.   Medication must be kept in original containers for safety purposes.

     No medication (including aspirin) may be dispensed by school personnel without written parental permission.

Child Abuse and Neglect

     Procedures for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect.   Way of Faith Academy follows state mandates in reporting suspected child abuse or neglect.   If a teacher notices anything such as marks, bruises, cuts or neglect in regard to clothing, hair, etc., he/she will bring the matter to the attention of the school Principal.  The teacher only observes and reports.  They are asked not to question the child.  The school Principal will review the situation and make a determination of the possibility of abuse or neglect.   If there is evidence to report, the Principal will contact the Director and a report will be made to the appropriate Social Service Agency.

Lost and Found:

     There is a lost and found box in the foyer at the entrance of the Academy.

Lunch:

     Students are expected to bring a lunch to school each day.  Milk will be provided from the school for a yearly fee.

Re-Enrollment:

     Early in the second semester, re-enrollment for fall term for current students is handled on a first-come first-served basis.  The appropriate forms and fees must be completed upon the date of re-enrollment.

School and Church Facilities:

     Students who are not involved in school-sponsored activities after school must not loiter around the school and church grounds after 3:45 p.m.  Way of Faith will not be responsible for students remaining after 3:45 p.m. who are not involved in school-related activities.

School Office:

     School office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Telephones:

     Students cannot be summoned to the telephone during school hours, but emergency messages will be taken at the office and forwarded to the student.  Students are not permitted to use the school phone except in the case of an emergency and when given permission from the school office.

Visitors:

     Parents are welcomed in the school.   When visiting a classroom for any reason, please come to the Academy office first, and do not go directly to the classroom.  If you wish to talk to your child's teacher, please arrange for a private conference by calling the office.  Teachers are instructed to send parents/visitors to the office if prior arrangements have not been made for conferences.

     No visiting students are allowed in or around the school during normal school hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.   No student may bring visitors to school without gaining permission from the Principal, 24 hours in advance of the visit.  Guests and visitors will need to come to the office first.  If policy is not complied with, visitors will be asked to leave.

Early Pick-Up:

     If any students are to be picked up prior to the closing of a school day, please notify Academy office by written note with signature or a phone call.  Proper identification may be requested by Academy Administration for the release of any students.  THE STUDENT MUST BE SIGNED OUT AT THE ACADEMY OFFICE BEFORE LEAVING THE SCHOOL.  Academy staff will get the student(s) out of class and bring them to the waiting parent/guardian.

     If any student is to ride home with someone other than the regular pickup person, a written permission slip or phone call from parent/guardian must be turned in to Academy Office prior to departure.  NO STUDENT WILL BE RELEASED TO LEAVE THE ACADEMY GROUNDS WITHOUT THIS WRITTEN PERMISSION SLIP OR CALL FROM PARENT/GUARDIAN 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO DISMISSAL.

Athletes Transportation:

     Athletes are transported to and from all games and tournaments on a bus, or van, or cars owned by Way of Faith Christian Training Center or owned by staff/parents of students in the Academy.  All drivers are insured by their own auto insurance company or by Way of Faith Christian Training Center, and all bus drivers have a commercial driver's license.

Withdrawals and Transfers:

     Parents wishing to withdraw their child(ren) from school must notify the school office two (2) weeks in advance.  Upon withdrawing or transferring, each teacher on the student's schedule must sign the appropriate form (Withdrawal/Transfer), giving grades to date of withdrawal and listing any textbooks not returned, etc.

     Upon completion, this form will be returned to the school office at which time the office will either clear or not clear the student's record. Records will not be released until the account is current.

Parent Pledge:

     We pledge that, if, for any reason, our child does not respond favorably to the school, we will not try to change the school to fit his/her needs, but will withdraw him quietly and that without delay.  (Six weeks are adequate for most students.  The one who has not adjusted by the end of twelve weeks should be withdrawn.)

Custody:

     Release or visitation of child/children follow carefully designated procedures according to the legality of the situation.

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