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Family Handbook 2015-2016 (Revised June 2015) Veritas Preparatory School – Family Handbook 2014-2015 - 1 -

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Page 1: Microsoft Word - Family Handbook 09-10. Web viewThe key to success for the UMS model is the integration of a ... /Grading Scale. Kindergarten – Grade 5. ... Microsoft Word - Family

Family Handbook 2015-2016(Revised June 2015)

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Table of Contents

Page

Welcome to Veritas Preparatory School……………………………..… 3

Admissions Procedures…………………………………………………. 4

What is a University-Model School®?……………………………..….. 5

What is Classical Education?………………………………………..… 8

What Do We Mean By Comprehensively Christian?…………………. 9

Veritas Family Policies……………………………………………….... 9

Student Health and Safety……………………………………………… 10

Student Safety…………………………………………………………… 11

Arrival and Dismissal…………………………………………………… 12

Academic Policies……………………………………………………….. 14

Homework (“At Home Work”)…………………………………………. 15

Communication………………………………………………………… 17

Parent Responsibilities………………………………………………… 18

Student Behavioral Expectations………………………………………. 19

Day to Day……………………………………………………………….. 20

Discipline Procedures…………………………………………………… 21

Dress Code……………………………………………………………….. 22

Financial Policies and Tuition………………………………………….. 23

Grievance Procedures………………………………………………….... 24

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*Policies in this handbook are subject to change. Parents will be notified of any significant changes in writing.

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Welcome to Veritas Preparatory School (VPS)

Mission Statement:The purpose of Veritas Preparatory School is to glorify God by partnering with parents to provide children a Christian, classical, University-Model School® education in the downtown area of Greenville, SC.

Our Goal:It is our strong and prayerful desire to partner consistently and intentionally with parents to enable students to become educated, thoughtful citizens who purposefully and passionately pursue God. While children are gifted individuals who pursue their own paths, we want every child to be equipped to give his or her life away to the fullest in the service of Jesus Christ and others.

For Students: Learn to Love the Lord with their entire beings Display Christ-honoring character and humility Develop a heart to serve the community out of a love for Christ Develop a love of learning Desire to grow in understanding and wisdom; become philosophers Cultivate personal expression and creativity Develop a Biblical worldview and a heart for those who have yet to hear the gospel Learn to communicate persuasively and eloquently Demonstrate respect and honor for their elders and fellow classmates

For Parents: Assume the responsibilities of the co-teacher for their children in each course of study Live out their role as the most influential spiritual advisor for their children Encourage one another in training children to glorify God Grow in your knowledge and learning in order to model humility and instruct your children

For Educators: Display a love for God, a love for children, and a love for learning. Demonstrate a passion for classical education and excellence in teaching Assist parents in their role as spiritual and academic mentors Cultivate effective communication skills to motivate and inspire students toward learning Demonstrate Christ-honoring character and humility Serve as a positive role model for students, parents, and the community Experience and contribute to a warm, encouraging community that appreciates a teacher’s gifts and

passion

Non-Discriminatory PolicyVeritas Preparatory School does not discriminate based on race, gender, color, national and ethnic origin with regard to all the rights, privileges, programs, activities, educational policies, admissions policies,

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scholarship and loan programs, or other school administered programs.

Statement of Faith: We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: the Father, the Son and the

Holy Spirit. We believe God has given his written revelation in the Bible, which is reliable, authoritative

and inerrant. We believe people are separated from God due to their sinful nature and cannot be brought into

a saving relationship with God except by the gift of God’s grace. We believe that God’s grace is found in Jesus Christ, who is the eternal Son of God made man

for us and for our salvation, fully God and fully man in one person. We believe Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless and perfect life, was crucified

and died on a cross as an atoning substitute for sin, and was buried. He was then resurrected from the dead, thereafter appearing to many people and ascending to the Father.

We believe that through faith alone in Jesus Christ and in his finished work, people are forgiven of their sin and brought into a secure eternal relationship with God.

We believe that Jesus has inaugurated his kingdom in his first coming and will physically return at his second coming to raise the dead, judge the world, and establish his consummated kingdom on earth forever.

Admission ProceduresParent ResponsibilitiesParents must complete an Admissions Packet for each child they wish to enroll at VPS. The Admissions Packet will not be reviewed until parents complete and return the Application Form and Family Commitment Form (located at the end of the Application) and pay required fees. Copies of academic records and immunization records should be submitted as soon as possible. Parents must be committed to providing suitable instruction and supervision of their children’s studies during Home Days. Parents and students must be willing to adhere to the policies and procedures of VPS as outlined in this Family Handbook.

Procedures for Admission1. Attend an Informational Meeting/Open House.2. Complete the Online Application and submit the $100 (per student) non-refundable Application

Fee and copies of required documents.3. The Administration will call you to set up a time to complete admissions testing and a family interview.4. If admitted, you will receive a Letter of Acceptance accompanied with Registration

Packet. Family Handbook, Book and Supply Lists, and Uniform requirements will follow.5. Complete the enrollment packet and select a tuition payment plan. The non-refundable Enrollment Fee of

$400 is due at time of enrollment to reserve your spot in a class.

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Student FilesStudent files are kept in a locked file cabinet in the school office. All information in these files is considered highly confidential. Parents may have access to the contents of their child’s file, but all documents in the files are the property of Veritas. They are only released to another school with written permission from parents. Student files include:

• Application Forms• Attendance Record• Copy of records from previous schools• Emergency Contact Information• Medical Records (if necessary)• Progress Reports• Report Cards• Copy of disciplinary forms and behavioral contracts (if applicable)• Copy of both parents’ driver’s licenses and family insurance card

Grade PlacementApplicants for Kindergarten should have their fifth birthdays before September 1 of the year for which they are applying. Exceptions to this guideline will be made on a case-by-case basis and with the consent of the parents, the Headmaster and the School Board. Because of the rigorous nature of the school, especially in later grades, parents of students whose birthdays fall between May 15 and September 1 are strongly encouraged to err on the side of having their children be older rather than younger for their grades in order to allow for more developmental maturity. Corresponding age and academic ability guidelines will be used to determine grade placement for students entering VPS in other grades.

Applicants for kindergarten will be assessed for classroom readiness based on academic testing, family interview, references by previous teachers or caregivers, and parental consultation. Social maturity will be assessed in addition to academic ability. For students in grades 1 and above, placement will be assessed based on Veritas admissions testing, standardized test scores (if available), previous schoolwork, references by previous teachers or caregivers, and family interview. VPS reserves the right to recommend students for the grade levels at which it deems them most likely to succeed and to refuse admission or re-enrollment for reasons it deems sufficient.

Mid-Year EnrollmentGiven the demanding and sequential nature of VPS’s curriculum, students applying for admission during a semester in progress are handled on an individual basis. Qualified candidates may enter after the start of the school year only with the Headmaster’s approval. Late applicants must pay the application fee and complete the admission process in a timely manner.

What is a University-Model School®?Used by permission of NAUMS,Inc. the National Association of University Model Schools® -www.naums.net

Sons and daughters need to be taught how to live for a purpose larger than themselves (faith in and love for God), how to distinguish right from wrong (truth and morality), how to incorporate positive values into their lives (knowledge and discipline), and how to stand courageously against the negative values that bring harm

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to themselves and others (brotherly love and community). To do so requires the strategic use of time, that commodity which ever escapes until parents intentionally capture and employ it.

Dr. John.W. Turner, Jr., author of Character Driven College Preparation

Philosophy of Education

University-Model Schooling (UMS) was developed as a result of two guiding concerns: to offer students the opportunity to acquire a high degree of academic achievement and to preserve and strengthen the God-ordained family relationships in which the Christian faith is most effectively fostered. The structure in which these two concerns are brought together, University-Model Schooling, provides an academically challenging education while integrating the home and school in the common goal of discipling children.A diagram of the UMS model, in contrast to traditional schools and homeschooling, is as follows:

Represented along the left side of this diagram are the different number of weekly hours students would encounter in a classroom setting guided by a professional teacher. Represented along the bottom, from left to right, are the ages of students up to 18, the typical age for high school graduation. The academic benefit of gradually preparing students for direct entrance into college vs. an approach that requires significant adjustments is evident.

More importantly, however, is the UMS goal of helping to preserve and strengthen the God-ordained family relationships in which the Christian faith is most effectively fostered. According to information gathered by well-known pollster George Barna, the most critical period when 94% of all boys and girls come to a saving faith in Christ is before the age of 18; 90% before the age of 14! Only 6% will make that soul-saving decision between the age of 18 and their death. Since parents are the most influential factor in this decision, it is vital that models of education exist that recognize the significance of keeping parents involved with their children during the early, critical years of a child’s education. Represented by the shaded portion of this diagram is an indication of the additional amount of time the UMS model, in contrast to the traditional model, strives to preserve for the influence of parents. Unfortunately, if there is a breakdown in the preservation of parental influence during a child’s educational years, then it will likely be measured in lost souls.

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The key to success for the UMS model is the integration of a biblically based, parentally guided, Christian faith and a sound, teacher-facilitated, academic environment. The Bible gives parents authority and responsibility for raising their children with the goal of becoming disciples of Jesus Christ. In matters of education, that parental authority and responsibility, although not surrendered, may be shared with an educational institution when the parents consider it desirable or necessary. In such cases, a University Model School® will assist, and not supplant, parents in their work of training and educating their children. Parents will retain the oversight of their children’s educational progress and will determine the manner and extent to which they will be involved in the academic institution. Parents will help place each child in the proper stage of academic progress. Parents will also be involved in the out-of-class instructional responsibilities of their children’s courses based upon each child’s age and stage of academic development. In addition, parents will continue to build into their children those character qualities that reflect their own understanding of the Christian faith. The University-Model School, on the other hand, will operate under the umbrella of parental authority by offering a challenging academic track in the context of Christian values. The school will unapologetically speak and teach in a manner consistent with the school’s statement of faith, emphasizing the necessity of a personal relationship with Christ and growth in Christ-like character. The school will also help parents properly place each of their children in an appropriate stage of academic development. In addition, the school will develop and implement academically challenging, college-preparatory courses that integrate an appropriate level of parental involvement into each student’s out-of-class study. The school will encourage and expect the student to learn the material assigned and will provide regular feedback to both the student and parents concerning the student’s progress in each class enrolled. Finally, the school will integrate the Christian faith and a biblical worldview into the context of the various subject areas offered, to the end that Christian character-building will receive support and enhancement outside the home.

University-Model Schooling is designed for those families in which parents take an active role in the oversight and implementation of their children’s education. As the level of parental involvement progresses from being a private tutor in the elementary years to a guide for dependent study in Junior High to more of a course monitor in the Senior High courses, parents are expected to continue exercising loving and active responsibility for their children all the way through graduation. In partnership with these committed parents, the school is then able to integrate the home and school effectively toward the common goal of Christian character development and solid academic preparation for college.

Philosophy as Related to Time

University-Model Schooling (UMS) was developed to fulfill two basic purposes: to offer students the opportunity to acquire a high degree of academic achievement and to preserve and strengthen the God- ordained family relationships in which the Christian faith is most effectively fostered. The structure in which these two concerns are brought together, University-Model Schooling, provides an academically challenging education while integrating the home and school in the common goal of discipling children.

For parents to have time to be involved in the out-of-class instructional responsibilities of their children’s courses and time to build into their children those character qualities of the parents’ understanding of the Christian faith, the school must adopt a structural model that provides this essential time. Because the focus of the UMS is on preparing students to become independent, spiritually and academically, the school must provide a gradual transition from the home to the school. For example, the younger the child, the more time needed at home. Based on the five-day week, kindergarten children should spend the least amount of hours in school, if any; first and second graders may be in school a few more hours, and third through sixth graders may be in a UMS central classroom ten to twelve hours per week. In the original test UM school, kindergarten children are home schooled, first and second graders take elective courses two half-days per week (six to eight hours), and third through sixth graders attend classes two full days per week (ten to twelve hours), taking academic and elective courses.

Another goal of this gradual transition is to provide a college-simulated environment for upper level

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students. In order to accomplish this, seventh through tenth grade students increase their time in a UMS central classroom by spending the equivalent of three full days at school and two days at home. Juniors and seniors have a college-simulated schedule---some Monday-Wednesday-Friday classes (60 minutes) and some Tuesday-Thursday classes (90 minutes).

It should be noted, however, that in the early stages of school implementation when schools have low student enrollments, University-Model Schools usually operate only three days per week, with elementary students attending two of these days. The aforementioned description, as it relates to hours/days, is applicable to full-time UMS students. In some states, parents may also have the option of enrolling their students on a part-time, course-by-course basis.

University-Model Schooling is designed for those families in which parents take an active role in the oversight and implementation of their children’s education. As the level of parental involvement progresses from being a private tutor in the elementary years to a guide for dependent study in junior high or middle school to more of a course monitor in senior high, parents are expected to continue exercising loving and active responsibility for their children all the way through graduation. In partnership with these committed parents, the school is then able to integrate the home and school effectively toward the common goal of Christian character development and solid academic preparation for college.

What is Classical Education?By Andrew Kern, President of the Circe Institute, www.circeinstitute.org; Revised by Jon McCord, Headmaster

First, classical educators have a high view of humanity.  To the Greeks, mankind possessed a divine spark. To the Christian and Jew, he is the Divine Image. 

One way or another, classical schools and educators are committed to cultivating wisdom and virtue in their students. While classical education honors and even equips for vocational education (which is more accurately described as training) that is not what classical education is.

Second, classical educators are logocentric. In a word, that means they believe that the world makes sense and that the sense it makes is knowable. They base their approach to education on discovering that sense. 

Another way to say this is that classical educators believe in and pursue a logos, or a unifying principle, for all knowledge and action.

In essence, then, classical education is the logo-centric quest for the ideals of wisdom and virtue.

By contrast, the conventional educator either denies or doesn't respond to the idea that world makes sense. They shirk the burden of developing a curriculum, system, pedagogy, or mode of assessment that help make the sense knowable. They become obsessed with the practical and useful instead. 

Classical education is the only practical approach because it is not pragmatic. 

Third, classical educators take responsibility for the western tradition: to receive it, to assess it, to preserve it, and to hand it on to the next generation. 

Fourth, classical educators teach in light of the three foregoing elements, leading to an emphasis on language (the trivium), mathematics (the quadrivium), and modes of teaching, governance, and asssessment that support the rich goals of a classical education.

Other common features of classical education include:

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• the use of classical books and art,• a general preference for great art, music, and literature,• an integrated curriculum,• and idea-focused teaching.

Latin (and Greek) in a Classical Education

Our goal is to provide classical Latin instruction beginning in the third grade. We believe there are at least five reasons for classical language study in our school.

1. Latin develops and deepens the student’s understanding of and appreciation for beautiful literature and expression, Latin and English. We learn in order to read the beautiful works of our forebears. The student’s appreciation for English literature also grows because great English literature is filled with classical allusions.

2. Latin trains the student in the essentials of analytical and critical thinking. Students of Latin are equipped in the mental disciplines of memorization, logical analysis, and synthesis. Latin trains minds to encounter unfamiliar material in science and other disciplines.

3. Latin reveals a great deal about English and greatly enhances the student’s powers of expression in his native language. About 80% of English vocabulary comes from Latin and Greek. English vocabulary tests reveal that students of Latin score higher than those without Latin foundations.

4. Latin provides an understanding of the classical impact on our modern culture. This is evident in wedding rings, dollar signs, political structure, architecture, the names of constellations and planets, and of course, et cetera.

5. Latin provides a wonderful foundation for the study of other languages. Latin is not a “dead language”, but rather a language that lives on in almost all major Western languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian. Students gain an understanding of how inflected languages work. This will prepare them to study other languages such as German, Russian, and Greek.

What Do We Mean By Comprehensively Christian?

At VPS, we seek to take a comprehensively Christian approach to the education of our children. By ‘Christian’, we do not mean the simple addition of Bible classes to an otherwise ‘standard curriculum’. Rather, we mean the whole curriculum (Bible curriculum included), is shaped by an authentically Christian worldview, which teaches us to Love God and neighbor in all circumstances. In the home and in the church, children are taught that Christ is Lord over all of life. But if Christ is not central to the child’s actual study of the diverse aspects of life, then the child is subconsciously learning that life can be understood without reference to Christ. Our goal is that the curriculum as well as the culture of the school exhibit and reinforce what is meant when we say in the church and home that “Christ is Lord over all of life.”

Veritas Family Policies

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Attendance RequirementsInstruction time is valuable at a University-Model School. Students enrolled at VPS are expected to be present and on time every day school is in session. A school calendar is distributed to all parents and may be viewed on the school website. School days for K-5th students are Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Students in 6th and up meet on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8:30am to 3:00. Due to the limited number of in-class days, it is vital that students attend each day and period. Personal appointments and activities should be scheduled on days when class is not in session.

Students are required to attend 80% of the classes offered during a semester to receive credit for a course. If students miss more than 20% of the course days in a prerequisite course, they may not register for the following year. If students miss more than 20% of the total number of days during a school year, they cannot be promoted to the next grade. Removal of the incomplete can be done by make-up course work prescribed by the school.

Unplanned and Planned AbsencesIn the case of an unplanned absence, parents should contact the school office as soon as possible on the day the student misses. In the case of a planned absence, parents should notify teachers as much in advance as possible. Parents are responsible for obtaining any missed assignments from teachers and bear the burden of responsibility in ensuring their child(ren) get caught up on concepts and work missed. Parents should realize teachers may not be able to prepare assignments and tests earlier than usual in order to accommodate them.

TardinessInstruction begins promptly at the beginning of each class period. Students who are tardy miss important instruction. Being tardy is also disruptive to the entire class, since it takes attention away from instruction. Although occasional delays are unavoidable, it is important for students to make every effort to be at school on time.

EmergenciesParents will be contacted immediately if their child is injured or has an accident at school. In an emergency situation, 911 will be called if deemed necessary. Please be sure that your contact information is current at all times.

Student Health

The safety of Veritas students is always of utmost importance. Students are under the supervision of teachers or staff members at all times during school hours. If a student becomes ill during class, he/she is sent to the Reception Desk so that a parent or other designated person listed on the Emergency Card may be called.

Communicable Childhood Diseases/Fever: Upon having the following diseases, a child should have written consent from either a physician or the Health Department to be readmitted to school. Communicable childhood diseases include the following: chicken pox, measles, mumps, pneumonia, whooping cough, pinworms, scabies, ringworm, impetigo, head lice, fifth disease, and others. In the case

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of fever, children are not to return to school until they are free of fever for at least 24 hours.

Medication: No medication (including OTC products like aspirin, Tylenol or Advil) may be given to a student without permission and exact instructions from a parent. Medication should only be administered by school office personnel. Students are not to take medication on their own, unless other arrangements have been made with the Headmaster, as in the case of an asthma inhaler.

Medical Emergency Procedures: Each school year, all parents are asked to fill out a Health/Emergency Information Form. It is the responsibility of the parents to keep the card updated throughout the school year. In case of serious illness or injury, the school will use the information on the Health/Emergency Information Form to make decisions regarding the care of the student.

Immunizations: A current copy of each student’s immunizations records or waiver should be given to the office each year. Students must be vaccinated as required by the State of South Carolina or obtain the proper exemptions.

Please keep your children home if they have any of the following symptoms the night before a school day or in the morning before school starts:

• Fever of 100 or greater.• Suspected contagious illness (such as flu, unidentified rash, strep throat)• Contagious condition (such as head lice, pinkeye or impetigo)• Vomiting or diarrhea• Severe stomach ache or stomach cramps• Severe headache, sinus infection or ear ache• Runny nose with yellow or green drainage• Persistent cough

MedicationIf a student requires medication during school hours, parents must bring the medication to school and hand it to an administrator. A Medication Authorization Form must also be completed before medication can be left at school. All medication must be in the original container. Prescription medication must have the student’s name, dosage and directions for administration on the label. Over-the-counter medications must be within the expiration date and contain the correct dosage for the student. Parents must come to the Reception Desk to pick up the medication at the end of the day, unless the student has permission to carry the medication with him/her at all times as in the case of an asthma inhaler. Medication left at school more than one week will be discarded. Students are not allowed to carry medications to and from school or to have medications (including vitamins and cough drops) in their possession at school. Students with chronic medical conditions that require them to have medication in their possession must have a release form on file.

Student SafetyThe guiding principle in all our work with children is to carry out the vision of Veritas Preparatory School to the best of our ability.  As a covenant community of faith, we take joy in participating with teachers, administration, parents, and students in this awesome privilege of raising up the next generation.

Because we place such a high priority on raising and educating our children, we seek to do all within our power to provide a loving, nurturing and safe environment for our students. We have appropriate procedures

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and child protection policies for our facility that demonstrate our commitment to maintaining a safe environment for our students as well as VPS staff, teachers, parents and volunteers. Below is a summary of procedures to be followed that enable our staff, teachers, parents, and volunteers to thrive in their calling.

3rd Floor Security. The VPS facility is located on the 3rd floor of Augusta Road Baptist Church.  For the protection of our children, the 3rd floor is self-enclosed, with locked doors.  Any person who is within the doors of the 3rd floor during school hours must be accompanied by a Veritas employee or Board member. When off the 3rd floor (including, but not exclusive to the playground, bathrooms, gym, carpool line), children must be attended by a VPS adult (teacher/assistant/volunteer who has passed a background check).

Open Door Policy. All rooms used by adults and minors together should be accessible (unlocked doors) and have open visibility (a window in the door or the door left open).

Bathroom Visits. Children are encouraged to use the bathroom when they need to! There will always be an assistant or parent volunteer monitoring the halls and bathrooms. A VPS adult (teacher/assistant/parent volunteer who has passed a background check) must accompany students to the downstairs bathrooms and remain outside the door.  Teachers and workers should take particular care during necessary bathroom visits, and have proper/appropriate coverage for their students.  

One-on-One Supervision. One-on-One supervision of a minor is acceptable ONLY in the event it occurs in a public area that is not considered to be a high isolation setting OR if parental permission is received in advance. A “high isolation” setting is one that is without visibility from outsiders (i.e., a closed door without windows), or a location away from other school activities.

Observation. Parents or legal guardians are welcome to observe any activity involving their children at any time. Please give the teacher and Headmaster notice that you will be observing so that seating can be arranged.

Discipline. Teachers, staff, or volunteers should not search children or use physical force at any time except in self-defense or when deemed necessary to prevent possible injury. Teachers, staff, and volunteers should work in teams (and in conjunction with parents, when at all possible) in all significant disciplinary matters.

Child Pick-up. The parent or guardian is responsible for ensuring that their child is dropped off and picked up from the VPS facility at the appropriate time. Pick up of a student should only be by the parent or guardian unless clear notification is provided for other arrangements. If there is any question surrounding a student’s pick up from school, staff may require additional identification and/or procedures.

Moving Between Rooms. Teachers, staff, and volunteers should ensure that movement between rooms (i.e., the classroom to the gymnasium) is orderly and that all students are accounted for and attended while moving about on campus.

Suspicious Activity and Incident Reporting. All teachers, staff, volunteers, parents, and other adults participating in programs sponsored by VPS are encouraged to be sensitive to the potential for abuse of children and youth. We should all be encouraged not to hesitate to caution others that activities they observe are, or may appear to be, questionable. Questionable behavior – even if the observed act may not itself constitute abuse – should be reported to Jon McCord or Ben Wallace.

Background Screening. VPS reserves the right to require formal applications and background checks on all teachers, staff, volunteers, and parents that work with students or will be present in the facility.

Arrival and Dismissal

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ArrivalClasses begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. Carline for drop off begins at 8:15 a.m. If you arrive before carline begins, please wait with your child in the car until staff members are on duty to open the car doors and escort your child into the building. Students should not be sent into the building unescorted.

DismissalFirst pick up for families with students only in grades K-2nd will happen from 2:45-2:55 p.m.. Then, families with students in grades 3rd-6th will be picked up from 3:00-3:10 p.m., “second pick up”. Younger siblings will get extra time to practice recitation while waiting for the second pick up at 3:00 p.m. (That is, if a family has a kindergarten student and a 2nd grade student, they will come for the 2:45 p.m. first pick up. But if a family has a 2nd grader and a 5th grader, they are to come for second pick up at 3:00 p.m.) If a parent will be late, he or she should call the school phone number to tell the expected arrival time or make other arrangements. If another authorized person (other than the mother, father or legal guardian) is picking up a student, the authorized person must be listed on the student’s release form and show ID. Specific drop off and pick up procedures will be communicated at Parent Orientation in the fall and taught over the first weeks of school.

Late FeeFor parents who have not picked up their students by 3:00 p.m. (or 3:15 p.m. for second pick up), a late fee will be charged to their RENWEB account (described later in this handbook). Fees will be $5 for the first 10 min and $1 per minute thereafter.

For the safety of all students, parents are asked to pick up their children in the carline at the end of the day. Staff members supervise students until parents arrive and then safely escort them to their cars. We strongly discourage parents from walking with their children between cars in the car line. All students MUST wait inside the building until their ride arrives.

Carpool Policy

Morning Drop Off ProceduresIf there is inclement weather in the morning, please check the school website for delays and cancellations. Please make sure your children are dressed appropriately. We will also send out an email in case of any delay or cancellation.

In the morning, please line up on Jones Avenue, with Augusta Road Baptist Church (ARBC) on your right. Please use your turn signal or hazard lights in order to notify other drivers on Jones Avenue that you are stopping. Drivers may begin to line up no earlier than 8:15 am. A teacher will meet the children at your vehicle.  Children must exit out of the right side of the vehicle, the side of the church.  This is VERY important, as cars will be passing our carpool line on the left side.  Staff shall monitor this area during the designated carpool hours. Parents may not let students out of the vehicle until a staff member indicates that carpool is ready to begin.  After drop off, please go straight towards Augusta Road and make a right turn onto Augusta Road to avoid backup of vehicles.  If you arrive after 8:25 am and the carpool attendants have gone inside for the morning, you must park your vehicle in the Augusta Road Baptist Church parking lot (not in the carpool lane) and escort your child to the gym.  Please park in the lower portion of the ARBC lot nearest the “picnic area.”   

Please keep in mind that Augusta Road Baptist Church operates a preschool on the first floor of their building.  The parents of these preschoolers park in this same parking lot and walk their children into the glass doors under the overhang.  Please watch out for these little ones and their caregivers- for their safety as well as not blocking them in from coming or going.  As you line up on Jones Avenue, please do not block

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either entrance into the church parking lot. We desire to be a blessing to this church and not interfere with the preschool in any way. Also, please take care not to block a private homeowner's driveway.

Afternoon Pick-Up ProceduresAfternoon pick-up will be at the side door on Jones Avenue.  Pick up for families with students only in grades K-3rd will happen from 2:45-2:55 p.m., first pick up. Then, families with students in grades 4th-6th will be picked up from 3:00-3:10 p.m., “second pick up”. Younger siblings will get extra time to practice recitation while waiting for the second pick up at 3:00 p.m. (That is, if a family has a kindergarten student and a 2nd grade student, they will come for the 2:45 p.m. pickup. But if a family has a 2nd grader and a 5th grader, they are to come for second pick up at 3:00 p.m.)

Drivers may begin to line up no earlier than 2:35.  Please line up in single file along Jones and do not block the entrances to the parking lot behind the church. Please use your turn signal or hazard lights in order to notify other drivers on Jones Avenue that you are stopping. The preschool families will need to be able to enter and exit the ARBC parking lot.  The carpool attendant will come to your window and ask for your child’s name and radio that back to the teacher inside.  The child(ren) will then enter into the vehicle on the right side.

If for whatever reason, someone other than yourself is picking up your child, please call or email the school office and their individual teacher with the name of that individual.  If someone other than yourself will regularly be picking up your child, please indicate their name and number on the form provided.  The safety of your children is of utmost importance.

Due to the increased size of the Veritas community, please make sure to pull all the way up, quickly buckle your children, and keep the line moving. We do not want to be a bother for our neighbors on Jones Avenue.

Visitor’s PolicyBy its very nature, Veritas must encourage a high level of parental participation in education. However, in order to enhance both student safety and operation efficiency, Veritas has adopted the following guidelines governing the presence of visitors on the campus during regular school operation hours (8:30-2:45 on school days). For the purposes of this policy, “visitors” are defined as all individuals other than staff, volunteers, or students (on their respective class days) present in any part of the building other than the front foyer or office complex, or in the grounds other than the normal student loading area.

1. The doors of the building will be locked from the outside throughout the school day. All visitors will need to contact the parent volunteer and wait for them to open the door.

2. All visitors must check in with the office staff upon arriving at the campus. At a minimum, visitors must identify themselves, explain their intended business, and indicate how long they expect to be on campus.

3. All visitors must be willing to comply with all rules and regulations governing student and/or staff conduct, including the appropriate dress regulations (variances for legitimate and honorable reasons may be granted).

Anyone failing to abide by these provisions may be denied access to any and all restricted areas or be required to leave the campus. Persons having no legitimate connection with the school or reason for being present on the school campus will not be allowed to enter the building and will be expected to leave the campus immediately.

Inclement WeatherIn the event of inclement weather that closes GREENVILLE COUNTY schools, Veritas may also close.In the event of severe weather during the school day, teachers will be instructed to move their students to a secure location within the facility. After the first canceled day, school days may be added to the spring semester if additional days are missed.

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Abbreviated DayIn the event that inclement weather causes a two-hour delay for GREENVILLE COUNTY schools, Veritas may also have a two-hour delay. School will commence at 10:30am and dismiss at the regular time.

On occasion, the Board or Headmaster may decide not to follow a delay/closing decision made by Greenville County. Parents will be notified of this decision in advance by email or another form of communication.

Academic PoliciesAcademic DishonestyAcademic Dishonesty is a serious offense, which is not tolerated at Veritas. It is considered a breach of personal integrity. Parents will be contacted immediately if their child is involved in any of the following situations:

• Lying or giving false information about an assignment• Copying another student’s work without permission• Using answer keys or teacher editions to finish assignments without permission• Obtaining copies of quizzes or tests without permission to “practice” the test• Plagiarizing an assignment (not crediting the source(s))• Altering a graded paper or assignment to change the grade• Talking to another student during a test or quiz without permission• Giving or receiving information during a quiz or test (copying)• Signing any other name other than his/her own with the intent to mislead parents or teachers

PLEASE NOTE:Refer to the section on Discipline for more information. Disciplinary action depends on the age of the student and the severity of the incident.

GradesGrades are a permanent record of student mastery of course material. Daily grades (assessments, participation, and homework) are recorded on RenWeb weekly (see a description of RenWeb under the Communication section of this handbook). Test and project grades are recorded as soon as all tests or projects have been graded.

A successful school experience requires a cooperative effort between students, parents and teachers, with each party playing a crucial role. Students are responsible for completing all assignments by the due date, consistently putting forth their best effort, bringing all required materials to class, participating in discussions and daily activities, taking personal responsibility for making up work missed during an absence, and for turning this work in to the teacher.

Parents are responsible for monitoring their child’s homework, for helping their child locate resources and for providing the necessary support to complete assignments (going to the library, buying a poster board, finding a plant, etc.). Parents must provide adequate and uninterrupted study time and the necessary materials for their child to complete assignments.

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Teachers monitor student progress in achieving the objectives outlined for each course. Although some allowances may made for individual differences with the administration beforehand, students are expected to complete all course requirements. Teachers are responsible for identifying objectives and clearly communicating expectations, giving relevant assignments, grading assessments promptly and returning papers and tests to students in a timely manner.

Grade Point Average (GPA)/Grading Scale

Kindergarten – Grade 5

Kindergarten through fifth grade will use the following grading scale. Letter grades are recorded on semester Report Cards for grades K-2nd, and number grades are communicated for 3rd and up.

Letter Grade Description

• E Excellent (Exceptional and above level; 90-100% when applicable)• S Satisfactory (On level; 75-89% when applicable)• U Unsatisfactory (Below level; 60-74% when applicable)• NR (Not Ready; below 60% when applicable)

Other grades that may be recorded on student transcripts are I, W, WP and WF.An ‘I’ (incomplete) is given if a student is unable to complete course requirements due to circumstances beyond his/her control. The student is granted special permission to complete course requirements within a time period agreed upon by the faculty and administration.

A ‘W’ (withdraw) is recorded if a student withdraws from school during the first two weeks of a semester.

After the first two weeks of class, a grade of ‘WP’ (withdraw passing) or ‘WF’ (withdraw failing) is recorded on the student’s transcript, depending on the student’s final average at the time of withdrawal.

Homework (“At Home Work”)Home Work PolicyVeritas sets high but achievable academic standards for its students. Success in a University-Model School requires a significant and consistent effort by both students and their parents to complete assignments outside of class. For that reason “At Home Work” is an integral part of academic success at Veritas. “At Home Work” is not busy work. Meaningful assignments provide class preparation, extra practice, and enrichment on a schedule that accommodates the demands of each family. Well-planned assignments have three purposes:

• to preview and develop a basic understanding of material before it is presented in class (science and history memory work, Bible and literature pre-reading)

• to practice new concepts, skills or vocabulary (math, spelling, grammar, Latin)• to practice for more significant achievements and skills (preparing and editing

paragraphs and papers, working on individual or group projects, studying for tests)

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Late WorkIn the event of an excused absence (absence due to illness or when prior arrangements have been made), students may turn in class work and/or “At Home Work” missed at the beginning of the next regularly scheduled class without penalty. The school must must have been notified of the reason for the absence before making up a quiz or test or turning in a project or research paper late. In the event of unexcused absences, the teacher and administration will determine the policy for accepting missed assignments. If there is any question about a specific assignment of assessment, please confer with your teacher about the absence, before if planned, or as soon as possible if unplanned.

Make-up WorkTeachers may, at their discretion, require a note from parents explaining the reason for a student's absence. Only those absences due to circumstances beyond the immediate control of the student or his or her parents will normally be considered excused. Whenever possible, arrangements for making up work should be made with the teacher prior to the absence.

“Satellite” Work Load“Satellite” work load is lighter on Wednesdays, when only one home day occurs between the assignment and due date, than on Thursdays, when students are able to complete assignments over the weekend. However, because there is only one work day, Wednesdays often feel heavier, as the work cannot be spread out over the weekend.

The following hours are guidelines for the total amount of work that should be done on average on a Wednesday. This does not include projects or other work that was assigned well in advance, if it is due Thursday. These guidelines apply to what the average student should be able to accomplish in the given time frame. If you are consistently having to work well over the amount given here, please contact your teacher.

2-4 hours of work per day for students in grades K-24-6 hours of work per day for students in grades 3-6

GradesPlease know that you are able to log in to RenWeb at any time to see the current grades of your student(s). Grades are updated constantly, so please check and confirm that assignments are done and noted on RenWeb. Parents are also able to see the current average for each subject whenever they would like.

Report CardsReport Cards are e-mailed to parents from RenWeb at the end of each semester. Copies of all Report Cards are placed in students’ Cumulative Folders at the end of each grading period.

PromotionStudents are promoted from one grade level to the next when they successfully complete all of the academic requirements for their current grade.

Academic IncompletesStudents may be awarded a grade of "I" (incomplete) when circumstances beyond their control render them incapable of fulfilling all of the requirements for completing a given course by the end

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of the semester in which it is offered. All “academic incompletes” must be approved by both the course instructor and the Headmaster, and must be filed with the administration according to current guidelines and procedures governing such situations.

All course requirements must be fulfilled by the date determined by the course instructor and the administration. Any required work not completed by that date will be awarded a grade of "0." The student's final grade will be calculated after the date given for completion of the course using whatever grading system was employed for all other students in the course (unless other arrangements have been previously made) and including all grades earned up to that time. Course instructors must provide the administration with a description of the grading system to be used as well as any and all evaluation materials (e.g., tests and keys) necessary for completing the course.

Special NeedsVeritas is not currently equipped to modify its instructional or evaluation practices or procedures in response to a student's learning disabilities or other special challenges, such as ADD. All students will receive (or not receive) credit based upon what they have (or have not) done relative to a common standard, rather than upon individualized standards developed in response to special needs. For any questions on this topic, please contact the Headmaster.

CommunicationParent and TeacherFrequent and open communication with parents is essential to the successful operation of a University-Model School. There are several tools at Veritas to keep you informed about your child’s progress.

RenWeb - www.renweb.comRenWeb is an online school administration and communication tool used by over 2,000 schools across the United States. This online portal will serve as a vehicle for exchanging information between teachers/administration and parents. Parents are able to download lesson plans, get report cards, calendar events, and contact others and keep up-to-date on matters pertaining to school.

AssignmentsAll home and class assignments for the forthcoming week are posted on RenWeb by noon on Saturday of the week before they will be used. Assignments include objectives, specific homework assignments, activities students should complete at home, lists of special materials the students should bring to the next class and reminders about quizzes, tests, projects or research papers.

Transport BinderEach student has a three ring binder that goes back and forth between home and school. Check this folder da il y for notes from teachers.

Parent ConferencesDates will be designated for two-way conferences between teachers and parents after the 1st and 3rd quarters of each year. At this time, a portfolio of student work may be presented to the parents to show their child’s progress throughout the year. Please feel free to arrange a conference with your child’s teacher or the Headmaster any time there is a need, or if you have a concern.

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SyllabusThe course overview/syllabus is distributed to students and parents at Orientation. This document includes a general course description, a projected outline of concepts and activities to be covered during the semester and an overview of major tests or projects. This information may also be laid out in the scope and sequence of the selected curriculum. The teacher’s homework expectations, grading policies and make-up work guidelines are explained in this document.

WebsiteParents and Teachers can access RenWeb from the school website: www . veritasgreenville . co m . Teachers will enter assignments and grades into RenWeb each week. Please notify the teacher if you have difficulty accessing this information.

Special EventsSpecial Events are posted on the School Calendar online. Please refer to the website periodically for an updated schedule.

Parent ResponsibilitiesParental InvolvementVPS considers the family to be of first importance to a child. The Bible indicates the family is a central human institution that God designed, which He compares to the relationship believers have with Christ and the Father. Due to the nature of our parent-partnering model, Veritas requires a level of parental involvement that goes beyond most traditional schools. Your child’s teacher(s) will communicate class-specific expectations at the beginning-of-the-year Parent Orientation.

All parents should regularly check the Transportation Binder and their email for important school announcements. Parents are encouraged to communicate with teachers on a regular basis and should plan to attend Parent-Teacher Conferences after the 1st and 3rd quarters. If a parent has delegated part of the responsibility for supervising at home work to someone else, the parent needs to ensure that all relevant information is passed on to the appropriate person. It is helpful if teachers are informed of such situations and given all relevant contact information as well.Below are just a few of the ways parents may be involved. Teachers may express other needs at ParentOrientation in the fall.

• Serve as a Parent Volunteer on school days• Closely monitor student work on home days: teachers rely heavily on parental involvement

to partner with them by closely supervising the home component of our program (checking math, ensuring material is well-studied, editing compositions)

• Organize class field trips, study groups and/or library visits for the off-campus days• Serve as a story-reader, song-leader, guest artist, or guest speaker• Volunteer special talents and help in class and at other times• Be a room mother/father or help with special class activities• Monitor classes during lunch and recess breaks• Help with office tasks

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ComputersFor the UMS School to work effectively, all parents should have available at home, an up-to-date computer with adequate word-processing software and internet access. Parents should plan to check for email communications from teachers or the school at least every home day during the week. Teachers and staff will assume that email is a reliable form of communication to all parents unless told otherwise.

Parent VolunteersParents are always welcome at school! Parents are encouraged to take an active role in their child’s education through being present as a volunteer at least once per semester. Parent Volunteers assist in the classroom, help with morning and afternoon carline, and assist with administrative duties.

Morning Exercise with DadsEach morning at Veritas from 8:35-8:50 (for K-2nd) and from 9:05-9:20 (for 3rd-6th) a Dad leads the children in a light exercise routine or game in order to get the children active and ready for the day. For Dads, this is a great way to see the school in action. This is also a terrific way for children to see Dads take an active role in the school.

Student Behavioral ExpectationsClassroom ConductAt Veritas, we want to provide the best learning environment possible. Based on the biblical concept of building our lives on rock and not on sand, these standards of behavior are called the Five Rocks.

R — Respect authority

Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with promise that all may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. Ephesians 6:1-3Address adults at school as “Mr.,” “Miss,” and “Mrs.,” and respond respectfully with “Yes/No, Sir” and “Yes/No, Ma’am,” quickly obeying commands and requests.

O — Others are important

You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:31

Always use kind words such as “Please” and “Thank you” and exhibit good manners, being kind and deferential to one another.

C — Correction: accept it and learn from it

Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. Proverbs 12:1

Listen to advice and correction and apply it immediately and joyfully.

K — Keep yourself prepared

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind… 1 Peter 1:13

Be organized, bringing necessary items to school, completing homework on time and to school

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standards. Develop habits of being on time and prepared for each school day. Adhere to standards of dress code by thinking ahead and purposing to comply.

S — Seek excellence

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men… Colossians 3:23-24

Be the best that you can be at all times and in all places.

Additional Behavior Expectations1. Come to class on time.2. Raise your hand before speaking and wait to be recognized by the teacher.3. Keep your hands and feet to yourself.4. Only touch things that belong to you.5. Work diligently during class.6. Participate willingly in class activities.7. Promptly and cheerfully obey.8. Follow requests from the teacher after the first request.

Facility GuidelinesStudents are expected to be good stewards of the physical resources of both Veritas and the building where the school meets. They are also expected to be models of good citizenship by keeping the church’s facility clean and by refraining from actions that are destructive to property or disrespectful to others. There are some areas of the building that are “out of bounds” to students at all times. These include, but are not limited to, the kitchen and church offices. Students found in these areas without their teachers are subject to disciplinary action.

1. Students are not allowed to chew gum while on school property to help with maintenance issues.2. Cell phones, iPods, and other electronic devices must be turned off and inaccessible during

school hours. Veritas is not responsible for stolen property.3. Students are expected to treat all school materials and facilities with respect and care.

Students may be charged for any damage to the school’s property that is attributable to their actions.

4. Students should refrain from any romantic, physical displays of affection with fellow studentswhile at school.

5. Students should not have guns, knives, or any other weapons on school property. Any weapon on school property will be immediately confiscated by school staff. The offending student will be taken to the school office, where the Headmaster will contact the student’s parents and determine appropriate consequences. The School Board reserves the right to suspend or expel any student it deems to be a threat to the safety of other students, faculty, or staff at the school.

Day to DayClassroom PartiesDue to the very limited number of in-class days with the blended school model, holiday parties during class time will be reserved for Christmas, Valentine’s Day (highlighting God’s love), and Easter. Decorations and activities should have their focus on God rather than purely cultural symbols (such as Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny).

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Lunch Parties

Parents are welcome to coordinate special lunches as long as they keep in mind that students need to return to class on time, that the lunch needs not to be too sugar-heavy, and that some parents may not be able to contribute to special lunches too often. It also is important that parent coordinators be sensitive to whether other classes or siblings might feel left out and be sensitive to the fact that Christians may have differing convictions regarding some holidays. All lunch parties should be cleared with the classroom teachers involved.

LunchesStudents will eat lunch at school. Students will not have access to refrigeration or microwave facilities. Parents are asked to monitor the sugar content of the sack lunches they provide for their students so that learning ability is not negatively affected later in the day.

PLEASE NOTE: Because food allergies are increasingly common, please be sensitive to this and do no t pa c k peanu t s a s s nack s or lunch foods . If other serious food allergies exist at Veritas, school officials will alert parents.

RecessStudents must be accompanied by a supervising adult to go to the playground or return to the building. All students must stay on the playground during recess and may not play beyond the grassy area next to the playground.

Discipline ProceduresPurposeThe purpose of discipline at Veritas is to teach children to adopt Christ-like behavior and attitudes, to submit respectfully to the authority of teachers and parents and to accept the consequences of their behavior. To be effective, discipline must be administered in a just and consistent manner, following Biblical principles. Students are expected to maintain acceptable standards of behavior and personal responsibility. Anytime disciplinary actions are required, parents will receive an e-mail or phone call from the teacher.

The Word of God as found in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments will be the standard used to evaluate conduct. However, because none of us can keep God’s law perfectly except for Christ, grace and forgiveness will be an integral part of the discipline of a student, as will biblical principles such as restitution, public and private apologies and restoration of fellowship.

The majority of discipline issues will be dealt with by the teacher in the classroom. However, students who are not responsive to teacher correction will be asked to go to the school office and meet with the Headmaster. If the child is still unresponsive to correction, then the parents will be contacted. Depending on the situation, a parent might be given the opportunity to talk to the child on the phone, and encourage the child to return to class and act appropriately. If the child continues to be a disruption to the class, he or she will again be asked to go to the office, where a parent will be contacted to pick up the child. Students will be immediately sent to the office for serious offense. Students who commit acts with particularly serious consequences may be suspended or expelled from school immediately at the discretion of the School Board. Examples of such serious misconduct include the following: acts endangering the lives of other students or staff members, large-scale vandalism to school facilities, and

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other violations of civil law.

Parents will be notified of discipline issues as well as any actions taken.

Dress CodeGeneral GuidelinesVeritas Preparatory School’s dress code is intended to reflect the school’s stated aims to honor God and disciple students. It is designed to encourage modesty, decency, and propriety and to de-emphasize the use of clothing as a significant means of establishing self-identity or gaining attention or social status (Matt 6:28-34; 1 Cor 9:19-23; 1 Peter 3:2-4; 1 Tim 2:9,10; James 2:1-5). The Headmaster, or one designated to act in his/her stead, retain the authority to determine the appropriateness of a given student’s attire or appearance, and may remove the student from campus or otherwise discipline any student deemed to be inappropriately dressed. The administration also reserves the right to grant a limited variance to these regulations for special purposes, such as sports programs and physical education classes, special dress days or other instructional exercises, provided that high standards of modesty are always upheld. While dress code enforcement will be limited to school days, provisions and standards related to modesty and decency should be respected by the students and are enforceable by the staff anywhere on the campus as well as off campus at school-sponsored events.

UniformsVeritas has a uniform dress code. We are excited to have Lands End as the sole provider of our uniforms. Our school choices are available on www.landsend.com and our school code is: 900158296.

Boys School Day Dress:  Boys are required to have a white polo (short or long-sleeve) with the Veritas Preparatory School logo and a navy Drifter Sweater with logo for the colder months.  The logo is required and provided through Lands End.  Boys have a choice of navy shorts or navy pants.  

Girls School Day Dress:  Girls are required to have a white polo (short or long-sleeve) with the Veritas Preparatory School logo and may choose  between a school plaid kilt, skort or jumper.  Please keep the length and fit of these items in mind as your child grows throughout the year.  Additionally, girls are required to have a navy Drifter Sweater and may choose between the cardigan and the pullover.  If the sweater will be handed down between genders, the pullover is recommended.  Navy bike shorts or leggings (for the winter) are listed and recommended for more coverage and modesty.

Shoes:  Shoes without backs (i.e.: flip flops and crocs) and shoes with high heels, bright (neon) colors, wheels or glitter are not permitted. Shoes may be brown, navy, white, black, or grey or a combination of these colors.  Additional accent colors are permitted, as long as they are minimal.  Athletic shoes (for example, grey and white New Balance) or boots may be worn as well, as long as the colors conform to above requirements and are not distracting (neon).  Please keep function and physical activity in mind when choosing shoes and consult us if you are unsure about a shoe style falling within code.  

Socks:  Socks must be free of logos or decorations.  They may be navy, grey, white or black.  Girls may choose between tights, knee socks or regular socks in navy or white.

Headwear:  Girls may wear headbands or bows, as long as they match our school colors: white, navy, hunter green, silver or school plaid.  

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Jewelry:  Girls may wear a simple jewelry (i.e. a necklace or bracelet), as long as it is not distracting or of bright or multiple colors.  

Jackets and Sweaters:  All approved jackets or sweaters listed on the Lands End website are permitted to be worn in the classroom.  All other jackets must be taken off and stored upon arrival.  The navy Drifter Sweater with logo is required for all students.

Miscellaneous:  Hats, bandanas or sunglasses will not be permitted indoors.  Belts are permitted in solid neutrals.

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Financial Policies and Tuition

RENWEB - www.Renweb.com

RENWEB is our school’s software management system. Included in this program is a tuition and fees billing system that all families must sign up to use. More details on the billing system are available through Renweb and may be seen once a Renweb account has been established.

In the event of withdrawal, transfer or expulsion from Veritas, student records, including ReportCards and permanent files, are held until all financial obligations for the year have been cleared.

FeesThe following fees are assessed in addition to tuition and must be paid before students register for courses. All fees are non-refundable.

Application Fee$100 per student must be submitted with the initial Application Packet. Applications will not be processed without payment of this fee.

Enrollment Fee$400 per new student/$300 per returning student must be submitted to hold the spot of a student upon acceptance.

Books and SuppliesParents are responsible for obtaining all required books and supplies as detailed in the book and supply lists. Most of these books and supplies can be found online through many different vendors. Students are expected to bring their own binders, paper, pencils and pens each day. Having all of the required materials is part of the students’ responsibility therefore this may be part of their homework or daily grade.

Withdrawal and RefundsVeritas, like other schools, contracts for its facilities, faculty, and staff on an annualized basis. After an enrollment agreement is signed by parents and given to the school office, parents are responsible to honor the agreement and pay tuition in full for the entire school year, even if a student withdraws prior to the beginning of the school year.

When a student withdraws from Veritas (for any reason), a letter of explanation is required to request any refund that applies. Refunds will be given for the following reasons only:

1. Medical withdrawal of the student for any physical disability certified to and treated by a legally qualified medical practitioner.

2. Job related transfer of parent or guardian beyond a 50-mile radius of the City of Greenville.Documentation of such transfer is required if a refund is requested.

a. If withdrawal occurs as of or after the first day of school, and one of the above criteria (1 or2) applies, tuition will be refunded prorated to the end of the current nine-week

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quarter.

b. If neither of these criteria applies, RENWEB payments will continue until tuition is paid in

full.

c. A refund will be given only after all accounts are current and no other monies are owed.

Tu iti o n an d Discounts

Tuition rates quoted below are for the 2015-2016 school year. Rates are determined on an annual basis.

Grades K-5 Tuition: $4,200Grade 6 Tuition: $5,400

Two discounts are available for Veritas families. These discounts apply to tuition only and cannot be combined with fees and/or book costs.

Pre-Payment Discount: 2% (Tuition must be paid in full on or before due date of July 1, 2015, no exceptions):

Multi-Student Discount (K5 – 5th): Families that enroll two or more students will receive a 5% discount off tuition costs (per family).

If both discounts are used, the multi-student discount will apply first and then the pre-payment discount will be applied. Example: A family with two students will receive a 5% tuition discount first. If tuition is then pre-paid, another 2% discount will apply to the reduced tuition rate.

Because tuition must fully fund classroom instruction and basic school administration, a modest increase in tuition and fees can be expected each year.

Grievance ProceduresParentsIf a conflict arises with another parent, please remember that all families are coming to Veritas with different backgrounds and experiences. If you hear or see another parent say or do something that is in conflict with the way you would handle the situation, please contact the parent privately as soon as possible to discuss your concern. Often minor misunderstandings can be solved through effective, direct communication.

If you meet with a parent but are unsuccessful in resolving the situation, please contact the Headmaster for assistance. If you have a concern about another child in the class, please speak to the teacher rather than the parent of the other child.

TeachersIf you have a concern about your child in the classroom, please contact the teacher directly to discuss your concern. Classroom issues include grades, class work, homework, class rules, daily routines and conflict between your child and another student. If you are unsuccessful in resolving

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the situation by speaking with the teacher, please contact the Headmaster.

AdministratorsIf you have a question or concern about a staff member, please contact the Headmaster to discuss the situation. Questions about student placement or curriculum should also be directed to the Headmaster. If you need clarification about a school policy, please arrange a meeting with the Headmaster. If you have questions about tuition, fees or Renweb, please contact the school office.

Conciliation Agreement As part of the application process, all families agree to enter into a binding conciliation agreement with Veritas incorporating the following statements:

The parties to this statement agree to make every effort to live at peace and to resolve disputes with each other in private or within the Christian community in conformity with the Biblical injunctions of I Corinthians 6:1-8, Matthew 5:23-24, and Matthew 18:15-20. Therefore, the parties agree that any claim or dispute arising out of, or related to, this agreement or to any aspect of the school relationship, including any claim or statutory claims, shall be settled by Biblically-based mediation. In order to achieve the Biblical standards regarding dispute resolution, the parties will be expected to enter into a separate and binding dispute resolution agreement which will incorporate the stated principles.  This will mean that certain rights held by the parties’ as citizens, will be voluntarily waived, in order to pursue a manner and method of resolving potential problems consistent with our beliefs as Christians.

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