Policies

  1. REGARDING ABSENCES
    1. If the absence is because of illness, a parent must call the Childwatch number (669-7485) on the day of the absence. In addition, the student must present a note from his parent explaining his absence to his homeroom teacher on the day the student returns to school.
    2. If a student becomes ill and must leave during the school day, that student must talk with a teacher, and stop in the office to tell Mr. Pott or Mrs. Keuning before calling home.
    3. If a student is absent due to a doctor or dentist appointment (these should be avoided during the school day as much as possible), the student must bring an excuse in advance and present it to his homeroom teacher.
      STUDENTS: If you bring a note from home, it must be signed by Mr. Pott or Mrs. Keuning before you give it to your homeroom teacher.
    4. If a student is absent for a reason other than illness or a medical appointment, an excuse must be obtained in advance from Mr. Pott. THIS MUST BE DONE BY THE PARENT IN PERSON OR BY TELEPHONE, not by means of a written note. If an excuse is not obtained in advance, and this absence remains unexcused, the student will be penalized for the absence.
    5. Whenever a student arrives at or leaves school during the school day it is necessary for that student to stop in the office and check in or check out with Mr. Pott or Mrs. Keuning before going to class or leaving the building.
    6. *Upon returning to school, the student is to make up the work he/she has missed. The following procedure is to be used. When a student is absent from school (excused) it is the responsibility of the homeroom teacher to get the student’s work to the office. It is the responsibility of the parent to make appropriate arrangements to get the work home. All work should be in the office and ready for pick up by 3:00 p.m. Students who miss part of a day due to appointments or other excused occurrences must make arrangements to receive the work they missed in class.
      Special note to middle school students:

      Please take special note of item #4. It is your task to be certain it is followed well. This has been and will continue to be enforced stringently. Please cooperate in this regard.


  2. VACATION/HOMEWORK POLICY
    Students who miss school for family vacations or excused parental requests will be given 1 additional day to turn in class work for each day they missed. If a student misses MORE THAN 5 consecutive days of school for a vacation or excused absences, parents are required to set up a conference with the homeroom teacher IN ADVANCE in order to discuss deadlines for school work. Please remember that in ALL CASES parents should discuss absences with the office prior to the student leaving. It is the student’s responsibility to check with teachers PRIOR TO leaving on a pre-arranged vacation. It should be noted that it is difficult for students to fully catch up when they are out of school for an extended period of time. There are many classroom activities such as teacher instruction, classroom discussions, group projects, science labs, art projects, etc. that cannot be replicated with out-of-class assignments.

  3. DAILY MIDDLE SCHOOL HOMEWORK POLICY
    Students homework policy by grade level is as follows:

    6th Grade
    1. Students are required to complete assignments even when no credit is given.
    2. The grade will go down one step for each school day it is late. (A to an A-, A- to B+....)
    3. Because sixth grade is a transitional year, we will give individual students a reminder if they have late work.

    7th Grade
      Level I
        Daily assignments checked
        Credit - no credit, 2nd day 1/2 credit
      Level II
        Graded work
          - collected assignments
          - labs
          - projects
        Grade is dropped two grade notches (from an A to B+) for each day that the work is late.
        No credit after one week.
        Students are required to complete assignments even when no credit is given.
      Tests and quizzes are to be taken.

    8th Grade
      Level I
        Assignment - Daily Work
        Every 9 weeks - One missed assignment is dropped
        2nd offense - Automatic "E"
        Drop the lowest Assignment Grade each 9 week period
      Level II
        Assignment - Project, Paper, Essay, Large Lab, etc.
        One day late - One full grade docked (A to B)
        Each day the assignment continues to be late, the grade continues to drop one full grade.
        Students are required to complete assignments even when no credit is given.


  4. MUSICAL PERFORMANCE POLICY
    Musical performances are a culmination of a great deal of classroom effort and work on the part of teachers and students. A musical performance can only be completely successful if all of the parts of the whole group are present. To miss a performance not only jeopardizes the quality of the performance, but lets down the entire group. It is the school’s responsibility to publish the performance dates well in advance, and it is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that each member of the group be present at concerts.
    Failure to participate in a musical performance will be reflected in a 2 step reduction in the student’s overall grade for that class (A- to a B, B+ to a B-, etc,).
    The Hudsonville Christian Middle School music teachers appreciate your support in this matter.

  5. MEDIA CENTER POLICIES



HUDSONVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICY
  1. Statement of Philosophy
    Discipline at Hudsonville Christian School is designed to encourage students to develop into responsible and self-disciplined Christians, and is carried out in an atmosphere of caring and good order. We live in a sinful world and our school and our students are not excluded. But we will also recognize God's forgiveness for wrongdoing and we want to help our students to view themselves as responsible Christians and to act that way. In every discipline case students should know that we love and care for them even though disciplinary actions may be in order in some instances.
  2. Goals
    1. To have our staff, students, and parents understand that we're disciplining from a Christian perspective.
    2. To encourage students to make wise choices based on God's Word.
    3. To provide a positive learning atmosphere and a safe school environment where instruction is well disciplined and rules are clear and purposeful.
    4. To have each student be responsible to every teacher because he/she takes responsibility for proper order throughout the entire school.
    5. To have our students show respect for self, fellow students, and staff.
    6. To have students show respect for the property of fellow students and the school.
  3. Our Shared Commitment Regarding Discipline
    1. In order for our classrooms to have good instruction and be well disciplined and orderly, we have rules that are clear, fair, and understandable. For example:
      1. Be to class on time.
      2. Come to class prepared.
      3. Be courteous and respectful at all times.
      4. Respect the property of others.
      5. Obey the general rules of the school.
    2. We are committed to modeling Christian behavior in order to carry out discipline effectively.
    3. Our teachers share responsibility for what takes place in the school.
    4. We will not discipline with sarcastic words or to embarrass anyone.
    5. Discipline is necessary to allow skilled teaching to take place, so when consequences or punishment is necessary, it will be given and explained in love.
    6. Students must honestly admit to wrong when it occurs. It is important for them to confess the wrong to God, so that they can be assured of forgiveness (from God and us). After the penalty has been served, the student will be able to face the future with hope and encouragement from God and from us.
    7. Student behaviors (words and actions) that are not fitting in a Christian School will be dealt with seriously, and in a fair, straight-forward manner.
    8. To have parents understand the philosophy, goals, and procedure of our discipline policy, and to support and cooperate with staff in enforcing this policy so Hudsonville Christian Middle School may be a place that honors Jesus Christ.
  4. Procedure
    1. Level One Offenses: e.g. excessive talking in class, chewing gum or eating candy, name calling, lateness to class, forgetting a pencil, tardy, inappropriate language, homework not completed, little or no effort.
      Possible consequences when Level One Offenses have occurred:
      1. Verbal warning (after normal classroom procedures have been taken and are not effective).
      2. Teacher notifies parent or guardian.
      3. Detention and parent notification.
      4. Classroom or school suspension.
    2. Level Two Offenses: offenses such as chronic cheating, lying, swearing or profanity, disrespect to students or staff, possession or use of tobacco, lighter, matches, or fire crackers, alcohol, illegal drugs, weapons, vandalism, violence/fighting.
      The following procedures shall be followed when handling Level Two Offenses:
      1. Referral to the principal. In every situation the problem should referred to the principal.
      2. Restitution of property. If something is stolen or damaged, appropriate corrective discipline and restitution will be determined by the principal in consultation with the parents.
      3. Suspension. The first step may be that the student is sent home. The parents/guardians are requested to pick up their child at school and discuss the problem with the principal. If this is not possible the child remains at school, but out of class.
      4. The next step is either in-school suspension or at-home suspension.
        1. In-School suspension. This suspension is by the authority of the principal and is a maximum of three days. The child is suspended from classes and remains in the school. Parents are informed.
        2. At-Home suspension (1-5 days). This suspension is by the authority of the principal. It will take place only after the parents have been informed and a discussion has taken place.
        3. Expulsion. All expulsions shall be recommended by the principal and approved by the Hudsonville Christian Education Committee after parents have been informed and discussion has taken place.



BUS RIDING PRIVILEGES

Riding buses to and from school is a privilege. Hudsonville Christian Middle School supports the rules and guidelines in place by the Hudsonville Public School Transportation Department. As Christians we expect student’s behavior to be “distinctively different” or better than other students. Failure to live up to these expectations could result in a temporary or permanent loss of these privileges as seen appropriate by the Hudsonville Christian School administration.


Computer Network and Internet User Policy For Hudsonville Christian Middle School
  1. I agree that everything I do on computers will be consistent with the mission statement of HCS namely “Proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ”. I agree that computers at HCMS is a privilege and not a right. That privilege can be lost with any misuse. If inappropriate conduct does occur, my parents will be notified and appropriate disciplinary measures will be administered by my teacher or by Mr. Pott
  2. I agree that my networking account is for my use. It is not to be shared nor am I to use accounts that are password protected from me.
  3. I agree that to work on the Internet, I must have a Hudsonville Christian staff member present in the room with me. I understand that a teacher may look at my work or internet site at any time. If by accident I encounter obscene or pornographic documents, I agree to notify that teacher immediately.
  4. I agree that emailing and instant messages will not happen at school unless I have a teacher’s permission.
  5. I agree that software from home is not to be put on school computers without a teacher’s permission. Internet games and downloads are also not allowed without a teacher’s permission. Computer settings are not to be changed.