Of Special Interest

OF SPECIAL INTEREST

Academics

Announcements

Communication

Discipline Policy

Financial Aid

Social Gatherings

Study halls

Volunteer Opportunities

Academics

Due to the feedback received from the analysis of our courses by our Educational Consultant this year, the following changes will be made for 1999-2000:

1) We will be limiting classes, including those in the Humanities Block, to a spanning of two grade levels. Our groupings for classes will be as follows: 3rd & 4th; 5th & 6th; 7th & 8th; 9th & 10th; 11th & 12th. This will open our Humanities Block up to 5th grade students for the first time. This younger class of 5th & 6th graders will receive an introduction to the Humanities Block, and will only meet for one hour of History, followed by one hour of Writing and Literature. Exceptions to the two year age span for accelerated students will only be in cases of teacher recommendation or exceptional student testing results. Students who have missed a course offering and are older than the grades listed as appropriate in the catalog are welcome to sign up for the course, with the understanding that the class will be taught at the grade level advertised.

NOTE: Foreign language classes are grouped: 2nd & 3rd, 4th & 5th, 6th - 8th, then level 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. This allows flexibility during the middle school years for students to enter French or Spanish 1 during the 7th, 8th or 9th grade years.

2) Selected high school courses will be meeting three days per week to allow for maximum teacher interaction: Algebra 1 & 2; Geometry; Spanish & French 1 & 2. Math classes benefit tremendously from step by step instruction. A conversa-tional hour for French and Spanish students has been added on Tuesdays for added exposure to the spoken language. As an unspoken language, Latin will continue to meet two days per week. Other high school courses are considered to be manageable by students on a two day per week schedule.

3) Westminster is now offering Honors level credit for the following courses: Algebra 2, Trigonometry and Precalculus, Chemistry, Physics, and Spanish 4 & 5. In addition, we are looking into adding honors level credit for Biology and high school English. Honors students will be given a list of additional work to be done outside of class in order to receive Honors credit. Through researching other schools, we found that many smaller high schools handle honors credit courses this way. Our college preparatory courses truly prepare our students for college acceptance and success.

Westminster will now supply our high school students a transcript listing all courses taken at the academy. This will aid students when applying to colleges.
For an additional fee, we are also offering a counseling service for parents of high schoolers. Our Guidance Counselors will help you design the right program for your child, whether you choose to use Westminster exclusively, or just as a supplement to your curriculum.
Our General Director and Academic Committee have made a commitment to bringing classes to Westminster of the highest quality. We are currently interviewing for the instructors for courses listed in the catalog as "TBA" (to be announced). Please sign up for these classes, and we will let you know immediately who the teacher will be as soon as the decision is made.

Special Announcements:

E-MAIL: Those interested in the most up to date information about Westminster throughout the summer and next school year are encouraged to send your e-mail address to us today! The President of the Board will use this list to send WA families the latest developments and information about the academy, as well as ask your opinion about decisions the board is making. Send your e-mail to us today at [email protected], or indicate on your application that you would like to be put on our e-mailing list.
Because Westminster classes meet only two to three times per week, and Westminster is a parent managed educational model, parents are expected to play a major role in the educational process here. This year we have listed with each course a description of parental expectations. Parental expectations are divided into 3 categories according to the age of the child: Private Tutor - 3rd through 6th grade students taking academic classes - Parents are expected to play a major role in helping the student understand the material, prepare for class and study for tests. Parents bear the responsibility for ensuring that their child comes prepared for class. Educational Supervisor - 7th through 10th grade students - Parents will guide their children by assuming the role of supervisor: set up a study schedule with their child, check to be sure that assignments are completed, help with time management for successful completion of long term assignments. Parents bear the responsibility for ensuring that their child comes prepared for class. Educational Counselor - 11th & 12th grade students - Courses offered by WA at this level will mimic that of a Jr. College program where independent study skills and disciplined planning for completing homework assignments are necessary. Parents are expected to be available for guidance when questions arise, but the responsibility for time management, preparation for class and academic success falls on the student.
Work is being done to develop an athletic program for Westminster. We will keep you up to date on the latest developments throughout the summer.
We have been notified of an opportunity to have the Beta Club, representing home schooled exceptional students, located here at Westminster. More to come this summer!

Communication

A regular parent newsletter will be provided to strengthen communication between Westminster Academy and parents.

Discipline Policy

Discipline problems at Westminster were virtually nonexistent last year. We are proud of the integrity and character of our students!
Christian discipleship and character building are at the heart of what we believe in at Westminster. For this reason, all policies in the Westminster handbook are strictly enforced. Conduct reports are given by teachers, the principal, or any adult on the premises observing poor behavior. In extreme circumstances, students may be suspended or expelled. We will not tolerate persistent discipline problems.

Financial Aid

Partial scholarships may be available for the 1999-2000 academic year to help support families who cannot afford classes at Westminster. Applications must be filled out and returned by July 15th for consideration for Fall 1999 classes. Call the office for details.
Being a study hall monitor two hours per week covers the cost of one two-hour per week class. Study hall monitors must be able to keep a study hall quiet and have a dependable schedule. Monitors are hired for specific time slots for the year. Call the office for details about becoming a study hall monitor.
We also hire students to set up the classrooms for teachers at Westminster. Students must be able to setup on Sunday (after church or in the evening) and Wednesday nights, or by 7:45am Monday and Thursday mornings. Call the office for details.

Social Gatherings

Social gatherings to create a feeling of community among the families of Westminster are organized several times during the year. Check our newsletter to discover when our spaghetti supper, Christmas program, Westminster Showcase event, and end of the year picnic will take place. "Westminster Showcase" takes place in the spring. Parents, grandparents, other family members and friends are invited to see all that has been accomplished during the year in the various courses at our academy.
In addition, field trips coinciding with classroom study are held throughout the year. Last year, students and their families went to Yorktown, Williamsburg, Swift Creek Mill playhouse for Follow the Drinking Gourd, a bus tour of Richmond During the Civil War, and our 2nd annual chartered bus trip to Washington DC!

Study halls, senior high student lounge, and lunch/playground time

Westminster offers monitored study halls for a nominal fee ($1.00/hour). We ask that no student take more than two in one day. This is not for "drop-in" situations, where you pay as you use. In order to be sure we have enough students to pay a monitor, we must get commitments for the year for study hall use. Please sign your child up only if he/she is willing to use the time to study, as we will be enforcing quiet study halls. Disruptive students will lose the privilege of having a study hall. Students who are not in study hall or in class should not be on the church’s property.
High schoolers can sign up to use a student lounge instead of a study hall twice per day. THIS IS A PRIVILEGE GRANTED TO COOPERATIVE STUDENTS. Students who receive any conduct reports will lose that privilege and must attend study hall instead of the student lounge for a probation period. The charge is the same as the study hall fee ($1.00/hour).
We offer an optional hour-long lunch to allow for socializing and down-time. Study Hall rooms will be open for lunch, and for chatting. With adult monitoring, the students can opt to play basketball, sit outside or play on the playground.

Volunteer Opportunities

As an academy dedicated to the family’s role in education, we are asking each family to volunteer to help out in some capacity this year - coordinating a field trip or spaghetti supper, serving playground duty once per month, baking for parties . . . The more everyone helps, the more we can accomplish at Westminster! Sign up sheets will be available at our Convocation in the fall.