SCHOOL HOURS
Classes begin at 8:00 a.m. and are dismissed at 3:25 p.m. Kindergarten half-day students are joining the all day students from 8:00AM until 11:15AM. Any schedule changes will be published in the weekly newsletter. It is important that pupils arrive in time to get ready for the opening of classes; however, pupils should not arrive more than 15 minutes before school begins. As a courtesy to parents who must be at work by 8:00AM, school doors will open at 7:30AM. Students will be supervised in the gymnasium and dismissed to classrooms at 7:45AM. This early morning supervision is QUIET TIME; students must have a book to read. Departure, should be within 10 minutes of the time school or an after-school activity is dismissed. If students are not picked up within 10 minutes of dismissal, they will be enrolled in after-school care at $8.00/day. After school dismissal at 3:25PM, students will be supervised at the main entrance and the upper parking entrance until 3:30PM at which time the remaining students will be escorted to After School Care.

Preschool hours are MWF, 8:30 -11:15AM. (Morning drop-off times are 8:15-8:30AM; pick up times are 11:15-11:30AM)

TARDINESS
Students who arrive after 8:00AM must report to the office for a tardy slip before being admitted to the classroom. Students may also be marked tardy when loitering between classes and/or after recess. Every four (4) tardies is considered 1/4 day absent. Parents are to excuse tardies by coming to the office or sending a note with the child. Acceptable excuses are:unusual traffic conditions, car problems, illness, doctor appointments, etc. Any child missing 2 hours or more in either morning or afternoon will be considered absent 1/2 of the day.

Unexcused tardies will be an automatic mark in the school's discipline system.  Four unexcused tardies will result in a 20-minute after school detention.

ATTENDANCE
Barring illness or emergency, children are required to attend school each day that school is in session. All absences are to be reported by calling the office between 8:00-9:00 a.m. A written note explaining the absence and signed by a parent should accompany the child on the day of his/her return. Frequent absences can be detrimental to your child's academic and social performance. Any child missing three consecutive days must bring a doctor's release when returning to school for the absence to be excused. Taking your child out of school for a vacation is discouraged. Parents shall accept responsibility for instruction missed.

LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS
Pupils who need to leave the school grounds at any time during the school day must have the written permission of their parents as well as the permission of the respective classroom teacher. Parents/guardians must come to the office to sign out and sign in the student with the secretary.

TELEPHONES/CELL PHONES/ELECTRONIC DEVICES
The office telephone system is for the use of the staff and for pupils' emergencies with the permission of their teachers. Teachers or pupils are not called to the phone during school hours except in cases of emergency. The secretary will relay important messages at convenient times. Students will pay 25 cents for calls which are not emergencies. Students are discouraged from bringing cell phones on campus. Electronic device use by students is discouraged and devices will be confiscated if used at inappropriate times.

DISCIPLINARY POLICY
1. Problems in school behavior are, first of all, the responsibility of the classroom teacher. Ordinarily a consultation with the offending pupil will restore the broken relationship, and provide a course for the future.
2. Chronic offenders will need the careful cooperative supervision of both home and school. A note from the teacher (copy to principal) or a call will inform parents of the problem.
3. Continued misbehavior, inappropriate language, fighting, destruction of property, and teacher disrespect will result in an "official visit" to the Principal. Parents will be informed and the student will be suspended.
4. Punishments increase with each Principal office call until expulsion is the result.
5. Read the printed discipline policy available at registration or from the office for full details.

6.  TLS Board of Christian Education adopted a zero-tolerance Bullying Policy.  Copies are available at registration or in the school office.

The following general rules apply to behavior:
1. A Covenant for Christian Education to be signed by parents, students, faculty, and staff

2.  Assist in the process of learning with a quiet, helpful attitude.
3. Help maintain order and safety by walking, and speaking quietly.
4. Reserve chewing gum for leisure activities away from school.
5. Respect your property and that of the school and of others.
6. Be on time for class and all school activities (see tardiness policy).
7. Be respectful of yourself, your family, the staff, and other students.

CAMPUS WEAR
Topeka Lutheran School requires that all pupils wear clothing that is a reflection of their Christian training and does not disrupt or distract from the educational process. Sloppy, soiled, and torn wearing apparel is inappropriate.  A Campus Wear Code was adopted by the TLS Board of Christian Education in March 2008.  A copy of the policy is available on this Web site under Documents or on the Bulletin Board.

CHILDREN'S WORSHIP
Children learn more about Christian worship by participation in church life with their family than by all the instruction given at TLS. By our Lord's command, it is essential that we continue in worship, instruction, the use of the Sacraments and home Bible study, as well as living the faith in everyday situations.
 In addition to the worship practices begun in the home by the parents, the faculty of Topeka Lutheran School assists the worship of the children by instructing them in the preparation and leadership of private, semi-private, and public devotion. Available printed materials are first introduced, and made familiar to the child and ultimately the child will be encouraged to write prayers of his own and to construct simple hymns to make his/her worship more personal and meaningful.
As an opportunity to use this form of acquired training, the school provides devotional leadership opportunities in the classroom on a regularly scheduled basis, and special chapel services each Wednesday of the week during the school year. All parents and friends of Topeka Lutheran School are invited to attend this weekly service.

CHILDREN'S CONTRIBUTIONS
Offering envelopes are sent home with each pupil on a weekly basis, usually each Tuesday. The envelope is intended to be brought to the weekly Wednesday chapel service. The weekly school offering can be a continuation of what you are teaching your child concerning the blessings of Christian Stewardship. These gifts of money help support various mission projects designated by the faculty.