Admissions Policy
Admission to the instructional program at Shoal Creek Adventist School is open to all children who desire a Christian education. The programs of Shoal Creek Adventist School are not limited to the children of the supporting church or those of the Seventh-day Adventist faith. Parents of students seeking admission to Shoal Creek Adventist School should contact the school office to receive the appropriate materials regarding the Shoal Creek Application Process. Southern Union Conference policy requires that a student with an unpaid balance at another Adventist school not be admitted as a student at Shoal Creek Adventist School unless the account has been paid or satisfactory arrangements for payment have been made with the previous school. Shoal Creek will attempt to discover this information prior to final approval, however, should such information be brought to light after a student has been accepted, the student will not be allowed to participate in the instructional program until satisfactory arrangements have been made with the previous school.
Entrance Requirements
Kindergarten: 5 years of age on or before August 15th of the current school year.
First Grade: 6 years of age on or before August 15th of the current school year.
Verification of the child’s date of birth is required.
*The state of Georgia requires an up-to-date immunization record for each child be on file at the school office. We must have this record prior to the student starting school.
Withdrawal Policy
In order to withdraw a student from Shoal Creek Adventist School the following procedure must be followed:
Complete a withdrawal form.
Return all textbooks- the school reserves the right to charge a student for any lost or damaged textbooks.
Return all library books- the school reserves the right to charge a student for any lost or damaged books.
Clean out the student desk.
Pay all outstanding accounts.
Attendance Information
School Day
The school day at Shoal Creek Adventist School begins daily at 8:30 am and concludes at 3:15 pm, Monday through Thursday and at 2:00 pm on Friday. Any exceptions to this schedule will be communicated to the parents through calendars, emails, memos and newsletters.
In order to give the teachers an opportunity for morning worship, students will not be permitted to enter classrooms or the school building before 8:15 am unless they participate in the SCAS Before Care Program. Students enrolled in the SCAS Before Care program will be granted entry after 7:00 am.
All students are expected to be picked up within 15 minutes of dismissal. Any student not picked up by that time will be placed in After Care and the parent will be charged based on the After Care fee schedule. See SCAS Before and After Care program information for details.
All individuals authorized to provide transportation should be listed on your child’s application form with any changes communicated in writing. If someone not listed on the card is sent to pick up your child, you must send a written note with that person. Changes to your child’s transportation routine should be made prior to the child’s arrival at school for the day. If an emergency arises that warrants a change in transportation, please call the school. Children will not be permitted to call their parents to make changes in their transportation plans. If your child will be riding with another child, please be sure to send the teacher a written note to that effect.
Absence and Tardy Policies
Few behaviors are more important to your student’s success at SCAS than attending class and being on time every day. Students who are not in class have a much harder time mastering the curriculum presented in their absence and tardy students are disruptive to others already in class. Because of the importance of good attendance, we pay special attention to attendance issues and treat ongoing attendance problems as a serious issue.
Attendance falls into two general categories:
Excused = illness, death in the family, medical/dental appointments, school events/functions
Unexcused = all other reasons
A student is considered tardy if he/she arrives in class after 8:30 am. Excused absences and tardies will be noted on the classroom attendance record. Absences or tardies, due to illness or death in the family, require a written note from the parent/guardian. Absences or tardies, due to a medical/dental appointment, require a written note from the provider’s office. All excuse notes from parents, doctors, etc. must be presented within three days of the student’s return to school. Failure to do so will result in the absence or tardy being treated as unexcused.
Pre-planned absences for any reason (other than those listed above) must be communicated and excused in advance, otherwise the absence will be considered unexcused.
Every effort will be made to communicate to parents and students when specific attendance problems are developing. However, it is the parent’s responsibility to be aware of their student’s attendance record and to act accordingly. The failure of the school to post notices or to communicate attendance problems specifically to individual parents does not release the student from the attendance policy described herein.
School Closures
There may be times when it becomes necessary to close the school due to weather or other emergency. In such cases, parents are advised to follow the actions of the Coweta County School System. The rule to follow in such instances is : IF COWETA COUNTY CLOSES SHOAL CREEK CLOSES. Because students attending Shoal Creek live in many different geographic areas, if the public system in which the student resides closes due to inclement weather, their absence would be excused. There may be occasions when local issues lead to a school closure. At those times, parents will be notified in writing ahead of time if possible, or by phone if a more immediate approach is needed.
No Before or After School Care on days when school is closed (due to holiday, vacation, inclement weather, etc.) or Early Release Days.
Shoal Creek /After Care Program Information
Participants enrolled in Before/After Care program must be students Kindergarten through 8th Grade of Shoal Creek. Parents/guardians are required to supply and maintain current, accurate, information as outlined in this policy. Space is limited to the first 10 students, so please enroll your student promptly to secure their slot. Once all slots are filled, student names will be placed on a waiting list.
Months of Operation: August - May (School operation months)
Days of Operation: Monday - Friday (School days)
Hours of Operation: Before School = 7:00-8:15 AM
After School: 3:30-6:00 PM (Monday-Thursday), 2:30-5:00 PM (Friday)
Drop-ins: Students not enrolled in the Before/After Care program who require care on an occasional basis will be charged the drop-in rate.(tuition page)
Checking In & Signing Out: Parents are to wait until their child is checked in before leaving in the morning. Students must be signed out by a parent/guardian before being dismissed in the evening.
Transportation: Provided by parent or a person designated/authorized by the parent to pick up their child from school premises. A signed note from the parent is required (preferably in advance) before a child can be transported by another responsible adult.
Behavioral Management: Students are encouraged to develop good self-control and self-management. The unique value of each individual is stressed and we teach respect and courtesy towards one another. Shoal Creek utilizes a positive behavioral management plan. Consequences are clearly stated and students who cannot obey or follow directives are given a verbal warning, time out, a note or call to parents, or in severe cases of disregard of Shoal Creek standards, dismissal from our Before/After School program.
Uniforms: Students at SCAS are required to wear uniforms to school. Permission will not be given to change into other clothing during After School Care.
Emergency Medical Care: In case of a medical emergency the child will be taken to Piedmont Fayette Hospital in Fayetteville or as directed by the parent.
Administering Medication: Medication cannot be administered by Shoal Creek Before/After Care Provider.
Child's Illness/Injury: If a child becomes ill or injured in Before/After School Care, the parent or other designated person will be contacted to come and pick-up their child.
Severe Weather: In the event of severe weather, children will be taken by the Before/After Care provider to a safe area of the building. If needed, the Peachtree City Seventh-Day Adventist Church could be used as a safe holding area.
Breakfast: Students enrolled in Before Care may bring and eat their breakfast. When a child brings breakfast, parents are to send a nutritionally balanced meal to meet the challenges of the day.
After School Snack: Students will be released by their teacher to the After Care Program provider at 3:30 pm. Once students are checked-in, there will be an activity period. This will be followed by a nutritional snack provided by the program. If you prefer, you may choose to provide an after school snack for your child based on their dietary needs. If your child has special dietary needs, including food allergies, please notify the Before/After Care program provider.
Parents: Parents are welcome to spend time before or after school in our program, but must receive permission in advance from the principal or Before/After Care program provider.
Shoal Creek Handbook: Before/After School Care is an extension of the Shoal Creek Adventist School program. The guidelines set forth in the Shoal Creek Handbook will apply to students enrolled in/attending our Before/After School Care programs.
Late Fees: *** After 6:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 5:00 p.m. on Friday, there will be a late fee of $1.00 per minute fee ****, unless prior arrangements have been made. If fees are not paid timely, the student will be dropped from the Before/After Care program. Students are subject to late fees 15 minutes after dismissal on days when aftercare is not provided.
The Matthew 18 Principle for Solving School Problems
This article originally appeared as an internal document for Association of Christian Schools International by Dr. Paul A. Kienel, former president of Association of Christian Schools International:
The "me generation" philosophy of "I'll do it my way" sometimes spills over into the Christian community. For example, when differences develop between individuals, some Christians take matters into their "own hands" and bypass the Biblical procedure of solving problems.
A Christian school is made up of people—parents, administrators, teachers, and students. Like any other collection of earthly mortals, the people associated with a Christian school have the potential for misunderstanding, disagreement, and even wrongdoing. Nevertheless, it is God's will that we live and work together in harmony. Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34-35, KJV).
Due to our human nature, we may at times irritate others, resulting in misunderstandings or strong disagreements. In Matthew 18:15-17, KJV, Jesus gives His formula for solving person-to-person problems. I call it "the Matthew 18 principle" for solving school problems. The following are the words of Jesus:
Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone; if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a tax collector.
There are several clear principles that Jesus taught in solving people-to-people problems:
One: Keep the matter confidential. The very pattern of sharing the problem only with those directly involved establishes the principle of confidentiality. The Bible has much to say about those who gossip or malign others with their words. "An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor; but through knowledge shall the just be delivered" (Proverbs 11:9, KJV).
Two: Keep the circle small. "If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone...." The first step and most often the only step needed in solving a person-to-person problem is for one of the two people involved to initiate face-to-face dialogue. Most problems are solved at the two-people level.
Three: Be straightforward. "Tell him his fault." Jesus tells us to be forthright and to love honestly. Sometimes it is difficult to be straightforward and tell someone the very heart of the matter. But restoration and improvement can only come when the issues are lovingly, yet clearly, presented. The Scripture says "Faithful are the wounds of an friend . . . ." (Proverbs 27:6, KJV).
Four: Be forgiving. "If he shall hear thee, thou has gained thy brother." This implies that once the matter is resolved, we should wholeheartedly forgive and restore the person whose fault has offended us. Galatians 6:1, KJV, reads "If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."
As I mentioned earlier, most school problems are resolved at the two-people level. Forgiveness and restoration is the normal happy conclusion. But what is the Matthew 18 principle if the individual will not "hear" you, or openly disagrees with your version of the problem? Let's say you are a parent of a student in a Christian school. You are unhappy with a teacher because you believe your child is being treated unfairly in the classroom. The two of you have met and talked together and you are not satisfied with the outcome of your discussion. What is the next step in the Matthew 18 principle?
Five: The parent and teacher should agree to share the matter with the school principal. At this stage the counsel of Jesus would be "Take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established." Both parent and teacher should rehearse their version of the issue or issues with the school's administration. Each person should come to the meeting in a spirit of prayer and humility, willing to submit to the Lord's will in the matter and also willing to submit to reproof and correction if needed. Those of us who bear the name of Christ should joyfully conform to the will of Christ. An open and honest discussion among people who are sensitive to godly principles will most often reach an amiable solution.
I estimate that 80% of school problems are solved at the two-people level. Another 18% of school problems are solved at the three- and four-people level which includes the school's administration. This leaves 2% to be resolved at the level of the school board. The board represents the church or church community. Let's say a problem now exists and is not solvable by the normal channels of communication and established school policy. What is the next step in the Matthew 18 principle?
Six: The school principal should explain the problem to the chairman of the school board. Depending on the complexity of the problem, it may be appropriate for the board chairman to request that all persons involved be present at a school board meeting. The goal of such a high-level meeting is 1) a clear understanding of the problem; 2) solving the problem; 3) reproof and correction if necessary; and 4) forgiveness and wholehearted restoration of those who have made amends.
In summary, the Matthew 18 principle requires that parents talk to teachers about student problems before they talk to administrators. If unresolved at the two-people level, the matter is prayerfully and in an orderly fashion moved upward in the school organizational structure. This is the Lord's way of solving people-to-people problems.
A Christian school is a ministry in Christ's name. Everything that is done in the context of the school must be done Christ's way. The world's methods of solving school problems is inappropriate. The idea of suing the school or persons in the school is a secular idea that has no place in the Lord's work. The Bible is clear on this. "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?" (1 Corinthians 6:1, KJV).
Satan would like to destroy the normal flow of harmony and good fellowship in Christian school education. That is not possible if all of us follow the Matthew 18 principle of solving school problems.
Download the Matthew 18 Conflict Form
Author: Dr. Paul A. Kienel, former president, Association of Christian Schools International
