Christian Education Safe Church Policies

• Two Adults to Every Classroom and Nursery: For any church–sponsored program, event, program or ministry involving children or youth, FPC will have two adults at all times, and the two adults are not to be related.  This policy provides important protection to the church's workers and volunteers as well as children and youth.

• Permanent Nursery Caregiver/Coordinator:  The church has a paid permanent nursery care provider and coordinator.  As part of our nursery there is an easy to use pager system available and all parents are asked to take one when dropping off a child.

• Policy for Food and for Peanut and Tree Nut Free in the Lower Level of FPC:   We ask parents not to leave any food with their child.  Cheerios are provided if a snack is needed.  Baby bottles/sippy cups are only allowed for the children being dropped off at the nursery.  For the safety and good heath of all who gather at First Parish, the Christian Education Team has a policy to prohibit "Peanut/Tree Nuts" on the Lower Level of the building.  See section below for details.

• Classrooms Doors: Windows in and adjacent to all classroom doors remove the opportunity for secrecy and isolation. Half doors (Nursery and PreK/Kindergarten classrooms) offer protection against children wandering outside the classroom and allow for full viewing.

• No Workers Under the Age of Eighteen in the Classrooms or Nursery: No workers or teachers in the classrooms and nursery can be under eighteen years of age, however, junior and senior high aged youth may assist. This policy is necessary to reduce the risk of injuries to children and youth. Allowing junior and senior high aged volunteers in the church nursery is a very common practice among churches, but only adults (18+ years of age) supervise children.  Children and youth under the age of eighteen have not developed the maturity and necessary judgment needed to supervise children or youth at FPC.

• Background Checks on All Adults that Work with Youth/Children:  Aong with the policy of two adults in every classroom and nursery the Christian Education Team uses background checks for all church school teachers, nursery participants, youth/children fellowship leaders, confirmation mentors, vacation Bible school teachers and youth/children's music directors.  Funds for background checks is a line item within the Christian education Team's budget.

• Youth/Adult Covenants for Programs, Trips and Overnights:  Every program, trip and overnight that occurs inside and outside of FPC's walls comes with a covenant signed by youth and by the adult chaperones.  Sometimes parents/guardians have to sign, also. These covenants are provided by the national United Church of Christ.  Download the UCC Youth Covenant.

• Parental/Guardian Written Permission for All Programs, Trips and Overnights:  Parental/guardian consent is a MUST for all programs, trips and overnights that take place offsite or onsite, including any FP Youth Fellowship or Confirmation Classes.  At FPC the policy is "no signed permission form, you don't participate nor travel, period".  For a copy of the parent/guardian permission form contact FPC's Christian Education Director.

• Volunteer Driver List:  The FPC policy is that we don't accept driving without a license, therefore, all people who drive youth to FPC programs, trips or overnights (parents, youth leaders, ministers, directors, mentors) have to sign a form stating that they are legally licensed and insured to drive within the continental United States.  Youth do not drive other youth when participating in any church program, trip or overnight, and that is part of the driver policy.

• Registration Forms: All Children and Youth must be registered in advance by a Parent's/Guardian. Every year new registration forms are filled out on each child and youth under the age of 18. These forms also request a parental/guardian signature to give us permission to video or photograph each child/youth, for church brochure, sharing pictures within the church building or website use. We do not match names with pictures.
  

Fire & Emergency Safety Evacuation Plan

FPC has set forth the following Fire & Emergency Safety Evacuation Plan to ensure the safety of all people using our facility. The plan is to be followed by all staff, Church School teachers, teams, groups, other ministry members, visitors and long and short-term building renters, including child-care programs, social organizations, non-profit organizations, public organizations, and organizations.

First Parish Congregational Church, UCC, Saco will periodically conduct fire drills coordinated with the Saco Fire Department. The Saco Fire Department has reviewed and endorsed this Fire & Emergency Safety Evacuation Plan.

If you are in the building and the automatic fire alarm sounds, you must prepare to evacuate the building immediately:

• Assist those less ambulatory than yourself;
• Call 9-1-1 and give as much detail as you can;
• Evacuate the building by your safest exit route
• Go directly to the designated emergency gathering spot which is the parking lot behind the church and funeral home;
• Church School teachers will remain with their classes and are to bring the attendance sheet and the grade level sign (labeled Pre-K/K - 7th grades) with them;
• Do not re-enter the building until the Fire Dept. gives an "All Clear".

In the event you come upon fire or smoke in the building and the fire alarm has not yet activated, go to the nearest Pull-Station to activate the fire alarm:

• Pull-Stations are located near every exit door;
• Assist others while evacuating the building by your safest route;
• Go directly to the designated emergency gathering spot which is the parking lot behind the church and funeral home;
• Do not re-enter the building until the Fire Dept. gives the "All-Clear".

FOOD & PEANUT/TREE NUTS FREE POLICIES FOR FPC's LOWER LEVEL

For the safety and good heath of all who gather at First Parish, the Christian Education Team has a policy to prohibit "Peanut/Tree Nut" on the Lower Level of the building.

Severe food allergies, especially peanut and tree nuts, (walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios, pecans, etc.) are exceptionally dangerous, often life threatening for many individuals.

First Parish Christian Education Team is especially concerned for infants and young children, who are not able to advocate for themselves.

Therefore, we are committed to maintaining a "Peanut/Tree Nuts Free" environment for the Lower Level of FPC.

Food Allergy Basics, Below are some food allergy basics:

• Food allergy is a growing safety concern in the US.
• Eight foods account for 90% of all the reactions in the US.
• Approximately 11 million Americans suffer from food allergies: 3 million allergic to peanut and tree nuts.
• One in every 20 children under the age of 3 has food allergies.
• Food allergies are most prevalent in younger children.
• Trace amounts of food allergen can cause a reaction. People need to be on guard for hidden ingredients (such as peanut and tree nuts) in unsuspected places such as candy, baked goods, trail mixes, sauces, desserts and gravy.
• There is NO cure for a food allergy. Strict avoidance is the ONLY way to prevent a reaction.
• See www.foodallergy.org for more information.

Complete information regarding this Food Policy must be circulated to the church and outside community. The Christian Education Team advocates the following regarding this Policy:

• Post signs
• Include regular announcements in the Weekly Bulletin, Messenger and Website
• Include this information in the new Member packets and have it available in the Atrium
• Include this information to anyone using and renting the Lower Level spaces of the building
• Request the Facilities Team to include this policy in all Building Rental Agreements.

FOOD, In the Nursery, the following is required:

• Baby bottles/sippy cups (milk and/or juices), will be the only liquid/food that may be brought into the nursery.
• Cheerios will be purchased by the Christian Education Team and will be the only snack food allowed.

In the remainder of Lower Level of Building the following is required:

• Food will be allowed, but only items that are "Peanut/Tree Nuts Free."
• Since trace amounts of food allergens can cause a reaction, people need to be on guard for hidden ingredients, in unsuspected places such as candy, baked goods, trail mixes, sauces, desserts and gravy.
• Please read all labels of any food items each time you bring them into the lower level.
• Remember, just because a product was safe the last time you bought it, does not mean the ingredients have stayed the same.
• Please, ALWAYS CHECK FOOD INGREDIENT LABELS EACH TIME YOU BRING FOOD!