Student Handbook

Prairie Christian Academy (PCA) has been in operation since 1981 and was birthed from our founder Dr Ivan Antoniuk’s vision to minister to families and to help them train their children in the way they should go. The school serves to work in cooperation with the church and the home as a vital link in educating children in Christian principles. The Word of God is central in the educational process. The goals of PCA reflect those of Faith Alive Family Church and it is an integral part of the vision of Faith Alive Ministries. 

PCA is an accredited, individualized, mastery learning, Christian based school with classes from Kindergarten through Grade 12. An international Christian curriculum, combined with locally developed, provincially approved high school program is used. Students are taught by a provincially certified staff. 

The goal of PCA is to help each student develop a closer walk with Jesus.

Prairie Christian Academy is dedicated to equipping your student to become a strong Christian leader. Our administrators, teachers and volunteers are committed to the mission and purpose of PCA. 

All PCA staff display a genuine desire to serve the Lord and a dedication to excellence in education. Together we will partner with parents and churches to develop strong Christian leaders. Each day at PCA we are blessed to see students growing, maturing and academically succeeding in the classrooms and throughout the campus.

In light of God's Word, parents have an awesome responsibility to their children. As parents we must endeavor to create a loving atmosphere with boundaries that will create a sense of safety and security in our children. We must teach our children to respect authority while creating a safe place in which they can ask questions and voice their concerns. It's in this atmosphere that our children can truly thrive and grow.

• Uphold the highest moral standards and set a Godly example for all to follow at all times. 
• Train up students to walk in life with confidence, maturity, and character. 
• Treat every student with love, respect, and kindness. 
• See every student as a unique individual with their own gifting and talents, and to see the qualities brought to maturity and fruitfulness. 
• Take responsibility for the student’s academic learning and development.
• Act in a professional manner toward all leadership and fellow staff members, parents, and students. 
• Make PCA an exciting and fun place for every student.

• Work diligently and complete required academics. 
• Respect school staff and church leaders.
• Develop gifts and talents. ie school conventions, sports, music, drama.
• Treat other students with respect and kindness.
• Grow in character:
  • Perseverance  
  • Self-discipline 
  • Excellence 
• Develop School Spirit:
  • Happy 
  • Enthusiastic 
  • Involved

Parent Meetings

All parents are expected to attend Parent Meetings. Parent Meetings take place at various times and may be called with short notice. NOTE: If unable to attend, please notify the principal immediately to schedule an appointment to get debriefed. 

Full Cooperation and Support 

• Dress Code - ensuring that your child(ren) is dressed according to code.
• Standards -  by supporting the standards held up by PCA.
• Acting in a courteous and respectful manner to all staff and children.
  • ie Phoning ahead to plan appointment with teachers or principal.
  • not walking into classrooms without the consent of the present teacher.
  • Picking up children at the proper time.
  • Calling the school office rather than calling or texting your child’s teacher.
  • Volunteering 
    • Helping when and where needed .
    • School fix-up.
    • Special projects
  • Involvement
    • Taking time to be involved with and for your child(ren).
    • Events
    • Projects
    • Field trips
    • Awards
    • Graduation
    • Academic Progress
  • Fundraising
    • Required fundraising of $35.00 per month/child.
    • It is the parent’s responsibility to arrange the fundraising events.
    • PCA is open to all suggestions and ideas concerning fundraising.
    • This money will be given to each classroom for field trips, events, fun times equipment etc.
    • contact the school for more information 

• • Financial
    • Fees are due on the 20th of each month.
    • 10 post dated cheques from August 20th to May 20th are required
      *If this is not possible - contact the school office to make alternate arrangements
    • There will be a $20 charge on all NSF cheques.
    • Accounts not paid in full by the 20th may result in a FROZEN PACE stack and new PACEs will not be ordered until account balance is paid in full.  
  • Prepayment
    • Due to already low tuition prices, a 10% discount will no longer be given to families who pay the year’s tuition in full by August 20th. 
  • Refunds
    • For those pre-paying the full year, a 50% refund will be issued up until January 31.
    • Full refunds will be issued before August 27th.
    • Exceptions are at the discretion of the administration. 

 Parents Remember: It is your commitment to PCA that will inspire and encourage your child(ren) to do the same. “What you sow is what you will reap”. 

A lack of commitment to PCA standards and policies will result in a review and possible withdrawal from the Academy. 

Prairie Christian Academy Attendance Policy 

Our hope is that all students of PCA would have perfect attendance throughout the school year. Good attendance is important for many reasons. Your child receives the maximum benefit of education by being in school every day, and numerous studies show a strong link between academic performance and consistent attendance. However, we understand that there are certain instances where attendance is not possible. These instances are considered excusable ones and are listed below. 

1. Illness or quarantine 
2. Doctor or dentist appointment
3. Death in the family
4. Inclement weather
5. Suspensions
6. Severe family emergencies
7. Work-experience or other educational programs authorized or approved by the board. 

In the instance of an excused absence due to an appointment, the school office must be notified 2 days in advance. In the case of illness, a note must be sent to the school office signed by the parent or a phone call by the parent or guardian placed to the school office. Texts or emails are not acceptable. 

If a student has three full days of unexcused absences parents will be notified directly by the school office.  Student will be referred to the Director and their homeroom teacher for further corrective action. 

If students are absent without indication of parents’ awareness and support for five days, the school staff, parents and students will jointly develop a plan to resolve the student’s nonattendance.

Truancy 

If students accumulate inexcusable absences for ten percent or more of the school year students will be deemed “truant.” The head of Qualified Independent Schools Division will be notified as per PCA’s due diligence in accordance with Independent Schools Regulation Act. Upon notification, Independent Schools Division may proceed with an investigation in the hopes of resolving the student’s truancy. 

 Because Prairie Christian Academy believes that attendance is key in a student’s success in education, we are prepared to acknowledge and award perfect attendance at the yearly Awards Night banquet. Perfect attendance is no more than three (3) absences in each school year. 

Leaving School Grounds

Students are not allowed to leave school grounds at any time without permission. In rare instances, Senior students may be allowed to leave the school property during the school day but must have both parental and teacher permission. 

Lates

In the event of a student entering the school after 9:00 a.m. students must stop at the school office to fill out a “late slip” with the school administrative assistant. Student must then take the late slip and present it to the homeroom teacher. Being late excessivly may result in disciplinary action in the form of detentions or other actions as deemed appropriate by staff and director. 

Parents

Please do your best to ensure your child(ren) are at school at least 10 minutes early in order to be ready for the start of classes. It is not a good example to your child(ren) to be late! Being punctual is one character trait that is appreciated by everyone. 

School Hours  

• School begins at 9:00 am sharp. Classrooms will be open at 8:50 for students to get settled for the day.
• Children can be dropped off by 8:20 am if necessary but 8:40 is recommended.
• Children are to be picked up from school by 3:30 pm Monday - Thursday and at 3:00 pm on Fridays.
• PCA is not a babysitting service. Please respect school and church staff by making the necessary arrangements to drop off and pick up your child(ren) at the proper times. 
• If an emergency presents itself and you are unable to meet the above procedures, please phone and speak to the school administrative assistant so adjustments can be made.
• At no time will students be released to people other than immediate family members unless appropriate arrangements have been made in advance.

The discipline philosophy at PCA recognizes that each student is an individual with unique and personal needs. Every effort is made through positive discipline to develop those attitudes and habits of behaviour that will be conducive to a positive and compatible relationship with teachers, parents and fellow students. Most students adjust quickly to a Godly and loving learning environment. However, if behaviour problems develop, the teacher and/or administrator will contact parents and seek a cooperative plan which will help eliminate unacceptable conduct. Prairie Christian Academy strives to cooperate with the home in forming Godly character traits.

• Cheerful respect to all authorities (parents, teachers, etc) 
• Responsibility in doing assigned and expected tasks. 
• Cooperation with others in playing and working at school and on the playground.
• Respect for other students, teachers, church staff, visitors and school property.
• Cleanliness in person and property.
• Truthfulness in word and actions.
• Promptness in attendance and assignments.
• Morally good conduct in respect to recreation, social and peer relationships, and language.

Note: PCA does not administer corporal correction to its students.

Boys

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

• Collared shirt – long or short sleeved.
  • May be any colour and combination.
  • Shirts may have stripes but not graphics or writing.
• Dress pants, cotton casuals and denim jeans are acceptable.
  • belt optional unless necessary.
  • Shoes – Casual dress or runners 

 Wednesday – Dress up day 

• Dress shirts – any colour, stripes or plaid is fine.
• Dress pants – any colour.
• Dress shoes – black or brown leather.
• Dress belt – optional unless necessary.
• Dress tie

*All pants pulled up to the waist.  

Girls 

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

• Collared shirt – long or short sleeved.
  • May be any colour and combination.
  • Shirts may have stripes but not graphics or writing.
• Dress pants, cotton casuals, Capris and denim jeans are acceptable. No leggings or jeggings.
• Shoes – Runners or flats of any colour are acceptable 

 Wednesday – Dress up day

• Dress or skirt with a blouse.
  • May be any colour and combination.
  • Shirts may have stripes but not graphics or writing
  • Skirts/dresses – Any colour but must be knee length or longer.
  • Tights or leggings of solid neutral colours are also preferred.
• Dresses with thin straps should be accompanied with a shoulder cover.
• Shoes – Casual/Dress (leather non-athletic)

Please note: 

• Make up is not allowed for ages 5-12. Optional for 13 and up.
• Light colours applied modestly and tastefully is permitted.
• Jewelery – girls – a maximum of 3 piercings per ear are permitted
• No facial or tongue piercings permitted.
• Hair – Clean, neatly groomed and out of the face and eyes.
• Colourings and highlights of natural tones only.
• Girls may wear neutral colour nail polish.

Boys

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

• Collared shirt – long or short sleeved.
  • May be any colour and combination.
  • Shirts may have stripes or patterns but not graphics or writing.
• Pants – Casual Dress (ex. Dockers).
  • Navy, grey, beige, black.
• Shoes – Casual Dress.
  • Black or brown.
  • Non-athletic style.

Wednesday – Dress up day 

• Dress shirts – any colour, stripes or plaid is fine 
• Dress pants – any colour.
• Dress shoes – black or brown leather.
• Dress belt.
• Dress tie.

* All pants to be pulled up to the waist  

Girls

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 

• Collared shirt or blouse – long or short sleeved.
  • May be any colour and combination 
  • Shirts may have stripes or patterns but not graphics or writing
• Pants – Any navy, grey, black or beige casual dress pants
  • Capris are also acceptable.
  • Corded pants, cargo pants are not acceptable.
• Shoes – Casual dress.
  • Flats are acceptable.
  • Heels no higher than 1 inch. 
  • Black, brown, grey or beige.

Wednesday – Dress up day 

• Dress or skirt with a blouse.
  • May be any colour and combination.
  • Shirts may have stripes but not graphics or writing.
  • Skirts/dresses – Any colour but must be knee length or longer.
  • Tights or leggings of solid neutral colours are also preferred.
• Dresses with thin straps should be accompanied with a shoulder cover.
• Shoes – Casual/Dress (leather non-athletic).

Please note: 

• Make up is not allowed for ages 5-12. Optional for 13 and up.
• Light colours applied modestly and tastefully is permitted.
• Jewelery – girls – a maximum of 3 piercings per ear are permitted
• No facial or tongue piercings permitted.
• Hair – Clean, neatly groomed and out of the face and eyes.
• Colourings and highlights of natural tones only.
• Girls may wear neutral colour nail polish.

• PCA logoed phys-ed shirts are available upon request and are offered at cost in order to keep price as reasonable as possible.
• Uniforms consist of:
  • PCA gym shirt with PCA logos
  • Navy or black wind pants, sweats or shorts to be purchased by parents at a local clothing company.
  • For Intermediate/Senior students, under armour type shorts (spandex) must be worn under shorts.
• Please give as much notice as possible for the purpose of ordering new Phys-ed shirts as the turnaround is usually 2-3 weeks.
• Students are required to bring separate, non-marking athletic shoes for indoor use and an additional pair for outdoor use or for the purpose of transferring to and from gym rental facilities.
• PCA reserves the right to change the uniforms from time to time as necessary.
• Failure to wear proper uniforms may result in corrective action.
• Please label your child’s name on all shirt/pant/short tags to prevent loss of clothing.

Secondary Diploma

This diploma fully complies with the Saskatchewan Education requirements and allows students to directly enter University or College. The following courses are required to be completed by all high school students in the Academy pursuing a regular program towards graduation.

Note: These credits are for a basic grade 12 diploma. Those wishing to pursue certain post-secondary areas of study may need additional credits to qualify for University and College.

*It is the parents' responsibility to contact desired post-graduate schools for required entrance credits.

*Pre-School, Kindergarten & Grade One teachers will purchase student supplies and an invoice will be sent to parents. 

 Grade 2-Grade 12 Supplies 

• Pencils (5-10)  
• Erasers (2) 
• Blue or Black pen (2) 
• Ruler 
• Scissors 
• Pencil Sharpener 
• Kleenex box 
• Binder (1 inch or 1.5 inch) with dividers 
• Loose leaf paper 
• Pencil case or holder 
• Notebook 
• Bible 
• Water Bottle 
• Indoor athletic shoes (non-marking)  & outdoor shoes  

 Additional Supplies  

• Markers (Gr 2-6)  
• Pencil Crayons (Gr 2-8)
• Glue Stick (Gr 2-8) 
• Geometry Set (Gr 6-8) 
• Highlighter (Gr 5-12) 
• Scientific Calculator T-84 (Gr 8-12) 

 *Teachers may request additional items throughout the year