Section 5 — Safety, Health, and Security

At MPCS, safety and security is a continuous 24-hours a day, seven days a week practice, covering all aspects of safety for our students, staff, parents, and visitors. The MPCS Emergency Procedures Manual (Crisis Management Plan) is reviewed and updated annually by the school’s Security and Safety Task Force – a group comprised of school administrators, leadership from Chesley-Brown Security firm, and representatives of Cobb, Marietta, and Kennesaw police departments. MPCS is committed to providing a safe, secure, and healthy environment for our school community.

Tobacco, Drug, and Alcohol-free Campus

Mount Paran Christian School maintains a tobacco, drug (narcotics), and alcohol-free campus. The use of any of these items by students, faculty, staff, parents, and visitors on the MPCS campus is strictly prohibited 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

MPCS Campus is defined as all:

• Interior space owned, rented, or leased by MPCS

• Outside property or grounds owned or wholly leased by MPCS, including parking areas

• Private vehicles while they are on MPCS property

• School buses and other vehicles used to transport students at off-campus, school-sponsored events

Prohibited substances include but are not limited to:

• Tobacco products - cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco

• Drugs - narcotics, hallucinogenics, amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, marijuana, anabolic steroids

• All alcoholic beverages

• All controlled substances and intoxicants of any kind

Tobacco, Drug, and Alcohol Student Policy

It is the intent of MPCS to provide a safe and healthy environment for its students based on godly principles. Accordingly, the following policy is set forth:

• A student shall not possess any type of tobacco products (including any form of e-cigarettes/vaping devices) on school property or when being transported to and from school. This includes all educational activities, school-sponsored events, field trips, athletic functions, or while participating in an activity under the direct supervision of a school staff member.

• A student shall not possess, sell, use, transmit, or be under the influence of any narcotic drugs, hallucinogenic drugs, amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, marijuana, e-cigarettes, controlled substances, alcoholic beverages, anabolic steroids, or intoxicants of any kind on or off school campus while a student of MPCS.

Non-school related: Confirmation of any students violating the MPCS drug policy will also result in disciplinary action by the school administration. Consequences of such violations will depend on the scope and nature of the infraction.

Drug and alcohol screening for students at MPCS may be required at the discretion of administration and may be requested without prior notice. Screening may be performed at the school or by the school staff; however, the administration may refer the student to an approved outside medical facility or physician for this screening at the discretion of the school administration. Any results will be sent directly to the school’s administration for review. Parents will be informed of the results of the testing by the school’s administration. The parents will be responsible for the costs of these procedures.

For more information about assistance to enroll in tobacco cessation, please visit the MPCS school clinic or human resources office, who can offer information about such programs.

Cancellation of School Due to Inclement Weather

In case of inclement weather, a decision about a delayed start or school closing will be made by 5:30 a.m. on the day in question. While the head of school will decide for the school, each family has the right and responsibility to decide what is in their best interest. Families, for any reason on any day, who fear they cannot get to school safely, should not attempt it, and will not be penalized for making this kind of decision. It would simply be considered an excused absence.

If there is a delay in opening or closing, contact with MPCS parents will be initiated in the following order:

• School website

• E-blast

• Text Message

• Social media (Facebook and Twitter)

• Specific announcements will also be made on the following television stations: WSB Channel 2, 11 Alive, Fox 5, CBS 46, and local radio station: WSB 750 AM

Emergency Procedures

MPCS utilizes the Raptor Emergency Alert system for all aspects of emergency procedures and drills. The elements of this in-depth system include the Raptor app, alert badges for all staff, strobes, location beacons, digital rosters, visitor management, medical alert system, and reunification processes. A combination of emergency drills are conducted monthly allowing faculty and students to practice responses. Our faculty and staff also engage in total staff training sessions on emergency procedures and use of the Raptor system.

In addition to fire alarm systems and AEDs in each building of campus, all classrooms and common spaces are equipped with emergency “go-bags” with essentials that may be needed for various scenarios.

Medical Policies and Procedures

MPCS provides a clinic staffed with two registered nurses during the school day. First aid treatment is rendered for minor injuries. If an emergency medical situation arises, first responders are called to provide treatment and hospital transportation as needed.

Medications and Medical Records

The FACTS Magnus Health Portal provides a central hub for any necessary student medical records and permission forms. As part of this portal, parents can access a Prescription Medication Authorization form to be signed and completed by the parent or legal guardian, authorizing a school nurse to dispense a student’s prescription medication as well as administer commonly used OTC medications such as Tylenol, Advil, and Tums.

Students are not permitted to have any medications (prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, or supplements) in their possession while on the school campus or on school field trips. The possession of another student’s prescription medications will be viewed as a violation of the school’s tobacco, drug, and alcohol policies and will be treated as such.

Along with the completed Prescription Medication Authorization form, parents must provide the medication in a prescription bottle with the student’s name, medication, prescribing physician, exact dosage, date the prescription was filled, and expiration date. Medications will not be given from an envelope or plastic bag. It is the student’s responsibility to come to the clinic for the prescribed medication at the appropriate, determined time. All medications will be kept in a locked medicine area in the clinic. MPCS does not assume the responsibility for the effects any medication may produce.

It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to keep the child’s clinic records current on the FACTS Magnus health portal. It is important that parents understand that neither medical nor accident insurance is provided by MPCS, and the responsibility for providing such coverage rests with them as parent/guardian. Parents must agree to release and hold harmless MPCS, its employees, and agents, both jointly and severally, from and against any and all claims, damages, causes of action, or injuries that arise from medicating, providing first aid, or seeking emergency medical care for their child while at school or at school-sponsored programs or sporting events, regardless of location.

Student Health Policy

To protect the health and safety of the MPCS community, the following policies will be enforced:

• Antibiotics - If antibiotic has been prescribed for any reason, the child should be kept home until the medication has been administered for 24 hours.

• Fever - Students with a temperature of 100.0 F or higher will be sent home. Students with a temperature of 99.4 F or higher with additional symptoms (cough, congestion, sore throat, stomachache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) will also be sent home. Students may return to school after being fever and symptom free, without fever-reducing medications, for 24 hours.

• Vomiting - Students will be sent home for vomiting at school unless it is determined by the nurse that vomiting was not due to illness (e.g. PE, emotional reasons). Students may return to school when they have gone 24 hours without vomiting.

• Diarrhea - Students will be sent home if more than two episodes of diarrhea occur during a school day or if one episode of diarrhea is accompanied by fever, abdominal pain, or vomiting. Students may return to school 24 hours after last episode of diarrhea.

The school reserves the right to send students home when it is determined that the health of other students may be in jeopardy, or whether the child is clearly ill enough that he/she is not benefiting from the school experience on a given day. Students who are sent home due to illness or injury during the school day should be picked up from the clinic within one hour of parent contact.

Security Measures

The MPCS campus is fully fenced and gated with limited access during school hours. Four professionally trained and certified security officers from Chesley Brown International are present weekdays and evenings patrolling campus and monitoring the guard house. Cars entering the property must display an MPCS security identification decal; otherwise, visitors will need to stop at the guard house to complete check-in with the guard on duty. Parents of current MPCS students and MPCS student drivers are provided with a security identification decal to be affixed to the inside lower left corner of the windshield.

Gates will be open during carpool times (6:00-8:05 a.m., except on Wednesdays when they will stay open until 8:50 a.m. for “Late Start”). The gates will also be open from 2:00-3:30 p.m. each afternoon for carpool and remain open as needed for afternoon activities.

Once on campus, all parents and visitors must complete a check-in at one of the four visitor management kiosks located at Sewell Cottage, Mulkey Hall main office, first floor of the Murray Arts Center, and the entry of the Murray Innovation Center.

Security cameras (internal and external) are always in use across campus.

Driving on Campus

Parents, students, and visitors are required to adhere to the MPCS driving regulations on campus. Violators may be issued a citation.

• The speed limit on campus is 12 mph and is strictly enforced.

• Stop signs, pedestrian crossings, and reserved parking/fire lane areas must be observed.

• Do not move any barricades or traffic cones.

• Do not park in any designated family auction spots at any time throughout the week and weekend.

• Do not park in a marked handicap parking area without displaying proper tag or plate.

• Anyone driving on campus is required to have a valid driver’s license and valid proof of insurance coverage in their possession.

• Rules and regulations are enforced year-round, including weekends, holidays, breaks, and summer.

• Reckless driving on campus is not tolerated.

• Do not park on the grass, beds, or sidewalks.

• Vehicles on campus may be towed when posing a safety hazard, appearing to be abandoned overnight, or illegal parking.

Third-party Vehicle Services

Third-party vehicle services such as Uber, Lyft, and other ride-sharing services are not condoned by MPCS.