Raggant Standard

Back-To-School 2021

They’re Your Kids

The start of a school year is a great time to revisit those things we know, but are prone to forget.  Allow me to do that now with the principle of  in loco parentis.
  
The fact that you have chosen to lock arms with ECS in the shaping of your children is exciting and humbling for us.  It’s a great vote of confidence that you’re allowing us to assist you in something for which you are responsible.  

I sometimes tell families that this business of selecting a school is a big deal for them, because they’re responsible for everything I say to their children.  Now of course that statement is a bit dramatic, but it’s still true.  Am I responsible for my words? Of course.  Am I responsible for their kids? If they enroll, yes.  Do I bear the same responsibility before God that they do? No, I don’t.  So they need to be very certain that ECS (or whatever school they choose) is saying the same things they are saying, speaking the same spiritual language.

It’s also why church involvement is requisite for ECS families.  We lose power and effectiveness as culture shapers and educators if we cannot operate as an extension of the child’s church and his home.  Scripture provides the direction, principles, and wisdom we depend on for our work, and this must be the case for both the school and the home.

So on the ground, this principle has a lot of implications and application.  The following are some expectations that we have, because you are the parents, and we never want to overstep our boundaries, get out of our lanes, or usurp your authority.  These things may seem obvious, but they bear repeating in a culture where parents are increasingly dependent on the State to care for them and their children.  Consider, for example, the following expectations: 

• We expect that you will feed your children, so we don’t have a school lunch program (though we do have parties and feasts from time to time).  

• We expect that you will supervise your children.  Outside of school hours, if you’re at the school with your kids, we ask you to supervise them as guests of Reclamation Church.  This means - for safety’s sake and for sake of the facility - they cannot be running around the building (even though it’s ideal for hide and seek!).  During the school day, we supervise cheerfully.

• We expect that you will transport your children to and from school.  We may help coordinate rides for a field trip, but we don’ t have a bussing program...on principle. 

• We expect you to manage your children’s schedule and wellbeing.  If it’s 10:00pm and your child has been diligent or derelict, it’s your call to have him go to bed, or finish his homework...and you’ll have the full support of the school.  He may take a hit on his grade on the assignment, but he’ll better served in the long run, which is what we care about most. 

• We expect that you’ll make good decisions regarding the health and welfare of your children.   

This list is a sample, but you get the idea.  We respect your position as parents and wish to serve you well in that capacity. 

Reopening Plan for Fall of 2021

All of us were hoping that the events of 2020 would make last fall a one-off, but we were wrong.  All around us schools are requiring masking of their students and vaccination of their teachers along with distancing practices.  Meanwhile, we're trying to move foreword in wisdom, with appropriate courage and caution.  So, at ECS this fall, we will be continuing with our same plan as fall of 2020.  That includes the following:

• We will not modify our class offering.  This means we will even have Choir.  We will sing as much as we always have, and perhaps more loudly than before.

• We will not require that any students, teachers, or guests wear face coverings of any kind.  Any parents who wish to have their children wear face coverings will have the school’s cooperation and support.  

• We ask that students with any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (including fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea) remain at home. 

• *NEW* We will not require proof of COVID vaccination for any students, teachers, or guests.

While the Delta variant of COVID-19 may be more contagious than previous strains, the success we enjoyed as a school last year (including our excellent attendance) gives us reason to believe this course of action to be most prudent and wise.  

If you have questions or concerns about this, please don’t hesitate to contact Jonathan or one of the other board members. 

Risus est bellum
- Mr. Sarr

School Supply Lists: 2021-2022 School Year

Dressing for the Comfort of Others & Uniform Updates

Whether it is the Choir Retreat or Orientation Night, a field trip, or the Rummage Sale, Raggants have lots of opportunities to wear clothes other than their uniforms.  The principle at work ought to be one of dressing for the comfort of others.  

This is worth keeping in mind at all times, but particularly when attending a school function not requiring uniforms.  Gentlemen should strongly consider showering and combing their hair...and maybe even putting on a clean shirt.  Ladies should strongly consider the level of modesty reflected in the normal uniform as the standard. All should consider that one day the Raggant uniform will not be required wearing, and that we are preparing them to make good sartorial decisions now. 

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By now you ought to have received an update about our switching over to Land’s End for the majority of our uniform items. As Mrs. Higgins remarked, old uniform items are allowable going forward for as long as they survive, but going forward, new items will need to be acquired from Land’s End.  Our assessment is that the quality and the value are comparable to Dennis, though Land’s End has a broader offering of items and superior customer service.  

The only piece of the uniform which we are not able to secure from Land’s End is the gray sweater vests (for grammar students).  We have purchased a small mountain of them from Dennis, which we’ll have embroidered and available to you in the first quarter.  (Some of the larger sizes are backordered.)  We’ll be shouting it from the rooftops when they’re ready; thanks, in advance, for your patience.

Campus Parking & Driving

Please do not ever drive faster than 20 miles per hour on the streets adjacent to the school.  There are children who live on these streets and we wish to be a delight to the neighbors, not a nuisance.
 

When picking up your children or for any other function, please come all the way into the parking lot and take a parking space.  Our neighbors do not like it when we park in front of their houses for student pickup.  Besides, it’s safer for students to walk to your car in the church parking lot.  Additionally, it’s a big parking lot, so parking on the streets is not necessary, even if it’s convenient.