Health & Safety

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Students will be dropped off in the church parking lot. They proceed from the parking lot to the school area where they assemble until the first bell rings at 8:03 a.m. Teachers will be present in the yard by the second bell at 8:07 a.m. In inclement weather students assemble in the school gym.

At dismissal parents/guardians meet the students in the church parking lot. Teacher will escort students of grades 1 through 7 to the church parking lot where students are released to parents/guardians. No cars should leave the lot until the children are safely inside the vehicles. Exit is a right turn on Fort Lee Road. Kindergarten students are picked up at the private entrance to the classroom.


Health Services
A nurse is available at the school on a part-time basis. Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. If the nurse is not on duty, an injured or sick child is sent to the office.

Among the services provided by the nurse are eye, hearing and scoliosis screening as well ass provisions for dental screening and medical examinations.


Emergency Cards
Emergency cards are kept on the file in the nurse's office and are updated annually. It is the parent's/guardian's responsibility to notify the school office of any changes in phone numbers or emergency contacts.


Illness or Injury
When a child becomes ill or is seriously injured at school, the parent/guardian will be notified. No child may be sent home by himself/herself. The parent/guardian must come into the building and sign the child out. No child may leave the school without an adult.

No care beyond emergency first aid (defined as the immediate temporary care given in case of an accident or sudden illness may be given by any school personnel. In an emergency, the Bogota Ambulance Unit will be contacted. An official accident report will be completed by the school.


Fire Drills
In keeping with State Law, fire drills are held twice a month. Teachers review the fire drill procedures with their classes.


Visitors
For the safety of our children, all visitors (including parents) must report to the School Office. If a parent needs to bring something to school for a child during the day, s/he may bring it to the school office.


Student Insurance
Saint Joseph students are covered by the Student and Sport Accident Insurance purchased by the Archdiocese of Newark. In the event that a student is injured when participating in a supervised activity, the Archdiocesan policy will help pay expenses incurred for medical treatment that are in excess of benefits payable under any other insurance covering the student.

Claim forms may be obtained from the school nurse or at the rectory office.


Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect
New Jersey State Law requires that any person who has reasonable cause to believe that child may have been subjected to abuse or neglects, must make a report to the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services.


Asbestos Management Plan
Saint Joseph Asbestos Management Plan is on file in the school office, as required by the Federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). This document is available for examination upon request.


Administration of Medication
Saint Joseph School strongly discourages the administration of either prescription or non-prescription medication in school or on field trips. However, if it is absolutely essential that a student receive medication while under School supervision, the following procedures apply:

· A parent/guardian should come to the School and personally administer the medication.

· If this arrangement is not possible, the School Nurse or the Principal (or his/her designee) will administer the medication under the following conditions:

1. The medication must be given to the School Nurse or Principal by the parent/guardian; 2. The medication must be in the original pharmacy-labeled container; 3. The Parent/guardian and the student's physician must complete and sign an "Authorization to Administer Medication in School" form. This form is available from the School.

Students will be permitted to self-administer medication only for life-threatening illnesses or conditions. The parent/guardian must schedule a conference with the School Nurse to discuss in detail the need for the medication. The parent/guardian and the student's physician must complete and sign an "Authorization for Self-Administration of Medication in School" form. This form is available from the School (See Appendix).