Parent-Student Handbook
Grades K4 - 8
2008 - 2009
TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO; AND WHEN HE IS OLD, HE WILL NOT DEPART FROM IT. Proverbs 22:6
Christian Heritage Academy
3930 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD SOUTH
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32216
PHONE: 733-4722
FAX: 338-9977
MISSION STATEMENT
Christian Heritage Academy exists to offer quality education in a Christian atmosphere, so that students are exposed to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and are encouraged to develop their individual abilities, strengths and full potential.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
We believe that both the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, revealing the three Persons of the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the incarnation and virgin birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as true God and true man.
We believe that man was created in the image of God, but became separated from God by sin.
We believe that man is redeemed by grace through faith in Christ's vicarious atonement for sins, the shedding of His blood on the cross. We believe in the imminent return of Christ.
A Historical Sketch of Christian Heritage Academy
Christian Heritage Academy was established as a non-profit organization in 1975. The original charter of its Articles of Incorporation were signed January 27, 1976. These documents are filed and recorded with the clerk of the Circuit Court of Duval County, Florida. The authority for operation of the school is according to the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene. Even though the school has corporation status in the county, it functions as an integral ministry of University Boulevard Church of the Nazarene.
The school was started as a result of the vision of the pastor and members of the University Boulevard Church of the Nazarene. They realized that a school would provide a unique opportunity for ministry, unlike any other of the church.
Christian Heritage Academy started with an enrollment of twenty-five students. All students were in one classroom that first year. Each student worked at his/her pace using the Accelerated Christian Education curriculum. From its inception, the school began to grow. It wasn't long before the school had outgrown the facilities.
In 1977, the church board decided to build a two-story educational building to accommodate their growing needs. During 2006, the church completed the addition of another building which includes 16 classrooms, a gymnasium, kitchen and cafeteria. Future plans include renovated space for the computer lab and library/media center.
In the decade between 1980 and 1990, the seventh through twelfth grades were gradually dropped due to lack of space and inability to provide a well-rounded quality education at those grade levels. This decision was made in order to provide a strong, solid, elementary school program. The ACE curriculum was also replaced by a more traditional, teacher-directed approach, which largely consisted of the A Beka curriculum. In 2003, the school began adding middle school grades to meet the needs of our school families.
Mr. Jim Stephens is the current and ninth administrator of Christian Heritage Academy. He has served in this capacity since January 2004. Mr. Stephens has been a member of University Boulevard Nazarene Church since 1987. He is also a graduate of Florida State University, and received his MBA from the University of West Florida. Mr. Stephens' wife Martha was the church secretary for twelve years. Their son, Jonathan, attended Christian Heritage Academy. Mrs. Angie Thacker is the assistant administrator. She is a graduate of Greenville College and received a Master of Education from the University of North Florida. Mrs. Laura Anderson is the director of the child care.
Dr. Mike Jackson is the pastor of University Boulevard Church of the Nazarene. He is very supportive of the school and a firm believer in the ministry opportunities that it provides. The school administrator is responsible for keeping the pastor informed about all aspects of the life of the school, as well as giving a written/oral report at church board meetings.
The school has a separate board and annual operating budget from the church. The teachers are not required to attend the Church of the Nazarene. Nazarene doctrine, per se, is not taught as part of the curriculum. Therefore, the school basically functions independently from the church. However, because it is an integral part of University Boulevard Church of the Nazarene, it functions with the approval and support of the members of the church board.
The church's vision statement is as follows: "University Boulevard Church of the Nazarene is called to love God, serve others, and make disciples.”
The purpose of Christian Heritage Academy is to assist the church to fulfill this mission and in doing so, to develop the minds, bodies, and souls of the children who are privileged to attend.
May God continue to guide and bless Christian Heritage Academy!
INTRODUCTION
SCHOOL POLICY STATEMENT:
Christian Heritage Academy (“CHA”) is an integral and inseparable part of the ministries of University Boulevard Church of the Nazarene to our community. The policies of the school are determined by the controlling authority of the local congregation. Parents are expected to cooperate fully with the school policies as set forth in this handbook. Any written requests for an exception to any policy may be brought to the CHA school board for review and will be determined on a case by case basis. An exception made to the policy based on a specific request is not meant as an exception to the policy for anyone else.
OUR PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:
Christian Heritage Academy starts with the premise that the only complete education is Christian education. This premise is based on the fact that only Christian education deals with all the dimensions of life as viewed from a biblical perspective. It is our goal to provide those things that will promote the development of each student's mind, body, and soul in order that they might become productive, responsible citizens to God, country, and society.
We have two basic goals for our students: to be academically prepared to successfully handle any future educational challenges and to be spiritually prepared to face life's situations with confidence through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:
1. To give God the glory in all things.
2. To lead non-Christians to Christ by teaching and example.
3. To develop spiritual leaders in the church.
4. To develop an understanding of one's unique responsibility to God and to one another.
5. To help students develop their individual abilities.
6. To equip each student with the ability to communicate clearly, logically, and effectively through reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
7. To teach the fundamentals of Bible, language arts, math, social studies, science, and technology.
8. To enable each child to develop a system of values based on biblical principles.
9. To provide opportunities for students to learn to act in a socially acceptable manner and to prepare for leadership in community service.
10. To encourage creativity and curiosity.
11. To teach the fundamentals of physical fitness, nutrition, and hygiene.
12. To encourage an appreciation of the arts.
ALPHABETICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSENCES..................................................................................................................................... 6
EXCUSED ABSENCES............................................................................................................... 6
PROCEDURE FOR ABSENTEES............................................................................................... 6
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES......................................................................................................... 6
ACCREDITATION/AFFILIATIONS............................................................................................ 25
ADMISSIONS POLICY................................................................................................................. 1
AWARDS........................................................................................................................................ 5
BOOKS/MAGAZINES................................................................................................................. 13
CHANGE OF ADDRESS/TELEPHONE………………………………………………………. 2
CHAPEL.......................................................................................................................................... 5
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.................................................................................................... 18
CURRICULUM............................................................................................................................... 3
DISCIPLINE.................................................................................................................................. 10
PROCEDURES FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION...................................................................... 12
DISHONESTY IN SCHOOL WORK............................................................................................. 4
DISMISSAL.................................................................................................................................... 8
DRESS CODE............................................................................................................................... 19
SPECIFIC GUIDELINES........................................................................................................... 19
EARLY ARRIVAL - LATE DEPARTURE...................................................................................... 8
EARLY DISMISSAL....................................................................................................................... 7
ENDING REMARKS.................................................................................................................... 26
FIELD TRIPS................................................................................................................................. 21
FINANCIAL POLICY.................................................................................................................... 1
FIRE DRILLS................................................................................................................................ 22
FUND RAISERS........................................................................................................................... 22
GRADING..................................................................................................................................... 16
HEAD LICE................................................................................................................................... 19
HOME SCHOOL ASSOCIATION............................................................................................... 22
HOMEWORK…………………………………………………………………………………... 16
ILLNESS DURING SCHOOL HOURS.......................................................................................... 9
IMMUNIZATION AND HEALTH RECORDS............................................................................. 18
INTERNET ACCESS...................................................................................................................... 5
LATE WORK POLICY................................................................................................................. 17
LOST AND FOUND..................................................................................................................... 14
LUNCH PROGRAM..................................................................................................................... 14
MEDIA CENTER............................................................................................................................ 4
MEDICATIONS............................................................................................................................ 10
MUSIC.......................................................................................................................................... 13
OFF LIMITS.................................................................................................................................. 13
PARENTAL SUPPORT................................................................................................................. 15
PARTIES....................................................................................................................................... 15
PERSONNEL................................................................................................................................ 25
PLEDGES...................................................................................................................................... 28
POLICY EXCEPTIONS................................................................................................................ 25
PROMOTIONAL CRITERION.................................................................................................... 25
RE-ENROLLMENT........................................................................................................................ 1
REPORT CARDS.......................................................................................................................... 17
SCHOLARSHIPS............................................................................................................................ 2
SCHOOL CLOSURES.................................................................................................................... 9
SCHOOL HOURS........................................................................................................................... 8
SCHOOL VISITS/CONFERENCES............................................................................................. 14
SPECIAL SERVICES.................................................................................................................... 22
GIFTED EDUCATION.............................................................................................................. 24
HEARING SCREENING........................................................................................................... 23
IDENTA-KID............................................................................................................................. 24
LEARNING DISABILITIES....................................................................................................... 23
PIANO AND OTHER INSTRUMENT LESSONS.................................................................... 22
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SCREENING.............................................................................. 23
SPEECH, LANGUAGE AND LEARNING SERVICES............................................................ 23
TUTORING................................................................................................................................ 24
VISION SCREENING............................................................................................................... 23
STANDARDIZED TESTING........................................................................................................ 25
STUDENT INJURY....................................................................................................................... 10
STUDENT INSURANCE.............................................................................................................. 10
SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS.................................................................................................... 9
TARDINESS.................................................................................................................................... 7
PROCEDURE FOR TARDY STUDENTS................................................................................... 8
TEXTBOOKS.................................................................................................................................. 3
TOYS AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES......................................................................................... 14
TRANSPORTATION.................................................................................................................... 22
TRUANCY...................................................................................................................................... 7
WITHDRAWAL.............................................................................................................................. 3
ADMISSIONS POLICY:
Christian Heritage Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and other school-administered programs.
Acceptance of a student will be based in part on the completion of an application for enrollment, a student writing sample, a parent/principal interview, results of testing, previous academic records, and/or recommendations concerning character, attitude, behavior, and general promise. Pre-admission testing may be required. Students should have a minimum IQ of 80. All new students are accepted on a 90 (calendar) day probationary basis. If Christian Heritage Academy is not meeting the needs of the family, parents will be asked to withdraw the student from the school at the end of 90 days.
A child entering Kindergarten 5 must be five years old by September 1 of the school year and have passed a developmental readiness screening. To enter the 1st grade a child must have successfully completed Kindergarten 5. Any exceptions or deviations from this policy must be approved by the School Board.
Because of the preexisting limitations of our facilities, we cannot meet the needs of all students, but endeavor to meet as many as the ministry allows.
RE-ENROLLMENT:
Students re-enrolling must complete a re-enrollment form and pay registration fees in order to hold a space. The school reserves the right to refuse re-enrollment to students or students of families who have demonstrated disharmony regarding the purpose, objectives, standards, policies, rules, and regulations of the school. In addition, no family may be re-enrolled unless all financial obligations for tuition, curriculum, child care, extended care, etc. have been met from the previous school year.
FINANCIAL POLICY:
Business office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Checks may be left in the drop box in the school office at any time. Payments made in cash should be exact, as no change is kept in the office. Receipts for cash payments are available from the school office at time of payment.
Tuition fees are due on the first of the month (August through May for ten month accounts). Curriculum fees are due in full by July 10th. After the tenth of each month, a late payment fee of $30.00 will be added to each student’s account with unpaid balances. Students whose accounts are more than 30 days past due will be suspended from classes until a satisfactory agreement is reached with the business office.
Upon the third occurrence of an account being in arrears, continued enrollment in the school will be possible only upon receipt of a cashier's check for the total arrearage.
In the event of withdrawal, transfer, or expulsion, parents are responsible for full payment of tuition and other fees through the end of the calendar month. The school reserves the right to withhold report cards and student records until tuition and other fees have been paid in full. By signing the initial Application for Enrollment parents are authorizing the school to withhold student records until tuition and other fees have been paid in full.
A $30.00 returned check fee will be added to accounts if a check is returned by the bank for insufficient funds. After two returned checks, payments must be made on a cash or money order basis only.
The registration fee is only refundable if the student is not accepted by the school. The curriculum fee is not refundable after the first day of classes. This fee covers use of required textbooks and consumable workbooks, in addition to other items. Parents of students entering the school later in the year are responsible for 100% of both fees. There will be no refunds of tuition payments. (See Appendix for Fee Schedule.)
Christian Heritage Academy reserves the right to apply payments as deemed necessary and/or appropriate.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS/TELEPHONE:
The school office must have each student’s correct telephone number and home address on file at all times in case it is necessary to contact the parent. Additionally, the school should have each parent’s correct work and all numbers. If a change in any of these occurs, please notify the school office promptly.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
A limited number of partial scholarships from the CHA Scholarship Fund are available to students enrolled in the school. Parents must submit applications to the school board and to the Family Financial Needs Assessment between February 1 and March 31 of each year for the following school year. Scholarships are awarded without regard to race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin. Award of a scholarship one year does not guarantee award of future scholarships.
Funds are available for scholarships from Children First Florida for lower income families. Parents interested in learning more about these scholarships should call Children First Florida at 1-877-762-7759, or visit their web site at www.scholarshipfunding.org. It is the responsibility of the parent to contact Children First Florida for continued eligibility.
WITHDRAWAL:
All withdrawals must go through the school office. Parents of students who are withdrawn or dismissed from school during the school year are responsible for the full tuition for the month in which the child is withdrawn. No refunds will be given for prepaid tuition. In addition, Registration Fees and Curriculum Fees are non-refundable. Student records will not be transferred when there is still an outstanding balance due on the family's account.
All curriculum is property of CHA and must be returned to the school upon a student’s withdrawal. Curriculum includes all textbooks and workbooks issued to the student.
Parents are required to complete a withdrawal form from the school office before requests for a student's records will be considered.
CURRICULUM:
CHA’s selected curriculum ensures that students will be taught new material on each grade level and that there will be sufficient review of former material each year. Students can progress steadily from year to year. A variety of interesting drill ideas throughout help ensure that learning will be lasting. Because no curriculum is perfect, we are constantly evaluating and supplementing our curriculum with various quality materials. Curriculum is used from several publishers. These include: A Beka Book, Bob Jones University Press (reading, science); Positive Action (Bible); Practice Hall and Pearson Education (math); Great Source (writing and vocabulary), and A Reason For (spelling)
TEXTBOOKS:
The following is a listing of curriculum offering per grade:
K4 Phonics, Numbers, Science, Bible, Penmanship, Social Studies, Health
Kindergarten: Language Arts (Phonics, Reading), Math, Science, Bible, Penmanship, Social Studies, Health
1st Grade: Language Arts (Phonics, Reading, Spelling), Math, Science, Bible, Penmanship, Social Studies, Health
2nd Grade: Language Arts (Phonics, Reading, Spelling), Math, Science, History, Bible, Penmanship, Health
3rd - 5th Grades: Language Arts (Reading, Spelling, Grammar, Vocabulary), Math, Science, History, Bible, Penmanship, Health
6th Grade: Language Arts (Reading, Spelling, English), Math, Science, History, Bible, Health, and Electives.
7th Grade: English, Pre-Algebra, Life Science, World History, Bible, and Electives
8th Grade: English, Algebra, Earth Science, American History, Bible and Electives
In addition to this core curriculum, special classes in library, computer, physical education*, music*, foreign language, and art may be included for each grade level. Middle school students are also offered a Life Management, Introduction to Performing Arts and other elective resource classes. Band and Chorus are also available to students in the 4th through 8th Grade.
Each student is responsible for the care and condition of his or her books. A student should never write in a textbook. Learning to accept responsibility with regard to proper care of books and equipment is an important aspect of character development. In the case of lost or defaced textbooks or library books and materials, the student will be responsible for the total price of replacement of such books. All textbooks are the property of the school.
* Participation in Christmas Musicals and P.E. are required. Therefore, a student is exempt from Christmas Musicals and P.E. class only if he/she has a note from a parent/guardian or doctor.
DISHONESTY IN SCHOOLWORK:
A student must always submit work that represents his or her original words or ideas. If any words or ideas are used that do not represent the student’s original words or ideas, the student must cite all relevant sources. This documentation of sources must be grade level appropriate and as instructed by the teacher. The student should also make clear the extent to which such sources were used. Words or ideas that require citations include, but are not limited to, all hardcopy or electronic publications, whether copyrighted or not, and all verbal or visual communication when the content of such communications clearly originates from an identifiable source. All class-related submissions fall within the scope of words and ideas that require citations if used by someone other than the original author.
MEDIA CENTER:
The media center houses a collection of approximately 8,100 books appropriate for Kindergarten through middle school. This collection includes Kindergarten through 2nd grade level reading, fiction, and non fiction books, with about one third of the collection falling into each classification. The Dewey Decimal Classification System is used to catalog and shelve the books. The library is fully automated, with students using bar coded library cards (kept in the library) to check out books. Our librarian carefully screens the content of books before the books are added to our collection. In addition, the media center has computers which are used for research and instruction activities.
Each elementary class has a scheduled library time each week. Library skills are taught by the media specialist, and books are checked out by students. Check-out Permission Slips (sent with enrollment packets) must be on file for students to check books out. Books are checked out for a period of one week, however, books are renewable if the student brings them into the library and wishes to renew them. Books not brought into the library after one week are fined at the rate of five cents per school day. We encourage parents to have the students pay this fine themselves to foster responsibility, and teach that our actions have consequences. Fines do not apply if the child is out sick, though parents will have to let the media specialist know the child was out sick.
An annual budget is set for library enhancement which includes the purchase of new books, periodicals, on-line subscriptions, instruction videos, equipment, and as necessary, computer hardware and software. In addition to these budgeted funds, the medial specialist coordinates one to two book fairs a year, as well as coordinates Title V Grant applications for funds available to private school libraries.
INTERNET ACCESS
Students will be allowed to participate in instructional activities that will include accessing the internet. All computers at Christian Heritage Academy are equipped with internet filter software. Students will be monitored while on the internet by instructional personnel. Students should not attempt to gain access to unauthorized and inappropriate internet sites. CHA requires students in Grades 2 through 8 to sign an Internet Usage Agreement.
AWARDS:
Academic recognition is given at the end of each year. Students who earn the highest G.P.A. in each class, 1st Grade and up, receive a medallion in honor of their achievement.
Also, a “Crusader Award” is given annually to one student in each class, 3rd Grade and up. The recipient of this award is a well-rounded student who exemplifies the school motto, “for mind, body and soul,” including the following characteristics:
1. Portrays Christian behavior in the classroom and on the playground
2. Exhibits a consistently good attitude
3. Conscientious of doing his or her best
4. Respectful of others, and cooperates with peers and teachers
5. Demonstrates love for the Lord
6. Good student, working to the best of his or her ability.
CHAPEL:
There will be an age appropriate chapel service once a week, during which the children will have a time of worship and a lesson will be brought. These chapel services are led by school administrators, teachers and/or pastors. In addition to the lesson and singing, pledges are recited to the American flag, Christian flag, and the Bible. An offering may be taken, giving students an opportunity to minister to a charitable organization designated by the administration. In addition, students are given the opportunity to lead in a variety of ways.
Since Christian Heritage Academy is a ministry of University Boulevard Church of the Nazarene, we are under the direct supervision of the church board and are subject to the values and moral standards of the church.
ABSENCES:
All missed work must be made up. If a student has excessive absenteeism during the year, his/her promotion may be in jeopardy. If the reason for being absent is something other than illness or a duly recognized emergency, the absence is unexcused if prior arrangements have not been made at least one week in advance.
EXCUSED ABSENCES
1. Personal illness, injury, or doctor appointments which cannot be scheduled after school hours.
2. Illness in the immediate family, which requires the student's presence.
3. Death in the family.
4. Absences with at least 24 hours prior written notice to the school office and teacher.
There is one way in which an absence may be excused: A note from an authorized person explaining the absence must be presented to the school office the day the student returns to school following an illness or emergency situation.
Florida School Law states, "Each parent of a child within the compulsory attendance age shall be responsible for such child's attendance as required by law." Excessive unexplained absences may require CHA to report absences to the State’s Attorneys Office.
One day for each EXCUSED day absent will be allowed to complete make-up work. Work not made up in the allotted time will be recorded as a zero.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
Absences for shopping, haircuts, baby sitting, needed-at-home, etc., will be unexcused. If a student accumulates ten unexcused absences per semester, a parent conference may be scheduled to discuss the student’s progress and continued enrollment at Christian Heritage Academy.
PROCEDURE FOR ABSENTEES
1. Parents should notify the school office by 8:30 a.m. when a student is to be absent. Parents requesting work for their student may pick it up from the school office at the end of the day.
2. Students must bring a written "parental excuse" to the teacher upon returning to school after an absence.
3. Any student leaving the campus during school hours must be signed out by a parent in the school office. Students leaving extended care must be signed out by the parent with the extended care worker.
EARLY DISMISSAL:
Checking students out of school early is strongly discouraged. Parents should try to schedule all medical appointments after school hours. However, if it is necessary for a child to be taken from school before dismissal, you must personally come into the school office and sign out your child. For security reasons, all K-4 through 1st grade students are to be picked up by their parents in the classroom after the student has been signed out in the school office. No student will have permission to leave unless approved by a custodial parent or guardian. Any student who leaves before 11:30 a.m. will be considered absent for that day. On scheduled early dismissal days, please pick up students in the designated dismissal areas.
TRUANCY:
Truancy is defined as an absence without the knowledge and consent of parents and/or the school staff. This would include leaving school without permission before the end of the day, or staying out of any scheduled class without permission. Such action will not be tolerated. Under Duval County requirements, chronically absent students must be reported to the truant officer. Any student who has been withdrawn without notification to the school will be considered truant and reported as such.
TARDINESS:
It is important that students always be on time to school and to class. By being prompt, the parent and student are both demonstrating self-discipline and responsibility. Self-discipline in this area is important not only for proper academic achievements, but is essential for the development of personal habits which are characteristic of success and good citizenship in every walk of life. Each elementary student is expected to be in the classroom and prepared to start the day by 8:30 a.m. (A good plan is to arrive five to ten minutes early to hang up backpacks, sharpen pencils, etc.) An elementary student is considered tardy if he/she arrives at the school office glass doors after 8:30 a.m. Middle school students are tardy if they arrive at the school office glass doors after 8:20. Every five tardy occurrences, whether excused or unexcused, will be counted as one day’s absence on the report card since all tardiness results in time missed from class. In an effort to control tardiness and encourage the development of personal habits that are characteristic of success and good citizenship, the following guidelines will be followed:
5th tardy occurrence - first notice to parent (1st absence earned)
10th tardy occurrence - second notice to parent (2nd absence earned)
11 or more tardy occurrences - third notice advising of required parent / administrator conference.
If enough absences are accrued, a child’s promotion at the end of the year may be in jeopardy.
Any student arriving after 11:30 a.m. or missing more than three hours of the school day will be considered absent for that day.
PROCEDURE FOR TARDY STUDENTS:
Students who are tardy must obtain an "admittance slip" from the office. Middle school students are tardy if they do not arrive in the school building by 8:20 a.m. Elementary students are tardy if they do not arrive in the school building by 8:30 a.m.
EARLY ARRIVAL--LATE DEPARTURE:
Students arriving early and departing late are not permitted to wait in the school office. Students arriving prior to 8:00 a.m. or remaining after 3:20 p.m. must be enrolled in the extended care program, for which there is an additional charge. The students will meet in a designated area for extended care. The extended care program is supervised by the extended care director.
SCHOOL HOURS:
K4 through 5th grades: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
6th through 8th grades: 8:20 – 3:10 p.m.
Children are supervised from 8:00 – 8:15. Teachers are scheduled to pick students up from the playground or designated area at 8:15. In the case of inclement weather teachers will pick students up in the gymnasium.
DISMISSAL:
When school is dismissed at the end of the school day, students must either proceed to extended care or to car pick up under the supervision of a teacher. Students will be taken to the location (extended care or car pick/up) designated by parents at beginning of school year unless the parents contact the teacher or school office regarding a change. Parents not wishing to pick up their students from the car pick up line should park, leave their vehicles, and approach school staff for the release of their children. For the safety of all students, at no time should parents ask their children to wait in locations other than extended care or the car pick up area. Students should not be encouraged to leave the group and cross a parking lot by themselves, nor should parents call the students or otherwise cause them to leave the group. School authorities are unable to take any responsibility for the safety or well-being of students who leave their care without permission.