FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL POLICIES
ADMISSIONS
First Presbyterian Christian School provides quality Christ-centered education to children without regard to race, color, creed, gender, or national or ethnic origin. The Board believes that this quality education can only occur in an environment where children are physically and emotionally safe, and is committed to developing policies and regulations that provide that environment.
GENERAL POLICIES FOR ENROLLMENT
To be admitted to a preschool or kindergarten class, a child must have reached the age of that class by August 31 of that school year.
To be admitted to a class in grades 1 and above, a child must have successfully completed the previous grade in a State-approved educational program.
To be admitted to any class, children must be physically, emotionally, and socially developed to the extent that they are not a danger to themselves or to the health and safety of other children.
To be admitted to any class, children must be toilet trained and able to use toilet facilities independently.
Exceptions to previously mentioned admission requirements may be made by the Principal.
ATTENDANCE & ABSENCE
Please phone the office by 9:00 am on the day of absence for any child who will miss school for that day. If the parent is aware of planned absences such as vacation, a written notice or phone call to the office and the classroom teacher is requested two weeks in advance of the absence. If you would like class assignment work for your child during their extended absence, please give your teacher one week advance notice.
We will take attendance each day by 9:20am, and we will call parents of all children in kindergarten and up if the child is not in school to determine the reason. State Law mandates that all children ages 6 and up may not have more than 7 unexcused absences in one month or 15 unexcused absences in an academic year. If they do, the school must contact the state agency. Since we are a state approved private school, we are obligated to follow these requirements. For more information, please reference the Becca Bill, Washington State Law, RCW 28A.225.030.
DISCIPLINE
Our school works on the Love and Logic philosophy. Teachers and staff are trained in the general tenants of this program. Teachers and staff will make every effort to:
Teach children to treat each other with love and respect based on Biblical principles and scripture.
Redirect the child and engage them in a different activity.
Talk to the child and teach them skills to solve their own problems.
Encourage children to talk to each other and help mediate between children when the issue involves more than one child.
Help children make a plan that helps them develop confidence in making good choices for good outcomes and monitoring their own behavior.
We also have a school-wide positive behavior acronym that states:
First Presbyterian Christian students Have HEART!
WE ARE:
Helpful
Eager to Learn
Always Kind
Respectful and Responsible
Trustworthy
Students will learn these expectations school-wide and will be taught what this looks like in each area of the school. They will learn how these relate to Biblical principles as well. They will then be recognized both by class and individually (for older students) for doing a great job!
The teacher is encouraged to keep the lines of communication open with parents about any situations that are occurring at school so that the parents, teacher, and child can work together to turn the child’s behavior toward a positive direction.
Some situations, such as when a child is hurting themselves or others, require that they be removed from the classroom activities for a time. This may happen in the classroom in a “thinking space,” or as a next step, may require that they spend supervised time out of the classroom in the office or in our calming Sensory Room.
DRESS CODE
We ask that all children arrive at school wearing comfortable, washable, modest clothing suitable for active and messy play. It is important that children feel free to become involved in any activity without worrying about harming their clothes. Clothing needs to be easy for your child to get on and off for bathroom independence.
For children attending K-3rd grade, please make sure they wear or bring tennis shoes on their PE days. This will be required for participation.
It is also important that your child be dressed appropriately to spend recess time outdoors, weather permitting. In the winter, this will include a coat, hat, boots and gloves. Be sure to mark each item with their name.
Students are asked to wear closed-toed shoes for playground safety reasons and we recommend well-constructed, washable tennis shoes to allow for the greatest freedom of movement.
Hats and hoods may not be worn within the classroom environment but are allowed at recess time. Open toed sandals, flip-flops, and wheelie shoes are not allowed (even if the wheels are retracted into the shoe).
HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION & BULLYING (HIB)
Harassment, intimidation, and bullying, including cyberbullying, are prohibited at First Presbyterian Christian School.
The Principal will utilize the model policy and procedures on Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying developed by the State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) as a guide for implementing policy.
Washington State legislation defines harassment, intimidation and bullying to include intentionally written or electronically transmitted messages or images, verbal communications, or physical acts that physically harm a student or damage the student's property; or that have the effect of substantially interfering with a student's education; or that are so severe, persistent or pervasive that they create an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or that have the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school. Such harassing, intimidating, or bullying communications and actions may include but are not limited to those shown to be motivated by race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, mental or physical disability, or other distinguishing characteristics. See RCW 28A.600.477, “Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying”:
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=28A.600.477
The Washington State OSPI defines bullying as “actions that are intentional, repeated, negative, show a lack of empathy, and [are affected by] a power imbalance.” OSPI defines intimidation as “implied or overt threats of physical violence.” OSPI defines harassment as “any malicious act” that “causes harm to any person's physical or mental wellbeing.” OSPI defines cyberbullying as bullying “using electronic devices to initiate repeated negative behavior toward a less-powerful person.” OSPI also says the following about cyberbullying: “Electronic name-calling, shunning, and shaming are all forms of cyberbullying. So are spreading rumors, gossiping, and making threats online.” The Washington State OSPI offers more elaborate definitions of HIB and information about legislation:
SCHOOL CLOSURES
In cases of inclement weather and other such local disasters, the school will follow the delay and closure decisions made by Spokane Public School District. If there is an emergent situation (i.e., power outage) specific to FPCS only (and not Spokane School District), the principal will discern a delay or closure action for that event.
STAFF & FAMILIES:
In the case of a school closure or delay, the principal of the school will send a text alert and an email by 6:30 am to the contact information provided by staff and families through the emergency texting system and MySchoolWorx program. Spokane School District announces its delays and closures on KXLY and KHQ. Please monitor the early morning news for delay and closure reports. When the school remains open during inclement weather or other such local disasters, parents are always encouraged to weigh the conditions of their locality in deciding whether to keep their student home for the day.
VISITORS & VOLUNTEERS
All visitors and volunteers must sign in at the office to receive a visitor or volunteer identification sticker. All volunteers must also fill out a Washington State Patrol background check before volunteering.