The Roanoke Adventist Preparatory School (“RAPS”) is a Christ-centered learning environment with a mission to educate, love, and nurture our students in a way that will bring glory to God. We welcome you and your child to our school.

Our RAPS Board and Staff want to make your child’s educational experience as stimulating, pleasant, and homelike as possible. Because of our desire to provide a homelike atmosphere, we encourage parents to participate in the school and its activities as often as possible. Students at RAPS are not numbers, they are individuals who are loved and respected. Therefore, as far as possible, your child’s instruction will be geared specifically to his/her needs.

RAPS desires to pursue excellence in Christian education. We are here to cooperate with the family in the harmonious development of the child’s mental, physical, spiritual, and social powers. We are preparing our students to be positive contributing citizens in this world and in the world to come.

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2007-2008 RAPS Staff

Mr. James (Jim) Beldin 808-392-4752

Head Teacher

Mrs. Ellen Beldin 808-392-4753

Teacher

Mrs. Carol Doudiken 540-580-1589

RAPS Board Chairperson

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Mission Statement

The mission of RAPS is to educate, love, nurture its students in a way that will bring glory to God. The school models itself on the family and undertakes as part of its mission the search for excellence in each student.

RAPS’ mission includes assisting students in discovering and developing their own God-given talents and experiencing the thrill of utilizing their talents in service to others. The ultimate mission of RAPS is to help students realize that the deepest longings in their hearts can only be met by accepting the grace of God in and through Jesus Christ.

This mission also includes helping students learn to create, invent, and discover – all for the glory of God. In this way, we hope to prepare students not only to be good citizens of this earth, but of God’s kingdom as well.

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Philosophy

True education addresses the needs of the whole person and is concerned with the physical, mental, spiritual, social, and emotional dimensions of life. This is best accomplished when the family, school, and church work together harmoniously.

RAPS exists to assist parents in educating and nurturing their children. It is a primary goal of our staff to treat every student with compassion and love. This loving, nurturing environment helps students develop a sense of confidence and self-worth that helps them reach their highest potential in learning.

The staff strives to challenge students by setting higher goals for themselves and the students and encourage the students to work toward their fullest potential in each curriculum area.

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Curriculum

RAPS follows the curriculum guidelines that are set up and approved by the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists and the Potomac Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Areas of study include the following:

· Bible

· Language Arts

· Mathematics

· Natural and Health Sciences

· Social Sciences

· Physical Education

· Fine Arts

· Computer Science

RAPS also endeavors to provide extracurricular activities in the following areas:

· Athletics

· Community Services

· Performing Arts

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Admission Policy

Applications.

Any student may register with the approval of the Executive Committee of the RAPS Board (principal/head teacher, RAPS Board chairperson, treasurer and pastors). The Executive Committee will make recommendations for the approval of the RAPS Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

Non-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of RAPS to admit students of any race or gender to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the school, and to make no discrimination based on race or gender in the administration of education, policies, application for admission, scholarship and athletic or extra curricular programs.

Age of School Entrance.

Children entering Kindergarten must be five years old by September 30 of the current school year. A birth certificate is required as proof of age.

Transferring Students.

Prior to acceptance at RAPS, students transferring from a school system other than the Seventh-day Adventist school system will need to complete the application process including payment of appropriate fees and signatures on necessary releases allowing previous records to be transferred to RAPS. Transferring students will be allowed to begin attending classes when transcripts of records have been received by RAPS.

Probationary Period.

All new students, transferring students and students suspended during the previous year will be accepted for the current school year on a probationary status for the first nine weeks of enrollment.

Medical Records.

A medical examination form is required for all new students to RAPS. Forms are available at the school office. State law requires immunization records to be on file at the school. All of these forms must be on file in the office within the first 15 days of school in order for the student to continue attending classes.

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Financial Information

RAPS offers one of the Roanoke Valley’s best values in private education. We provide quality Christian education at an affordable price because of our affiliation with the Seventh-day Adventist consortium of schools.

The tuition at RAPS covers only about one-third of the cost of educating each student. The remaining two-thirds of the cost is covered by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and by special gifts, trusts and endowments. In addition to tuition, every student must pay the annual registration fee and other applicable fees.

Tuition payments are due on the first day of each month September through June. If a student’s account is in default on the 15^th day of the month, the RAPS Treasurer will send a notice to the party responsible for the account If the account remains in default through the 30^th day of the month, the student will not be allowed to return to classes until the account is current or an acceptable payment plan has been reached.

Report cards will not be issued to those students whose school account is delinquent. Transcripts of academic credits will not be released until the student’s account is paid or until satisfactory arrangements have been made.

A schedule of the current year’s tuition and fees may be found on the enclosed insert.

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Parent Responsibilities

Our school will be better able to assist you in helping your child reach their educational goals if you will do the following:

Be prepared.

· Make sure your child has the necessary school supplies.

· Provide your child with clothing that meets the school dress code.

· Help your child develop good study habits.

· Help you child develop good health habits.

· Encourage your child to do his/her best work.

· Make sure your child arrives at school on time every day.

Be informed.

· Communicate with your child’s teacher on a regular basis.

· Ask many questions of your child and your child’s teacher.

· Make sure to attend parent-teacher conferences.

· Read all school communications thoroughly.

· Attend Home and School functions.

· Visit your child’s classroom.

· Volunteer to help your child’s teacher when possible.

Be a good citizen.

· Speak positively of the school and its staff.

· Get involved in school activities.

· Support fund raising efforts.

Be a problem solver.

· Complete a Concern Form.

· Discuss the problem with the teacher.

· Discuss the problem with the principal/head teacher and the teacher.

· Discuss the problem with the school board chairperson.

· Discuss the problem with the school board.

· Discuss the problem with the Potomac Conference Department of Education Associate Superintendent.

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Student Responsibilities

Be prepared.

· Meet all your school appointments on time.

· Make sure you have the necessary supplies.

· Wear clothes that meet dress code standards.

· Complete and turn in all assignments on time.

Be informed.

· Listen to the teacher and follow instructions.

· Know and understand school and classroom rules.

· Read or have read to you all school communications.

Be a good citizen.

· Follow all classroom rules and instructions.

· Follow all school rules and instructions.

· Take pride in your school.

· Participate in extracurricular activities.

· Support fund raising efforts.

· Participate in service activities.

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Staff Responsibilities

Be prepared.

· Provide a challenging, nurturing learning environment.

· Prepare lessons according to the NAD curriculum guidelines.

· Meet the needs of your students.

· Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of student progress.

Be informed.

· Be familiar with and how to access Potomac Conference, Columbia Union and NAD guidelines and follow them.

· Be familiar with and follow school policies.

· Read school communications and be aware of upcoming events.

· Maintain good working relationships with parents and families of students.

Be a good citizen.

· Attend school functions and Home and School activities.

· Treat students and parents with respect.

· Maintain a positive supportive attitude toward the school and its programs.

· Model the Christian lifestyle to students.

· Participate in fund raising efforts.

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Principal/Head Teacher Responsibilities

Be prepared.

· Develop short-term and long-term plans and marketing strategies in concert with the school board.

· Cooperate with the school board to develop policies and procedures that provide a positive Christian learning environment.

· Work with the Potomac Conference Office of Education to formulate policies and guidelines as requested by that office.

· Prepare school newsletter on a regular basis.

Be informed.

· Be familiar with the NAD Education Code and policies as well as state education laws.

· Be aware of church, school and family needs.

Be a good citizen.

· Attend school functions and Home and School activities.

· Treat students and parents with respect.

· Maintain a positive supportive attitude toward the school and its programs.

· Model the Christian lifestyle to students.

· Provide leadership for the staff.

· Participate in board meetings.

· Participate in fund raising efforts.

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School Board Responsibilities

Be prepared.

· Formulate plans and policies for operating the school.

· Develop and approve the school handbook.

· Develop plans and marketing strategies for the school.

· Establish and adopt a constitution in harmony with Potomac Conference guidelines.

· Provide adequate finances for the efficient operation and maintenance of the school.

Be informed.

· Be aware of state and denominational policies and govern the school according to these guidelines.

· Consider all student applications for admittance.

· Read the school newsletter and be aware of any information presented in it.

· Be familiar with the regular practices and operations of the school.

Be a good citizen.

· Promote the overall school program in a positive way.

· Participate in Home and School activities.

· Attend board meetings regularly.

· Participate in fund raising efforts.

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Attendance Policy

School Hours.

The school hours are as follows:

8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday

8:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday

The school is “open” as follows:

8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday

8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday

Before and After School Care.

Little Angels Learning Center (LALC) provides before and after school. The LALC hours are 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Arrangements should be made directly with LALC for this service. LALC may be reached by calling 345-2626

Tardiness and Absences.

The school is bound by state law to maintain regular attendance and punctuality records. Reasonable excuses for absences and tardiness are sickness or the death of a close relative. A written excuse must be sent to the school within three days of the student’s return for all absences or tardiness. The name of any student with excessive tardies or absences will be turned over to the Potomac Conference Education Superintendent. When a pupil is absent, he/she has as many days to make up missed work as the days absent. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain the assignments and make up the work. Work for unexcused absences may be made up at the teacher’s discretion.

Unless the class work missed is satisfactorily completed, a student who is absent more than 20% of the school days in any grading period may forfeit his/her grade(s) for that period. Excessive tardiness or absences of more than 20% will be referred to the RAPS board who may notify the appropriate state authorities. Attendance is taken in the classroom at 8:15 a.m. and students arriving thereafter will be counted tardy.

Visitation.

Parents are encouraged to visit their child’s classroom whenever possible. Please notify the teacher at least one day in advance. Pre-school children or other non-enrolled children will only be permitted to visit the classroom with the permission of the teacher. Adults who need to contact a child should make arrangements with the teacher first.

Snow Days.

School closings or delayed openings will be announced on WFIR AM960, and on Channel 10 and Channel 7 on the television. In most cases the Roanoke City School delay and closing schedule will be followed. Regardless of any media announcements, parents are encouraged to do what they feel is safest.

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School Rules

1. Staff members are to be treated with respect and spoken instructions, as well as posted classroom rules, are to be followed.

2. All crude, impure, abusive, disrespectful and profane language is prohibited.

3. Stealing, deceiving, lying, fraud, and all acts of dishonesty are prohibited.

4. School property and property of others must be respected at all times.

5. Chewing gum and/or snacks are prohibited except on special occasions approved by staff.

6. Students are to remain in designated areas for supervision before and after school.

7. Inappropriate items should not be brought to school, including but not limited to the following:

· Inappropriate reading material, books or magazines.

· TVs, radios, tape players, CD players

· Cellular phones and pagers

· CDs, cassette and video tapes

· Computer games or electronic games

8. No student shall leave school premises during school hours without permission.

9. Physical violence is prohibited.

10. Possession or use of illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco and caffeine is any form is prohibited on school premises.

11. Possession of firearms, knives and other weapons is prohibited on school premises.

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