Section II - Specific Policies Regarding Preschool and Kindergarten Students

Clothing:
Pre-school and kindergarten children need to be self sufficient in dressing themselves and using the bathroom. They should wear clothing that is suitable for outdoor play. Boys should wear loose fitting trousers with zippers, buttons, or snaps that are not too difficult for them to fasten after using the bathroom (elastic waists are easiest). Girls are encouraged to wear shorts or slacks with comfortable tops and tennis shoes, not dresses or dress shoes, except on special occasions. If the child will be in daycare following a special occasion, please be sure to bring a change of clothes for playing. Do not have your child wear flip flops, jellies, or open-toed sandals, because they cause children to hurt their feet and are not suitable for physical education. Also, regarding shoes, please do not let your child wear shoes with lights as these are often inappropriate for many chapel activities. Neat school clothing is also appropriate for most field trips.

Snacks:
Upon the teachers request, children may bring a small snack each day. Snacks such as a piece of fruit or some crackers with cheese are appropriate. Please do not send anything sticky. Plain water drinks may be brought and/or water bottles.

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Drop off and Pick up (See figure 1):
Between 8:00 a.m. and 8:15 a.m., pre-school children riding in car pools should be brought to the door at the end of the kindergarten hall (door 1). Parents should NOT come into the classrooms (except for the first few days) or linger in the halls. That makes parting much too difficult for some children and reminds others of their parents who have just left. Arrival is NOT a time when teachers are free to have conferences with parents about progress or problems except for emergency information about medication, serious family problems, or other CRITICAL matters. Instead of talking, the parent should write the message for the teacher in a note and hand it to the aide or student assistants who are greeting K-students at the door.

At 11:45 a.m. pick up time, school vans and then car pool vehicles for Pre K-3 and Pre K-4 pupils line up at the back door at the end of the kindergarten hall (door 1). Kindergarten teachers and van drivers assist children into the school vans and then into the cars. All vehicles must exit VERY SLOWLY to avoid causing injury to kindergartners. Car pool drivers must pick up children on time. If pick up transportation will be different on a certain day (e.g. the parent will pick up the child instead of having the child ride the van), the parents should explain that to the office staff in a written note that morning. Only in a last minute EMERGENCY should that request be called into the office. Teachers are NOT permitted to release a child to a parent who comes into the classroom before dismissal time. If a parent must pick up a child early, he/she must come to the school office, sign the child out, and wait there until a staff member gets the child from class and brings him/her to the office.(Refer to information on traffic patterns, arrivals and dismissals.)

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Section III - Student Activities (all students)

Christian Education and Chapel:
Students participate for approximately thirty minutes daily in classroom Christian Education (Bible lessons) and/or chapel services. Chapel services are led by the ministerial staff, the principal, teachers, guest speakers, and on Fridays by the students themselves. Parents are always welcome to attend the whole school Chapel held each Friday morning at 8:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Our Singing Chapel for grades K5-5th is held on Wednesdays at 8:45 a.m. (K4 children begin attending in January.)

Chapel Pledges:
During chapels, the following pledges are recited by students and faculty:

1. Pledge to the Bible:
    
   I pledge allegiance to the Bible,
   God's Holy Word. I will make it a
   lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
   I will hide its words in my heart
   that I might not sin against God.

2. Pledge to the Christian Flag:
    
   I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag,
   and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands,
   one brotherhood uniting all Christians
   in service and in love.

3. Pledge to the American Flag:
    
   I pledge allegiance to the Flag
   of the United States of America,
   and to the Republic for which it stands,
   one Nation under God,
   indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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Student Council Association (SCA):
Since 1979, Orcutts Student Council has led the student body in numerous enjoyable and worthwhile activities including: collecting food for Thanksgiving baskets, giving for the needy, Advent chapel programs, and many school spirit events. Representatives in grades 3-5 are elected after school starts in September./p>

Field Trips:
Throughout the year, all classes participate in several field trips designed to enhance and supplement classroom studies. Permission slips should be signed and returned by the date noted on the form along with any fees specified. Should you decide not to have your child attend a particular field trip, you may be required to keep your child home for the day. Not attending the field trip would be counted as an absence.
If parents are asked by teachers and agree to attend a field trip as an official chaperone, you may be required to ride on the school van to help promote an orderly trip. Depending on the trip, the number of parents allowed on the school van will be decided by the teacher and/or school official. OBS will not be able to accommodate siblings, other children, or other parents on the van. Other (non-chaperone) parents may attend a field trip; however, for ease of coordination and reservation purposes, you will not be considered as part of the official class group and will need to make transportation and reservation arrangements on your own. Parents may choose to have their child ride in their vehicle or with another parent. If the child will be riding with another parent, each parent involved must submit a signed written letter to the school office giving consent before departure.

Awards:
Throughout the school year, students are recognized with certificates for special accomplishments such as earning Honor Roll grades, making the Principals List, quarterly perfect attendance, earning the Blue and Gold Award for exemplary Christian attitude and behavior, and others. Regarding academic awards, the primary emphasis is on the report card letter grade achieved in each subject area. However, the work habits and attitude and enrichment sections of the report card are also important to qualify for award recognition. An unsatisfactory in any of these areas or any in-school or at-home suspension will disqualify the student from receiving academic awards - regardless of the subject grades achieved.

Grade Student Awards:

• Principal's List - To the student who achieves all 'E's" or "A's" in each graded subject at the end of the quarter.

• Honor Roll - To the student who achieves S+/B or above in each graded subject at the end of the quarter.

• Most Improved - To the student in each homeroom class who has demonstrated the most academic improvement during the grading period.

• Blue and Gold Award - To the student in each homeroom class that has demonstrated outstanding Christian attitude and behavior above his/her peers during the grading period.

• Perfect Attendance - To the student who achieves perfect attendance during the grading period.

Pre-K and Kindergarten Award:

• Perfect Attendance Award - (Same as above)

Near the end of school year, a special awards program is held to recognize students' accomplishments in the areas of academic excellence, physical fitness, service to the school, citizenship, and others.

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OBS Clubs (grade students only):
After school clubs are available for grade students normally twice each month. They vary from year to year but normally include Art Appreciation, Athletic Club, Bible Club, Gymnastics, and others. Teachers volunteer at the beginning of the school year to sponsor these clubs. As children need to be under a teachers direct supervision, parents are responsible for promptly picking up their children on club day at 4:00 p.m., or earlier if applicable. If a student is experiencing serious academic or behavior problems, club participation and other after school activities may be withheld at the recommendation of either the club sponsor, homeroom teacher, and/or the principal.

Holiday Events:
Every year OBS looks forward to celebrating many different holiday events. Each one has a different focus that offers enrichment to your childs educational experiences. As a Christian school, and in accordance with our educational policy, we strive to present those activities that will enrich students not only academically, but spiritually as well.

Your childs class will probably have some type of Fall Festival program where the celebration will be focused on bountiful harvests, the bright changing colors of nature and beautiful fall weather. A Fall Festival parade will be held prior to the end of October. Children may wear fun, happy costumes. Scary, gruesome costumes are inappropriate and will not be allowed.

Regarding Christmas time, OBS hosts a variety of activities that celebrate the Saviors birth. Our SCA does the lighting of the Advent wreath, we have special chapel programs and we have wonderful Christmas musicals. As a Christian school, keeping Christ as the main focus of Christmas is our primary objective. During this holiday season, we emphasize the Biblical Christmas story with the nativity, angels, shepherds, etc. OBS respects the various other social, cultural, and religious aspects of Christmas; however, in accordance with our statement of faith, we will continue to give special emphasis to the Biblical story above all else. Thank you for your understanding.

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Friday Chapels:
Each class is responsible for planning and conducting a special short chapel program on Friday in the Sanctuary. Check with your childs teacher to determine which Friday his/her class will do a presentation. Parents and friends are always invited to attend as we showcase your childs God-given gifts and talents to the entire school.

Yearbooks:
OBS publishes a quality yearbook each year. Individual and group pictures of school happenings make it an item to treasure. When the books arrive in late spring, grade students and teachers enjoy a traditional yearbook signing in their classrooms. These signatures, personal messages, and the friendships they represent, can be treasured through the years. The yearbook is provided at no cost to the students.

Skating Parties:
The school rents a nearby skating rink so that our students, teachers, and parents may enjoy skating together twice during the school year. Siblings are also invited to attend. Due to the vigorous activity involved with this event, all students must be accompanied by an adult during the entire time.

Library Birthday Program:
Through the Library Birthday Program, students may pay for a new book to be added to the library in honor of their birthday, someone elses birthday, or to celebrate other special occasions. Books are selected from a collection available in the library, and a book plate honoring the person and the occasion is placed in the front. The givers then present the book to the librarian at a special Friday Birthday Blessings chapel at the end of their birthday or special occasion month. We also have a AR program entitled Adopt-A-Book. You may purchase a book for the library for a friend, pet, family member, etc.

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