TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
Welcome 5
School Statements 5 Mission Statement 5
Vision Statement 5
Philosophy of Northside Christian School 6
Spiritual Objectives 6
Academic Objectives 6
Social Objectives 6
Accreditation 6
Doctrinal Statement 7
School Pledges 10
Campus Life 11
Attendance 11
School Hours 11
Extended Care 11
Tardy Policy 11 Attendance Policy 12
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures 13
Parking Lot/Car Line 13
Inclement Weather Arrival/Dismissal Procedures 13
Campus Safety and Security 13
Security Guard 13
Surveillance Cameras 13
Classroom Doors 13
Student Pick-up 13
Safety Drills 14
Fire Drills 14
Severe Weather/Tornado Drills 14
Lockdown Procedures 14
School Closings 14
Legal Obligation to Report 14
Student Accident Insurance 14
School Nurse 15
Medication Guidelines 15
Head Lice Policy 16
Emergency Numbers 16
Chapel 16
Core Values 16
Student of the Month 16
School and Teacher Communication 17
Parent Night 17
Teacher E-mail 17
Net Classroom 17
Teacher website 17
Student Agendas 17
Parent Conferences 17
Parent Requests for Distribution of Materials 17
Dress Code 18
Dress Code Guidelines 18
Friday Dress Code 19
Outer Garments 19
Purchase Options 19
Violations 19
Field Trips 20
Library 20
Lunch Program 20
Mustang Volunteer Program 21
MVP 21
Volunteer Guidelines 21
Chaperone Guidelines 21
Academic Information 22
Report Cards/Progress Reports 22
Grading Scale 22
Extra Credit Requests 22
Promotion/Retention Policy 22
Middle School Promotion 22
Advanced Math Placement 23
Accommodations 23
Academic Probation 23
Athletic/Fine Arts Eligibility 23
ACSI Competitions 23
Standardized Testing 23
Academic Recognitions 24
Academic Honesty 24
Honor Code 24
Conduct Policies 25
Biblical Principles of Discipline 25
Classroom Expectations 25
School-wide Conduct Guidelines 25
Prohibited Items 26
Consequences 26
Behavior Contracts/Probation 26
Code of Conduct for Families 26
Anti-Bullying Policy 27
Prevention Procedures 27
Reporting Practices 27
Disciplinary Action 27
The Christian Response 27
Cell Phone Policy 28
Smart Watch Policy 28
Technology Information and Guidelines 29
Acceptable Use Policy 29
Technology Code of Conduct 29
Use Policies 30
Network Availability 30
Guidelines for Personally owned Electronic Devices 31
Consequences for Misuse of Technology 31
Limitation of Liability 31
Student Affirmations 32
Parent Confirmations 32
WELCOME
Welcome to Northside Christian School! Started in 1971 as a ministry of Northside Baptist Church, Northside Christian School has grown to encompass a complete quality program designed to meet the needs of the whole child. It has been accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International since 1984, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1996. The ministry has consistently displayed its commitment to high academic and extracurricular standards. A constant evangelical emphasis coupled with the teaching of sound Biblical principles enables Northside to play an important role in the spiritual growth of each student.
The School’s role in the rearing of your child is an important one. It is not, however, a mutually exclusive one. The faculty supports the importance of and respect for parents and family, and we expect parents to demonstrate and to encourage the support of the school and respect for the faculty and administration. We want you to be involved in Northside Christian School, to attend the activities that are designed to acquaint you with the philosophy of NCS, to support school disciplinary procedures at home, and to communicate with your child’s teachers in monitoring their progress.
This handbook provides very important information and will help you and your family have a safe and successful year. Please take the time to read it carefully and become familiar with our policies and practices. The faculty and staff welcome you to the Mustang Family. It is a privilege to serve you!
Katherine Rotunno
Elementary Principal
SCHOOL STATEMENTS
Mission Statement
Northside Christian School, in partnership with families, exists to equip students to reach their God-given potential by providing outstanding academic and extracurricular programs in a Christ-centered environment.
Vision Statement
Northside Christian School is committed to:
· Seeing every student know Jesus Christ as personal Savior
· Integrating spiritual truths thoroughly in the curricula
· Providing excellent academic programs that challenge and support each student
· Instilling in every student a love for learning
· Becoming a technology rich environment, a benchmark among private schools in Florida
· Encouraging a strong sense of patriotism
· Designing, building, and maintaining facilities and grounds to support quality learning
· Extra-curricular programs that allow each student to discover and develop their individual gifts
· Hiring and developing faculty and staff who are committed to professional advancement
Philosophy of Northside Christian School
Northside Christian School seeks to provide our student population with a Biblical worldview. Our curricula are designed to equip our students to compete at the highest level of academics and our faculty is expected to incorporate Biblical integration in every discipline as well as to be Christian role models. This philosophy is to be an integral part of every aspect of our school, including extracurricular activities. Even as we serve a holy, righteous and perfect God, everything that we do must be stamped with excellence.
Spiritual Objectives
· To lead our students to a saving knowledge of God through Jesus Christ;
· To provide each student with a thorough understanding of the teachings of the Bible so that they can be applied to personal living experiences;
· To teach and to disciple each student in wisdom, in righteousness, and in true holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit;
· To build character worthy of imitation;
· To be a spiritual influence in the surrounding community.
ACADEMIC OBJECTIVES
· To provide a Christian education that strives for academic excellence to enable all students to proceed to the higher level learning or training to which they may aspire and of which they are capable;
· To inspire youth with a love for learning;
· To teach the basic foundations in language arts, foreign language, social sciences, mathematics, science, and the fine arts;
· To teach critical thinking and problem solving skills;
· To teach good study habits.
Social Objectives
· To teach and encourage habits which lead to good mental and physical health;
· To foster wholesome interpersonal relationships based on Christian love.
accreditation
Northside Christian School is accredited by the:
· AdvancED (Formerly known as Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
· Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
Doctrinal Statement
SECTION 1 – NORTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
Our doctrinal statement includes statements regarding Christian Faith and Salvation, and statements regarding Practice and Understanding of Scripture. We hold these statements according to the old Christian standard – “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.”
For all the members of the church, we require acceptance, in belief and presentation, of these doctrines in both areas.
For non-member ministry staff, we require acceptance of the statements regarding Christian Faith and Salvation. For the statements regarding Practice and Understanding of Scripture, we require respect, which is equal but preferred presentation and support. Christian Faith and Salvation
“In essentials unity…in all things charity.”
These are the statements of doctrine requiring unity as they distinguish Christian from non-Christian and as they define Christian faith and salvation.
The Trinity. We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three person: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; that these are equal in every divine perfection, and they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption. (Matthew 28:18-19,2 Corinthians 13:14
God the Father. We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (John 1:12, 18; Ephesians 1:3-6)
Jesus Christ. We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teaching. We believe in His substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth. (Luke 1:35; John 1:1, 14, 18; Romans 3:24-26; 1 Corinthians 15:50-55)
The Holy Spirit. We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit permanently indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide. (Matthew 28:19; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19; John 16:7-11)
The Word of God. We believe the Bible is the Word of God, verbally and fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:21)
Man. We believe that man was created in the image of God, but fell from his original state through his disobedience to God in the Garden; and that all succeeding members of the human race are sinners by nature and by choice. We believe that man is separated from God by his sin and cannot by himself be rejoined to God. (Genesis 1:27; 2:17; 3:19; and Ephesians 2:1-3)
Salvation. We believe that salvation is the gift of God and is received by personal faith in Jesus Christ whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. We believe that our redemption has been accomplished by means of the grace of God and is not the result of any human works. (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12; and Ephesians 2:5-6)
Practice and Understanding of Scripture
“in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.”
These are the statements of doctrine allowing liberty as they distinguish our church from other churches and as they define our practice and understanding of the Scripture.
Assurance of Salvation. We believe that all the redeemed once saved are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. (John 5:24; John 10:27-30; and Romans 8:1, 29-30)
We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which however clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion for sinful living and carnality. (1 John 5:9-13; Titus 2:11-15)
Christian Conduct. We believe that the Christian’s goal in conduct should be to glorify God among men and that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions and should strive to live a Christ-like life guided by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Philippians 2:14-15)
The Church. We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the church the primary task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. We believe in the local church, consisting of a body of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible professon of faith, and associated for worship, work, and fellowship. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
The Ordinances.
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into the Name of the Triune God. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death, the elements being symbolic. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
Creation. We believe that all things in heaven and earth were created by God out of nothing and exist by His power. (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16-17)
Marriage. We believe that God created marriage as the union of one man and one woman by commitment to one another for life. We believe that marriages are to be a lasting blessing to both husband and wife and that God hates when marriages are not lasting or not a blessing. (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:23-24; Matthew 19: 3-8; Romans 7:2; Malachi 2:14-16)
We believe that the primary responsibility of a husband or of a wife is to be God’s blessing to their spouse and that this is facilitated by husbands loving their wives and wives submitting to their husbands. (1 Corinthians 7:3-6; Ephesians 5:21-33)
We believe that sex is reserved by God for marriage and that sex outside of marriage is sin. (1 Corinthians 7:1-6; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Timothy 1:9-11)
Last Things. We believe that the next great event in the fulfillment of prophecy is the personal return of Jesus Christ to remove from the earth His church and to reward each believer according to his works. (2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
After the removal of the church, the righteous judgments of God will be poured out on the unbelieving world climaxed by the glorious return of Jesus Christ to the earth with His saints to establish His millennial kingdom. (Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-6)
Eternal State. We believe that at death the souls of believers pass immediately into the presence of Jesus Christ. When Christ returns for the church they will be reunited with their glorified bodies and associated with Him forever in glory. At death the souls of unbelievers pass immediately into torment. At the close of the millennium they will be reunited with their bodies, judged before the Great White Throne, then cast into the lake of fire, not to be annihilated, but to be separated from God forever in conscious punishment. (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:11-15)
SECTION 2 – NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
The Personality of Satan. We believe that Satan is a personal being, the author of sin, and the cause of the fall of man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and, that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. (Job 1:6-7; Is. 14:12-17; Matthew 4:2-11; 25:41; Revelation 20:10)
Civil Government. We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home, 2) the church, and 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. (Rom 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; 1 Peter 2:13-14)