Daystar
Christian School
Handbook
2015-2016
Daystar Adventist School
3912 O’Neal Avenue
Pueblo, Colorado 81005
(719) 561-9120
daystarchristianpueblo.com
Supervised and Accredited through
Rocky Mountain Conference
2520 South Downing Street
Denver, CO 80210
(303) 733-3771
Principal/TeacherMichelle Velbis
407-412-2294
School Board ChairCalvin Bennett
719-225-0382
School TreasurerDiedreSicher
719-566-1984
PastorBrad Schleif
941-224-6770
Home and School Leader
School Board MembersLisa Black
Holly Bruestle
John Garcia
Brandy Martinez
Wayne Nazarenus
Message to Parents
Dear Parents,
The Daystar Christian School Board thanks you for choosing an accredited school that offers Christian education for your child.
This school manual will provide information concerning our Christian school ministry. The Seventh-day Adventist elementary school is a place of learning for Christian young people and is an extension of the Christian home environment. The objective of our school is to train young people to be good community citizens while preparing them for heavenly citizenship.
God has given parents the tremendous responsibility to train their children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
We realize that although Daystar Christian School is a Christian school, every person in attendance may not yet have surrendered his/her life to Christ. We encourage all associated with the school to help each student make this decision in his/her life. We consider it a privilege to assist you as parents in the training of your most precious possession – your child.
We solicit prayers as we strive daily to attain these highest of goals. The School Board is confident that you as parents will assist your child in complying with and maintaining the principles set forth in this school manual.
Yours in Christ,
Daystar Christian School Board
Pueblo Seventh-day Adventist Church School History
The first church school in Pueblo was started in 1919, in what was the second church building for Pueblo First Seventh-day Adventist Church. It was a long, store-like building painted green in which George Vandeman, founder and director of the It is Written television program was born. Miss Minnie Hahn was the first teacher.
The building was inadequate for the church, so was sold in 1921 and a new building site was sought. While the building site was being sought, and the new church was being built, the church rented a lodge hall on Union Avenue. Church school was temporarily discontinued during the rental of the lodge hall, and did not reopen until the new church was completed.
The new church on the corner of 13th and Grand Avenue was completed in 1923. School reopened in its basement the next school year in 1924 with Mildred Sanders Priest as its teacher.
Since there was no playground at the church where the children could play, a building on Cheyenne Avenue was purchased for the school a few years later.
In the early 1950’s, that building was sold and a new one was built on West 30th Street. Many of our church congregation went to school there.
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In 1990, our current school building was built in its present location after a lot of hard work, blood, sweat, and tears. We are grateful to those who gave both financially and physically to make our current school facilitypossible.
Mission
The mission of Daystar Christian School is to educate students in a Christ-centered environment that will empower them to reach their highest potential.
Philosophy
“True education means more than the perusal of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man, It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the students for the joy of service in this world and for the job of wider service in the World to come.” Education, page 13.
Objectives
The purpose of this school is to prepare young people to assume intelligently and conscientiously their responsibilities toward the betterment of their own lives and the building up of God’s kingdom on earth through service to mankind.
It is the purpose of this school to so conduct its processes of training that due emphasis and proper balance will be given to the development of the physical, mental, social, and spiritual powers of the students, aiming to develop a character which will continue as a positive factor throughout their lives.
Since love is the basis of true education, the school is to be the PLACE where love for God and love for man is taught, and the LABORATORY where teachers and students experience this love. “The love of Jesus should so pervade the whole school that the pupils will learn to regard this as the highest education.”
As Seventh-Day Adventists we believe...
in the entire Bible as the inspired Word of God. 2 Tim. 3:16
in the Godhead as mentioned in Matt. 28:18,19
in salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. John 3:16, Acts 4:12
that the personal visible return of Jesus is near according to Bible prophecy. We must prepare to meet Him.
Amos 4:12; John 14:1-5; Matthew 24; Luke 21:25, 26
we are saved by faith, not by our works, nor the keeping of the law. Eph. 2:8-10
good works are the fruitage of true faith. James 2:17-20
in regeneration , the new birth, Bible conversion, true sanctification and holiness of life. John 3:1-7; Acts 3:19
it is now the judgment time, when a special gospel message is calling mankind back to special Bible truth.
Rev. 14:6-12
the Ten Commandments will be the standard of the judgment. Ex. 20:1-17; Eccl. 12:13, 14; James 2:10-12
the original seventh-day Sabbath is the true Lord’s Day of the entire Bible. Gen. 2:1-2; Ex. 20:8-11;
Isa. 66:22, 23;John 1:1-3; Mark 2:27; Matt. 5:17-19; Rev. 22:14;
the followers of Christ will shun worldly pleasures and follies that unfit them for heaven. 2 Tim. 3:1-5;
1 John 2:15-17
being called unto holiness of life, the Christian will be discreet in conduct; and will manifest modesty and
simplicity in dress and appearance. 2 Cor. 6:16-18; Isa. 3:16-24; 1 Tim. 2:8-10
the body is the temple of the Holy Ghost; we should therefore, not defile it with alcoholic beverages, tobacco in
any form, narcotics, or foods that are not in harmony with God’s Word. Romans 12:1 & 2; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20;
1 Cor. 9:24-27; 1 Cor. 10:31; 1 Thess. 5:23
the dead sleep in the grave until theresurrection. Eccl. 9:5, 6, 10; Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:21-26; 1 Cor. 15:51-55;
1 Thess. 4:13-18
in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 12; Rev. 12:17; Rev. 19:10
in baptism by immersion. Matt. 28:18, 20; Col. 2:12;Col. 3:1-4; Col. 3:12
in the support of the gospel by tithes and offerings. Lev. 27:30; Mal. 3:7-12; Matt. 23:23
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Organization of School and Governing Bodies
Teacher(s)
Seventh-day Adventist teachers must meet requirements such as: membership in the Adventist church, college degree, certification for elementary education, course work in Biblical studies, health studies, plus other professional education courses. In addition, they must take additional course work after certification to maintain or renew their certificate. The certificate is issued by the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists under the guidelines of the North American Division Office of Education.
School Board
This is the immediate governing body of Daystar Christian School. It decides: tuition, admission, budget matters, discipline, and other miscellaneous items. It makes the final decision on admission and dismissal actions. The members are chosen by the Pueblo First Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Pueblo First Seventh-day Adventist Church Board
This is the body that has the ability to select replacements for vacancies on the school board during the middle of the term. It can decide any questions referred by the school board and can refer decisions to the general church constituency on issues that may affect the whole church.
Pueblo First Seventh-day Adventist Church
This is a majorsource of financial support for Daystar Christian School and nominates the members of the school board. Daystar Christian School is one of the major mission outreaches of the Pueblo First Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Department of Education
This is the legal employer of the school staff. They locate prospective teachers, provide teacher in-service, counseling, and performance evaluations. They are available to the school board for counsel on school matters. The Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists also provides substantial financial subsidies to the school.
School Operational Policies
Admission
Daystar Christian School admits students of any race, color, national, or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of color, race, national, orethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, or other school-administered programs.
It is understood that each student who presents him/herself for admission willingly agreesto abide by the principles set forth in the bulletin. Students wishing to apply should follow the procedure outlined below:
Submit:
- A completed application form.
- A valid copy of birth certificate.
- A completed medical form (physical examinations are required for all new students and those entering grade four and seven). Health records from previous examinations transferred for incoming students will be accepted.
- Immunization records showing up-to-date immunizations required by the State of Colorado or a letter from the parents stating that such immunizations are contrary to their personal beliefs.
- A request for transfer of records from the last school attended. If the student has been in a home school just prior to applying for admittance, he/she may be required to pass teacher made and/or standardized achievement tests.
- The parents must sign a statement of cooperation, on the application form.
Upon receipt of records, the school board will review and act upon the application. Its decision will be based on grades, achievement test scores, character references, and an informal personal interview. All new students will also be tested to determine final grade placement.
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Probation
Any newly admitted student will have a one month probationary period. If, during this time, the student is assessed by the school board to not be a good fit for the school, the student may be dismissed without specific reasons given.
Placement policy
In accordance with the Education Code of the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, all students shall be admitted to kindergarten only if they attained the age of five years on or before September 15 of the current school year.
Withdrawals
Should it be necessary to withdraw your child for any reason during the school year, please notify the teacher as soon as possible. Students who withdraw are expected to fulfill the following requirements:
The return of all school property including text books, library books, sports equipment, tools, and anything that wasborrowed during the course of the year.
All financial obligations must be up to date. Registration fees are non-refundable.
Medical Examinations
All students entering school for the first time, and all fourth and seventh graders shall have a complete physical examination from a physician within 30 days after the student enters school.
Medication
Whenever a student needs medication, these guidelines are to be followed:
1. The medication must be in its original container.
2. Prescription medication must be accompanied with written instructions from the doctor indicating the method, amount, and time the medicine is to be administered.
3. All medication should be given to the teacher upon arrival at school. The student‘s teacher will administer the medication according to the written direction provided with the medication.
4. No over-the-counter medications will be administered unless they havebeen provided by the student‘s parent/guardian with proper written authorization as to the amount and time for administering the medication.
School Insurance
All students in attendance at Daystar Christian School are covered under an insurance program adopted by the Rocky Mountain Conference. The fee for this insurance is included in the registration fee.
Discipline
Daystar Christian School promotes Christian values and character building. Students who do wish to maintain these standards are accepted or retained in the school. Both printed and stated regulations hold equal values. The school board has designated that the principal is responsible for the interpretation and enforcement of school regulations:
1. Respect the spiritual ideas of the Seventh-day Adventist church.
2. Show respect to and cooperate with all school personnel and volunteers.
3. Show respect for and protect school property and the rights of others.
4. Abstain from those activities that destroy the development of the physical, mental, or spiritual life.
5. Obey any regulations adopted and announced during the school year.
In any group, it is always necessary to have rules to provide for the rights, health, safety, and general welfare of all. The classroom teacher is the sole authority in the classroom and develops/enforces classroom rules and regulations. The next level of discipline is the principal. The principal has the right to temporarily suspend students who refuse to cooperate with the classroom teacher or do not follow the policies outlined in the handbook.
The Discipline Committee will consider situations where students continually refuse to follow the standards and policies of the school and/or classroom. This committee makes a recommendation to the School Board concerning whether the student should be expelled. The School Board will expel students who continually refuse
to follow the policies and rules. The student is invited to appear before the School Discipline Committee or School Board when expulsion is being considered. The possibility of reinstatement at a later time is subject to review by the School Board.
Financial Policy
School tuition is $350 per month ($3,500/year) per student. Our local and corporate Seventh Day Adventist church subsidize approximately 55% of the total average cost($8,300) to educate each student. Students/families who are not members of our local church can request up to $50 in scholarship funds. Scholarship application forms are available upon request.
Registration fee is $250to be paid no later than the first day of school. There is no discount for additional children. This is a non-refundable fee, which covers expendable supplies, insurance, normal book wear, and most field trips. A separate charge will be made for ski trips and other major field trips.
Students and their families from other Seventh-day Adventist Churches are encouraged to approach their own church boards for additional subsidy for Daystar Christian School.
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Tuition may be paid in full at the beginning of the year, or may be paid in 10 monthly installments in the amounts listed above by the tenth of each month for the months of August through May inclusive. A third option is to pay registration in August and divided tuition into nine monthly installments paid September through May.
If an account becomes two months delinquent, the student will not be permitted to attend classes. If this situation occurs, the account must be brought up to date or suitable arrangements made in person or in writing with the school board. The school board will have full discretion regarding acceptance of suitable arrangements.
It shall be the policy of schools within the Mid-America Union to withhold transcripts of academic credit (where not in violation of the state law) until student accounts are paid, or until satisfactory financial arrangements have been made.
A student with a delinquent account at another Seventh-day Adventist school shall not be accepted until the account is paid in full.
Partial tuition payments for students attending less than a full term will be pro-rated per week based on a thirty-six week school year.
Tuition assistance funds(for Pueblo SDA church members only), when available, must be requested by application. To do this, contact the pastor, principal, or the school board chairperson. Donations to the Tuition Assistance Fund are not tax deductible when a specific student is designated as the recipient.
Lunch Program
The school does not provide a hot lunch. Students need to be provided with a nourishing lunch from home. To heat these lunches, the students can use the microwave oven at the school.
At lunch time, as during the rest of the school day, Biblical and nutritional principles need to be observed. Lunches should be healthy, using foods that are, as far as possible, low in sugar and fat. Additionally, the Biblical guidelines of Leviticus 11 should be followed which means that students are not to bring foods containing “unclean meats”. These would include pork, shell fish, shrimp, Spam, etc. Because it is a drug with detrimental effects, drinks with caffeine are not to be consumed at school or provided/consumed at school functions.