Students will be dropped off in the church parking lot. They proceed from the parking lot to the school area where they assemble at 7:50 a.m. All teachers will be present in the yard by 7:50 a.m. Teachers will begin escorting students to the classrooms after prayers. In inclement weather students assemble in the gym, and the same schedule is followed. Students will be considered “late” if they are not on line when the class enters the classroom.

At dismissal parents/guardians meet students in the Church parking lot, where students are released to them. Teachers will escort students of Grades 1-8 to the Church parking lot. For their safety, all students must go directly into their designated vehicles. Cars are to leave the lot with extreme caution. Exit is a right turn on Fort Lee Road.

Pre-kindergarten students are picked up at the school doorway nearest the rectory. Kindergarten students are picked up at the private entrance to the classroom.

A nurse is available at the school on a full time basis. If the nurse is not on duty, an injured or sick child is sent to the office.
Among the services provided by the nurse are eye, hearing and scoliosis screening as well as provisions for Dental Screening.

Emergency cards are kept on file in the Nurse’s office and are updated annually. It is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to notify the school office of any change in phone numbers or emergency contacts.

The emergency contact person(s), indicated on the card, must be able to pick up the child within 15 minutes of notification.

When a child becomes ill or is seriously injured at school, the parent/guardian will be notified. No child may be sent home by himself/herself. The parent/guardian must come into the building and sign the child out. No child may leave the school without an adult.

No care beyond emergency first aid (defined as the immediate temporary care given in case of an accident or sudden illness) may be given by any school personnel. In an emergency, the Bogota Ambulance Unit will be contacted. An official accident report will be completed by the school.

In keeping with State Law, fire drills are held twice a month. Teachers also review the fire drill and other emergency procedures with their classes, and these procedures will be practiced twice a year.

For the safety of our children, all visitors (including parents) must report to the School Office, at which time they will “sign in” and be issued a badge to wear while in the school. When leaving, visitors “sign out” and surrender the badge.

Saint Joseph students are covered by the Student and Sport Accident Insurance purchased by the Archdiocese of Newark. In the event that a student is injured when participating in a supervised activity, the Archdiocesan policy will help pay expenses incurred for medical treatment that are in excess of benefits payable under any other insurance covering the student. Claim forms may be obtained from the school nurse or at the rectory office.

New Jersey State Law requires that any person, who has reasonable cause to believe that a child may have been subjected to abuse or neglect, must make a report to the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services.

Saint Joseph Asbestos Management Plan is on file in the school office, as required by the Federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). This document is available for examination upon request.

Definitions:
Controlled Dangerous Substances are defined in section I through V of the NJ Criminal Code. They include but are not limited to: marijuana, heroin, and anabolic steroids. The term controlled dangerous substance shall also include alcohol.
Under the Influence – a student is judged to be under the influence whenever s/he exhibits physical or physiological symptoms (including but not limited to unsteady walk, dilated pupils, slurred speech, erratic or uncharacteristic emotional reactions) which are commonly associated with the use of controlled dangerous substances.

Possession is defined as knowingly or purposely obtaining or possessing, actively or *constructively, a controlled dangerous substance or drug paraphernalia:
a) on or off school property;
b) on the person;
c) in an accessory (including but not limited to purse, book bag, gym bag, or knapsack);
d) in a locker or desk; and
e) in a privately or school-owned vehicle

*Constructive possession refers to a student who intends or has the capacity to exercise control over the drug/paraphernalia even is s/he does not have physical possession of the item. For example, who hides drugs on school property or asks a classmate to hold drugs for him/her, constructively possesses the drugs.
Distribution is defined as sharing, selling, or dispensing a controlled dangerous substance:

a) on or off school property;
b) with or without receiving payment; and
c) to individuals enrolled or not enrolled in the school

Possession with Intent to Distribute – applies regardless of whether or not a student intended:

a) to receive payment;
b) to distribute the controlled dangerous substance to an individual enrolled or not enrolled in the school, and;
c) to distribute the controlled dangerous substance on or off school property

POLICY:

1. A student shall be considered in violation of school policy if s/he is observed:
   a) to be under the influence,
   b) in possession,
   c) engaged in distribution, or
   d) have possession of a controlled dangerous substance
2. Such a student shall be subject to the following provisions and to the general discipline policy stated in the Handbook:
   a) when a student is identified as being “under the influence” or “in possession” of a controlled dangerous substance, the principal MAY refer the matter to local law enforcement officials
   b) when a student is identified as “distributing” or “in possession with intent to distribute” a controlled dangerous substance, the principal MUST refer the matter to local law enforcement officials;
   3) A student suspected of violating the policy governing controlled dangerous substances will immediately be placed under suspension for an indefinite period. The student and parents/guardians shall be given a reasonable opportunity to respond to the allegation as quickly as possible.
3. If the principal determines that there:
   a) was no violation of policy, the student will be permitted to return to school
   b) was a violation of policy, the principal may discipline the student according to the general discipline policy stated in the Handbook up to and including expulsion
4. The principal may require the student to participate in an appropriate treatment or counseling program as a condition of the student’s eventual return to the school.
5. When violation of this policy involves “distribution” or “possession with intent to distribute” the discipline imposed will normally be expulsion.