Student Wellness at The Foundations School

Student Wellness at The Foundations School

Excerpts the concern Student Wellness” from our comprehensive Parent/Student Handbook

7​ Food Service Management

7.1​ Nutritional School Food

The Director of Schools, food services manager, or designee will develop and implement procedures for operating a food services program. In addition, the Director of Schools, food services manager, or designee will monitor the quality and efficiency of the school's food service program.

The school's food service program will comply with all state and federal regulations for food quality and financial reimbursement.

The school may elect to contract with a food service management company to manage the school's food service program.

The duration of contracts with food service management companies will be limited to one (1) year with no more than four (4) annual renewals. This is a requirement of the Florida Department of Agriculture food services program.

7.1.1​  Allergies

If your child has a food or any other relevant allergy, parents must bring a doctor’s note clearly stating the allergy. The note from the doctor should also specify if an EpiPen is required. School administration will document the food allergy in our student information system and provide this information to classroom teachers. Allergies must also be noted when parents fill out the initial registration form. 

7.2​ Competitive Food Sales

In order to comply with requirements of the National School Lunch Program, the After School Snack program, and the School Breakfast program respecting the sale of food in competition with meals served under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program, the use of categories of foods of minimal nutritional value during the meal periods in the school is prohibited. The restricted categories of foods are identified as soda (carbonated beverages), high sugar beverages, chewing gum, and certain candies.

7.3​ Food Safety

The purpose of our food safety program is to ensure the delivery of safe foods to children in the school meals program by controlling hazards that may occur or be introduced into foods anywhere along the flow of food from receiving to service.

Serving safe food is a critical responsibility for school food service and is a key aspect of a healthy school environment. Keeping foods safe is a vital part of healthy eating.

When properly implemented, the school's food safety program will help ensure the safety of school meals served to students.

The school's food safety procedures include these objectives toward a consistent hazard analysis plan critical control points plan (HACCP).

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) summary:

• Food preparation areas will be maintained in a clean and sanitary manner. This includes ensuring that workers’ hands, utensils, and food contact areas are clean and sanitary to avoid cross contamination.
• Temperature controls will be strictly adhered to. Food will be stored, cooked and served at the proper temperature.
• Standard operational procedures have been developed to ensure sanitation; to ensure that food is maintained at the proper temperatures, and to facilitate other safety aspects of the food service program.

4.2​ Code of Student Conduct

4.2.1​ Positive Learning Environment

The Foundations School offers a friendly, nurturing, and comfortable environment for all students, and believes that children learn in a variety of ways. Our school administrators, classroom educators, and teaching artists provide an environment that meets the academic and social/emotional needs of our students. 

The Foundations School believes:

• Misbehavior correction should be a learning opportunity, where students are given the opportunity to learn and demonstrate appropriate behavior, and cooperatively accept responsibility and be accountable for their actions. 
• That standards for student behavior must be set cooperatively through interaction among the students, parents/legal guardians, staff, and teaching artists, producing an atmosphere that encourages students to grow in self-awareness and self-discipline. 

4.2.2​ Student Rules

Our rules have been established to maintain the school environment and to provide for the safety and well-being of all our students. Student rules apply in the school building, on the school grounds, and on off-site learning experiences (field trips). Students are required to follow these rules. This is to promote safety and civility in all of our TFS community. Our rule and policies will be pointed out for parents/legal guardians’ initialing when they fill out the registration form. As part of the registration form, parents/legal guardians will review the rules and policies and initial each as affirmation that they have seen and agree to follow these items.

While at TFS we expect students to:

1. Use appropriate language 
2. Cooperate with staff and follow instructions
3. Respect other students, staff, themselves, equipment and facilities
4. Maintain a positive attitude
5. Stay in assigned areas 
6. Enjoy their class experience

4.2.2.1 ​Use of Cell Phones

Use of cell phones and personal audio/video recording devices will not be allowed during class time unless specifically requested by an instructor. Personal calls and subsequent conversations should not occur during school hours. In the event that a parent needs to contact their child(ren), we will use our phones in the front office. Students may use our business phone to call parents/guardians if the circumstance warrants. If necessary, parents are requested to call the office to relay messages for the students.

4.2.3​ Discipline Consequences

The following is a list of possible consequences that may be given for inappropriate behavior and/or violations to our TFS expectations for conduct. In certain instances, other consequences that appropriately match the misbehavior may also be used.

4.2.3.1​ Temporary Removal of Students from Class

It is very important to maintain academic momentum in the classroom. On occasion, a student’s behavior may require that he or she be removed from a classroom to ensure either the academic growth of other students or the safety of everyone involved. Oftentimes, a student’s interests are best served in a one-on-one removal from the group. School administration, upon a teacher’s request, may initiate with the student a 10-15 minute cooling off period to reflect and regroup. During this time of reflection, a school staff member may walk with the student to discuss circumstances if that is needed, helping the student to regain perspective and a cooperative attitude before returning to class. Parents/guardians will receive a notification by either a telephone call and/or in writing (e.g. email) if a child is removed from class for serious or repetitive behavioral concerns.

4.2.3.2​ Verbal Warning

If a student is exhibiting a relatively minor behavioral infraction, the teacher and/or teaching artist may give a student verbal warnings that his/her behavior is inappropriate or causing a disruption to the momentum of learning. The warning will be documented for future reference.

4.2.3.3​ Documentation of Conduct and Written Communication to Parents

If the behavior was a minor infraction and/or was the first or second occurrence, school administration may provide a written warning to let the parent know that if similar inappropriate behavior continues there will be significant consequences in the future. This notice will be sent home through either written or email form for the parents to be made aware of the issue. If misconduct persists, parents will be notified via email communication and/or phone call. This will allow school administration to maintain documentation of the incidents of misconduct or disruption, as well as the disciplinary consequences that ensued. 

4.2.3.4​ Referral to Permanent File

Depending on the severity of misconduct and classroom disruption, and if noted misconduct is repetitive, a more formal discipline referral will be written and added to the student’s permanent file. The formal discipline referral will be provided to parents/guardians for review and during conference with parent/guardian. This hard copy must be taken home, signed by the parent, and returned to school the next school day. 

4.2.3.5 Discipline of Repeated Misconduct 

In the event of repeated misconduct, disciplinary actions will be based on careful   evaluation of the circumstances for each case. Factors that will be considered include the seriousness of the offense, the student’s age and developmental level, frequency of misbehavior and the student’s attitude.  Generally, TFS administration will remove a student from a situation to regain control of their behavior, and to maintain overall safety of all involved. There will also be verbal or written communication to parents/legal guardians regarding a student’s behavior from the start. 

We are committed to transparency and consistent communication with home concerning the child. The parent/guardian may be notified of all disciplinary procedures through written communication, phone calls, and/or in person conferences. In the event of a child’s outright removal from the school, it will be the result of either a severe incident or repeated misconduct that was consistently documented and communicated to the child’s parent/guardian.

4.2.4​ Bullying and Harassment

4.2.4.1​ Statement Prohibiting Bullying and Harassment

The Foundations School has a zero-tolerance policy in regards to bullying and harassment of any type. Our school administration, teachers, teaching artists, staff, and volunteers are trained to create a learning environment that is comfortable, safe, secure, and free from harassment and bullying of any kind for all of our students.

4.2.4.2​ Definition of Bullying

Bullying means intentionally and repetitively inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees and may involve but is not limited to:

• Teasing
• Intimidation
• Stalking, including cyber stalking 
• Physical violence
• Theft
• Sexual, religious, racial or gender orientation harassment
• Public humiliation
• Destruction of property
• Social Exclusion
• Treat

4.2.4.3​ Definition of Harassment

Harassment means any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal or physical conduct directed against a student or employee that:

• Places a student or employee in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property.
• Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities, or benefits.
• Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school.

Bullying and harassment also encompasses:

• Retaliation against a student or employee by another student or employee for asserting or alleging an act of bullying or harassment. Reporting an act of bullying or harassment that is not made in good faith is considered retaliation.
• Perpetuation of conduct listed in the definition of bullying or harassment by an individual or group with intent to demean, dehumanize, embarrass, or cause emotional or physical harm to a student or school employee by:
•Incitement or coercion
•Knowingly and willingly bullying or harassing through the use of a TFS computer or network
•Acting in a manner that has an effect substantially similar to the effect of bullying or harassment

4.2.4.4​ Consequences for an Act of Bullying or Harassment

Consequences and appropriate disciplinary action for studentswho commit acts of bullying or harassment may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including removal from the school. Consequences and appropriate disciplinary action for an employee found to have committed an act of bullying or harassment may be disciplined in accordance with school policies, procedures, and agreements. 

Additionally, egregious acts of harassment by certified educators may result in a sanction against an educator’s state issued certificate. (See State Board of Education Rule 6B-1.006, FAC, The Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida.) Consequences and appropriate disciplinary action for a visitor or volunteer, found to have committed an act of bullying or harassment shall be determined by TFS administration after consideration of the nature and circumstances of the act, including reports to appropriate law enforcement officials if required. Accusations made in good faith, even though subsequently determined to be false, shall not be subject to discipline consequences or disciplinary action as called for by this section.

4.2.4.5​ Reporting an Act of Bullying or Harassment

The victim of bullying, anyone who witnessed the bullying, and anyone who has credible information that an act of bullying has taken place may file a report of bullying. Any TFS employee, volunteer, student, parent/legal guardian, or other persons who promptly reports in good faith an act of bullying or harassment to the appropriate official and who makes this report, in compliance with the procedures set forth in the school policy, is immune from a cause of action for damages arising out of the reporting itself or any failure to remedy the reported incident. Submission of a good faith complaint or report of bullying or harassment will not affect the complainant or reporter’s future employment, grades, learning or working environment, or work assignments. Written and oral reports shall be considered official reports. Reports may be made anonymously but formal disciplinary action may not necessarily be based solely on an anonymous report.

4.2.4.6​ Investigation of Whether a Reported Act is Within the Scope of the School 

​The Director of School (or designee) will use investigative procedures to initiate a formal inquiry concerning whether an act of bullying or harassment is within the scope of the school. The trained designee(s) will provide a report on results of the investigation with recommendations for TFS administration to make a determination if an act of bullying or harassment falls within the scope of the rules of the school.

4.2.4.7​ Notification to the parents/guardians of a student victim

A report from a student(s) or parents of alleged bullying will be immediately investigated and all parties will be continually informed of and participate in the ongoing procedures. Also, TFS administration shall by writing, report the occurrence of any incident of bullying (as defined by this policy) to the parent or legal guardian of all students involved on the same day an investigation determines that an act of bullying has occurred. Notification must be consistent with the student privacy rights under the applicable provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).

5 ​ Student Confidentiality and Wellbeing

5.1 ​Students

5.1.1​ Supervision of Students

Students are to be supervised at all times while under the control of the organization. This includes the time students are attending after school program, while away from the school on school-sponsored events, or while participating in extracurricular activities, Students may not be left alone without supervision.

5.2​ School Records

5.2.1 ​Security of Student Records

All student information is considered confidential and will be maintained as such in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Such information may be available to the parent / legal guardian.

The Foundations School may, without the consent of his/her parents, release student records contained within the cumulative folder or any supplementary classifications to school officials who have a proper educational purpose in examining such information.

No other person may have access to or make copies of a student’s records, except under the following circumstances:

• The consent shall be written and shall specify the records to be released and to whom they are to be released. Each request for consent shall be handled separately; blanket permission for the release of information shall not be acceptable.
• Under compulsion of law: courts, law enforcement agencies, agencies subpoenaing such records.
• When data for outside purposes is released in such form that no individual student is identifiable.
• When the Director of School determines the release of specific information as described by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is in the best interests of the student, provided such information has not been disallowed by the parents.

The parent/legal guardian shall have the right to challenge the accuracy and authenticity of data recorded within the student’s cumulative folder. Any such data that is determined by the Director of School to be inaccurate shall be expunged from the record.

In each instance in which a student’s record is transferred out of the organization, the school shall retain a complete copy of the student’s academic record, together with all other confidential information and reports. 

5.2.2​ Up-to-Date Records

It is the parent/legal guardian’s responsibility to keep the school office informed and up to date regarding any changes of names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, medical situation, legal situation etc. so that important student information may be received from or provided to the parent/legal guardian in a timely manner for the benefit and well-being of the student.

5.3​ Public Records and Media Requests

It is the policy of the organization that all public records made or received in connection with the official business of the agency be made available upon request of any person for inspection, examination, and copying in accordance with applicable law and the following policy guidelines:

• All public records shall be available for inspection or copying under the supervision of the custodian (or designee) of the public records at reasonable

times during normal office hours. All public records that are presently provided by law to be confidential or prohibited from being inspected by the public, whether by general or special law, are exempt from production.

• The fact that the originator of a public record asks or directs that it remains confidential does not in fact make that document confidential. Such record is still subject to disclosure unless the law makes it confidential or exempt. Except in the case of student records, if a public record contains information that is confidential or exempt by law, a true and correct copy of the original record shall be made, the confidential or exempt portions of copy shall be redacted, and the redacted copy of the record shall be made available to the requesting party. In the case of student records, the entire record is confidential and exempt and shall not be disclosed except as required or permitted by applicable law.
• The requesting party need not demonstrate any special or legitimate interest in the requested public records. Requests for public records shall be complied with regardless of the motivation of the requesting party.
• Definitions:
o Public Records: The term public records includesall documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of the physical form, characteristics, or means of transmission, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by the agency. Public records encompass all materials used to perpetuate, communicate, or formalize knowledge, regardless of whether they are in final form.
o Public Records Request: The term public records request means a request by any person, whether written or verbal, for inspection, examination, or copying of public records.
o Request for Information: A request for information, as distinguished from a public records request, is one in which the requested information does not already exist in public record form.

5.3.1​ Media Release

Snapshots may periodically be used for promotional materials for the school and on social media platforms. Throughout the school year, TFS takes pictures of students during program hours. Should a parent not want their child photographed in such a way, they must submit written notification of their request to school administration. This request will then be passed along to school staff. 

5.4 Medical Policies

5.4.1 Individual Needs

The Foundations School shall institute procedures for the maintenance of health records, which are to show the status of every student enrolled, and for the completion of all necessary reports in accordance with guidelines prepared by the Florida Department of Health. Families are encouraged but are not required to provide TFS staff with information regarding special considerations for students with individual needs. Individual needs may include but are not limited to: physical impairments, mental or cognitive impairments, behavioral impairments, chronic medical conditions, and allergies. Our staff will consider this information along with every student’s individual needs in planning activities and space with reasonable accommodations. TFS may refer a student for testing if deemed necessary.

5.4.2 Medication Administration at School

This policy is designed to ensure safe and accurate administration of routine medications to students in the school. Every attempt must be made by the student’s parent and healthcare provider to have medications administered during non-school hours. All medication (and reasons for the medication) should be documented on the student’s registration form.

The Foundations School does not administer student medications during school hours. 

5.4.2.1 Submission and Required Documentation

• All medications must be personally brought into the school by the student’s parent/guardian accompanied by the appropriate required paperwork.
• Students who require the use of an MDI (Metered Dose Inhaler) may be given permission to carry the medication with them only if a completed Authorization to Carry and Self Administer MDI form is submitted to the school with both the parent/guardian and physician signature.
• If a child has an allergy such that an EPI Pen (injectable epinephrine) is required, the parent must provide a formal note from the doctor on letterhead identifying the practice. Parents and TFS staff will meet to ensure sufficient training for the Epinephrine Auto-Injector (EpiPen) and the student’s particular needs.
• All medications kept at the school must be kept in a locked cabinet or refrigerator stored away from general population areas where students will not independently have access to the storage.

5.4.3​ Students with Communicable Diseases

The Foundations School will not allow a student to attend the after school program, if the student:

• Has, or has been exposed to, an acute (short duration) or chronic (long duration) contagious or infectious disease
• Is liable to transmit the contagious or infectious disease.

Unless school administration has determined, based upon medical evidence, that the student:

• No longer has the disease.
• Is not in the contagious or infectious stage of an acute disease.

The Foundations School requires:

• Any student suspected of having a contagious or infectious disease to be examined by a physician and may exclude the child from school, in accordance with the procedures authorized by this policy, so long as there is a substantial risk of transmission of the disease in the school environment.
• A doctor certification indicating the student is free from contagious or infectious disease or has the liability of transmitting the disease.
• Students must not have a fever or show symptoms for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

5.4.4 CPR and AED 

Several of our TFS staff have been trained in the administration of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Per Florida Department of Health requirement, we will always have at least one staff certified in CPR and AED administration with our students at all times.  

5.4.5 Medical Treatment

In the event of an emergency in which the parent, guardian, or emergency contact cannot be reached, TFS will take appropriate action in the best interest of the student up to and including calling 911. No TFS staff, or volunteers are permitted to administer medical care or distribute medications to students beyond basic first aid (bandages and antiseptics). Only TFS staff, teaching instructors, or volunteers with documented CPR/AED certification will be permitted to administer techniques and procedures covered in CPR/AED training. If Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are contacted, any medical expenses incurred would be the total responsibility of the student’s family. TFS will always act in the best interest of the student.

5.4.6 ​Emergency Medical Needs

​WHEN TO CALL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) 9-1-1

​Call EMS if:

​The child is unconscious, semi-conscious or unusually confused.

​The child's airway is blocked.

​The child is not breathing.

​The child is having difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or is choking.

​The child has no pulse.

​The child has bleeding that won't stop.

​The child is coughing up or vomiting blood.

​The child has been poisoned.

​The child has a seizure for the first time or a seizure that lasts more than five ​​minutes.

​The child has injuries to the neck or back.

​The child has sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body.

​The child's condition is limb-threatening (for example, amputations or other ​​injuries that may leave the child permanently disabled unless he/she receives ​​immediate care).

​The child's condition could worsen or become life-threatening on the way to the​​hospital.

​Moving the child could cause further injury.

​The child needs the skills or equipment of paramedics or emergency medical​​technicians.

​Distance or traffic conditions would cause a delay in getting the child to the​​hospital.

​If any of the above conditions exist, or if you are not sure, it is best to call ​EMS 9-1-1.