Organization:

Protection of Children:

In our church and church schools, there have been instances of abuse of children by priests and by teachers. We must be on guard to protect the innocence of our children. Here are some ways we are trying to be careful at the Kempton New Church and KNCS:

1. In sermons and classes, we discuss the protection of innocence as one of the chief duties of parents and of all adults. We also discuss the state of the fallen Christian Church within us and around us, and the desire of the hells to destroy innocence.
2. For KNCS, ASPIRE and Church young people's trips, it is well understood that there have to be married men and women present as chaperons, and for overnight co-ed trips, at least one married couple (both husband and wife).
3. From time to time we have discussions in faculty meetings - male and female faculty separately and together - about potential issues around the school and how to protect the children and the faculty.
4. Whenever a teacher is hired, we make sure that he or she complies with the law requiring a police report, certifying that there is no record of abuse.
5. Informally, there has been a lot of discussion of appropriate and inappropriate behavior and monitoring among parents here due to the presence in the community of a person convicted of child abuse.
6. Our faculty understands that any allegation of abuse must be reported to the civil authorities within 24 hours. We will also report such an allegation to the parents. We understand that we are not to judge an allegation but be supportive both to accuser and accused, making it clear that the situation must be reported to the authorities and to the parents immediately.

Student Support Limitations:

We know that parents of children with special needs are as eager for their children to enjoy the benefits of a New Church education as any parents in the church. When learning disabilities or special needs are identified, the school will determine what support we are able to offer within our budgetary and personnel confines. Sometimes our small classes suit students with special needs. We have often reduced courses and requirements to suit certain students, or provided some courses while a student takes other courses at home.

We do not have a separate special education program. We also may not be able to accommodate children with serious behavioral or emotional problems. If parents desire or require more for their children than the school can provide, they can consider educational institutions that have an emphasis upon special needs students, or schools with specialized programs to meet their needs. We are pleased to do what we can.

Care of the Building and Grounds:

There is no paid maintenance staff and most maintenance is taken care of by a committee of volunteers. The lawns are mowed by a professional service.

In school each teacher, with his or her students, is responsible for certain duties around the school, such as emptying wastebaskets, cleaning the art room, cleaning their own room, etc. Time for this is set aside twice a week in the Middle School. Teachers are responsible for their own classrooms. Parents are asked to volunteer to clean the bathrooms, or they pay an extra fee with the tuition bill so that we may hire someone to take their place.

Communications:

In a small church society informal communication is the general rule. We expect frequent parent-teacher communication about school matters. In addition, the following structures exist to promote good communication.

1. Note Home: weekly during the school year
2. Newsletter: monthly
3. Meetings with parents:
   1. Class meetings, especially at the beginning of the year
   2. Parent-teacher meetings in the middle of each semester