School Hours

            The first bell rings at 7:55am and the late bell rings a 8:00am.  School dismisses at 3:00 pm.

Absences

Each student must be regular in attendance in order to gain the most from school. Ab­sences are excused in cases of sickness, family death, doctor appointment, or other reasons considered appropriate by the administration. A doctor appointment does not excuse a student from school all day. A student is expected to be at school before the appointment and to return after the appointment.

All students will be allowed three excused tardies and three excused absences within each 9 week period.  On the fourth tardy or absence, the student will be required to attend the “time recovery program” on Saturday morning, with the charge being $25 per student per offense.

In the kindergarten program, if a student obtains 5 tardies within the 9 week period, that student will serve a Saturday school in the Time Recovery Program at a cost of $25 per offense.  A student may have 3 excused absences within the 9 week period.  If the student exceeds this, Saturday school must be attneded at a cost of $25.  Excessive tardies and absences could jeopardize your child's promotion to the next grade.

The following should be considered in the event of the absence:

1. If a student is absent for only one day, a note from the parent explaining the reason for the absence must be sent in the day the student returns from the absence for the absence to be considered “excused.”
2. In the event a student is absent for more than one day, a doctor’s excuse or other official proof of the necessity of the absence is required in order for the absence to be considered “excused.”
3. Students should be present in school on test days.

Failure to submit a note from home from the day the student returns to school will result in the absence being considered unexcused.

The following are NOT excusable absences:

1.       Truancy

2.       Suspension

3.       Missing a ride

4.       Trips not approved in advance

5.       Shopping

6.       Hunting, fishing, attendance at games

7.       Birthday or other celebrations

8.       Gainful employment

9.       Alarm failure

10.    Entertaining visiting friends or relatives

Prior Approved Absences

We understand that some of the above absences cannot be avoided without hardship on the family.  Therefore TCS will make exception if the following requirements are met:

1. Notification to TCS is made in advance.
2. A Pre-approved Absence form is filled out and signed by each teacher and the Principal.
3. All assignments are completed in advance or as prescribed by the teacher.

Consequences

Unexcused Absences:  A grade of 50 will be given for all assignments missed due to an unexcused absence.

Excessive Absences:  If the student is absent for twenty (20) days during the school year, TCS reserves the right to retain the student to the same grade level. In the high school this would result in the loss of credit for any course in which the student has accumulated twenty (20) absences for full year classes or ten (10) absences for semester block classes. For this reason, a doctor's excuse should be obtained whenever possible. Any student who leaves school before 11 a.m. or arrives after 12 p.m. will be counted absent for the day.

Tardies:  Students are expected to be on time to classes, chapel, and all school functions.  Any student who comes to school late or is delayed in going to his homeroom must go directly to the office for a pass to class.  A student is considered tardy if he/she is not in his/her seat when the bell begins ringing.  Three (3) tardies will be counted as one day absent.

Make-Up Work

Students are allowed one day of grace for each school day missed to make up any work. All work missed as the result of an excused absence must be made up according to the teacher's instructions.  For students whose absences are unexcused, no credit will be given.  it is the student's responsibility to go to the teache upon returning to school after an absence to get any missed assignments.

Arrival and Dismissal

Parents are asked to pick up children promptly at 3:00 pm. Students remaining after 3:10 are sent to afterschool and will be charged a fee of $6.50.

Leaving School

All parents coming during class time to pick up students for dental appointments, doctor appointments, or other excused absences must report to the office and not to the student's classroom. If a student must leave school early, a note stating the reason must be brought from the parent and approved in the school office before classes begin in the morning. The office personnel will call the student upon arrival of the parent, and the parent must sign the official checkout register before the student may be dismissed.

Students must not request to leave school early unless the reason for leaving is sickness, emergency, or for a doctor appointment that cannot be scheduled at any other time. 

Students that do leave school for the day are not permitted to return to campus for the day.  Students returning to campus must be in school uniform.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten classes at Temple Christian School offer a delightful learning experience for your five-year-old child. This is an enjoyable educational program designed to give your child a firm foundation for a life­time of learning.

We use the A Beka curriculum.  This program includes Bible, phonics and phonemic awareness, reading, cursive writing, numbers, and simple math. With these concepts in hand, students can confidently enter 1^st grade.  They and their parents can be assured that they are more than adequately prepared.

Each year, the kindergarten students are honored with a special graduation complete with caps and gowns. They receive a special diploma in recognition of their achievement.  This will be a time that will be cherished for years to come.

Elementary

The student forms most of his/her basic beliefs, concepts, and life principles before he/she reaches the secondary level of education.  At the elementary school level, great emphasis is placed on the basic fundamentals of education. The A Beka curriculum is used.  This begins with Bible study every day. Our strong reading program has been statistically shown to be successful. A mathematics program using traditional methods provides an excellent base for higher-level math concepts. Penmanship is still considered important. Homework, re­port cards, concerned teachers, and informed parents are the rule and not the exception.

High standards and effective discipline are hallmarks of the elementary program. It is our desire to train students to be diligent and to use their abilities to the fullest extent and not to be content with just getting by.

We offer you a proven educational program designed for the average student but produc­ing above-average results. All this is accomplished in a warm, Christian atmosphere.

Secondary

The teenage years are times of spiritual and academic growth. Social habits, friendships, goals, and desires are established for life during these important, formative years. Be­cause a student's future is dependent upon the training and guidance given during these years, we believe a Bible-based education is imperative. Self-discipline, obedience, re­spect for authority, honesty, dependability, and love for man, God, and country, are emphasized and taught from a conservative Christian perspective.

Our program meets and exceeds the requirements established by the Education Depart­ment in the State of North Carolina. The A Beka curriculum and Bob Jones University curriculum is used throughout the high school.  All students must follow the course of study recommended to them. This is to ensure that each student attains as much as possible academically while at TCS. A student must earn twenty-two (22) credits during the 9^th - 12^th grades to graduate from Temple Christian School with a basic diploma and twenty-five (25) credits for an advanced diploma designed for college-bound students.

Bible Curriculum

            Bible study and Bible memory work are fundamental requirements for all students at Temple Christian School. Without Bible study, a student is not educated in the true sense of the word. The Bible says: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Prove­rbs l:7a). Bible is the major course here at Temple Christian and must be passed every year a student attends. Those who do not pass Bible may not be accepted to return the fol­lowing school year if the reason for failure is determined to be lack of effort due to a feel­ing that Bible is not important.

We believe that basic to all knowledge is the knowledge of God – the God of the Bible. We hold the Bible as our principle textbook, and we interpret other subjects in the light of the Scripture. Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways (Psalm 128:1). Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word (Psalm 119:9).

Because church attendance is vitally important to a young person's Christian growth, church attendance is encouraged during our Bible classes in grades 7 through 12.

All students are taught a planned program of Bible studies each day and attend chapel services weekly. Bible enhances the study of other subjects such as English, science, history, and especially social studies. A Christian school is privileged to use this most im­portant tool in the work of character building, which is perhaps the most necessary task of a school. It far exceeds all other courses offered in laying a sure foundation of moral and spiritual values. Every effort will be made to intertwine the Scriptures with every subject on a daily basis to make God's Word practical to daily living and learning. The King James translation will be used by all classes, in order to have uniformity for memorization and classroom text.

Education, as we know it in America, has a Christian heritage. When our forefathers came to this country, the first building to be erected, after providing for their shelter, was a church. It was this church building that often served as the community school. In these schools, the pastors and preachers were usually the principals and professors.

We revere America’s past. We salute the flag and say the Pledge of Allegiance regularly; we also sing patriotic songs. A program of patriotism develops a real love for country based upon an appreciation of our American heritage and the Christian principles upon which America was founded.

Classification of Students

High school students will be classified by the amount of work completed at the beginning of the school year.

1.  A student who has completed less than 5 ½ units of credit will be classified as a freshman.

2.  A student who has completed 5 ½ units of credit (1 credit of English and 1 credit of Math) will be considered a sophomore.

3.  A student who has completed 11 units of credit (2 credits of English and 2 of Math) will be classified as a junior.

4.  A student who has completed 16 ½ units of credit (3 credits of English and 3 of Math) will be classified as a senior.

Faculty

All teachers are born-again believers – Christians who are dedicated to teaching.  We seek to have teachers of the highest spiritual and academic quality.

Help Classes

A student may always seek extra help from his/her teachers if he does not understand an as­signment, if work is difficult, or if he/she has been absent and has missed assignments and class discussions. The student should arrange a time convenient to both himself/herself and the teacher during the day or after class.

A teacher will sometimes request that a student stay after school if it is apparent that the student is having difficulty with his/her work. This is not to be thought of as a punishment, but rather as the desire of the teacher to help the student make the progress of which he/she is capable.

Homework

Homework is a part of Temple Christian School's academic emphasis. It should always be done neatly, accurately, and on time. Homework should never be considered as "busy work." Classroom teachers always give homework for a specific purpose. Each student will be expected to complete the assigned homework. Incomplete homework will re­sult in a zero given for a daily grade.

In order to encourage church attendance, the policy of the school is to give little or no homework on Wednesdays or on PTF nights.

Homework is assigned for various purposes:

1. For practice.
2. For drill.
3. For remedial activity.
4. For enrichment activity.
5. For special projects.

Some assignments are long-term in nature and require planned work or study time for their com­pletion. Planned study eliminates the necessity of spending too much time in completing an assignment the day before it is due.

Each student in grades 1 – 12 is required to have a homework assignment pad in which he/she must write his assignments. In grades 1 – 6, it must be signed each night by the parent to indicate completion of the assignment.  This pad can also serve as a means of communication since teachers will see it each morning.  Used pages should not be removed from assignment pads as it serves as a yearly record of homework assigned and completed.

Homework Time Guide

Through grade 3, homework assignments usually will not exceed 45 minutes. Grades 4 through 6 should have no more than 1 to 1½ hours. Junior and senior high stu­dents should spend about 2 hours per day on homework. Of course, some students will require more time and others less.

In general, no homework assignment should take an unreasonable amount of time for any grade level.

Two guidelines for students: Read for understanding, and be sure you are concentrating!

Honor Roll

An honor roll is compiled after each nine-week grading period and is determined by the following qualifications:

       A Honor Roll -- All subject grades must be “A”

      A/B Honor Roll – All subject grades must be “A” or “B”, having at least one “A” to qualify

Incompletes on a report card not made up by the time the honor roll list is determined will automatically disqualify that student from honor roll for the grading period.

Honor roll certificates are given yearly. 

Makeup Work

Students who are absent must check with the classroom teachers immediately upon re­turning to school in order to get all assignments missed. Students are allowed one day of grace for each school day missed to make up any work.  Work not completed within that length of time will be recorded as a zero. For students whose absence is unexcused, no credit will be given. Grades will be withheld until makeup work is turned in and will lead to failure if the situation is not remedied.  Makeup tests will be given at times appropriated by the teacher.

When a student is absent due to a disciplinary suspension, the student must check with the teachers for work that must be made-up. Tests may be made up, if the ma­jority of the class material had been given before the suspension.

Physical Education

            Physical education is required of all students in seventh and eighth grades. In grades 9 or 10, one credit of physical education/health must be earned.

Students will only be allowed to miss physical education with a note of explanation from home. To be excused more than three consecutive days, a signed doctor's excuse is re­quired in most cases.

Progress Reports        

Student progress reports will be sent home every four ½  weeks. These must be signed by the parent and returned to the teacher the next day. Teachers will check to see that every report is returned. Student progress reports are sent to parents of students in all grades.

Promotion/Retention

In Kindergarten through 8^th grade, a student's report card will contain a notation that the student has been promoted or retained. Students receiving “F's” in three academic subjects are automatically retained. Students receiving “F's” in both language/phonics and math are automatically retained. At the high school level, a student will usually con­tinue to advance to the next grade; but the credits that he/she earns, plus his/her level of English class, determine his/her grade placement and when he/she graduates. (See Classification of Students)

Report Cards

The purpose of the reporting system is to give parents and students an accurate indication of the progress, or lack of progress, which is being made. Each student is evaluated in two areas – academic and behavioral. The academic grade is based upon the actual work done on homework, quizzes, tests, exams, etc. The conduct grade reflects attitude and/or behavior and is, at TCS, an important part of the student's report card.

Report cards will be issued every nine weeks for students in grades K – 12. They are to be signed by a parent and returned the day following receipt to the homeroom teacher. This does not mean that the parent approves or disapproves of the report.  It only means that he or she has seen it. If your child does not bring a card home, or if the report is lacking grades or information, please contact the school office immediately. If a report card is lost, a note from the parent should be sent to the office. A duplicate card will be sent home for signing. A charge of $2 is made for each lost report card.

Kindergarten through Grade Twelve Grading Scale:

A                     Excellent                        94-100

B                     Above Average                 87-93

C                     Average                         㻎-86

D                     Below Average                㻆-77

F                     Failure                             0-69

Requirements for Senior High Graduation

Temple Christian School requires the successful completion of an academic program in excess of the requirements of the state of North Carolina.  To graduate from TCS, a student must accumulate twenty (21) credits during the 9^th – 12^th grades twenty-two (23) credits for our advanced diploma (college prep track).  Be­cause this is a Christian school, each student must be enrolled in and pass a Bible class each year of attendance at TCS.

Credits for Diploma                 Credits for Advanced Diploma                             Electives Offered at Various Intervals

Bible (4)                                   Bible (4)                                              Spanish I (1)

English (4)                                English (4)                                            Spanish II (1)

Math (3)                                  Math (4) Pre-Calc. required                      Typing (.5)                                          

Science (3)                              Science (3)                                           Computer Apps. I  (1)

Geography (1)                          Geography (1)                                       Home Economics (1)                             

U.S. History (1)                         U.S. History (1)                                      Web Design Basics (1)

World History (1)                      World History (1)                                    Art I  (1)

Gov/Econ (1)                            Gov/Econ (1)                                        Chorus (1)

P.E./Health (1)                          P.E./Health (1)                                      Dramatic Speaking (1)

Foreign Lang. (1)                       Foreign Lang. (2)                                    College Prep. (.5)

Electives (1)                              Electives (1)                                          Teaching Aide (.5)

Total: 21                                  Total: 23                                              Yearbook  (.5)  

** Students seeking an advanced Honors course must check with the teacher for the expected responsibility and work load for the honors label.

All students in grades 7-12 must follow the course of study recommended to them by the administration. This is to ensure that each student attains as much as possible academi­cally while at Temple Christian. Following the recommended course of study will also eliminate problems of meeting graduation requirements during the senior year.

All credits necessary for graduation must be completed before a student will be permitted to march in the graduation exercises. Temple Christian School cannot be responsible for the inconvenience caused by failed courses during the last days of school.

Students who plan to attend college should write the college of their choice to find out if there are special requirements for admission. Since each college has its own individual re­quirements, students will need to plan a school program with the help of the administra­tion to assure fulfillment of particular college entrance requirements. The administration will assist the student in any way possible.

Testing Program

All students in grades 1-12 are given achievement tests in the spring of each year to measure their achievement in areas of English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. We use the Stanford 10 Achievement test. A fee is charged to cover the cost of this testing.

Any junior may elect to take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test), which is offered during the fall semester for a small fee. Students are encouraged to take this test, as it will show areas of academic weakness before the student's senior year, as well as prepare the student for the SAT and the ACT.  The students will be notified where and when this test is available.

Seniors are recommended to register for both the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test, com­monly referred to as the College Board), and the ACT (American College Test).  Since colleges prefer one of these tests, a student is assured of adequate test information if he/she takes both. Also, if a student should do poorly on one of these tests, analyses of both tests will give the college a clearer picture of the student’s scholastic aptitude and achievement. Of course, students must pay the standard fees that are charged for these nationwide. Students will be notified in advance of the times and place these will be available.

Our conviction is that appropriate attire has a significant effect upon the attitude of the student and the atmosphere of the classroom.  Temple Christian School believes it is necessary to dress appropriately and modestly at all times.  The school's firm belief is that Christian young people must dress and act differently from the world.  Teaching Biblical separation is a vital part of the school's program.

The following dress code applies to all school functions except when specifically changed for an activity.

Preschool (K3-K4)

• Clothing:  There is no dress code for our 3 and 4 year olds provided modest apparel is worn.
• Shoes:  Shoes must have a back to them.
• Hair:  Boys hair must be kept cut above the collar, neatly trimmed around the ears, and shaped to the back of the head.  No designs in the cut.

Elementary School Girls (K5 - 4th Grade)

• Clothing:  Girls may wear navy blue or khaki uniform skirts, or jumpers below the knee.  Jumpers should have a full skirt.  Shorts should be worn under jumpers or skirts during recess. They may also wear loose fitting khaki shorts to the knee, capris, or pants (no cargo types).  Please keep in mind that children grow throughout the year and often clothing becomes too short as the year wears on.
• Shirts:  must be navy blue, light blue or royal blue polo type shirts (with collar and buttons).  Shirts may be short or long sleeved (not sleeveless).  Turtle necks may be worn in the winter.
• Jewelry:  Girls that have pierced ears should limit the earrings to one pair.
• Shoes:  The shoes will be your discretion.  We do ask that they be clean and neat.  No high heels, sandals, flip-flops, hi-tops, or boots please.
• Socks:  White or Navy blue socks should be worn.
• Belts:  Only solid colored belts may be worn.  There should not be any studs on them or any kind of writing or drawings.
• Sweaters:  Solid navy blue, light blue or royal blue sweaters may be worn in class if classroom temperature is too cool for the student.  School sweatshirts purchased from the school may be worn. The only logo permitted is the Temple Christian School logo.

Elementary School Boys (K5 - 4th Grade)

• Clothing:  Boys may wear navy blue or khaki twill pants.  Cargo pants may not be worn.  Boys may also wear pleated khaki shorts that come to the knee.  Cargo shorts may not be worn.
• Shirts:  2 or 3 button polo shirts should be worn in the following colors:  navy blue, light blue, or royal blue.
• Shoes:  The shoes will be your discretion.  We ask that they be clean and neat.  NO flip-flops, sandals, high tops, or boots.
• Belts:  Only solid colored belts may be worn.  There should not be any studs on them or any kind of writings or drawings.
• Jewelry:  Boys may not wear earrings, or have body piercing, or wear necklaces, or chains.
• Hair:  Hair is to be off the collar and neatly trimmed around the ears.  It also must be shaped to the back of the head.  No designs are permitted in the cut.  Only conventional cuts and colors are permitted.
• Neatness:  A belt must be worn at all times with the shirt tucked in.  Undershirts may be worn, but may not be visible.
• Sweaters:  Solid navy blue, light blue or royal blue sweaters may be worn in class if classrooom temperature is too cool for the student.  School sweatshirts purchased from the school may also be worn.  The only logo that is permitted is the Temple Christian School logo.

Teachers reserve the the right to determine "neatness".

Middle, Junior and Senior High Girls (5th - 12th Grade)

• Clothing:  A navy blue or khaki color skirt should be worn.  The skirt must be below the knee.  Slits above the knee are not allowed.
• Shirts:  2 or 3 button polo shirts should be worn in the following colors:  navy blue, light blue, or royal blue. 
• Shoes:  This will be your discretion.  However, we ask that they be clean and neat.  No heels or open back shoes, flip-flops, sandals are allowed.
• Socks:  White or navy socks only, or stockings may be worn.
• Belts:  Only solid colored belts may be worn.  There should not be any studs on them or any kind of writing or drawings on them.
• Hair:  Only conventional hairstyles and colors are permitted.
• Earrings and Piercing:  Please do not wear multiple earrings.  Body piercing and tattoos are not allowed.
• Neatness:  A belt must be worn (if the skirt has belt loops), and the shirt must be tucked in so that the belt is visible.  Teachers reserve the right to determine neatness.
• Sweaters and Sweatshirts:  Solid colored sweaters or sweatshirts may be worn in class if the classroom temperature is too cool for the student.  Acceptable colors are the same as polo shirts:  light blue, royal blue, or navy blue.  A hooded sweatshirt is not to be worn in the classroom.  Please do not cut off the hood in order to wear it in the classroom.  The Temple Christian School logo is the only permitted logo.

Middle, Junior, and Senior High Boys (5th - 12th Grade)

• Clothing:  Navy blue or khaki colored pants ("docker" type) should be worn.  No cargo pants or jeans are allowed.
• Shirts:  2 or 3 button polo shirts should be worn in the following colors:  navy blue, light blue, or royal blue.
• Shoes:  This will be your discretion.  However, we ask that they be neat and clean.  No flip-flops, sandals or open backed shoes are allowed.
• Belts:  Only solid colored belts may be worn.  There should not be any studs, writings or drawings on them.
• Hair:  Only conventional haircuts and colors are allowed.  No designs are permitted in the cut.  Hair is to be off the collar and neatly trimmed around the ears.  It also must be shaped to the back of the head.  Bangs are not to come below the top of the eyebrows.  Sideburns may not extend below the base of the earlobe.  Hair should be neatly trimmed and combed on top.
• Earrings and Piercing:  Boys may not wear earrings.  Body piercing and tattoos are not allowed.  Boys may not wear necklaces or chains. 
• Neatness:  All boys must be clean shaven.  A belt must be worn, and the shirt must be tucked in so that the belt is visible.  Undershirts may be worn, but may not extend past the sleeve or be visible.  Teachers reserve the right to determine "neatness".
• Sweaters or Sweatshirts:  Solid colored sweaters/sweatshirts may be worn in class if the classroom temperature is too cool for the student.  Acceptable colors are the same as polo shirts:  navy blue, light blue, or royal blue.   School sweatshirts purchased from the school may also be worn.  A hooded sweatshirt is not to be worn in the classroom.  Please do not cut off the hood in order to wear it in the classroom.     

Field Trip Dress Code

Khaki shorts that come to the knee may be worn.  Polo shirts, light blue, navy blue, royal blue, or the Temple navy blue t-shirts may be worn for field trips.  Jeans are not permitted.

Parent/Chaperone Dress Code

All parents chaperoning school field trips or attending school activities are asked to uphold the guidelines for modesty set forth in this handbook when attending school functions.  Please follow dress code guidelines as much as possible.  We ask that ladies wear loose fitting fashions to the knee or lower while on school functions.  We ask that ladies not wear tank tops or shirts that show the mid-region.  We also ask, for modestly sake, that ladies not wear low-cut revealing tops.

We thank you in advance for respecting the standards of Temple Christian School.  We appreaciate your help in maintaining a Godly appearance.