The Scriptures paint a clear and consistent picture of Jesus as a person of deep compassion and profound concern of all people, and especially for the sick, the suffering, the diseased and the outcast. From the very beginning of His ministry, Jesus broke through the religious and social barriers of His day to touch human beings in their pain and isolation. As disciples of Jesus, we recognize a special responsibility to follow His example in our own day by our care for the sick and suffering members of our society.  As our society is being confronted with AIDS, it is imperative we respond to this crisis in a manner consistent with our traditional Catholic Christian ethics. 

As members of St. Charles Catholic School Council, we recognize the significance of AIDS as a grave medical and social problem, and desire to protect the rights of non-infected students and staff. At the same time, we acknowledge our responsibility to protect the rights of the infected student.

Admission and Continued Enrollment - Since, according to current medical evidence, casual contact among children and staff poses no risk in the transmission of AIDS, children and staff who are known to be infected with the AIDS virus will be allowed to attend school in a regular classroom setting provided:

1. The health status of the child allows participation in regular school activities.

2. The child demonstrates acceptable social behavior; i.e., does not have a history of violent and/or uncontrollable behavior.

3. The child is in control of other normal bodily functions.

4. A signed statement from the child's attending physician attesting to the health status of the child is given to the school principal at the beginning of each quarter.

5. The child does not have open sores or lesions which cannot be covered.

6. The child fulfills the academic criteria for admission to St. Charles Catholic School as determined by the pastor and principal.

Before a student is admitted, prior authorization of the presence or absence of the above conditions will be made by an evaluation team consisting of the pastor or his delegate, the school principal, the classroom teacher, the student's primary care physician, the student's parents, the school nurse, and, if necessary, other personnel designated by the pastor and the principal. In the case of a lack of consensus among the team, the decision of the pastor and the principal will prevail. The above conditions also apply to any member of the St. Charles Catholic School staff.

Exclusion -  If any student or staff member, after being admitted to school, is found by the evaluation team to not fulfill the above conditions, he or she will be excluded from regular attendance until such conditions are again fulfilled as determined by the evaluation team. An excluded student will be provided with assistance in obtaining an alternative educational program.

Confidentiality - The identity of a student with AIDS is confidential and every precaution shall be taken to maintain confidentiality. Persons involved with supervising a student with AIDS shall respect the person's right to privacy and shall treat such individuals with compassion and respect regardless of their physical condition. Information pertaining to the child's condition shall be conveyed by direct verbal communication.  An AIDS-infected staff member is entitled to the same confidentiality and respect as an AIDS-infected student. This information will also be conveyed by direct verbal communication.

Student and Parent Education  - The Council and administration will collaborate with appropriate public health and church agencies to ensure education about the transmission and prevention of AIDS and its social, medical and moral implications be included in the regular health and religion curriculum of students. Prior to its inclusion, material to be presented is to be reviewed by the principal and the school nurse for medical and scientific accuracy and for adherence to the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Parents and teachers should be provided with timely, educational materials and presentations on AIDS during the course of the year. Recommendations provided by the Ohio Department of Health for the handling of blood and body fluids are to be posted and carefully followed.

Review of Policy - This policy shall be reviewed annually by the council and amendments will be made as developments in the medical, educational and moral fields regarding the care of AIDS patients.