Standard and Policies     (POLICIES  #6 THRU #17)

6) Confidentiality Agreement Prohibited

In accordance with section 1001.42(6), Florida Statutes, neither the school board nor any employee of the school board may enter into a confidentiality agreement, written or verbal, with an instructional personnel or school administrator who resigns, is terminated, or resigns in lieu of termination due to allegations, in whole or in part, of misconduct related to the health safety or welfare of student. Any part of an agreement that has the purpose or effect of concealing misconduct which affects the health, safety or welfare of a student is void and contrary to public policy and shall not be enforced.

7) Reference Checks

Christ-Mar School standards and policies states that neither the school nor any employee of the school may provide instructional personnel or school administrators with employment references or discuss their performance with prospective employers from another educational setting without also disclosing the personnel’s or administrator’s misconduct.

In accordance with section 78.095, Florida Statutes, an employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer of the former employee is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the former or current employer was knowingly false or violated any civil right of the former or current employee protected under chapter 760, Florida Statutes.

8) Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace

No employee shall posses, consume, sell, distribute, dispense, use or be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage in the workplace, including all school sponsored events that may be on or off school grounds. No employee shall posses, consume, inject, or ingest, sell, manufacture, distribute, dispense, use or be under the influence of. On or off the job, or in the workplace, including all school sponsored events that may be on or off school grounds, any narcotic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, or any other controlled substance, as defined in the Controlled Substances Act and as further defined by regulations at 21 CFR 12001.11 through 1300.15 or Florida Statutes Chapter 893, without a lawful prescription. As a condition of employment, each employee will abide by the terms of this policy and notify the Director of any arrest for a criminal drug offense within 48 hours.

9) Perform duties in a competent manner

Continuing evaluation of instructional and administrative staff is necessary to enable the school to monitor the effectiveness and competence of instructional and administrative staff members and to assist them in the improvement of their professional performance. In accordance with section 1012.34, Florida Statutes, the performance and capacity of instructional and administrative staff shall be evaluated according to procedures established by the Director.

Physical Examinations and Medical Evaluations

 The director may required a physical, psychological, and/or psychiatric examination by a physician licensed in the state of Florida when in the Director’s judgment such and examination is relevant to the teaching performance or employment status of the school employee. The Director shall select the physician(s), psychologist(s), or psychiatrist(s) and shall pay all costs incurred in the examination(s). The employee shall allow the report of the physician, psychologist, or psychiatrist to be submitted to the Director with a copy being forwarded to the employee.

10) Conflicts of Interest

No employee shall engage in conduct, which creates a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest shall be defined as a situation in which regard for a private interests tends to lead to disregard of a public duty or interest.

                                                       11) Acceptable Use of School Property and Resources

All employees shall use school resources, electronic and otherwise, only for duties and activities in support of the educational goals and policies of the school. Use of such resources, electronic and otherwise, for purposes not related to the educational goals and policies of the school can result in adverse action against the employee, put to and including termination and, when appropriate, certification action and/or criminal charges.

                                                           12) Weapons

Christ-Mar School prohibits all staff from possessing, storing, making, or using a weapon of any kind at our school or school events.

                                                        13) Security of Tests

All mandatory national norm-referenced achievement tests are secured at our school office. The loss of testing materials, cheating or any other breach of test security procedures and laws shall be reported immediately to the testing coordinator.

                                                           14) Dress Code

All instructional staff and school administrators shall be physically clean, neat and well groomed and shall dress in their school uniform. Failure to comply with the dress codes will result in disciplinary action.

15) Health and Safety Policies

The health and safety of each child is paramount at Christ-Mar School . The following are our school’s stipulated policies:

a) LICENSES/INSPECTIONS: Christ-Mar has been regulated, licensed and inspected by the Dept. of Health & Rehabilitative Services (HRS), since its inception in 1984. Christ-Mar adheres to all safety and health standards as set forth by City, State and County regulations pertaining to the Fire Department and Health Department. We are visited regularly by inspectors to ascertain compliance with all regulations.

b) SUPERVISION: Students are not to be left unattended or unsupervised at any time.

c) STUDENT PICK UP: Students are not permitted to be picked up by anyone other than those persons listed on the student’s Registration Form, unless written permission is received from the parents or Legal Guardian.  In order for a child to be called for dismissal, the person picking up the child must first sign in giving basic information at the reception office. If there is a question concerning person(s) unknown to us who are attempting to pick up child, child cannot leave the premises until parents have been contacted personally. Once authorized, we will make a copy of their Driver’s License (or other picture I.D.). In cases of divorce, parent retaining custody must furnish legal document or Court Order with instructions.

d) STUDENT RECORDS: Detailed records are kept on each child inside a fire-proof filing cabinet located at the main office. These files contain student’s Registration Form, Annual Agreement, Immunization Records, Health Certificate, Standardized Test scores, Transcripts and Psychological Reports/Assessments, (if applicable). All student records are considered strictly confidential.

e) ACCIDENTS/INCIDENTS: All faculty members have Accident/Incident Reports in duplicate that they must fill out giving all details, including date, location, witnesses and brief description of occurrence. The original form is given to the parents and a copy is filed in student’s file. Employees must immediately inform the office of any accident or incident and must fill out this form. All injured students must be sent to the office immediately. Depending on severity of circumstance, parent is contacted by phone, advised of accident/incident, and either instructed to pick up child or given any other necessary instructions.

f) ILLNESSES: In case of an illness, children are to be sent to the office where it will be determined if they need to be isolated in the First-Aid Room until parents arrive to pick them up. Contagious diseases may be reported to the Health Department.

 g) MEDICATIONS: All medications are kept in a locked cabinet and are not accessible to the students. Medications will not be accepted without the signed “Authorization for Medication Form”.  All dosages given are documented by person administering it in The Medication Chart posted in each classroom. This indicates name of medicine, time administered and dosage given.

 ) TRANSPORTATION: All Christ-Mar employees are prohibited from transporting students to or from any location, including field trips or their home, under any circumstances. Christ-Mar does not own any busses or vans. All transportation is arranged directly by the parents. A school bus or van is sub-contracted for all Field Trips.

i) VISITORS: For the safety of all students, parents and/or visitors are not allowed to enter the school halls or classrooms without prior permission from the school office. Parents that need to speak to teachers are instructed to either send a written note, an e-mail or to leave a voice mail message. All faculty/staff members are instructed to immediately report any unauthorized persons observed walking inside school campus.

 j) SECURITY: There is only one main door (front door) open for ingress/egress during school hours. An electronic Fire Alarm system is installed throughout the building with the required pull stations and sirens. The Alarm system is connected to the electric smoke detectors. There are emergency lights and fire extinguishers located in all required areas, per Fire Department code.

k) TRAINING: Christ-Mar employees are trained in security measures:

1. Meetings regarding Health & Safety take place several times a year, during the Faculty meetings.

2. Teachers have the duties of a prudent parent when making decisions regarding the safety of each child.

3. Teachers are repeatedly instructed to maintain constant supervision and to look out for the safety and well-being of ALL students, not only their class. They are to immediately report any hazards, broken items, students with behavioral problems or liability risks, etc. to the office immediately.

4. Students are instructed to walk, not run throughout the school campus.  

l) FIRE DRILLS: Fire Drills are conducted monthly and the results are timed and evaluated. Each classroom has an Exit plan posted by the door. All teachers are responsible for practicing this exit route. Guidelines:

1. Once the fire alarm is sounded, ALL students must immediately stand up and line up in silence, leaving behind all their belongings, including handbags and book bag.

2. Students must walk out, not run, in an orderly manner and go directly and quickly to the designated waiting area.

3. Teachers must make sure that classrooms and bathrooms are empty before leaving. Teacher must take the Attendance Record book with him/her, turn off all lights and close the door before leaving.

4. Once class is lined up outside with teacher, students must wait quietly until the Principal or Assistant Principal personally indicate that it is all right to return to class. At this time, students must once again walk in absolute silence, in line, back to the class.

16) Tobacco Use in School Facilities

All use of tobacco products in any form are prohibited in or on any part of the building, facility or property.

17) Electronic Communications and Social Networking Sites

Instructional Personnel and School Administrators shall use caution and good judgment when using electronic communications and social networking sites. Any information relayed to students via electronic communications shall be professional in nature and related to student’s academic progress. Any information posted to or communicated through a social networking site shall not bring disfavor, embarrassment or condemnation to the employee, student or school.