SCHOOL VISIT07

School Visitation
(last update: 7/10/08)

VISITORS/VOLUNTEERS/SECURITY

SECURITY

Parents and visitors are welcome to Holy Family School. All visitors are asked to use the southwest alley doors. As school security becomes an increasingly important issue, entryways will be locked and/or monitored during the school day. After entering the school, please proceed to the main office to register.

INSPECTION POLICY

    Individuals entering upon the premises of the school -- whether students, employees, or guests -- are expected to conduct themselves in keeping with established norms for personal/conduct. In order to provide students and employees with a safe and healthful environment, the administration reserves the right, in its discretion, to conduct inspections of school property and the property of students and visitors existing on the school's premises. Included with this Policy is the right to inspect the following:
1.    desks
2.    lockers
3.    bookbags, knapsacks, briefcases, athletic bags or similar carriers brought onto or existing on the school premises
4.    vehicles on school premises
5.    clothing (with appropriate safeguards for the individual's personal privacy)
6.    other property (whether school, student, visitor) existing on school premises

CHAPERONES/SUPERVISORS

Chaperones play an important role at minors’ activities sponsored by the diocese, a parish or a school. They are responsible for the safety and well-being of our youth, in addition to their role as monitors of appropriate behavior. Unfortunately, chaperones are at risk of not being given adequate instruction, guidance, and support. The purpose of this policy and its accompanying administrative regulation is to address this need and to recognize the important contribution that chaperones make to the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, its parishes, and its schools.
All activities for minors, or where significant numbers of minors will be present without parents, require chaperones. The sponsor of the activity has the responsibility for recognizing this need and for arranging the presence of a reasonable number of adults to act as chaperones throughout the duration of the event. An event shall not take place in the absence of adequate numbers of chaperones. Parents or teachers are preferred chaperones. (C-122, P-CDOP, 1-03)

ROLES AND EXPECTATIONS OF CHAPERONES

    Before any person can act as a chaperone or volunteer within or for Holy Family School they must have completed with the requisite documentation on file at the school, as well as, at the Diocesan Office of Education the following documents.
    1. State of Illinois Fingerprint check
    2. Department of Children and Family Services CANTS Background check
    3. Successfully completed the Diocesan "Safe Environment Training" Program
Chaperones shall be given, at a minimum, the following information before they commit to chaperone an event:
    1. A description of the event
    2. The expected number of minors to be present
    3. The hours the chaperone will commit to be present and act as chaperone
    4. The responsibilities and expectations of a chaperone at the event
    5. The expected number of other chaperones
    If an individual commits to act as a chaperone at an event, he or she should be given a number to contact prior to the event if he or she should have any additional questions or if circumstances arise that make attendance impossible. If there is a cancellation by a chaperone, a replacement shall be found within a reasonable time by the event’s sponsor.
    Prior to the commencement of the event, the sponsor shall identify to the chaperones an adult to whom the chaperone will be responsible. This person shall give the chaperones guidance as to the facilities, shall assign the chaperones to appropriate posts and duties, and shall visit with the chaperones occasionally during the event to provide temporary breaks, answer questions, and provide any assistance required. This person shall also advise the chaperones as to the following:
    1. Where and to whom to report any problems or concerns
    2. Any anticipated problems relating to their post or the event.
    Chaperones shall be advised that they are expected to promptly report any unusual incident or behavior and, using their best judgement, to exercise authority to stop or prevent any inappropriate behavior or immoral activity involving a minor or in the vicinity of a minor. If any unusual incident, behavior or activity occurs where there is the potential for further inquiry (i.e. an injury), chaperone(s) having information respecting the incident shall be asked to complete a report documenting the matter. This report shall be completed by the chaperone(s) as soon as practical.
    Where an event is of sufficient length to require different "shifts" of chaperones, the sponsor shall provide for the foregoing steps for each new "shift" of chaperones. If the "shift" of a chaperone is an overnight shift, the responsibility of the chaperone is to remain awake at all times during his or her "shift."
The sponsor shall keep a record of the names of the chaperones for each event for a period of four (4) years.       (C-122, AR-CDOP, 1-03)