Family Emergency Card

It is essential that the information on the emergency cards kept in school be current and accurate. Parents must notify the school office of any change in address, telephone number, or other emergency information. Parents are notified immediately of an accident or illness that occurs during school hours. If neither parent can be reached, the school will contact the person(s) listed on the emergency card. It is understood that enrollment at St. John of God confers upon the school the obligation to select emergency care providers if we are unable to reach the parents.

Custody Agreements

Divorced or separated parents must file a court-certified copy of the custody section of the divorce or separation decree with the principal’s office. The school will not be held responsible for failing to honor arrangements that have not been made known in writing.

Classroom Visits

Classroom visits during teaching time, including physical education, are not allowed without prior approval.  For the protection of the children and to maintain a good learning atmosphere, all visitors to the school are required to sign-in and sign-out at the school office. This includes parents who come to school during school time to work service hours. Parents, teachers, staff, and students are to report to the office persons not wearing a visitor’s badge. 

Walking/Riding Bicycle

Parents are to inform the office in writing if students are to walk or ride their bike to and from school. Bicycles are to be walked on and off the school grounds. Students who violate this rule will not have the privilege of riding his/her bike to school for a designated time. It is necessary that your child have a lock and your child wear a helmet. The school accepts no liability for any equipment if it should become damaged, lost, or stolen. 

Items Brought to School

Items needed for show-and-tell or other projects are brought only with specific permission from the teacher and parent, and those items are to be put in a teacher-specified place when not used for the designated activity or project. The following items are not allowed at school at any time: glass objects, toys, magazines not associated with the curriculum, electronic or battery-operated equipment such as video games or cell phones. 

Child Abuse Reporting Obligations

In accord with Archdiocesan policy and California law, school staff is obligated under penalty of fine and jail term to report the reasonable suspicion of physical abuse, emotional abuse, emotional deprivation, physical neglect, inadequate supervision, or sexual abuse and exploitation. In this very serious and legally narrow area, the school will not contact parents in advance of making a report to legal authorities which would be the procedure followed in most other legal matters. The clear intent of the law, based on the seriousness of the crimes listed above, is to mandate that a report of reasonable suspicion of abuse be made. School staff will make such reports in the best interest of the affected child.

VIRTUS Training: Safeguard the Children Training

It is mandatory for all St. John of God Parish School employees and volunteers who have contact with minors to attend training on an awareness program called “Safeguard the Children”. (Archdiocesan Policy)

Federal Asbestos Management Compliance

Asbestos regulation for schools found in the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act and as promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency are followed at St. John of God School and monitored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Following an initial inspection, non-friable asbestos is assumed to be present in certain portions of the parish plant. An in-place management program approved by the Archdiocese has been established. The management program will control fiber releases to ensure that the day-to-day management of the buildings is carried out in such a fashion as to prevent injury to students, staff, and others.

Fire/Earthquake/Lockdown Emergencies

Fire, Earthquake, and Lockdown drills are scheduled and held at least once every school year. The school has  Drill plans that are followed. In case of a major disaster, St. John of God School will make an attempt to take the same actions as the Norwalk La Mirada School District and/or the Department of Catholic Schools.  The school will use its Gradelink Information System to keep families informed via email and text message. Do not telephone the school. Phone lines must be accessible to school personnel for emergency procedures. The front gates will be locked. Children will be released to the parent, or those adults listed on the Emergency Card only, from a designated evacuation area in the school yard at the front gate.

Please remember that the children are more likely to remain calm
if the adults around them are calm and reassuring.