SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

It is hoped that this handbook will help explain the aims, policies, and regulations of the Cortez Adventist Christian school so that the parents and teachers can work together to secure the very best possible education for our children. It is a must that there be a working cooperation between parents and teachers. In order for this to happen, we invite your continued interest and support in the school. 

The Cortez Adventist Christian School provides a high quality, Bible-based education for the young people of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and those in our community seeking a Christian education. 

It is our belief that the ultimate purpose of man is to love and serve God and his fellow men, and all instruction and learning must be directed toward helping young people achieve that end. The aim of our school can be summed up in the following quotation: 

To restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, to promote the development of body, mind, and soul, that the Divine purpose in him, creation might be realized ... this was to be the work of redemption. This is the object of education, the great object of life."
- Education, p. 15

Our Core Values 

Christ Centered - Reflecting God's character in attitudes and actions.

Honor - Showing value, dignity, and high respect for people and property.

Exploration - Discovering new information to gain a deeper understanding of God and His creations.

Responsibility - Following directions, completing tasks, and taking ownership of choices, words, and actions.

Integrity - Being truthful, fair and deserving of the trust of others.

Service - Working for the benefit of others.

Heroism - Making decisions that align with convictions and beliefs, even if it means standing alone.

 

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

  1. To promote a Christ-centered curriculum. 
  2. To promote the development of a Christ-like character. To help young people develop a code of moral values that includes reverence for God and the Bible, consideration and respect for others, and honer in all human relationships. 
  3. To develop habits of accuracy, insight, and sound judgement. To learn to be thinkers rather than to reflect other men's thoughts. 
  4. To assist student in developing a desirable personality and discover those interests and capabilities within themselves. 
  5. To promote participation in physical fitness and the teaching of healthful living habits. 
  6. To provide the environment and atmosphere in which students may acquire competence in the basic four R's—Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, and Reasoning, as preparation for successful citizenship in today's world. 
  7. To present a philosophy of life based upon the principles of cooperation and mutual respect, rather than competition and rivalry. 
  8. To inspire the young people by example and instruction, to recognize the "Father" image of God, and to accept Christ as a personal friend and Savior. 

 

NON-DISCRIMINATION

This school is operated on a non-discriminatory basis. Children are treated equally and services are made available without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, or ancestry. 

 

ADMISSION

MINIMUM AGE—A student may enter the Cortez Adventist Christian School if he/she reaches the age of 5 on or before the 1st of September for Kindergarten, and age 6 on or before the 1st of September for First Grade. Students in Colorado are required to attend school by the age of 7.

REGISTRATION—A standard application blank may be obtained from the school. This form should be filled out, signed by both parents and student, and then presented to the teacher. 

  • Former students will be re-admitted when they have demonstrated they are in harmony with the regulations of the school. 
  • All registrations are tentative until passed by the school board. 
  • Registration fee is due at the time of registration. 
  • The Cortez Adventist Christian School is not equipped to offer special education. 

MEDICAL RECORDS—State law forbids registering any student whose medical records for immunizations are not current, or who do not have on file a form seeking exemption from such immunizations for personal or religious reasons. 

PHYSICAL EXAMS—A physical examination by a doctor not more than 90 days prior to registration is required for all students registering for the first time. 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

LEGAL STATUS—The Cortez Adventist Christian School is owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Association of Colorado. It is operated as a constituent school by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of Montezuma County. 

SCHOOL DAY—The school day is as follows: 

  • 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Thursday 
  • No School on Friday, except for occasional Friday Field Trips

STUDENT ARRIVAL AND PICKUP—No student should arrive on the campus before 7:40 a.m. unless arrangements have been made with the teacher. When dropped off, students must immediately enter the school. Parents should arrange to have their children picked up by 4:15 p.m. Any student who is still on campus after 4:15 p.m. is required to remain in their seat until their ride arrives. When the ride arrives, the student is to go get in the car. 

No child will be dismissed early for any reason whatever unless a parent or a known guardian personally calls for the child, or a personal note from a parent or a known guardian is given to the teacher. 

 

ABSENCES AND TARDINESS—Attendance at all school sessions is required. The only valid excuse for absence from public or private school, according to state law, is sickness, or death in the immediate family. Absences for other reasons are unexcused. 

When the student returns to school after an absence or tardiness, he/she is to bring a note from the parent or guardian stating the reason. 

If the absence is excused, the student will be allowed a grace period of one day for each day absent, in which to make up their missed work. Work missed by an unexcused absence, or work not completed after the one-day grace period, for each day of absence, may be made up at the discretion of the individual teacher. Parents and teachers are encouraged to work together to encourage students to attend on a regular basis. 

Punctuality is important to character building. Three unexcused tardiness equal an unexcused absence. A total number of unexcused absences equaling fifteen percent of the school days in a semester (approximately 14 days) may result in a failing grade for the student for that semester. 

 

CLOSED CAMPUS—By School Board policy, Cortez Adventist Christian School operates a closed campus. Students are not permitted to leave the school at any time without authorization from the administration. This covers the time period from when the student initially comes on the campus until he/she leaves for home after school is dismissed. 

 

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES—The teacher will schedule parent-teacher conferences. Students' report cards will be presented to the parents at that time. It is very important for parents to attend the parent-teacher conferences. 

 

UNWRITTEN RULES—Unwritten rules which the faculty or school board shall develop to meet the changing conditions and needs shall have the same force as those outlined in this handbook. Responsibility for interpretation and application of all regulations shall rest with the teacher. 

 

ACCIDENT COVERAGE–The school is participating in a student accident program that provides medical coverage for your child for any injury while he/she is under the care and directions of the school. 

School insurance does not cover accidents involving skateboards, trampolines, and contact sports such as tackle football and wrestling. 

 

FEDERAL FUNDS—Seventh-day Adventist Schools are owned and operated by members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We do not accept federal funds of any kind for operating, maintaining, or equipping our schools. Our schools are operated and maintained by conference subsidies, church subsidies, private donations, wills and grants, and tuition. We do not accept federal or state vouchers for tuition costs. 

 

TELEPHONE—The telephone of the school is for business use. Students will be allowed to use the phone in case of illness, injury, or other extenuating circumstances. Teachers and students should not be called during school hours except in cases of emergency or important messages. Permission to use the phone must be received from the teacher. 

 

CELL PHONES—If a student brings a cell phone to school they must: 

  • Silence the phone immediately
  • Keep it in their backpack until school dismisses

If these guidelines aren't followed, the cell phone will be confiscated and returned to a parent. If there are repeated offenses, then there will be no cell phone allowed. 

 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY

The rules given below are intended to be few and general. It should be understood, however, by students and parents, that other rules made by the teachers or the school board during the school term carry the same force. The rules given below will be clearly defined if students' conduct should require them. 

DRESS—Students are expected to come to school neat, clean, and modestly dressed. 

Inappropriate attire may include, but is not limited to the following:

  • Low, revealing necklines, or bare shoulders.
  • Tight or sheer clothing or bare midriff.
  • Miniskirts, frayed, shabby, slouchy, or fads in clothes.
  • Dresses should be of modest length which may be decided by the teacher.
  • Jewelry and makeup, if worn, should be tasteful, Biblical, and in moderation. 
  • Pants should fit properly around the waistline.
  • Shoes need to be closed-toe.

Clothing that is imprinted with slogans, ads, pictures, writing, patches, negative pictures or other negative comments that are unbecoming to the Christian testimony (beer ads, secular rock groups, etc.) will not be permitted. 

Cleats or other attachments to shoes, athletic or otherwise, which damage the floors, or are dangerous to other students in group activities, should be worn. 

Shoes are to be worn at all times for safety, health, and insurance reasons. Shoes appropriate for P.E. should be worn. 

Hair should be neat and well-groomed at all times. It must be out of the eyes. If colored it must be a natural hair color (no blue, green, pink, etc.) 

Shorts are acceptable as long as they are mid-thigh or longer. 

CONDUCT—The following conduct by any student will subject him/her to dismissal or other disciplinary action:

  1. Undermining the school's religious ideas. 
  2. Defiance or insubordination toward any teacher or staff member. 
  3. Participation in verbal or physical harassment, humiliating, or degrading another student(s).
  4. Using profane language, indulging in lewd conduct or suggestion, or possessing or displaying obscene literature or pictures. 
  5. Dishonestly, including theft, illegal entry, willful deception, or cheating. 
  6. Using liquor, narcotics, or tobacco in any form, or non-medical drugs, or having them in one's possession. 
  7. Gambling, betting, or other gambling devices. 
  8. Improper conduct involving the opposite sex. 
  9. Wrestling, horseplay, and fighting are unacceptable conduct, and will be appropriately disciplined by the school board. Boxing or any hard physical contact sports are not allowed. 
  • Any damage to school property should be reported promptly, and the student responsible will be expected to pay for the damage. 
  • No electronics are to be in the possession of a student on the school grounds except as directed by the teacher. 
  • Pets are not allowed to be brought to the school except as directed by the teacher. 
  • Bicycles may be ridden to school, but must be parked during school hours. 
  • Students are discouraged from bringing toys and money to school. 
  • School lunches should be healthful. Students are encouraged to not exchange food. 
  • Students are not to eat or snack during school hours except at morning snack time and during the lunch period and only in the assigned areas unless permission is given by the teacher. 

WEAPONS—Students are not allowed to bring weapons to school. 

The use, possession, sale, or furnishing of illegal weapons (which include knives, guns, dangerous objects, or explosive devices, including fireworks) will be cause for School Board action and possible suspension from school. 

DISCIPLINE 

PURPOSE—Discipline is basically a method of counseling with a prescribed set of guidelines, designed to help the student to accept a more meaningful Christian behavior. The object of discipline is the training of the child for self-government. He/She should be taught self-reliance and self-control. 

DEFINITION OF TERMS: 

SUSPENSION—

  • In-school: Student will be allowed to attend school, but will be isolated from the rest of the students. All schoolwork will be assigned. The student will write a paper related to the offense. 
  • Out-of-school: Student will not be allowed to attend. All schoolwork will be assigned. The students will do the schoolwork at home.

Suspension is the temporary separation of the student from normal school activities for major discipline reasons. A student may be suspended for up to three days for repeated offenses when other procedures have not been effective. In the case of a serious overt act, or violating school regulations, the teacher, in consultation with the School Board Chairman, may temporarily suspend a student from school. In no case should a student be sent home until the parents/guardians have been notified. 

PROBATION—If a student's behavior continues to be detrimental to the school, after repeated warnings and parental counseling, he/she shall be placed on probation. This is a serious step, just short of dismissal. A student places on probation by the School Board Chairman, may temporarily suspend a student from school. In no case should a student be sent home until the parents/guardians have been notified. 

DISMISSAL—The School Board is the ultimate authority in the dismissal of students. As a general rule, dismissal is used only when other means of correction fail to effect a change in conduct. 

 

ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS 

FIELD TRIPS—Written permission signed by the parent or guardian must be on file with the teacher before the child will be permitted to participate in field trips. 

Children not attending this school are not allowed to go on school field trips with this school unless they are attended by their parent or guardian and both the child and his guardian are approved by the teacher conducting the field trip. 

A student may be excluded from extra curricular field trips as a corrective action to discipline a student and/or modify a student's behavior. 

MISUNDERSTANDINGS—School problems should first be taken to the teacher. If the teacher is unable to solve the problem, the chairman of the School Board and teacher should meet with the concerned parent. If the problem remains unsolved, the next step would be to request a hearing before the School Board at its next regular meeting. 

 

PRESCRIPTIONS AND MEDICINES—All medications must be brought to the teacher. Students shall not have any type of medication in their possession at any time. A form is to be completed and signed by the parent to authorize the administration of the medicine. It is requested that the following criteria be followed:

  1. Medication prescribed by a physician must be in the original container provided by the pharmacist. 
  2. The label must specify the student for whom the medicine is prescribed, the pharmacy and physician's information, dosage, and instructions for administering medicine. 
  3. Aspirin and cough drops and other non-prescription medicines should be authorized the same as prescription medicines. 

SNOW ALERT PLAN—As a general rule, the school will follow the Cortez public school on school closures and delays because of bad weather conditions. If school should close early because of bad weather, parents will be notified.  

TRANSPORTATION—The school cannot permit students to leave the school in any unauthorized vehicle at any time. Parents should specify if a child is to go home with another family. Car-pooling arrangements should be on file with the teacher. This is a protective measure, not only for the family but also for the school. 

VISITORS–After making arrangements with the teacher, parents are welcome to visit the classroom during school hours. No parent should interrupt a class to converse with a teacher or a student except in an emergency. 

Students may not invite relatives or friends to visit the school without first securing permission from the teacher. All visitors are expected to conduct themselves in harmony with the standards of the school. 

School-age visitors during regular school hours are not encouraged. However visits are permissible with prior permission from the principal. All visitors will be expected to abide by school rules. 

CARE OF SCHOOL GROUNDS AND BUILDING—Students, under the direction and supervision of the teacher, should strive to maintain a neat and orderly classroom and school playground.

PLAYGROUND RULES—All students are to follow listed playground rules when using playground equipment. 

  1. Obey the adult on duty. 
  2. Play Safely. 
  3. Be kind to others. 
  4. Take care of the equipment. 
  5. Stay in the assigned area. 
  6. Come back to class on time. 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

It is the purpose of the Cortez Adventist Christian School to make Christian education available to as many as possible. We have tried to keep tuition charges as low as possible. The total cost of operating the school is not covered by tuition. 

Entrance fee per student, separate from the tuition, is due at the time of registration and is to cover the cost of textbook rental, workbooks, student accident insurance, and consumable supplies such as those for arts and crafts. It is non-refundable. 

Tuition is a set amount per year and is divided into 9 equal monthly payments. The first payment is due at the end of September. A tuition payment is to be made on or before the 28th of the current month. Payment is to be made directly to the school treasurer. 

The School Board reserves the right to revise any charges during the school year, if economic conditions make such a change necessary. 

Any student whose account is delinquent may have a School Board member visit with the parent concerning the account. Any parent having difficulty in paying an account should contact the School Board to discuss the matter. 

Fees for field trips will be extra charges to be paid by the parent. 

TUITION 

Entrance Fee per Child: $250

  • Entrance Fees must be paid at the time of registration. 

Tuition

  • Actual cost for educating your child is over $450 per month. 
  • We are only requiring $250 per month per child. 
  • Any money paid above the $250 is a tax-deductible donation. 
  • Parents are encouraged to pay more than the minimum to keep the school running smoothly. 

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

  1. Care for the child's personal needs by providing a nourishing breakfast and lunch. 

  2. Seeing that the child receives adequate rest at night and wears modest protective clothing to school. 

  3. Providing transportation to and from school. 

  4. Attending school functions and parent-teacher conferences. 

  5. Paying fees and tuition on a regular basis. 

  6. Refraining from making critical remarks about the teachers in the presence of the child. Discuss problems in private with the teacher. If a problem cannot be resolved, contact the School Board Chairman. 

  7. Encouraging the child to live in harmony with school guidelines. 

NON-PUBLISHED REGULATIONS

Any regulation or changes to this handbook voted by the School Board and publicly announced to the students will have the same force as those appearing in this handbook. Any changes in regulations will be made known to the parents or guardians as soon as possible. Responsibility for interpretation and application of all regulation shall rest with the School Board. 

LOST AND FOUND 

The school cannot be responsible for articles lost or stolen on the school premises. Students should not leave clothing at school. Clothing should be marked with the student's name for identification purposes. Items not claimed at the close of the school year will be disposed of. 

WITHDRAWAL POLICY 

All textbooks, including library books, must be turned in at the time of withdrawal. A parent will be charged for any books that are not turned in at the time. 

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