St. Paul's Episcopal Nursery School

When your child will be absent from school, please call the Director’s office. In addition to general concern, the other children want to know what is going on and when your child may be expected to return.

When your child is ill, please keep him/her at home. New colds, gastrointestinal upsets, and fevers tend to be highly contagious and need to be isolated to minimize spreading to others. In addition, a child who is not well must use a tremendous amount of energy to carry on in a group of vigorous and active peers. You will be notified if your child might have been exposed to an illness such as chicken pox.

Food allergies can be life threatening. The risk of accidental exposure to foods can be reduced in the school setting if students, parents, and the school administration work together to minimize risks and provide a safe, educational environment for food-allergic students.

To better insure the health and safety of all of the children at St. Paul’s Nursery School, peanuts, peanut butter, and other foods containing nuts are not served to the children during school hours. If your child is part of Lunch Bunch, your child’s lunch should not include any foods that contain peanuts, peanut butter, or any other type of nut.

Additionally, any treats or snacks brought into school for distribution to the children WILL NOT be distributed if they contain nuts or the warning label “may contain traces of nuts,” or if it is unclear as to whether or not the treat or snack contains nuts. Please be aware that there are many hidden sources of nuts or nut products included in different kinds of foods. Baked goods can be a hidden hazard to many of our children with nut allergies. Check our list of acceptable items.

St. Paul's Nursery School does not administer any type of medication unless specifically directed to do so by the child's parent. We only administer medication that has been brought in by the child's parent and labeled with the child's name and detailed directions for administration.

A written policy statement on Blood borne Infectious Diseases is available in the Director’s office.

Emergency cards are kept on file in the Director’s office. The information includes the child’s physician, hospital preference, and emergency telephone numbers. Should an emergency occur (accident or serious illness), the child’s needs will be met first and then every effort will be made to contact the parents and/or others designated on the emergency card. Should a hospital trip be necessary, the child’s teacher or school’s Director will accompany and remain with the child until the parent(s) arrive.

If a child becomes mildly ill during class, he/she is cared for in the Director’s office. An attempt will be made to reach the parent(s), and, if they are not available, it will be the Director’s discretion as to whether a phone call to the others designated on the emergency card is needed.

All health records of the students are kept on file in the Director’s office. Allergies are posted in three places: the child's classroom, the Director’s office, and the kitchen.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Nursery School has a strict policy prohibiting child abuse. Growth and self-esteem cannot exist in an environment where sexual misconduct or abuse is present in any form.

The Nursery School recognizes its responsibility in regard to the Child Protective Services Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Staff members are provided with a summary of definitions and responsibilities supplied by the Allegheny County Children and Youth Services. Employees of the Nursery School will report any suspicion of abuse to the Director, or, in his/her absence, to the President of the Board of Trustees.

Under 55 PA Code #349, it is stated that an employee may make a direct report. The Nursery School policy, however, directs staff to review the evidence of suspected abuse with the Director or Board of Trustees President before making a report to the State.