Elementary, Middle and High School

Elementary, Middle and High School

Handbookfor Students

2016-2017

7521 N. West Street, PO Box 39

Falcon, NC 28342

Office: (910) 980-1136 Fax: (910) 230-2031

Mission Statement

Falcon Christian Academy exists to provide a holistic education that promotes high achievement in academics, a biblical worldview and character development marked by disciplined behavior, thereby equipping children with what they need today to live successfully and effectively tomorrow.

Vision Statement

Falcon Christian Academy will embody and promote the spirit of excellence through quality teachers, community support and programs that are biblically based. FCA will equip students to reach their full potential academically, socially and spiritually. FCA will equip students to perform successfully on standardized testing at the national level. FCA will become a model school for educating children regardless of their current academic and social status. FCA will provide the community with leaders and productive citizens of the future.

Rev. July 26, 2016

Elementary, Middle School and High School Handbook

Table of Contents

A Message from the Principal4

School Philosophy5

Mission/Vision Statements6

Our Stakeholders7

Core Values8

Statement of Faith9

Phone Numbers 10

16-17 Traditional School Year Calendar 11

Academics 12

Program Instruction 13-14

Homework
Make-Up Work
Extra Curricular School activities
Report Cards/Progress Reports

Academics and Honors Recognition 14

“A” Honor Roll
“A-B” Honor Roll
Warrior Award
Awards Day
Character Award
School Academic Clubs

Class Requirements 14-15

Middle School
High School
Honors/Advanced Placement General Requirements
Current Requirements for High School Graduation

Work Release/Early Dismissal Option 16

Credit Recovery 16

Academic Transfer of Credit 16

Academic Probation 16

Academic Tutoring Program 16

Ignitia Program (On-Line) 17-18

Ignitia Reassignment Policy
Ignitia Expectations
Ignitia Discipline Policy
Ignitia Career Path

FTCC High School Connections Program 18

Admissions and Enrollment

General Information 19

Residential Procedures
Non-residential Procedures

Arrival/Departure 19

Athletics 20-21

Athletic Participation Philosophy
Eligibility Requirements
Academic Requirements
Attendance Requirements
Attitude
General Athletic Information

Elementary, Middle School and High School Handbook

Table of Contents

Attendance/Absences Policies 21-22

Absences (Excused/Unexcused)
Procedure for Re-entering School After an Absence
Make-up or Missed Work
Loss of Credits Due to Absences

Attitude22

Chapel22

Behavioral Standards/Discipline Policy 22-27

General Behavioral Expectations

Level I-General Classroom Behavior

Level II - General School Behavior

Level III – ISS/Oss Offenses

Level IV – Expulsion

Definitions of Discipline
Students Ineligible to Return

Emergency Procedures27

Fire Drill
Tornado Drill
Inclement Weather

Field Trip28

Gymnasium Guidelines28

Internet Use Policy28

Electronic Devices29

Cell Phones 29-30

School Owned Individual Devices 30-31

School Owned Shared Devices, Network, Printers31

Consequences for Violation of the Acceptable Use Policy31

Library32

Locker Guidelines32

Lunchroom32

School Medication Guidelines33

School Planners33

School Property33

Student Records34

Student Withdrawals35

Textbooks35

Dress Code 35-36

Visitors36

Schedule for Middle School Students37

Schedule for Elementary School Program37

Acknowledgement of Receipt of Student Handbook38

Forms/Appendix39

AMessage from the Principal

Falcon Christian Academy enters her sixth year with the opening of the 2016 – 2017 school year. FCA is a proud institution founded upon Christian principles. FCA was established upon the principles of Psalm 78:5-7. These words gave instructions from God that the children were to be taught the laws of God that they might know His mighty works and that they in turn would pass them on to generations to come so that they too would trust God and not forget what He had done and always obey His commandments. The staff of Falcon Children’s Home and Family Services in partnership with the staff of Falcon Christian Academy, the parents and families of our community, and our students are committed to deliberately and intentionally provide an environment where students will “trust in God, not forget the works of God, keep His commandments…” and will reach their full potential academically, socially, and spiritually regardless of their status in life.

We will accomplish these worthy goals by:

Setting high academic standards and expectations for ALL students
Expecting that All students will be successful in the courses that are assigned to them
Building relationships with all stakeholders responsible for the care and development of our students
Use the character and life of Christ as our model for teaching our students
Being intentional in teaching the decrees and statutes of God frequently giving our students the opportunity to accept Jesus as their personal Savior
Instilling in our students an understanding of their responsibility to the generations who follow them to set an example of Christ-like living so “they will know and put their trust in God.”

Falcon Christian Academy is accredited by the National Association of Private Schools and is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International. The achievements of the students and staff of FCA have been well documented. In 2015 – 2016 FCA expanded its programs to include elementary grades K through grade 5 for the first time making the school a K-12 school. This year we are working to expand our early childhood program to include a PreK4 program. Our enrollment has steadily increased as we neared the century mark last year with a total of 98 students. We have also worked to expand course offerings and increase the number of students who take advantage of on-line courses through our Ignitia On-line Program.

Falcon Christian Academy takes pride in the fact that we believe that all our students can achieve at high levels. FCA is not just another private Christian school. We want to be the school of choice for our students at Falcon Children’s Home and Family Services and for the communities that surround us. I am honored to lead such outstanding teachers and staff. Together, we are committed to making a difference in the lives of our students academically, socially, spiritually, and physically. We will fulfill our God-given command to “let our light shine…so the next generation will know and many generations to come.”

Yours in service,

D. Allen Strickland

Let your light shine…so the next generation will know

School Philosophy

It is the purpose of Falcon Christian Academy (a ministry of Falcon Children’s Home) to teach each student that all real truth is Christ-centered. All other textbooks, curricula and materials are to conform to this basic philosophy of Christian Education. It is the goal of the academy to teach each student to develop a Biblical worldview that is evidenced by an awareness of the unconditional love of God, a sense of purpose and self-worth, and hope for the future.

It is the purpose of Falcon Christian Academy to guide each student to full intellectual development regardless of his or her current academic and social status. This will be achieved by an environment that conveys the message that all students can learn, marked by increasingly higher levels of achievement with students performing at or above academic grade level.

It is the purpose of Falcon Christian Academy to promote positive character development, having clear-cut expectations of each child to demonstrate appropriate responsible and productive behavior.

Mission Statement

Falcon Christian Academy exists to provide a holistic education that promotes achievement in academics, a biblical worldview and character development marked by disciplined behavior, thereby equipping children with what they need today to live successfully and effectively tomorrow.

Vision Statement

Our Stakeholders

The Children

The Staff

Administrators who provide leadership, program development, and service coordination.

Teachers who provide classroom instruction and student supervision.

Support personnel who provide assistance and program services.

The Home-

Where parents, house parents and on campus social workers participate in the learning process by reinforcing the individualized educational goals for each child.

The Supporters

Board of Directors

Volunteers: those who donate their time to provide remedial instructions, enrichment activities, special programs and support services.

Contributors

Financial: those who give financially to underwrite the costs of educating the children
Material: those who give material goods to facilitate the mission of Falcon Christian Academy

International Pentecostal Holiness Church

Department of Social Services

Falcon Children’s Home Alumni

Surrounding Communities

Core Values

At Falcon Christian Academy we value the total commitment of all of our stakeholders (students, parents, staff and supporters) as evidenced by:

1. A sense of shared purpose and values.

2. Camaraderie, teamwork and collegiality.

3. Effective communications at all levels to facilitate the educational objectives.

An academic program marked by excellence and high academic achievement, as evidenced by:

An environment that conveys the message that all students can learn, marked by increasingly higher levels of achievement with students performing at or above their academic grade level.

Effective, enabled, equipped and empowered staff, parents and supporters.
Individualized and personalized instruction.

A biblical worldview that is evidenced by:

An awareness of the unconditional love of God, a sense of purpose and self-worth and hope for the future.

Workers who serve as models and mentors of the highest biblical values by loving God and loving others.

Instructions and training that integrate the truth of God’s Word with the facts about God’s world.

Positive character development through:

Having clear-cut expectations of the children to demonstrate appropriate, responsible and productive social behavior.

Teaching by persons who represent positive role models that the children can emulate.

Teaching social skills to children in formal and informal settings.

Statement of Faith

1.We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative, inerrant Word of God (II Timothy 3:16).

2.We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons--Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:1, Matthew 28:19, John 10:30).

3.We believe in the deity of Christ (John 10:33); His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:35); His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 7:26); His miracles (John 2:11); His vicarious and atoning death (I Corinthians 15:3, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 2:9); His resurrection (John 11:25, I Corinthians 15:4); His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19); His personal return in power and glory (Acts 1:11, Revelation 19:11).

4.We believe in the absolute necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit for salvation because of the exceeding sinfulness of human nature; and that men are justified on the ground of faith alone for salvation (John 3:16-19, John 5:24, Romans 3:23, Romans 5;8-9, Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 3:5).

5.We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; those that are saved unto the resurrection of life, and those that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5:28-29).

6.We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9, I Corinthians 12:12-13, Galatians 3:26-28).

7.We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (Romans 8:13-14, I Corinthians 3:16, I Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 4:30, 5:18).

8.We believe in the personal and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this “blessed hope” has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).

SCHOOL PHONE NUMBERS

School Office (910) 980-1136

School Fax (910) 230-3021

Falcon Children’s Home (910) 980-1065

Falcon Christian Academy Office Hours:

School year: Monday-Friday - 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Administration:

Mr. D. Allen Strickland……………………………………………………….….Principal

Cell Number………………………………………………………………….(910) 322-1938

Email Address…………………………………………………......

Note: Falcon Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally afforded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, or other school-administrated programs.

ACADEMICS

Falcon Christian Academy is designed to meet students at their point of academic, social, spiritual, emotional and physical need and to facilitate growth in these areas. We believe that a Bible-based education is the very best education that can be provided for children. Our greatest hope and prayer is for students to experience the healing presence of Christ as they develop new skills and habits that will lead to academic success. We incorporate best practices recognized by leaders in education as the most effective methods for helping children learn:

Pre-testing and post-testing each school year to identify each child’s strengths and weaknesses and measure academic gains
Individualized and creative instruction geared to the child’s needs
Low student-teacher ratio
Tutorial services provided to all students

FCA is structured to deliberately give students opportunities to develop competencies necessary for them to be successful:

A strong work ethic
Organizational skills
Interpersonal communication skills
Responsibility
Resourcefulness

ACADEMIC STANDARDIZED TESTING

Students in grades K-12 are administered the Terra-Nova Standardized Test in April of each school year. Testing will be used to measure academic gains and to evaluate student weaknesses.

The SAT and ACT exams are required by most colleges and universities for admission consideration.Parents of non-residential students should register their student while in the 11th grade. Students in grade 10 will take the PSAT. The PSAT is a practice test for the College Board’s Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The school in conjunction with Falcon Children Home case workers will register residential students to take the ACT and/or SAT.

GRADING SCALE

Grade AverageCredits

A90 – 100 4

B80 – 89 3

C70 – 79 2

D60 – 69 1

F 59 - below 0

INC 0

PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION

“Study to show yourself approved unto God.”

Believing that homework is an integral part of the learning process, each teacher is at liberty to give homework to aid the students to advance in their studies. Therefore, students are required to complete their homework assignments on time. Failure to do homework could result in adversely affecting the student’s grade.

Homework is given for several reasons:

For Reinforcement: Most students require adequate review to master material essential to their educational process.

For Practice:Following classroom explanation, illustration, and review of new work, homework is given so that the material willbe mastered.

For Remedial Activity: As instruction progresses, various weak points in a student’sgrasp of a subject become evident. Homework is given toovercome such difficulties.

Homework:

Teachers expect all students to complete assignments on time. No teacher will allow an assignment required of all students to remain undone by a single student. If an assignment is not completed, the following procedure may be used:

The student will remain after school to complete the assignment.

Failure to complete the assignment on time can result in a penalty of points taken off the grade.

Chronic failure to complete homework may result in further discipline action.

Students will not be allowed to participate in extra-curricular activities if homework\class work has not been turned in on time.

Make-up Work:

Any student who has failed to make up daily work or tests by the endof the grading period will receive an “Incomplete” (I) on the report card.

Any student who does not make up work because of negligence is givenan “F” or his/her own failing grade average for the grading period.

Extracurricular school activities (i.e., sport practice or games) are not excuses for not

completing homework.

4. Report Cards and Progress Reports:

Report cards will be issued at the end of each 9-week grading period. House parents, guardians and on campus social workers should review the report card. If report card is not received, the office should be contacted.
Progress reports will be issued to house parents, guardians and on campus social workers at the mid-point of each grading period. Whenever a student shows a strong sign of experiencing academic difficulty in a course or subject area, the teacherwill report the problem to the principal who will contact the oncampus social worker.

ACADEMICS AND HONORS RECOGNITION

“A” Honor Roll: To qualify for the “A" Honor Roll, students must score an “A” (90-100) average in all subjects and maintain Christian behavior in each class.

“A-B” Honor Roll: To qualify for the “A-B” Honor Roll, students must score nothing

belowa “B” (80-89) average and maintain Christian behavior in each class.

Warrior Award: To qualify for the Warrior Award, students must score nothing below a

“C” in all subjects and maintain Christian behavior in each class.

Character Award: The Character Award is given to a student who upholds principles

ofmorality and ethics, is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty

and reliability, and shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others; as demonstrated in

the home and school environments.

Note:An Awards Day program will be held at the end of each reporting term period

Duringthe school year. Students with the highest average in each class and subject will be

recognized. Atthe end of the school year an Awards Day program will be held for

the overallhighest yearly averages in each class.

School Academic Clubs

Beta Club: The Junior Beta Club is by invitation to students in grades 6-8 who maintain a

90% or above numericaverage or a 3.5 cumulative GPA on a consistent basis and

demonstratesChristianbehavior at all times.

Senior Beta Club: The Senior Beta Club is by invitation to students in grades 9-12 who maintain a 90% or above numeric average or a 3.5 cumulative GPA on a consistent basis and demonstrates Christian behavior at all times.