General Practices Part 3

Medical Policies

New Jerusalem Christian School depends on parental assistance in matters of illness to ensure a healthy environment for all children. For the protection of the children’s health, any child who appears ill will not be accepted in the school. Since small children can become ill very quickly, child care providers will observe the children’s health throughout the time the children are in their care. If the child care provider observes signs and symptoms of illness that would require removal of a child from the facility, he/she will inform the principal/director, who in turn, will contact the parent/guardian to have the child picked up.

The child will continue to be observed for other signs and symptoms. Parents will be expected to come immediately if the child becomes ill. If the child is not responding to the care giver, is having trouble breathing, or is having a seizure or convulsion, staff members will dial 911 for immediate medical assistance.

If a child develops a high fever while at the school, the following steps will be taken:

  1. Temperature will be taken under the arm.
  2. If the reading is less than 100 degrees:
      • A parent will be notified that the center is monitoring the child closely.
      • The temperature will be retaken 30 minutes later.
      • If the child continues to run a low-grade fever or is unusually fussy, the parent will be called to pick up the child.
      • If the reading is over 100 degrees, the parent will be called to pick up the child.
  3. A child should be free from fever without medication for at least 24 hours before returning to the center. Medication should not be given to reduce fever to allow the child to be brought to the center.

Medication Policy (No-Medication Distributed)

New Jerusalem Christian School has a no-medication policy. Medications will not be given to children by personnel of the center. If medication is essential due to a condition of a child, it is the responsibility of the parents to make arrangements to come to the center to give the prescribed medication.

Medical Exclusion Policy:

Parents are to keep children home in the event of any of the following:

  • Fever within the previous 24 hours. (Defined as 100°F or higher taken under the arm, 101°F taken orally, or 102°F taken rectally. For children 4 months or younger, the lower rectal temperature of 101°F is considered a fever threshold.)
  • Vomiting: Two or more times in a 24 hour period.
  • Diarrhea: Frequent (3 or more episodes in a 24 hour period) runny, watery, or bloody stools. According to CDC recommendations, a child who is not toilet trained and has diarrhea should be excluded from child care settings regardless of the cause.
  • Symptoms of childhood diseases – chicken pox, measles, mumps, scarlet fever, whooping cough, etc.
  • Any unexplained rash.
  • Thrush.
  • Sore throat: Sore throat with fever and swollen glands.
  • Any skin infection – boils, ringworm, impetigo, etc.
  • Eye discharge: Tearing, irritation, or redness or the eyelid, swelling, discharge or pus.
  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye).
  • Jaundice: Yellow eyes and skin.
  • Irritability: Continuous irritability and crying.
  • Common cold – A child brought to the center should be free of all symptoms of cold. If a child has chronic allergies, a written statement from a physician must be on file in the office specifically stating the nature of the condition and that it is not contagious. Guidelines for care of the child should also be provided and placed in the child’s file.
  • Severe coughing.
  • Labored or rapid breathing.

Parental Code of Conduct

New Jerusalem promotes spiritual excellence and conduct and deem it necessary to expect the same from our parents. We ask that parents use appropriate language when in the school and limit any use of loud talking, profanity, gossiping, bullying, propaganda, or any form of harassing.

We also ask parents to eliminate the use of the cell phones within the school in order to maintain an atmosphere that is conducive for learning. Parents will be asked to limit conversations during arrival and departure time, since this is the most critical time for effective communication between the parent and the teacher.

 

Parent Dress Code

In order to promote excellence in our dress, we ask parents to please dress respectfully in the presence of young children. It is necessary to cover all body parts with appropriate garments to prevent inappropriate exposure. Parents are also asked to refrain from wearing nightwear (i.e. pajamas, sleeping shirts, short shorts, etc.) in the school in order to maintain a clean atmosphere all around.

Parents As Partners Association (PAPA)

New Jerusalem Christian School seeks to involve parents in the educational process of their children. We encourage each parent to become an active member of the Parent As Partnership Association (PAPA). It is in these meeting where effective communication and collaboration occurs that strengthens the team of parent, child, teacher, and school.

PAPA meetings are held monthly at 6:00 p.m.

Personal Belongings of Children

Children have storage areas for their personal belongings brought from home to be kept in the classroom. All personal items brought to the center should be clearly labeled with the child’s name. Children three and older should bring their belongings in a backpack. A complete change of clothing is required for infants up to three years of age in case of accidents. These items should be replaced as necessary. Children’s toys should not be brought to the school. Age-appropriate toys are provided for every class at the school. Personal toys create difficulties between the children and may be broken or lost. Parental cooperation is essential in this matter.

Safety

Every effort is made to prevent accidents, but inevitably accidents do occur. If your child is injured, the staff will take necessary steps to ensure emergency care is given.

These steps may include, but not limited to the following:

  1. We will provide immediate first aid, then call an ambulance or paramedic if necessary.
  2. We will attempt to contact a parent or guardian.
  3. If the parent cannot be reached, we will attempt to contact other persons listed on your child’s emergency information form.
  4. We will have the child taken to an emergency hospital accompanied by a staff member.
  1. In regard to the daily arrival and departure of students, the following safety measures are strongly requested.
  1. All children leaving our premises with an adult should be holding an adult’s hand or closely monitored while crossing the parking area.
  2. Additionally, for the safety of the students, all persons entering or exiting the parking lot are asked to please use the proper entrance and the proper exit. That is, (do not enter through the exit or exit through the entrance.)
  3. All persons driving vehicles on the premises should drive at a moderately slow speed of about 10 mph.

*For safety and emergency purposes, please make sure that all phone numbers are updated in the school offices.

Tardy Pass

It is important that students maintain consistency in the routine care of the day. The arrival times for the child is set to promote a consistent routine for the start of the day. Should violation of the tardy policy occur, the following method of reprimand will be observed:

  • 1st Offense: Warning
  • 2nd Offense: Written Reprimand
  • 3rd Offense: Conference with Principal/Director
  • 4th Offense: Student Suspension

Tardy Policy

New Jerusalem Christian School opens at 7:00 a.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Children should not arrive at the school prior to 7:00 a.m. Academy students are expected to arrive no later than 8:00 a.m. Preschool students are expected to arrive no later than 9:00 a.m. If a child will not attend school or will be late arriving, please notify the office in advance. Parents who consistently abuse the tardy policy will not be allowed to bring the child to school on the fourth offense.

Transportation by Persons Under Eighteen

Persons under 18 years of age will not be allowed to transport a child unless permission is supplied in writing by the parent for the particular day and time. Phone requests will not be honored for transportation of a child by a person under the age of 18.

Transportation Policy

Children at New Jerusalem Christian School are transported primarily in vans belonging to New Jerusalem Church. Guidelines have been established by the school to promote safety of children in our care. The following guidelines adopted by the school include requirements mandated by state law:

  • All drivers must have a valid driver’s license and a safe driver’s record
  • All vehicles must be in good working order and have current safety inspection stickers, licenses, and registrations
  • Insurance must adequately cover the transportation of the children
  • Children must board and exit vehicles from the curb of the street, and be accompanied by adults to their destination
  • All passengers, adults, and children must be properly restrained in seatbelts during transportation.
  • Vehicles may not be occupied by more than its rated capacity
  • Children are not permitted in the front seat of vans
  • Staff-to-child class ratios must be maintained during transportation of children
  • Pick-up transportation is provided for students enrolled in after school programs at New Jerusalem from other area schools
  • Appropriate conduct and order is required during transportation to insure that the driver has ultimate concentration
  • Children who fail to exhibit appropriate conduct on the vans may not be allowed transportation privileges
  • New Jerusalem Christian School does not transport children to their home address

Traffic and Parking

Drivers are asked to honor no parking areas in the covered area at the door, in handicapped spaces, or in areas where cones are blocking a spot. Drivers are also asked to enter and exit the campus in the appropriate one-way traffic areas, and do not block the covered area for any reason. For your safety, drivers are to turn vehicles off, lock the car doors, and keep valuables on their persons when entering the school, regardless of the length of time on campus. Please do not leave children alone in any vehicle.

Waiver of Liability

A waiver of liability form is located on the back of the enrollment application. This waiver must be signed by all parents. Even when reasonable precaution is taken, accidents can still sometimes happen. If the child is allowed to participate in activities, each parents must sign this waiver.