Ewing Adventist Junior Academy is a Seventh-day Adventist School and is accredited by the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists which has National Council for Private Schools Accreditation.
Teachers for the 2019-2020 School year:
Alan Stowell Jr., B.S. Grades K-4 (817)908-9547
Mary Womack, B.S. Grades 5-9, Principal (903)930-9433
Dawn Westgate, School Board Chairman (501)269-3386
School Address:
709 Adventist Church Road, Bonnerdale, AR 71933
(870)356-2780
STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
Seventh-day Adventist Education is dedicated to the fulfillment of one great purpose in cooperation with divine agencies; “to restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, to promote the development of body, mind, and soul, that the divine purpose of his creation might be realized.” Education, p. 15,16.
In the beginning man was created in the image of God and was “endowed with a power akin to that of the Creator– individuality, power to think and to do.” Education, p. 17. Man’s capacity for free, creative, responsible thinking and acting has been considerably diminished by sin. It is, therefore, the purpose of Christian education to restore this power in each student. A knowledge of God, His plan for our redemption, and the kind of persons men and women may become as they are restored to His likeness is of first importance throughout the total school experience. Such a transforming restoration involves the development of the whole person, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually.
Seventh-day Adventist education places a high estimate on the infinite worth of every individual and seeks to provide a climate in which a positive self-image may be developed. The necessity of providing opportunities for students to secure a preparation that will fit them to live successfully and productively is recognized. Students are encouraged to take an active interest in making the community a better place to live, to appreciate the cultural and scientific advances of the age, and to develop positive attitudes toward useful labor and toward humanity. Each student is challenged to develop a personal sense of mission for giving the gospel message to all the world in preparation for the soon return of Jesus.
Seventh-day Adventist education seeks to give students an intelligent understanding of the principles governing the functions and proper care of the body, and to help them establish habits and practices which foster physical vitality and health.
Seventh-day Adventist education seeks to acquaint students with great literature, art, and music, and to develop appreciation for “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely. . .” (Philippians 4:8).
Ewing Adventist Jr. Academy exists to show children Jesus, nurture their love for Him and others, teach them to think, equip them with academic excellence and empower them to serve.
OBJECTIVES
To provide academic excellence through curricula, technology and active learning.
To provide spiritual growth for each student and academic growth through involvement in Christian service activities.
To enable them to become productive citizens in their communities,
To prepare them to fulfill responsibilities as church members and future church leaders.
To inspire them to be Christian leaders in the society in which they live because they have developed a life of dependence on God.
To integrate faith throughout the curriculum.
To give appropriate training in technology.
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
“In the formation of character, no other influence counts so much as the influence of the home. The teacher’s work should supplement that of the parents, but it is not to take its place. In all that concerns the well-being of the child, it should be the effort of parents and teachers to cooperate.” Education, p. 283.
“The parents’ work of education, instruction, and discipline underlies every other. The efforts of the best teachers must often bear little fruit, if fathers and mothers fail to act their part with faithfulness.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 69.
As noted above, the success of the school depends in a large measure upon the fullest cooperation between parents and the school. The following suggestions for parental involvement will contribute to a more effective school program:
1. Pray for your child at EAJA daily.
2. See that your child reports to school daily and on time.
3. See that your child’s home work is completed. Help with school projects as needed.
4. Support your child’s teacher in promoting the school program; your involvement is vital to your child’s success.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
For admission to Florence Ewing Adventist Junior Academy, parents or guardians will complete a standard Application form, Consent-to-treat-in-the-event-of-emergency form and a financial form.
The name of each prospective student will be presented before the School Board for final approval of enrollment.
All students must have immunization records up-to-date and a record in their permanent school file.
Students entering grades Pre-Kindergarten, five and nine and all new students will need a doctor’s physical examination and a record in their permanent school file.
For admittance to this school, all prospective Kindergartners are to be five years of age on or by September 1, of the current school year.
Each Kindergartner will need a document proving date of birth when registering for school.
Ewing Adventist Jr. Academy does not admit individuals who engage in sexual misconduct, which includes non-marital sexual conduct, homosexual conduct, or the encouragement or advocacy of any form of sexual behavior that would undermine the Christian identity or faith mission of Ewing Adventist Jr. Academy and the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
While Florence Ewing Adventist Junior Academy is receptive to all student applications, acceptance may be denied to applicants who require specialized educational resources to meet their behavioral needs if it is determined we do not have the resources to meet those needs.
NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in all of its church schools, admits students of any race to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at its schools, and makes no discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnic background, country of origin or sex in administration of education policies, applications for admission, scholarship or loan programs, and extracurricular programs.
ASBESTOS STATEMENT
The AHERA inspections for our school were completed in 1988, to ascertain presence of asbestos-containing building materials. Samples of suspect building materials were taken by a certified inspector and analyzed by an accredited laboratory using various approved methods to determine asbestos content.
Ewing Adventist Jr. Academy does contain a small amount of asbestos-containing building materials. This is in the tiles and glue in the downstairs Pathfinder room. The tiles are monitored bi-annually and inspected by a certified inspector every 3 years. The last of these inspections was in December 2016 where “no change” was reported in asbestos-containing materials.
EVALUATIONS AND GRADES
Report cards are issued four times during the school year. First, second and third quarter report cards are given out at scheduled parent/teacher conferences after the quarter ends. If a question about student progress arises at any time during the school year, please feel free to contact the teacher concerned and arrange for a conference. Final reports are mailed when the financial accounts are current.
Interim progress reports are issued at least one time through each nine-week period for all students except Kindergarten. Grade reports may be sent home more often at the teachers’ discretion or the parents’ request.
Parents are encouraged to visit the school and attend all school functions.
COMPLAINT PROCEDURE POLICY
If a student or parent has a complaint they are to meet with the teacher and discuss the problem. If a solution cannot be found the parent and teacher are to bring it to the school principal. If the problem still cannot be solved it is to be taken to the school board chairman and finally to the school board.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Probation
Students in grades 3-8 who experience notable problems accomplishing the assigned class work may be placed on academic probation.
Eighth Grade Graduation
All candidates for graduation must pass all required classes. No student may graduate or participate in graduation ceremonies with one or more “F” grades. A certificate of completion will be given rather than a regular diploma.
Acceleration of Students
Acceleration of a student is not generally recommended. However, in cases where the parent makes a written request the following criteria is to be considered.
1. On a standard achievement test battery a student is expected to have a composite score, which places him/her at the 90th percentile or above.
2. The student must demonstrate to the school staff and to the parents, satisfactory evidence of academic, emotional, and social readiness for advanced placement.
3. The student must maintain an average or above level of achievement on the accelerated program.
4. The content areas for every grade must be covered.
5. It is recommended that acceleration be completed by the fifth grade.
Requests for acceleration are to be submitted to the Superintended of Schools by March 20 using the Acceleration Request form from the EAJA office.
ATTENDANCE
The school day begins at 8:00 A.M. and ends at 3:30 P.M. Mondays through Thursdays. On Fridays the school day ends at 12:00 P.M.
Regular attendance is expected. The student is to be punctual for classes and for all school functions. School will be in session on all regularly scheduled days according to the school calendar.
In case of school closing due to severe weather, the Centerpoint Public School System will normally serve as a guide. You will also find whether or not there is school by going to www.arkansasmatters.com and looking under school closings or watching KARK Channel 4 News.
TARDY POLICY
It is important that your child arrives at school on time. Please work to make sure your child arrives to school on time.
OFFICE TELEPHONE/TEACHER CELL PHONES
The office telephone is for school business only. If a child becomes ill, the teacher will place the call for him. Parents are requested to avoid asking for their children or for a teacher during school hours, except in an emergency. Calls by students regarding visitation with friends, homework forgotten, or other non-emergency reasons will not be allowed at the school office.
ABSENCE POLICY
Reasons for excused absences include sickness, (verification from a doctor may be required) attendance at a funeral, doctor appointments, and emergency family situations. The parent is expected to call the school when a student is going to be absent. Work that is missed due to absences must be made up. Attendance records are a part of the permanent grade report and student file. We operate in accordance with Arkansas State Law (Ark. Code Ann. 6-18-222 Apl. 1993) in regard to absenteeism.
- When a student has been absent from school (excused or unexcused) for a total of seven days, the parents will be sent a letter explaining the attendance policy in detail. Parents are requested to indicate by contacting the school that they understand the policy.
- When a student has been absent from school for a total of fourteen days, the parents will be sent a letter requesting a parent/student/principal conference. The principal will verbally explain the serious consequences of excessive absences.
- When a student has been absent from school for a total of twenty-one days, the parents will be notified by certified letter that the county juvenile judge will be notified in writing that the student is in danger of violating the minimum state attendance requirement. The parent or guardian may be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
- When a student has been absent from school for a total of twenty-five days the student is subject to retention. Excessive absences alone will not be used in determining retention. Reasons for the absences, performance on standardized tests, and grades will also be considered.
FUNDAMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS
There are certain school policies which must be followed in order to assure order and promote Christian character. Students who are accepted in this school are expected to abide by the following principles for the duration of the school year:
1. Students will maintain orderly behavior at all times.
2. Students will show respect to staff members and will obey instructions promptly.
3. The students will refrain from using profane or unbecoming language, or indulging in lewd or suggestive conduct, or having possession of questionable or obscene literature or photographs, or any printed material which does not uphold Christian standards.
4. Students will abstain from the use of drugs, narcotics, alcoholic beverages or tobacco in any form, or having them in their possession, or supplying them to others. A violation of this regulation at school or away from school will be cause for immediate removal of the student from enrollment.
5. Students are encouraged to form habits of health and temperance. Therefore it is asked that students bring only clean meats to school. Animals that chew the cud and have split hooves are considered clean. Fish that have fins and scales are considered clean. Chicken is also a clean meat. (See Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14). Please no pork or pig products.
6. Students will refrain from bringing caffeinated beverages to school. Recent studies have shown that caffeine has a negative effect on fine motor coordination and mental function. The teachers and supporters of Ewing Adventist Jr. Academy desire to give the best education possible to their students and feel that this can be done more effectively without the use of caffeinated beverages.
7. Students are encouraged to bring a well-balanced, sufficient lunch to school.
8. Students will not bring knives, fireworks, guns or lasers or other items that could be used in any way to inflict bodily injury on another person.
9. Students will not bring radios, ipods, mp3 players, cell phones or electronic games to school unless specific permission is obtained beforehand. If a student brings a phone to school they need to give it to their teacher for the day.
10. Gum is not to be chewed in the school building or while on the school grounds.
11. Each student is expected to respect the property rights of the school and of other people. Carefulness in the use of school property and supplies shall be observed. A student will be required to pay for damages done. Wastefulness is to be avoided.
12. Christian courtesy and respect will be shown to all staff, other students or visitors. Conspiracy to, or committing any physical or verbal act that injures, degrades, or disgraces another will not be tolerated.
13. Students come from many types of backgrounds, and all students are expected to respect the religious teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church while attending this Seventh-day Adventist school.
14. Students must have permission to use transportation other than that normally used when leaving school.
15. Any medication to be used during school hours should be taken only under the supervision of the teacher.
16. Students should not bring visitors to school unless permission has been granted by the school board.
17. Students should keep hands, feet and objects to themselves at all times.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE
1. Clothes should be neat and clean.
2. For girls, dresses or skirts may be worn. Skirt hems should be within two inches of the top of the knee while standing and sitting.
3. Slacks and/or well kept jeans are acceptable modes of dress for school.
4. Pants and skirts should be fitted at the waist. No hip huggers or low-riding pants.
5. Leggings should not be worn as pants unless a dress or skirt is worn with them.
6. For health and safety reasons, shoes are to be worn at all times. No flip-flops.
7. Students may wear shorts if they are well kept and if the hem is no shorter than two inches above the knee.
8. No shorts are to be worn in the months of November, December, January and February.
9. Polo shirts and or buttoned up shirts are to be worn every day as school attire. They may be any color including stripes.
10. Sheer or tight-fitting garments are not to be worn.
11. Obvious makeup, colored nail polish, or any cosmetics which detract from the natural appearance are not to be used or brought to school.
12. Hair styles should convey a well-groomed appearance. Extremes are to be avoided. If students dye their hair it should be a natural hair color.
13. Plain (no wording or pictures) toboggans may be worn outdoors in cold weather activities only. No other hats are to be worn at school.
14. Sweatshirts and hoodies may be worn in the classroom as long as they follow the same guidelines as the polo and buttoned up shirts. Coats are not to be worn in the classroom.
15. Ornamental jewelry– identification bracelets, ankle bracelets, necklaces, friendship bracelets, chains, etc., are not to be worn or brought to school. Watches and medical alert insignia are acceptable.
Dress Code Enforcement – If on the first offense the school does not have an appropriate replacement for the students to wear, the student may be required to have their parent (s) bring them a proper replacement.
STUDENT DISCIPLINE
Discipline Policy
Ewing Adventist Jr. Academy’s highest priority is to be a safe Christ-centered school. Most of its students are well behaved and care about learning. However, if students have problems at school with other students, they should not get involved in a talking battle or a physical fight. They should walk away quickly and seek the nearest adult for assistance. Fighting or any type of physical confrontation is to be avoided to prevent serious discipline.
Classroom Discipline
Teachers deal with routine classroom discipline problems. Disciplinary measures that seem reasonable to the teacher will be administered to students who break classroom rules or interfere with the learning privileges of other students. An attempt will be made to match the discipline with the misbehavior. The following are approved disciplinary actions:
1. Counseling with students.
2. Taking away privileges (when students are kept from recess an attempt will be made to give exercise of a different form.)
3. Time-out/isolation.
4. Special writing assignments (sentences, dictionary work, reports, etc.).
5. Detention: A student may be detained after school without the privilege of socializing.
6. In-house suspension.
7. Other measures as appropriate (except corporal punishment.)
The principal gets involved when the above-listed measures prove unsuccessful or when the teacher and/or principal determine the need for additional support.
If the School Board finds that a student is not receiving benefit from the school, or when his/her conduct is detrimental to other students, or he/she willfully and persistently refuses to cooperate, the student will no longer be retained in school.
Discipline will result in not following the Fundamental Standards and Regulations in the handbook, but not limited to that list.
Parental Roles on School Trips
When students are on a school trip, they are to answer/report to the school staff or authorized chaperones. We are happy to have church members willing to take their time to volunteer their time when asked to help as chaperones. Chaperones are selected by the school and/or school board and may not always include current student parents. Parents that are not attending as selected chaperones will not be allowed to travel on school transportation and do not carry authoritative control over any of the students. Parents are to allow the school staff and/or chaperones to handle the transportation, schedule, and any behavior issues that may arise. If a parent chooses to have their child under their control, then the parent is to provide all the supervision which includes transportation and lodging etc. for the entire trip. These rules are designed for the continuity of whom the children report to and to ensure safety throughout the entire trip.
ARKANSAS-LOUISIANA CONFERENCE
THREATENING BEHAVIOR OR ASSAULT POLICY
Students who threaten other students or adults with criminal behavior will be immediately suspended from school by the head teacher/principal until their behavior has been analyzed by a certified professional counselor or psychologist to determine if it is safe for the student to return to school. The head teacher/principal will notify the school board chairperson immediately when the student is suspended. The student and parent must meet with the school board before the student is readmitted to school. The student may be accepted on a probationary basis when returning to school. A written summary of the incident will be made immediately by the teacher/principal and signed by witnesses.
HARASSMENT POLICY
Harassment, either verbal or physical, will not be tolerated. On the first offense the student and parent will be spoken to. On the second offense the student will spend the rest of the day in the school office and a parent/teacher conference will be held. On the third offense the student will be sent home. The student and parent must meet with the school board before the student is readmitted to school. The student may be accepted on a probationary basis when returning to school.
FINANCES
Part of the function of the School Board of Ewing Adventist Jr. Academy is to provide Christian education as efficiently and economically as possible. Tuition charges reflect just a fraction of the present costs for supplies, materials and salaries; the tuition does not pay for the total cost of educating the student. The Arkansas-Louisiana Conference and the local church heavily subsidizes the school budget in order to keep tuition costs down and the school in operation.
The school board reserves the right to adjust the tuition rate, if necessary at the beginning of each school year.
REGISTRATION FEES:
Grades Pre-K-8: $170
Grades 9 & 10: $190
TUITION FOR GRADES:
Grades Pre-K-8: $1700/year or $170/month for 10 months
Grades 9 or 10: $2700/year or $270/month for 10 months
Like all other schools, Ewing Adventist Junior Academy has a policy that no school records are released until bills are paid and all school books and materials are returned.
Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Please ask Mary Womack or Dawn Westgate for an application. Applications must be turned in by July 1st to be considered for the upcoming school year.
Bills must be paid by the 1st of each month. If the bill is not paid by the 10th of the month the student will not be allowed to return to school until the bill is paid.
Bills need to be paid before the student registers for the following year.