Education and Safe Church Policy 2017-2018

1. Screening of Staff for children’s ministry. 

                a. All members and non-members in a leadership or assistance role in Sunday School, Kid Connection, Catechism, and Jr. High and Sr. High YPS must be approved by council.  Names will be submitted to a council meeting before any new staff or assistant may participate.

                b. All members and non-members in a leadership role must be at least 18 years of age. 

                c. All adult guests of staff must be within the company of regular staff when attending.  Anyone under 18 will be encouraged to attend the classes and events appropriate to their age level.*

                d. Anyone loitering at the church during church education events will be asked to leave.

                e. At least two adult staff must remain at the church until all students have left.  Likewise, all staff members are responsible to see that children are picked up by a parent or known family member or friend by the staff in communication with the children’s parents.

2.  Awareness and Prevention of Abuse of children.

                a. Corporal punishment and abusive verbal discipline is not permitted.  If a student’s misbehavior goes beyond minor correction, the parents should be phoned and asked to pick up the student.  When misbehavior increases or becomes an ongoing problem additional parents or aides will be brought in to help supervise the class or event.

                b. Children must be told what is expected of them in the classroom and event.  Children must refrain from hitting, kicking, or injuring anyone in the classroom.

                c. Only approved adult staff or family member of the child will be permitted to accompany and assist small children to the restroom.  The door must remain open while the restroom is being used by small children when being assisted. 

                d. One adult member of the congregation must be present and free to monitor the church building during church education activities.  That position and the person(s) holding it must be specifically approved by the council.  All staff and children must be accounted for at all times by that individual.

*Exceptions to this rule will be handled on a case by case basis according to the individual situation. (revised February, 2011)

3.  Classroom Safety and weather policy

                a.   The minimum class size is 2 or more students.  If less than two students are in attendance there must be at least two adult staff or one adult staff and parent of the child in the classroom or class will be cancelled. 

                b. The curtain(s) to the outside window(s) must be opened and remain open during class time in the Council and Sunday School rooms.

                c. All church education activities will be cancelled on days in which school is cancelled regardless of the weather conditions in the evening.  Exceptions to the rule will only be allowed when parents are phoned by staff.

                d. Other cancellations will be determined by the Education Director in consultation with local weather advisories on radio, the Pastor and other teachers and assistants.  All church education activities will be cancelled when non-travel advisories are given by local authorities and during severe weather.

4.  Church Cleanup and lights.

                a. General church cleaning is the duty of the church custodian.  However church education staff should do a general cleanup of the rooms and kitchen area and check the restrooms for any mess or un-flushed toilets.

                b. Church Education staff and kitchen helpers should wash, dry and put away any dishes used during a church education event.

                c. All lights should be turned off in the church and the main entry doors locked before the last person exits the building.  Before leaving make sure that no children are remaining at the church.

5.  High School Outings.

                a. As a rule of thumb, at least one adult staff or parent should be present within vehicles operated by students during travel to and from events.  Whenever possible, drivers for Jr. High and High School outings should be adult staff or parents.

                b. Any overnight activity by Jr. High and Sr. High students must be approved by signature of a parent or guardian with a clear explanation given to them of times and places where the students are staying and the activities of the outing.

                c. Policies 1-4 also apply to these outings.