Parent Handbook

This Parent handbook is intended to help acquaint families with St. Paul Christian Academy’s

programs and procedures. This handbook is not designed to be legally binding or to create a

contractual obligation of any kind. The policies described in this handbook are subject to change

at any time without notice. Parents are encouraged to contact a school representative with any

specific questions or other concerns regarding the material in this handbook.

5033 Hillsboro Pike

Nashville, TN 37215

www.stpaulchristianacademy.org | (615) 269-4751

Mission Statement 4

Admission Policy 4

Partnership and Commitment 4

We will partner with you by: 4

You can partner with us by: 5

Vision Statement 5

Statement of Faith 6

Scripture 6

God 6

God’s Children 6

God’s Design For The Family 6

Partnering with Parents 7

Our Authority 7

History of St. Paul Christian Academy 7

Day-to-Day Operations 8

Whom do I call or email with questions about... 9

Alcohol and Drug Policy 10

Alcohol On Campus 10

Attendance 11

Tardiness and Early Dismissals 12

Carpool Procedures 13

General Carpool Procedures 13

Morning Carpool Procedures for All Grades 14

Afternoon Carpool Procedures for JK - 3rd Grade 15

Afternoon Carpool Timeline for Grades JK-3 15

Afternoon Carpool Procedures for 4th Grade 17

4th Grade Afternoon Carpool Timeline 17

Afternoon Carpool Procedures for 5th - 6th Grade 18

5th - 6th Grade Afternoon Carpool Timeline 18

Class Placement 19

Communication 20

Concern Resolution 20

Discipline and Behavior 21

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Discipline Procedures 22

Rules of Behavior 22

Email Confidentiality 23

Good Sportsmanship 23

Field Trips 24

Trip Agreement and Release

To participate in class field trips, we ask parents to consent to the following: 24

Food Allergies 25

Fundraising 25

Grading and Reporting 26

Head’s List 27

A-B Honor Roll 27

Graduation 27

Homework 27

Jeans Days and Special Dress-up Days 27

Lunch 28

Morning Care 28

Parent Council 28

Purpose 28

Policies 28

Organization of the Parent Council 29

The Parent Council is structured as follows: 29

By-Laws 29

Elections 29

Allocation of Parent Council Funds 29

Parent Council Officers: (see By-Laws for responsibilities) 29

Parent Council Standing Committee 30

Parent Council Activity Committees and Chairpersons 30

Fundraising 30

Appreciation 31

Parent Mobilization 31

Physical Education Policy 32

School Closing Procedures 32

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School Counselor 32

Individual Counseling Policy 33

Group Counseling Policy 33

School Visits 33

Seek and Find 33

Smoke-Free Campus 34

Student Accident Insurance 34

Student Health 34

Tennessee Department of Health Immunization Requirements 36

For parents of new students: 37

Prescription Medications 37

Procedure for Administering Prescription Medications 37

Parent/Guardian responsibilities regarding student prescription medications: 37

School’s responsibilities regarding student prescription medications: 38

Over-the-Counter Medications 38

Lice Policy 38

Technology Policy & Agreement 39

St. Paul Responsibilities: 39

Student Responsibilities: 39

Parent Responsibilities: 39

Equipment Agreement (for 2nd-6th grade) 40

Description of Equipment 40

Term 40

Use and Alterations 40

Surrender 40

Loss and Damage 41

Assignment, Compliance with State and Federal Law 41

Default, Remedies, and Termination 41

Ownership, Personal Property 41

Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices 41

Tutors 42

Academic Tutors 42

Therapists 42

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Mission Statement

St. Paul Christian Academy integrates academic excellence with a passion for Christ to develop a

strong foundation for young leaders who uniquely shape the world in which they live.

Admission Policy

St. Paul Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all

the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students

at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in

administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs,

and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Partnership and Commitment

We are excited to commence and continue the journey through elementary school with you and

your children. Please know that we believe that parents are ultimately responsible for the

education of their children. We further find that when you join the St. Paul Christian Academy

community, you are choosing to partner with the school to ensure that your children benefit the

most from these foundationally critical elementary years. For this partnership to work in the

best ways, the school and home must work together through the following commitments and

expectations. Thank you for the trust and faith you have placed in your school.

We will partner with you by:

● Fulfilling our mission

● Providing a safe, caring environment for your child

● Communicating closely about your child

● Communicating regularly about the school in general

● Inviting you to be involved

● Promoting values and providing discipline consistent with Biblical principles

● Participating in open dialogue

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You can partner with us by:

● Agreeing with our mission and supporting it

● Providing a quiet place for study

● Communicating with us about your child

● Attending meetings of the school, grades, and Parent Council

● Supporting our values and discipline

● Supporting our school through your charitable gifts

● Seeking information and resolving concerns through direct interactions with us

Vision Statement

St. Paul Christian Academy is a place where your child will be loved, cared for, nurtured, and

challenged to build the foundation upon which his or her future will rest. Three pillars establish

the foundation: academic excellence, passion for Christ, and leadership development.

As a Christian college preparatory school, the first pillar upon which St. Paul rests is academic

excellence in a developmentally appropriate teaching and learning environment. We are focused

on preparing our students for acceptance to, and success in, the most competitive

college-preparatory schools in Nashville and life beyond. Toward that end, we hold high

expectations for our students and provide a loving, nurturing, and challenging environment to

help them meet those expectations and reach their highest potential.

The middle pillar, upon which the foundation of St. Paul rests, is the belief that each child whom

we are blessed to teach is an image bearer of God Himself. Because God made all children in His

image, they have immense worth beyond what they accomplish. We are called to love each child

as God would love him or her. We desire to see all of our students come to know and love God.

We desire for our students to know and understand His ways and develop the wisdom, courage,

and strength to walk in those ways.

The final pillar, which informs every St. Paul student’s life foundation is leadership

development. We believe that God is calling all of our students to become Christian leaders in

their homes, at school, in their future careers, and throughout their lives. It is our desire and

intent to equip our graduates to understand Christian leadership and give them opportunities to

lead the school.

St. Paul desires to partner with families to teach and love children well. Through consistent and

frequent communication, we join hands with parents to enable children to reach their highest

potential and to prepare them to become servant leaders in the world in which they live.

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Also, we recognize that all children are unique with a myriad of interests and talents. Our

understanding of this diversity has led St. Paul to offer a well-rounded, co-curricular program to

build upon the academic excellence in other areas of the school. St. Paul offers music, physical

education, interscholastic athletics (4th, 5th, and 6th grades), STEAM, drama, art, chess,

technology, library and media training, leadership training, service opportunities, and a

multitude of field trips that range from the local art museum to Washington, D.C.

Statement of Faith

St. Paul Christian Academy believes and teaches the following as part of its mission:

God

There is one living and true God eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

God’s power is at work in and through believers, through the continued work of the Holy Spirit.

(1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19-20; Ephesians 4:30)

Scripture

The Bible is the inspired, infallible, authoritative Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21).

The Bible gives clear direction on how to live a flourishing and thriving life, both personally and

in the community.

God’s Children

All human life is created by God in His image and is sacred from beginning to natural end. God

calls each person to a life of love, purity, self-sacrifice, and obedience. As the Bible teaches, we

are all sinful by nature, and both our nature and our choices have resulted in our need for

forgiveness and transformation which we are not able to provide ourselves, leaving each of us in

need of a Savior. (Romans 3:9,10; Romans 3:23). The only salvation is through faith in Christ,

who is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. (John 3:16-18, 5:24; Romans 3:24, 5:8-11, Ephesians

2:8-9; Titus 3:5)

Reflecting the Diversity of God’s Kingdom

God creates all of His children in His image. (Genesis 1:26-27) and endows them with

unique talents and differences. Embracing these differences helps create a dynamic school

environment that reflects the broad Kingdom of God. By incorporating a range of human

experiences and a rich variety of perspectives, we enlarge our capacity for learning and

demonstrate Christ’s message of love and unity.

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The mission of St. Paul Christian Academy is best accomplished through a racially, ethnically,

and socio-economically diverse community. We seek diverse students, faculty, staff, and trustees

who embrace our mission to integrate academic excellence with a passion for Christ to develop a

strong foundation for young leaders who uniquely shape the world in which they live.

God’s Design For The Family

Consistent with written scripture, we believe that sexual intimacy outside of a covenant

relationship between a man and a woman falls outside of God’s design and purpose. (Genesis

2:24, Romans 1:24-32). Further, we believe that a person’s gender is based on an identity given

by God at birth. (Gen. 1:26-27; Psalm 100:3; Psalm 139:13-16) We honor and obey the Creator’s

design. Being compelled by the love of Christ, we will always strive to show love and kindness to

all people. All human beings deserve to be treated with dignity and respect because each of us

bears the image of God.

Partnering with Parents

Our environment is mostly a product of the values held by our families. For this reason, we seek

committed families who are supportive of these values. Though not required to subscribe to all

elements of our statement of faith personally, we ask that parents of students at St. Paul

Christian Academy have an understanding of the Biblical philosophy and mission of the school

to ensure a productive, cooperative, parent-school partnership. This includes an agreement that

each child is educated according to the principles of our statement of faith.

Our Authority

This statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible—the inspired and

infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the

proper conduct of mankind—is the sole and ultimate source of all that we believe. For purposes

of St. Paul Christian Academy’s statement of faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our

head of school, in consultation with the Board of Trust, is St. Paul Christian Academy’s final

interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application for our organization. St. Paul

Christian Academy seeks to foster Christian faith and inquiry in an atmosphere of civility,

dignity, and compassion. We are confident that expressing differences of belief—even

differences to ideas that St. Paul Christian Academy holds passionately—can be done in love and

without anger or hostility.

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History of St. Paul Christian Academy

Green Hills Community Church (formerly St. Paul Southern Methodist Church and St. Paul

Community Church) founded St. Paul Christian Academy on the premise that quality education

and Christian teaching are equally important in developing responsible Christian leadership.

Today, St. Paul Christian Academy holds its own corporate 501(c)(3) status and is operated as an

independent entity from the church, while the school and church enjoy a mutually beneficial

relationship.

St. Paul opened in September 1971 with 118 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The

school added a seventh grade in 1972, an eighth grade in 1973, and a ninth grade in 1975. The

school phased out the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades by 1981 to focus its efforts on

elementary education. The fall of 1989 was the beginning of the junior kindergarten program.

St. Paul Construction Timeline:

1971 - St. Paul Christian Academy is founded

1973 - K-3 Building (McGuffey Hall) and Gymnasium (Dining Hall) complete

1985 - four classrooms added to K-3 Building (McGuffey Hall)

1988 - Library Building (Kuyper Hall) complete

1991 - classroom wing added to K-3 Building (McGuffey Hall)

1996 - Fine Arts Building (Marshall Hall) complete

2003 - The Clocktower added to Library Building (Kuyper Hall)

2006 - First Grade Building (McGuffey Hall) complete

2008 - north wing added to Kuyper Hall

2010 - Rochford Center complete and Schaeffer Hall becomes new fine-arts building

2011 - Massey Athletic Complex complete

2014 - JK Playground, Massey Athletic Complex turf field, and Carrier Circle complete

2015 - remodeling of front entry,

2016 - remodeling of Kuyper Conference Room (Kuyper Hall), and Lower School Science Lab

(Schaeffer Hall)

2018 - STEAMmaker Lab creation in Schaeffer Hall

The previous St. Paul Christian Academy heads of school include Mr. David Paulk (1971-1980),

Mr. Leonard Garriott (1980-1983), Mr. Paul Hood (1983-1986), Mr. Thomas Hamilton

(1986-1989), Mrs. Lynn Husband (1989-1993), Mrs. Martha Harris (1993-2000), Mr. Ken

Cheeseman (2000-2016), and Dr. Jason Powell (2017-2020).

Day-to-Day Operations

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All day-to-day operations are under the authority and responsibility of the Interim Head of

School, Susan Cobb. General administrative responsibilities of team members are listed below:

Sarah Blair, Assistant Head of School for Business and Operations

Susan Cobb, Interim Head of School, Assistant Head of School for Academics

Kevin Connelly, Athletics and After-School Program Director

Banica Crockett, School Nurse

Mitchell Despot, Director of Marketing and Communications

Julie Dilworth, Interim Co-Director of Enrollment Management

Alex Florez, Director of Spiritual Life

Kay Herring, Interim Co-Director of Enrollment Management

Ashley Larmer, Director of Development

Jeannette Leggett, Executive Assistant to the Head of School

Amy Nickels, Lower School Division Head (JK-2), Interim Upper School Division Head (3-6)

Whom do I call or email with questions about...

Admission

Julie Dilworth or Kay Herring

Alumni Relations

Ashley Larmer

Athletics

Golf - Kevin Connelly

Cross Country - Shannon Mizell

Volleyball - Emily Boyd

Cheerleading - Amber Ladd

Football - Hunter Branch

Basketball - Emily Boyd

Basketball -Emily Boy and Hunter Branch

Track - Shannon Mizell

Director of Athletics - Kevin Connelly

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Beyond the Classroom (BTC)’s After-School Care and Saints Club

Kevin Connelly

Sarah Blair

Classroom related questions and concerns

Homeroom or co-curricular teacher

Technology

Homeroom teacher

George Shawky

Discipline

Your child’s teacher

Amy Nickels

Facility use

Jeanette Leggett

Financial aid

Kay Strom

Financial matters and tuition

Sarah Blair

Fundraising

Ashley Larmer

Lunch program with SAGE Dining

Sarah Blair

Parent Council

Sara Rife or Mary Katherine Seibels

School academic policies

Amy Nickels

School Calendar

Claire Whorton

Student illness or medications

Banica Crockett

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Transition to 7th grade

Kristen Jones

Website

Claire Whorton

Alcohol and Drug Policy

Students and employees of St. Paul Christian Academy are expected to abide by all federal, state,

and local laws concerning alcohol and non-prescription drugs.

Alcohol On Campus

Alcohol is never permitted on campus or where students are present.

Attendance

Regular attendance is an essential part of the academic program for each child. Absences for

illness, doctor’s appointments, family deaths, and for unusual family circumstances are

designated as excused absences.

Absences for any reason other than the above are designated as unexcused. Any exceptions to

this policy must be approved in writing by your child’s division head.

When an absence is excused, work may be made up and must be completed as soon as possible

within the nine-week grading period in which it was missed. Families should work closely with

the teacher about all test and make-up work regarding such absences. Trips or vacations, other

than those scheduled by the school, are discouraged and should be approved in advance by the

division head if they are to be excused absences. The parents of any student who misses more

than 10 days in one calendar year will be required to meet with the division head. Any student

who misses 30 or more days in one year may be required to repeat the year.

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For more information about St. Paul’s response to COVID-19, please visit

stpaulchristianacademy.org/covid.

Tardiness and Early Dismissals

In order to develop punctuality, organization, and avoid disruption to class, it is very important

for students to arrive at school on time. A student is considered tardy if arrival time is after 7:55

a.m. At 7:55 a.m., a sign will be placed in the carpool line indicating the end of carpool. If you

arrive after 7:55 a.m., please park your car in the main lot and walk your child to the front door

of McGuffey Hall and ring the bell. Someone from the main office will take your child’s

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temperature, complete the late arrival slip, and walk your child to class if his or her temperature

does not exceed 100.00°.

Excessive tardiness adversely affects academic performance and is a disruption to other students

in class. The division head will be alerted when this has become a pattern, and the division head

and parents will meet to discuss the situation surrounding the tardiness and the impact on the

school and the students. Students who accumulate five or more tardies during the school year

will not be eligible for perfect attendance.

If a student is to be dismissed during the school day, an email should be sent to the office and

the teacher by the parent or guardian stating the following:

● Reason for early dismissal of student

● Time student is to be picked up

● Name of person authorized to pick up student

Students who leave school early must be signed out in the school office by the parent before

leaving. All early dismissals take place from the main office located in McGuffey Hall. If the child

returns prior to school dismissal, the parent must sign him or her in.

Carpool Procedures

General Carpool Procedures NO CELL PHONES – St. Paul Christian Academy requires parents to abide by federal, state, and local laws concerning cell phones while driving. Please do not use your cell phone during carpool times, even when parked. EARLY DISMISSALS – Students who are being picked up early for appointments, etc, must be picked up before 2:30 p.m. (2:15 p.m. for JK students). We request that you provide the main office with at least one hour’s notice via email (office@stpaulchristian.org); please copy your child’s teacher. If your upper-school child needs to be picked up between 2:30 and 3:15 p.m., we request that you send an email to the main office and copy your child’s teacher by 2:00 p.m. We will have your child meet you outside of the main office door. If it is a last minute request, the early dismissal process may be delayed because the main office staff will be transitioning to the administration and supervision of carpool. WALK UPS - If you walk up to pick up your child, you must park in front of the church parking lot on the Hillsboro Pike side of the church. Please walk around the church building to the top of the steps under the McGuffey Hall portico. Please wait at the top of the steps by the glass doors and present your carpool number to the staff member on the front steps of McGuffey. After your

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child is brought to you, please return to your vehicle following the same route used upon arrival. Please wear a face covering for the duration of your visit. CARPOOL NUMBERS - Please display your child’s carpool number by hanging it from the vehicle’s rear-view mirror. This includes the numbers of any other students you are picking up. Extra numbers can be obtained by emailing Kay Strom. CENTER LANE - When entering the campus, please move to the center lane and remain in that lane until you enter either McGuffey or the Carrier Circle carpool line. KNOW YOUR CHILD’S SCHEDULE - If your child has an after school activity, be aware of those days and do not pick them up until the appropriate time. YOUR CHILD’S KNOWLEDGE OF CARPOOL – Make sure your child knows their carpool number and encourage them to listen for their number and come down quickly to be placed into your vehicle. FACE COVERINGS - During morning and afternoon carpool, please make sure that anyone in the car over the age of four is wearing a face covering.

Morning Carpool Procedures for All Grades ● Prior to arrival each morning, completion of a health screening for each child in your

household is required. This can be accessed through your child’s School Doc profile. ● 7:15 - 7:35 a.m. Early morning care is offered free of charge in the Dining Hall. Each

child will have his or her temperature taken by a St. Paul faculty/staff member while in the car. If your child’s temperature is over 100.0, he/she will not be able to attend school. Anyone over the age of four should be masked while in the car. Students may not enter their classrooms before 7:35 a.m.

● 7:35 a.m. Morning carpool begins; Each child will have his or her temperature taken by a St. Paul faculty/staff member while in the car. If your child’s temperature is over 100.0, he/she will not be able to attend school. Anyone over the age of four should be masked while in the car.

● 7:55 a.m. All students should be in their classrooms by this time. A sign will be placed in the carpool line indicating carpool is over. If you arrive after 7:55 a.m., please park your car in the main lot and walk your child to the front door of McGuffey Hall and ring the bell. Someone from the main office will take your child’s temperature, complete the late arrival slip, and walk your child to class if his or her fever does not exceed 100.00°.

JK students are dropped off at Carrier Circle. Please do not get out of the car and have anyone in the car over the age of four masked. A staff member will open the door, take your child’s temperature and help him/her out of the car. Any child with a temperature over 100.00° will not be able to come to school. Please do not change lanes unless directed.

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K - 3rd grade students are dropped off at McGuffey Hall under the portico. Please do not get out of the car and have anyone in the car over the age of four masked. A staff member will open the door, take your child’s temperature and help him/her out of the car. Any child with a temperature over 100.00° will not be able to come to school. Please do not change lanes unless directed. 4th - 6th-grade students are dropped off at Carrier Circle. If your child has a K-3rd sibling, you have the option to drop off your 4th-6th grader at McGuffey Hall. Please do not get out of the car and have anyone in the car over the age of four masked. Please pull all the way forward to the front of the roundabout. A staff member will open the door, take your child’s temperature and help him/her out of the car. Any child with a temperature over 100.00° will not be able to come to school. Please do not change lanes unless directed.

Afternoon Carpool Procedures for JK - 3rd Grade According to school policy, only the custodial parents and legal guardians are authorized to pick up a student unless the custodial parent or guardian has provided written authorization. Authorization may be provided by including the names of anyone who may pick up your child in the “enter a note to the school” section of My BackPack on our website. We can allow only those to whom you have granted written authorization to pick up your child. We can accept authorization via email if the sending email address is on file with us. Before 2:00 p.m., email the main office staff at office@stpaulchristian.org and copy your child’s teacher if your child will be riding home with someone other than those you have authorized in My BackPack. An example of this situation is when your child is going home with a classmate.

Afternoon Carpool Timeline for Grades JK-3 2:00 p.m. Deadline for all notices to grant authorization for pick-up from afternoon carpool 2:15 p.m. JK Deadline for early pickups (appointments, etc.) 2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Carpool for JK

● JK afternoon dismissal will take place in Carrier Circle. ● JK teachers will have students outside and will be ready to begin loading them at 2:30

p.m. Parents should remain in their cars and anyone over the age of four should be masked while in the pick-up line. If your child does not have an older sibling who will be picked up, Beyond the Classroom care is available if you know your child will need after-school care; pre-registration is required. If your child attends Beyond the Classroom, they may be picked up beginning at 3:45pm; this pickup time is due to the afternoon carpools running from 2:45-3:30 for K-6th grade students. BTC is open until 6pm daily. BTC is charged at a rate of $16.00 per day and charges will be reflected on your billing statement.

● If your JK child has a sibling in an older grade, please follow these guidelines:

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○ Kindergarten sibling: After your JK student is placed in the car, please pull through to the main driveway and enter the McGuffey Hall pick-up line.

○ 1st-3rd grade sibling: After your JK student is placed in the car, if you wish to wait on campus for your child, please pull into the front parking lot of the Green Hills Community Church. At 2:55, please enter the main driveway and then enter the McGuffey pick-up line.

○ 4th grade sibling: After your JK student is placed in the car, if you wish to wait on campus for your child, please pull into the front parking lot of the Green Hills Community Church. At 2:55, please proceed to Carrier Circle.

○ 5th-6th grade sibling: The carpool for 5th and 6th-grade students will begin at 3:20 p.m. If you wish to wait on campus for your child, please pull into the front parking lot of the Green Hills Community Church. At 3:20, please proceed to the Lower Kuyper Door to pick up your 5th or 6th-grade child. This will be the only location for the pick up of 5th and 6th graders with younger siblings. This door is located outside of Mrs. Mizell’s classroom and there will be a St. Paul faculty/staff member there to direct you.

2:30 p.m. Deadline for K-3rd grade early pick-up (appointments, etc.) 2:45 p.m. Carpool for Kindergarten

● Kindergarten afternoon dismissal will take place at the River Birch Walk outside of McGuffey Hall.

● Kindergarten teachers will have students outside and will be ready to load them at 2:45. Parents should remain in their cars and anyone over the age of four should be masked while in the pick-up line. Beyond the Classroom care is available if you know your child will need after-school care; pre-registration is required.

● If your Kindergarten student has a sibling in an older grade, please follow these guidelines:

○ 1st-3rd grade sibling: After your kindergartner is placed in the car, please pull through the line to the main driveway and re-enter the pick-up line.

○ 4th grade sibling: After your kindergartner is placed in the car, please pull through the line to the main driveway and proceed to Carrier Circle.

○ 5th-6th grade sibling: The carpool for 5th and 6th-grade students will begin at 3:20 p.m. If you wish to wait on campus for your child, please pull into the front parking lot of the Green Hills Community Church. At 3:20 p.m., please proceed to the Lower Kuyper Door to pick up your 5th or 6th-grade child. This will be the only location for the pick up of 5th and 6th graders with younger siblings. This door is located outside of Mrs. Mizell’s classroom and there will be a St. Paul faculty/staff member to direct you.

2:55 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Carpool for 1st-3rd grade

● All cars should enter campus and move into the center lane ● The right lane must remain open for The St. Paul Senior Living Community traffic ● Please turn into the McGuffey parking lot just before the island on the St. Paul driveway

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● Students will be dismissed from the River Birch Walk outside of McGuffey Hall with St. Paul staff supervision

● Please only move forward when instructed by a staff member ● You will be directed to park in a parking space if your child does not arrive in a timely

manner; a staff member will bring your child to your vehicle ● Parents should remain in their cars and anyone over the age of four should be masked

while in the pick-up line. Beyond the Classroom care is available if you know your child will need after-school care; pre-registration is required.

Afternoon Carpool Procedures for 4th Grade According to school policy, only the custodial parents and legal guardians are authorized to pick up a student unless the custodial parent or guardian has provided written authorization. Authorization may be provided by including the names of anyone who may pick up your child in the “enter a note to the school” section of My BackPack on our website. We can allow only those to whom you have granted written authorization to pick up your child. We can accept authorization via email if the sending email address is on file with us. Before 2:00 p.m., email the main office staff at office@stpaulchristian.org and copy your child’s teacher if your child will be riding home with someone other than those you have authorized in My BackPack. An example of this situation is when your child is going home with a classmate.

4th Grade Afternoon Carpool Timeline 2:00 p.m. Deadline for all notices to grant authorization for pick-up from afternoon carpool 2:30 p.m. Deadline for 4th grade early pick-up (appointments, etc.) 2:55 p.m.-3:40p.m. Afternoon Carpool for 4th Grade

● All cars should enter campus and move into the center lane ● The right lane must be open for The St. Paul Senior Living Community traffic ● You may proceed around the island on the St. Paul driveway once you have been

cleared by a staff member ● Once around the island, immediately return to the middle lane and prepare to turn left

into the Carrier Circle roundabout when space becomes available ● Students will be dismissed from Carrier Circle with staff supervision ● When in the roundabout, only move forward with instruction from a staff member. ● You will be directed to pull forward if your child does not arrive in a timely manner; other

cars will be directed to pass you on the left ● Parents should remain in their cars and anyone over the age of four should be masked

while in the pick-up line. Beyond the Classroom care is available if you know your child will need after-school care; pre-registration is required.

● If your 4th grader has a younger sibling, please pick up the younger child first at the River Birch Walk outside of McGuffey Hall.

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Afternoon Carpool Procedures for 5th - 6th Grade According to school policy, only the custodial parents and legal guardians are authorized to pick up a student unless the custodial parent or guardian has provided written authorization. Authorization may be provided by including the names of anyone who may pick up your child in the “enter a note to the school” section of My BackPack on our website. We can allow only those to whom you have granted written authorization to pick up your child. We can accept authorization via email if the sending email address is on file with us. Before 2:00 p.m., email the main office staff at office@stpaulchristian.org and copy your child’s teacher if your child will be riding home with someone other than those you have authorized in My BackPack. An example of this situation is when your child is going home with a classmate.

5th - 6th Grade Afternoon Carpool Timeline 2:00 p.m. Deadline for all notices to grant authorization for pick-up from afternoon carpool 2:30 p.m. Deadline for early pick-up (appointments, etc.) 3:20 p.m.-3:40 p.m. Afternoon

● IF YOU HAVE A 1st - 3rd GRADER & 5th - 6th GRADER: ○ All cars should enter campus and move into the center lane ○ The right lane must be open for The St. Paul Senior Living Community traffic ○ Please turn into the McGuffey parking lot just before the island on the St. Paul

driveway to pick up your lower school child first ○ Your lower-school student will be dismissed from the River Birch Walk outside of

McGuffey Hall ○ Proceed through the McGuffey carpool lane until a staff member instructs you to

move into the 5th - 6th grade Lower Kuyper Door carpool lane (just past the dumpster)

○ You will be directed through the Lower Kuyper Door lane by a staff member ○ Parents should remain in their cars and anyone over the age of four should be

masked while in the pick-up line. Beyond the Classroom care is available if you know your child will need after-school care; pre-registration is required.

● IF YOU HAVE ONLY (AN) UPPER-SCHOOL CHILD(REN): ○ All cars should enter campus and move into the center lane ○ The right lane must be open for The St. Paul Senior Living Community traffic ○ You may proceed around the island on the St. Paul driveway once you have

been cleared by a staff member ○ Once around the island, immediately return to the middle lane and prepare to

turn left into the Carrier Circle roundabout when space becomes available ○ Students will be dismissed from Carrier Circle with staff supervision ○ When in the roundabout, only move forward with instruction from a staff member ○ You will be directed to pull forward if your child does not arrive in a timely

manner; other cars will be directed to pass you on the left

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○ Parents should remain in their cars and anyone over the age of four should be masked while in the pick-up line. Beyond the Classroom care is available if you know your child will need after-school care; pre-registration is required.

Class Placement

It is the goal of the faculty and administration for each class to be one that encourages and

supports a year of positive growth for the students academically, spiritually, socially, and

emotionally. Class placements are made prayerfully and carefully, desiring the best for each

student. The placement process includes but is not limited to:

● Current teacher recommendations

● Student profile: academic strengths and needs, grades, test scores, student skills, etc.

● Learning style: motivation type, easily distracted vs. focused, etc.

● Personality & characteristics: quiet, easy going, social, etc.

It is the school’s policy that no changes will be made to class lists once they have been

communicated to families. Additions or changes to the class list will only be made if a new

student is accepted into the grade.

Celebrations and Birthdays

Every month, St. Paul will have a special grade-wide birthday celebration and will provide a

popsicle treat for JK-6th grades. All students with birthdays during the month will be guests of

honor among their grade-level peers. We will communicate in advance with parents whose

children have allergies. This celebration will take the place of parents sending in birthday treats,

which will help better manage how many sugary treats our students receive. This grade-wide

celebration aligns with our strategic health initiative. The American Heart Association named St.

Paul a “fit-friendly school,” so we are excited to continue this tradition that not only helps us

celebrate birthdays but also limits the number of treats our students eat. We thank you for

understanding the importance of this school-wide health initiative and for not bringing in

additional treats on your child’s birthday. We will celebrate birthdays on the last Friday of every

month.

Please do not send flowers, balloons, or any other gifts to your child during the school day.

Invitations to a child’s birthday party may only be distributed in class if every child in the class

receives an invitation. If every child in the class is not invited, parents must distribute outside of

school.

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Communication

Regular communication between the school and home is a priority.

Weekly Homeroom Email

Each week, St. Paul homeroom teachers will send parents a weekly email regarding their class.

Weekly All-School Email

On Sunday, all St. Paul community members will receive an email, St. Paul Press. This email will

include a recap of the week, upcoming events, and important information that highlights our

student body, faculty, and Parent Council.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled throughout the year. The purpose of these

conferences is to strengthen the partnership between the parent and teacher. Additionally,

parents or teachers may request a conference at any time during the year if a need arises.

Parent-Teacher Email

Email is the most efficient way to communicate with the St. Paul faculty. However, parents and

faculty are discouraged from attempting to resolve concerns through email. Concerns should be

resolved through direct conversation either on the telephone or in person. Parents should

anticipate an answer to emails within 24 hours with the exception of weekends and holidays. In

this case, emails will be answered by the afternoon of the first day classes resume. Please do not

expect faculty to respond to email during the academic day; their priority is focusing on their

students. Please do not text teachers during or after the school day unless directed to do so by

the coach or director of an after-school activity. Teachers have been asked not to communicate

with parents through text unless coordinating an after-school activity.

Concern Resolution

All day-to-day operations are under the authority and responsibility of the Interim Head of

School, Susan Cobb.

To accomplish our mission, St. Paul values open, candid and constructive communication

among stakeholders. When concerns arise during the school year, it is important that all

stakeholders understand the school’s resolution process and the need to address concerns in a

manner that supports a strong sense of school community. This resolution process applies to

parents and faculty.

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St. Paul’s concern resolution policy is based on scripture found in Matthew 18:15-16.

Whenever a concern arises, it should be addressed directly with the person(s) involved. When

concerns escalate, it is frequently due to the lack of clear and direct communication between the

individuals involved.

Students, parents, teachers, and staff members have the right and responsibility to address

concerns openly and should never experience retaliation for their efforts to share and seek

resolution of concerns.

Oversight of the administrative operations of the school, including concern resolution, is

assigned to the Head of School by the Board of Trust; individual Board members do not engage

in the resolution of day-to-day concerns. It is the expectation of the Board that the Head of

School will ensure the implementation of the following concern resolution policy:

1. If a stakeholder has a concern, he or she should first communicate directly with the teacher

or staff member involved in an attempt to resolve the concern. If a meeting is requested from

either party, all individuals involved should make their best efforts to schedule the meeting

within two school days of the request. Meetings may be conducted in person, by phone or

Zoom, or in any mutually agreed upon manner.

2. If the stakeholder feels the concern remains unresolved, a meeting should be requested with

the teacher or staff member and their immediate supervisor to discuss the concern. Please

contact Jeanette Leggett if you need to identify an employee's supervisor. Any follow up

actions, with the corresponding timeline, shall be documented and agreed upon during this

meeting. All parties shall be accountable for the agreed upon plan.

3. If the stakeholder feels the concern is still unresolved, the final step is to request a meeting

with the Head of School. The Head of School will work with all individuals involved to seek a

resolution. The outcome of the meeting and any follow-up actions, along with the

corresponding timeline, shall be documented and agreed upon before the end of the

meeting. All parties shall be accountable for the agreed upon plan.

Discipline and Behavior

One of the charges we take most seriously is to provide a learning environment where every

child is free to develop the habits of mind, body, and spirit that God desires for all of us. For

every child to have such an environment, we must be diligent to ensure that there are very few

distractions to each child in his or her journey to understand and develop the gifts God has given

him or her and move toward Christlikeness. We desire to partner with you to create a loving,

safe, nurturing, and challenging environment. To that end, we must have a clear set of

expectations for all students that parents, faculty, staff, and students understand; we must also

be diligent in holding students accountable for meeting those expectations. We want what is best

for each child, and the most effective way to achieve that is to work in partnership with you.

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Our teachers strive to lovingly discipline students in order to guide their behavior and shape

their hearts. When a teacher needs additional help—either because he or she has been unable to

help a child change his or her behavior or because a child commits a serious breach of

conduct—he or she will work with the division head to help discipline the child. If the parents,

teacher, and administrator cannot help the child change the behaviors in question, then the

matter will be addressed by the head of school for final resolution.

Discipline Procedures

1. Teacher guides/instructs student to correct his or her behavior

2. Teacher partners with parents to guide/instruct student to correct his or her behavior

3. Teacher works with parent and the division head to help the student correct behaviors

4. Teacher works with parent, the division head, and head of school to help the student

correct behaviors

In most cases, this four-step process will be used to help a student correct those behaviors that

are inconsistent with the code of conduct. However, the head of school reserves the right to

begin at the fourth step and separate any child from school who refuses to exercise responsible

citizenship or who poses a threat to any member of the school community.

Rules of Behavior

We expect that every student should conduct himself or herself as a child of God as defined by

God’s Word, the Bible. Additionally, the following are more specific rules of behavior:

● A student who intentionally defaces or damages any property shall be responsible for

replacing all damaged property, and may receive further discipline upon the decision of

the head of school.

● Profanity and vulgarity are prohibited.

● A student must not cheat, create the appearance of cheating, or contribute to the

cheating of others.

● Weapons, fireworks, firearms, knives, and other items that may be dangerous are

prohibited.

● The possession or use of tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs, or any behavior which

adversely reflects upon the image of St. Paul, will lead to disciplinary action which may

result in dismissal from school.

● Fighting or in any way threatening harm to another person is prohibited.

● Bullying or teasing is prohibited. Bullying is defined by stopbullying.gov as “unwanted,

aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power

imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time” and

is intended to cause harm. Bullying can be verbal, physical, social, or cyber. The head of

school has the final authority when determining if a behavior is bullying and will make the

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final determination regarding the administration of disciplinary consequences including but

not limited to dismissal from St. Paul Christian Academy.

● Stealing or being in possession of another person’s property without that person’s

permission is prohibited.

● Lying or not telling the whole truth is prohibited.

● Chewing gum is not permitted.

The head of school and his staff have the authority to establish and expedite any rules about

behavior and dress which do not expressly conflict with those herein stated. Please check with

your child’s teacher for expectations and consequences specific to their classroom.

Email Confidentiality

St. Paul is a community of educators who work collaboratively to ensure the best teaching and

learning environment for our students. We reserve the right to share information among

teachers and administrators. This includes emails that parents send to the school. The sole

purpose of this sharing of information is to help the school best meet the needs of our school

community.

Good Sportsmanship

St. Paul Christian Academy is a member of Independent Schools of Nashville. We ascribe to the

following sportsmanship creed:

“The Independent Schools of Nashville are proud of the behavior and sportsmanship displayed

by their players, coaches, and fans. They value spirited and fair play as well as spirited and

positive support among their players, teams and opponents. They expect all members within the

Independent Schools of Nashville to have a strong sense of spirit, fair play and sportsmanship.

Players shall at all times represent themselves and their school with honor, exemplary conduct,

and good sportsmanship. They should understand that competitive rivalries are encouraged, but

that disrespect for opponents is unsportsmanlike and lessens the value of the competitions.

Players should confine their competitiveness to the field, and, in particular, behave

appropriately on the sidelines and in the locker rooms both before and after games. Each athlete

is expected to comply fully with the rulings of the officials and not to demonstrate dissatisfaction

with decisions either by voice, action, or gesture. Players must not forget that they represent

themselves, their families, and their school. The Independent Schools of Nashville expect all

spectators, both students, and adults, to be respectful towards players, coaches, officials, and

other spectators. The Independent Schools of Nashville will not permit any behavior by

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spectators that detracts from the proper conduct of the game or places a team or player at a

disadvantage.”

Field Trips

All students are expected to participate in all class field trips. Specific permission must be

obtained from the division head for any student not attending a field trip, including overnight

field trips. The school bus or a rented bus are used for field trips. Occasionally, additional

drivers may be needed. To reduce the liability that parent drivers assume when they drive

children other than their own, drivers will only be allowed to transport their children on field

trips. All drivers must be a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian of a St. Paul student.

Chaperones must not deviate from the field trip schedule. Younger siblings are not allowed to

accompany a class on field trips if their parent is a trip chaperone.

Trip Agreement and Release

To participate in class field trips, we ask parents to consent to the following:

For, and in consideration of, the school’s undertaking the sponsorship and supervision of field

trips, class retreats and class trips in which Student is a participant, I (we) agree as follows:

Student understands that this is a supervised program and that group standards must be

observed. He or she will at all times remain under the supervision of the School and its agents

and will comply with the School’s rules, standards, and instructions for student behavior. I (we)

hereby waive and release all claims against the School and its agents, both on behalf of myself

and Student, arising out of his or her failure to remain under such supervision or to comply with

such rules, standards, and instructions. I agree that the School shall have the right to enforce

appropriate standards of conduct, and that it may at any time terminate Student’s participation

in the School’s program for failure to maintain these standards or for any actions or conduct

which the School reasonably considers to be incompatible with the interest, harmony, comfort,

and welfare of other students. If Student’s participation is terminated, I consent to him or her

being sent home at my expense with no refund or fees.

I (we) hereby grant the School and its employees and agents full authority to take whatever

actions they may reasonably consider to be warranted under the circumstances regarding

Student’s health and safety, and I release each of them from any liability for such decisions or

actions as may reasonably be taken in connection therewith. I authorize the School and its

agents, at their discretion, to place Student, at any expense and without my further consent, in a

hospital for medical services and treatment, or if no hospital is readily available to place Student

in the care of a medical doctor for treatment. If deemed necessary or desirable by the School or

its agents, I (we) authorize them to transport Student to Nashville, Tennessee, by commercial

airline or by any other viable means available, at my expense for medical treatment.

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I (we) release the School and/or its employees and its agents from any claim for injury, damage

or loss caused by the act or omission of any third party, such as an air carrier, travel agency, or

hotel, and further release the School and its employees from and against any and all claims for

injury, damage or loss arising from Student’s participation in such field trips, class retreats, and

class trips, unless caused by the School’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

I (we) understand that the School reserves the right to cancel programs due to an insufficient

number of participants or otherwise to make alterations in programs and itineraries as may be

required. In addition, I understand that the School’s program charges are based, in part, on

currently applicable tariffs and government regulations and are subject to change.

All references in this agreement to “the School” and “its Agents” shall include the School and all

of its officers, Trustees, administrators, staff members, chaperones, group leaders, and

employees. All references herein to the “parents” of the applicant shall include the legal

guardians or other adults responsible for the applicant, where applicable.

Food Allergies

At St. Paul, we desire to partner with you to keep your child safe during the school day. It is the

responsibility of the family to notify the school of any food allergies. You will be asked to

complete the forms provided by the School Nurse, as well as any necessary medications. If a

child has an EpiPen prescription for his or her allergy, the EpiPen will be kept in the clinic in

McGuffey Hall. Many families also like to provide an EpiPen for their child’s homeroom teacher

to remain in the classroom. Additionally, St. Paul will keep EpiPens in the Dining Hall. St. Paul

is a peanut-free campus. Our lunch provider, SAGE Dining, prepares only nut-free foods. During

our in-service time each summer, the School Nurse conducts a food allergy seminar for our

teachers, which includes signs and symptoms of a reaction, school policies related to food

allergies, what to do in case of emergency, and EpiPen training. Our faculty and staff members

are committed to keeping our students safe.

Fundraising

The Board of Trust, in conjunction with the Office of Development, is responsible for all

fundraising at St. Paul and the oversight of all activities involving solicitation within our

community. Fundraising is vital to the life of an independent school, and our community has a

strong history of high participation. Each year, St. Paul conducts an annual giving campaign and

requests the participation of all members of the St. Paul community, including parents. The

money raised for the annual fund offsets the difference between the school budget and tuition.

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In addition to the annual fund, from time to time, the school will engage in larger fundraising

campaigns for specific purposes and special initiatives. Please direct any questions about

fundraising to the Director of Development.

Grading and Reporting

Report cards will be distributed every nine weeks for all grades. Interim reports for Grades 3-6

will be distributed approximately halfway through the nine-week grading period. Students in

Grades K-2 will be assessed using the key shown below for core academic courses. The

assessment key for all co-curricular courses is E (Excellent), S (Satisfactory), and N (Needs

Improvement).

The following assessment key is used at St. Paul Christian Academy for grades K through 2:

3 – Indicates the student consistently and independently meets grade-level standards. The

student regularly demonstrates proficiency in the majority of the standards for current grade

level. The student grasps and applies key concepts, processes, and skills for the current grade.

2- Indicates the student is approaching but does not consistently meet the standards for the

current grade level. The student is beginning to grasp and apply key concepts, processes, and

skills for the current grade level.

1- Indicates the student has not yet met minimum, grade-level standards. The student needs

more time, experience, and support for concepts, processes, and skills to develop.

Students in Grades 3-6 will receive grades using the scale shown below for core academic

courses. Students in Grade 3 receive a letter grade, students in Grades 4-6 receive a numerical

grade. The assessment key for all co-curricular courses is E (Excellent), S (Satisfactory), and N

(Needs Improvement). Students are assessed separately in content and conduct in co-curricular

classes. An additional conduct grade is given to students by their homeroom teacher in Grades

4-6 using the E, S, N scale.

The following grading scale is used at St. Paul Christian Academy for Grades 3 through 6:

A+ 97-100 B- 80-82

A 93-96 C+ 77-79

A- 90-92 C 73-76

B+ 87-89 C- 70-72

B 83-86 F 69 or below

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Head’s List

Qualifications for the Head’s List are 1) a student in Grades 3-6 receives no less than an “A” in

any major academic area, 2) an “S” or above in conduct, and 3) co-curricular class grade will be

an “S” or above.

A-B Honor Roll

Qualifications for the A-B Honor Roll are 1) a student in Grades 3-6 achieves an “A” or “B” in

any major academic area, 2) an “S” or above in conduct, and 3) co-curricular class grade must be

an “S” or above.

Graduation

Graduation is a formal ceremony, and all sixth-grade students are expected to participate. The

Pillar Awards are presented at graduation. Each graduate receives a diploma and Bible. The

class selects two students to speak on behalf of the class.

Homework

Homework is intended to provide practice for skills that are being mastered. It is not used to

introduce new learning. Long-term projects are designed to help students learn to organize and

execute multi-step assignments with parental guidance. Each grade level has expectations on the

amount of time a student should spend on homework. If your child is spending an excessive

amount of time completing assignments at home, please contact his or her teacher.

Jeans Days and Special Dress-up Days

At St. Paul, we have a tradition of wearing jeans on report card day as well as the last Friday of

the month. Mark your calendar for these dates (see the school calendar on the St. Paul website)

to be sure that your child does not miss these opportunities. Please note that on report card

days, jeans may only be worn with a St. Paul shirt. Depending on what a class is studying, they

may have special dress-up days from time to time during the year. Your child’s teacher will let

you know the dates of these special days as they come up throughout the year.

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Lunch

At the time of publication, we are not able to have guests join children for lunch

due to the current campus visitor policy. Should the policy change, the below

information on lunch visitors will apply.

We encourage parents to join their child for lunch whenever possible. If the parent would like

to have a school lunch, the cost is $5 and should be paid upon signing in at the main office.

There are tables on the stage in the Dining Hall and picnic tables in the courtyard reserved for

visiting parents and their children. Please do not invite your child’s friends to join your child

on the stage for lunch.

Morning Care

Early Morning Care is provided at no charge for any St. Paul student who needs to arrive at

school between 7:15 a.m. and 7:35 a.m. Early Morning Care is supervised by a staff member and

is held in the Dining Hall. The child(ren)’s temperature will be taken upon arrival and must be at

or below 100.00°.

Parent Council

Purpose

The St. Paul Christian Academy Parent Council’s purpose is to enhance the school environment

by participating in matters of fundraising, facilitating parental involvement, and sponsoring or

assisting with specific events and activities. The Parent Council works in cooperation with the St.

Paul Christian Academy Board of Trust, administration, faculty, and staff.

Policies

Requests for assistance or action on the part of the Parent Council must be submitted in writing

and approved by the Parent Council general board.

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Organization of the Parent Council

The Parent Council is structured as follows:

● General Membership - Each parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the school is

a member of the general membership of the Parent Council. Each member has one vote

in general membership meetings. Two or more meetings of the general membership

occur each year. Questions or concerns need to be placed on the agenda prior to the

meeting by contacting one of the co-presidents.

● General Board - Consists of all officers, chairpersons of all standing and activity

committees, and the immediate past co-presidents. The General Board meets a

minimum of nine times throughout the year and is responsible for the general charge

and control of the affairs, funds, and property of the Parent Council.

● Executive Committee - Consists of the co-presidents, vice co-presidents, secretary,

treasurer, member-at-large, and immediate past co-presidents. The Executive

Committee shall be vested with all the powers of the General Board between meetings.

By-Laws

A copy of the by-laws of the Parent Council is available upon request. The by-laws contain

additional information concerning policies, officers’ responsibilities, events, etc.

Elections

The Nominating Committee will identify potential candidates for officers and activity

chairpersons. The nominating committee consists of the current co-presidents, the immediate

past co-presidents, and the current vice co-presidents. A slate of officers is presented to the

General Board for approval. (For further information concerning elections and voting, refer to

by-laws.)

Allocation of Parent Council Funds

The treasurer and co-presidents will meet with the head of school to determine the use of funds

raised by the Parent Council and shall recommend to the Parent Council General Board one or

more uses for such funds. The Parent Council General Board shall then approve the use of such

funds and will then be announced to the general membership.

Parent Council Officers: (see By-Laws for responsibilities)

Co-Presidents

Vice-President

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Secretary

Treasurer

Member-at-Large

Immediate Past Co-Presidents

Parent Council Standing Committee

Nominating (Chair and Immediate Past Co-Presidents): responsible for preparing slate of

officers and appointing activity chairpersons

Parent Council Activity Committees and Chairpersons

The following are St. Paul Christian Academy events held during the year that the Parent

Council is either responsible for organizing or assists in a supportive role. A parent is appointed

as chairperson or co-chair of each event.

Fundraising

● Saints Bash - The co-chairs of this fun-filled event promote community at St. Paul,

raise funds for the Parent Council, and involve parents in the promotion, participation,

and service of the fundraiser. In conjunction with the Office of Development, the

co-chairs solicit members and companies to underwrite or donate funds, gifts, or

services.

● Saint Shop - The co-chairs are responsible for working with the administration in the

operation of the Saint Shop, which is St. Paul’s spirit store. Duties include inventory

(ordering and restocking), finances (working with the treasurer to ensureall monies are

accounted for), and scheduling store staff (working with sixth graders and volunteers).

*Please note: All St. Paul Christian Academy logos fall within copyright laws and usage of

these must be approved by St. Paul Christian Academy.

● Shopping Partners - The chairperson promotes and operates Kroger Plus cards,

Publix Partners, and AmazonSmile, and other shopping programs. The chairperson also

oversees the General Mills’ Boxtops for Education program and organizes spirit nights at

local restaurants to benefit St. Paul Christian Academy.

● Spring Book Fair - The co-chairs order books, work with St. Paul Christian Academy

to publicize details of the sale to parents, set up the sale, and handle transactions. The

Spring Book Fair provides parents with an opportunity to purchase new books, including

those on the student summer reading lists.

● Used Textbook Sale - The co-chairs work with St. Paul Christian Academy to publicize

details of the sale to parents, collect books, organize books by grade, set up the sale,

handle transactions, and send checks to sellers.

● Used Uniform Sale - The co-chairs organize spring and fall uniform consignment

sales for those families interested in selling and purchasing St. Paul uniforms at a

discounted price. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Parent Council. Special note

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about uniform donations: We kindly request that you do not donate used uniforms or St.

Paul branded clothing to local collection agencies such as Goodwill; however, you are

welcome to donate these items to the school or to mission groups for distribution outside

the United States.

● All Saints Festival – The co-chairs will plan a fun-filled community event to promote

fellowship among St. Paul families

● Father-Daughter Sock Hop - The chairperson of this event organizes the sock hop for

4th, 5th, and 6th-grade girls and their fathers.

● Sweetheart Moms’ Breakfast - The co-chairs of this event organize a breakfast for

6th-grade children and their mothers.

Appreciation

● Admission Hospitality and WNSL Basketball Greeters - The co-chairs provide a

warm, friendly welcome for prospective families; recruit parent-volunteers to welcome

the Nashville community to our campus; and serve as ambassadors for the concessions

during WNSL Basketball games on Saturdays in the spring.

● Graduation Reception - The co-chairs organize a light reception following graduation

for graduates and their guests.

● Sunshine Committee - The chairperson provides support to St. Paul families in the

event of death, illness, or birth in the family.

● Teacher Luncheons - The co-chairs organize special lunches for the faculty

throughout the year.

● Teacher Treats - The co-chairs organize monthly treat days for the faculty.

Parent Mobilization

● Christmas Program - The co-chairs assist the music teacher with the program by

helping with decorations, props, costumes, refreshments, and volunteers.

● Concessions - The chairperson organizes concessions sales and volunteers for St. Paul

Christian Academy athletic events.

● Field Day - The co-chairs works with the athletics and after-school program director to

plan a day of fun and friendly competition; the co-chairs recruit volunteers, organize

equipment, and plan any supporting events.

● Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day - The co-chairs help St. Paul Christian

Academy plan an event that brings grandparents to the school by assisting with event

logistics, planning the reception, and recruiting volunteers.

● Library Helpers - The co-chairs assist the school librarian with re-shelving books,

Christmas decor, and other library-related activities.

● Parent Forums - The co-chairs organize various parent events and speakers

throughout the school year.

● Prayer Parent - The co-chairs coordinate an effort to encourage prayer for students

among parents.

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● Room Parent Coordinator - The co-chairs recruit parents to serve as contact parent,

party parent, and prayer parent for all grades.

● School Supplies & Giving Tree - The co-chairs organize the ordering of school

supplies and the Giving Tree effort to provide items on each teacher’s classroom supply

wish list, including displaying these items in a way for families to select and purchase as

a way to further support the teachers.

● Spiritual Life Week Service Day - The chairperson works with the Director of

Spiritual Life to plan a day of service during Spiritual Life Week.

● Social Media - The chairperson coordinates the Parent Council’s social media presence

and promotes Parent Council events.

Physical Education Policy

At St. Paul Christian Academy, we believe in a strong lifetime fitness curriculum that will enable

children to achieve their best. Numerous studies confirm the positive impact and lasting effects

of physical activity on the developing brain. Ideally, children with developing bodies and minds

should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. Daily

physical education contributes significantly to a child’s development as a whole person, and it is

essential that he or she participates regularly. A note from a parent or guardian is required to

excuse any child from P.E. The P.E. instructors may also request a statement from the doctor for

a continued exemption. The physical education class is devoted to a lifetime fitness curriculum.

St. Paul requires an annual physician certification form prior to the beginning of each school

year in order for students to participate in P.E. The form can be accessed and uploaded in your

child’s SchoolDoc.com profile.

School Closing Procedures

School closings due to inclement weather will be determined and announced on a day-to-day

basis. If inclement weather occurs during the night, and it is necessary to close the school in the

early morning, the decision will be communicated by text message, email, social media, and a

phone call. The school will also provide closure information to local TV stations. In the event of a

tornado warning, St. Paul Christian Academy follows the National Weather Service guidelines.

School Counselor

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A certified counselor is on staff and available during school hours to address family, individual,

and group counseling needs of St. Paul students.

Individual Counseling Policy

If a teacher, in conjunction with the Head of School or Division Head, refers a student to the

school counselor, or if a student expresses a desire to speak with the counselor, the student may

be seen by the counselor for one visit to determine if more sessions are needed. If more sessions

are indicated, the counselor will contact the parent to obtain permission for additional

individual counseling sessions. Counselor notes from all visits will remain in the counselor’s

confidential office file, not in a student’s permanent record. Access to these notes and files is

limited to the counselor and head of school.

Group Counseling Policy

St. Paul’s counselor will, from time to time, create groups for particular social-skill building or

for discussing ideas and concepts relevant to students’ lives. St. Paul Christian Academy reserves

the right to include all students in such groups.

School Visits

At the time of publication, campus visitors are restricted. We recognize that there will be times

when an in-person meeting is best and will handle those situations as they arise.

All visitors are required to go directly to the main office located in McGuffey Hall to sign in and

obtain a parent or visitor sticker. Upon leaving, parents must sign out. Drop-in visits in the

classrooms are discouraged because they take time from the planned schedule of the teachers

and students. Appointments with teachers should be scheduled before school, after school, or

during the teacher’s planning period. Parents, relatives, former students, and friends of the

school have an open invitation to attend any of the special assemblies, chapels, or class

programs presented by the school. Students are not to have visitors during school hours, except

during lunch. Forgotten items that are dropped off at school should be left in the main office

with the student’s name. They will be taken to the class at an appropriate time.

Seek and Find

Our Seek and Find area is located in the gym. Anything found on our campus that is not labeled

will be placed in seek and find. If your child’s name is on the item, we will return it to him or her.

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If your child is missing an item, please send an email to the main office

(office@stpaulchristian.org) and they will check seek and find. Anything remaining after

Christmas vacation and then again after May 1st will be donated.

Smoke-Free Campus

Smoking is prohibited inside and outside any St. Paul Christian Academy buildings.

Student Accident Insurance

St. Paul Christian Academy furnishes a basic student accident insurance plan that is designed to

supplement a student’s standard health insurance benefits. To request further information or

assistance, please contact the Assistant Head of School for Business and Operations.

Student Health

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For more information about St. Paul’s response to COVID-19, please visit

stpaulchristianacademy.org/covid.

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St. Paul has a clinic located in McGuffey Hall in the event a child becomes ill or suffers an injury

during the school day. Once a child has been sent to the clinic, the School Nurse will conduct an

initial evaluation to determine whether the child should remain at school. If necessary, the

parent or guardian may be contacted and asked to pick up his or her child. When a child is

experiencing an abnormal temperature, he or she cannot return to school until a normal

temperature has been maintained for a full 48-hour period without fever-reducing medication.

In no case should a child be sent to school who has experienced an abnormal temperature or

other signs of illness during the night. A temperature over 100.00° is considered a fever, in

which case the child needs to stay home. If a child experiences nausea or diarrhea, he or should

not come to school. In case of contagious illness, the parent should immediately notify the

school. The child should not return until all risk of contagion is passed as indicated by the

student’s physician. Children with strep throat are to be kept at home until they have been on

medication for 24 hours. Because of the contagious nature of ringworm and pink-eye, children

with these illnesses must be kept home until the infection has fully subsided. The school reserves

the right to require a physician’s statement before permitting a child to return to classes.

Tennessee Department of Health Immunization Requirements

St. Paul follows the guidelines that are set forth by the state of Tennessee and the Department of

Human Services regarding vaccinations and immunizations.The Department of Human Services

requires that all of the below immunizations be current for all students:

DTP/DT/DtaP: Four (4) doses of DTP/DT/DtaP (in any combination) are required. The fourth

dose must be administered on or after the fourth birthday.

Hepatitis B: The Hepatitis B immunization is a normal childhood vaccine for all school-aged

children. The Tennessee Department of Health requires all children entering Kindergarten to

have the (3 doses) Hepatitis B immunization (vaccine or serologic testing demonstrating

immunity).

MMR: Two (2) doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine are required for

Kindergarten and fourth grade students.

Polio: Four (4) doses of the Polio vaccine are required. Fourth dose must be administered on or

after the fourth birthday.

Varicella (Chicken Pox): Two (2) doses of varicella vaccine is required or a history of having the

disease must be provided by the parents, guardians, or physician. This is the only disease for

which a parental history of disease is accepted.

Hepatitis A: Two (2) doses will be required for Kindergarten entry.

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For parents of new students:

The Tennessee Department of Health requires the following forms/items to be on file for each

child before the first day of school:

Tennessee Certificate of Immunization

A copy of your child’s birth certificate

Go to https://tn.gov/health/article/vr-certificate to replace a lost birth certificate.

Prescription Medications

Students must leave all medications in the clinic. No medication is to be kept in the student’s

possession, including off-campus trips. All medication must be in the original bottle with the

official prescription label. For a child with asthma, an inhaler, labeled with the child’s name,

teacher’s name, and directions for use must be kept in the clinic. If you would like for your child

to keep an inhaler on his or her person, please submit written permission to the School Nurse.

4th-6th grade students who participate in after-school sports may keep an inhaler in his or her

backpack that is only for use during after-school sports activities. Please note that this inhaler is

in addition to his or her rescue inhaler that is kept in the clinic.

Procedure for Administering Prescription Medications

For the safety and benefit of all students, there are several policies which govern the dispensing

of medications in our clinic. Medications that have been prescribed by a physician should be

administered at home whenever possible. If a student requires prescription medicine during the

school day, the School Nurse must follow strict guidelines. If these conditions are not met, the

School Nurse will be unable to administer the medication.

Parent/Guardian responsibilities regarding student prescription

medications:

St. Paul utilizes SchoolDoc.com for online medical records management. Parents or guardians

can add prescription information related to their child in the child’s profile.

The medication must be given to the School Nurse in the original, properly labeled pharmacy

container, which includes the child’s name, the name of the medication, unit dosage, time to be

given and how it is to be administered.

When medication changes are made, new containers with the appropriate labeling must be given

to the School Nurse and the old medication removed from the school.

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School’s responsibilities regarding student prescription

medications:

The School Nurse will ensure that the prescribed medications are kept in a secure location in the

clinic (exceptions may be made for medications requiring refrigeration).

The School Nurse will maintain detailed professional records of all medications given at the

school in the child’s health record, including the dose, time, date, and the name of the drug and

any other pertinent information.

Over-the-Counter Medications

The term “over-the-counter medication” refers to any medication that may be readily purchased

at a pharmacy without a prescription. The St. Paul clinic will stock only the basic of these

medicines. Over-the-counter medications will only be administered with the parent or legal

guardian’s signature. Additional policies regarding the dispensing of prescribed and

over-the-counter medications are available from the clinic.

Lice Policy

The CDC estimates that 6 million to 12 million infestations of head lice occur each year in the

United States among children 3 to 11 years. Head lice move by crawling; they cannot fly or hop,

and they are spread by head to head contact with an infected person. It is uncommon to become

infested with head lice due to contact with clothing, personal items, or surfaces. For more

information, please visit the CDC website

http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/gen_info/faqs.html. To avoid the spread of lice, we

encourage our families to get into the habit of regularly checking their children for lice. If lice or

nits are found, please keep your child at home for treatment. There are many products on the

market to kill lice and nits, but the only way to avoid re-infestation is to remove all lice and nits

from the head physically. There are several options for treatment:

1) Treatment and nit removal from a professional lice removal company (check current

local listings)

2) Treatment by the family at home

Pediatricians and the local health department also have information and suggestions for

products you may use.

If a child is treated for lice, whether that be at a professional lice-removal company or by the

family at home, they may return to school the following day as long as there are no signs of lice

or nits.

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Technology Policy & Agreement

For a student to participate in St. Paul’s technology program, parents are required to read and

agree to the Internet and Technology Usage policies found below. We strongly recommend that

you develop your home internet-use policy as a way to teach children how to access and use

information on the internet appropriately. Ideally, the home computer should be located in a

family room so that you can monitor your child’s activity. For your child’s privacy, St. Paul

Christian Academy will not associate a student’s name with his or her image on our website or

printed material.

St. Paul Responsibilities:

St. Paul Christian Academy will take precautions to restrict access to harmful matter and to

materials that do not support approved educational objectives.

Teachers and staff will choose resources on the internet that are appropriate for classroom

instruction and research for the needs, maturity, and ability of our students.

Teachers and staff will train students on the proper use of the internet.

St. Paul Christian Academy encourages families to discuss proper use of the internet to help

facilitate good practices and prevent possible problems.

Student Responsibilities:

Students will recognize that use of the internet is a privilege, not a right.

Students will use the internet for educational objectives as directed by St. Paul Christian

Academy teachers.

When using the internet, students must be polite and kind, use appropriate language, maintain

privacy, and respect the copyrights.

Parent Responsibilities:

I will read the Internet usage policy with my child.

Outside of school, I will guide my child toward appropriate internet usage.

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I understand that internet privileges may be revoked at the discretion of St. Paul Christian

Academy staff and/or teachers.

I grant permission for my child to access the St. Paul Christian Academy network, including the

internet. I understand that individuals and families may be held responsible for violating this

policy. I accept responsibility for guidance of internet use when selecting, sharing, or exploring

information and media.

Equipment Agreement (for 2nd-6th grade)

This agreement is between St. Paul Christian Academy (St. Paul) and student (User) and his or

her parent. St. Paul and the User agree to the following conditions:

Description of Equipment

St. Paul agrees to provide the User with a technology device (laptop computer, iPad, or other)

and a protective case, if applicable, to be used strictly for educational, academic, and curriculum

purposes.

Term

The term of this agreement is from the date of acceptance of this agreement until the device and

case are returned to St. Paul.

Use and Alterations

The User agrees to use the device lawfully, not for private business purposes, and not to make

any alterations, additions or improvements. St. Paul shall be responsible only for maintenance

and for providing technical assistance for the device.

Surrender

The User shall not alter or remove any identification labels attached to or displayed on the

device. The User agrees to return the device and case to St. Paul before the last day of the school

year. Upon withdrawal or graduation from St. Paul, the User agrees to return the device and case

to St. Paul immediately. If the equipment is returned in damaged condition, St. Paul may charge

the User the cost to repair or replace the device, not to exceed $1,000. Please note that some

homeowners’ policies cover such school-related property. Consult your insurance agent or policy

for clarification.

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Loss and Damage

The User agrees to take reasonable and prudent care of the device and case and to keep it safe

and secure. The User shall bear the risk of loss, theft, destruction or damage to the device and

case from the date of the Agreement. Concerning the destruction, damage, or loss, please note

the following:

1) If the User drops the equipment, knocks it off a desk, table, etc., or otherwise damages

the device, whether accidental or due to misuse, the User will be responsible for the cost

of the repair or replacement of the device.

2) If two or more students are involved in an incident whereby a device is damaged, the

cost of the repair or replacement will be shared equally among all parties involved.

3) If User loses the device, the User will be responsible for the replacement cost.

4) The User shall report to the school any instances of theft, damage, or loss within 48

hours of his or her knowledge. In the case of theft, the User will file a police report, as

appropriate with the local jurisdiction, and agrees to cooperate with St. Paul in all efforts

to recover the device.

5) St. Paul reserves the right to bill the User for the replacement cost of the device, not to

exceed $1,000.

Assignment, Compliance with State and Federal Law

The User shall not lend the device or permit it to be possessed or used by anyone other than the

User. The User agrees to comply with all Federal and State laws concerning copyright and

intellectual property right law about software.

Default, Remedies, and Termination

In the event the User fails to return the device within ten (10) days of withdrawal or graduation

from St. Paul or within ten (10) days from the last day of the school year, St. Paul reserves the

right to bill the User in full for the replacement cost of the device.

Ownership, Personal Property

The device and protective case are and will be at all times the property of St. Paul.

Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices

Any 5th or 6th-grade student who needs to have a cell phone at school must keep the phone off

and in his or her bag for the entire school day. If a JK through 4th-grade child needs to have a

cell phone at school, parents must first receive permission from the Division Head. Apple

watches or similar web or messaging devices may not be worn at school.

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Tutors

Academic Tutors

Any outside tutoring deemed necessary during school hours will be by recommendation of the

classroom teacher and the Center for Student Success. The Center for Student Success will work

with the tutors and classroom teacher to find optimal times to pull your child that will not

interfere with his or her regular classroom schedule. Tutors must sign in at the office before they

pick up a student.

Therapists

St. Paul partners with Project Play Therapy to provide occupational and speech-language

therapy to our students throughout the school year. Project Play has a designated office in

McGuffey Hall where they provide therapy during the school day. In addition to providing

individualized therapy, Project Play therapists collaborate with our classroom teachers, building

a child-centered team to ensure success. If your child has an existing relationship with another

therapist and you would like for him or her to receive therapy on campus, you may schedule a

room before or after school hours. All scheduling requests should go to the Director for the

Center for Student Success.

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