At Al Huda Islamic School, the safety, dignity, and well-being of every child are our highest priorities. As an Islamic institution serving students from Kindergarten through Grade 12, we are committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and respectful environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive both academically and spiritually.

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

• Protect children from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Provide clear procedures for staff, volunteers, and parents to follow.
• Foster a culture of safety, trust, and responsibility within our school community.
• Uphold our duty of care in line with Islamic values, U.S. law, and Arizona child protection standards.

2. Guiding Principles

• Islamic Values: We affirm that protecting children is a religious and moral obligation, guided by the Qur’an and Sunnah.
• Zero Tolerance: The school has zero tolerance for abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children.
• Shared Responsibility: All staff, faculty, volunteers, parents, and community members share responsibility for keeping children safe.
• Best Interests of the Child: All decisions and actions prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of the child.

3. Staff and Volunteer Responsibilities

• All staff and volunteers must undergo background checks prior to employment or service.
• Teachers and staff must complete annual training on child protection and safeguarding.
• Staff are expected to maintain professional boundaries with students at all times.
• Any suspicion, disclosure, or evidence of abuse must be reported immediately to the Principal or designated Child Protection Officer.

4. Code of Conduct with Students

• Treat all students with respect, fairness, and dignity.
• Never use physical punishment, verbal abuse, or humiliation.
• Maintain appropriate physical and emotional boundaries.
• Interactions with students must be transparent and, whenever possible, conducted in visible spaces.
• Online communications with students must follow school guidelines and be professional at all times.

5. Reporting and Response Procedures

• Immediate Action: If a child is in danger, staff must take immediate steps to protect the child and contact emergency services if necessary.
• Reporting: Any suspected or confirmed case of child abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, neglect, or exploitation) must be reported to the Child Protection Officer.
• Confidentiality: Reports will be handled with discretion; only those directly involved in the case will have access to information.
• Compliance with Law: The school will comply with Arizona state laws requiring the reporting of child abuse to appropriate authorities.

6. Safe Environment

• The school will ensure classrooms, playgrounds, and facilities are secure, supervised, and age-appropriate.
• Students will be educated on personal safety, including recognizing unsafe situations and knowing who to approach for help.
• Parents are encouraged to actively engage in reinforcing safety practices at home and in the community.

7. Review and Accountability

• This policy will be reviewed annually by the administration and Board of Directors.
• Updates will be made as needed to reflect changes in laws, best practices, or community needs.
• All staff, volunteers, and parents will be notified of updates to the policy.

📌 Conclusion
At Al Huda Islamic School, we view child protection as both a legal obligation and a sacred trust. By working together—educators, parents, and community—we ensure that every child entrusted to us grows in an environment that is safe, supportive, and rooted in the values of Islam.