SAFETY PROCEDURES

Morning Star School has some safety procedures that are designed to ensure the safety of children, visitors and staff. If you have any questions about the procedures listed below, please contact the Morning Star School administration.

VISITOR CHECK IN

Every person coming on campus must sign in at the front office and receive a visitor’s pass.

This applies to everyone, no matter how long they plan to be on campus. Board members, Chairperson and Homeroom Parents are included. MSS staff and faculty also wear photo I.D. badges at all times.

These procedures are for the safety of the students as well as everyone else on campus. Moreover, the sign-in books enable all persons on campus to be accounted for in the event of an evacuation, lockdown, or other emergency.

All visitors must comply with this requirement. MSS thanks you in advance for your cooperation and understanding when a faculty or staff member asks to see your badge.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

General Emergency Procedures for Morning Star School and Most Holy Redeemer School

The Emergency Planning Committee of Most Holy Redeemer School Board has developed emergency procedures as mandated by the Diocese. Specific personnel assignments have been made. In all instances, evacuation routes for Morning Star School will be the same as those for Most Holy Redeemer School.

Please note the following particulars:

  1. Principal or designate will give emergency code over intercom and sound alarm if emergency occurs. If necessary, faculty and staff will evacuate children by class groups to fire drill area on school grounds or to more distant staging areas. Choice of staging area will be determined by the nature of the emergency (i.e., a chemical spill on nearby 1-75 might necessitate evacuation 90º from the wind direction). In the event WE MUST MOVE THE CHILDREN, it will depend on the location of the emergency, as to whether we go north, south, east or west.
  2. If evacuation beyond school grounds is necessary, children will walk to the appropriate staging area. Principal or designate will attempt to contact radio and TV stations in order to broadcast information to parents regarding the emergency and the location of staging areas where children may be picked up. If possible, signs indicating location of staging areas will also be posted at front and back entrance to school. If needed, homeroom mothers will attempt to contact parents by telephone.
  3. Parents are requested to KEEP COOL HEADS, especially in the event of an emergency requiring pick up of children at an evacuation area other than the school grounds. Please follow all directions of the staff in order to protect the safety of your children. DO NOT interfere with general evacuation procedures in order to remove your own child or children. Remember, that necessary emergency information will be broadcast via radio and television and/or calls by homeroom mothers and/or signs at the school.
  4. In the event of a tornado WARNING (weather radio will operate continuously on school premises), southwest classrooms will be evacuated to northeast classrooms (Diocesan recommendations because of typical southwest direction of tornado strikes).
  5. If a GAS SPILL occurs, do NOT attempt to pick up children by car or other motorized vehicle, as gas is highly explosive. Everyone MUST walk to evacuate.
  6. If a BOMB THREAT occurs, no one will be permitted to enter the School building. Everyone will evacuate immediately. Cars will not be permitted to drive in and out of the School driveways and parking lots while bomb threat is on (Diocesan recommendations).
  7. In case of INCLEMENT WEATHER/pending hurricane: During hazardous weather conditions, the decision to close school in the Diocese of St. Petersburg is a local decision. The Diocesan Office of Communications will contact the major local news and radio stations to broadcast the names of the Catholic Schools that will be closed. Please watch your local news station or listen to your radio station for information regarding closings.

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION AND CLEARANCE

If you wish to participate as a driver or chaperone for field trips or classroom activities, the following requirements must be met.

  1. Complete the Volunteer Application Form. This form is in the Morning Star School Office and will be provided upon request. The application includes three (3) Personal Reference forms to be completed and mailed to Morning Star School.
  2. Submit your fingerprints for a Level 2 Background Screening. The fingerprinting must be performed by a Diocesan-approved screener. The cost is approximately $50. You must go on-line to register and then make an appointment. Please see the fingerprinting instructions for details.
  3. All volunteers/individuals who have the care or supervision of children MUST be trained in safe environment issues and procedures. This is a requirement of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. (Classes are offered through many parishes, please contact your parish, if applicable, to determine the next available 3 hour class. If you have completed the class, bring a copy of the certificate to the office.)
  4. A separate form with Driver’s License and Insurance information is required for anyone wishing to drive for field trips (available in office).

SAFE ENVIRONMENT

The Diocese of St. Petersburg must ensure that children and youth who worship, study, or participate in activities sponsored by the Diocese can do so in the safest and most secure setting possible. Parents and caretakers must have confidence in the Diocese before they will allow their children to become involved in Diocesan activities. The Safe Environment Programs of the Diocese of St. Petersburg are designed to instill that confidence and are encouraged by insurance and risk management companies as well.

In accordance with the US Conference of Catholic Bishop's (USCCB) Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Diocese has established safe environment programs under the Diocese of St. Petersburg Policy for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults. The Diocese cooperates with parents, civil authorities, educators, and community organizations in its effort to provide education and training for children, youth, parents, ministers, educators, and others about ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults.

For more information about the Safe Environment Programs, please reference the Diocese of St. Petersburg Safe Environment Web Page at http://home.catholicweb.com/dosp_se/.

OTHER SAFETY PROCEDURES

All employees of Morning Star School have an obligation and legal responsibility to report professional misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators, which affects the health, safety or welfare of a student. Suspected cases of professional misconduct should be reported to Ms. Eileen Daly, the Principal of Morning Star School at 813-935-0232.