Health, Security, and Transportation

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Health, Security, and Transportation

Substance Abuse

The fundamental role of the Laboratory Schools is to provide its student body with the academic and social skills necessary to become healthy, productive citizens who will contribute positively to the school and community. We recognize that substance abuse is a negative and destructive behavior that is inconsistent with the needs of healthy, growing and developing individuals. A person�s use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs can lead to the illness of chemical dependency. Therefore the Schools prohibit the use of these substances and will provide preventive education for all students and assistance to any student displaying signs of risk. Furthermore, we believe that it is the responsibility of the Laboratory Schools community to take steps to promote and maintain a drug free environment.

The possession or use of drugs or alcohol, on the school campus or at school sponsored activities, will lead to an out of school suspension. A repeat of the behavior may cause expulsion. The selling of alcohol or drugs is considered an extreme offense leading to expulsion. Smoking is forbidden on the school campus and at all school-sponsored activities.

We also recognize that what students do outside of school may have an impact on their health, safety and academic performance. Parents should expect to hear from teachers, counselors or administrators anytime that we note a significant change in a child�s behavior or possess information of activities that might endanger a student's health and well being. Communication between school and home is the best way to prevent students from abusing any harmful substances.

Student Use of Medication

In order to comply with state guidelines regarding the dispensing of medication at school, it is necessary for the school to control the location and administering of all prescription and non-prescription medicines, and to restrict the use of these medicines to the appropriately authorized students. The Laboratory Schools' policy is:

Student medication of any kind (pills, liquids, drops, etc.) except inhalers will be kept in the nurse�s office (Blaine 107A)

The nurse's office must have appropriate written authorization from the prescribing physician and the parent/guardian on file. Non-prescription medication requires written authorization from the parent. Such authorization must include:

The name of the student
The name of the medication
The prescribed dosage of the medication
The time of administration of the medication
The exact date the medication is to be given
The full name of the doctor prescribing the medication

State guidelines require that the medicine be sent in the original pharmacy container or, in the case of non-prescription drugs, the original manufacturer's container labeled with the ingredients and the student's name.

Medicine of any kind may only be taken in the presence of the school nurse, or, in her absence, in the presence of her substitute or a school administrator. Children should also bring a note to the classroom teacher so the teacher can remind the student of the arrangements with the nurse.

Provisions of state law and school policy prohibit any member of the faculty or staff, including the nurse, from providing any medicine including Tylenol to students without the permission of a parent or guardian.

When a medication is no longer needed, parents are responsible for removing from the school any unused medications. At the end of the school year, should there be any medications not picked up, the nurse will dispose of them.

Illness at School

If a child becomes ill at school, we will call the parents and ask that they pick up their child as quickly as possible. If we cannot reach the parents, we will call the emergency contact person. It is not only best for a sick child to be at home, it is our responsibility to watch out for the health needs of all children at school. After parents have been notified, a sick child may wait in the nurse�s office for his/her ride.

No child should come to school with any contagious disease, an unexplained rash, a temperature of 100^o or above, or vomiting. We ask that students stay home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours. We believe that the health of a child is necessary for a child to experience useful days at school.

Head lice are a relatively common childhood affliction, and it is one that easily spreads. If a child is found to have head lice, parents are requested to pick up their child immediately and are asked to initiate treatment. The nurse can help parents with instructions on how to treat head lice. When the child returns to school, parents should take him/her to the school nurse, in Blaine Hall, room 107A. When more than one child in a class is found with head lice, the school nurse will examine the heads of all children in the class. Help your child understand the normalcy of this procedure.

Returning to School

Children who have been severely ill need to bring a clearance from their doctor and give this to the school nurse. Children who return to school for limited activity need to have a doctor's statement supporting their request. The school nurse issues all excuses from physical education class. If your child is diagnosed as having a communicable disease such as chicken pox, measles, etc., it is important for you to notify the nurse at once, and she will decide whether other families need to be informed.

Emergencies

If a serious emergency occurs at school, we will:

Call you, your spouse or emergency contact person.

If we are unable to contact any of the above, we will take the child by ambulance or car to the nearest emergency room. In the meantime, school personnel will continue to try to reach parents as stated in step one.

Security

Public Safety Coordinators, employed by the school, are stationed at the Blaine entrance on 59th Street, the entrance to the High School on Kenwood Mall, and the entrance to Belfield on Kimbark. All persons entering the Schools must enter through one of these three doors. After 9:00 A.M. visitors to the Schools must sign in with one of the Safety Coordinators. A university police officer assists with dismissal and has responsibility for locking the buildings at the end of the school day. Children are dismissed from after school programs at 5:30 P.M. and should be picked up in front of Blaine Hall. All school doors are locked at 4 P.M. except the Blaine entrance. Only students in adult supervised activities may be in the school after 4 P.M.

Transportation

Students travel to Hyde Park from many locations in a variety of ways. There is a North side bus service available to our students. Please contact Director of Auxiliary Services, Ned Reece at (773) 834-4272 for information. The CTA provides general bus service to members of the University community living in the Hyde Park-Kenwood area. Students at the Laboratory Schools may ride these buses at a cost of $1.50 per ride. Some families in other areas of the city and suburbs contract for transportation with private carriers. The school has available a list of companies which our students use. While these listings do not constitute a recommendation, they are a helpful way for our community to share information.

Bicycles

Bicycle racks are located near the Kimbark and Kenwood entrances to Belfield Hall. Students need to lock their bicycle securely; bicycles may not be brought into the school building for storage. Bicycles are not to be used during the school day.

Skateboards, Scooters and Roller Blades

Skateboards, scooters and roller blades are not to be used during the school day. Students who use these items as transportation to and from school need to leave these items in their lockers during the day. If a student uses a skateboard, scooter, or roller blades during the day, the item will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the school day. Additionally, the student will lose the privilege of bringing the item to school.