Our Mission Statement To provide a Christian environment that awakens
a spirit of unselfish service and a desire for truth and knowledge.
Our Governing Values
•We uplift Christ as our role model. •We foster academic excellence. •We respect the dignity of the individual. •We emphasize the value of cooperation. •We cultivate a positive Christian attitude. •We hold that Bible principles are the foundation for the choices of life. •We create opportunities for students to use their abilities successfully and responsibly.
•We encourage a health promoting lifestyle that develops strength of body, mind, and character.
Christian Philsophy of Education The educational philosophy of Holland Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School is an outgrowth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We believe in God as a Supreme Being, the Creator and Sustainer of life, and as a loving God who desires us to become one with Him. Our educational program is designed to strengthen faith in Christ, to foster a personal relationship with Him, and to nurture a dedication to the work of God. The objectives of our educational program are to develop the physical, mental, moral, and spiritual capacities of each student, with emphasis on the following areas:
Christian Service Opposing the secular influences of putting self first, we desire to develop in each student the Christian motives of concern for and service to our fellow man, loving others as ourselves.
Health and Temperance Knowledge of the laws of health and temperance as found in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy are developed with the realization that a well-cared-for body will to a great degree affect our capacity for mental and spiritual growth.
Skills and Knowledge We endeavor to teach the value of and necessity for developing mental habits of concentration and application, and for each student to acquire the skills essential to make maximum growth for his/her capabilities.
Relationship to God We wish to instill a knowledge of and a love for God, the Father, teaching the essential relationship of faith and prayer; to develop respect and reverence for the Holy Spirit as divine illumination and the Bible as God's Holy Word. Our aim is to lead our students into a personal relationship with Christ.
Character Formation We seek to present ideals based on Biblical principles and to foster in each student an ability to distinguish that which is noble and true.
Citizenship Not only do we wish to train our students to be loyal, conscientious Christians, but to endeavor to be patriotic, law-abiding citizens of our country as well.
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Accreditation Holland Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School is accredited by the Michigan Conference Board of Education, the North American Division Commission on Accreditation and the Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, Colleges, and Universities, members of the National Council for Private School Accreditation. Home and School Association It is the goal of the Home and School Association to support the collaborative effort between parents, teachers, and students, to build a sense of school community, and to coordinate special projects. For detailed information about activities, events, or news, click here to visit our Home and School page.
Bible Labs The Bible Labs program allows students to practice Christian service within their community. A variety of campus, church, and community based activities are planned to teach all students the value of volunteering. For detailed information about activities, events, or news, click here to visit our Bible Labs page. The Harmony Program In our Harmony Program, home-schooled students are invited to join our students for non-core curriculum (art, music, Bible Labs, assembly worship, etc.) Our school community is committed to supporting home-school families in a variety of ways in addition to the Harmony Program. For details regarding dates, admission procedures and tuition for the Harmony Program, or if you are interested in some other support, please contact us.
It is the policy of Seventh-day Adventist schools to admit students of any race or sex to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students in our school, and to make no discrimination on the basis of race or sex in administration of educational policies, applications for admission, scholarship or loan programs, and athletic or extracurricular programs.
Students from non-Adventist families will be admitted based on: a.) compatibility with the family lifestyle to that of Adventists and respect for the beliefs and doctrines of the church, b.) the student’s previous behavioral and academic records, c.) the willingness of the family to support school policies, and finally, d.) the Holland Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School’s ability to meet the educational needs of the student as determined by the board.
Recognizing the teachings of Ellen White regarding education and knowing that all children are not ready for formal schooling at the same chronological age, it is recommended that a minimum of six years of age shall be attained by September 1 for admission to Grade 1 and five years for kindergarten. Registration is held in spring for the following school year. 2011-12 registration information is due May 27. Late registrations are accepted with an additional $50 fee. Registration forms are available at the school office or online at www.misda.net/article.php?id=86. Final registration for the 2010-11 school year is August 17. Entrance fees and complete financial arrangements are due at that time. A medical examination, including an up-to-date-immunization record, is required for each student enrolling for the first time in a Michigan school regardless of grade. Michigan state guidelines for immunization updates are required as well.
All families with students enrolled in Holland Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School will agree to volunteer at least 10 hours per school year for the benefit of our school family and facilities.
Final action on all applications is subject to the school board’s approval.
New Students
The academic and behavioral suitability of the student will be verified through previous student records.
If the student is transferring from another Adventist school, financial clearance must be obtained. (Bill paid or satisfactory arrangements made to clear the account.)
Factors that will be considered to determine appropriate academic placement of new students without current school records are: a.) chronological age; b.) emotional, physical, and social development; c.) standardized achievement test scores/placement tests; d.) teacher observation of the student’s ability to reason and to express ideas logically; e.) teacher evaluation of academic progress; f.) prior school perfomance as evidenced by cumulative records, report cards, and conversations with personnel from the previous academic program attended.
When a special education student seeks admission, the school board will carefully assess whether the school is able to meet the needs of that particular student including consideration of test results from the school district identifying the student as needing a special program.The school board must approve the student for admission.
All students are expected to register no later than the designated day in August. Registration is official only after all fees are paid and all procedures required by the school are completed.
The following items will be needed at registrationfor all students: student record release (new students only), registration fees, application, internet access agreement, continuing consent to treatment form, emergency treatment/consent to treatment/field trip forms.
The following items till be needed by the first day of school for new students: health appraisal form (updated for 5th graders), birth certificate and social security number, and updated immunization records.
Registration Forms Registration Forms are available at the following linkwww.misda.net/article.php?id=86. The forms will need to be printed out and completed; they can be mailed to the school or delivered in person. back to top
Finances for the 2010-11 School Year Entrance Fee The entrance fee is a yearly fee which covers book rentals, insurance, workbooks, and most field trips for your student. It is due at registration. If a student withdraws from school before the first day of school, 80% of the entrance fee will be refunded. If a student withdraws at any time during the school year, the entrance fee is not refunded.Entrance fees are as follows:
$250 per child K-8
Tuition Tuition rates are based on 10 monthly payments, September through June. A 6% discount will be given if the entire year’s tuition is paid by the first day of school. If a student withdraws from school due to extenuating circumstances, prepaid tuition will be refunded based on the amount of time enrolled. A request for the tuition refund may be either written or verbal.
Monthy Tuition Holland SDA Church Members 1 Child K-8 $210.00
2 Children K-8 $420.00
3 Children K-8 $630.00
Other SDA Church Members
1 Child K-8 $235.00
2 Children K-8 $470.00
3 Children K-8 $ 715.00
Other
1 Child K-8 $260.00
2 Children K-8 $520.00
3 Children K-8 $780.00 Payment Policy Tuition will be due by the 20th of each month, September through June (10 payments). An $8.00 late fee will be added after the 20th.
Accounts not paid within 30 days of the due date are considered delinquent. A reminder phone call will be made at this point.
Any student account more than 60 days past due will require a visit to the parent from the treasurer and school board chairman to discuss payment options.
Accounts more than 90 days delinquent will be brought before the school board for discussion and the student will be subject to suspension until appropriate arrangements have been made.
Final report cards will not be issued and cumulative records will not be released to another school until any outstanding bill is paid.
Financial Aid
Student Assistant Scholarships are available on a limited basis. To make application, please contact the school board chairman or principal to get a FACTS application form. You may also apply online at www.factstuitionaid.com. 2010-11 Deadline: Postmarked (or online application) August 9, 2010. In addition, students awarded scholarship monies must attend school regularly, be consistently on time to school and maintain a 2.5 GPA. Parents of these students must fulfill their 10 hour volunteer time requirement.
School Hours Kindergarten: Monday — Friday 8:30 a.m to Noon 1st through 8th:Monday — Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday: 8:30 to 2:00 p.m.
Students will be allowed into the school building no earlier than 8:20 a.m. and must be picked up within 15 minutes of dismissal. The school/teachers will not be held responsible for early arrivals.or late departures. If you have an emergency, please notify the teachers before 3:30 (2:00 on Fridays) as they have after-school commitments.
A parent or guardian must notify the school in writing regarding any early dismissal of their child or if someone other than their regular ride home will be picking them up.
Attendance Illness Children who are sick, complain of stomach pain, headache, or have a fever should not come to school. Please keep sick children home.
Legal liabilities prevent the teachers from leaving children unattended in the classrooms. Therefore, if a child is well enough to attend school, he/she is expected to participate in all school activities - both indoors and outdoors.
If you suspect your child has a communicable disease, keep him/her home until he/she is well. Please notify your child's teacher is s/he has had a communicabe disease.
Absence
Regular attendance at all classes and devotional periods is absolutely necessary.
In case of illness or other unavoidable absences, an excuse written and signed by the parent or legal guardian is required the day following the absence. Valid excuses include illness, medical, dental or optometric appointments or death of a family member. If you know ahead of time that your child will be absent, please inform the teacher in writing.
A call to the school by 8:20 a.m. if your child is going to be absent is required.Absences accumulating to 20% of any nine-week marking period (for instance, 9 out of 45 days) will be reported to the school board and the Michigan Conference Office of Education. Any student who is absent as many as nine days of a nine-week period for any reason may forfeit his/her grades for that period unless it is evident to the classroom teacher that the work has been satisfactorily made up.
An excused absence does not relieve a student from the responsibility of making up missed schoolwork.
Children who are tardy interrupt the program for everyone in the classroom, not just themselves. Please note the school hours and plan for your child to arrive on time.
Tardiness The teacher will contact the parents and, if necessary, notify the school board when an excessive amount of tardiness has occur.
Campus Policies
First Aid Basic First Aid will be administered by a qualified adult.
Medication
If it is necessary for a student to take medication during the school day, it must be kept and dispensed by the teacher from a prescription container accurately labeled with the following:
• The student’s name • The physician’s name and phone number • The medication name • The dosage • Accurate directions for dispensing • The expiration date of the medication • The purpose of the medication
Phone Calls and School Visits Phone calls are a major disruption to our school day. Please do not call the school to talk with your
student or his/her teacher unless it is absolutely necessary. If you must call, please do so between 12:00 and 12:45 p.m. or after 3:30 (2:00 on Fridays). Phone calls to make student social arrangements will not be allowed.
Visitors are welcome to observe the school program in action at any time. Parents or guardians are urged to visit the school. It is suggested that visitors make prior arrangements with the principal and the classroom teacher before attending.
Please visit with your child’s teacher outside of school hours.
Weather School cancellations are announced on Wood T.V. 8 (both television and website) and a recorded phone call will be made to those with current phone numbers on file at the school.
Severe weather conditions, including air temperatures or wind chill below zero, prevent students from playing outside.
Please send appropriate clothing for weather conditions. Students will be expected to participate in outdoor activities at all times of the school year.
School Regulations The school board has designated the principal and teachers responsible for interpretation and enforcement of school rules and regulations
Level I Activities NOT permitted at school: Any usage of the school phone without permission of a teacher
Items NOT permitted on the school premises: Radios, DVD, CD, MP3, or tape players (A written request from the parent must be submitted to the school board for a student to bring a cell phone to school. With school board approval, the cell phone will be kept with the teacher during school hours.) Locker or desk decorations Toys or games (including electronic games) unless by special permission Gum Over-the-counter medicines (unless by physician instructions)
Non-compliance with Level I Rules will result in a verbal warning and confiscation of the non-permitted item at the time of first offense. If a second offense occurs, it will be handled according to the steps below entitled “Problem Solving Policy.”
Level II Activities NOT permitted at school:
Teasing, ridiculing, or in any way demeaning fellow students or teachers.
Any unwelcome physical contact
Vulgar, profane or foul language
Leaving the school premises during school hours without accompaniment by a teacher, parent, or guardian
Acts of insubordination such as non-compliance with teacher’s direction
Any act of lying, stealing, or tampering with another person’s belongings
Items NOT permitted on the school premises:
Knives or guns of any kind Matches or any other kind of fire starting device
Non-compliance with Level II Rules may result in immediate suspension of the offending student. If suspension occurs, parents will be contacted at home or work immediately, and will be expected to remove their child from school. The student will not be allowed to return to school at least for the remainder of the day of the offense. All missed work must be made up, as well as any extra work assigned by the teacher. At this point, the problem-solving procedures listed below will be implemented.
A third offense or serious first offense will be brought before the school board for further disciplinary action.
Problem Solving Policies We strongly encourage students, parents, teachers and school board to follow the guidelines found in Matthew 18 for resolving conflict and have based our problem solving policies upon that model.
Stage One: Teacher, student and parent confer together. They may wish to invite the pastor or principal to meet with them.
Stage Two: The Principal, parent, and teacher meet to solve the problem.
Stage Three: The persons involved meet with the chairperson of the school board and/or the pastor.
Stage Four: The persons involved meet with the school board to search for a solution. The complainant must file a list with the school board chairman of their complaints at least 48 hours before the school board meeting.
Stage Five: If no solution is reached at stage four, the conference superintendent should be asked to meet with the persons involved to attempt a solution.
back to top Dress Students must adhere to the dress code standards that follow: Girls: Blouses can be any solid color-plain knit polo or turtleneck, oxford, or collarless girl's plain knit blouses, long or short sleeved. Peter Pan collars and lace trim are acceptable. Restrictions: No neon colors, logos, pictures, printing or letter of any kind. Any shirt without a completely straight hem must be tucked in. No abdominal skin may show when arms are raised. Cannot be low-cut, sleeveless, or form fitting. Fabric must be plain knit. No ribbing around neckline.
No pockets.
Long pants, knee-length shorts, and capri pants must be navy, khaki, black, burgundy, brown, or red. Must be pleated or elastic waist, plain, tailored chino or corduroy; long shorts or capri length pant. Restrictions: No logos, pictures, printing or lettering of any kind. Must be waist high with no cargo/patch pockets or extra zippers, pockets, pouches, etc. Cannot be form fitting.
Skirts must be same selection of colors as pants; plain or pleated, A-line knee-length or longer skirt. Restrictions: No logos, pictures, printing or lettering of any kind. Must be waist high with no cargo pockets or extra zippers, pockets, pouches, etc. Cannot be form fitting. Kick pleats cannot open above knee length.
Jumpers must be same selection of colors as pants and skirts; any solid or uniform plaid knee-length or longer jumper. Restrictions: No logos, pictures, printing or lettering of any kind. Cannot be form fitting. Kick pleats cannot open above knee length.
Sweaters can be any solid color, Crew Neck, V-Neck or Cardigan. Restrictions: No neon colors, logos, pictures, printing or letter of any kind. No sweatshirts.
Shoes can be any color dress or tennis shoes. Restrictions: No platform, heeled, or open shoes. No neon colors. No pictures of cartoon/movies characters, sounds, etc. All students must have a pair of tennis shoes at school for P.E. and gym use. Only one pair of tennis shoes is needed.
Socks can by any color, lace trim is acceptable. Socks can be anklet, knee high, sport or tights. Restrictions: No neon colors. Socks must be visible above shoe tops.
Belts are recommended but not required.
Boys: Shirtscan be any solid color-plain knit polo, turtleneck, or oxford, long or short sleeved. Restrictions: No neon colors, logos, pictures, printing or letter of any kind. Any shirt without a completely straight hem must be tucked in. No abdominal skin may show when arms are raised. Fabric must be plain knit.
Long pants and knee-length shorts must be navy, khaki, black, burgundy, brown. Must be pleated or elastic waist, plain, tailored chino or corduroy; long or short pant. Restrictions: No logos, pictures, printing or lettering of any kind. Must be waist high with no cargo pockets or extra zippers.
Sweaters can be any solid color, Crew Neck, V-Neck or Cardigan. Restrictions: No neon colors, logos, pictures, printing or letter of any kind. No sweatshirts.
Shoes can be any color dress or tennis shoes. Restrictions: No neon colors. No pictures of cartoon/movies characters, sounds, etc. All students must have a pair of tennis shoes at school for P.E. and gym use. Only one pair of tennis shoes is needed.
Socks can by any color sport or dress socks. Restrictions: No neon colors. Socks must be visible above shoe tops.
Belts are recommended but not required.
Students will be required to wear clothing provided by the school in the event that they did not choose to comply with the dress policy.
Parents will be called to bring a change of clothing if considered necessary by the teacher.
Tennis shoes are required for recess and P.E.
Occasionally we have alternate dress days. On these days sleeveless shirts, tank-tops, short shorts, form fitting clothing, bare midriffs, etc. are not permitted. Socks and closed shoes must be worn.
Jewelry and colored fingernail polish will not be permitted.
Extreme and faddish hairstyles will not be permitted.
