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Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic
Child Development Center Student Parent Handbook
2017-2018
16075 North Evans RoadSelma, Texas 78154
(210) 651-6819 Fax (210) 651-3179Email: [email protected] Website:
www.olphselma.org
Center Policies for K3 and K4
Hours, Days, & Months of Operation
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Child Development Center is open year round from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The following is the CDC Calendar for the 2017-2018 school year.
CDC Holidays(No care will be available)
August 14-18, 2017 (Faculty In-service Week)September 4, 2017 (Labor Day)
October 16, 2017 (Day After Festival)November 23-24, 2017 (Thanksgiving Holidays)
December 22, 2017 – January 3, 2018 (Christmas Holidays)January 15, 2018 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday)
February 19, 2018 (President’s Day)March 30-April 2, 2018 (Easter Break)
April 27, 2018 (Battle of Flowers)May 28, 2018 (Memorial Day)
July 4, 2018 (Independence Day)
School Holidays/CDC Open/No School or Cafeteria ServiceMarch 12-16, 2018 (Spring Break)
INTRODUCTIONThis Student/Parent Handbook contains regulations, policies, customs, and traditions which enable Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Child Development Center (OLPH CDC) to be the
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Christian learning community described in its Mission Statement. It does not make explicit all policies, but fosters an environment where order and excellence will prevail. The school administration reserves the right to modify existing policies or add new policies as circumstances make such decisions prudent and necessary. Parents/guardians are required to complete and submit the CDC acknowledgment form to the CDC office, verifying that all will read and discuss the handbook policies. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the handbook please call (210) 651-6819 to make arrangements to schedule an appointment with the Director.
HANDOOK/POLICY CHANGESOLPH CDC reserves the right to change policies and procedures as outlined in this handbook. Parents will be notified in writing and via email of any changes.
ELIGIBILITY FOR RE-REGISTRATIONUntil the parents/guardians have signed the consent form (distributed with this handbook) agreeing to the school’s policies and rules, a student’s registration is not complete. A student’s registered status in a given school year does not automatically entitle him/her to continue as a student in subsequent years. Every school year implies a new mutual agreement. The administration may refuse to accept a student’s registration for the following school year at its discretion.
ACCREDITATIONOur Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School & Child Development Center maintains the accreditation standards of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) through the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department (TCCED). The school is a member of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA).
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENTOur Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Child Development Center admits students of any race or national origin to programs and activities with all rights and privileges. Equal opportunity and access is provided to students without regard to race, national origin, or gender.
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Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Child Development Center16075 N. Evans Road, Selma Texas 78154
Phone (210) 651-6819Fax (210) 651-3179
Email: [email protected]: www.olphselma.org
Dear Parents:Each of us here at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Child Development Center (OLPH CDC) welcomes and invites you to join us in providing the best possible Christian education for all OLPH CDC students during this school year. It is only when the home and the school work as a team that a child truly benefits from his/her training. We welcome your support as we work towards helping each child realize his/her abilities, gifts and talents. To aid in keeping you informed of the policies, regulations, and activities of our school, we offer this handbook.
Keeping in mind that home and school together must guide and direct our children – spiritually, intellectually, and physically – towards becoming successful, responsible Christian adults in this world and enjoying a happy eternity in the next, we would like to suggest that you reinforce our training by:
1. Impressing on your child the importance of always being honest, obedient, dependable, and respectful towards God and others;
2. Becoming involved in school activities, becoming active PTC members, and volunteering your service to the school whenever and however possible, not waiting to be asked;
3. Establishing good rapport with your child’s teachers – should a difficulty arise, make every effort to resolve the difficulty calmly with the good of all in mind; and
4. Attending the parent-teacher conferences, which are regularly scheduled following the first grading period.
“In unity there is strength.” With your cooperation and support, we ask God’s blessing on this school term as united in His service and His love, we strive to educate our children for time and eternity.
God Bless You Always,The OLPH CDC Administration, Faculty and Staff
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Table of ContentsMission Statement............................................................................................................1Philosophy.........................................................................................................................1We Believe.........................................................................................................................1An Invitation to Come Visit/What You May See...............................................................3
Section I.............................................................................................................................5 CDC and School Organizations......................................................................................5
School Council.........................................................................................................5Parent Teacher Club (PTC) ......................................................................................5
Section II............................................................................................................................6 Enrollment and Withdrawal Procedures.....................................................................6
Age..........................................................................................................................6Toilet Training.........................................................................................................6Required Records/Paperwork.................................................................................6
Immunization Record/Health Record...........................................................6Physician’s Statement..................................................................................6Non-Prescription Med Form.........................................................................6Screenings Permission..................................................................................6Baptism Certificate.......................................................................................6Birth Certificate............................................................................................6
Registration ...........................................................................................................6Students with Special Needs...................................................................................6Priorities for Admission...........................................................................................6Withdrawal from.....................................................................................................7
Section III...........................................................................................................................7 Attendance Policies
Hours – Arrival-Drop Off/Pick-Up Policy..................................................................7Non-Custodial Parents..................................................................................8Absence Policy..............................................................................................8Tardiness......................................................................................................8
Section IV...........................................................................................................................8 Financial Arrangements...............................................................................................8
CDC Fees..................................................................................................................8Tuition.....................................................................................................................8Tuition Management Company...............................................................................9Additional Charges..................................................................................................9Past Due Accounts/Non-Sufficient Funds................................................................9Default of Tuition Agreement................................................................................10
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Tuition Assistance..................................................................................................10
Section V..........................................................................................................................10 Health and Safety.......................................................................................................10
Statement: Following the Standards of the State of Texas, Department of Family and Protective Services.....................................................10Medical Exemption from Immunization................................................................10Health File.............................................................................................................10Emergency Contact Data.......................................................................................11Procedures for Handling Medical Emergencies.....................................................11Illness and Exclusion Criteria.................................................................................11Communicable Diseases........................................................................................11Vaccine Preventable Disease Protection by Staff..................................................12Daily Health Checks...............................................................................................12
When to keep Your Child HomeWhen Your Child Becomes Ill While at SchoolWhen Your Child May Return to School After an Illness
Medications...........................................................................................................13Allergies/Dietary Restrictions................................................................................13Special Health Needs.............................................................................................13Vision/Hearing Screenings.....................................................................................14Student Accident Insurance..................................................................................14Safety Drills............................................................................................................14Inclement Weather Policy.....................................................................................15
Section VI.........................................................................................................................16 Visitations and Volunteering at the CDC.....................................................................16
Procedures for Visiting/Participating in CDC Activities..........................................16Volunteers.............................................................................................................16
Section VII.......................................................................................................................17 General Information...................................................................................................17
Animals in the Classroom......................................................................................17Communication: Home to School..........................................................................17Communication: School to Home..........................................................................17Conferences (Annual and Requested)...................................................................18Daily Schedule.......................................................................................................18Dress Code............................................................................................................18Food Policies.........................................................................................................19 Bringing Food/Treats.......................................................................................19 Parties & Invitations to Parties.........................................................................19 Cafeteria Service/Lunch Procedures................................................................20
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Snacks/Water Bottles.......................................................................................20Mass Days (Weekly Liturgy & Holy Days of Obligation).........................................20Outside Play..........................................................................................................21RenWeb.................................................................................................................21Rest Time (Nap).....................................................................................................21Yearly Events.........................................................................................................21
Section VIII.......................................................................................................................23 Discipline and Guidance Practices..............................................................................23
OLPH School/CDC Code of Conduct......................................................................23Expectations of our Pre-K Students.......................................................................23Home-School Relations.........................................................................................25Communication with Teachers..............................................................................25
Section IX ........................................................................................................................26 Archdiocesan, State, and Federal Policies..................................................................26
Minimum Standard Rules for Licensed Child Care Centers/Licensing Inspection Report..................................................................................26Nursing Mothers-Accommodations For................................................................27Transportation.......................................................................................................27Water Activities.....................................................................................................27Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)....................................................27Schools as Weapons-Free Zones...........................................................................27Substance Abuse...................................................................................................28Search and Seizure................................................................................................28Child Abuse Policy.................................................................................................28Harassment-Free Environment for Personnel.......................................................29Virtus/Safe Environment Program........................................................................29Bullying Policy........................................................................................................29Three Type Bullying Model....................................................................................31Gang-Free Zones...................................................................................................32Emergency Preparedness Guidelines....................................................................33
Appendix ....................................................................................................................362017-2018 Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements
Index ....................................................................................................................38
Campus Map ......................................................................................................back cover
CDC Calendar / Dates of the Year....................................................................................... ivi
MISSION STATEMENTOur Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School & CDC builds character and shapes tomorrow’s leaders by delivering academic excellence in a Catholic Faith based community.
PHILOSOPHYOLPH Catholic School & CDC is an extension of the family and offers a Christian learning experience within a safe environment. Parents are the primary educators of their children, and we recognize that the school alone cannot attain the total development of the child. We strive to assist parents in fulfilling their responsibilities and consider ourselves partners in the education of the whole child: spiritually, morally, intellectually, physically, emotionally, and socially. Following the example of Jesus’ love for the young, we strive to teach as he did and to develop each student’s abilities and talents. We strive to teach and instill Christ-like attitudes and values so that each of our students will be able to think, act, and live like Christ and recognize and fulfill his/her obligations and responsibilities as members of their family, school, community, nation, world, and Church.
HERE AT THE CDC, WE BELIEVE In promoting the maximum development of each child. Our school seeks to promote
equally each child’s intellectual development, his/her social and emotional development, and his/her language development. Educated and trained teachers build their program on a firm base of child development in order to carry this out.
Each child should have the chance to grow and develop as an individual, at his/her own rate of speed; we seek to do this by providing him/her with creative experiences and group activities with other children his/her own age.
Children learn more meaningfully through direct experience. Arousal of curiosity leads to search, search leads to discovery, and discovery leads to knowledge. Concepts strongly rooted in direct experience give accuracy and quality to a child’s thought. Enriched living is enriched learning.
No child can be made to grow in someone else’s way; therefore, to teach successfully, teachers must go where the children are. Interests in activities originate with the children, but opportunities to explore these interests in content and depth are provided by teachers. Our teachers encourage children to experiment, question, and reason, observe, investigate, and negotiate, allowing them to discover and seek knowledge on their own. In addition, teachers strive to create an atmosphere as free from tension and stress as possible, and to establish an environment of ease, comfort, and security where each child’s needs are met with warm acceptance, understanding, support, and encouragement.
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In the importance of providing a safe building for young children with space, equipment, and materials to test the child’s growing powers. Play is a child’s work; for the young child, environment is curriculum.
In helping each child begin his/her educational years by liking school. We acknowledge that children who develop a love of school will participate more fully in their academics, allowing for a better learning process to take place. This will, in later years, help each live life with more meaning, joy, purpose, satisfaction, and fulfillment. It is our goal to instill learning skills that will stay with the child and affect the way he/she learns all through life; successful learning skills positively influence the way a child feels about himself/herself, other people, and about the world around him/her.
Finally, and most importantly,
We believe that our calling, as educators in this Catholic CDC, is to teach as Jesus did; in other words, we are called to this ministry as His disciples. It is our responsibility to help in awakening of each child’s awareness of his/her relationship with our loving Father. It is our responsibility to help each child begin to connect the lessons of the classroom as a way to learn more about the God who created him/her, and about the world around them, which God created for their use. It is also our responsibility to help foster an understanding of the gift of our faith as the root of all we do in life, as demonstrated in our choices and actions.
To these ends, Mission, Philosophy, and Our Beliefs, we exist.
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AN INVITATION TO COME VISIT…Parents are always welcome to visit during the day. Our preschool & curriculum time is very important to us. We ask that you view the class through the window during teaching and group times. We will provide you with a daily schedule so you may better choose the hours you would like to visit.
WHAT YOU MAY SEE…As adults, think about the last new skill you learned that was totally unrelated to any past or stored knowledge you already had. It is difficult to do since every experience we have allows us to build a bank of information we process, store, and then retrieve in the future. We can either repeat the learned process, or we can apply it to a similar situation and act accordingly.
Early childhood is full of first experiences; young children are building their bank of knowledge with every experience they encounter (e.g.: how does a child experience the concept of ‘hot’). Thus, children, who are exposed to many different and varied activities and opportunities, add to their bank of knowledge, allowing them to learn new skills easier and more effectively; they begin to relate the new with what they already know as true or factual.
Early childhood education is understandably different from the elementary grades. Young children learn by watching, doing, moving, listening, and experimenting; all of this learned information is processed and stored for future reference. When you visit, you will find the classrooms are set up with this in mind.
You may see some children just looking on: Children are not forced to play or to participate in an activity. Some children need time to themselves before they try to engage in an activity. We recognize that self-confidence grows with success and thoughtful approval. We offer children the time they need to think, relax, and grow comfortable with the experience.
You may see the teacher carefully watching children who are having a disagreement: children should be given an opportunity to solve their own problems unless someone is in danger of getting hurt. Children need to be given the opportunity to act independently. This gives them the opportunity to feel good when they can care and do for themselves.
You may think there is a great deal of noise when entering your child’s classroom: young children find it difficult to sit still and be quiet for long periods of time. Remember that social behavior of children may be noisy by adult standards, but it is real and relevant to their interests.
You will hear the teacher using positive reinforcements: for example, ‘The book belongs on the shelf.’ Instead of ‘Don’t throw the book on the floor.’ A child learns faster if he/she is told what to do instead of what not to do.
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You will see many things to pull, push, climb, etc.: these activities help muscles grow strong. Items like Play-dough, Gak, paint, blocks, and trucks help develop imagination, and the teacher will encourage children to explore this dimension of their development. Over time, children progress in their skills, but in these early stages, we appreciate and complement their efforts, remaining patient with their results. To each child, it is a masterpiece!
You may notice children putting on dress-up clothes, putting away toys, or handling large play items: the teacher could do these things quicker, easier, and more efficiently; by doing these things themselves, children learn and grow in self-assurance and confidence.
You may notice children are given choices: ‘Would you like to paint a picture or play with Play-dough?’ in some areas children are free to choose; this allows the child to develop good decision-making skills. At other times, choices are not appropriate (e.g.: ‘It is time to wash hands for snack.’).
You may see a child receiving affection from his/her teacher; this helps give each child a feeling of security.
If you see something you do not understand, please talk to your child’s teacher or the Director. Please remember, for reasons of confidentiality and respect, we are unable to discuss someone else’s child with you. But we do want each parent to feel our door is always open for your comments.
Enjoy watching your child and his/her playmates – their growth in social skills, vocabulary, and Christian actions, the basis of our community. Share your happy, positive observations with your child; it reassures them of the great choice to come to school and to be a part of this learning experience!
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SECTION ICDC AND SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONS
School Council: six to ten members selected through a discernment process comprise the voting membership of the school Council (consensus is generally used.) The Pastor, Principal, CDC Director and PTC (Parent Teacher Club) liaison are ex-officio and non-voting members of the Council. The Council, whose authority is derived from the Pastor, is called into being by the Pastor and is given its mission to advise the principal, CDC Director, and Pastor in areas of finance, school/CDC enhancement, policy, development, and strategic planning. The council acts in support of administrative decisions and actions that are taken by the Principal and CDC Director that implement previously established school policy. The Pastor retains the canonical responsibility of leadership in parish, school, and CDC.
The School Council generally meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm. Parents are invited to observe regular council meetings. Participation, however, is limited to the “Open Forum” which is described in more detail below.
All meetings of the Council, both regular and special are open to the public, unless it is necessary to go into executive session for discussion, deliberation, or vote. If any person other than a member of the Council wishes to bring a matter to the Council, that person must submit, in writing to the President, a clear and concise summary of the matter that is to be considered seven days prior to the meeting. The Council will act on matters relating to policy. The Council does not act as a grievance committee.
Parent Teacher Club (PTC): The purpose of this club is to foster unity and understanding between the home and the school. OLPH School & CDC receive significant fundraising financial support from the PTC. All parents are strongly urged to become active members of the PTC and to support all of its projects. Dates and time of meetings will be announced in the school newsletter and calendar.
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SECTION II ENROLLMENT AND WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURES
1. Age: children must be 3 years of age on or before September 1 st to be enrolled in the 3 year old program. Similarly, children must be 4 years of age on or before September 1 st to be enrolled in the 4 year old program.
2. Children must be fully toilet-trained and out of pull-ups.a. A child who continuously has accidents will be withdrawn from the program
(i.e.: two or more per week)3. Upon enrollment, the following records are required:
a. Enrollment Information Formb. Health Record
i. Immunization Recordii. Physician’s Statement/Physical (signed by your child’s physician)
iii. Non-Prescription Medicine Form (if desired by parent-i.e.: children’s Tylenol, allergy meds)
iv. Prescription(s)/Current Medicationsv. Permission for vision/hearing screening
vi. Medical History (including allergies, etc.)c. Baptismal Certificate (if applicable)d. Official Birth Certificate
4. Registration: registration for current students will generally take place in January and for new students in February. A non-refundable registration fee is due at the time of registration.
5. Special Needs: OLPH CDC will, if able, provide a student with special needs an opportunity for an education. If the center deems it is not capable of providing the necessary faculties, the child will be referred to other centers and programs which have the ability to effectively educate the child with special needs.
6. Priorities for Admission: Due to limited class sizes, OLPH CDC has instituted a waiting list policy as follows:
a. All students on the waiting list must meet the CDC requirements to qualify for enrollment. Being on the waiting list is not a guarantee for enrollment.
b. The Director may use his/her discretion in accepting students on the waiting list. Priorities will be given as follows:
i. Families who have children attending OLPH Catholic School or registered members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Parish will be given priority.
ii. Families of more than one child will be given priority for enrollment if placement is available in needed grade levels.
iii. All other families are on a first-come, first-serve basis.c. Students and/or families chosen from the waiting list must complete necessary
paperwork, admission criteria, and payment of fees within five (5) days of
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notification. If everything is not complete within this time frame, other families on the waiting list will be given priority for enrollment.
7. Withdrawal from the CDC: A minimum of two (2) weeks’ notice must be given to the Director prior to withdrawal of the child from the program. The remainder of the current month’s tuition may be forfeited at the discretion of the Director if appropriate notice is not given.
SECTION IIIATTENDANCE POLICIES
ARRIVAL-DROP OFF/PICK-UPWe open at 7:00 am, and we close at 6:00 pm.
Our prep time for the day is before 7:00 am. Please do not bring your child any earlier, or leave your child unattended any earlier than 7:00 am as there is no provision for supervision of students prior to this time.
In the evening, if you know you are going to be detained, please notify the center immediately, so that we can reassure your child that you will arrive soon.
There is an early/overtime charge of $1.00 per minute, which will be added to your tuition bill (see Financial Arrangements Statement – Section IV) We are flexible if an emergency arises; if our staying over ten minutes means preventing an accident, we would prefer that avenue, please drive safely and plan differently next time. Because the center has no provision for care after 6:00 pm, consistent tardiness at this pick-up time will be cause for withdrawal.
DROP OFF/PICK UP/RELEASE OF CHILDREN
1. OLPH CDC strives to provide a secure, safe environment for your child. Children must be escorted to the CDC building by an adult and left in the presence of a teacher/teacher’s assistant. Parents must clock in/out their child on the time clock provided in the CDC entry hall. Attendance records are required as part of our licensing.
2. To ensure children’s safety, OLPH CDC keeps a file of names, addresses and phone numbers of people authorized to pick up each child. The file is based on information you have provided on the enrollment forms. Please notify the Director/Office Manager in writing of any changes, additions, or deletions as children will not be released if any information is outdated.
3. Anyone picking up your child must show proper identification, such as a driver’s license or photo ID, before we can release your child to that person. It is OLPH CDC’s policy that no one under sixteen years of age is permitted to pick up a child.
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NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS
Official court documents must be on file in the CDC office if there are custodial issues. OLPH CDC abides by the Buckley Amendment with respect to the right of non-custodial parents. In the absence of a court order to the contrary, the non-custodial parent will have access to the child. It is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide an official copy of the court order/restraining order signed by the judge for your child’s file. Child Protective Service guardians and foster parents must provide the CDC with caseworker names and phone numbers along with a copy of a “safety plan.”
ABSENCE POLICY
Regular and prompt attendance at school enables a student to make maximum progress in studies. A child must be present at least two hours each day for the curriculum part of the day (8:00am -11:15 am) or they will be marked absent. Please notify the CDC office by 9:00 am on the day of absence to alert the staff that your child will be absent (210-651-6819).
TARDIES
Tardiness to school or to class results in the loss of valuable class time and disrupts the learning process of students. In the CDC, School starts at 8:00. After 8:15 am your child will be considered tardy, the inner doors will be locked and the front office staff will escort your child to the classroom.
SECTION IV FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
CDC Fees: OLPH CDC fees must be paid in a timely manner as determined by the administration. Failure to pay all fees in full, when due, will result in the assessment of a $25.00 late fee for each past due payment to cover additional processing costs. This will also render the registration incomplete. The student will not be allowed to attend the CDC until payment of all fees is properly made. The amount and types of fees will be determined by the administration each year. These fees may include, but are not be limited to, the following:
1. Registration fee (non-refundable)2. PTC dues & Catholic Life Raffle Fee (if tickets are not sold by November 17) 3. Supply Fees
Tuition: All families are required to choose one of the following options to pay tuition:1. Tuition may be paid directly to the CDC as a single payment of the full amount on or
before August 1st (a discount of 3% applies when this option is chosen.) Please note: This discount is void if student is withdrawn prior to the end of the school year. Tuition will be
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retroactively reassessed at the full rate to the first day of school. Any refunds for the remaining months of school will reflect this adjustment.
2. Two payments for tuition may be paid directly to the CDC, each equal to one-half of the tuition. The two payments are due on or before August 5th and January 5th.
3. Utilization of the school/CDC FACTS tuition management program, as approved by the administration.
Facts Tuition Management Company: Payment of tuition by monthly installments shall require participation in the FACTS tuition management program. By choosing this method of payment, it is agreed that all rules, regulations, policies, and procedures implemented by the CDC and the tuition management company will be followed, including the payment of any and all fees for service as well as late charges that may be assessed. Failure to follow any or all requirements of this method of payment will result in the account becoming past due. Families removed from the tuition management program with further tuition payment monitoring assumed by the CDC, will incur a $100.00 processing fee payable to OLPH CDC. After two months of non-payment of tuition the student will be withdrawn.
Additional Charges: All extra charges, including extra hours, lunches, early drop off charges, and late pick-up charges will be billed through the CDC office by the 5 th of each month and are payable by the 15th of the same month. It is the parent’s responsibility to retrieve this billing information from their child’s blue folder. Additional charges for Spring Break week will only be assessed if children attend “outside” their normal hours; however as reservations are required, a $10.00 no show fee will be assessed if children do not attend.
Past Due Accounts/Non-Sufficient Funds: As per the policies and procedures of the tuition management system, a second missed payment for the same month’s tuition will result in the account becoming past due. A past due account will be forward to the CDC by the tuition management system for any and all action deemed appropriate including, but not limited to, removal of child(ren) from the CDC program. Students, who have delinquent accounts, including, but not limited to, delinquent tuition accounts, unpaid fees, or accrued fines, will not be issued a final report card, nor will any records be released, until the time when all delinquent accounts have been covered. Please Note: Delinquent accounts may be turned over to a collection agent and/or an attorney to assist the school in collecting the tuition and fees owed. In this event, parents will be held responsible for the payment of attorney’s fees and the cost associated with collecting the tuition fees owed. Families should be aware that the school may require reporting unpaid tuition as unearned income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Any non-sufficient fund (NSF) check will be collectible in full by cash or money order and will require a $25.00 handling fee. Any family that submits one NSF check may be placed on a cash-only basis.
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Default of Tuition Agreement: Any family who is in default of the payment terms of the tuition agreement at the close of a school year will not be accepted for enrollment for the following school year unless the account is brought current by mid-July before Wildcat Round-Up.
Tuition Assistance: OLPH School & CDC has limited funds available for tuition assistance. Families will need to contact the Principal and show proof of need as determined by the Principal. Tuition assistance is also available through Hope for the Future (https://www.archsa.org/hope/apply-now).
SECTION V HEALTH AND SAFETY
All students enrolled at OLPH CDC must comply with and follow the standards of the State of Texas, the Department of Family and Protective Services, and the Texas Department of Health in regards to immunization requirements. Health forms must be complete and on file at school. Each child must have certain standard immunizations. If the school does not receive the completed health forms within the stated time period, your child cannot attend until the school has received the completed forms. For a detailed listing of required immunizations see the Appendix.
Medical Exemption from Immunization: Exclusion for medical reasons will be considered if a parent/guardian presents a written request to the Director with the appropriate documentation. The Director, in consultation with local school administration, will make the final decision.
In accordance with state law, the parent/guardian must present a statement (see bold section below) signed by the child’s physician (M.D. or D.O.). This physician must be dually registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States, and must have examined the child. The document must state that, in the physician’s opinion, the vaccine required is medically contraindicated or poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of the child or any member of the child’s household. Unless it is written in the statement that a lifelong condition exists, the exemption statement is valid for only one year from the date of the physician’s signature. If not a lifelong condition, it is expected that the child will be vaccinated as soon as the medical condition improves and the child’s physician determines that it is safe to do so.
Health File: A health file will be maintained on each student, which will include a record of immunization, vision and hearing screenings, pertinent medical information, and doctor’s name. Health records are treated as confidential; they are available to the director, principal, and the professional staff. The child’s original Health Record is given to the receiving school if the child transfers to another school.
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Emergency Contact Data: Emergency contact data must be maintained on each child in case of injury or illness. This information will be gathered at registration and kept current. Contact the CDC office if there are changes to personal data such as address, phone numbers, emergency contacts, health information, etc.
Procedures for Handling Medical Emergencies: In the event of a medical emergency or an accident, we will contact the parents and the doctor of the child. If it is impossible to reach either, or if emergency treatment is required, 911 will be called. You will be expected to assume responsibility for any resultant expense. It is to your child’s benefit that you keep the CDC office up to date on phone numbers, emergency numbers, and other pertinent information.
Minor accidents requiring first aid, such as scrapes, will be communicated to the parents with a written accident report provided the day of the accident, to be signed by the parent; a copy will be placed in the child’s records. The staff will call the parent immediately if the child needs medical attention. Parents are required to sign a form authorizing the Director or staff member to obtain medical aid in the event of a serious injury or illness occurring at the CDC if parents cannot be reached. In this case, parents will be notified as soon as the child’s medical needs have been met.
Illness and Exclusion Criteria: An ill child will not be admitted to the center. If a child becomes ill while in our care, parents will be notified so that arrangements can be made to have the child picked up. Comfortable arrangements, under supervision, will be made for the child until the arrival of the parent or designated person. Children sent home with a temperature will not be readmitted until they have been free from fever for 24 hours or with presentation of a doctor’s statement that the child is able attend. Your child should be picked up within one hour after being contacted. Please plan now on what arrangements will be made for your child in case of illness.
Communicable Diseases: A child who contracts a communicable disease or skin disease will not be permitted to attend the CDC while his/her health or the health of others may be adversely affected. Parents must notify the CDC IMMEDIATELY of any communicable diseases their child has been exposed to such as, but not limited to: chicken pox, lice, or pink eye. A statement from the child’s physician indicating the child is under treatment and no longer endangers the health of others is required prior to our readmitting the child to the CDC. The CDC will notify all parents of any communicable diseases or skin diseases reported to the CDC.
Vaccine-Preventable Disease Protection for Staff: In order to protect the children in the CDC from vaccine-preventable diseases, each employee will be required to receive a yearly influenza (Flu) vaccine. The employee will present their written immunization verification to the Director of the CDC by November 1st of the school year. Employees who wish to apply for an exemption to this procedure, due to medical conditions, or for reasons of conscience must
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do in writing, to the director of the CDC, at the beginning of the school year. Exempt employees will be required to use masks and gloves, if necessary, to protect the children in the CDC from influenza. Use of mask and gloves will not be considered retaliatory action against exempt employees and all other discriminatory or retaliatory action will be prohibited. A record of the employee’s compliance, either through verification or exemption, of this policy will be maintained in their employee file. An employee who fails to comply with this policy will be subject to disciplinary action which may include termination.
Daily Health Checks: If deemed necessary by the CDC, daily health checks will be performed by a staff member upon a child’s arrival to the CDC. This included lice checks, temperature checks, and rash checks. Children on restricted diets of Pedialyte or similar treatments will not be permitted until they are on a regular diet and symptom-free. Fever reducing medication will not be administered to permit a sick child to attend the CDC.
According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, a child must be well enough to participate in all activities and not require more care then the CDC can provide to be admitted each day.
Keep Your Child Home If/Your Child Will Be Sent Home IF She/He: Has a fever of 99.9 degrees or over Had a fever in the previous 24-hour period Has excessive nasal drip Has a sore throat, acute cold, or persistent cough Is fussy, cranky or generally not himself/herself Has symptoms of a possible communicable disease Has diarrhea Is vomiting (has vomited before school/on the way to school), is nauseous,
complains of severe abdominal pain Has unexplainable skin rash Has marked drowsiness or malaise Has a red, inflamed, or discharging eye Has swollen glands around jaws, ears, or neck Has suspected scabies or impetigo Has earache Has Pediculosis (head lice)
Your Child May Return To School: When the above symptom(s) have cleared When he/she has been free of fever for 24 hours When the CDC obtains a written physician’s release When the child is nit free (Head lice)
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In the case of a communicable disease: notify the CDC so that the incubation period may be noted; this allows the child to reenter school at the expiration of the determined incubation period.
Medications: Students are not allowed to carry medication on their person, including ‘over-the-counter’ medications, throat lozenges and cough lollipops.
a. Only medication which is necessary for a student to remain in school will be given during school hours. This does not include medication which reduces fever; fever is an indicator of an illness.
b. Students are permitted to bring Lip Balm, insect repellant and sunscreen to school. Lip Balm must be clear and non-flavored (no tints, no fragrance-favored, non-medicated). All these items must be placed in an individual Ziploc bag, marked with the students’ name, and given to the teacher. A Medication Permission Request Form must be filled out and will be kept in the classroom for documentation.
c. The Medication Permission Request Form must be completed by the parent/guardian and the health care provider in order for any medication, including ‘over-the-counter’ medications (including, but not limited to: acetaminophen, ointments, cold tablets, cough drops) to be given by school personnel. These forms are available in the CDC office.
d. Medication must be brought to the CDC office by the parent/guardian (responsible party). If the medication is liquid, it must be accompanied with a calibrated medication dispenser which has legible numbers on it. Each student’s medication must be in its original container and clearly labeled with all of the following information:
i. Student nameii. Physician/Dentist name
iii. Dateiv. Name of medicationv. Dosage
vi. Directions for administration vii. Duration of administration
e. The staff members designated to assist a student in taking his/her medication may refuse to do so at any time. No medication which has expired will be given. Medication will be returned only to the responsible party by the CDC office personnel.
Allergies or Dietary Restrictions/Special Health Needs: In order for the CDC staff to ensure the safety and health of each child in our care, please inform the CDC if your child has any health conditions, allergies or dietary restrictions. Emergency care plans for food allergies, anaphylaxis, epilepsy and diabetes must be filled out by a physician. A meeting will then be held with the parent, director/principal, teacher(s), and school nurse to agree on a plan of care. A copy of any health-care professional recommendations or orders for providing specialized
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medical assistance to the child will be kept on file in the CDC. All records will be kept in the CDC for at least three months after the child’s last day in care.
Vision and Hearing Screening: Students in K4 are given vision and hearing screenings in the fall.
Student Accident Insurance: The CDC carries student accident insurance for every child enrolled. Student accident insurance provides basic coverage and payment is part of the tuition charged each school year. Student accident insurance is secondary insurance and covers students’ at all school-related activities, and for travel to and from all school related activities.
Safety Drills: Safety drills are important and must be taken seriously. It is crucial that children react in a safe and orderly fashion. Children participate in regular drills and practices so they will know what to do in the case of an actual emergency. Should an emergency happen, we would notify you. Please go over the following tips with your child. For more details, please review the Emergency Plan on page 33.
1. Fire Drill: The standard signal for leaving the building is the fire alarm and strobe or a verbal command. All present are to walk out of the building at the command of a designated person in an orderly manner, without talking, rushing, or crowding. Safety routes are posted in the classrooms. An oral announcement will be issued to return to class.
2. Tornado Drill: A continuous ringing bell or a verbal command will be the signal to begin a tornado drill. Students and teachers will go to the designated area in silence and at the command of a designated person; students will get into tornado drill position. The CDC Students will go into the CDC building hallway. If on the playground, at the sound of the signal; the teachers will immediately lead the students into the building and into the hallway. A verbal command will be given to return to the classrooms.
3. Lock-Down Drill: a public address or verbal announcement will be made to initiate the instructions. The children will stay in their classrooms and await further instructions. The CDC building doors will be locked and secured, and all inhabitants are to move away from doors and windows. Teachers have specific planned locations within their rooms to re-locate their children. If we are in lock-down mode, we will not answer nor open the door for anyone!
4. Relocation Plan: if an emergency situation arises (chemical spill, fire, etc.) and the school needs to evacuate, the children will be transported to Retama Park Racetrack. Information will be emailed to parents regarding pick-up procedures during this rare occasion. Also, please listen to local radio and television stations for important emergency information.
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5. If a fire or tornado signal is sounded when the students are in the cafeteria, library, on the playground or anywhere other than the classroom, an authorized adult will lead them to the nearest safety zone.
Inclement Weather Policy: Conditions such as hurricanes, snow or icy roads may necessitate the delayed start or closing of the school and the CDC. Our policy is to follow the same procedures as Judson ISD. For information in case of severe weather, listen to the local radio stations-KTSA AM, KTFM, and TV stations-KENS, WOAI, and KSAT. You may also call the school (210-651-6811) or CDC office (210-651-6819) and listen to the recorded message or visit the OLPH school/CDC website (www.olphselma.org), which will state the procedure to be followed on inclement weather days. Even though the school may have a delayed start or be closed, child care may be available in the Child Development Center (CDC) from 7 am until 6 pm. Starting and closing times will be dictated by weather conditions and the safe travel of teachers, parents, and students. Call the CDC (651-6819) for operating times or visit the OLPH School website. Because weather and road conditions can differ throughout our area, parents should use their best judgment to determine if travel is safe from their location. Do not jeopardize your safety.
SECTION VI VISITATIONS AND VOLUNTEERING AT THE CDC
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We welcome visits from parents and other family members of the children in our care. There are many opportunities during the year to the CDC office to receive a visitor’s badge.Procedures for Visiting the CDC and/or Participating in CDC Activities: All visitors to OLPH CDC are required to report to the CDC office to receive a visitor’s badge.
Volunteer requirements: In accordance with the Archdiocese of San Antonio Department of Catholic Schools and for the safety of the volunteers, students, and staff, all of the above must be current in the following areas:
1. Virtus Training (for adults)-this course is required every three years2. Sexual Misconduct Training (for adults)-this course is a one-time training session3. Archdiocese-approved criminal background check(CBC) – required every three years
A database of all OLPH employees and volunteers is maintained at the school office and is updated regularly. All volunteers will be required to wear a special ID tag as identification to students and faculty at all times. All volunteers must check in at the CDC office before proceeding to their assignments.Volunteers: Just as Mary’s unselfish contribution of her life to God’s plan was immeasurable, so too are the contributions of time and talent by the many volunteers at OLPH School and CDC.
In modeling our Blessed Mother and patroness, all families are required to participate in OLPH school/CDC’s volunteer program. Each family is highly encouraged to donate of their time and talent a minimum of ten (10) hours to the school community.
OLPH School & CDC offers a variety of volunteer opportunities in which to share your time and talents including the following, but not limited to: P.T.C, School Council, Passive Fundraising, CiCi’s Pizza Nights, the Halloween Carnival, Room Parents, Grandparents Day, Parking lot safety, Moms in prayer, and Spiritual Life Committee.
SECTION VII GENERAL INFORMATIONAnimals in the Classroom: If animals are used in the classroom setting…
Parents will be notified in writing when animals are present; We will ensure that a safe and sanitary environment is maintained; We will ensure that caregivers and children practice good hygiene and hand washing
after coming into contact with an animal or items used by an animal;16
Documentation of vaccinations and statements of health will be on file in the Director’s office.
Communication-Home to School: Parents are always welcome to talk to the Director and/or their child’s teacher about any concerns or complaints they may have. We encourage you to make an appointment; it is difficult for teachers to leave their classrooms during the regular school hours. Teachers’ conference times are normally from 1:45-2:30 pm. Communication-School to Home: Parents are notified of school news and activities in a variety of ways at OLPH CDC. Home communication could include, but is not limited to, medical issues, discipline issues, conferences, and events at the CDC. We strongly recommend that each family take advantage of all the different ways, mentioned below, to gather information on the CDC’s activities, events, and news.
On a weekly basis, each teacher will send home a classroom note. These notes will inform you of what will be happening in the classroom for the week.
In addition, each Wednesday, the Wildcat Blue Folder will be sent home. This folder will bring any campus-wide information that we wish to get to our parents. Examples may be: picture order forms, fundraising information, and upcoming events.
Every Sunday you will receive a copy of our campus newsletter through RenWeb by email. Our newsletter describes any happenings on the campus for the week and gives more details regarding each event, such as dates and times. You will also find a short message form the School Principal & CDC Director and any other important focus for the week. If you do not have internet access and would prefer a hard copy each week please inform the CDC office staff.
On a regular basis, we recommend that you check the display case in the main entry, the teacher’s door area, and classroom parent boards for other information. These areas are display areas for parents to pick up immediate reminders and information such as upcoming picture days, early dismissals or days we are closed.
The CDC in conjunction with the School has the capability to send out an email blast (through RenWeb-see entry below) to all parents who have provided us with their email address. This can be used for things such as a reminder of PTC meetings; but more importantly, it can be used in an emergency situation, to get information to our parents.
Please keep us updated in any change in your email status so that this important communication line stays current and up-to-date.
Parents will be notified in writing if there are any changes in our policies or procedures. Said changes will also be posted in each classroom and on the main bulletin board.
Conferences: OLPH CDC conducts conferences every October. Parents will be asked to schedule a conference time with their child’s teacher. In addition, a conference can be scheduled anytime by OLPH CDC staff or parents if either party feels one would be advantageous. Please remember that we would love to talk to you about your child any time,
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but we must be able to arrange for appropriate staffing during discussions with parents. This also ensures that we can give you our undivided attention during the conference. Daily Schedule: CDC hours are a mix of both an academic program and child care. Parents may participate in both parts of the day or may choose to pick their child up at 11:15 am, which is the close of the academic part of the day. A general overview of a typical day for the K3 and K4 is as follows:
7:00-8:00 Early Arrival8:00-8:15 Arrival, uninterrupted free play time8:15-9:00 Opening Exercises (Circle time)9:00-9:15 Snack9:15-9:45 Outside Time9:45-10:45 Academic centers and small group learning activities/lesson10:45-11:00 Large group activities11:00-11:15 Closing Exercises, prepare for dismissal 11:15-11:25 Prepare for lunch11:25-11:55 Lunch11:55-12:15 Outside playtime12:15-12:30 Prepare for nap12:30-2:30 Nap time2:30-3:00 Snack3:00-3:30 Outside Time3:30-5:30 Classroom activities, centers, story time, circle time5:30-6:30 Clean-up/closing
These times and activities vary due to music and library on a weekly basis and when special events, such as an in-house field trips, are planned.
Dress Code: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Child Development Center considers modesty, neatness, and pride in one’s appearance as essential for the child’s learning environment as well as important training for your child’s future. Children should be dressed in simple, washable clothing suitable for play. While children wear t-shirts/smocks during messy activities, occasionally accidents do occur. Clothing should also have easy access for toileting purposes. Girls wearing dresses must wear shorts underneath. Jewelry can become a strangulation hazard for children (especially during climbing) and may be removed by the classroom teaching staff. On Mass days children should wear their Wildcat Cub T-shirt.
Velcro shoes are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED as footwear since they are soft-soled and provide safe footing. Sandals should not be worn if they do not have a back strap, as they can be dangerous while running or climbing on play structures. Open-toed shoes do not provide adequate safety during climbing and running and classroom teaching staff may request that alternative shoes be worn.
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All children must be able to participate in outdoor learning activities daily (weather permitting) including cold and hot days. Please provide appropriate clothing for cold weather days including hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, coats, etc.
Dress children in cool clothing when the weather is hot, especially providing protection from the sun. Children play in the shaded areas, but still need lighter clothing during warmer weather.
Food Policies: Bringing Food/Treats to the Classrooms: Due to the dangers related to food allergies, classroom teachers will determine what “goodies” will be deemed appropriate to pass out. All food items brought into the CDC must be “store bought!” Items needing preparation (washed, cut, etc.), must be prepped at the CDC and under the supervision of a staff member.
Parties-Birthdays and Holiday Classroom Parties: During the school year, each class will have a Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine party as well as birthday celebrations in their classrooms. Parents may celebrate their child’s birthday with their class. Therefore, if you wish to provide a snack item in celebration of your child’s birthday, it should be arranged and coordinated with your child’s teacher prior to bringing any food items into the classroom. All snacks and baked goods must be from a Health Department inspected kitchen or commercial bakery and/or still in the original factory sealed container or box.
Parents may choose one of the items from the following suggested list or discuss an alternative with their child’s teacher:
*Crackers* *Sugar Free Popsicles* *100% Fruit Juice* *Cheese**Muffins* *Oatmeal Cookies* *Sherbet or Ice Milk* *Cereal Mix*
*Angel Food Cake with Cool Whip & Fruit**Fruit or Vegetable Slices* (must be whole when brought to CDC & prepared on site)
Invitations to private parties may not be passed out in the classroom unless they are given to the entire class.
Cafeteria Service/Lunch Procedures: An optional hot lunch program is available on a pay per meal basis for those CDC students staying all day. Students, who bring their lunch, may purchase milk on a pay per day basis, also. The cost of the meals/milk is accrued through a month’s time, with a bill sent to the parents at the end of the month. Payments may be in cash or by check; checks should be made to OLPH and given to the front desk at the CDC.
1. A calendar is posted in the front entry listing the lunch menu for the current month.2. Hot lunches are based on the nutritional recommendations of the federal
government hot lunch program and take into account both nutritional standards and portions as prescribed by the same. According to government regulations milk is served with all meals. If your child has an allergy to milk or milk products, a doctor’s
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note is required; juice will then be provided. As a reflection of the Archdiocese Department of Catholic Schools Policy on Wellness, students are encouraged to avoid having sodas with their lunches.
3. The price of lunches is determined at the beginning of the school year.4. School lunches need to be ordered by 9:00 am and let the office staff know. If no
lunch order has been placed by 9:00am, parents must provide a lunch for their child.5. All students eat in the multi-purpose room.6. Teachers are not allowed to warm up foods in the microwave.
Snacks:
1. A calendar is posted in the front entry listing the snacks for the current month.2. The CDC provides a snack twice a day (A.M. and P.M.).3. State licensing requires us to offer water at all meal times so we ask that you send a
water bottle with your child each day. Parents are welcome to send reusable bottles. Please keep to a 16 oz. size or smaller; students can always refill their bottle. (please label your child’s bottle)
Mass Days: All PK students attend Mass, on designated Mass days, with the school. The K3 & K4 classes have Mass Helpers from the school who, under the supervision of the classroom teacher and assistant, help the K3 & K4 students walk to and from Church and aid with supervision of students during Mass.
Students should wear their “Spirit T-shirts’ to Mass along with appropriate pants for boys or pants or skirts for girls and closed toe shoes for both boys and girls.
The K4 classes each help the school host one Mass during the year. Teachers will inform parents when these dates are; parents are welcome to attend these Masses.
Parents are always welcome to attend Mass with their child, however, due to limited space we ask that you find your own seat. Parents must bring their child back to the teacher at the end of Mass.
If a student is late arriving to the CDC on a Mass day, parents are required to bring their child over to Church, walk the child into Mass and take the child to his/her teacher. Students and teachers, with their Mass Helpers normally leave for Church by 8:15 am.
Holy Days of Obligation: During the course of the school year, there are numerous days, other than Fridays or designated Mass days, which are celebrated as Holy Days. When this happens, the CDC and school attend these Holy Day Masses. These Holy Days include, but limited to: All Souls’ Day and Ash Wednesday.
Outside Play: State licensing requires that each child must go outside two times per day. This will occur once in the morning and once in the afternoon, weather permitting. Please keep in mind that we will not go out if the temperature is below 45 degrees or above 100 degrees. Please dress your child appropriately for the season and the day.
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RenWeb: RenWeb is used for our main data base. Each family will be receiving a password that allows you access to this program. In accessing RenWeb, parents are able to see the lunch menus, our school/CDC directory, and all announcements from the CDC and school. This is the location for announcement blasts concerning meeting, dates and times, and most importantly, any emergency notices needing to be published (weather announcements, school closures, etc.).
Rest Time: All children are required to rest for one hour. If after the required hour your child has not fallen asleep, the child will be given the opportunity to look at books while remaining on his/her mat. Please do not ask your child’s teacher to keep your child awake. Children may bring a crib sheet, small pillow, and blanket from home for rest time. Please label all articles with your child’s name.
Yearly Events: The CDC has numerous activities that involve both the students and often the families as well. Some of these include, but not limited to:
Back to School/Meet the Teachers Night-Parents and students attend a short orientation prayer service and meeting with the Principal and Director, followed by a visit to the student’s classroom with the teacher;
Campus Clean-up-held one week before school begins; this is an opportunity for the families to come to the campus and help spruce up the grounds, the classrooms and the building for the upcoming school year;
Back to School BBQ – sponsored by the PTC and traditionally held the Saturday following the first week of school;
Parties in the classroom – three parties are held each year, one celebrates Halloween, one for the Christmas holy(i)days, and one celebrating Valentine’s Day;
Picture Days-there is three yearly opportunities for school pictures, including classroom group pictures, individual pictures and the spring pictures. Information be sent home in the Wednesday folder;
Service Opportunities – students are encouraged to support our many service projects; these include, but are not limited to: Sr. Rebecca, IWBS, and her work in Kenya, Africa; Allied Women’s Center Diaper Drive (in conjunction with the parish Youth Group); and St. Jude’s Trike-a-thon;
Book Fairs – there are three book fairs each year sponsored by the school library; teachers will send information as these come up;
CiCi’s Nights-a community night to have a pizza/salad buffet with friends and families at the local CiCi’s restaurant in the Forum. Watch the monthly calendars for these dates;
PTC meetings – a gathering four times per year, with the school parents; normally includes two meetings in the fall and two in the spring;
Health Screenings – regular, yearly screenings are done for sight, hearing etc.; Field Trips – ‘field trips’ are generally held on our grounds, with various groups coming
to the CDC, offering opportunities to expand our students’ learning experiences; these
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include, but not limited to: a visiting zoo, Magik Theater, a magician, and a trail riders, Sea World;
Red Ribbon Week – teaching our students, from the beginning of their school career, to keep themselves safe and drug-free
Fire Prevention Week – bring fire safety awareness to our students; includes a visit from the Selma Fire Department, complete with gear and trucks;
Halloween Carnival – sponsored by the PTC parents are invited to volunteer their services for this fun night;
Halloween Costume Parade – held in the morning; the children parade through the school area of the campus
Christmas Concert – the classes all participate in a concert at the Church; the concert particularly focuses on our celebration of Jesus’ birth, but includes a collection of secular, seasonal songs, as well;
Catholic School’s Week – we celebrate as a nation and here as a century plus community of educators in the Catholic tradition; the week includes a ‘picnic’ for the students and their parents in the gym, a celebration of our ancestors and mentors with grandparents’ day, and a movie night in the gym with the entire community;
Science Fair – the students participate in the yearly science fair held in January in the gym;
Cowboy Breakfast/Trail Riders-held during Rodeo Week, includes making (and eating) breakfast tacos in the CDC, and visiting with the trail riders who stop by the CDC for a visit, complete with horses, mules, and a chuck wagon;
Earth Day – celebration the day before Battle of the Flowers, it opens with Mass and includes activities, sponsored by the 8th grade students, focusing around our gift from God of the Earth;
Easter Egg Hunt – held on our playground, a good way to welcome our Risen Lord with this traditional reminder of new life;
Mother’s Day Teas-held in May for Mom’s, Grand-moms, and special persons; details and an invitation are sent in April; students ‘cook’ and create all kinds of gifts;
Farewell Concert – for all students, a gift to their parents; the K3 and K4 perform an end of the year concert in Church; date and time varies, but normally the second to last week of the K3 and K4 academic program.
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SECTION VIII DISCIPLINE AND GUIDANCE PRACTICES
OLPH CDC Code of Conduct
We believe that all children are good and that God has gifted each child with uniqueness all his/her own. The focus of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Child Development Center is to establish a Christ-like learning environment where each child feels secure and valued. All students have the right to learn and teachers have the right to teach in a Christian learning environment. As children grow and mature, they will enter many different developmental stages. Each of these comes with changes of abilities and/or behaviors. Many of these changes are predictable and desirable, others, while normal, are not. These behaviors, which would be cause for concern, are, for example, frequent biting or extreme tantrums. Because this type of behavior could cause pain or injury to the child or others, we would inform you if your child were showing such behavior.
With young children this type of behavior, while not common, is generally due to the children lacking the ability to express their feelings verbally. Aggressive behavior by the child is used as a form of communication when confronted with a situation for which the child has not yet developed the needed coping skills. While it is considered typical behavior for young children, it is detrimental to the safety and well-being of children in a school setting.
At OLPH CDC, discipline is consistent with the age and needs of the child. Physical punishment is never permitted at OLPH CDC by anyone. Situations can usually be resolved by redirecting children to more appropriate activities, verbal recognition of good behavior and proper guidance on the child’s level, helping the child understand why the conduct is unacceptable and what is acceptable in any given situation. If the child’s behavior is such as to harm themselves or others, the staff member will firmly hold the child, applying appropriate verbal
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alternatives. On rare occasions, a child may be removed from the classroom for a quiet, private talk. Children will never be humiliated or subjected to abusive or profane language, nor punishment in association with food or napping.
If your child is experiencing a change in home environment that may affect his/her behavior, please let your teacher or the director know. In these cases, communication is important. In turn, OLPH CDC will keep you informed of any problems we observe. We will work with you to address the situation.
During the course of a child’s enrollment in the center, he/she may exhibit some behavioral concerns that could manifest themselves in the form of spitting, head banging, hitting, biting, or temper tantrums. As the point when a behavior problem becomes more frequent, severe, result in injury to the child or his/her classmates, reveals a change in the child’s self-esteem or forms a pattern, the school will then contact the parents for a conference.
During the conference the parent/staff team will share information and insights about the child and formulate a written plan of action to follow. This agreement will include, but is not limited to, the type of controls and actions that will be implemented when necessary, dates of follow-up conferences, responsibilities of parents and school staff, and agreement of desired behavioral changes.
Following the conference, the staff and parents will work closely together as a team to help bring the desired change in behavior during the allotted time, the school’s administration will conference again with the child’s parents and at that time offer the following recommendations:
The parents may be asked to seek outside intervention with a professional who may offer additional recommendations to both the center and the family.
The parents may be asked to reduce the amount of hours/days the child is in our school in order to receive outside intervention and target the behavior.
The parents may be asked to withdraw their child on a temporary basis until the inappropriate behavior is under control.
The parents may be asked to permanently withdraw their child from the facility and place their child in another setting that is more applicable to his/her needs.
OLPH CDC reserves the right to and will ask any family to withdraw their child if it is determined we cannot adequately meet the needs of the child/family.
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Home School Relations
Parental CooperationIn order to serve the best interests of all families who attend the CDC, we must expect general cooperation between home and school. In matters of school discipline, the CDC, its staff, and administration must be the final arbiters of student conduct that occurs during school hours or on school grounds. Parents will be informed of and in some cases directly involved in the disciplinary process. Parents can expect to be contacted if disciplinary issues arrive involving their child. This has three focuses:
1. To reinforce the partnership between the CDC and parents in the educational ministry of the child.
2. To keep parents informed of and to enlist the help of our parents in reinforcing this educational ministry.
3. To give closure to parents and students on issues.
Because we recognize the value of each child and our role as an extension of the family, all three focuses are critical to the philosophy of our school and to our educational ministry. It is essential that the authority of both the CDC and its personnel be recognized and respected both by the children who attend classes here and by their parents.
Parental involvement in the life of the school is both desirable and encouraged. Parents are invited to seek clarification in matters both of schoolwork and of student discipline. The tone of such inquiries, however, should be in the spirit of cooperation and mutual support.
Communication with TeachersIf parents have concerns about a grade or some other matter pertaining to a specific course or area, a conference with the teacher involved should be arranged. Every effort should be made on the part of the parent and teacher to satisfy all concerns, if no satisfactory agreement is reached, the parents and/or teacher should contact the Director for additional help in resolving the matter.
1. Parents who need to communicate with teachers should call the school office. Calls will be returned when teachers become available, normally during the teacher’s planning period.
2. Parents may e-mail teachers for routine correspondence or to schedule conferences, and can normally expect to receive a reply within one day. Email should not be used todiscuss academic or behavioral difficulties. These topics can best be solved through telephone conversations or personal conferences. Parents are encouraged to send a courtesy copy of all e-mail correspondence to the Director.
3. Drop-in conferences are discouraged as the teacher is not prepared to give accurate reports without complete records. In addition, it is very important that each teacher and teacher’s assistant give all their attention to their students during the day. Scheduled
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conferences allow for good preparation, better dialogue and maximum planning in how to best meet each student’s needs by both parents and teachers.
4. Please respect the teachers’ private lives after school hours. Avoid calling them at home unless necessary.
SECTION IXARCHDIOCESAN, STATE AND FEDERAL POLICIESParents are welcome to review a copy of the Minimum Standard Rules for Licensed Child-Care Centers and a copy of the CDC’s most recent licensing Inspection Report. Both these items can be found in the Director’s office upon request. The most recent Inspection Report is posted on the main bulletin board in the CDC foyer, There are certain standard rules that are required to be in this manual; these are here for your review.
The below includes policies which are mandated by Archdiocesan, state, and or federal regulations:
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Nursing Mothers:Please note that the CDC does have accommodations for mothers of nursing children. We will provide a comfortable area with an adult sized chair. Every breast feeding mother has the right to breastfeed while on campus.
Transportation: In the event the K3 & K4 children go off campus for a field trip, we will be using the OLPH Blue Bus for transportation. Permission forms will be issued and must be signed before each off campus trip. OLPH CDC will follow all archdiocesan and state policies regarding volunteers.
Water Activities: K3 and K4 children will only participate in water activities during the summer months. Wading pools will be set up on the premises for the children to use. These pools will contain two feet of water or less. Children will be supervised at all times.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) HIV is a pathogen that can be transferred from one person to another in certain specific ways. A person can live with HIV infection for many years without experiencing symptoms of illness.
AIDS is the advantage stage of HIV infection and a life-threatening medical condition. The Center for Disease Control defines the point at which HIV becomes a diagnosis of AIDS. Symptoms of AIDS appear in an adult an average of ten years after infection with HIV; most adults die within two years of an AIDS diagnosis. The disease often progresses more rapidly in infants and children.
Privacy: Pupils or staff members are not required to disclose HIV infection status to anyone in the education system per the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act 1973 (also known as the Buckley Amendment). An individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates confidentiality of the student.
If a child/student has been diagnosed as having HIV/AIDS and has any of the following conditions he/she shall be excluded from attending school:
Vomiting Lack of toilet training Tendency of toilet training Open sores Other medical conditions conducive to spreading the virus
Schools as Weapons-Free ZonesIt is a crime for any person, student or non-student, to carry a firearm or any other type of dangerous weapon within 1,000 feet of school property, onto the school campus or bus, or at school-sponsored athletic, social, or extracurricular activities. Any person who does this will be immediately reported to the police. The Director will notify the parents of any student who is arrested for violation of this statute, which may be grounds for immediate expulsion.
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Substance Abuse1. No student shall possess, attempt to possess, or be under the influence of any of the
following substances on school premises during any school term on or off school premises at a school-related activity, function, or event:
a. Any controlled substances or dangerous drug as defined by law, including but not limited to marijuana, any narcotic drug, hallucinogen, stimulant, depressant, amphetamine, or barbiturate
b. Alcohol or any alcoholic beveragec. Any glue, aerosol paint, or any other volatile chemical substance for inhalationd. Any other intoxicant, or mood-changing, mind-altering or behavior-altering drug.
2. Definitions are as follows:a. ‘Use’ means a student has smoked, ingested, injected, imbibed, inhaled, drunk,
or otherwise taken internally a prohibited substance recently enough that it is detectable by the student’s physical appearance, actions, breath, or speech.
b. Students who violate this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action including expulsion
c. Lockers, (student) automobiles, and other personal property may be searched by administrators for alcohol, drugs, and other controlled substances.
d. A student who uses, in the manner prescribed, a drug authorized by a licensed physician through a prescription specifically for the student’s use shall not be considered to have violated this policy.
e. The transmittal, sale, or attempted sale of what is represented to be any of the above listed substances is also prohibited under this policy. Students involved in such actions shall be expelled from school.
Search and SeizureThe director and/or designee may search student desks, lockers, and belonging including, but not limited to, handbags, briefcases, backpacks, and other items in a student’s possession.
Child Abuse Policy OLPH School and CDC is committed to the physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being of students and to the promotion of Christian family life. The Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of San Antonio will pursue all reasonable measures to assist maltreated children and their families. The Archdiocesan Department of Catholic Schools will:
1. Require that all Catholic schools comply with the requirements of Texas Statutes Family Code Chapter 261-Investigation of Report of Child Abuse or Neglect.
2. Cooperated with official child protective services agencies in identification and reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect.
3. Cooperate with official child protective agencies if officials seek to interview a child at school.
4. Provide Child Abuse Awareness in-service education, including legal requirements, for school personnel. This includes the methods for increasing employee and parent
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awareness of issues regarding child abuse and neglect, including warning signs that a child may be a victim of abuse or neglect and factors indicating a child is at risk for abuse or neglect.
5. Encourage inclusion of appropriate child abuse awareness education in classrooms at all grade levels.
6. Provide guideline for reporting and follow up by school personnel. In the State of Texas the telephone number for making a report is (1-800) 252-5400. The local State Licensing Number is (210) 337-3399. Reporting can be done online at: www.txabusehotline.org.
Harassment-Free Environment for PersonnelPersonal attacks, badgering, harassment, intimidation, abusive or discourteous conduct, and threatening behavior, etc. against faculty or staff by parents will not be tolerated. Any such actions are not acceptable in a Christian environment. Any parent(s) who verbally or physically abuses a teacher or staff member will meet with the director/principal and steps may be taken to include withdrawal of students from OLPH Catholic School & CDC.
Virtus/Safe Environment ProgramAs per the Archdiocesan policy, the Safe Environment Program is taught each October and April of every school year to all students on the campus, K3 – 8th. Our religion curriculum for K3 & K4 incorporates a program of education in child awareness and safety called Safe Environment. The program’s primary goals are to:
Teach students to identify and thwart the lures used to lead children from a safe environment into one where they are vulnerable to exploitation and crime;
Develop tolerance and kindness in each student, helping them recognize they can impact a violent world with peaceful actions;
Nurture each student’s sense of individual worth and to urge them to recognize and respect that in others.
Bullying PolicyOLPH CDC endorses the prevention of bullying through the promotion of kindness, respect, empathy and acceptance. Bullying occurs when a student or other person is exposed repeatedly and over time, with negative action on the part of one or more students or persons. Bullying behavior is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action.
Bullying means engaging in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or physical conduct that occurs within or outside of school property, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, or in a vehicle operated by OLPH or the Archdiocese of San Antonio and that:
1. Has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s property; or
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2. Is sufficiently severe, persistent, and pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student.
This conduct is considered bullying if it:1. Exploits an imbalance of power between the student perpetrator and the student
victim through written or verbal expression or physical conduct; and2. Interferes with a student’s education and substantially disrupts the operation of a
school.Bulling is characterized by the following criteria:
1. It is aggressive behavior or intentional “harm doing”;2. It is carried out repeatedly over time; and3. It occurs within an interpersonal relationship characterized by an imbalance of
power.Anti-Bullying Rules
1. We will not bully others.2. We will try to help students who are bullied.3. We will try to include students who are left out.4. If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an
adult at home.Types of Bullying (overlap can occur)
1. Physical bullying is physical acts of aggression such as hitting, kicking, tripping, or pushing.
2. Emotional bullying is causing harm to someone’s self-esteem or feeling of safety.3. Relational/Social bullying is spreading rumors, intentional exclusion of others,
passing of harmful notes about another person.4. Verbal bullying is threats of physical bullying, name-calling or other insults, such as
making faces or obscene gestures, graffiti on bathroom walls.5. Internet (Cyber) bullying is the spreading of harmful information or lies about others
through email, chats, text, messages, online blogs, cell phones or cameras.6. Sexual bullying is unwanted touching or comments made about a person’s body,
body type or physical features including “wedgies,” bra snapping, and obscene sexual gestures.
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Three Type Bullying ModelPhysical Bullying
Harm to someone’s body or propertyEmotional Bullying
Harm to someone’s self-esteem orfeeling of safety
Social BullyingHarm to someone’s group
acceptance/relational
Verbal Nonverbal Verbal Nonverbal Verbal Nonverbal
LEVEL ONE Expressing physical
superiority Blaming the victim for
starting the conflict
Making threatening gestures
Pushing/shoving Taking small items from others
Insulting remarks Calling names Teasing
Giving dirty looks
Holding nose or other insulting gestures
Gossiping Starting or
spreading rumors
Teasing publicly about clothes, relationships with boys/girls, looks, etc.
Ignoring someone and excluding them from a group
LEVEL TWO (some of these behaviors are against the law) Any Level One
infraction that has occurred more than 3 times
Threatening physical harm
Any Level One infraction that has occurred more than 3 times
Damaging or defacing property
Stealing Starting fights Scratching or biting Pushing, tripping, or
causing a fall Assaulting
Any Level One infraction that has occurred more than 3 times
Harassment :making repeated insults and threats
Insulting your race, color, religion, ethnicity, gender, disability, family, or sexual orientation
Any Level One infraction that has occurred more than 3 times
Saying someone is related to a person considered an enemy of this country (e.g., Osama bin Laden)
Any Level One infraction that has occurred more than 3 times
Ostracizing using notes, Instant Messaging, e-mail, etc.
Any Level One infraction that has occurred more than 3 times
Playing mean tricks to embarrass someone
Posting slander in public places (such as writing derogatory comments about someone in the school bathroom)
LEVEL THREE (most of these behaviors are against the law) Any Level Two
infraction that has occurred more than 1 time
Making repeated and/or graphic threats (harassing)
Practicing extortion (such as taking lunch money)
Threatening to keep someone silent: “If you tell, it will be a lot worse!”
Any Level Two infraction that has occurred more than 1 time
Destroying property Setting fires Physical cruelty Repeatedly acting in
a violent, threatening manner
Assaulting with a weapon
Any Level Two infraction that has occurred more than 1 time
Any Level Two infraction that has occurred more than 1 time
Destroying personal property, such as clothing, books, jewelry
Writing graffiti with bias against your race, color, religion, ethnicity, gender, disability, or sexual orientation
Any Level Two infraction that has occurred more than 1 time
Enforcing total group exclusion against someone by threatening others if they don’t comply
Any Level Two infraction that has occurred more than 1 time
Arranging public humiliation
Gang-Free Zones As a result of House Bill 2086, passed during the 81st Legislature, Regular Session, Chapter 42 of the Human Resource Code, including Section 42.064, effective September 1, 2009:
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This new statute requires that information about gang-free zones be distributed to parents and guardians of children in care at licensed child care centers. The following is a tip sheet to assist in complying with the new law. This information may be posted at your child car operation or copies may be provided to parents.
What is a Gang-Free Zone?A gang-free zone is a designated area around a specific location where prohibited gang related activity is subject to increased penalty under Texas law. The specific location includes day care centers. The Gang-free zone is within 1000 feet of your child care center. For more information about what constitutes a gang-free zone, please consult sections 71.028and 71.029 of the Texas Penal Code.
How to parents know where the gang-free zone ends?The area that falls within a gang-free zone can vary depending on the type of location. The local municipal or country engineer may produce and update maps for the purposes of prosecution. Parents may conduct their local municipality or courthouse for information about obtaining a copy of a map if they choose to do so.
What is the purpose of gang-free zones?Similar to the motivation behind establishing drug-free zones, the purpose of gang-free zones is to deter certain types of criminal activity in areas where children gather by enforcing tougher penalties.
What does this mean for my day care center?A child care center must inform parents or guardians of children attending the center about the new gang-free zones designation. This means parents or guardians need to be informed that certain gang-related criminal activity or engaging in organized criminal activity within 1000 feet of your center is a violation of this law and is therefore subject to increased penalty under state law.
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Emergency Preparedness Guidelines
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Child Development Center
2017-2018
Recent emergencies have demonstrated our inevitable vulnerability in crisis situations. Although we lack control over when and how emergencies happen, we can control our ability to prepare an emergency plan of action in advance. The following guidelines were developed so you, as parents, know what course of action will take place while your child(ren) are in our care. The most important responsibility of all staff members is to make sure the children are safe. Depending upon what emergency arises; rest assured we will get them to a designated safe area.
Tornado/Hurricane – when imminent, initiate the regular tornado drill procedures immediately sounding the tornado alarm (continuous clock bell). School Receptionist will verbally notify the CDC, gymnasium, and choir room).
o CDC Building, Cafeteria & Gym Director/Office Manager will inform each classroom In CDC Building each class to evacuate rooms and move to hallway In Cafeteria each class to move to the kitchen area In Gym all occupants to be moved to “locker” rooms Staff members to cover hallway classroom windows in CDC Staff to direct students to assume a position that affords the best
protection once instructed to do so. (Sitting with head between raised knees and clasped hands covering the head and neck).
Remain in position until the “all clear” is given If necessary, convene Internal Response team to outline response to
aftermath of the tornado. Fire or Explosion
o CDC Building, Cafeteria & Gym Initiate the regular fire drill procedures immediately. Close all windows
and doors to confine the fire. Children in rooms 1, 3, and 5 in CDC building are to exit the front
door of the CDC building and walk down pathway toward the cemetery. Stop once you reach the fence.
Children in rooms 2, 4 and multi-purpose Room in CDC building are to exit the building, use the side gate, and walk
down the pathway toward the cemetery. Stop once you reach the fence.
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Gym to exit the building, walk down pathway to cemetery. Stop once you reach the fence.
CDC Director/Office Manager to call 9-1-1 and state the specific location of the fire or explosion
Attend to student and/or employee safety. Provide first aid to the injured.
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If necessary, convene Internal Response team to outline response to aftermath of the fire or explosion.
Intruder or Hostage Situationso CDC Building, Cafeteria &Gym
If a telephoned or written bomb threat is received the following procedures are to be observed
Silent evacuation. Students will be moved at least 1000 feet away from the building (the CYO Baseball Fields).
Do not use radios, walkie-talkies or cell phones or turn on/off any switches. These transmissions can set off a bomb.
Call 9-1-1 If necessary, convene Internal Response team to outline response to
aftermath of the hostile situation. Gas/Chemical Leak
o CDC Building, Cafeteria & Gym Evacuate building to CYO baseball fields CDC Director/Office Manager to inform maintenance to turn off gas
control valve at the gas meter Open all windows and doors to ventilate the area Call gas company Call 9-1-1 Attend to student and employee safety If necessary, convene Internal Response team to outline response to
aftermath of the gas/chemical leak situation. Stranded Student and Overnight Housing
o CDC Building & Gym Notify parents/guardians of school’s plan for students who are stranded
at CDC When a parent/guardian picks up a student who has been stranded, the
name of the student picked up and the name of the parent/guardian taking the student should be recorded.
If weather related, maintain media contact to keep abreast of the weather Teachers are expected to remain until the Director feels that the
circumstances will allow their dismissal. The Internal Response Team
o Team members consist of the School Principal, Assistant Principal, Academic Interventionist, School Nurse, School Counselor, CDC Director, and Extended Day Coordinator
Responsibilities include: Call 9-1-1 if appropriate. Use the appropriate signals to inform
faculty and students of the crisis.35
Alert any medical or emergency services as needed Activate parent phone tree if necessary Circulates the building to access student and staff response and are
available in case additional help is needed If in the event the team members have determined that students
need to relocated “off campus” the following guidelines have been set:
Contact Selma Police and fire department as they along with staff members from the CDC/School/parish will help to provide transportation to Retama Park Race Track, 1 Retama Parkway, Selma, TX 78154, (210) 651-7000.
Parents will be immediately notified by email first (through RenWeb) and phone once the children get to their relocation destination. Children’s emergency forms, authorization for emergency care and daily sign-in sheets follow each teacher every time they leave the classroom, so we always have all important information at hand. Parents must make sure to keep all phone numbers updated.
Administration/office staff to carry emergency contact information of all students and staff along with medicines, first aid supplies, water, food, megaphone, etc.
At the entrances to every building, gym, cafeteria, and in each classroom we have evacuation and relocation diagrams. Please take the time to look at our safety routes.
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APPENDIX
37
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INDEX
AAbsence Policy.......................................................................................................8Academic Centers (Daily Schedule).....................................................................18Accreditation......................................................................................................... iiActivity Fees / PTC.................................................................................................8Additional Charges (beyond tuition).....................................................................9Administering Medications.................................................................................13Age Requirements.................................................................................................6Allergies...............................................................................................................13Animals in the Classroom....................................................................................17Archdiocesan, State and Federal Policies............................................................26
Nursing Mothers – Accommodations for..................................................27Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) /
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)..................................27Schools as Weapons-Free Zones...............................................................27Substance Abuse.......................................................................................28Search and Seizure....................................................................................28Child Abuse Policy...............................................................................28-29Safe Environment Program.......................................................................29Bullying Policy......................................................................................29-31Gang-Free Zone........................................................................................32
Arrival-Drop Off / Pick-Up......................................................................................7Attendance Policies............................................................................................7-8
BBack-to-School BBQ (Yearly Events)....................................................................21Back-to-School Meet the Teacher Night (Yearly Events).....................................21Baptismal Certificate.............................................................................................6Before and After Hours Policies.............................................................................7Birth Certificate.....................................................................................................6Book Fairs (Yearly Events)...................................................................................22Bullying Policy (CDC and School)....................................................................29-31
CCafeteria Service Option (Food Policies).............................................................20
Payment of Cafeteria ChargesFree / Reduced Price LunchesLunch MenuOrdering Lunches / No Available Microwave
Calendars – Cafeteria Menus / Snack Menus......................................................20Campus Clean-Up (Yearly Events).......................................................................21Catholic Schools Week (Yearly Events)................................................................22
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CDC and School Organizations..............................................................................5School Council & Parent Teacher Club (PTC)
CDC Fees .............................................................................................................. 8Centers (Daily Schedule)......................................................................................18Chicken Pox (Communicable Diseases)...............................................................11Child Abuse....................................................................................................28-29
Policy as per the Texas Family Code /Texas Department of Family and Protective ServicesContact Information – Texas Dept. of Family and Protective Services
Christmas Concert (Yearly Events).......................................................................22Cici’s Pizza Nights (Yearly Events)........................................................................22Circle time (Daily Schedule).................................................................................18Clocking Your Child into CDC.................................................................................7Code of Conduct (School and CDC)................................................................23-24Communicable Diseases......................................................................................11Communication – Home to School......................................................................17Communication – School to Home......................................................................17
Classroom Weekly Note Wednesday WildcatBlue Folder Center’s Monthly NewsletterDisplay Areas in the Main EntryEmail Blasts (RenWeb) – General Information and
Emergency Contact MethodTargeted Notices Sent Home in Child’s Folder
Communication with Teachers.......................................................................25-26Conferences........................................................................................................18
Conference Times for TeachersRequested Conferences – By Teacher of ParentYearly Schedule (Parent-Teacher) Conference in October
Cowboy Breakfast (Yearly Events).......................................................................22Criminal Background Check (CBC).......................................................................16
DDaily Health Checks.............................................................................................12Daily Schedule.....................................................................................................18
Academic Program (8:00 – 11:15am)Day Care (7:00 – 8:00 am / 11:15 – 6:00 pm)
Default of Tuition Agreement..............................................................................10Diarrhea...............................................................................................................12Dietary Restrictions........................................................................................13-14Discipline and Guidance Practices..................................................................23-24Dress Code...........................................................................................................18
Mass Dress................................................................................................20Outside Play..............................................................................................21
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Early Drop Off / Late Pick Up Charges...................................................................7Early Withdrawal...................................................................................................7Earth Day Celebration (Yearly Events).................................................................22Easter Egg Hunt (Yearly Events)...........................................................................22Eligibility for Re-Registration................................................................................. iiEmergency Contact Data.....................................................................................11Emergency Preparedness Guidelines..................................................................33Enrollment Information Form...............................................................................6Enrollment and Withdrawal Procedures............................................................6-7Expected Behaviors (Code of Conduct)..........................................................23-27
FFarewell Concert (Yearly Events).........................................................................22Fever....................................................................................................................11Fever-Reducing Medicines – Use of (Daily Health Checks)..................................12Field Trips (In-House only)...................................................................................22Financial Arrangements.........................................................................................8Fire Drills.............................................................................................................14Fire Prevention Week (Yearly Events).................................................................22Food Policies........................................................................................................19
Brining Food / Treats to CDC (Food Allergies / ‘Store Bought’)Cafeteria Service / Lunch Procedures
‘Friends of Mary’ Volunteer Program (modeled after Our Heavenly Mother)....16
GGang-Free Zones.................................................................................................32General Information............................................................................................17
HHalloween Carnival (Yearly Events).....................................................................22Halloween Costume Parade (Yearly Events)........................................................22Handbook / Policy Changes................................................................................... iiHandling Medical Emergencies...........................................................................11Harassment-Free Environment for Personnel.....................................................29Health and Safety...........................................................................................10-15Health File...........................................................................................................10Health Record........................................................................................................6Health Screenings (Yearly Events).......................................................................22Holidays (CDC – no day care available)...................................................................iHolidays (CDC – day care available.........................................................................iHome School Relations........................................................................................25Hot Lunch Program (Food Policies).....................................................................20
Federal Government Regulations / RecommendationsHours of Operation.............................................................................................I, 7
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IIll Children – coming to school / becoming ill at school......................................11Illness and Exclusion Criteria...............................................................................11Immunization Record............................................................................................6Impetigo (Communicable Diseases)....................................................................12Inclement Weather Policy...................................................................................15Incubation Periods (related to illnesses).............................................................13Index.............................................................................................................. 38-44Introduction........................................................................................................... iiInvitation to Come Visit......................................................................................3-4
J
KKeep Your Child Home If......................................................................................12
LLarge Group Activities / Lessons (Daily Schedule)...............................................18Lice (Pediculosis – Communicable Diseases).......................................................11Lip Balm...............................................................................................................13Lock-Down Drills..................................................................................................14Lunch Procedures (Food Policies)........................................................................20
MMap of Campus......................................................................................... last pageMass Days............................................................................................................20
Mass HelpersMass DressParticipation in MassParents Attending Mass with StudentsMass Schedule / TimesHoly Days of Obligation
Medical Exemption from Immunization..............................................................10Medical History Form............................................................................................6Medication Permission Request Form.................................................................13Medications.........................................................................................................13Minor Accidents..................................................................................................11Mission Statement................................................................................................1Monthly Newsletter............................................................................................17Mother’s Day Teas (Yearly Events)......................................................................22
NNaptime (Daily Schedule)....................................................................................18
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Non-Custodial Parents...........................................................................................8Non-Discrimination Statement.............................................................................. iiNon-Prescription Medications Form.....................................................................6Non-Refundable Registration Fee.........................................................................6Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF)..............................................................................9-10Nursing Mothers-Accommodations for...............................................................27
OOfficial Operating Hours........................................................................................7Outside Play Policy..............................................................................................21Outside Time (Daily Schedule).............................................................................18Over the Counter Medications............................................................................13
PPTC Dues................................................................................................................8PTC Meetings (Yearly Events)..............................................................................22Parent Involvement / Participation (volunteering)..............................................16Parent Teacher Club (PTC).....................................................................................5
Purpose and GoalsParental Cooperation..........................................................................................25Parent-Teacher Conferences in October.............................................................18Parties – Birthday and Holiday Classroom Parties.........................................19, 21
Scheduled Parties at Halloween, Christmas and Valentines.....................22Birthday Celebrations / Recognition Policy on..........................................19Food / Treats for Parties (also see Food Policies).....................................19Invitations to Private Parties – Policy on..................................................19
Past Due Accounts / Non-Sufficient Funds.......................................................9-10Pedialyte – Use of (Daily Health Checks).............................................................12Permission for Vision / Hearing Screening............................................................6Philosophy.............................................................................................................1Physical Punishment – Policy on.........................................................................23Physician’s Statement...........................................................................................6Picture Days (Yearly Events)................................................................................21Pink Eye (Communication Disease).....................................................................11Prescriptions (Medical)....................................................................................6, 13Priorities for Admission.........................................................................................6Procedures for Handling Medical Emergencies...................................................11Procedures for Visiting / Participating at CDC.....................................................16
Q
RRashes (Communicable Diseases / Daily Health Check)......................................12Red Ribbon Week (Yearly Events).......................................................................22
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Registration Fees...................................................................................................6Registration Timeframe.........................................................................................6Release of Child to Person Other than Parent / ID Required.................................7Relocation Plan....................................................................................................14Removal of Student from the CDC Program (Code of Conduct).....................23-24RenWeb.........................................................................................................17, 21Requesting Conferences with Your Child’s Teacher............................................18Rest Time (Naps) Policy on..................................................................................21
Supplies for Rest TimeReturning to School (after an illness).............................................................12-13
SSafe Environment Program.................................................................................29Safety Drills..........................................................................................................14Scabies (Communicable Diseases).......................................................................12School Council.......................................................................................................5
Organization of Council Mission of Council Members ofCouncil Days / Time of Meetings
Attendance / Participation of Non-Council Members Executive SessionNon-Council Member Wishing to Address the Council – Policy
On Council as a Non-Grievance CommitteeScience Fair (Yearly Events).................................................................................22Service Opportunities – Helping in the Community (Yearly Events)....................21Sexual Misconduct Training.................................................................................16Skin Disease / Communicable Diseases...............................................................11Small Group Learning Activities / Lessons (Daily Schedule)................................18Snacks..................................................................................................................20
Snack MenusSnack TimesUse of Water Bottles
Snack Time (Daily Schedule)................................................................................18Sodas at Lunch / Archdiocese Dept. of Catholic Schools Policy on Wellness......20Special Health Needs......................................................................................13-14Special Needs Students.........................................................................................6Standards – State of Texas, Dept. of Family and Protective Services.............26-32Story Time (Daily Schedule).................................................................................18Student Accident Insurance................................................................................14Supply Fee for PK...................................................................................................8
TTable of Contents.............................................................................................. iv-viTardies...................................................................................................................8Temperature Checks Health Checks)...................................................................12Three Types of Bullying Model............................................................................31Time Out as a Consequence (Code of Conduct)..................................................24
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Toilet Training.......................................................................................................6Tornado Drills......................................................................................................14Transportation.....................................................................................................27Tuition..............................................................................................................8-10Tuition Management System Company – FACTS...................................................9Tuition Assistance................................................................................................10Tuition Payment Methods..................................................................................8-9
U
VVaccine Preventable Disease for Staff.................................................................12Vaccine Requirements for Child Care Centers................................................36-37Virtus Training...............................................................................................16, 29Vision and Hearing Screening..............................................................................14Visitations and Volunteering...............................................................................16Visitor’s Badges...................................................................................................16Volunteer Data Base (Parish / School / CDC).......................................................16Volunteer Opportunities.....................................................................................16Volunteer Requirements.....................................................................................16Volunteering at the CDC / School........................................................................16Volunteers – Goals of the Volunteer Program....................................................16Vomiting..............................................................................................................12
WWait List Policy......................................................................................................6Water Activities...................................................................................................27
Time FrameWater Bottles in Class..........................................................................................20We Believe Statement........................................................................................1-2Wednesday Wildcat Blue Folder.........................................................................17Welcome Letter.................................................................................................... iiiWhat You Might See at the Center....................................................................3-4Withdrawal Procedures.........................................................................................7Withdrawal from CDC / Refunding of Tuition........................................................7Written Accident Reports....................................................................................11
X
YYearly Events – List on....................................................................................21-22Your Child Will Be Sent Home If..........................................................................12
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