FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

Thank you for letting your child join us on Thursdays. We really enjoy the contribution they make to our group. We have added a Group Behavior and Expectations to reflect problems we have had in the past years as well as problems we might come across as our kids get older. These rules and consequences are to help our group run more smoothly.

My goal is to be a friend and confidante, but I will always let you know if something is harmful to your child or others. I am always here for your child and for you if you ever need anything. My contact information is:

Heather Juarez (Children’s Director)

Office – 325-673-6769

Cell – 325-207-8546 (Most of the time I can answer a text easier than a phone call)

Email – children@fumcabilene.com

Just a reminder that SHINE is for Kinder – 4th Grade. If you have a 5th grader that is not currently plugged in with us or a different church, we would love for them to join our intro into youth 5 grade program on Sunday Nights. The contact person for that is Melissa Stevenson.

Melissa Stevenson (Youth Director)

Cell – 608-338-9368

Email – fumcyouth@fumcabilene.com

We will meet on Thursdays from 5:30-7pm in the Crossover (S.1 and Poplar Dinner will be provided. The van will pick up between 5-5:30pm and leave to start dropping off around 7pm. If you are going to drop off your child or pick up and they do not need to ride the van please text me so we don’t stop by.

At the same time in the crossover is a young adult/young family service. We would love for you to join if you would like. We worship and then have a video lesson and discussion after.

FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

We will succeed as a Children’s Group if we create an environment where everyone gets to be who they are. To do this we will need to maintain certain boundaries so that fun times are fun for everyone and more serious times are shared by everyone. As children of God, He gives us expectations and rules to show us He cares about our behavior. Our rules are similar - to give attention, boundaries and care to our members to help them grow into responsible adults and members of the Body of Christ.

• Purpose of Group Behavior and Expectations:
• To support a safe and enjoyable environment for all members of SHINE.
• To provide clear and explicit expectations for social behaviors in all group settings.
• To provide leaders, students and staff with appropriate actions that address student behaviors.

• Group Expectations:
• Clean up after yourself, throw all dinner trash away including cups.
• Everyone is expected to participate fully in all group and subgroup activities.
• Always treat fellow members, visitors, leaders, and any guest speakers and musicians with attention, dignity and respect. This includes putting away cell phones when in lessons or group activities.
• Student-to-student harassment is prohibited. Verbal and physical harassment of any kind will not be tolerated, including but not limited to, online bullying, physical assault, unkind teasing, verbal abuse, and put-downs, gossip, or bullying. This behavior will not be accepted on church property, at school, at activities, or online/texting. We strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and this behavior, no matter its location, does not reflect those ideals.
• Do not leave the group, church, camp, etc. without direct permission from the Children’s director or designated event leader. This includes the Crossover after activities. Each child must be either dropped off in the van or picked up by a responsible adult.
• The buddy system is necessary for all activities off campus, including visiting the restroom. Children are not to wander during Sunday morning service.
• Children are not allowed in the Crossover without an adult leader, volunteer or children’s director.
• We obey the laws of the land, including wearing seatbelts every time we are in a moving vehicle, limiting group activity numbers, and wearing masks and staying 6 feet apart when necessary and available.

FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

Continued Group Behavior and Expectations

• Taking another child’s or leader’s property is unacceptable unless express permission has been given by the owner of the object such as phones, chargers, earbuds, money, bags or clothes.
• Children should dress appropriately for the occasion. Clothes with curse words, vulgar pictures, drug or alcohol references and brands are not acceptable. For swimming, lake activities, and water park activities, one-piece swimsuits or a t-shirt over a two-piece are required for females, and males are required to wear a t-shirt with their swim shorts.

Consequences for Misbehavior The consequences for misbehavior outlined below aim to exemplify grace and forgiveness. The goal is that members learn from their actions. Children’s Department members who receive any offense may return to the program with a clean slate. We desire all children to be able to participate in activities and will not hold prior offenses against a child who has completed the consequences, assuming that a pattern does not emerge. Children are held accountable for their behavior but not condemned.

• Consequences for Offenses:
• 1 Offense: The child will receive a verbal warning.
• 2 Offense: The child will be pulled aside by a leader to discuss the offense.
• 3 Offense: The child will be pulled aside by a leader and will be asked to call their legal guardian, explain why they are calling (i.e., what actions got them in trouble), and asked to be picked up immediately. Children will receive additional warning that the next offense will result in suspension from the group for 1-2 weeks and an in-person parent and student meeting with the Children’s Director shall be scheduled to discuss behavior.
• Children’s Department group leaders reserve the right to determine the severity of misbehavior and may choose to skip to a higher offense level or to modify any of the above-stated consequences to match the behavior in question. For example, if the offense is not picking up their dinner trash, the consequence may be to pick up everyone’s dinner trash the next time we meet.
• Children who reach 3 Offense multiple times may lose privileges, including but not limited to, coming to SHINE activities, single-day events, or attendance at overnight events. Children will always be welcome to Sunday morning service, no matter the offense except in extreme circumstances, but may not be allowed to ride in the van.

FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

Continued Behavior and Expectations

Children’s Group Non-Negotiables:

• No possession or use of alcohol, tobacco, vaping, marijuana, or illegal drugs
• No abuse of legal or prescription drugs
• No possession of weapons
• No physical fighting

Any violation of a non-negotiable item, meaning behavior that is disruptive to the group, or behavior that threatens the safety of self or others, will result in the offending child(s) being sent home immediately, at the parent’s expense. In signing this form, the parent agrees to cover all expenses related to sending their child home.

I have read the group policies, expected expectations, non-negotiable activities, and consequences and agree to abide by them.

FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

(A copy will be emailed to the parent)

I hereby give consent for {childs Name} to have emergency medical treatment administered for medical treatment decisions to be made by church leaders during sponsored events. I understand that all reasonable attempts will be made to contact me in the event of an emergency. I understand that FUMC Abilene assumes no financial responsibility for medical expenses resulting from personal accidents or illness. I accept financial responsibility for the well-being for the above-named child and authorize the group sponsor to seek needed medical help.

As the parent or legal guardian of {childs Name} I understand that FUMC Abilene is not liable or responsible for any loss or damage to personal property while participating in a trip or at church activities. I also understand that FUMC Abilene, its church staff, and/or chaperone bear no responsibility or liability for any accident or injury that may occur to my child while participating in activities, and I agree to assume all liability and bear all financial responsibility. I also agree to indemnify FUMC Abilene, its staff and/or chaperones for any damages caused by an alleged act or inaction by my child.

FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

I hereby give permission for {childs name} while under the direction/care of FUMC Abilene children’s directors, leaders and chaperones, to have photos/videos/images taken, displayed, or used for recordkeeping, promotion, outreach, and celebratory purposes. I authorize church pastoral staff and volunteer youth leaders to photograph, video record, and use said media for church ministries. In this digital age the church takes many pictures of special events, activities, youth group, etc. We use these photos/videos/images to record, promote and celebrate our church ministries through various venues, including but not limited to, church website, church and youth Facebook and Instagram pages, slide shows, Apple TVs in the Ministry Activity Center, bulletin boards, or print material. Photos/videos/images are almost always in public areas and/or public events. We will not knowingly post or print anything that would be embarrassing, objectionable or hurtful to anyone in photo/video/image. Additionally, staff, leaders and volunteers may not post pictures of children and/or children’s activities on their personal social media accounts, but because church pages are public, they may share pictures from authorized media.

Having understood the above, I hereby disclaim, release and agree to hold FUMC Abilene, its staff, volunteers and leaders, harmless from any liability to me, my child, or to any other person or entity as a result of or in connection with the use of said photographs/videos/images, including but not limited to, any claims for invasion of privacy or defamation.

I agree to the statements made above:

-Or-

I do not agree and choose not to have my child’s image used for any church use including digital and print materials and understand that my youth’s image may need to be blurred to accomplish this goal.

FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

I give permission for {childs name} to be transported in a motor vehicle driven by an authorized adult and monitor while the child is attending FUMC Abilene functions. I understand that my child is expected to follow all applicable laws regarding riding in a motor vehicle and is expected to follow the directions provided by the driver and/or other adult volunteers.

I have read, understand and discussed with my child that:

1. They will be traveling in a motor vehicle driven by an adult over the age of 21 who has been approved by the church, and they are to wear their safety belt correctly in accordance with laws while traveling.
2. They are expected to respect each other, the vehicle they ride in, and the people they travel with during the drive, including picking up and disposing of trash properly, responsible use of liquids if allowed in the vehicle, and gestures and faces made to people and vehicles outside of the vehicle they are riding in.
3. Consequences in the Behavior and Expectations form apply also to vehicle behavior.
4. Riding in a motor vehicle may result in personal injuries or death from wrecks, collisions, or acts by riders, other drivers, or objects; therefore, they are to remain in their seats and not be disruptive to the driver of the vehicle.

As a condition for the transportation received, I, for myself, my child, my executors and assigns, further agree to release and forever discharge FUMC Abilene and their employees and volunteers from any claim that I might have myself or that I could bring on my child’s behalf with regard to any damages, demands or actions whatsoever, including those based on negligence, in any manner arising out of this transportation.

I have read this entire Permission/Waiver form, fully understand it, and agree to be legally bound by its terms.

FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

Insurance Information:

FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

In early March of 2020 Abilene was introduced to novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. In response to the possible outbreak, FUMC Abilene closed our doors and proceeded to hold classes, activities and services online. As cases have decreased, we have opened our building for activities again, but we are taking steps for prevention.

Children who attend our activities and services will be encouraged to wear masks while attending. We have increased our cleanings and have hand sanitizer available. We are also encouraging physically distancing when possible and limited group size. We do not want to lose the opportunity to learn with your child but want to keep all as safe as possible.

If Abilene ISD closes due to increased cases, FUMC Abilene Children’s Programs will go to online classes and activities as well.

In accordance with these preventative challenges, by participating in programs, services and activities of FUMC Abilene, you agree to the following:

On behalf of yourself and your child, you hereby release, covenant not to sue, discharge, and hold harmless FUMC Abilene, its employees, agents and representatives, of and from all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs or expenses of any kind arising out of, or relating to, your participation in our programs, services or activities. You understand and agree that this release includes any claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of this organization, its employees, agents, and representatives, whether a COVID-19 infection occurs before, during, or after participation in any such program, service or activity.