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School-Sponsored Dances
Dances are school-sponsored activities and all school rules, particularly those related to smoking, drugs, and/or alcohol, apply
1 Students must check in within 30 minutes of the scheduled beginning of the dance unless prior arrangements have been made with TPCS administration. No one will be admitted after that time.
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2. Some dances require the student to sign up and purchase a ticket prior to the dance. Non-TPCS guests are permitted as long as they obtain the approval from the Dean of Students. Former TPCS students who have been withdrawn from the school may not be permitted to attend dances or any other school-sponsored event.
3. Students are not permitted to gather and remain in the parking lot.
4. Once a student enters a dance, he or she is expected to remain until the advertised end time. If a student has to leave before the end of the dance, an administrator must have verbal confirmation from the parent
5 Dancing with any kind of inappropriate body contact is not permitted Students who are asked to leave the dance due to inappropriate body contact will have their parents informed and face probable disciplinary action
6 If students are found in possession of or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, parents will be called The student will leave with the parents and will be disciplined according to the school’s Handbook If this occurs near the end of the school year, participation in graduation events may be in jeopardy
Visitors
Traders Point Christian Schools are a closed campus. However, visitors are permitted on campus, not in classrooms, with prior Administrative approval, and by registering at the receptionist’s desk. Visitors are expected to conform to Traders Point Christian School dress code and policies All family members are welcome to attend chapel services
All school visitors, including visiting parents/guardians, are required to enter and exit through the main entrance and to sign in at the front office Once properly registered, a visitor is given access to the building The visitor must sign out when leaving the building through the main exit
TPCS Campus Hours
● Campus hours are from 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM Monday through Friday
● All upper school students should be off campus by 4:00 PM ANY students (whether they are waiting for an activity or their ride) who are still present in the building after 3:30 pm will report to the designated room for supervision
● The exception to these rules is when a student is with a staff member or coach
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Weather/In-School Emergencies
In cases where inclement weather may close the schools, parents/guardians should tune into the following television stations, WRTV, WISH-TV, Fox59 & WTHR, for Traders Point Christian Schools’ closings Because of the number of parents/guardians and children traveling to our school each day and our proximity to several different school systems, we do not always follow the closings of local public schools. Parents will receive phone messages via the Parent Alert Notification Service.
● Delays: In the event of a delayed start, school will begin at 10:00 am
● Early Closings: There may be occasions when the school must close early due to weather conditions. Should inclement weather worsen during the school day, parents/guardians should be prepared for an early closing, including Kids Create. Early dismissals will also be announced over the media outlets listed above. Parents will receive phone messages via the Parent Alert Notification Service.
● Lockdown: Lockdown drills are randomly practiced. In the event of an actual lockdown, parents would receive a phone message via the Parent Alert Notification. The notification would include any necessary instructions.
Lunch
All students eat lunch at school on full school days. Since nourishing meals are essential for effective learning, lunches brought to school should be carefully balanced with appropriate foods. TPCS also provides hot lunch for purchase on each school day. Student accounts will be charged through FACTS at the end of each month for any lunch items they buy.
Parents/students may order food to be delivered to the school This privilege should be used for lunch time only The food will be collected on the shelf in the entryway and students can pick their food up from there as they go to lunch Food deliveries should not be ordered for any time other than lunch
Seniors have a senior privilege that allows them to leave campus to go get their lunch This privilege must be predicated by completing the Student Parking Agreement and completing the Senior Privilege Lunch Form
Lunch Guests
Family and Alumni are welcome during lunchtime to visit and eat with TPCS students All guests must observe the same rules as the students and staff, including the dress code They also must abide by rules for visitors and register at the front office A guest may be asked to leave or denied entrance if they do not comply with these guidelines
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Lockers
Lockers are the property of Traders Point Christian Schools and are issued to each student for the convenience of the individual to help him/her to protect his/her personal property and books Students are expected to use ONLY their assigned locker, keep them organized, and must not share them with other students or claim additional lockers for storage The administration reserves the right to check lockers periodically for security purposes If a student wants to bring in a combo lock, they will need to give the combination to the Dean of Students No keyed locks are allowed
Restroom/Locker Room Use
Students will utilize gender-specific restrooms and locker facilities based on their gender identified on their birth certificates. Any violation of this policy is grounds for disciplinary referral.
Health and Safety Health Records
Prior to the first day of school, each of the following items must be completed for each student annually and as needed throughout the year. If proper documents are not submitted prior to the first day of school, the student will not be allowed to attend until the proper documents have been submitted or prior approval has been given due to extenuating circumstances. Numbers 1-3 are required for every student every year. Numbers 4-5 are required for students who take medications or have concerning medical conditions, in addition to numbers 1-3 Please see below for details
1. Medical Conditions and Medications must be updated in Renweb This Acknowledgement Form must be submitted prior to the start of school stating that you have updated necessary medical information and will continue to do so throughout the year as conditions and medications may change Please include all medications and indicate whether the medication will be taken at home or at school This form will be sent via docusign but a link to the form has also been included here for your convenience We ask to know this information in case of emergencies See below for further instructions on how to update this information in Renweb
2. Religious Vaccine Objection Form, Medical Vaccine Exemption Form OR an Updated Vaccine Record from your medical provider or CHIRP (if vaccines are due). Please see paragraphs below for further instructions.
3.Updated Emergency Contact information, Emergency Treatment Acknowledgement and Permission to Treat in Nurse’s Station. Each of these items must be updated in Renweb every year prior to the start of school. This Acknowledgement Form, stating that each of these Training scholars. Making disciples. Graduating leaders. 51 | Page fields has been updated, must be completed and submitted prior to the start of school. This form will be sent via docusign but a link to the form has also been included here for your convenience. See below for further instructions on how to update this information in Renweb.
4 Medications If your student will need to be given medication while at school, the medication must be submitted to the nurse along with either a TPCS MAP and a Permission to Self-Carry Form OR a Permission to Give Medication form and a Permission to Self-Carry Form The Permission to Self-Carry Form is required for students who will need to carry on their person any of the following: an inhaler, epipen or other medication used to treat a chronic illness If the medication is a prescription, a medical provider must sign-off on the MAP and/or Permission Forms for the medication to be given at school If you mark that a back-up inhaler or epi-pen will be supplied, the medication must also be submitted at the same time as the paperwork Please see paragraphs below for further instructions
5 Medical Action Plans (MAPs) are required for students who have the following conditions: anaphylaxis, asthma, cardiac conditions, diabetes, seizures, any other medical condition which the parent would like for us to know about or which causes students to miss more than 2 days/month due to the condition. Both the parental/guardian portion and the medical provider portion must be completed for the form to be accepted. If you mark that a back-up inhaler or epi-pen will be supplied, the medication must also be submitted at the same time as the paperwork. A TPCS MAP form must be completed and submitted each year. Any other paperwork from the medical provider will be considered supplementary but will not be accepted as a substitute for a TPCS MAP. Please complete the appropriate MAP for your student(s):
TPCS Anaphylaxis/Allergy MAP
TPCS Asthma MAP
TPCS Diabetes MAP
TPCS Seizure MAP
TPCS General MAP (for cardiac or any other conditions)
Immunizations
Each child is required by state health codes to be properly immunized against: Chickenpox, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Meningococcal disease, Mumps, Pertussis/Whooping cough, Polio,Tetanus, and Rubella (German measles) The State Board of Health may expand/modify the list of communicable diseases that require documentation of immunity If your student has religious or medical objections, the religious/medical objection form must be submitted prior to the first day of school for the upcoming school year
Vaccines Requirements Throughout the Year
Vaccines are given incrementally, and the requirements change as children age A notification will be given by the nurse at the beginning of the month for which your child is due for their upcoming vaccine You will have 30 days from the due date for your child to obtain the required vaccine. If the vaccine is not obtained within 30 days from the due date, your child will not be able to attend school until the required vaccine is obtained.
For students whose vaccines are due over the summer, you will have until Labor Day for your child to obtain the vaccine (if not already obtained over the summer) and to submit the proper documentation.
Students on Vaccine Make-Up Schedules
Any due vaccines that can be given must be given prior to the first day of school and a written document verifying that the vaccine was given by a certified medical clinic must also be submitted Parents/Guardians will need to continue to obtain required vaccines throughout the year and to submit the proper documentation for the make-up vaccines If necessary efforts are not being made to obtain the required vaccines, the school reserves the right to refuse attendance for the student
Lost Records
If proper documentation has not been provided and/or the vaccine record cannot be located within CHIRP, parents will have until Labor Day to reconcile the situation by either providing the necessary documentation or obtaining the required vaccines If the documentation is not provided within this timeframe, the student will be excused from school until the proper documentation has been provided or an appointment has been made to obtain the required vaccine(s).
Physicals
The health history form AND physical examination form MUST be completed by a physician for any student-athlete and/or those with an acute or chronic ailment . The physical examination form must state that the child’s physical condition permits his/her participation in school activities. All health records/medical forms are available on the TPCS website under parent/forms/medical and other forms as well as in the appendices of this handbook An additional Pre-Participation Sports Consent and Release form must be completed for every student participating in sports
Medical Emergency Information & Injuries at School
An Emergency Contact Form must be on file and kept up-to-date with the school. This form provides emergency phone numbers needed if a medical emergency happens on school grounds. This form must be on file no later than the first day of class and should be updated as soon as changes occur. There must be a primary and a secondary emergency contact on the form. The school office should be notified of any changes to this information in writing or person. For minor injuries or illness, students may be treated at school If further medical attention is required, the office will follow emergency procedures for the student to be taken to the nearest or specified hospital (whichever is indicated on the student’s form), and parents/guardians will be contacted immediately
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Updating Medical and Emergency Contact Information in Renweb
Please follow the instructions below to update medical conditions, medications, and emergency contact information in Renweb:
1) Login to the FACTS Family Portal; District code is TP-IN.
2) Select Web Forms under the School tab on the left
3) Select Family Demographic Form
4) Select the specific student under Student Medical Form and make edits
5) Click Save at the bottom
Illness and Sick Day Guidelines
A child’s physical health is a significant factor in their ability to learn each day. When a child does not feel well, it is difficult for them to concentrate on the tasks at hand. In order to help your child learn effectively each day, we ask that parents/guardians watch carefully for signs of illness and fatigue When a suspected illness at school arises, the child may be sent to the nurse’s office for evaluation Parents/guardians will be contacted when symptoms of illness or communicable disease are present Some of these symptoms include:
● Fever of 100.4° F or higher
● Vomiting or two or more loose stools/diarrhea
● Rashes of any sort not caused by allergies
● Red, irritated eyes with discharge, pink eye
● Signs of communicable disease (strep throat, chickenpox, influenza, pink eye)
Children should remain at home after an illness until all of the following guidelines are met:
● Fever free (99 5 or lower) for 24 hours without having taken any fever-reducing medication
● Free from vomiting and/or diarrhea for 24 hours, without the use of medication
● Antibiotics need to be taken for 24 hours for any contagious bacterial disease, including pink eye
● Diagnosis of skin rash by a physician, and on any prescribed medication for 24 hours, including ringworm
● Lice (pediculosis): If a student is found to have live head lice while at school, the student will be sent home and can return the next day provided he/she has been treated with a special lice shampoo and has been checked by the school nurse. Data does not support the exclusion of students for the presence of nits, although continued monitoring by the school nurse and parents/guardians for signs of re-infestation is appropriate.
The State Board of Health requires that the occurrence of certain communicable diseases be reported to health authorities. We ask that you immediately report your child’s documented cases of strep, chickenpox, influenza, COVID-19 positive cases or other communicable diseases to upperschoolnurse@tpcs.org so that the local and state health departments can be notified as soon as possible The school reserves the right to require a doctor’s clearance for a student to return to school whenever school officials feel it necessary to protect the health of either the student who has been ill or that of the other students in school.
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Chronic Conditions
For students with chronic conditions that may miss 2 or more days per month or 1 day per month for more than 3 months due to the chronic condition, having a MAP in place will allow for the student’s absences related to the chronic illness to be clustered rather than counted as separate absences. A TPCS MAP with a medical provider’s sign-off must be in place to allow for this special consideration. A letter from a medical provider explaining the condition and any special accommodations to be made would also suffice.
Medications
All medications to be given during school hours must follow these guidelines: By State Board of Health mandate, the school nurse or a designated paraprofessional are the only employees allowed to dispense medication to children. If a child is required to take medication during school hours, the medication must be brought to school by an adult and in the original container with the signed permission form from the parent/guardian stating the dose and time medication is to be dispensed. Medication brought in by the child will not be accepted for dispensing at school, as well as any medication that is not in the original package. The parent will be telephoned to return to school and pick-up the medication if it is brought in by a student. The disciplinary policy will be followed if a student is found to have medication, including over-the-counter or prescription medications on campus. Prescription medication must have the pharmacy label on the container TPCS, in concert with the National Association of School Nurses guidelines, will not honor requests by parents/guardians to dispense over-the-counter herbs, minerals, and vitamins, and other homeopathic products No medications (prescription or OTC), vitamins, herbal pills, etc. may be carried by the student at school. The disciplinary policy will be followed if students are found with medications on campus or to have shared medications with another student The one exception is as follows:
As mandated by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana Act 376; 5/701: Students with chronic disease or medical condition may possess and self-administer medication for their illness ONLY when the student’s parent/guardian has filed an authorization with the student’s principal for the student to possess and self-administer the medication. The authorization must include the following information to be completed by a physician and filed annually:
● The student has an acute or chronic disease or medical condition for which the physician has prescribed medications
● The student has been instructed in how to self-administer the medication
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● The nature of the disease or medical condition requires emergency administration of the medication. The authorization and statement described in item 1 must be filed with the student's principal annually.
● In accordance with state regulations, any medication that is possessed by a school for administration during school hours or at school functions may not be sent home with a student Medication will only be released to the parents/guardians or an individual who is at least 18 years of age and designated in writing by the student’s parent to receive the medication
Please note: any medication that has not been picked up by the last day of school will be thrown away
Overnight Trips
If an overnight trip occurs more than 3 months after the start of school, a google form will be sent to parents to ensure that accurate and current medical information is in place for the students attending the trips The form must be completed for every student attending the trip, even if they do not take medication or have any health conditions The google form must be completed by parents/guardians no later than 3 weeks prior to the trip. Parents/guardians are responsible for completing this information within the given timeframe to ensure the health and safety of their child(ren). TPCS will not be held liable or responsible for any negative health outcomes due to medical information being withheld or submitted past the due date.
Medication Requirements for Overnight Trips
For students in grades 7-8, all medications must be turned into the front office or nurse no later than 3 weeks prior to the trip If an additional prescription cannot be obtained within this timeline, it is recommended to split the current prescription between home and school and send the medication (with the allotted doses) to school in the original prescription container We are aware that this is difficult to do for some medications, such as inhaled medications or eye drops, if back-ups are unattainable Please inform us of any exceptional situations prior to 3 weeks before the trip
If your student will need to self-carry any medication, either a MAP or a “permission to give medication” form must be in place, with a medical provider’s sign-off, indicating that the student knows how to use the medication All medications must be in their original container, clearly showing the medication name and dosage as well as the child's name and date of birth. Any medication not following these guidelines will not be accepted and must be picked up by a parent, guardian or other family member over 18 years of age.
For students in grades 9-12, medications will not be required to be turned in unless the medication is a controlled substance, according to DEA and FDA standards. Controlled substances will need to be turned in to the front office or nurse no later than 3 weeks prior to the trip and must follow the protocols listed above If a parent/guardian feels that their student may need prompting to take their medication(s), these medication(s) may also be turned in to the front office/nurse for the trip leader to administer as indicated.
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Pesticides
Throughout the year, TPCS may use various pesticides on campus that are applied by certified and licensed applicators We will always try to schedule these around outdoor school activities If your family would like to have pre-notification of these applications, please contact the Operations Department to be registered for such communication.
Pets and Animals
For the purpose of health, safety, welfare, and hygiene of people within the TPCS community, no pets or animals are allowed into school or at school-related events without the express, written permission of TPCS administration.
Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect
In accordance with state law and school policy, school staff is obligated, under penalty of fine and jail term, to report the reasonable suspicion of physical abuse, sexual abuse or child neglect In this very serious and legally narrow area, the school will not contact parents in advance of making a report to authorities, which would be the procedure followed in most other legal matters The clear intent of the law, based on the seriousness of the crimes listed above, is to mandate that a report of reasonable suspicion of abuse be made School staff will make such reports in the best interest of the affected child and do not, once reasonable suspicion is established, have any legal alternative except to make the report to the proper authorities for their investigation and review
Transportation
For safety, high school drivers should use extreme caution on campus for the safety of all The speed limit is 10 miles per hour in the parking lot Any demonstration of inappropriate speed, recklessness, or noise on or near campus is strictly prohibited; moving violation citations may be issued TPCS is not responsible for and assumes no liability for vehicles and their contents
Grade 9-12 student drivers and riders arriving in cars are to park and come into the building immediately
Since the campus at TPCS is private property, the school reserves the right to search automobiles to ensure the safety and security for all Automobile radios may be played as students drive onto or off of campus at a quiet level that will not disturb campus activities
Student Driving and Parking
All students who wish to drive to school must register their vehicle information, proof of insurance, and their driver’s license information with the school office. Traders Point Christian School reserves the right to revoke any student’s driving privilege with reasonable cause. Driving to school is a privilege that can be suspended if rules for safety are not followed. High school students who drive must park in the designated parking area. Tags MUST be displayed in the drivers’ car for security purposes.
Transporting Students
It is the goal of TPCS to ensure safety while students are being transported to school sponsored events TPCS contracts with outside carriers that are properly licensed for operation in the State of Indiana to transport school students.
In situations where a volunteer driver is used for activities, the volunteer driver must be at least 21 years of age. Drivers will be screened to make sure they meet all insurance, certification, and safety requirements in order to drive on behalf of TPCS.
Student Drop Off and Pick Up
Parents may drop off students as early as 7:30 am at the main entrance on the north side of the building. Students are picked up after school in the same location. Parents are encouraged to pick up their children by the time the building closes at 4 pm. Please use the drive nearest the main entrance. The outer lane that runs parallel to the lane closest to the school is the fire lane. When making short visits (15 minutes or less), there is parking along the drop-off lane for visitors to use.
Technology at TPCS
Technology resources are an essential part of the learning environment at TPCS Access to technology comes with a responsibility to use it in a safe, effective way The use of technology on campus is a privilege, not a right, which everyone must take seriously
All students must read, sign, and return the Digital Citizenship Contract. If a person violates the Digital Citizenship Contract, then privileges may be terminated, access to school technology resources may be denied, and the appropriate disciplinary action shall be applied. The TPCS student Code of Conduct will be applied to student infractions. Violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension/expulsion for students. When applicable, law enforcement agencies will be involved.
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Definition of Technology Resources
This policy covers a wide variety of technology accessible to students and staff. The school actively manages its networks and all devices connected to it, regardless of ownership Internet safety is a major concern for our school and families and is taken seriously
● Personal computing devices, both school-owned and family-owned
● iPads, laptops, cell phones, school computers
● Communication equipment such as telephones and video conferencing
● Audio/visual equipment including projectors, sound equipment, Promethean boards
● Copiers and printers
● Network infrastructure, servers and data storage
● Software including RenWeb, Google Apps and Gmail, and learning tools
Laptops
TPCS upper school is a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) school and each student must have a working laptop computer. Students must have a reliable computer in order to be successful at TPCS. For questions concerning laptop specifications or issues (grades 7-12), please contact Reed Butterfield rbutterfield@tpcs.org.
Some courses require specific computer specs in order to run the software used in the class. Please contact the course teacher or the front office for the list of appropriate computer specs for your students’ course
Limitation of Liability
TPCS makes no guarantee that the functions or the services provided by or through the system will be error-free or without defect TPCS is not responsible for any damage you may suffer, including but not limited to, loss of data or interruptions of service TPCS is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the system TPCS will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through the unauthorized use of the system
Social Media Policy
Social Media as defined by TPCS incorporates a wide variety of communication means. This includes written postings, verbal postings, pictures, videos, conference calls, video conference calls, etc. with the inherent goal of allowing for greater communication across a multitude of technological applications. TPCS respects the right of each student to use social media as intended but as students of TPCS, students will be held accountable for any actions that are inconsistent with the school mission, philosophy, and the handbook Examples of violations that may result in disciplinary consequences may include, but are not limited to: Training scholars. Making disciples. Graduating leaders. 59 | Page
● Posting any malicious content that does not conform to the policies contained within this Handbook.
● Posting/using the name, image, likeness, voice, or video of an employee of TPCS without their previous written consent.
● Posting/using the name, image, likeness, voice, or video of a student of TPCS without their previous consent
● Using any social media platform to make cause for a disruption to the mission of TPCS
● Recording TPCS events and subsequent use for personal profit
● Use technology to record any school interactions without the consent of all individuals involved
● Posting, transmission, sharing of any media that would be deemed illicit in nature by the governing law
● Any other items deemed by the TPCS Administration to not align with the mission, philosophy, and graduate profile for students of TPCS
Cell Phones and Wearable Technology
Nearly all students at TPCS have cell phones We consider them a family-owned student device, and when on campus they are subject to all the same policies and rules as other technology devices Possession of a cell phone on campus is a privilege, not a right, and students are expected to behave responsibly with them at all times
Wearable technology is a growing class of devices that includes earbuds, headphones, and smart watches Many of these devices are designed to connect to a smartphone These devices have become very common in schools, and they can be a distraction from learning They are subject to the same school policies as cell phones
Learning is our focus on campus. Smartphone and wearable technology use are restricted to reduce distraction and maintain student focus and learning.
● Student cell phones are not allowed to be used or visible during class periods, chapel, or assemblies. This includes classrooms, hallways, and bathrooms. These devices should be kept out of sight in lockers or book bags at these times
● Cell phones may not be taken from the classroom when the student has a hall pass
● Cell phones are not approved substitutes for a computer Students are responsible to maintain their computer and have it charged and ready for use in class
● Junior high students are not permitted to use or have visible cell phones during the school day Or to use wearable technology (smart watches can be worn, but not used)
● Cell phone use is permitted during lunch periods and passing periods for high school students, although students are encouraged to minimize use and to focus on their friends and relationships
● Some students may have smartphones in use for medical or other reasons, with prior approval of the principal
● Smart watches are permitted to be worn during the school day, but may not cause a distraction during class, chapel, or assemblies
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● Teachers will collect all technology in the classroom during quizzes, tests, and exams. This includes phones, smart watches, and any other personal electronics in students’ possession.
● Other wearable technology is subject to the same principles and the discretion of the school administration
Teachers and staff have authority to confiscate phones and wearable technology and to take other disciplinary steps as needed
Schedules High
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