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Given an atmosphere of free inquiry on a school campus, it is not surprising that the legitimacy of certain standards has traditionally been discussed, debated, and argued over. It is less surprising that such debate is more intense in these days when the orientation of our society is toward freedom and self-determination. Nonetheless, the demands of community life require some mutual understandings, and neither the difficulty of the task nor the imperfection of the end result should deter us from attempting to establish reasonable, viable expectations.

A Christian approach to life and conduct seeks both to promote freedom while eschewing anarchy and to promote responsibility without legalism. Historically, it has always been difficult to embrace at the same time both the need for rules and the role of individual freedom under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Nonetheless, this, we believe, is the biblical model, and so it is the course we have chosen.

The following guidelines are with the understanding that students are Christians by virtue of the grace of God and their personal commitment to Jesus Christ, that they are living to bring honor and glory to the Lord, that the Bible is the Word of God and hence fully authoritative in matters of faith and conduct, and that the student has a commitment to maturity both in insight and behavior.

In light of the above assumptions based upon biblical principles of Christian conduct, the specific expectations, which follow, are established for students, faculty, and staff of Rapid City Christian School. It will be noted that these behavioral standards distinguish between practices governed by Scripture and practices governed by consent of the community for its common good. The latter, which are established to enhance the quality of community living, are not to be confused with specific God-given directives, which are required by all Christians.

Practices Governed by Scripture

  1. Those practices which are expressly forbidden in Scripture, including fornication, homosexuality, adultery, drunkenness, theft, profanity, and dishonesty, will not be practiced by members of Rapid City Christian School, either on or off campus.  

  2. “Sins of the spirit” and “sins of the tongue,” such a covetousness, jealousy, pride, lust, envy, immodesty, impatience, backbiting, and slander, will be avoided by members of the RCCS community.

Practices Governed by Consent of the Community

In addition to standards set forth in Scripture, members of the RCCS community choose to impose upon themselves the following rules of conduct out of the conviction that they serve both the long range interest of this institution and the immediate good of its individual members. Violations, therefore, must be regarded as breaches in integrity with this community to which each member has voluntarily chosen to associate.

  1. Members of the RCCS community will not use tobacco products on campus, on adjacent properties, while attending school events, or at any time while they are students at the school. This standard is in keeping with the findings of medical authorities concerning the danger to one’s health in the use of these products. Further, it recognizes that Christians are responsible to be stewards of their bodies and considerate of the rights of others.

  2. Members of the RCCS community will neither possess nor use alcoholic beverages on campus, on adjacent properties, while attending school events, or at any time while they are students at the school. While it is recognized that abstinence is not biblically mandated, members of this community must abstain as a personal practice. This position reflects the school’s concern with the physical, social, and person effects of alcohol use. At no time will illegal use or abuse of alcohol be tolerated by members of the RCCS community.

  3. Members of the RCCS community are not to use drugs illegally. This includes the use of drugs prohibited by law.

  4. Members of the RCCS community will:       
     
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    avoid running or excessive noise in the halls.

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    not engage in inappropriate physical contact.

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    eat only in the lunchroom or in specified areas.

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    not bring toys, radios, cell phones, or CD/tape players to school.

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    not throw snowballs on campus.

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    not threaten or be abusive to others.

    		  

Student Dress

  1. Examples of unacceptable school attire for any student include the following:

 
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clothing with slogans or pictures that are inconsistent with the philosophy of RCCS

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ragged shirts

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undershirts

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pajama lounge pants

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mesh shirts

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tank tops

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exposed mid-riff

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sweat pants

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warm-up suits

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torn or frayed jeans

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sleeveless shirts

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overly baggy or overly tight-fitting extremes in any type of clothing

  

  1. Square bottom shirts may be left untucked; all other shirts need to be tucked in.

  2. Shorts, but not gym shorts, may be worn. The guideline for the length of shorts is no more than four inches above the knee. 

  3. Pants and shorts must be worn on or above the waist.

  4. Shoes or sandals must be worn at all times.

  5. Hats and sunglasses are not permitted.

  6. Boys may not wear an earring at school or school events.

  7. Jewelry worn in pierced body parts will not be allowed except for jewelry worn in girls’ ears.

  8. Length of hair for boys must be maintained above the eyebrows in front, off the ears on the sides, and above the collar of a dress shirt in the back.

  9. Boys’ faces must be clean-shaven; mustaches are permitted if trimmed and neat.

For additional information about student conduct and dress, please consult the 2007-2008 Parent/Student Handbook, available at the school office.

Chapel Dress

Every day on which chapel is held, students will be expected to dress more formally than normal. 

Boys must wear slacks and a dress shirt with a collar (whether wearing a sweater or not) along with dress shoes (no tennis shoes) and socks. Ties are required, and shirts must be tucked into slacks.

Girls must wear a dress or skirt and blouse along with dress shoes and nylons. Sandals are acceptable, but not flip flops. Dresses or skirts may not be shorter than two inches above the knee from any point measured. This also applies when sitting. Slits may not exceed two inches above the knee. Shirts and blouses with tails must be tucked into skirts. No sweatshirts, hooded sweatshirts, t-shirts, or jeans will be allowed on chapel day.

Chapel dress is required of all students for the entire school day.

Formal Occasions

Modesty is not situational. Dresses or gowns on formal occasions must comply with the modesty and decency provisions of the daily dress code. These guidelines also apply to guests who attend formal RCCS functions.

Even with the specific items stated above, wide latitude for interpretation still exists. The dress code monitors will make final decisions regarding dress code questions and consequences. The dress code applies at school and related activities, including field trips, unless specifically waived by the administration.

 

 

Rapid City Christian School

23757 Arena Drive

Rapid City, South Dakota 57702

Office 605-341-3377

Fax 605-341-2248