Handbook
STATEMENT OF MISSION
The Mission of Maranatha Adventist School is to provide the best possible opportunity for our students to excel to their highest ability in academic achievement. Of equal priority is our emphasis for each student to develop a close personal walk with the Lord, recognizing Jesus as their Savior, with the Bible as our primary guide in defining our lifestyle and principles. For students to be accepted at MAS, the student and parents/caregivers must affirm and demonstrate support for the Christian, value-based philosophy of the school.
STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
The Seventh-day Adventist Church recognizes God as the ultimate source of existence and truth. In the beginning God created in His image a perfect humanity, a perfection later marred by sin. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, God's character and purposes can be understood as revealed in nature, the Bible, and Jesus Christ. The distinctive characteristics of Adventist education, derived from the Bible and the inspired writings of Ellen G. White, point to the redemptive aim of true education: to restore human beings into the image of their Maker.
While God presents His infinitely loving and wise character as the ultimate norm for human conduct, human motives, thinking, and behavior have fallen short of God's ideal. Education in its broadest sense is a means of returning human beings to their original relationship with God. Its time dimensions span eternity.
Adventist education seeks to develop a life of faith in God and respect for the dignity of all human beings; to build character akin to that of the Creator; to nurture thinkers rather than mere reflectors of others' thoughts; to promote loving service rather than selfish ambition; to ensure maximum development of each individual's potential; and to embrace all that is true, good, and beautiful.
An education of this kind imparts far more than academic knowledge. It fosters a balanced development of the whole person-physically, intellectually, socially, and spiritually. Working together, homes, schools, and churches cooperate with divine agencies in preparing learners for responsible citizenship in this world and in the world to come.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Maranatha Seventh-day Adventist School is a Christian school that provides an education for students in kindergarten through the eighth grade. Its purpose is to train youth to know and serve God and to develop responsible citizens. "True education ... is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world, and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come."
Seventh-day Adventists conduct their own schools for the purpose of transmitting to their young people the ideals, beliefs, attitudes, values, habits and customs as taught by the church, and to provide a reservoir of well-prepared denominational workers and leaders. The government maintains a highly developed public school system for making citizens. Seventh-day Adventists want their children to be loyal, conscientious Christians, as well as patriotic law-abiding citizens.
A true knowledge of God, fellowship and companionship with Him in study and service, likeness to Him in character development, are to be the source, the means, and the aim of Seventh-day Adventist education.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
Maranatha Adventist School shares many objectives in common with good public school education, and has in addition, certain distinctive principles. Its Board and teachers believe that children should be thoroughly taught the fundamental skills of reading, writing, speaking and computational skills. In addition, they should be taught to use these skills in every day life:
Reading and comprehending the Bible and other uplifting materials,
Writing legibly, expressing themselves kindly and effectively,
Speaking clearly and courteously,
Being able to apply math to every day situations to manage money as good stewards of God.
ADMITTANCE
Any student who expresses an earnest desire for a Christian education will be considered for acceptance. Maranatha Adventist School recommends that all children be 7 years of age at the start of their first grade year. However, if parents so desire, they may consult with the school administration to have their child accepted to first grade when the child is 6 years old by the August 1 of the summer preceding their first grade year. The privileges of Maranatha Adventist School are not limited to young people of the Seventh-day Adventist faith.
Students are expected to show due respect for the Word of God, maintain a reverent attitude during religious services, and observe all regulations of the school. Only those should apply for admission who are in full sympathy with the standards of Christian education, and who will cheerfully endeavor to live in harmony with the principles of the school.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in all of its church schools, admits students of any race to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at its schools, and makes no discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnic background, country of origin or sex in administration of educational policies, applications for admission, scholarship or loan programs, and extracurricular programs.
ADMISSIONS PROCEDURE
Parents are welcome to make an appointment with the principal or teacher to ask about their child attending this school. The admission procedure would involve two steps:
1) Parents bring child for an interview with teaching staff after school hours.
This includes informal testing to evaluate whether MAS can meet the child’s needs.
Principal discusses how MAS policies differ from public school.
Parents submit at least two names for reference.
2) At this point, the application will be brought to the school board for a decision as to whether the child is admitted.
The principal or school board chairman will call the parents to notify them of the school board’s decision.
ATTENDANCE
Students are required by law to attend school regularly. Therefore, the only valid excuse for absence from school is sickness or a death in the family. Parents are asked to cooperate with the school by permitting NO unexcused absences from school. As far as possible, dental and medical appointments should be made outside of school hours. Parents are urged to call the teacher by 8:30 on any day their child is going to be absent from school. Upon returning to school after an absence, a student must bring to the teacher a written excuse for the absence.
SCHOOL HOURS
School convenes at 8:15 a.m. and is dismissed at 3:15 p.m. Friday dismissal will be at 2:15 p.m. You may contact the staff or school board for information about the the school's security policy.
Parents should not drop their children at the school earlier than 7:45 a.m, and should pick them up between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m.
INSURANCE COVERAGE
Insurance coverage is carried by the school through Christian Educators Insurance Trust. Coverage is for:
School Time Accident Medical Coverage is provided for covered injuries occurring while:
A) On school premises:
1) during the hours and on the days when school is in session including recreational and luncheon recess; or
2) during the hours or on the days when school is not in session, provided the student is attending or participating
(a) in any activity sponsored and supervised by the school, or
(b) in religious services or instruction.
B) Traveling to and from school premises:
1) for regular school sessions, directly to or from the student’s home premises and school premises,
on the days when school is in session, from one hour before the opening of school
until one hour after the student is dismissed; or
2) as a member of a group traveling under school supervision
3) for religious services or instruction, directly to or from either the student’s home premises or the school
premises and the place where such services are held as designated by responsible ecclesiastical
authority.
If you have additional questions contact the Principal.
HEALTH
Seventh-day Adventists believe that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and that we have a personal responsibility to care for our health. It is important that students dress warmly during cold weather. Long-sleeved garments add to the student's comfort in the classroom during the winter weather. Indoor shoes or slippers are also suggested when it is necessary to wear boots on the playground.
In keeping with present nutritional information we urge parents to provide their children with a hearty breakfast. We also encourage students to bring lunches based on whole grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables and dairy products, rather than on refined foods, empty calories, or caffeinated drinks.
ASBESTOS
Maranatha Adventist School was inspected for the presence of asbestos in 1988 by an EPA approved asbestos inspector. No asbestos was found since our building was built in the 1980’s and asbestos insulating materials were no longer being used. In compliance with federal regulations, our school has a management plan for monitoring asbestos containing materials. We hold on file a copy of the asbestos inspection and management plan. You may examine the management plan during normal school hours.
ATTITUDES
Students at Maranatha Adventist School should take pride in their school, its appearance, its standards and its spirit. To preserve this wholesome atmosphere it is expected that all students will conduct themselves in harmony with the purpose of the school, "to know and serve God" in trustful obedience.
DRESS STANDARDS
Adventist educational philosophy teaches that modesty in dress is conducive to sound character building. Therefore, students are requested to dress modestly, neatly, healthfully and appropriately. Extremes in dress in either boys or girls and the use of jewelry or conspicuous makeup is prohibited. (Medic-Alert bracelets and wrist watches are acceptable.) These standards apply to all school functions, on or off the school grounds.
Some inappropriate clothing are:
Sleeveless dresses or tops
Un-hemmed skirts or pants
Cut-offs
The teacher may use his or her discretion in determining what clothing is appropriate.
Dress shorts may be worn on hot days during the first month of school, subject to prior approval by the principal. When the principal determines that the weather has cooled sufficiently he/she will notify the parents and this practice will be discontinued for the duration of the school year.
COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
Maranatha Adventist School is part of the Seventh-day Adventist educational system. Our school offers limited access to the Internet. For a student to use Internet at the school, the parent/guardian and student must sign and return the Internet Access Agreement form to the school.
The Internet can be a useful resource for finding information. Unfortunately, it is true that some materials accessible via the Internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or offensive. The school provides a filtering system on computers connected to Internet, and every reasonable effort will be made to provide supervision. However, the school cannot completely control what is accessed.
To provide better monitoring of internet use, and promote a safe internet experience for our students, at Maranatha Adventist School Internet is limited to one computer in each classroom. School computers are for educational purposes only. Most classroom internet use is to provide video clips or other materials chosen by the teacher to illustrate and further explain educational concepts.
Occasional internet access may be given for educational purposes to individual students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner. This access requires parental permission and student agreement to cooperate with school policies. Access is a privilege – not a right. Access entails responsibility. School staff may review files and communications to maintain system integrity and ensure that users are using the system responsibly.
Students will adhere to Christian principles and will:
Be responsible and courteous in all communications
Be responsible with all computer hardware and software
Keep their passwords to themselves
Respect the confidentiality of accounts, folders, work and files of others
Give credit when using material and quotes from other sources (not to do so is plagiarism)
Not attempt to access or alter unauthorized areas of a computer system
Any activity not in compliance with these rules may result in a loss of access as well as other disciplinary action.
Additional regulations may be applied.
DISCIPLINE
"To direct the child's development without hindering it by undue control" is the aim of the faculty and Board of Maranatha Adventist School. They are committed to the concept of "Preventive Discipline" and are desirous that school shall be a satisfying and growing experience for the child. The teacher may suspend a student up to three days. The school board reserves the right to impose longer suspension periods or dismiss the student.
PARENT VISITATION
Parents and church members are encouraged to visit the school anytime. During a visit please do not visit with students or teachers. This will alter the "normal" day you came to observe. Teachers will gladly visit with you after school hours, if you make arrangements.
STUDENT VISITATION
When a student enrolled elsewhere wishes to visit the Maranatha Adventist School, arrangements should be made in advance. Permission will be left to the discretion of the teacher.
GUIDELINES
The following guidelines are given so that both students and parents will know what to expect at Maranatha Adventist School during the school term:
Honesty in every situation.
Quietness in the building.
Respect for religious activities and beliefs.
Language befitting a Christian.
Kindness and respect toward each person in the classroom.
Observe the Handbook of Policies.
Proper care of school properties and equipment.
Respect the rights and property of each individual.
LINES OF COMMUNICATION
In keeping with scriptural injunction found in Matthew 18 problems arising at the school should be handled in the following manner, after prayer ...
A) Discuss the problem with the teacher.
If you feel that further discussion is necessary, follow these lines of communication.
B) Principal
C) School Board Chairman, Pastor
D) School Board
E) Conference Education Superintendent
F) K-12 Board
FINANCIAL POLICIES
Tuition for Moberly Seventh-day Adventist Church constituents consists of ten equal payments of $240 for the first child, $230 for the second child, $220 for the third child and $200 for any child thereafter. Total tuition for a year is $2400, $2300, $2200 and $2000 per child respectively.
Tuition for non-constituent students consists of ten equal payments of $255 for the first child, $245 for the second child, $235 for the third child and $215 for any child thereafter. Total tuition for a year is $2550, $2450, $2350, and $2150 per child respectively.
A registration fee of $220 per child is also charged. The minimum amount payable at registration is the first month's tuition plus one-half of the registration fee. Those who wish to pay the entire year in advance will receive a 5% discount on tuition. Those who wish to pay a semester in advance will receive a 3% discount on tuition.
There will be a registration each semester. First semester registration will be at the school and second semester registration will be via mail-in forms. All past due accounts must be paid prior to either registration. If payment is not received or other arrangements made by semester registration, the principal will not be allowed to permit the child to attend school until arrangements are made.
Each family account will receive a monthly billing statement showing current charges, credits and balance due. Payment is expected by the 30th of the month. Accounts more than 30 days old will be considered by the Board for further action as the situation warrants. Accounts more than 60 days old will be sent a letter from the Chairman of the Board requesting that payment or other arrangements be made within 15 days. If payment or other arrangements have not been made by the deadline, the principal will not be allowed to permit the student(s) to attend school until such time as those arrangements are finalized.
In order to continue offering Christian Education as a viable alternative to Public Education, the Maranatha Adventist School Board believes it is important for each family to pay the tuition fees in accordance with the policies set forth above. However, if a family has financial difficulty, the Worthy Student Program may be available to assist them with a portion of the tuition fees.
Each family will be expected to pay a minimum of one-half the monthly tuition. Failure to make the minimum monthly payment may result in the forfeiture of worthy student assistance or the Board requesting that the student not attend school until the payment has been made.
The Worthy Student Program may be available to constituent families with students attending Maranatha Adventist School. A family wishing to participate in this program should contact the School Board Chairman, Teacher, Principal, Treasurer or Pastor.
Report cards and/or diplomas will not be issued at the end of the school year unless all fees have been paid.
Any arrangements differing from the above policies must be made with the School Board. Requests may be submitted through the School Board Chairman, Teacher, Principal, Pastor, or Treasurer.
SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are needed and very much appreciated at the school in a variety of areas. For the safety of our students, all volunteers must complete an on-line course through the Iowa-Missouri Conference called Verified Volunteers. All volunteers are required to have a background check completed within the last three years by the Iowa-Missouri Conference office through the above organization. Any volunteers driving students for field trips, etc. must be at least 21 years of age, have a valid driver’s license and proof of current automobile insurance on file at the school.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Maranatha Adventist School occasionally takes photographs and other likenesses of students participating in educational and extracurricular activities. Maranatha Adventist School reserves the right to use photographs or other likenesses of students in its displays, publications, and promotional materials.
COPYRIGHT
Maranatha Adventist School owns the copyright to all works created by students in the course of their studies at the school, including the right to publish, reproduce, distribute, perform, or display the copyrighted work or to authorize such reproduction, distribution, performance, or display by others.