Student Handbook

Cambridge Academy

2012 – 2013 Student Essential Information Handbook

 

Mission Statement

Cambridge Academy provides students with an academically excellent curriculum, while fostering physical, social, and spiritual wellness within a nurturing environment.

Philosophy Statement
Cambridge Academy believes that high academic expectations within an atmosphere of caring and mutual respect generate the most effective college preparatory education possible.  The school’s philosophy affirms that each individual is of infinite worth and dignity.  Cambridge Academy seeks student applicants of all races, religions, and nationalities.  We strive to assist each student to reach his or her potential – intellectually, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.  Cambridge Academy consistently nurtures a love of learning that will enable students to respond enthusiastically to a lifetime of challenge.

 

School Motto

Petite Optimum : Be your best in all your interactions with others and in everything you do: Aim High.

 

ADMINISTRATION


Jody Gable

Head of School

 

Mandy Price

Admissions Director

 

Elaine Smith

Business Manager
 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Eric Massey, Chair

Paul Velky, Vice Chair

Eileen Boren, Secretary

Chris Clem, Treasurer

Jon Holloway                 

Lee Lee Lee

Dwayne Breeden

Adam Bacot

Jeff Thomas                                             

Tom Austin     

Megha Lal

Demetri Andrews

Shannon Bowers, Faculty Representative – Ex Officio            

Jody Gable, Headmaster – Ex Officio

Casey Velky & Dina Nelson, CAPTA – Ex Officio    

 

The information contained in this booklet is designed to help students achieve to the best of their abilities, in keeping with the mission statement of Cambridge Academy.  It is intended to act as a set of principles, rather than as an exhaustive set of rules and regulations.  The administration and the Board of Trustees reserve the right and the obligation to amend, add, or delete rules and regulations when deemed necessary in order to facilitate the smooth operations of our school.

 

Cambridge Academy is accredited by the South Carolina Independent School Association.

MAJOR SCHOOL RULES 

Fundamental Principles

Cambridge Academy acts on the assumption that its students enter with a serious purpose, and in the belief that their own consciences and good sense are a sufficient guide to behavior.  The discipline at the school is not adapted to students who require severe restrictions.  Its government is one of principles rather than of rules, regulations, and penalties.  The purpose of the faculty and the administration is to lead students to cultivate a deep sense of personal responsibility for their own conduct and achievement, and for the well being of the larger community of which they are a part.

While the school encourages freedom, it distinguishes between freedom and license.  Freedom does not mean complete liberty for the individual to do as one pleases regardless of the effect of one’s actions on others.  It is understood that reasonable limitations and rules defining them are necessary to maintain relative freedom for all.

The basic operating assumption of the school centers on four fundamental principles:

1.   Respect all others and yourself.

2.   Listen to others and expect others to listen.

3.   Be at the right place at the right time doing the right things.

4.   No student has the right to interfere with the learning of another or with the purpose of an activity.

 

General Expectations

  1. Dress of students is expected to reflect The Code as established by the Board of Trustees.  Compliance with the dress code is a joint responsibility of students, parents, teachers, and administrators.
  2. Consumption of gum, candy, food, and drinks is not allowed in any classroom area unless it is part of a school-sponsored event or a classroom-wide snack.  Food and drinks may be consumed in the break area, in the cafeteria, or outside the school building.
  3. No hats are to be worn inside at any time.  Hats are only to be worn outside of the school building during the class day.
  4. Students are expected to be on time for all school appointments, including classes, extra help, makeup tests, etc.
  5. Students are expected to contribute to the general atmosphere that allows for the serious pursuit of academic excellence.  Running in the halls, boisterous behavior, and distractions of that nature have no place in a school setting.

Failure to meet the general expectations will result in administrative action.  Chronic failure to adhere to general expectations may result in more serious disciplinary action, including suspension and dismissal.

HONOR SYSTEM

The Cambridge Academy Honor Code states:

Cambridge Academy students believe in an Honor Code and a system of behavior where no student shall lie, cheat, or steal, and will not tolerate others who do so.  Failure to report violations is also considered a violation of the Honor Code.

A community can live together only where the basic tenets of honor are the foundation of the community.  These principles are instilled in our students beginning in K3. The purpose of the Honor Code is to create an atmosphere of trust, honesty, and integrity with mutual respect among administration, faculty, and students entering Cambridge Academy. Every student acknowledges an understanding and the willingness to support the honor system.  Students should understand the seriousness of Honor Code infractions.  These include, but are not limited to, all forms of cheating, lying, stealing, vandalism, plagiarism, misrepresentation, bullying and hazing.  It must be noted that any of these major infractions may lead to immediate suspension or expulsion at the discretion of the Head of School.

  • Stealing:  Stealing is the taking or borrowing without permission anything that is not rightfully one’s own from another person or from the property of the school.
  • Lying: Lying is the intentional misrepresentation of facts to a member of the faculty, administration, or a fellow student. Forgery is a form of misrepresentation.
  • Cheating:  Cheating is defined as giving or receiving help on any pledged assignment.   Cheating also includes the passing of information on tests to students who have yet to take the test.  Any assignment submitted for a grade is pledged.
  • Plagiarism:  Plagiarism is the act of taking the ideas, writings, and works of another individual and representing them as one’s own.
  • Vandalism: Vandalism is willful destruction or damaging of another person’s property whether done maliciously or as a “prank.”
  • Insubordination:  Insubordination is verbal or physical challenging of a teacher or a staff member or disregard of discipline-related instruction.

 

Handling Honor Infractions

      All honor infractions must be reported to the Head of School.  The Head of School along with the classroom teacher will handle disciplinary action involving honor violations. 

      Beginning in Grade 1, each student shall use the honor pledge for all exams, assessments, major papers, regular tests, make-up work, and other work as teachers indicate. The student may simply state, “I pledge” and sign, thereby indicating, “I have neither given nor received assistance on this assignment.”

DISCIPLINARY POLICIES 

Major Offenses

Students guilty of any of the following offenses may be dismissed from Cambridge Academy:

  1. Hazing or bullying. This includes cyber bullying, physical bullying, and verbal bullying;
  2. Dishonest acts of any kind;
  3. Possession, distribution, or use of alcoholic beverages on school property or during school functions;
  4. Possession, distribution, or use of non-prescription drugs or paraphernalia;
  5. Willful destruction of school property or the property of others;
  6. Possession of weapons or firearms, ammunition, or explosive devices of any kind;
  7. Possession, distribution, or use of tobacco products on school property or at a school function;
  8. Leaving school without permission or entering the school after hours without permission;
  9. Disrespect or insubordination to faculty, administration, or disrespect to other students;
  10. Unexcused absences, skipping school or skipping classes.

This list is intended to be descriptive, but is not exclusive.  The administration reserves the right to dismiss a student at any time when it feels that his/her conduct is detrimental to the Cambridge Academy community. 

Disciplinary Actions and Procedures

Faculty members contribute to the overall disciplinary policies by dealing with minor infractions of school rules in the classroom and common areas. Chronic or blatant misbehavior will be referred to the Head of School for appropriate action.

The Head of School is ultimately responsible for the overall disciplinary policies.  Board policy states that the members of the Board of Trustees choose not to involve themselves in the disciplinary process of the school.

Normal disciplinary actions include the following:

  1. Personal detention or other discipline assignment to be served at the individual teacher or administration’s discretion.
  2. Weekday detention assigned by the Head of School along with a project of service to the Cambridge community.
  3. Saturday work projects assigned in response to chronic disciplinary problems, or if the administration feels that such assignment will benefit the individual student.
  4. In school suspension assigned by the Head of School for a major offense or chronic behavior difficulties.  Students will be given academic assignments to be completed during the suspension period.  There will be no grade penalty for in school suspension.
  5. Out of school suspension assigned by the Head of School for chronic behavior difficulties or for a major offense that has not resulted in dismissal.  Each day of suspension results in a grade penalty of one point per day on the marking period grades for all classes.  Makeup work is the sole responsibility of the student.
  6. Expulsion and the decision to expel a student rest solely with the Head of School.  This decision is reached when, in his/her opinion, continued enrollment of that student is detrimental to the overall Cambridge Academy community and the aims and mission of the school.  Board policy also currently prohibits accepting a student who has been expelled from a school.

Members of the administration do their best to maintain the confidentiality of all disciplinary actions. The school adheres to the FERPA Law, Family Educational Right to Privacy Act, also known as the Buckley Act.  All school personnel are bound by confidentiality statutes as they relate to the FERPA stated statute.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Absence Policy

Absences for reasons other than illness and family emergencies are almost always detrimental to a student’s academic achievement.  Students in all grade levels need to attend school to benefit fully from the instructional program. 

       I.            AUTHORIZED ABSENCES:

  1. Excused absences – are absences due to illness, accident, or family emergencies.  When a student returns to school after such an absence, he/she mustbring a written excuse signed by the parent or guardian, clearly indicating the specific reason and date(s) of the absence(s).
    1. a.      Students in Grades K–5 will make up any missed work within a reasonable amount of time, with the assistance of the teachers involved, and without a grade penalty. 
    2. b.      Students in Grades 6-8 are responsible for meeting with all teachers on the day they return to school in order to arrange for make-up work and tests.  All work must be made up in a time period equivalent to the number of days missed, but not exceeding one week.  Additional time may be granted at the discretion of the Head of School or individual teachers. Note:  If a student does not bring a note from home within two (2) days of returning to school, the absence will be treated as unauthorized/unexcused.
  2. Approved Absences – are absences, which can be anticipated (e.g. scheduled surgery, family trips, extension of a scheduled school holiday, etc.).  These absences must be preceded by a written parental request to the Head of School using the Approved Absence Form at least one (1) week in advance.  If the request is approved, a written work agreement detailing all required assignments and make-up procedures must be completed with each teacher.  Based on the length of the absence, the number of days allotted to complete all work will be pre-determined.  The student must make up all work on his/her own.  Denial of the request or failure to follow this process will result in the absence(s) being designated as unauthorized/unexcused. (See Section II below.)
  3. Students must attend at least half of the school day in order to have credit for being present for the day. This does not apply to the Perfect Attendance Policy.

    II.            UNAUTHORIZED/UNEXCUSED ABSENCES:

  1. Skipping class, or part of, or an entire school day.
  2. Anticipated absences or trips without prior approval as described in Section I-B above.  Students with unauthorized/unexcused absences are subject to the following conditions:
    1. All previously assigned work must be submitted on the day the student returns to school. Individual teachers will assess grade penalties for late work.
    2. Any previously scheduled tests must be taken on the same day that the student returns to school or a zero (0) will be given on the test.
    3. In the cases of unexcused absences, students may be subject to detention hours; in-school suspension; or out of school suspension at the discretion of the respective Head of School. Expulsion may be imposed by the Head of School.

 III.            EXCESSIVE ABSENCES:

If a student accumulates more than ten (10) unauthorized/unexcused absences throughout the school year, failure for the class will result.  A student will be required to retake the course or repeat the grade.  All students grades K4-8 must attend a minimum of 150 days in order to receive credit for the year, barring a documented medical condition, which necessitates homebound instruction.

Perfect Attendance Policy

In order to be eligible to receive the Perfect Attendance Award, a student must have no absences, no early dismissals, or leave campus at any time during the school day. A recipient of the Perfect Attendance Award will have been on campus at all times that school was in session.

Tardy Policy

Tardiness to school affects the student’s ability to start the day on a positive note and causes disruption to other students and teachers.  Teachers are asked to handle the first three (3) unexcused tardies as part of their ongoing classroom rules:  repeated unexcused tardies will be referred to the Head of School for administrative action.  Excessive morning tardies, excused or unexcused, will necessitate a call to parents for cooperation in remedying the situation. Tardy students must go to the front office to receive a tardy slip before reporting to class.

Early Arrival 7:30 A.M.   

Lower School Morning Carpool 7:45 A.M until 8:10 A.M. 

Lower School Students are marked Tardy at 8:10 A.M.

Middle School Students are marked Tardy at 8:00 A.M.

Morning Arrival

Cougar Cubby Playschool: Students in the Cougar Cubby Playschool should be walked into the school and taken to their classroom by their parents. Please park on the school side of Eastman St. past the mailbox or park on Oakwood as close as possible to the stop sign of Eastman St.

K3-5th Grade: All students should use the car line for arrival. Parents should not walk the student to the classroom. Drop off is in front of the Eastman Street entrance to the school.  Approach the school from the direction of Tackett Way and let children off on the passenger side of the car.  We strongly recommend turning onto Eastman Street from Calhoun Road.  Do not wait at the stop sign of Tackett Way and Eastman St. to enter the car line. This disturbs traffic flow on Tackett Way and becomes a safety issue. If you are attempting to enter the car line from Tackett Way and car line traffic is backed up past Tackett Way please continue through the stop sign and reenter Eastman St. from Calhoun Rd. You may NOT make a U turn past the school in order to approach in the correct direction.  Do not park directly across the street from the school and walk your child(ren) across the street to enter the school. If you must park and enter the school building during morning drop off times please park on the school side of Eastman St. past the mailbox or park on Oakwood as close as possible to the stop sign of Eastman St.

6th-8th Grade: Drop off in front of the school as above.  The middle school entrance to the school is for teacher use only and will remain locked at all times. Please do not pull into the gated teacher parking lot during morning drop off time.

  • Students may arrive at school as early as 7:30 a.m.  A teacher is on duty in the cafeteria at 7:30 a.m. to supervise Lower School early arrivals.  All K3-5th graders may go to their classrooms at 8 a.m.  Middle School students must go directly to the MS hallway or the Cougar Den upon arrival at school to be supervised by a teacher on duty.  Middle School students need to be seated in their homeroom class at 8:00 A.M. Attendance will be taken in homeroom.
  • Lower School Students who attend early morning care may sit at any table of their choosing and converse, read, play games quietly with friends.  Students are expected to use their inside voices at this time. At 8:00 A.M. students are dismissed by grade level to classrooms. 
  • Parents should avoid dropping in to talk to teachers in the mornings unless a meeting is scheduled.

Afternoon Carpool

Cougar Cubby Playschool, K3 and K4 Half Day Students are dismissed at 12:00 P.M.  Cougar Cubby Playschool pick up is in front of the school on Eastman Street. Cars are to line up along Eastman Street facing Oakwood Drive. K3 and K4 half day students are to be picked up at the Oakwood Street entrance. Cars are to line up on the school side of Oakwood facing the gated parking lot.

Please remain in your car and a teacher on duty will bring your child(ren) to your car. Students will be loaded into cars from the passenger side. Cambridge Academy teachers will not place a Early Childhood student in the front seat of a vehicle, or into any vehicle that does not have a car seat for the child. Students being picked up at 12:00pm should follow the same car line safety procedures outlined below.

K3 and K4 All Day and K5 – 5th Grade Students are dismissed at 2:45 P.M. Pick up is in front of the Eastman Street entrance to the school.  Cars are to line up along Eastman Street facing Oakwood Drive (note: please extend the line down Eastman Street and NOT down Tackett Way).  Do not wait at the stop sign of Tackett Way and Eastman St. to enter the car line. This disturbs traffic flow on Tackett Way and becomes a safety issue. If you are attempting to enter the car line from Tackett Way and car line traffic is backed up past Tackett Way please continue through the stop sign and reenter Eastman St. from Calhoun Rd. You may NOT make a U turn on Eastman St. in order to approach in the correct direction or to exit the line in the opposite direction.  Do not park directly across the street from the school and walk across the car line traffic to pick up your child(ren). If you must park and enter the school building during afternoon car line times please park on the school side of Eastman St. past the mailbox or park on Oakwood as close as possible to the stop sign of Eastman St. Cambridge Academy teachers will not place a Early Childhood student in the front seat of a vehicle, or into any vehicle that does not have a car seat for the child. To help car line move as quickly and safely as possible, please limit your conversation with the teacher loading your child(ren) in your car. For safety purposes, please keep car line a cell phone free zone.

Four cars at a time will be loaded with children.  A faculty member will call out names of students in the order the cars are lining up.  If there is a delay in getting your child to the carpool area, you will be asked to pull your car further up the road towards the stop sign at Oakwood Drive. 

*** Please review the Cambridge Academy Car Line Procedures with any person that may pick up your child.

6th-8th Grade Students are Dismissed 3:00 P.M. Pick up at the Middle School entrance to the school on Oakwood Drive.  Approach the school entrance from Madison and Eastman Streets and pick up on the passenger side of the car.  Please do not pull into the gated teacher parking lot.

For your safety, our safety and especially for all of our children’s safety:

  1. STAY IN YOUR CAR – DO NOT PARK AND COME TO COLLECT YOUR CHILD!
  2. STAY OFF OF YOUR CELL PHONE OR MOBILE DEVICE DURING CAR LINE.
  3. DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN TO CROSS THE STREET.  

Unless engaged in extra help or other planned and supervised activities, or enrolled in the After School Program, all lower school students not picked up by 3:00 P.M. will be sent to the After School Program and the parent will be charged the one day drop-in rate (and the registration fee if not already enrolled). Middle School students remaining on campus for athletic practices should report immediately to their coach for supervision until practice is over. All Middle School students not picked up by 3:10 P.M., that are not involved in a scheduled after school activity, must be in the designated Middle School After School area and will be charged the After School care fee.

Early Dismissal is at 11:30 a.m. (refer to the calendar for Early Dismissal days). Cougar Cubby Playschool, K3, and K4 students will be dismissed at 11:15 on Early Dismissal days. All regular car line procedures will be followed on early dismissal days. After School care on Early Dismissal days varies and will be announced prior to each Early Dismissal day.

Students Leaving Campus Early

Any student leaving campus prior to regular dismissal time MUST be dismissed from the front office. A parent MUST come in to the front office and sign the student out. Please do not call the front office and ask to have your child(ren) sent out to your car or to wait outside.

After School Program for Lower School and Early Childhood

  1. The After School Program is available for students in K3-5th Grades.  A separate registration is required.  The After School Program is divided into four quarters which roughly coincide with the four quarters of the academic year.  Registration is required separately for each of the four quarters. 
  2. Parents register for a minimum number of hours per quarter or pay the daily drop rate. 
  3. Late pickup will be billed at $1 per minute (this means after 5:30). 
  4. Registration forms are available on our web site and in the front office.
  5. After School billing is done quarterly as described on the registration form.

After School Program for Middle School

      1.    Middle School After School will be provided in the Cougar Den and Courtyard from 3:00 – 5:30.

      2.    Options are available for students waiting for athlete practices and for those needing After

              School care throughout the year.

      3.     Billing is done quarterly as described on the registration form.

      4.     Cell phones are not allowed during After School hours.

      5.    All Middle School students on school grounds after 3:10 P.M. and not involved in a planned,

            supervised activity must be in Middle School After School and parents will be billed.

 Annual Fund

The Cambridge Academy Annual Fund supports everything CA does for its students. The Annual Fund supports the school’s operating budget, which includes the areas of:  Academic Programs, Arts and Music, Athletics, Faculty enhancement/professional development, Financial Aid, Library/Media, Science, Technology, and unrestricted gifts.  Donors may designate their Annual Fund gifts in support of one or several of these areas of school life, linking their dollars with particular philanthropic preferences. Please be as generous as you can to sustain a strong, vibrant school community.  Donations to the annual fund are tax deductible.

Appointments and Office Hours

Parents are encouraged to confer with faculty and staff so we may better serve your child/children.  Please contact the school or individual faculty or staff member for an appointment.  Please do not try to have an “on the spot” conference with a teacher.  

Athletics

  1. CODE OF CONDUCT- Athletes, coaches and fans shall at all times conduct themselves in a reasonable and sportsmanlike manner, reflecting full and true credit to Cambridge Academy.  As delineated in the SCISA Athletic Handbook, the following are violations of the spirit of sportsmanship and reasonable conduct:
  • Making degrading remarks about officials, coaches or athletes during or after a game, either on or off the field of play;
  • Arguing with an official or showing dislike or disdain for a decision;
  • Making degrading remarks or criticism of any official, coach, athlete or school to the media;
  • Using foul, abusive or profane language at any time;
  • Hitting, shoving or striking any official, coach, athlete or fan at any time, or attempting to do so;
  • Being ejected from any contest;
  • Use or display of alcoholic beverages, all types of tobacco, or other controlled substances;
  • Detaining an official following the contest to request a ruling or an explanation of actions taken by an official;
  • Removing a team from the field of play before the game is completed.
  1. Home teams are responsible for the behavior of the fans.  Fans violating the SCISA Code of Conduct can be asked to leave.  Sanctions against schools, teams, athletes and/or coaches who violate the SCISA Code of Conduct can be levied based on the findings of the SCISA Athletic Secretary and/or the SCISA Athletic Committee.  These sanctions range from warnings, $10 to $100 fines, probation, suspension, and permanent removal of eligibility.  Offenses are cumulative over an athlete’s career.  An athlete who is ejected from three contests could lose eligibility in all sports for the remainder of school.
  2. TEAM PRACTICES – Student athletes are students first – athletes second.  Practice times and expectations must allow for academic expectations.  Practice and game schedules will be posted at least two (2) weeks prior to the start of the season.
  3. 4.      SPORTS PHYSICALS

All students who plan to participate in any interscholastic sport (Grades 5 and up) must have a current physical by a physician PRIOR to beginning practice.  Student athletes may pick up the appropriate paperwork from their Head Coach.  This must be turned in to the Head Coach of the sport before the student will be allowed to begin the season.  Only one physical is necessary for the entire academic year.

  1. ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY

Academic Eligibility will be determined by South Carolina Independent School Association rules (SCISA). The Blue Book of SCISA states the following: A student must take, pass, and receive credit for at least FOUR (4) One-Credit Core Subjects or Any FIVE (5) One-Credit Courses  (courses which have not been previously passed) each 6/9/12 weeks marking period, excluding courses taught by the home-school method.  If the student does not meet this standard, the student will not be eligible during the next 6/9/12 weeks marking period. A student must have received credit for at least FOUR (4) One-Credit core Courses or any Five (5) One-Credit Course from the previous school year to be eligible for the first 6/9/12 weeks marking period (beginning the fall of 2001).  A maximum of two credits earned during summer sessions may be accepted from an accredited school.  Core Courses:  English, mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign language.

Cambridge Academy coaches and administration reserve the right to withdraw a student from an athletic program due to academics, behavior, attitude, or other reasons of concern.

  1. 6.      CONCUSSIONS / HEAD INJURIES

Any student with a diagnosed or suspected concussion / head injury will not be allowed to participate in Athletic Activities for 7 days. The Administration of the school reserves the right to determine a “suspected” concussion / head injury and make judgments concerning the student athlete’s eligibility for participation. Athletic activities include but are not limited to: games, practices, and P.E.

  1. 7.      NO CUT POLICY

Cambridge Academy employs a “no cut” policy for student participation in team sports.

Board of Trustees

  1. The Board of Trustees is a group of individuals who volunteer their time in service of Cambridge Academy.  Their role is to oversee the entire operation of the school, especially finances, building and grounds, retention, and academics.  They are not involved in the daily operation of the school, delegating that role to the Head of School and other designated individuals. 
  2. Board members are chosen by a vote of the full membership of the Board. If you or someone you know is interested in serving on the Board, please inform the Board Chair.  The dates and times of Trustees meetings are listed in the calendar.  Meetings are open however, to be included on the agenda requires advance communication with the Board Chair.  If you wish to be included on the agenda, please contact the Board chair prior to the first of the month.  Minutes of Board meetings are archived in the administrative office.

Cougar Club

The purpose of the Cambridge Academy COUGAR CLUB is to foster and support the athletic program.  With the help of this organization, the program will encourage sportsmanship and competitiveness in the student body of Cambridge. 

Calling Students During the Day

Only emergency or extremely urgent messages will be delivered to students.  Please keep calls to a minimum. Students are asked to use the school’s phones only when necessary. Students should make necessary phone calls only from the front office.  It is school policy for any parent who has a message or material for a student, or who is coming to pick up a student for early dismissal to enter the main entrance and check by the office first. The office will be glad to assist you with any of your needs. Classroom and lunch time interruptions will not be permitted. Students will not be called from the classroom to answer phone calls unless there is an extreme emergency.

Cell Phones and Personal Computers

  1. 1.      Students may be permitted to use portable computers in classrooms and in the library.  Students are not permitted to carry cellular telephones, pagers, beepers, or any future combination of communication technology that can interfere with the classroom routine or the learning of others.  Only students in grades 5 – 8 are allowed to have cellular phones on school grounds due to their after school participation in our athletic programs. Students bringing cellular phones to school must store them in their lockers throughout the school day. The school is not responsible for the loss of any of these items.
  2. Students who attempt to use text messaging or cell phones in any way during school hours will be subject to disciplinary action.  Cell phones will be confiscated and will be returned only to the parents. 
  3. Students are not to have iPods, mP3 players, radios, CD players, Gameboys, Kindles, etc. during school hours.
  4. The school is not responsible for the loss, damage, or theft of any cellular or electronic devices.
  5. Students are not allowed to access social networking sites during school hours.

Campus Visitors and Volunteers

  1. ALL visitors to Cambridge Academy must enter the school through the front lobby facing Eastman Drive and check in with the front office personnel.  Visitors will be given a Visitor’s Badge to be clearly displayed on their upper body allowing them to continue down the hall.  A visitor is considered anyone not employed at Cambridge Academy. Campus visitors will not be allowed to enter any other entrance on campus, regardless of the reason.  This requirement is for the safety of all of our children.  All faculty, staff and students are instructed to “not open any other door to anyone, regardless of who they are,” under penalty and consequences to that faculty, staff or student.  Opening side doors to a secure school can compromise our student’s safety.  For the safety of students, and to adhere to fire code, doors to the school may never be propped open. Upon leaving the building, visitors should sign out and return the Visitors Badge to the front office.
  2. Parents who wish to volunteer in a classroom are encouraged to do so on a regular basis to meet the classroom teacher’s needs.  Typical classroom volunteer activities are reading to the class, assisting with routine paperwork, etc.  Please coordinate directly with the teacher in whose class you would like to volunteer – please be mindful that you are there to assist the teacher and not to disrupt the classroom dynamic. Classroom volunteers are considered visitors to the building and should follow sign in and sign out policies as stated above.
  3. Lunch time provides an excellent opportunity for our faculty and staff to teach lifelong habits and skills and is considered part of the academic day.  Visitors during lunch can be as disruptive as during classroom instruction time.  If you would like to have lunch with your child, please pick him or her up and go out to lunch OR we will provide you with a special table where you and your child can have lunch together.  Please let your child’s teacher or the office know in advance if you intend to visit during lunch and would like to meet with your child during this time.

CAPTA

CAPTA (Cambridge Academy Parents & Teachers Association) membership is composed of all Cambridge parents and faculty who work directly and in cooperation with the school. CAPTA is a means by which the parents can become knowledgeable and involved in school activities.  It also provides every parent an opportunity for participation in the decision-making that affects our children 

Communication

Normal written communication about grades and course work occurs regularly through the use of report cards, interim reports, and in grades 6-8, academic monitoring reports.  Academic monitoring reports (AMR’s) are issued when a teacher feels information needs to be communicated to parents about a student’s work.  Parents may also request that teachers write regular AMR’s to keep a closer watch on one or more subject areas.  Parental requests for AMR’s should be directed to the classroom teacher or the Head of School.  Please do not hesitate to contact a teacher if you have questions about your child’s academic work.  Weekly class updates will be sent home with all students.  Teachers will usually respond within 24 hours to a phone or email message.

Dress Code

All students (Grades K3-8) are expected to dress according to contemporary standards, modesty, good taste, and in a way that does not interfere with or distract from the educational process.  Promoting and following the dress code is a joint responsibility of students, parents and members of the school staff and administration.  Students who are not in compliance with the dress code will be sent home at the administrator’s discretion, or the parents may be required to bring appropriate clothes to school so the student may enter the classroom appropriately attired. Members of the administration may determine that additional clothing will be added to this list, dependent upon changes in styles and/or student dress.  Furthermore, individual decisions on the appropriateness of dress are the responsibility of the administration of the school and will occur as needed. * All parents, faculty, and staff members are expected to adhere to these same standards when on school grounds.

The following are NOT permitted during the school day for males and females in all grades:

  1. Baggy pants, torn, dirty or ragged clothing of any kind.
  2. Clothing with slogans that advertise, promote or imply drugs, sex, alcohol, or tobacco, or make a racial or religious slur/epithet.
  3. Students in Grades K3-5 must wear regular shoes for safety on the playground.  Only sandals with back straps are permitted. No flip-flops are to be worn in school by Early Childhood or Lower School students. Middle School students are allowed to wear flip flops. Tennis shoes are required of all students for participation in P.E. classes. Parents will be called to bring proper footwear for students that are violation of footwear rules.
  4. Hats in the building, unless part of a school-sanctioned event.
  5. Halter-tops, spaghetti straps, shirts that show midriffs or cleavage, strapless shirts, or strapless dresses.
  6. Gentlemen are not to wear earrings.
  7. Students may not display facial or body piercings or tattoos.
  8. Ladies and gentlemen are required to maintain hairstyles deemed appropriate by the school administration. Mohawks, and other hairstyles that could be deemed distracting to the academic day, are not acceptable.
  9. Appropriate length of shorts and skirts may be determined by the phrase “If you can put your hands by your side and touch skin, it’s too short” or by doing the “dollar bill test”.
  10. All students are expected to wear their pants, shorts or slacks at the appropriate position on the waistline.
  11. See-through garments are not allowed and at no time should undergarments be visible. All clothing must properly fit the person.
  12. Individual students may be asked to shave, to get haircuts; to restyle or to recolor hair.

Students in Grades K3-2: 

Students in lower school are encouraged to observe the middle school dress code as closely as possible.  Students in grades K3-2 are not permitted to wear flip flops or backless sandals. Boys’ shirts in Grades K3-2 may be collared or non-collared shirts.

Students in Grades 3-5:

Students in grades 3-5 should observe the middle school regulations listed below as closely as possible. Athletic attire should only be worn on PE days. Students in grades 3-5 are not permitted to wear flip flops or backless sandals.

Students in Grades 6-8: 

  1. Girls are to wear blouses/shirts which fully cover the waistline with arms raised overhead and while sitting.
  2. Girls should not wear “skinny jeans” or leggings unless their top fully covers their backside.
  3. Dresses or tops that are strapless or have spaghetti straps can only be worn if a sweater or shrug is worn over it. The sweater or shrug must remain on at times during the school day.
  4. Boys are to wear shirts tucked in.  Shirts too short to be tucked in may not be worn.  Pants and shorts that have belt loops are preferred and must be worn with a belt.
  5. Boys will be clean shaven.
  6. Boys in Grades 6-8 wear collared shirts.
  7. For both boys and girls, athletic attire and logo t-shirts are not appropriate to be worn to school under normal circumstances.
  8. Only Middle School students are allowed to wear flip flops.

Assembly Dress 

Several days are designated as Assembly Dress days. Gentleman must wear collared shirts and ties, dress pants (no jeans allowed) with a belt, and dress shoes.  No casual shoes permitted. Ladies must wear a dress, skirt or dressy pantsuit.  Assembly Dress may be required for other special events as well such as Grandparent’s Day and Christmas Assembly.  Students will be advised when Assembly Dress is required.  Students who fail to comply with Assembly Dress requirements may not be allowed to attend classes or events until properly clothed. 

Field Trip and Athletic Team Dress Code

Unless otherwise stated by the faculty advisor or coach, students who represent our school off campus are expected to wear Assembly Dress.  Special dress for athletic events will be set by the administrator and coach of each sport. 

Emergency Closing of School

Information regarding the closing of school will be posted onto our web site, on our Facebook page, and every attempt to email all parents will be made.  Additionally, announcements will be broadcast on radio station SUNNY FM 103.5 and television Channels 4, 7, and 21. Whenever possible, we will begin on a delayed basis instead of missing an entire day.  Please note that our school will not always follow Greenwood District 50.

Harassment 

Cambridge Academy is a place for teaching and learning; harassment disrupts the ability of faculty to teach and students to learn.  The school will not allow harassment of any kind (which includes verbal and physical harassment on and off of school grounds, via email, phone calls, text messages, and social networking sites).  The school’s goal is to provide an environment free of tensions caused by sexist, religious, racist, peer, or age-based remarks or animosity.  Unwelcome sexual advances or other conduct of a sexual nature are deemed offensive and are equally inappropriate. Any students or employees affected by any type of verbally or physically harassing conduct are urged to contact the Head of School immediately.  The school will investigate any claims of harassment, and appropriate action (including dismissal) will be taken at the conclusion of the investigation.  All claims of harassment will be held in confidence in adherence to the FERPA Law. Harassment is considered to be a federal and a criminal offense. 

Classroom News 

Once a week, typically on Thursday, lower school students will receive a classroom newsletter from their child’s teacher.  There will be a link on the school website where school wide announcements and important information will be listed. Parents are encouraged to visit the website often to stay up to date with school happenings.

Illness and Emergencies

The staff will administer minor first aid to students when necessary.  All faculty and staff members receive training in CPR and Blood Borne Pathogen safety.  There are also several American Red Cross and or American Heart Association trained and certified staff members who will administer first aid in situations requiring more advanced first aid knowledge.  The front office staff or other authorized person(s) may assist a student in taking medication from home provided a Student Medication Authorization Form has been signed and submitted to the front office staff with the required medication.  All medication must be sent in its original pharmacy labeled container.  Non-prescription medicine must follow the same procedure and have a signed and completed Student Medication Authorization Form on file.  Parents of children with a fever, who are vomiting, have diarrhea, show signs of pink eye, or the administration feels may have something that would be considered contagious, will be called to pick up their child.  Parents will be contacted when a student’s temperature reads 99.9. If a responsible party cannot be contacted immediately in the event of an accident or injury, emergency medical care may be given, and if necessary, your child will be transported at your expense to the emergency room as Self Regional Hospital.  Do not allow your child to come to school with a fever, if they have diarrhea, have vomited in the last 24 hours, show signs of pink eye, or have symptoms of any contagious illness.  Students that have been picked up from school, or are absent from school, due to a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, pink eye, or other contagious illness are required to stay out of school for at least 24 hours before returning to school. School administration reserves the right to require a doctor note for return to school in some cases.

Insurance Coverage 

The following delineates Cambridge Academy’s insurance procedures in the event an accident occurs on campus or during a school activity:

  1. Parents who transport students to or from school functions:  in the event of an accident, the insurance provided by the school is secondary, or in excess, to the parents’ insurance on the vehicle involved in the accident.  Your personal insurance is always the primary coverage.  If you drive often for school events, you may want to discuss this with your insurance agent to make sure both of you are comfortable with the limits on your policy.
  2. Accidents during school functions and on campus:  Should your child be involved in an accident, please file on your personal insurance policy as you normally would.  Obtain from your insurance policy the following:
    1. Itemized billings for all charges filed on your insurance, and
    2. EOB’s (explanation of benefits) for all charges filed on your insurance.

If your personal insurance company does not cover the full amount, then bring the two items to the Business Office, and we will file the excess on Cambridge Academy’s insurance policy for payment to you.  Questions should be directed to Elaine Smith in the Business Office.

Lunch

Lunch service is catered daily for a separate fee or students may bring their own lunch to school with them. The monthly menu and lunch money due dates can be found on the school website.  Lunch orders must be purchased monthly in advance by filling out the required form and enclosing the appropriate payment. 

  • If it is necessary to bring your child’s lunch to school during the school day, please put his or her name and grade on it and leave the lunch on the designated table in the lunchroom.  Please do not take lunches to the classroom or leave them in the front lobby.
  • If no lunch is available for your child at the start of their lunch period, a lunch will provided for them at the cost of $4.25 for a hot lunch or $3.25 for a cold lunch, payable the next school day. A notice will be sent to you regarding the fees owed.
  • Parents of K3 through 5th grades, do not send candy or soft drinks in children’s lunches or send them for snacks. On birthdays, you may send treats to be distributed among classmates during lunch. Please coordinate the sending of special treats with your child’s teacher.
  • All food related allergies should be noted on the student’s blue Emergency Form that will be kept on file in the school Front Office.
  • Lunch time provides an excellent opportunity for our faculty and staff to teach lifelong habits and skills and is considered part of the academic day.  Visitors during lunch can be as disruptive as during classroom instruction time.  If you would like to have lunch with your child, please pick him or her up and go out to lunch OR we will provide you with a special table where you and your child can have lunch together.  Please let your child’s teacher or the front office know in advance if you intend to visit during lunch and would like to meet with your child during this time.

Monthly Cougar Assembly

During this brief, important meeting our School Community will say the Pledge of Allegiance, the school prayer, sing the alma mater, and acknowledge special accomplishments of our students and staff. Parents are welcome to join us for these special assemblies. Monthly assemblies are listed on the school calendar.

Parents’ Back to School Orientation 

Cambridge Academy sponsors grade level Back to School Orientation for parents.  Parents are encouraged to attend orientation to receive their packet of school information for the year, sign up for various volunteer opportunities and meet their children’s teachers. This is also a time to drop of student’s classroom supplies. Parents will be notified of the dates and times of orientation during the summer months.

Parents’ Parking

If parents must enter the school during the school day, please park on the opposite side of the street from the school or in the parking lot.  NO ONE SHOULD EVER PARK BETWEEN THE “NO PARKING” SIGNS on the school side of the street.  This area must remain clear to insure safety for the various dismissals and in the event of an emergency.  Please do not block our neighbor’s mailboxes or driveways. During major school events we encourage parents to park on Oakwood Street or use the gravel lot near the middle school entrance. At all times, we encourage parents to be respectful of our neighbors. 

Parties and Social Activities

Dances and social activities sponsored by the school are supervised by teachers who follow the guidelines adopted by the school for such occasions.  The school does not sponsor parties held off the school grounds.  Teachers and other school-employed personnel do not serve as chaperones for parties or any other events held off school grounds. 

Physical Condition and Health

  1. ALL students must have an Immunization Sheet and a Blue Emergency Information Sheet on file in order to start school. 
  2. State law requires us to have current immunizations on all students. 
  3. Students not in compliance with the above State law will not be allowed to attend classes until the appropriate documentation is on file.

Standardized Testing

By arrangement with the South Carolina Independent Schools Association, Cambridge Academy administers standardized testing each spring.  Students in the Lower School are administered a battery of tests which include the Otis Lennon School Ability Test (Grades 1, 3, 5) and the Stanford Achievement Tests (Grades 2-8).  A student who is absent from one or more sections of the test because of illness will have the opportunity to make up those sections of the test at a time mutually convenient to the teacher and the child.  A student who misses the test because of a family trip or other event besides illness will not be tested.  During the 2012-2013 academic year, standardized testing is scheduled for the week of  March 18.  Please make any family plans around these dates.

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

 Grading System

Cambridge Academy has adopted the S. C. Uniform Grading Scale for Grades 6-8.  The transcripts will list both the pure cumulative numerical average and the cumulative S. C. weighted GPR. 

A        =           93—100

B        =           85—92

C        =           77—84

D        =           70—76

F         =           0—69

The academic year will be divided into semesters with each semester containing two quarters of approximately nine weeks each. 

Incomplete Grades

Incomplete grades may be given at the end of a grading period only with the permission of the Head of School. All incomplete grades must be made up within two weeks of the day the marking period ends.

Honor Roll 

  1. Middle School Honor Roll lists for first, second, third, and fourth quarters are determined by the quarter averages.  All grades are weighted and are used to determine Honor Roll and Headmaster’s List.
    1. Headmaster’s List: A student earns a place on the Headmaster’s List if he or she maintains an overall average of 95 or higher, with no individual grade below 85.
    2. High Honor Roll: A student earns a place on the High Honor Roll if he or she maintains an overall average of  91 or higher, with no individual grade below 85. 
    3. Honor Roll: A student earns a place on the Honor Roll if he or she maintains an overall average of  87 or higher, with no individual grade below 80. 
  2. For the purpose of Awards Day, the cumulative averages over the first three marking periods of the current school year are used.

Homework 

Cambridge Academy strongly endorses homework in every grade to reinforce learning activities which occur each day in the classroom, and to provide individual learning experiences in addition to the material covered in the classroom.  Homework is an integral part of the learning process, and the student who does not do homework is not fully prepared to learn in the classroom the following day.  Teachers are encouraged to use a homework grade as part of the overall grading.  Students who miss homework assignments for reasons other than sickness or excused absences will be penalized in the grading process.  Individual teacher’s homework grading policies will be delineated at the beginning of the year for students and for parents.

 How Much Homework is Appropriate?  Teachers shall assign homework based on the maturity and ability level of the students in a given class.  The following chart suggests average amounts of homework students should have.  These schedules should not be considered strict minimums or maximums, since individual assignments may vary.  Teachers and parents may use these schedules as guides to monitor student time devoted to homework.

 Grade K5:      15 minutes       Grade 3:         45-60 minutes

Grade 1-2:      30 minutes       Grade 4-5:      60 minutes

In Middle School, the amount of homework may vary by subject.  Most Middle School students will also have homework projects such as papers and oral presentations that may have deadlines weeks away.  They may need help organizing assignments and planning work times to make sure projects are turned in on time.

Grade 6: 60-90 minutes                      Grade 7: 80-100 minutes        Grade 8: 90-120 minutes

Make-up Credit for Failed Classes

Students who fail a class for the year can receive make-up credit only through a program associated with another accredited school.  The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation standards state that a course must consist of a minimum of 130 clock hours of instruction per unit of credit and that transfer credit for tutoring or instruction provided by an individual acting privately shall be denied.  Cambridge Academy follows these standards.

Field Trips 

Field trips are an integral part of our curriculum. Cambridge embraces the concept that these trips enrich students’ experiences by providing opportunities beyond what is normally available through classroom instruction.  Because of this, students are strongly encouraged to participate in class trips unless extenuating circumstances exist.  Cambridge Academy believes strongly that these trips help teach valuable lessons, especially in terms of group dynamics and cooperative activities. In the event of extenuating circumstances where a student will not be able to participate in a school-sponsored trip, the school may require an alternative educational experience on campus.  Students who do not participate in school field trips should be involved in educational activities.   Please keep in mind that the cost per student is greatly affected by enrollment, accommodations, availability and type of transportation. School rules and regulations apply on all school-sponsored field trips. NOTE:  Since field trip costs are based on number of children participating there is no extra money after expenses are paid.  If a child must withdraw from the trip at the last minute, money will not be available for a refund. All field trips sponsored by the school must begin and end at the school regardless of the time or location of the field trip. 

Travel to Extra-Curricular Events 

  1. The school generally provides transportation to extra-curricular events and students are expected to travel from school with the team or the group.  Students are allowed to travel home from sporting events ONLY with their parents, unless permission has been obtained PRIOR to departure from school to travel with another adult.  Students may not travel home from an event with another student or with a minor.
    1. Bus Inspection:  Field trip/sport travel coordinators must require an updated inspection report on the bus to be used to transport students.  Also, the name of the driver and a current (within 3 months) motor vehicle driver’s report must be made available by the bus company.  Chaperones will require that the driver drive at a safe speed and refrain from any activity that distracts his/her attention.

Field Trip Passenger Expectations 

Bus / car trips and all trips associated with Cambridge Academy, are extensions of our school day.  School rules and regulations are in force at all times on all field trips or athletic events when a bus or volunteer driver is being used.

  1. The driver and the school sponsors are ultimately in charge of student behavior.  Failure to follow their direction could result in losing the privilege of trip participation.
  2. All persons must be seated in a forward position when the bus/car is in motion.  Students should not be turned around backward on knees.  Students must not move from seat to seat while the bus /car is in motion. Students must follow seat belt / car seat laws.
  3. Loud noises annoy the driver and pose a threat to the safety of all passengers.  Loud noises are not to be tolerated.
  4. No objects shall be thrown at any time.
  5. No body parts or any other objects shall protrude from the bus / car doors or windows at any time, whether or not the bus / car is in motion.
  6. Emergency exits on buses are to be used only in the case of emergencies.  At no other time should a student touch or operate any of the emergency exits.
  7. Any person defacing or damaging the bus / car will pay for repairs or replacement of damaged area and will lose the privilege of field trip participation.
  8. Guests riding the bus / car are the responsibility of the person inviting them and are expected to follow the same rules as Cambridge students. 

Parental Request Policy

The school recognizes that if there are two sections of a class, parents will have preferences for particular teacher assignments for their children for many and various reasons.  It is the school’s position that all of the teachers who are hired at Cambridge Academy are well qualified and that each can do the job for which he/she was hired.  While parents may make a written request for a particular teacher, all such requests enter into the decision-making process, and neither the school nor Board makes any guarantees that individual requests will be met. Parents may make written requests for teachers prior to June 1, with the following reasons given priority:

  • if there is a medically documented learning difference or learning disability for which a particular teacher may be well qualified;
  • if there is a relationship between the teacher at a particular grade level and the family, such as husbands or wives working for one another, or if the teacher is related to the family;
  • if there were specific and justifiable educational reasons for the request that the parent feels would have significant educational impact on the student.

The following reasons will receive low priority as a part of the decision-making process of student placement:

  • requests made for social reasons.
  • requests to have certain students kept together because of friendships.
  • purely personal requests.
  • requests that do not include specific reasons why the placement could impact the educational success of the student.

Factors that will be considered will include the previous teacher’s recommendations, the match of personalities in each grade level, the mix of boys and girls in each grade level, and the best academic and educational placement for the individual and for the class in general.  None of these factors has a specified weight in the decision-making process; the overriding concern will be the administration’s opinion of the best educational placement for the individual child and for the other students in the grade.

Technology and Computer Use

Students who use computers and/or Internet access on campus are expected to use the technology in a way that shows respect and consideration for others.  Students will respect copyright laws and understand that programs on school computers are the property of the school.  Tampering with computer programs or altering a computer setup or system configuration are serious offenses. Students may not use email or social networking sites during the school day. Students and parents will be required to sign a computer contract prior to student use of computers.