ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
For safety and insurance reasons we ask that no student arrive at school before 7:40 AM. There is no yard supervision prior to this time or after 3:15 PM (12:45 PM Fridays). The only students who are allowed to stay after school are those who are participating in Holy Name of Mary's sports programs or those who are requested to remain after class to see a teacher. Siblings are not to wait at school while students participate in after-school activities. Parents are asked to pick up children promptly at 3:00 PM (12:30 PM Fridays). Drivers are asked to follow the directions of the yard monitors while in the parking lot. There is NO drop off or pick up in front of the church or school. Students dropped off prior to 7:40 AM or not picked up by 3:15 PM (12:45 PM on Fridays) will be placed in the Extended Care Program, and parents will be charged.

Those students who walk to and from school must have a current permission slip on file each school year. Those students who ride their bicycles to school must have a current permission slip on file each school year. Bicycles must be locked at all times to the bike rack outside the 6th grade classroom.

RELEASE OF STUDENTS DURING SCHOOL HOURS
No student may leave the school grounds unless he/she has written parental permission and is accompanied by an authorized adult. All appointments should be scheduled outside of school hours if at all possible.

If it is necessary for a student to leave the school grounds for an appointment or other reason, a parent/guardian must notify the teacher in writing on the morning of the appointment. Parents should stop by the office first to have the student called from class. The student can then meet their parent/guardian at the health room where they can be signed out. Students are not to be asked to wait outside the school for these appointments. THEY MUST BE PICKED UP AT THE HEALTH ROOM.

A medical or dental excuse from the doctor or dentist should be returned to school with the student. Without this medical/dental note the student's absence cannot be credited as a medically excused absence.

VISITOR’S POLICY
If you are visiting or staying on campus for any reason, please stop by the office to sign in and receive a “Visitor” badge. Upon completion of your business, you must sign out of the office. This policy is implemented for the safety of the students as well as a convenience if we need to contact you in the event of an emergency.

SAFEGUARDING OUR CHILDREN
HNM School is committed to safeguarding our children. Anyone coming to volunteer at our school, or driving children to and from field trips or sporting events, must be fingerprinted and Virtus trained according to the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. A copy of the Virtus Adult Training Certificate must be on file with the principal.

EARTHQUAKE PROCEDURES
Holy Name of Mary School practices disaster drills on a monthly basis. Detailed escape plans are posted inside the door of each classroom. Students should realize the seriousness and importance of these drills. They are to proceed in silence and in an orderly manner to their designated position. In the event of an emergency, the school is prepared to provide safety and protection for the students.

The following procedures will be used in the event of a major earthquake:

• At the first sign of an earthquake, teachers will issue the "DROP" command. Students will regularly drill on proper drop and evacuation procedures.
• The teacher will assess the ability of the class to evacuate and will ascertain possible injuries.
• Students will evacuate to a central EMERGENCY ASSEMBLY AREA and be supervised until a parent or authorized adult arrives to pick up student(s).
• IN THE EVENT OF A MAJOR DESTRUCTIVE EARTHQUAKE, ALL STUDENTS WILL BE KEPT AT SCHOOL UNTIL THEY CAN BE RELEASED TO THEIR PARENT OR OTHER AUTHORIZED ADULT WHO CAN COME TO PICK THEM UP.
• We will utilize the services of parents as EMERGENCY
  VOLUNTEERS at the school site in the event of a major quake.
  Anyone who is able to reach the school and is willing to help with our disaster plan will be greatly appreciated.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING
Each school and religious education program must establish an ongoing safe environment training program for the children at its site. Home-based materials must be provided to all parents to help them understand and support their children's education regarding child sexual abuse. The approved programs include Good-Touch/Bad-Touch® and VIRTUS® Teaching Touching Safety (Mandated September 1, 2006).

Good-Touch/Bad-Touch® is being implemented in Grades K-9 in Catholic elementary schools throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The program is designed to be age-appropriate, to support children in understanding occasions of abuse, and to give them confidence in reporting and asserting themselves in situations where they feel unsafe.

VIRTUS® Teaching Touching Safety is a K-12 program being implemented in religious education programs and Catholic schools. This program is a vehicle through which parents, teachers, catechists and youth ministers give children and young people the tools they need to protect themselves from those who might harm them. Questions concerning this program can be forwarded to Sister Mary Elizabeth Galt, B.V.M., Chancellor, Coordinator of Children's Programs at 213 637 7460.