School Related Issues

Classroom Standards

Generally speaking, classroom management and control are responsibilities of the individual teacher. Each teacher shall establish the academic expectations of his/her students and the rules for classroom behavior that will prevail in his/her class--a clearly stated discipline plan. Teachers become stronger in the eyes of their students when they are able to meet and resolve classroom problems. Contact with a parent is quite often effective in curbing student problems.

Faculty Meetings

Periodic meetings are called by the administration during the school year. They are used by the school for improvement of instruction and curriculum development, coordination of school activities, and fellowship. Attendance is required at these meetings.

Field Trips

Field trips are regarded as an extension of the classroom provided the intent is educational and relates to the subject area that the class is studying. Efforts are made to keep the expense of field trips as reasonable as possible. All expenses of field trips are the responsibility of those participating. Written parental permission must be received in order for students to participate.

1)  No student is allowed on an off-campus trip without specific written parental permission.
2)  Students may not leave a field trip with a parent or another child without written notification.
3)  Siblings are discouraged to go on field trips. Chaperones must give their full attention to the care of students.
4)  All students will wear uniforms on field trips unless otherwise informed by the supervising teacher, coach, or administrator.

To insure safety when a parent drives on school sponsored field trips, the following rules must be observed:

1. All students are to be buckled in by seat belts.
2. Drivers are expected to follow the route selected by the teacher unless prior approval for a route deviation has been secured. Drivers are also expected to follow all speed limits and rules of the road.
3. The primary responsibility of the driver is to care for the students in the group assigned to that driver. Unless directed otherwise by the teacher in charge, keep those students with you at all times. Do not leave any location without having accounted for ALL STUDENTS FOR WHOM YOU HAVE RESPONSIBILITY.
4. When students have returned to campus, remain with them until the teacher in charge has arrived and taken full responsibility for the class.
5. Drivers are not to make stops, which are not on the agenda for the entire class. (For example, stopping by a fast-food restaurant for a drink before coming back to the campus.) All stops must appear on the Field Trip Request form, which was approved by the Headmaster or Assistant Headmaster.
6. Drivers are in authority in their vehicles. Correct any unsatisfactory behavior, including noise or rudeness, and provide the teacher in charge with information regarding any student(s) who fails to respond promptly and politely to correction.

Staff Development

Staff development days are an essential part of the preparation of Danville Christian Academy. These are paid days and attendance is required. Any faculty or staff member who fails to report to work on staff development days or attend professional development events will be docked a day's pay unless there is a family emergency. No personal or leave days may be taken during these dates.

Student Accident Reports

All accidents or injuries to students shall be reported at once to the Headmaster or designated first aide personnel. Emergency first aid shall be provided as required. If the injury is, or may be serious, the parent or guardian shall be notified immediately and advised to seek professional treatment for the student.

An accident report form shall be completed by the Headmaster or designated first aide personnel for all reportable injuries to students, employees, or visitors. The term visitor includes all persons on school property, whether or not for a proper reason. A reportable injury is any injury which necessitates notification of the parent and/or medical treatment. Completed accident report forms shall be forwarded to the office of the Headmaster or DCA school secretary and kept on file in the office.

Student Records

Student records are those official school files, documents, and other materials in writing, on film, or on tape which contain information personally identifiable and/or directly related to a student or former student and which are maintained by DCA or by a person or persons directed to act for DCA. Student records do not include:
Records of instructional, supervisory, administrative, and ancillary educational personnel. These records are commonly known as grade books, lesson plans, and working papers which are in the sole possession of the individual who has written them and which are not accessible or revealed to any other person except a building principal or designee or a substitute on a temporary basis.

Responsibility for the creation, maintenance, security, and review of student records is that of the administration of the school where the student is in attendance.
All student records maintained at the building level are not to be removed from the school except in the case of student transfer, or if the file is subpoenaed by the courts. If the student record is needed out of the school building, it will be officially checked out through the building principal or designee. The check-out information should contain the name of the student file, name of the individual checking out the file, date of check-out, reason for the removal, and date of return. All additions, deletions, and revisions are to be made to the file without removing it from the school premises.

The district is to notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The following information about students is not considered an education record and is not subject to access or disclosure rules under FERPA.

1. Handwritten notes by teachers, supervisors, school counselors, and administrators, that may be used by substitute teachers or other replacement personnel.
2. Records created by law enforcement units of schools or education agencies that are maintained separately from education records.
3. Employment records about a student who is employed by a school, education agency or institution.
4. Information obtained about individuals after they are no longer students.

Access to student records is established by state law. A student's teachers, counselors and school administrators may view permanent records. Written parental permission must be obtained for others to view student records.

Parents may schedule an appointment to review their child's records by making a written request to the Assistant Headmaster at least three business days in advance.

Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect

Any employee of Danville Christian Academy who has suspicion of child abuse or neglect of a student must report this to the appropriate authorities immediately. This is regardless of who may have caused the abuse or neglect.

Report child abuse or neglect to:

1)  Cabinet for Children and Families - if the abuse or neglect is suspected to have been committed by a parent, guardian, or caretaker.
2)  Kentucky State Police - if the abuse or neglect is suspected to have been caused by someone other than a parent, guardian, or person exercising custodial control or supervision.

The authorities may request that the following information be submitted in writing with (48) hours:

1)  The names and addresses of the child and parents or persons exercising custodial  care
2)  The age of the child
3)  The nature of the abuse or neglect
4)  The name and address of the person suspected of committing the act
5)  Any other pertinent information

Emergency Management

State law requires that every school conduct periodic fire and emergency drills for severe weather. Details on exactly what each class in every room of the building is to do will be distributed to each teacher and time should be taken to review these procedures with each class. It is each teacher's responsibility to see that these drills are conducted properly, that students move quickly and quietly as directed and that they return to their classrooms in an orderly fashion following a drill. Teachers are to take grade books out of the building during drills and check roll to account for all students. If the teacher does not have a class when an alarm is sounded, the teacher is expected to follow the same procedures as the students.

Confidentiality

Faculty and staff must maintain confidentiality in all areas. Student behavior, performance, or a student's personal issues are not to be discussed with any one other than the Headmaster, the Assistant Headmaster, the child's parents, or the child's legal guardians.   Faculty and staff will not confer with parents or community members regarding issues they may have with administration, DCA Board of Directors, or co-workers. Personnel matters are to be kept confidential.