Safety and Health

basic policy

All adults are responsible for the safety of the children. Please be alert to any possible dangers or hazards and remedy them immediately or report them to the teacher. If you see any broken toys or equipment, remove it and tell the teacher. If you see unsafe behavior, stop it immediately and then discuss it with the child. A first aid kit, including plastic gloves, is available in the white cabinets by the snack area. Emergency contact names and phone numbers for each child are posted on the wall inside the white cabinet with the phone. Parents need to remember to update this information immediately if changes occur. Parents are responsible for assembling an emergency kit for their child. Directions will be provided by a Board member at a General Meeting.
The following sections cover safety-related issues in more detail.

accident procedure

Prevention

The main thing we can do to prevent accidents at school is to keep a watchful eye on the children. Be sure to intervene to stop unsafe behavior (e.g., hitting; weapon play; trying to leave parking lot boundaries; unsafe use of tools or toys). If you are unsure whether an activity is unsafe, err on the side of caution and then discuss with the teacher and other parent helpers. As a diverse group of adults, we may all differ in our comfort level with children’s risk taking, and our definition of what is “unsafe.” However we need to respect each other’s viewpoints, and do our best to work together to keep the children safe.

Report Any Accidents to Teacher

Parents who witness an accident are to report all details immediately to the teacher. This holds true even if you and the teacher both witnessed the accident—vantage points and perceptions often differ. Parents are responsible for informing the teacher fully, and she is responsible for soliciting all necessary information so as to make the best possible decision regarding the child’s care. It is the teacher’s responsibility to determine the course of action, using her judgment on a case-by-case basis.

Call Parents

Immediately upon learning of a child’s serious injury or medical condition, the teacher will turn over the direction of the class to a parent helper. The teacher will then stay with the child until the arrival of parent, emergency contact, or medical personnel. The teacher will ask a parent helper to call the child’s parents, using the list posted by the phone. The parent helper will also pull the child’s emergency information sheet from the file so it is ready if needed. If the child’s parents are not available, the designated emergency contact will be called. If the parents or emergency contacts cannot be located, we will call the child’s physician and follow their instructions. This may include transporting the child to an emergency room or a doctor’s office.

When to Call 9-1-1

The teacher will call 9-1-1 under the following circumstances (or others that she deems life-threatening): seizure; respiratory distress (blue around lips, unresolved choking); cardiovascular event (no breathing, no heartbeat); or head injury with altered consciousness; or other major traumas. Other accidents for which parents will be called (but not 9-1-1) include: apparent broken bones, head injury without loss of consciousness; severe cuts, bleeding, or bruising; fainting; rapid or labored breathing; severe wheezing; and other situations deemed serious by the teacher.

Accident Report

In the case of serious accidents (requiring immediate and/or subsequent medical attention), an accident report is to be filled out as soon as possible by the teacher, with input from parent helper witnesses where appropriate. A copy will be given to the child’s parents, will be placed in the child’s file in the classroom, and also will be sent to PCPO for insurance purposes.
For minor accidents (scrapes, slivers, bumps, etc.), the teacher will give the parent an informal verbal report at pick-up time, with further discussion later if needed. Parent helpers are encouraged to assist the teacher in this informal reporting, especially if they were the main witness or chief comforter after the incident. At the after-class debriefing, the teacher will review the day’s events, including any accidents that occurred. Parent helpers may assist in calling parents to explain any minor incidents that were not reported at pick-up time.
In the event of any concerns over the teacher’s handling of an incident, the parent(s) and teacher should communicate directly with each other (following the school’s grievance procedure, see page 54). If necessary, the Class Representative and/or President may mediate the discussion.

Insurance Coverage for Members

Our group insurance policy through PCPO covers “students and parent assistants for medical treatment for injuries sustained while taking part in or traveling straight to or from any activity sponsored and supervised by the school.” The school pays a $25 deductible, and parents may submit a claim form to PCPO be reimbursed for any medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident. (This coverage neither implies nor depends on any liability on the part of the school, and does not increase our insurance costs.)

building security (doors)

As a compromise between convenience and security, the gym door will be left unlocked for about 20 minutes at the start and end of school. This minimizes the time the church is unsecured while enabling parents to enter the school. Parent helpers need to remember to lock the door after school starts and to unlock it before pick-up time.

end of school day

School is over at 12:00 p.m. Please come to the classroom through the gym door to get your child. As a safety precaution, the teacher will stand by the door and release children one at a time from the reading room, after matching him or her with a parent or authorized pick-up person. (Of course, you are more than welcome to come into the classroom with your child—the system is designed to keep children safe, not to exclude you from visiting the class!)
If someone else is to pick up your child, the teacher should be notified, in writing, in advance. If the teacher does not know this person, they should expect to show her their driver’s license. In case of emergency (e.g., you have a flat tire) you should call another parent to pick up your child. Some children occasionally try to slip out and make a run for it, so everyone needs to be vigilant. Children are not to go out to the parking area by themselves, nor are they to run around the halls and gym.

field trips

Where Do We Go?

We typically go on a few field trips each year. Parents are encouraged to share ideas for trips with the teacher or Special Projects Coordinator. Past field trips initiated by parents have included a visit to workplaces such as a bakery, a restaurant, and the Tri-Met trolley station. We have also visited the Gresham fire station, a vet’s office, and taken MAX downtown to explore. Often the trip is linked with the current focus in the classroom (restaurants, animal hospital, etc.). So if you have ideas for a trip, it’s helpful to talk to the teacher well ahead of time so she can integrate it with her curriculum plans.

Information/Sign-ups

A sign-up sheet with information about the trip will be posted in the hallway at least two weeks before any trip. Please read it carefully, initial it so we know you saw it, and check with the teacher or Special Projects Coordinator if you have any questions. In addition to the parent helpers scheduled for that day, we need several parents to sign up as volunteers to accompany the children during the field trip. (Note: If you are the snack parent helper that day, please check with the teacher or Special Projects Coordinator about what you should plan to bring on the trip.)
In preparing for the trip, the Special Projects Coordinator matches children with parents and sets up folders with each child’s emergency info sheets to take along. The Special Projects Coordinator also calculates how many volunteers are needed to ensure the children’s safety once we arrive at the site. If you sign up to go on a field trip, but can’t make it, it is very important to let the Special Projects Coordinator know so there is enough time to find substitutes. If there are not enough parent volunteers, the trip will be canceled.

Release Form

Each family will receive a release form in their cubby before each field trip. The bottom part of the form you will need to sign and return by the day of the trip in order for your child to participate.

Procedure on Day of Trip

Upon arrival at school, parent helpers pick up a folder with the emergency info sheets of the children for which they are responsible. Parents then help check in children: Each child’s number is written on his/her hand and each child receives an identifying Tillamook sash. When it is time to go, the teacher assembles the class and has a brief “group time” discussion of what they will see. Then parents assemble their group and head out. During the trip, you are responsible for the safety of your group.
Upon return to the school, be sure to give your packet back to the teacher so the Special Projects Coordinator can re-file the emergency info forms.

Car Policies

For the children’s safety, when we travel in cars on field trips:

1. Each child must be separately buckled into a seat belt or car seat.
2. The child’s parent should install the car seat in the driver’s car correctly and show the driver how to fasten the child in. All children under 40 pounds must be properly seated in their car seat. The latest NTSB and Academy of Pediatrics recommendations are for children between 40 and 80 pounds to be in a booster seat.
3. The first aid kit shall be taken on all field trips.
4. Parents shall not smoke when carrying children on field trips.
5. All drivers must have adequate liability insurance coverage. PCPO suggests $300,000.

Siblings

Siblings are not allowed on field trips. This is for insurance reasons, basically so that the parents on the trip have their hands free to keep the students safe. Also, our insurance only covers students and parents in case of an accident. We often visit places that have limited space, heavy equipment, and other features (such as the fire station’s pole) making it unsafe to have toddlers along. (The field trip info sheet will specify on those occasions when siblings are allowed—for example, if we are simply driving to Imagination Station to play, it’s not a problem.) Parents with younger children who wish to volunteer to come on field trips may want to trade sitting with other members on field trip days.

fire/earthquake drills

Every parent should check the fire escape routes, posted on classroom doors, prior to parent helping the first time and walk around to locate them. We will have practice fire drills once each month in each class. We will walk out of the room via one of the escape routes and gather in the fenced play area. The teacher will take attendance and then lead the children back into the classroom.
We will conduct basic earthquake drills on the same day as the fire drill. The children will be taught to get under a table and away from windows in the event of an earthquake.

illness

Before a child can be admitted to the preschool, all of his or her immunizations must be up to date. The day-to-day health of the children depends on the awareness of the parents and the teacher. If your child is not feeling well, please keep the child home so that other children will not be exposed to the illness. See the Appendix for more specific guidelines on illness.
Parents should notify the teacher of absences by calling and leaving a message on the school phone before school starts that morning. This helps relieve the curiosity and concern of your child’s classmates. It also helps the teacher to encourage positive social skills (caring) by allowing her to mention a child’s illness and facilitate discussions on how it feels to be ill, etc.
If signs of illness are present when your child arrives, the teacher will ask you to take the child home. If the child becomes ill during the day, someone from the preschool will call your home or emergency numbers to have your child picked up. If you will be at a friend’s house or somewhere else, you may wish to leave an alternate emergency number with the teacher.

siblings

For safety and liability reasons, as well as for the quality of the program, parents need to arrange childcare for siblings on parent helping days. Non-mobile infants may come along in a snugli or backpack. Please do not bring crawling babies or toddlers. The classroom is set up for preschoolers and is not appropriate for children younger than preshool age. Apart from safety concerns, if you have to keep a toddler out of trouble it is hard to relax and enjoy the morning with your preschooler. Finally, having siblings in class limits your parent helping ability for the rest of the preschoolers as well—again, both a safety and quality concern.
On the other hand, many younger siblings enjoy being part of the school drop-off and pick-up ritual. After class, for example, it is fine for them to come into the classroom and play for a few minutes under your supervision. Siblings also get a chance to play in the classroom (with an age-appropriate set of play options) during childcare on general meeting nights.

smoking

No smoking is allowed within preschool premises, or when you are directly responsible for the safety of the children (for example, on field trips).

snacks

Any food allergies that members of the class may have are listed on the wall by the snack area. Please take these into account in planning your snack. Please bring healthy foods only for snack time—no cookies or other sugary treats. For more detail, see Chapter Two – Classroom Procedures.

walks

We may go for walks in the neighborhood. For safety, when we take these mini-field trips:

1. One adult parent helper will walk in the front, one in the middle and one at the end. The adult last in line needs to be continually on the alert to see that children stay with the group. Accept and allow for some wandering as long as the children are not in danger, or trespassing on other’s property.
2. Children and adults must stay together.
3. Children should stay in designated walkways.
4. Children should hold hands in a group, with an adult when crossing streets. Have them STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN for cars.

Communication

One of the most important components of a successful co-op preschool is open and effective communication . There is a tremendous amount of information to absorb when one first becomes involved in the school (e.g., this handbook), and then all the business and events that occur during the year. The system of communications described below is designed to give everyone the information they need as efficiently and helpfully as possible. As with every other aspect of the school, there is always room for improvement, and your suggestions are welcome.

bulletin boards

Parents need to check the bulletin boards in the hallway by the gym entrance every time they come to school. To help organize the mass of information that typically gets posted on the bulletin boards, and make it easier to find the really important stuff, the bulletin board is divided into categories.

1. Teacher’s Board: information, special school events such as Backwards Day, field trip information, sign-ups, requests for materials, etc.
2. General Tillamook Board: information, social event sign-ups, school-related announcements, board meeting minutes, Saturday cleaning schedule, etc.
3. PCPO /Parent Education : articles and information—this is a “read-only” board.
4. Fundraising information, goals, order deadlines.
5. Our Community: another read-only board, for any non–school-related stuff (want ads, comics, news articles, parents’ business cards, flyers, etc.).

The Publicity Coordinator is responsible for maintaining the bulletin boards. Parents posting items on the community board should date them so the Publicity Coordinator can pull excess material at regular intervals.

cubbies

A cubbyhole is provided in the gym of the school for each child. PLEASE clean out your child’s cubby every time you come to school (or have your carpool driver do so). Notices, newsletters, updates/reminders and children’s artwork will be distributed via the cubbies. You may want to have an extra change of clothes in the cubbies in case of a spill or accident.
You may use the cubbies to pass along information to Board members, other parents, and for the newsletter. You may also use cubbies to inform parents of information that is child/parent related. However, they are not to be used for advertisement purposes. Birthday invitations are to be sent through the mail and not left in the cubbies—children are hurt when one classmate gets an invitation and another does not.

general meetings

Each meeting includes announcements and discussion of current school events and business. Board policy decisions are introduced. Issues that the membership needs to decide are discussed and voted on. At least one parent from each family must attend each general meeting. The business/informational aspects are supplemented with parent education (speakers) and social time—plus refreshments. Parent helping issues are discussed, so the parent helper in the family is strongly encouraged to attend.

newsletter

The school newsletter comes out monthly from October through June. Parents are warmly encouraged to submit articles, book reviews, recipes, photos, artwork, or whatever strikes their fancy. Each month’s submission deadline is noted in the school calendar. The newsletter also is a good way to get recaps of key information from the bulletin boards and general meetings.

phone messages

When the teacher or the Board needs to communicate a brief, urgent message to members, the Class Representatives will coordinate a phone-calling effort. The Class Representative may enlist two volunteer families to help with these calls—typically for last-minute changes or reminders about school events. If you have any questions about the message you received, call your Class Representative.
There is a telephone in the classroom. The number is 234-1691. During class time the teacher and helpers are busy with the children, so please make any messages you need to leave brief. If you desire a longer conversation with the teacher, leave a message and she will call you after class is over. When the class is outside or not in session, you will get the answering machine. Please leave a message and the teacher or a Board member will get back to you.

grievance procedure

Although it is rarely used, the grievance procedure is an important part of our communications system. In general, any concerns should always be raised directly with the individual. If you have a problem with or a suggestion regarding school administration or policy, you should contact the President or your Class Representative . If you have a problem with or a suggestion regarding the curriculum or management of the classroom, you should contact the teacher.
If direct contact proves unsatisfactory, you should bring your concern, suggestions, or ideas, in writing, to the Board. Notice of Board meetings is posted on the bulletin board prior to each meeting; members are always welcome to attend. Please let the President know in advance if you wish to be placed on the agenda.
If it appears that resolution of any issue may require it, an outside facilitator can be called on for assistance. PCPO is one resource available for such support.

Other School Policies

carpools

Many parents like to carpool. These are strictly private agreements between parents. If you are picking up several children you should arrive early enough to clean out their cubbies and be prepared to leave when they are dismissed.
We do ask that you not drive the carpool on your parent helping day. It is just too difficult to meet with the teacher, set up and clean up if there are all those extra children before or after class.

church

We pay rent to the Presbyterian Church of Laurelhurst for use of the school facilities, including limited use of the church’s kitchen, gym, and Narthex for meetings. Please treat the church and its property with care. It is especially important not to use the church’s dishes, utensils, etc., or to undertake any renovation or repair without asking permission. When in doubt, ask the President, who is our chief liaison with the church.

diapers

Tillamook does not require that students be out of diapers. If your child is still in diapers, make sure his/her cubby has diapers, wipes, plastic pants and anything else you want us to use for diapering. If you change a diaper at school, use the pad outside the bathroom (ask teacher) and be sure to wipe down with bleach solution to disinfect afterwards. If you have any concerns about your child’s diapering or toilet use, please talk to the teacher.

school closure

School will be closed on Portland Public School holidays, teacher planning days, and when inclement weather requires public school closure. All holidays and teacher planning days are noted on the school calendar. If Portland Public Schools’ morning kindergarten is canceled due to the weather, then we are closed. Listen to local radio stations for snow-day information.

supplies and equipment

School supplies and equipment are not available for borrowing by co-op members.

tuition

Tuition is due the first school day of each month, beginning in September
and continuing through May (see “Financial and Other Obligations” on page 28
for further details). Tuition may be given directly to the Treasurer or
placed in the Treasurer Mailbox folder in the classroom file cabinet.
Please pay be check and note your child’s name on the check. If you have to
pay by cash, it must be given directly to the Treasurer. Do not leave
tuition in cubbies. Tuition is considered late seven calendar days after
the first school day of the month and a $5 late fee will be incurred each
week the tuition remains unpaid.

visitors

Special arrangements may be made for prospective members, teachers from other preschools, or other interested persons (including grandparents) to observe the program during regular school hours. Please obtain the permission of the teacher in advance.