Health and Safety

Before and After School

The cafeteria opens at 8am for breakfast.  Classroom doors open at 8:15.  Students should not be on campus prior to 8am as there may not be supervision available. In the afternoon, unless students are engaged in an after-school activity supervised by an adult, all students are expected to be off the grounds by 3:15pm.  Parents are expected to make arrangements for children in order to comply with this rule.  This is standard school protocol and is intended to ensure the safety of all Village School students.  If you become unexpectedly delayed in picking up your child, please call the office at 345-7285.

Clothing and Personal Belongings

The Village School’s day is active; therefore, clothing should accommodate an active student.  Shoes should be comfortable and practical for the playground.  Students in K-4 should have a comfortable pair of indoor shoes to change into every day. Water shoes or cozy slippers work well.

Students play outside every day, regardless of weather and should have a complete set of rain gear at school. This should include a hat or hood, waterproof coat, rain pants, and boots. Each child has a clothing hook, and we suggest bringing a cloth bag with a complete change of clothes, including extra socks.

On P.E. days, students are expected to wear clothing that is comfortable and loose fitting enough for ease of movement. If girls wear dresses, they should wear shorts underneath for unrestricted movement. For grades 1-2, indoor shoes can be worn for movement class provided that they do not fall off when skipping or jumping. Bedroom slippers, sandals, rain boots, or dress shoes are not appropriate. For grades 3-8, a designated pair of gym shoes should be kept at school for P.E.  The shoes should have good traction and lace up (slip-ons are discouraged). Aqua sox for grades 3-8 do not provide enough support for the activities of P.E. class.

Drop Off/Pick Up

We want students’ transition between home and school to be conscious and meaningful, and, in grades kindergarten through fourth, we require parents (or the drop off/pick up person) to take the child to the classroom.  It may mean a little extra trouble parking the car and walking in, but it allows time to say hello to other parents and to the teacher. Times are as follows:

• Kindergarten              8:30 – 11:45, Monday-Thursday; after care is 11:45-2:30
• 1st-3^rd  Grade              8:30 – 2:30
• 4^th-8^th Grade                8:30 – 2:45

Emergency Procedures

If a student, parent, or staff member has a serious injury or medical condition on site, office staff will assess the scene and call 911 if necessary.  The office staff will appoint someone to wait in the parking lot to direct medical personnel to the scene.  If the emergency occurs in the classroom, the class teacher will ask students to leave the room.  Parents would also be asked to vacate the room; only parents with medical training may remain in the room.  All parents and students are asked to stay clear of the area and to respect the confidentiality and dignity of the injured or ill person.  A helpful, calm environment is ideal in such emergencies.  If a child is involved in an emergency, the parent will be notified by telephone.  If we are unable to contact the parents, we will call emergency contact numbers provided on your child’s enrollment form. Please be sure to keep the office updated on any changes with student information.

Emergency Drills and Preparedness

The Village School’s Safety Committee organizes the school’s drills and preparedness.  Each month we do a drill such as fire, earthquake, lock-down, evacuation, directed response, etc.  Classrooms are equipped with first aid kits and emergency food and water.

School Closure/Snow Days

The Village School follows 4j School District school closure decisions.  If you are unsure if there will be school due to weather conditions, many local TV and radio stations will report closures as soon as they receive notice.  Please use local media to determine if there will be school.

Field Trips and Driving

Field trips are an integral part of our school curriculum.  Because these trips are part of the program and occur during the school day, we will have the same behavioral expectation of students as in the classroom.  If students behave inappropriately, they will receive the same consequences as if they were in the school building and, in addition, may be excluded from future field trips.  The school Administrator and teacher may, based on prior behavior, decide to exclude a student from participating in a field trip.  Parents will receive a permission slip prior to the trip describing the purpose of the trip, where the student will be traveling, and when the student will leave and return.  Students will not be allowed to participate without signed permission slips.

The Village School asks parents to drive on field trips.  Parents who volunteer to drive on filed trips must supply current driver’s license, insurance. and registration to be copied and kept on file in the School office.  Criminal Background Checks are also required.  All adults who serve as school trip drivers and/or supervisors must maintain a standard of exemplary conduct and behavior. That includes, but is not limited to,

§  Adhering to the posted speed limits

§  Refraining from smoking in the presence of students while on the trip

§  Ensuring that each child and the driver have and use a seat belt

§  Neither consuming nor providing for another any alcohol or judgment-impairing drug substance prior to or during the event

§  Avoiding unplanned stops; following the route and stops designated by the teacher

§  Ensuring that children sitting in front of an airbag meet age, height, and weight requirements

Child Abuse and Neglect

Any school employee having reasonable cause to believe that any student with whom he or she comes in contact has suffered abuse, or that any adult with whom he or she comes in contact has abused a student, is mandated to report it immediately to DHS—Child Welfare Services or a law enforcement agency. Staff members are not allowed to inform parents of such reports.  School staff will cooperate with investigation of possible child abuse being conducted by DHS or a law enforcement agency.

Contagious Diseases

If a child becomes ill at school with symptoms such as vomiting, fever, rash or diarrhea, the school will call the parent or emergency contact person to pick up the child as soon as possible.  Children with symptoms of other contagious diseases, including strep throat, conjunctivitis, or impetigo will be excluded from school until 24 hours after prescribed treatment has begun.  Children with lice must be treated before they may return.  All clothing and belongings must be sent home for treatment.

The school will post notices outside the classroom door if there is a contagious disease or lice in that classroom.  Notice will also be given in the Village Voice.

Medicine

Oregon state law requires that any medicine that children need to take while at school must be administered by a person who has passed Medicine Administration Training. Members of The Village School staff have received this training.  Please bring all medicines you would like your child to take while at school to the office and complete a medication form.  We will make sure your child takes the correct dose at the right time.  We will make sure the medicine isn’t lost or taken by someone else’s child.  This includes over-the-counter medicines such as Tylenol, cough medicines, or cortisone creams.  All medicines must be in their original containers.  Prescription medicines must be prescribed for the child who is to receive the medicine at school.  Only the dosage listed on the package will be administered. There are no exceptions to medicine handling procedures.

Security

If your child is to go home with someone other than the people listed as one of your emergency contacts in your enrollment paperwork, you must notify the office first.  We will not let children leave school with anyone you have not clearly designated.  Be sure to keep the School informed with the most current information about who will be picking your children up.  If your child has a play date with another family after school, please let your class teacher know about the arrangement in advance.

Visitors & Volunteers

All visitors and volunteers must check in at the office and pick up a badge to wear.  Volunteers must record their volunteer hours in the office.  There is a small file box on the front desk for this purpose.  Village School families are requested to contribute and record 40 hours of volunteer work at the School each year and single parent households, 20 hours. (Please see our section on volunteering for more details).