ADMISSION POLICY

BLH welcomes member and non-member families who desire the benefits of Christ-centered education. Families inquiring about our school may tour the facilities, meet with the principal and or pastor, and have information provided to them which would help them to understand our mission and ministry.

All families may register to enroll by submitting an application with registration fee and supplying academic and health records. Applications may be brought by the Principal to the Board of Education for consideration and final approval.

Enrollment is considered incomplete without a signed Parent Partnership Agreement. The student will not be able to attend school until the agreement is signed.

NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY

Bloomington Living Hope Lutheran School complies with federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, or disability, in the administration of its educational programs.

Bloomington Living Hope Lutheran School also has the right and duty to conduct its school, programs, and activities in a manner consistent with the WELS faith and doctrine. Accordingly, nothing in this handbook precludes the school’s ability to act in conformance with its WELS beliefs and identity, including taking appropriate actions with respect to students, parents/guardians, or volunteers, whose actions are inconsistent with the religious teachings of the WELS faith. This applies to actions on school grounds, at school functions, or off school grounds if such actions interfere with or obstruct the mission or operations of the school.

KINDERGARTEN

To enter kindergarten, a child must be 5 years old by the first of September. Health and immunization records must be current according to the Minnesota Department of Education statutes.

ABSENCES and TARDIES

Minnesota law requires attendance at school for the entire school year for students between the ages of six and sixteen. Failure to comply with the compulsory education legislation can subject parents / caregivers to criminal prosecution and, if convicted, up to 90 days in jail, or a fine, or both.

Absence: BLH defines an absence as any time school is in regular session during which children are not present on campus actively attending school. Should a student be away from campus for a sanctioned school event (e.g. tournament, field trip, academic contest), she/he is not considered absent.

Excused Absence: BLH considers an absence “excused” when a parent / caregiver provides verbal, telephoned, email, or written notification as to the reasonable and valid explanation as to why the child was not present (e.g. illness, family vacation, medical appointment). It is preferred that this notification be provided in advance or early on the day of the absence. Excuses offered by students without parent / caregiver confirmation will not be accepted.

Unexcused Absence: BLH does not differentiate between excused or unexcused absences unless the excuse provided appears unreasonable and invalid as determined by the principal, or unless the parent / caregiver fails to provide verbal or written notification of the absence and its reason.

Full-day vs. Half-day Absence: If a student is off campus for 3 hours or more, the absence is recorded as a full-day absence. Any late arrival or early departure of more than one hour but less than 3 hours is recorded as a half-day absence. BLH does not round absences to less than half a day. A half-day absence may also be recorded should a student be absent for more than one hour and up to 3 hours in the middle of a school day.

Tardy: Arriving in the classroom after 9:20 AM is recorded as “tardy.” Please plan for your students to arrive no later than 9:10 AM. Students who arrive late because of BLH shuttle bus or public school bus delays are not recorded as tardy. BLH does not record a number of accumulated tardies as absences, rather tardies and absences are reported separately on each child’s academic report.

If a child must be absent, parents / caregivers are to call the school office between 8:30 and 9:20 AM. Notifying the school of an absence due to illness before the school day starts alleviates concern about the location of absent children. The school office will notify the child’s homeroom teacher of the absence, and the homeroom teacher will record the absence(s) in SchoolSpeak. Should the teacher not receive notification of an absence, she/he will contact the school office so that an office administrator can contact the child’s parents / caregivers to confirm that the child will be absent or tardy.

The homeroom teacher keeps a record of the date(s) of absence and the reason for the absence(s). Records of absences and tardies are archived in the child’s cumulative file. If parents / caregivers have foreknowledge of an absence (e.g. medical or dental appointment), they may send a written excuse to the office or homeroom teacher prior to the absence(s) and thus do not need to call that day.

When a student is excessively absent, it makes it difficult for the student to stay on track academically and causes a disruption to the class. Excessive absence is defined as: (1) three or more consecutive days of absence; or (2) five or more days per semester. When a student is excessively absent, the school will determine appropriate interventions, which may include grade reductions, parent meetings, and/or disciplinary action.

Additionally, Minnesota truancy law states that any elementary school student absent from school for three full days without a valid excuse within a single school year is considered truant, and any middle school, junior high, or high school student absent from three or more class periods on three different days without a valid is excuse within a single school year is considered truant. When a student is considered truant under the law, the school must notify the county.

BLH policy is that any student who misses more than 20 school days during the school year will be placed on probation and/or may be asked to repeat the grade.

Extended Absences and Family Vacations

If a child is ill for an extended period of time, parents / caregivers will communicate as soon as possible with the child’s teacher(s) and/or the school office.

Family vacations are recorded as excused if they are approved in writing before the child is absent using the BLH Extended Absence Form.

It is important for students to be in class every day. However, BLH understands that some parents choose to take vacations not scheduled in the school calendar. Extended weekends and family trips should be carefully examined to determine whether they interfere with a child’s learning and progress. Parents / caregivers must realize that significant learning will be missed. Should a family take a vacation during the school year, school work will be on the child’s desk when they return. Work will NOT be given out in advance. Parents / caregivers must assume the responsibility for time lost due to family vacations. Classroom work missed during vacations needs to be made up by the student upon his/her return.

BLH policy is that teachers will not give out assignments in advance as noted in red above

Teachers will set a timetable for completion of missing work. As a guideline, BLH recommends that one school day for each day the child was absent be provided for the student to submit missing work. Should work missed during an extended absence not be submitted, the assignments may be scored as incomplete, and the child’s grades calculated to reflect the missing work.

Excused from Recess

Should parents / caregivers desire that a child stay inside during recess due to illness or other valid reasons , the parent must write a note to the teacher. If no note is presented, the child is expected to go outside with the class. Classes will not go outside in inclement weather, or if the temperature falls below zero degrees Fahrenheit using a credible weather service chosen by the school (wind chill will also be taken into consideration). The gym or classrooms are used for indoor recess.

The homeroom teacher of a child who will not be with the class for recess will make arrangements with another teacher to supervise and ensure the safety of the child. Children will not be left in classrooms or other areas of the school unsupervised during recess or at other times during the school day.

         Perfect Attendance Award

BLH awards perfect attendance certificates to children who have not accumulated any excused and/or unexcused absences and who have not been tardy as is defined in this handbook for the entire BLH school calendar year.

FUNDRAISING

Fundraising at BLH is primarily associated with Board of Education approved special projects, with the annual eighth grade class trip, with school libraries, or with the athletic department. As such, any and all fundraising projects must be formally pre-approved by the principal and/or Board of Education.

Fundraising for non-BLH related organizations is not permitted.

All fundraising questions are directed to the principal.

ADVERTISING

Advertisement and/or sales of non-BLH related businesses are NOT allowed in school.

GYM RENTAL and BORROWING TABLES / CHAIRS

On very rare occasions, the older wooden tables and chairs kept in outdoor storage may be borrowed by members in good standing of BLH Congregation. None of the white plastic tables or newer chairs that are stored inside may leave the facilities or be borrowed. Inquire at the school office for information about borrowing tables or chairs. Those borrowing tables and/or chairs are solely responsible for transportation, pick-up and drop-off, cleaning, damage, and return to their original location.

The gymnasiums at both locations are approved only for use by groups and activities associated with or sponsored by Bloomington Living Hope Lutheran Church and School (e.g. BLH athletics, VBS, BLH youth activities). Liability and accountability prevent BLH from loaning or renting the gymnasiums for any private use. If parents / caregivers have questions, they may contact the church administrator, principal and/or BLH athletic director for additional clarification.