Food/Chewing Gum: Absolutely no food or chewing gum is allowed during Faith Formation. Catechists may opt to give the students a treat. These will be given as they leave class in the parent’s presence.
Restroom Use: Make every effort to have your child use the restroom while they are with a parent. Please only use the restrooms located near the Front Reception area.
Cell Phone & Electronic Devices: Student’s cell phones should not be visible unless it is part of the class lesson. If a student is using his/her cell phone during class time, he/she will be asked to put it away. If the behavior continues, the Faith Formation coordinator will come and meet with your child (see Behavior Policy).
Behavior Policy: Faith Formation serves as a safe space for children to learn about their Catholic faith and experience a personal relationship with Christ. Our catechists are dedicated volunteers who give freely of their faith, time and talents. An orderly and respectful environment is necessary for an effective encounter with Christ and relationship building to take place.
Students are expected to cooperate with, and respect their teachers, classmates and the Church property, including: 1. The learning environment should be free from harassment or bullying. 2. Students must stay with their Catechist at all times. They must be escorted at all times in the building. 3. Students must refrain from behavior that is disruptive, disrespectful, and/or dangerous to themselves or others. Some examples of disruptive behavior are:
Excessive and continuous talking or calling out
Distracting other students
Chronic lateness to class
Taking of and/or writing on the property of other students or the Church property
Behavior Policy Violation Procedures: 1. First Incident: Catechist will speak privately to the student about his/her behavior and give the student a warning. This will be documented via email from the catechist to the coordinator. Catechist will let the parent know that the student needed to be given a warning. 2. Second Incident: If the disruption persists, the catechist will escort the student to the Faith Formation Coordinator. Parents of the student will be contacted by the coordinator. The incident will be documented in writing. 3. Third Incident: If the disruption continues, a meeting with the parents, student, coordinator and Pastor will be scheduled with the possibility of dismissal from the Faith Formation program.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations will occur due to inclement weather or if there is an issue with the building (for example, no water).
Please use your best judgement when weather is questionable. Some catechists and families travel quite a distance to attend. If anyone including you is uncomfortable driving on the roads, please stay home. Make-up work for students can be sent home and FF staff can cover for catechists as needed.
If Lincoln County Schools are closed due to weather, then we will not be holding classes.
Holy Spirit Website will have cancellation announcements on the Home Page
Catechists will be emailed as soon as possible when classes are cancelled.
In the Event of an Emergency…
Fire Alarm:
Line up students at the door
Exit the building using the recommended fire egress map.
Shut classroom door, but DO NOT LOCK.
Take attendance folder (which should remain in wall sleeve always)
Once students are safely away from the building, please line up students are take attendance (determine if all students are accounted for)
If a student is unaccounted for: Please communicate to staff which student is missing
Once all clear is given, student can return to their classrooms.
Tornado/Severe Weather:
Line up students and take them to the hallways.
Students are to be on their knees facing the wall in a covered position.
Using attendance folder, ensure that all students are accounted for.
If a student is missing, notify staff right away.
Students are to remain silent and in position until the all clear or further direction are given.
Lockdown:
External Lockdown: threat is far enough removed to safely continue the class but students will remain in the classroom and class will continue as planned. However, class doors will be locked and restroom visits/water fountains will be limited.
Internal Lockdown: threat is close enough to the campus to cease all teaching.
Grab attendance folder
Close classroom door and lock it. (prop chair against handle if possible)
DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR FOR ANYONE
Close blinds
Students are to spread out in the classroom, in a covered location out of eyeline of the door or any windows and sit quietly.
Check to see if all students are accounted for (if not, do not leave)
Law enforcement will open the doors once the Internal Lockdown is over. Inform Law enforcement if any students are unaccounted for.
Active Shooter: Run-Hide-Fight
In the event of an active shooter, follow the Run – Hide – Fight procedure.
Run—if possible (for example, shooting is on the other side of the building) leave and run away from the area.
Hide – if not possible to remove yourself and students from the area, follow Lockdown procedure for internal threat
Fight – if there are no other alternatives, fight.