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Good Shepherd Preschool's Almost 3's Handbook PARENT HANDBOOK 2005-2006 ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL CELEBRATIONS COMMUNICATIONS CURRICULUM FEES AND TUITION FIELD TRIPS GOODBYES ITEMS FROM HOME HEALTH AND MEDICATIONS MISSION STATEMENT OBJECTIVES PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT SCHOOL CALENDAR SCHOOL POLICIES SNACKS SNOW DAYS SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES TOILET TRAINING VOLUNTEERING AND VISITING WHAT TO WEAR MISSION STATEMENT: Our purpose is to follow the command of our Lord to go and make disciples of all people by offering a weekday preschool program which shall minister to the spiritual, physical, social and emotional, as well as the intellectual needs of young children and their families in the community. Return to Top of the Page OBJECTIVES: Recognize each child as one of God's people. Encourage a positive self-image based on God's love for us. Provide a warm, caring environment in which children feel secure and can develop a sense of trust and confidence. Guide each individual child's spiritual, physical, cognitive and social-emotional develop- ment. Give children opportunities to learn about Jesus' love for them and all people. Good Shepherd Lutheran Christian Preschool does not discriminate because of race, color, creed or nationality. Return to Top of the Page CURRICULUM: Our curriculum is guided by the principles of the Christian education system of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), whose focus is CHILDREN COUNT WITH CHRIST. There is a spiritual aspect to all that we do. Christ's love is central in our caring for the children whether we are playing, cooking, praying, dressing up, hearing Bible stories, singing or listening. Enhancement of thinking and communication skills, hands-on experiences, learning through play and movement activities and child-style worship all combine to make our curriculum developmentally and spiritually appropriate for young children. Return to Top of the Page SCHOOL POLICIES: Two-hour sessions are offered twice a week for children who are 2 1/2 years old before September 1. Children may enroll, as they become 2 1/2 throughout the year, according to the following schedule: If the child will be 3 years old in: September, October, November, December, January or February, they may enter the class at the beginning of the school year in September. If the child's 2 year old birthday is in: March, April, May, June, July, or August, they may enter the class during the school year when they turn 2 ½. A child may be enrolled for two sessions per week. No more than eight children are accepted in each session with one teacher and an assistant. Volunteer parents, church, personal aides for special needs students and community members may also assist with the class. One special needs child may be enrolled in each class. Return to Top of the Page FEES AND TUITION: A $40.00 nonrefundable registration fee is requested at the time of registration. It will be applied toward supplies. Monthly tuition (which is $95.00 per month for two sessions per week) is due on the first class day of the month for that month. Tuition payments may be left in the box located on the classroom shelves. If tuition is not received by the tenth of the month, a reminder will be sent along with a bill for tuition plus 5%. If tuition is not received by the twentieth of the month, a bill for tuition plus 10% will be assessed. If payment is more than six weeks late, the child will be removed from the Preschool roster. Our treasurer will not make personal phone calls for reminders of late tuition. Bounced checks will be resubmitted once. If the check bounces again, tuition plus banking costs ($20.00) must be paid in cash. Tuition for the entire year can be paid at the beginning of September. Our preschool treasurer may arrange an automatic deposit for tuition from your bank. Please contact the preschool director if you are interested. If tuition is paid up front for the year and the child withdraws from the program, tuition will be refunded for all but the current month the child is enrolled. A two-week notice is required for withdrawal from the program to accommodate other families on the waiting list. Tuition for the month is nonrefundable if a child leaves the program during the month. If you are beginning school in the middle of a month, the director will prorate the amount of tuition you will owe. Families going on extended trips must both withdraw from the program and try to reapply later, or pay tuition while they are absent to hold their spot. A $10.00 administrative fee will be assessed if class assignments are changed by the parent over the summer after the last day of school of the spring session. Return to Top of the Page ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL: Children should arrive no earlier than 8:55 AM. The 3-5 year old class begins at 8:45 and confusion is avoided if we separate drop off times as much as possible. Likewise, it is important to observe the 11:00 pickup time closely. Please wait until at least 10:55 to come downstairs. We do want you to feel free to observe and participate in the classroom but the hallway can become congested very quickly and we must allow room for the 3-5 year olds to retrieve their coats for outside play. Children will only be released to those listed on the registration/emergency forms. If another person is to pick up the child, the teacher must receive a note including the person's name and the parent's signature. If a person unknown to the teacher is picking up the child, he/she may be asked for identification. Please inform the director of any legal/ custody arrangements. Children and parents should not bring breakfast or other food items (such as candy) to class. (The students will have an opportunity to share a snack with the class once a month.) Return to Top of the Page GOODBYES: Saying goodbye to a 2 1/2-year-old can be a very involved process for the child and the parent. Please be assured that we will work with you individually to determine the best way to handle separating from your child. Our approach is positive and caring. We will try to support you in the adjustment process. It is often best if you play with your child for a short time or help her/him start on an activity, then say goodbye and give reassurances that you will be back soon. Even if your child usually separates from you easily, don't be surprised if there is some upset for the first few class periods. This is a totally new experience with many new faces. Even as adults, we need some time to adjust to unfamiliar situations in our lives. Return to Top of the Page TOILET TRAINING: Many children at this age are in the process of learning to use the "potty". It is not required to enter our class, but it is something we work on in our daily routine. We are equipped to change diapers and have a small potty-chair. Please supply extra underclothing (underwear, pull-ups or disposable diapers). We will talk with you individually about your child's bathroom habits and preferences. We do provide a special treat each time a child goes to the bathroom on the potty to encourage toilet training. If you do not want your child to be rewarded in this way, please let us know. Return to Top of the Page SNACKS: Your child will have a turn to bring snack for the class as listed on the monthly calendar. The school will supply paper goods. Children with dietary or allergy restrictions may provide their own snacks or drinks on a daily basis. Return to Top of the Page SCHOOL CALENDAR: The State College Area School District calendar will be followed for most days off and holidays. . However, we will begin classes after Labor Day this year and will end classes the last week in May providing there are no snow days to make up Return to Top of the Page FIELD TRIPS: Children of this age are too young for trips out of school, other than walks on the bike path adjacent to the church property. Our "field trip" will most likely be a day spent in one of the larger classrooms when the 3-5 year olds are away on their trips, when we can explore new toys, games and music. Return to Top of the Page CELEBRATIONS: We love to celebrate the children's birthdays at school! Party gift bags or accessories are not necessary. If you would like to supply a sweeter treat for that day, it is fine. We can pass out home party invitations ONLY if there is one for each child in the class. Christian holidays and national or community traditions will be observed in ways which are appropriate for a young child. In lieu of Halloween, we have a Pumpkin Party, celebrating God's wonderful creation of this fruit. A Pretend Dress-Up Day may occur earlier in the month of October. Parents will have opportunities to join our celebrations and other get-togethers throughout the year. Return to Top of the Page ITEMS FROM HOME: Please do not bring toys from home. Comfort items (blankets, teddy bears, special books, cars, etc.) may be brought if they are needed. Return to Top of the Page HEALTH AND MEDICATIONS: Each child's health is important to us. We make every attempt to maintain high sanitation standards and emphasize healthy habits and cleanliness routines. If your child is ill, he/she will be most comfortable at home. If a child becomes ill at school, you will be called. After an illness, please do not send your child to school until there has been no fever or vomiting for 24 hours. Speak to the teacher in advance if your child must take medication during school hours. If your child is taking antihistamines, decongestants, antibiotics or other medication, as they can affect the child's behavior. If your child has a life-threatening condition, please have your family doctor write specific instructions on what to do in case of an emergency.. If your child is too ill to play outside, you must stay indoors with them during outdoor play time. Return to Top of the Page WHAT TO WEAR: WE LIKE TO GET MESSY AT PRESCHOOL!- please dress your child accordingly. When choosing your child's clothes for school, please consider the variety of activities that we offer. Clothes should be comfortable and washable with fasteners that are easy to manipulate (for child and teacher). Shoes should not have slippery soles. On days when your child wears water or snow boots, please send shoes also. Outer clothing should be labeled. Please send a complete change of clothes, which can be left, at school during the first week of school. Storage is easiest if they are in a large, labeled plastic bag with a zipper closing. We keep other "emergency" clothing at school, but most children prefer to wear something of their own. We do try to play outside almost every day. Frequently, on the way to school, children move from house to car without going outside, so it is easy to forget jackets, hats, mittens or boots boots during the colder months. Our policy on going outside during the winter is that each individual teacher can determine what their class will do, provided the wind chill is not below 15 degrees and windy or snowy conditions would not be hazardous to the children. Return to Top of the Page SNOW DAYS: Weather delays and cancellations will also be based on the School District's decisions. If there is a one-hour or a two -hour delay for the school district, the Almost Three class will be CANCELLED. We will also cancel when the district cancels classes. Preschool closing announcements will be made on WRSC, CHANNEL 4 and on WZWW (3WZ). Every attempt will be made to make up each cancelled day, after one week's equivalent of school is missed. Return to Top of the Page SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES: Prayers, songs about God and Bible stories are integrated with daily activities. Our Pastor may lead us in Chapel upstairs on occasion, teaching us lessons and songs about the Bible, or about something we may see as we are sitting in church. Return to Top of the Page VOLUNTEERING AND VISITING: Parents volunteer and observe in our class after the first month of school has been completed by scheduling a time with the classroom teacher. Important insights can be gained from such visits and it is fun. Because our classroom is small, please visit with other parents in another part of the building so that the teachers can begin class. Siblings may not be left alone in the classroom without parent accompaniment. Parent-teacher conferences will be held in the spring to assist parents in making decisions about next year's classes. Free childcare is provided for the student and his/her siblings for the length of the 20 -minute conference. A sign-up sheet will be available by the coat racks. We do not provide childcare for older siblings except on parent-teacher conference days. Please be aware that various professional aides, therapists, Penn State students, congregation and community members may be in the class from time to time. They will be identified with a nametag. Special visits and holiday parties will be planned by the teacher and listed on the monthly calendar, when you can join our class at the end of the day for a special treat with your child. Return to Top of the Page COMMUNICATIONS: Occasional preschool newsletters will be given to each family. Informative notes will be on the bulletin board at the classroom entrance detailing what we have done each day in class. Parents should feel free to speak to teachers about any concerns and call them at home if necessary, as arrival and dismissal times are not good times for lengthy discussions when the focus will be on the children. Time can be set aside before and after school for parent-teacher meetings. Return to Top of the Page PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT: We want our environment to be a safe haven physically as well as emotionally for the students. We will not tolerate parents who use foul or abusive language, spanking, or threats to other children on site. We will not release the child to any adult who is suspected to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Parents who transport a student from another family are responsible for their safety coming and going from school. Return to Top of the Page GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL WANTS YOU, AND OTHER FAMILIES AND CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY, TO KNOW THAT CHILDREN COUNT WITH CHRIST. WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT YOU HAVE PLACED YOUR CHILD IN OUR CARE! Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Matthew 19:14 Luke 18:16 Mark 10:14 Email Website Administrator with comments on this web site.