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Child Protection Safety

Child Protection Safety

New Life International School's vision is to provide quality Christian education in a safe, loving, family atmosphere; thus, providing a safe environment for the students and teachers is a top priority. To maintain a safe environment, the teachers and staff believe that it is essential to be prepared for any emergency or critical incident that might present itself. The teachers continually work to improve our school's safety regulations so NLIS will continue its reputation as being a safe place to learn. Below are some of the policies that New Life International School follows.

The school:

 

  • Works with the community to address equality issues, promote positive values, and encourage a culture of respect;

  • Creates conditions in which the students can aspire to and realize safe and healthy relationships;

  • Establishes a culture where students can share their concerns openly in a non-judgmental environment.

New Life International School teachers have written a "Child Protection Policy Handbook," a "Critical Incident Management Plan," and an "E-Safety Policy." The following is taken from these handbooks.​

Basic Policies and Procedures

 

The following assures the children at New Life International School of a safe learning environment:

1. Restroom Policy

For New Life International School to be a safe place for all children, adults have separate restroom facilities. The two adult restrooms are in the gym locker room and the storage room in the annex building. However, if an adult cannot enter either of those for any reason, an adult may use one of the students' facilities by following the guideline, "No child and adult will share a facility at the same time." Therefore, an adult will ensure no child is in the restroom by calling, "Hello? Anyone here?" After assuring no child is inside the premises, the adult may enter and lock the door, ensuring that no child may enter.

2. Anti-Bullying Policy

 

New Life International School has a zero-bullying policy. No student may be bullied, teased, insulted, or rejected, no matter how different that child may dress, talk, act, or think. A child may not be bullied no matter the child's religion, race, culture, language background, family, or anything else that makes the child seem different.   NLIS does not accept the support of bullies for any reason from a child or a parent, and all bullying will be dealt with firmly but lovingly. If a child is bullied or suspected of being bullied, the teachers must take immediate action to separate or protect the child from the bully and help the students work out the problem. Note:  stopbullying.gov defines bullying as "Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated or has the potential to be repeated over time. Bullying includes threatening, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose."

3. Annual First Aid Training and Annual Updates on all Protection Plans

 

All teachers and staff have training in first aid annually. All teachers, staff, and board members review the student protection policies annually and work to improve the guidelines as needed. First aid kits are regularly maintained and kept filled with band-aids, gloves, antiseptic spray, gauze pads, adhesive tape, tweezers, ice packs (in the freezer), itch cream or after-bite ointment, fever-reducing gel sheets, a forehead thermometer, and a CPR mask kit.

4. Annual Protection Activities:

 
 

  • Earthquake, fire, and lockdown training and drills for all students

  • A fire safety demonstration lesson by the fire department for first through grade six every other year, either at the school or at the fire department near Kofu Station 

  • A check of the school buildings by a licensed professional to make sure all smoke and light detectors, exit signs, and fire extinguishers are up to date and working

  • Child protection classes are held annually for all the students. Classes discuss physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. The students are taught various ways to use "no, go, and tell." The classes are divided into ages and boys and girls.

  • Puberty classes are taught from grades four through twelve. 

  • In case of an emergency and the students cannot return to their homes, the school has the following supplies available:  bottled water for 48 hours for up to 50 people, food including canned foods, peanut butter, crackers, and instant ramen, and a propane gas burner and three gas cans.

  • All classrooms, the gym, and the office have a clear line of sight to prevent secret enclosure problems. Exceptions will occur during a lockdown and when older children change for physical education. However, no teacher or adult will be alone with a student during these times.

5. Risk Assessments before School Field Trips

A teacher or staff member will complete a School Trip Risk Assessment before any field trip. This involves going in person to the place, viewing any possible risks associated with the area, including transportation to and from the location, then reporting it to the head of the school. Based on the results of the School Trip Risk Assessment, the teachers and the head of the school will decide if the location is safe for travel. This is to ensure that precautions have been taken so that our school outings can be as safe as possible. 

6. Safe Recruitment Procedures

All employees who work or interact regularly with New Life students are screened to satisfy the Student Protection Policy requirements.

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Employees who have come from a country other than Japan in the last 12 months will provide a police clearance (a criminal background check) from their former country, provided the police in the respective country provide such statements, and a letter of "Employer Declaration Regarding Student Protection," stating that they are a suitable person to work with students. 

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Since Japan does not have a service for background checks, Japanese citizens or expatriates who have lived in Japan for more than 12 months are asked to fulfill two requirements whenever possible: 

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a. Sign the "Employer Declaration Regarding Student Protection" stating that they are suitable to work with students and have no prior convictions for child abuse.

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b. Obtain a written reference from a school leader where they have worked recently. This reference must state when they worked at that school and that they are suitable for working with students. The connection should be dated and not older than one year. The reference must be signed on official letterhead paper from the school and contain full contact details for the referee. 

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If the new employee has not worked at a school before, suitable references will be received from previous employers.

7. Intimate Personal Care Procedures

There are various situations where school employees may assist students with personal care procedures, help students who have soiled themselves, or help in accidents, injuries, and first aid.

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When assisting a child in these situations, there are certain principles that staff will observe:

  • Have a second adult in the room.

  • If another adult is unavailable, a second student should be present, or if the student can change themself, the adult will step out of the room. 

  • Document the incident.

8. E-Safety Policy

Student behavior must be guided by clearly outlined expectations, helping them make wise decisions about their behavior as a New Life International School student. Consequently, students are also expected to practice responsible use of technology. Students should be aware that these expectations apply to any IT device used at New Life International School, even those not provided by the school. All of the students from grade one through junior high have a computer available for use every day. High school students must purchase a laptop and bring it to school every day.

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At New Life International School, responsible use for everyone at the school means the following things:

 

  • Following all school policies and pertinent Japanese and international laws, this includes not possessing or sharing pirated software or applications.

  • Obeying intellectual property rules and copyright laws

  • Observing school network security practices, including not installing hacking or malicious software on any device

  • Refraining from copying, removing, or altering school software

  • Respecting data, networks, and other resources, both their own and others (e.g., not bypassing network settings with proxies or Internet access devices)

  • Refraining from using peer-to-peer file-sharing software

  • Properly acknowledging any material used from the Internet, as with any other source

  • Reporting threatening or inappropriate material, as well as security risks to a teacher or administrator

  • Refraining from audio and video recording without prior permission of all parties since such actions are not permitted

Faculty and Staff are responsible for ensuring the following:

  • Report any suspected misuse or problem with technology to the E-Safety Officer or Head of School for appropriate action to be taken.

  • Digital communications with students should be sensible and professional and only use official school systems.

  • Ensure that E-safety issues are embedded in the curriculum and other school activities.

  • To be aware of e-safety issues related to mobile phones, cameras, and handheld devices, they must monitor their use on campus or school-related use. 

  • Where internet use is planned for, students should be guided to suitable sites; each teacher should have procedures for dealing with any unsuitable material inadvertently found.

  • Teach students to understand and follow the school e-safety and acceptable use policy.

  • Teach students a good understanding of research skills and the need to avoid plagiarism.

  • Be aware of e-safety matters and the current school E-Safety Policy and practices.

Students are expected to do the following:

 
 

  • Understand and agree to the Student Safe Internet Use Agreement.

  • Show responsible use of the school information and communication systems by the E-Safety Policy.

  • Have a good understanding of research skills and the need to avoid plagiarism and uphold copyright regulations.

  • Understand the importance of reporting abuse, misuse, or access to inappropriate materials.

  • Know and understand school policies on using mobile phones, digital cameras, and handheld devices. They should also know and understand school policies on the taking or using images.

  • Understand the need to appropriately handle others' images or information to prevent issues such as cyber-bullying

  • Understand the importance of adopting good e-safety practices when using digital technologies and realize that the school's E-Safety Policy covers their actions out of school.

9. Policy on Smart or Mobile Phones and Other Handheld Devices

 

Communication and handheld devices, many of which have built-in cameras, are among the growing technology that has become more prevalent in today's society. Therefore, New Life International School believes that the benefits of using these devices for education outweigh the risks or disadvantages. 

  • Faculty and staff usually have these devices while in school and may use them during break times. They may also be used for class lessons in moderation. Teachers and staff may also take pictures of students, teachers, or staff for school purposes only, such as for lessons or school advertisements, unless the parents have not granted permission. A media permission form is given to all parents at the time of enrollment. This also applies to other adults, such as helpers on field trips or guests giving special lessons while they are on school grounds.

  • Students may bring phones with them to school, but they are not to be used during the school day unless the teacher allows them to be used in a lesson. It is assumed that such devices held by students are primarily intended for use in an emergency. Other handheld devices are not allowed, such as tablets or gaming devices. If these devices are found, they may be confiscated for the day. This policy is stated in the school handbook: "Students are not to use cell phones or computers without the school's permission. All cell phones must be on manner mode and may not be used during class. NLIS will not be responsible for the loss or damage of any cell phone brought from home. Teachers may confiscate a cell phone if wrongly used, but it will be returned after school.

It should be noted that the general student safety policies take precedence over the permissions granted here. Should it be necessary, depending on the situation, devices may be temporarily confiscated for faculty, staff, or student safety.​

10. Welfare and Safety

 

Student welfare and safety are the priority of NLIS. Teachers at NLIS are Christians and pray for each of their students regularly. 

Students may not do the following:

 
 

  • Leave the school's supervision before regular closing times

  • Be in contact with unknown persons

  • Be released to unknown persons or an estranged parent not legally responsible for the child without express written permission from the legally responsible parent or guardian.

Faculty and staff will do the following to satisfy protocol:

 
 

  • Respond to accidents, injuries, and illness with first aid.

  • If the classes are off-campus, such as on a field trip or at the local park, teachers must have a first aid kit and a phone with school numbers and emergency numbers with them at all times.

  • Provide medication only upon prior written permission from parents or a physician's direction.

  • If a child is injured, a faculty or staff member shall clean and bandage the cut. 

  • Correctly record all severe incidents and inform parents and the administration on the day of the incident.

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Each teacher shall take their temperature when a child is suspected of having a fever. If the child's temperature is 37.2 or higher, the teacher or assistant will call a parent to come and pick up the child. The student will be given a fever reducer pack to place on their head and asked to rest in the principal's room while waiting for a parent or guardian to come and take them home or to the doctor.

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All children must be fever-free and have no sickness symptoms for 24 hours before returning to school. 

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If the child does not have a fever but still complains of feeling unwell, the child may rest for a while in the principal's room to rest. They may be given a small snack from their lunch if there is a suspicion that they are weak from not eating breakfast. Parents should be notified after school about the child's complaints.

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For more information concerning safety policies at New Life International School, please contact the school.  

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