STAFF AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMANT DAYS:

Warrick County buses will run on staff and program development days. After school care will be available on early dismissal days except on Parent/Teacher Conference days.

VISITORS:

In order to protect our children, it is most important that all visitors report to the school office upon entering the FRONT of the building. Parents may visit the classroom but need to be mindful that teachers are teaching and all visits must be approved through the office. All other doors will be locked. Due to health, safety, and fire regulations, we are asking parents who come to school, including all volunteers, to please sign in at the office and pick up a visitor badge - badges must be worn by all.

CLOSING OF SCHOOL DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER:

The closing of school due to snow or other weather conditions will be announced over local news media (WIKY - 104.1) prior to 7:00 a.m. Please wait for the 7:00 a.m. announcement rather than attempt to call the news media or the school. We will follow the Warrick County School procedure.

EMERGENCY DISMISSAL

In the event that students are in school and the entire school is to be dismissed early without advance notice, the principal will call station WIKY (104.1) for this to be announced. It would be wise for parents to work out a system of "what to do" should your child need to be sent home without notice. All dismissal procedures follow Warrick County Public Schools.

EMERGENCY CARDS are kept in a file box next to the phone in the school office. It is VERY IMPORTANT that these cards be kept up-to-date. In the event of a change of phone number, address, parents' employment phone number, etc., please inform the school administrative assistant. It is also EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that both sides of the emergency card be filled out and an explanation be given to your child concerning exactly what he/she should do in the event there is an emergency dismissal. Please note: BOTH parents/guardians MUST sign the emergency card! The card is due the first week of school and will be sent back home if both have not signed it.

FIRE, TORNADO, AND EARTHQUAKE DRILLS:

FIRE DRILLS are held monthly to acquaint the students with the proper exits in case of an actual fire. Each room has a designated exit for evacuation.

TORNADO DRILLS are likewise held to familiarize the students with the proper procedure as distinct from the fire drill procedure.

EARTHQUAKE DRILLS will be held also to familiarize students with earthquake procedures.

St. John School wants to provide a school health program to promote and protect the health of our children. The school health services provided should be considered part of the school program.

The school nurse(s) at St. John's are volunteers. The Warrick County Public Health Nurse is available for consultation and will assist whenever possible with screenings and with any other problem that may arise.

Every school year, screening procedures are carried out to detect children who may need further attention in specific areas. Visual acuity screening and audiometric testing is performed on students in kindergarten; visual acuity screening, grades 1,3,8; audiometric testing, grades 1,4,7 and scoliosis screening in grades 5 and 7. Screenings are also done on all new students and any referrals from teachers and/or parents. These screening tests help to identify health needs and problems that might interfere with learning. Referrals are made by sending a referral slip home with the student and usually talking with the parent by phone.

Permanent Health Records are kept at school for each student. This includes disease and immunization records, as well as a record of physical exams, screenings, allergies, accidents and any other health problems the school should be aware of in order that the students' needs can be anticipated and cared for.

Parents are urged to help keep these records up-to-date by informing the school of immunizations received and of any health problem that may arise.

Immunizations are required for all children. The Indiana State Board of Health states that parents of all children enrolled at St. John School shall furnish written evidence that the child has been immunized against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, measles (Rubeola), Rubella and poliomyelitis. This statement must be signed by an Indiana physician.

The law also requires that every child who is enrolled in kindergarten or first grade, whichever constitutes enrollment for the first time in the school corporation, must show written evidence of a tuberculin test and three (3) Hepatitis B immunizations.

Physical examination - It is recommended that a report of a recent physical examination be given to the school by those entering kindergarten (or first grade), sixth grade and all new students. If the examination was given within a year of the above, a report of such will be accepted.

Communicable Disease - Parents as well as school personnel must work together to control communicable disease effectively. It is one of the most common health problems during the school year and parents should keep the child at home when he has fever, colds, rash or other symptoms of communicable disease. ** A child must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.

Medications - Only prescription medications will be given that are in clearly marked bottles (NO BAGGIES!) with precise instructions from the attending physician for that student. Please ask your pharmacist to issue duplicate prescription bottles for use at school. Over-the-counter medications must be in original containers with child's name clearly labeled. Medications will be kept in the school office and administered by the principal or designated person. No medication will be given without written permission. All medications must be picked up by a parent/guardian.

Pediculosis (head lice) Control - During the course of any school year, there usually are a few cases of head lice reported to our office. Normally, there is no cause for alarm. However, sometimes we are not informed until several cases become apparent. When this happens, control of this parasite becomes more difficult.

In the event of a pediculosis outbreak, parents should take the following precautionary measures:

1. Students should not bring combs, brushes, and hair care products to school.
   
2. Inspect children's heads daily for a period of two (2) weeks.
   
3. Inform the school office if you find your child is infested.
   
4. Remind children not to share personal items.
   
5. Call the office if you have a question or need assistance.

The following procedure will be adhered to for students re-entering school after treatment:

1. The child must report directly to the school nurse for a visual inspection.
   
2. The child will not be re-admitted to school until all nits are removed.
   
3. The child must be re-inspected after ten (10) days for evidence of re-infestation.
   
4. Reasonable reassurance must be provided by the parents that they have followed the
   necessary home decontamination procedures.

For the optimal health of the child, parents are required to provide necessary physical exams, immunizations, and dental care.

Parents have the basic responsibility for the health of their children. The school health program exists to assist parents in carrying out their responsibilities.

Calls made in the school office require students to have a phone pass from the classroom teacher. Calling home for forgotten homework, lunch, gym clothes, etc. will NOT be permitted.

School pictures are taken each fall by a local photographer. The purchase of pictures is optional.

Students bringing party invitations to school instead of using the postal service may distribute them to their classmates provided ALL students in the class receive an invitation. (In the case of an all boy or all girl party, see the principal.)

For birthday celebrations, treats are limited to individual cookies. (no cupcakes or candy) It is recommended that a book may be contributed to the library or an item may be donated to the classroom.

Please mark or sew in name labels, especially gym clothes, sweaters, jackets, lunch boxes, etc. This will aid greatly in helping students identify their lost objects. If your child loses an item, please notify the school staff. All items left at the end of each quarter will be sent to Mother Teresa's Store.

Please notify office immediately when moving out of the area.

The weekly newsletter, along with special announcements and assorted forms, is sent home at the end of the week (in a large yellow envelope) with the youngest/only child in each family. The newsletter contains school news and the schedule for the next week. Parents should read and remove items, sign the envelope and return it to school the next school day. Tiger Tales can also be viewed at www.sjbnewburgh.org/school each week if your child does not bring it home.