Kempton New Church School

Organization:

Protection of Children:

Our first responsibility is to keep the children in our care safe from abuse by adults or other children, and protected from being allowed to get into damaging habits. In a safe, orderly environment, children can grow up well. In our denomination and in some 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 (see Protecting Innocence). 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. KNCS and church young people’s overnight co-ed trips are ideally chaperoned by at least one married couple (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. Informally, there is a lot of discussion among parents about appropriate behavior and monitoring.
  5. We comply with the law by obtaining for every teacher a Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Record Check, a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, and an FBI fingerprint clearance.
  6. School personnel are bound by Pennsylvania law to report whenever there exists reasonable cause to suspect that a child is being abused or neglected. We follow the General Church Child Protection Policy—Guarding Against Sexual Abuse. The General Church Abuse Committee may be informed of allegations involving church members or students. Teachers and administrators are not permitted to investigate any case. Civil authorities decide whether to investigate and conduct an investigation. Judgment is necessary to determine reasonable cause, but the reporting standard has been intentionally set at a low level by the state to encourage reporting.

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 constraints. Sometimes our small classes suit students with special needs. We have often been able to modify curriculum and requirements to suit certain students. Sometimes a student will attend some of our regular classes while taking other courses at home or elsewhere.

We do not, however, have a separate special education program. We also may not be able to accommodate children with serious behavioral or emotional problems. We are pleased to do what we can.

Care of the Buildings and Grounds:

Our paid maintenance staff is very minimal. Volunteers take care of the gardens, clean the facilities, and contribute to upkeep in other ways. Students do regular chores in school as part of their learning (see The School Day). Teachers are responsible for their own classrooms. We have work parties twice a year; all society members—children and adults—participate in them if they can, to help keep things clean and in order. The lawns are mowed by a professional service.

Communications:

Parent-teacher communication about school matters is important, whether it happens in person, by phone, or email. Organized ways of communicating include the following:

  1. The Note Home—published weekly during the school year
  2. The Newsletter—published monthly
  3. Class meetings, especially at the beginning of the year
  4. Parent-teacher conferences in the middle of each semester
  5. Report cards at the end of each semester
  6. Weekly reports, when necessary