SMCA Student Protection Policy
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. - Luke 2:52
South Merrimack Christian Academy, a ministry of Merrimack Valley Baptist Church, is a life preparatory school in partnership with parents to cultivate the academic, spiritual, and emotional growth of students and to inspire them to influence our culture for Jesus.
1. All adults, including faculty, staff, and volunteers, desiring to minister to students (1) at SMCA must meet all the following qualifications to become a certified adult worker (2,3,4):
a. Be 18 years of age or older.
b. Complete and sign the MVBC Children and Youth Worker Application (5,6).
c. Submit to an interview by the School Administrator.
d. Submit to a background check every 24 months by a background check service that utilizes local and national database services. A person who has been previously convicted of abuse or mistreatment of children or youth will be disqualified from working with students at South Merrimack Christian Academy.
e. Participate in annual training on student protection policies and procedures.
2. All teens (ages 13–17) desiring to minister to students at SMCA must meet the qualifications in 1b, 1c, and 1e above to become a certified teen worker. (2,3,4) Teen workers involved in working with students are to be supervised by a certified adult worker.
3. Faculty, staff, and volunteers desiring to transport students to and from off-site events must complete MVBC’s Driver Questionnaire, including any required supporting documentation, and submit to a Motor Vehicle Record check. The Driver Questionnaire must be approved by the School Administrator and Facility Supervisor. Any violations, warnings, etc. may be cause for denial to transport students.
4. A parent/guardian must have completed the SMCA Child Safety Program and become a certified worker (2) within the past 12 months to chaperone any school program or event.
5. Students should not be left alone in an individual’s care, behind closed doors or in an isolated location or private location. The School Administrator will evaluate school programs and events to determine the level of risk for sexual misconduct situations to occur (7). When the risk level is high, every effort should be made to increase supervision and accountability for the school program or event.
6. Students should not be left unsupervised. Students should not be left alone to wander the halls or go into areas of the church or school unsupervised. Students may travel the hallway to a specific location with faculty or staff permission. Elementary students should use the buddy system. Secondary students should have a “Pass or Transfer” hall pass issued by the sending faculty or staff member. Workers should always keep a count of students to ensure a child is never left alone. This is particularly important during any transition such as moving from one room to another, using bathrooms, or transporting to and from off-site activities, etc.
7. All field trips must be cleared and approved by school administration. Under no conditions may a staff member take any student from campus during the school day without the prior approval of the parents and proper sign-out procedures.
8. A parent must complete a photo release giving permission to use his or her child’s photograph on the SMCA website, SMCA social media, and other promotional materials produced by South Merrimack Christian Academy. If a parent has not given permission to use his or her child’s photo with the photo release, a student’s picture may not be used for this purpose.
9. Faculty, staff, and volunteers may not date or be romantically involved with students.
10. All workers will be issued ID badges and should visibly wear them for the duration of the program or event.
11. In the event an allegation of abuse of a student is made, it must be reported immediately to the School Administrator using the Reporting Guidelines (8).
References & Definitions
1. Students are children and teens enrolled at SMCA (K3-Grade 12).
2. Workers are faculty, staff, or volunteers.
3. Under certain circumstances, the requirements in this section may be waived by the School Administrator. It is recommended that the volunteer complete an application and background check regardless of the waiver of any of the requirements. It is also recommended that the School Administrator obtain a pastoral reference about the individual from his/her previous church. An exception form will be completed and retained in a secure location.
4. South Merrimack Christian Academy reserves the right to disqualify adult or teen workers from working with students at SMCA for any reason.
5. Please contact the School Office or Church Office to obtain an application.
6. All applications and background information obtained on workers are confidential and will be properly stored and retained in a secure location. This can include the FBI, local police, state police, etc.
7. Risk factors that would call for increased supervision include:
a. The opportunity for isolation of students and/or workers during an activity.
b. A decrease in accountability.
c. The imbalance of power, authority, influence, and control among students and/or workers.
8. See Reporting Guidelines.
9. Please see Title XII Public Safety and Welfare Chapter 169-C Child Protection Act at: www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/xii/169-c/169-c-mrg.htm
Reporting Guidelines
If an individual makes an allegation, please follow these guidelines:
1. React calmly. You need to be a source of stability for the individual, his or her family, and others involved in the situation.
2. Reassure the student. The individual needs to know that he or she was right to inform you about the situation. Take all allegations seriously. The School Administrator must follow up on all allegations.
3. Treat the accused with dignity and support. The accused worker will be temporarily relieved of his or her duties by the School Administrator until the investigation is complete and further appropriate action is taken pending the outcome of the investigation.
4. Report the suspected abuse to the School Administrator.
5. Document all your efforts in handling the incident. Complete an Incident Report immediately. Collect in writing all relevant information concerning the allegation. This form should be returned to the School Administrator
6. Avoid interrogation. Leave the in-depth investigation and questioning to the proper secular authorities.
7. Upon receipt of an allegation of abuse, the School Administrator will contact the parent or guardian of the student unless otherwise instructed by the secular authorities.
8. Confidentiality is very important. Information regarding the accusation should be shared only with the School Administrator. Be careful to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of all persons involved.
9. To fulfill any New Hampshire state reporting obligations (9) concerning the alleged child abuse, the School Administrator will notify the Department of Health and Human Services.
10. Upon learning of the allegations of abuse, the School Administrator will promptly contact legal counsel and the insurance carrier.
11. Do not contact the media. Only the church’s designated spokesperson will speak on behalf of South Merrimack Christian Academy to the media (print, TV, radio, or internet) using the text of a prepared public statement approved by the School Administrator. All members, workers, etc. are asked to refer all questions to the designated spokesperson. Do not reveal any names or any information of those involved in the incident.
The School Administrator will communicate and collaborate with a MVBC Pastor while protecting privacy and maintaining confidentiality as the incident allows.
“I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.”