CHILDREN AND YOUTH CLASSROOM PROTECTION GUIDELINES
Laurel Street Mennonite Church is committed to creating a safe and healthy environment in which young people can learn about and experience God's love. It is the policy of the church to provide adequate supervision for all classroom activities. We also expect all employees and volunteers who work with minors to complete and submit an application to be Approved Adults.
Parents will complete a Registration, Medical Information & Release, and General Permission – Children & Youth Form when a child first enters an education classroom. Children will only be released to those persons listed on the form.
Copies of this policy referring to general or specific protection guidelines will be provided to the parents of children attending Christian Education Class, Children’s Church and youth group activities.
In every classroom there will be at least two Approved Adults.
No teacher shall be alone with a child in the bathroom for purposes of toileting, clean up from craft or art projects, or care of injury, except when necessary. In this case the door to the bathroom and classroom shall be kept open. No teacher working with our children shall place him/herself in a compromising situation by being alone with a child or children out of sight of other teachers or aides.
Normally teachers who accompany a child to the bathroom should remain outside the bathroom door while the child is inside.
If a child needs assistance with dressing, undressing or cleanup, two Approved Adults shall be present.
If a child needs assistance with dressing, undressing or cleanup, and only one Approved Adult is available, the door to the bathroom shall be left open.
If anything unusual occurred during this assistance, the parent will be notified at pickup.
If for any reason, a teacher or caregiver is left alone in a classroom, the classroom door shall remain ajar. Children in grades 3-12 can use the bathrooms unescorted, provided they return within a reasonable time frame. This privilege can be granted or rescinded at the teacher's discretion.
When Christian Education teachers of the Youth Class (grades 6-12) take a class off of the church grounds they must have the signed, written permission form from each youth's parent or guardian in their possession. The original form must be kept with the teacher, and a copy of the form kept in the church office.
Report any inappropriate conduct or relationship between an Approved Adult or caregiver and a child promptly to the Safe Sanctuary Coordinator.
Limit-setting is directed toward maximizing the growth and development of the children and for protecting the group and the individuals within it. Positive reinforcement is the major tool of appropriate disciplining. Verbalize to the child when he/she is behaving in an appropriate manner. Redirect a child who appears to be 'headed for trouble'. If a child is repeatedly displaying inappropriate behavior, and redirecting has not worked, and talking to the child has not worked, then the parent will be notified. The teacher will pass on information of repeated inappropriate behavior to the Safe Sanctuary Coordinator. No one shall: use corporal punishment, including spanking, humiliation or verbal abuse.
Laurel Street Mennonite Church is committed to creating a safe and healthy environment in which young people can learn about and experience God's love. It is the policy of the church to provide adequate supervision for all classroom activities. We also expect all employees and volunteers who work with minors to complete and submit an application to be Approved Adults.
Parents will complete a Registration, Medical Information & Release, and General Permission – Children & Youth Form when a child first enters an education classroom. Children will only be released to those persons listed on the form.
Copies of this policy referring to general or specific protection guidelines will be provided to the parents of children attending Christian Education Class, Children’s Church and youth group activities.
In every classroom there will be at least two Approved Adults.
No teacher shall be alone with a child in the bathroom for purposes of toileting, clean up from craft or art projects, or care of injury, except when necessary. In this case the door to the bathroom and classroom shall be kept open. No teacher working with our children shall place him/herself in a compromising situation by being alone with a child or children out of sight of other teachers or aides.
Normally teachers who accompany a child to the bathroom should remain outside the bathroom door while the child is inside.
If a child needs assistance with dressing, undressing or cleanup, two Approved Adults shall be present.
If a child needs assistance with dressing, undressing or cleanup, and only one Approved Adult is available, the door to the bathroom shall be left open.
If anything unusual occurred during this assistance, the parent will be notified at pickup.
If for any reason, a teacher or caregiver is left alone in a classroom, the classroom door shall remain ajar. Children in grades 3-12 can use the bathrooms unescorted, provided they return within a reasonable time frame. This privilege can be granted or rescinded at the teacher's discretion.
When Christian Education teachers of the Youth Class (grades 6-12) take a class off of the church grounds they must have the signed, written permission form from each youth's parent or guardian in their possession. The original form must be kept with the teacher, and a copy of the form kept in the church office.
Report any inappropriate conduct or relationship between an Approved Adult or caregiver and a child promptly to the Safe Sanctuary Coordinator.
Limit-setting is directed toward maximizing the growth and development of the children and for protecting the group and the individuals within it. Positive reinforcement is the major tool of appropriate disciplining. Verbalize to the child when he/she is behaving in an appropriate manner. Redirect a child who appears to be 'headed for trouble'. If a child is repeatedly displaying inappropriate behavior, and redirecting has not worked, and talking to the child has not worked, then the parent will be notified. The teacher will pass on information of repeated inappropriate behavior to the Safe Sanctuary Coordinator. No one shall: use corporal punishment, including spanking, humiliation or verbal abuse.
