Back to Student Handbook — Grades 4-8

Table of Contents

A unique aspect of Oaks Christian School is that the family, not just the student, becomes a part of the school community. OCS assists parents in their God-given responsibility of rearing their children. Any questions or concerns regarding the role of parents at OCS should be directed to the principal.

Parent Involvement

We welcome and expect parent involvement. Parents may participate in the social life of the school and help the school advance in many areas. Parents serve the needs of the school community through the giving of time, talent, and resources. The primary services parents provide include prayer, student and family recruitment, classroom projects and fieldtrips, general volunteerism, and faculty support. As with all adults working in a student environment, background checks as well as Tuberculosis and drug screenings are required. Please check on AXIS Resources to contact the OCS volunteer coordinator for more information.

Cooperation with School

As stated in the contract of enrollment, OCS believes that a positive and constructive working relationship between the school and a student’s parents/guardian is essential to the accomplishment of the school’s educational mission.

Encouraging Student Responsibility

Natural consequences are the most effective way for students to learn about responsibility. Students are expected to come prepared for the day. Students should demonstrate their growth in self-reliance and responsibility over the course of the school year. Students needing continual reminders and support may be given a structured plan of assistance by the deans.

We understand the importance of coordinating schedules and ask that you please communicate with your student about pick-up, carpool, and after school arrangements before school starts. If plans change, please send a text message or leave a voice message on your student's cell phone for them to receive after school hours. Only in true emergency situations will we interrupt class time to communicate a message.

Communication and Support

We at Oaks Christian School believe that open and clear communication is essential for maintaining an effective community. Partnership with our families is our highest priority. We strive to work together in an effort to best support each child. Consequently, we have established a line of communication that will help us effectively and efficiently treat the various needs of students, parents, teachers, and administration. Important information can be found on AXIS, in our weekly newsletter, and/or via email. Students are also expected to check the school monitors daily for updated information and announcements.

Communication Protocol

In order to promote independence and responsibility, Oaks Christian School has created a communication protocol based off of Matthew 18 to assist your family should any concern or conflict arise. Please abide by the following guidelines:

If a student has a concern or complaint regarding a specific teacher, staff member, coach, and/or administrator, it is essential that initial communication be with that specific teacher, staff member, coach, and/or administrator.
If the concern is not resolved, the student’s parent should speak with the specific teacher, staff member, coach, and/or administrator.
If the student or the parent needs help in determining how to discuss their concerns with another student or teacher, he or she may arrange an appointment to talk with the appropriate administrator.

The Head of School is the final point of contact regarding conflicts. If the conflict is with anyone in #1–3 above and is a claim of unlawful harassment, including sexual harassment, students should go to any teacher, staff member, coach, or administrator other than the one against whom they have the claim.

Contacting School Personnel

All Oaks Christian School faculty and staff have a voice mail number and/or an email address. Please refer to the OCS Family Directory or the website to find that information. The main phone number for the Oaks Christian Middle School is 818.824.9425. During the school week, it is reasonable to expect a response within 24 hours.

Right to Terminate Contract

OCS accordingly reserves the right to terminate or not renew a student’s enrollment contract if the school concludes that the actions of a parent or guardian interfere with a positive and constructive relationship or otherwise seriously interferes with the school’s accomplishment of its educational purposes.

Please refer to the enrollment contract for tuition refund policies. It is expected that parents/guardians cooperate with the administration of OCS in seeing that the student attends classes regularly, is at the school premises on time at the beginning of the school day, and has transportation from the school premises at the close of the school day. Furthermore, parents/guardians are expected to assist the student to learn and advance in the educational process, solve school-related problems with teachers and other students, and aid the teachers in providing the student with a Christian education.