Q: How does the student sponsorship program work?

A: Student sponsors at Covenant Prep sponsor a student for one year. The hope is that a student sponsor will continue to sponsor the student for the four years he attends the school. However, there is no obligation to continue to sponsor a student after the first year. A sponsor’s commitment could vary depending on the grade the student enters the school and when the sponsorship begins.

Q: What is the time commitment of a sponsor?

A: There is NO time commitment expected of a student sponsor. While the students really enjoy meeting their sponsors and getting to know them, the amount of time a sponsor spends with his or her student, if any, is entirely up to the sponsor. Covenant Prep provides many opportunities to visit students during special events and students understand that not all sponsors are able to attend. Students know that every sponsor is rooting for their student’s success by sponsoring him.

Q: Are sponsors kept up to date with student activities and progress?
A: Students write letters to sponsors giving updates at least three times per year. Sponsors are invited to attend events throughout the year including Back to School Night, Science Fair, Sponsorship Luncheon, Social Studies Fair and Arts Appreciation Nights.

Q: Is it appropriate to write my student a letter?
A: Absolutely. Students like to receive letters from their sponsors and will frequently

correspond in return. The students are always interested in getting to know their sponsors. Sponsors correspond with students at the school address.

Q: May a sponsor visit the student at Covenant Prep or take him to outside events?

A: Yes. Sponsors are welcome to come to Covenant Prep and visit at any time and may join their students for lunch on any day that is convenient and as often as the sponsor would like. Sponsors may also have the student visit the sponsor’s work or attend an event provided that prior arrangements are through the school and parental permission is given. A Covenant Prep staff member or family member would accompany the student.

Q: Do students receive awards and, if so, what are they?

A: Students can earn weekly, monthly and quarterly awards from the School. Each week, the faculty meets and collectively awards a school-­‐wide “Student of the Week” award. Each

month, students can earn “Stayed-­‐out-­‐of –JUG” awards when they have gone an entire month without demerit for unfinished homework, behavior issues and the like. Awards are given quarterly for perfect attendance (Iron Man Award), staying out of JUG for the entire quarter (JUG Buster Award), and academic honors (Honors, High Honors and Highest Honors). Additionally, periodic awards are giving for “Caught Being Good” (in which a student stands out as doing the right thing) and for “Resident Artist” chosen following each large art project (chosen by the students for the student that best achieves the specific objectives for the project). Parents can also earn the “Parent of the Month” award for exemplary parental commitment to their son and the School. Awards are highly valued by the students.

Q: Is it appropriate for a sponsor to provide a student with a gift for receiving academic honors, being named Student of the Week, or during the holidays?
A: While we strongly encourage sponsors to express pride in their students=’s achievements, Covenant Prep asks that Sponsors refrain from giving gifts to their students

in response to the students receiving awards. We recommend that sponsors provide a note of congratulations to their student for receiving any award. Sponsors may, however, provide a gift for the holidays and for 8th grade graduation if the sponsor would like to do so.

Q: What are “Focus Groups” and “Evening Study”?
A: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:09am to 11:57am the students participate in

Focus Groups. This time is set aside for tutoring and special projects. Sponsors are welcome to come and visit or help tutor their student during this time. Each evening (except Fridays) the school is open for Evening Study from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. During this time, the students can work with volunteer tutors in a structured study hall environment, complete their daily assignments, study for the following day’s tests and quizzes, and read, read, read. Sponsors may also visit students during this time just as a visit or to assist the student in his studies.

Q: Are there any specific rules relating to Student Sponsorships?
A: Yes. For liability reasons, and to ensure the respect of everyone’s privacy, we ask that sponsors, parents and students adhere to the following:

 Sponsor Rules – We ask that Sponsors:
o Communicate with the student by letter or e-­‐mail through Covenant Prep

only and not directly without specific parental permission.
o Not make arrangements to take the student off school grounds without prior

approval of the school and parents.

 Parent Rules – We ask that parents or family members:
o Only make contact with sponsors through Covenant Prep.

 Student Rules – We ask that the students:
o Not contact sponsors by any means (phone, email, through social media such

as Facebook etc.) other than through Covenant Prep or with prior school and parent approval.