美國佛教慈濟人文學校 
​TZU CHI ACADEMY, U.S.A.
 
學生及家長手冊
Student & Parent’s Handbook

學校簡介
 
美國慈濟人文學校成立於一九九四年，前身為慈濟青少年團中文班，原為服務志工子女而設，之後為了教育更多的孩子，將慈濟善種往下紮根乃成立慈濟人文學校。
 
慈濟人文學校的校訓為「慈悲喜捨」，期以慈悲喜捨的精神，啟發孩子本具的良知良能是本校的創校宗旨。透過人文藝術的涵養，以開拓學生的心胸及視野，培養寬廣的思考與氣度則是本校的教學目標。
 
慈濟人文學校的教師皆為具備「專業的素養」與「無私的奉獻」之優良教師，而愛心爸爸、愛心媽媽更是孩子生活的良伴。在所有教育工作人員的努力之下，人文學校校務蒸蒸日上，創校至今，全美共有二十五所學校，五千三百多位學生。
 
慈濟人文學校希望在全體家長和師生的努力下，建立良好的教學成績，讓我們的下一代都是自愛愛人、敦品勵學的好子弟，將來能開啟良知良能服務社會。
  
【教學內涵與特色】
華語文教學：
    採用僑委會認可之海外的教材為中文課程教學的版本，因應科技時代來臨與進步，適時加入多元化的教學方式，如華文數位平台、動態教學及作業…教學模式。
 
靜思語教學：
是將　證嚴上人的靜思語，配合故事、漫畫融入教學當中，以實用又簡單的方式，對學生做生活與人格的教育：更進而使師生親在互動中彼此成長。
 
人文課：
為落實　證嚴上人以大愛為本的全方位人格教育，全美慈濟人文學校于2003年起推出正規的30分鐘人文課程，安排豐富有趣並美化人生的人文藝術課程，以充實學生的生活內容，並增進其語文學習的興趣。內容有環保、慈濟歌選手語教學、靜思茶道、真善美花道、慈濟世界新知、精進劇坊、靜思故事、佛陀的故事、與地球共生息、教聯會提供的人文課及食衣住行篇等。
 
【入學資格】
學生須滿4歲方能入學 (以開學日為基準)，學生年齡4-18歲。
  
【學生制服的規定】
 
校方對制服之規定，是以整齊、安全作為第一考量，方便校方辨認及管理學生。請各位家長幫忙督促貴子弟務必穿著制服上學。穿制服時，請素食。
 
平常上課日：校服為繡有校徽之白色上衣 (可在學校請購) 及請自備深藍色卡其布料長褲。長褲褲腳必須縫邊，不可有任何的花邊，不能補釘，不能低腰，不可多於四個口袋（前後各二個），不可有整排側邊扣子。
 
 
【休學、退學、退費，以及請假辦法】

• 休、退學辦法：

休、退學學生，必須由學生家長填寫「休/退學申請單」
請至人文學校祕書室索取表格，並依照本校規定之程序辦理。
休學學生的復學程序，將視同新生入學辦理。

• 退費辦法：

1. 退費處理程序約為三至四週，退費過程註冊費不退費
2. 開學日前退學，學雜費全額退還但需扣除手續費$30
3. 第四週(含第四週)或之前申請退費，退還 75% 學雜費但需扣除手續費$30
4. 第五週至第七周(含第七週)申請退費，退還 50% 學雜費但需扣除手續費$30
5. 第七周之後將不再退還學費
6. 學校有提供清寒學生學費減免制度，申請辦法請與本校之秘書室聯絡。

 

• 請假辦法：

學生因故請假或早退時，請於課前填寫好「請假單」向老師請假。請病假者，請於當日上課前，打電話到學校辦公室口頭請假，並於下次上課時補交「請假單」給老師。倘若未能按照以上請假之規定辦理請假，均視之為曠課。

• 重要規定：

以每學期為單位（一學年分上、下兩學期），凡學生無故曠課達三次，將被本校視為自動退學，不得退費。校方對學生出席之嚴格要求，是希望孩子們在良好的出席率下，於學習中文的過程中，能夠完整、有效率地一氣呵成。敬請家長體諒校方之用心良苦。

• 倘若學生家長接獲本校通知，要求協助改善貴子弟之上課行為，請貴家長務必及早處理；若貴子弟之行為表現不見改善，為維護其他上課學童的權益，於通知三次之後，本校將以退學或個案處理。

 

• 全學期無論是請假或任何事由，凡缺課超過三分之一者（一學期四個月內超過18小時，5次上課），將交由校方處理。

  
【美國慈濟人文學校校規】
 本校為維護學校紀律及秩序，提高學生學習效果，增訂以下規則。凡所有學生、家長與志工，在學校上課期間，除了遵守一般公立學校校規外，請學生與家長一併遵守本校下列校規:

1. 在教室必須服從老師及值班愛心媽媽的指導，並友愛同學。不可對師長及同學使用冒犯性的語言及動作，亦不可欺侮及騷擾同學。任何影響上課秩序之行為發生時，任課老師得請輔導處協助將違規者帶離開教室，並由輔導處連絡家長到校處理事宜。行為嚴重或屢勸不從者，將交由校方個案處理。
2. 學生上學，必須穿著制服。為維護學生的安全請勿穿拖鞋到學校。違反校服規定者，將通知家長；屢勸不聽者，將交由校方個案處理。
3. 學生應準時到校。上課鈴響應立即進入教室。遲到或早退之行為容易擾亂任課老師上課進度，並損害其班上課學生的權益。為了方便教室管理，三次遲到或早退超過十五分鐘，將無法領取全勤獎；情節嚴重連續遲到者，將交由校方個案處理。
4. 上課時間必須遵守教室規則。不可隨意走動、聊天或做任何與課程不相關的事情，亦不得擅自離開教室。
5. 本校嚴禁學生抽煙。
6. 不可在教室內飲食、喧嘩、戴帽子和把腳翹在椅子上。
7. 考試時不可以作弊。
8. 嚴禁攜帶危險物品，如小刀、槍械、武器及毒品來學校，違者立即開除。
9. 由於校舍大部分為承租使用，切勿翻閱或毀損教室內既有之書籍及陳列。不可任意翻動教室內外任何物件，及任意撕毀教室內牆上壁畫或裝飾。經常保持教室內外以及洗手間的清潔。任何人若有損壞學校之物件，不但要接受校規處罰外，還要負責照價賠償。若違規情節嚴重者，將交由校方個案處理。
10. 不可偷竊。
11. 未經許可，不可擅自取用他人物品。
12. 不可攀爬鐵絲網、擋球牆、圍牆及校內鐵欄桿。如有球類等東西投擲到校外或鐵絲網外，學生必須立刻報告老師或監護人員，並在獲得許可後，在監護下到校外撿取，不可私自離校。
13. 學生在校所有戶外活動，必須在校方人員的視線之內。
14. 上課時間不可無故離校。若有任何特殊原因需提前離校者，家長需向校方或老師請假後，方可接走學生。
15. 本校之教育宗旨，不僅是教授中文，日常生活之人文教育更是教學之重點。凡本校師生須配合慈濟美國總會/分支會/聯絡處/志業體所推廣的人文課程與各項活動。例如：運動會、浴佛節、畢/結業典禮、總會/分支會/聯絡處/志業體週年慶等活動，敬請家長熱烈參與。

 
【學生違規處理辦法】

1. 本校規共計15條，若違反第八條攜帶危險物品至校，當立即開除。
2. 學生違反校規時，將通知家長，並請雙方在學生違規行為記錄表上簽字。
3. 若學生違規情節重大者，經校委會決議，得令學生退學。
4. 所有學生的資料記錄均需保密。
5. 若學生及家長或監護人，不願配合校規之規範或違反校規之處理方式者，請辦理自動退學。
6. 上述規則及處理方式，經校委會決議通過後公佈實施，修改時亦同。
7. 以上校規，視學生違規行為之輕重程度及次數，校方將以記錄、規勸、電話、書   面通知、個別輔導、約談或轉介至其他專業輔導機構等方式輔導學生。若學生違規情節重大者，會和學生家長協商，請家長辦理休學/退學。若學生及家長或監護人，不願配合校規之規範或違反校規之處理方式者，請慎重考慮註冊事宜。

  
【家長配合事項】

1. 請家長與本校充分合作，確實檢閱家庭聯絡單上，老師指定之作業與批註，及本校之各項通知。若需簽名者，亦請貴家長簽完名後，交由學生帶回學校。
2. 任課老師可全權安排其學生參與學校有關之活動。敬請貴家長與貴子弟全力配合。

為確保學生之健康，學生請自備飲用水或環保杯。學生若生病需在校用藥時，請家長寫便條告之當值的愛心媽媽協助。

1. 為維持上課秩序，請家長在上課時間到休息室，請不要在教室外的走廊上逗留及談話。
2. 為了維持同一年級中文程度學生的學習效率，可以對學習不良或程度落後之學生，由教師提出，經教務處評鑑後，調整年級或重讀輔導之建議；學校將會主動與家長連絡討論事宜，屆時請學生及家長配合。
3. 學生上、下課時，為了顧及學童之安全，以及交通的流暢，請遵循負責交通安全的愛心爸爸的指揮，將您的車子停放於適當的位置，不聽規勸或隨意停車之車輛，有任何交通罰單將與本校無關。
4. 誠懇邀請貴家長，能參加每學期之學生家長座談會、開學典禮及畢、結業式。
5. 歡迎各位家長帶著貴子弟加入慈濟志工的行列，並參與靜思堂之各項活動。
6. 貴家長若對學校有任何建設性的建議，請不吝賜教。校門口亦設有意見箱便於使用，歡迎署名投書。

 
慈濟人文學校家長服務工作內容
 
1) 愛心媽媽:
 
目的:

1. 以愛心關懷學生，在潛移默化下使家長能同樣以愛心待人。
2. 以誠正信實慈悲喜捨之慈濟精神理念及豐富的人生閱歷來幫助學生，使其對人生有清楚及正確的瞭解。
3. 成為學生，家長與學校三方面的溝通管道之一。

 
工作:

1. 配合各班級的慈濟人文教學以慈濟人文的精神及理念教育青少年。
2. 以居家關懷的理念對各班的學生付出愛心並保持密切的連繫。
3. 以慶生會或其他非正式的餐會與學生及家長合作, 增進互相的瞭解。
4. 以慈悲與智慧來處理學生的特殊狀況。
5. 與各班級的任課老師密切配合，並協助維持課堂內的秩序。
6. 檢查、維護教室、校區和辦公室的清潔 。
7. 清寒學童的探訪及協助。

  
2) 愛心爸爸:
 
目的:

1. 維持校內的秩序與安全。
2. 指揮學校的交通與停車。
3. 協助校務及學校活動的進行。

 
工作:

1. 安排停車位置及維持交通的秩序。
2. 上課期間，校內的巡邏。
3. 教學器材的搬運。
4. 校區清掃工作。
5. 處理任何的突發狀況 。
6. 校外活動之支援。

 
INTRODUCTION TO TZU CHI ACADEMY
Tzu Chi Academy USA was established in 1994. It was originally a Chinese class for Tzu Chi youth volunteers which was established to provide Chinese language education to children of Tzu Chi volunteers. Due to high demand, the classes were opened up to the public, and Tzu Chi Academy was formally established to provide a strong academic and moral foundation for the students.
 
Tzu Chi Academy’s mission is to deliver “loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity” in education. We strive to inspire the inherent altruistic potential in all children. With our humanistic education, we hope to open the hearts of the children and help them develop an open-minded perspective on the world. Students not only develop in their academic proficiency, but also in terms of their personal character development.
 
The teachers at Tzu Chi Academy have a strong sense of professionalism and serve the students with selfless devotion. In addition, our volunteer system provides parents/guardians with the opportunity to accompany the students in their learning process.
 
Throughout the United States, there are 25 Tzu Chi Academies with a total of over 5,300 students. In every Tzu Chi Academy, teachers, students, and parents/guardians work together as one family to achieve Tzu Chi Academy’s mission.
CHINESE EDUCATIONTzu Chi Academy’s curriculum materials are approved by the Overseas Community Affairs Council of the Republic of China. In response to the development of new technologies and teaching methodologies, Tzu Chi Academy has incorporated diversified teaching methods, such as the e-Learning Portal for Chinese Education, dynamic teaching methods and exercises, and other instructional methods.
JING SI APHORISM TEACHINGS 
Tzu Chi Academy uses Master Cheng Yen’s Jing Si Aphorisms in its education, presenting these teachings using stories, cartoons, and art. Jing Si Aphorisms are simple and practical teachings which are centered on developing skills for daily living and character education. Activities based on these aphorisms promote mutual growth through interactions among teachers, students and parents/guardians. 
HUMANISTIC EDUCATION 
In order to provide a comprehensive character education based on Master Cheng Yen’s teachings of great love, all Tzu Chi Academies across the United States offer humanistic elective courses. Since 2003, at least 30 minutes of each class is dedicated to humanistic education. Many Tzu Chi Academies also offer artistic courses to enhance students’ daily lives and support their language development. Other humanistic courses may include Environmental Protection classes, sign language choreography, Jing Si Tea Ceremony classes, Flower Arrangement classes, and Drama Studio classes.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENROLLMENT 
To enroll in Tzu Chi academy, students must be at least 4 years of age. Tzu Chi Academy offers classes for students between the ages of 4 -18.
STUDENT UNIFORM POLICY 
For safety and identification, Tzu Chi Academy has a mandatory school uniform policy for all students. Following Tzu Chi Academy’s principle of respect for all life, we ask that students refrain from eating non-vegetarian food while in uniform. The Tzu Chi uniform policy is as follows:

• White shirts with school symbol (please purchase at the school).
• Dark navy blue pants of khaki material.
• Covered shoes.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE, WITHDRAWAL, REFUND & ABSENTEE POLICIES
LEAVE OF ABSENCE AND WITHDRAWAL POLICYParents/guardians shall complete a “Leave of Absence/Withdrawal Application” form if their child will be absent or withdrawn. The form can be picked up from the school’s office. When returning to school after a leave of absence or withdrawal, the student will be classified as a new student and will go through a new student application process.

REFUND POLICY The policy for refunds of tuition fees based on student withdrawal is as follows:​

• Refund processing time may take 3~4 weeks, NO REFUND will be given for the registration fee
• Requests received before school start: 100% refund after deducting $30 processing fee.
• Requests received during school 4th Week (include 4th week): 75% refund after deducting $30 processing fee.
• Requests received during school 5th to 7th Week (include 7th week): 50% refund after deducting $30 processing fee.
• Tuition is not refundable after the 7th Week

A tuition waiver program is available for qualified students. Please contact the school office for details.

ABSENTEE POLICYParents/guardians are responsible for informing the school when their child will be absent. Parents/guardians should:

• Call the school office to report the absence before the start of the class.
• Complete the “Absence Form” and give it to the teacher during the following class.

 
Absences not reported by the parent/guardian according to the procedures above will be considered “unexcused” absences.
 
A student who has three or more unexcused absences within one semester will be classified as truant. Tzu Chi Academy will not refund tuition if a student is considered truant.
 
Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to support students in ensuring their compliance with all school rules and classroom procedures. If student behavior does not improve after three documented violations, Tzu Chi Academy has the right to dismiss the student.
 
Tzu Chi Academy has the right to dismiss a student if the student’s absences exceed 1/3 of instructional classes in a semester, i.e. absence is over 18 hours, or 5 classes within one semester.

TZU CHI ACADEMY SCHOOL REGULATIONS
Tzu Chi Academy aims to provide a safe, high-performance school for all students. All students, parents/guardians, and volunteers are expected to comply with rules, policies, and guidelines of the state Department of Education. In addition, they are expected to comply with the following:

1. Students shall promptly and respectfully obey the teachers and the class parents in the classroom. Students cannot disturb other students by using profane and vulgar language or physical actions. Students will be brought to the school office if the violation affects the classroom as a whole. The school has the right to dismiss students on a case-by-case basis if students fail to correct their violations.
2. The school uniform is mandatory. The school will notify parents/guardians of uniform violations. The school has the right to dismiss students on a case-by-case basis if students fail to correct their violations.
3. Students are expected to be on time at school. Students shall enter the classroom when the school bell rings. Students shall not loiter or create disturbances in the classroom. If a student is more than 15 minutes late or leaves more than 15 minutes early, the student shall be considered absent from class. Three absences from class are treated as an absence of one day. The school has the right to dismiss students on a case-by-case basis if students continue to be late to class.
4. Students are required to abide by the classroom regulations. Students cannot roam around the classroom, chat, or engage in off-task behaviors.  Students must refrain from leaving the classroom without permission.
5. No smoking is allowed in the school.
6. Students are expected to refrain from eating, drinking, wearing hats, being excessively noisy, and putting their feet on chairs and desks.
7. No cheating is allowed during tests.
8. There shall be no weapons (i.e.: knives, guns) or drugs taken to school. If a student is found with any of these items, they will be immediately expelled from the school.
9. In the classroom, students are expected to refrain from touching anything that does not belong to them, such as posters, papers, and anything on the teacher’s desk, as well as anything on the whiteboard. The same rule applies to the restroom: no misuse of toilet paper or paper towels, excessive water on the floor, etc. If anything is broken, the cost is to be compensated by the family of the student responsible.
10. Stealing is forbidden.
11. Students are expected to refrain from touching other students’ belongings if they do not have permission from the owner to do so.
12. Students must refrain from climbing any walls/fences surrounding the school. If a ball happens to leave school grounds, students must notify a parent/guardian or teacher to receive permission to go out of school grounds and retrieve it.
13. Students must stay in sight of the playground supervisors during recess.
14. Students may not leave the school without permission. If a student needs to leave early or miss class time, the parent/guardian is required to notify the school.
15. Tzu Chi Academy is a part of the Tzu Chi Foundation. Students are expected to attend select activities of the Tzu Chi Foundation, including but not limited to: Tzu Chi Family Celebration, Graduation Ceremony, annual celebrations, and athletic meets.

DISCIPLINARY GUIDELINES 
There are a total of 15 school rules; if rule #8 is violated, the student shall be expelled immediately without a refund of the tuition.

1. If a student has violated a regulation, the school will notify his/her parents/guardians and they will both sign the violation record.
2. If a student has made a serious violation, the school board will expel the student.
3. All information on all students of Tzu Chi Academy is confidential.
4. If the parents/guardians or students are unwilling or fail to cooperate with the school, they are encouraged to voluntarily withdraw from the school.
5. All school regulations are adopted and approved by the school board. They are effective from the day of publication.
6. The disciplinary process follows the steps as listed: students are put on the violation record, students are given guidance, parents/guardians are notified by phone or letter, counseling and interventions are provided, etc. If the student has made serious violations, the student will be expelled. If any student or parent/guardian does not agree upon any of school regulations, they are encouraged not to register for Tzu Chi Academy.

COOPERATION AND SUPPORT FROM PARENTS/GUARDIANSPlease support us in our efforts by doing the following:

1. Examine and sign school correspondences, homework, and any school notices; ask your child to turn them in to the teacher.
2. Help your child comply with teacher’s arrangements to participate in school activities. Prepare drinking water or reusable cups and take proactive steps to address any of your child’s health concerns. Please provide a written note to class if your child is required to take medicine at school.
3. To help maintain order in the school, please stay in the rest area during school hours and refrain from lingering or talking in the hallway.
4. Cooperate with the school and respect the school’s decisions on the evaluations and grading.
5. Follow the volunteers’ instructions regarding traffic control and please do not park illegally.
6. Participate in parent meetings, School Opening Ceremony and Graduation Ceremony.
7. Give advice and recommendations to the school and communicate your opinions to the school.

​VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
​We encourage parents/guardians to join as Tzu Chi volunteers and attend Tzu Chi activities. Please check with the school for further information.




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