Harden Early Childhood Center/ Christian Home and Bible School Preschool. Parent Handbook

Transcription

1 Harden Early Childhood Center/ Christian Home and Bible School Preschool Parent Handbook

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Mission Statement, Affiliation, Admission, Purpose 3 School Calendar 4 Tips to Parents 5 Objectives & Expectations 6 General Guidelines 6 Accident/Incident Reports 6 Arrivals/Departures 6 Birthdays/Special Occasions 7 Chapel 7 Confidentiality 7 Cubbies/Personal Belongings 7 Discipline Practices 8 Emergency Plans 9 Security & Crisis Management 9 Holidays/Holiday Care Days 9 Tuition 9 Withdrawals 9 Volunteers 9 Health Illness 10 Immunizations/Physicals/Influenza 10 Medication 10 2

3 MISSION STATEMENT Educating for Life and Eternity AFFILIATION Christian Home and Bible School is affiliated with the churches of Christ. The church of Christ is a non-denominational body of believers who believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God and who understand the New Testament to be Christ s instructions for His followers. Bible classes, chapel services, and other Christian gatherings are held in harmony with the teachings of the New Testament. ADMISSION Christian Home and Bible School accepts students without regard to sex, race, religion, or national origin. PURPOSE For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also Matthew 6:21. Valuing people as God s creation, Christian Home & Bible School exists in unity to glorify God by expressing the highest Christian values through healthy spiritual relationships and academic excellence preparing children for life and eternity. CORE VALUES AND BELIEFS The following core values define our thinking and direct our hearts as we seek to continually create a culture at CH&BS that glorifies God. Phil. 2:1-2 We value divine love as it manifests itself through all relationships at Christian Home & Bible School. The practice of this love can be seen through our expressions of kindness, tenderheartedness, care, compassion, forgiveness, and the treatment of every individual as God s creation (1 John 3:11, 16-18; Col. 3:12-14). being compassionate servants that in humility serve one another and teach others to live the same (Phil. 2:3-4; 1 Pet. 4:10-11). a continual commitment to excellence in everything that God calls us to be and do (Col. 3:17). unity at Christian Home & Bible School as we work together as a team and family with our parents, students, and staff (John 17:20-23; Eph. 4:3). every individual as God's special creation (Ps. 139:13-14) and view each as having a divine purpose for life (Eph. 2:10). the Bible as God's inspired word and as our only spiritual authority (2 Tim. 3:16, 17) (2 Pet. 1:19-21). moral character that is shaped by biblical teaching and manifests itself through behavior such as honesty, integrity, responsibility, self-discipline, loyalty, humility, gentleness, faith, and patience (Gal. 5:22-23a) (1 Peter 1:13-16). quality education as a craft that prepares students for life and eternity by 1. recognizing the special uniqueness of each child (Ps. 127:3; Matt. 19:14). 2. cultivating their individual talents (Deut. 6:4-9). 3. bridging their present with their future by equipping them with lifelong learning skills (Prov. 22:6). the safety and well-being of every child (Matt. 25:40; Gal. 6:9-10). 3

4 Christian Home & Bible School Pre-School Calendar AUGUST 4-8 Teacher Pre-Planning- Preschool Closed 8 Secondary Orientation 9a.m. Gymnasium 8 Elementary Meet the Teacher 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 8 Preschool Meet the Teacher 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. 11 First Day of School SEPTEMBER 1 Labor Day / Holiday Preschool Closed OCTOBER 3 Grandparents Day 13 Student Holiday / Teacher Work Day /Extra Care Day NOVEMBER Thanksgiving Holidays- Preschool Closed DECEMBER Winter Break- Preschool Closed JANUARY 1-2 Winter Break Preschool Closed 5 Student Holiday /Teacher Workday/Preschool Closed 6 Student Holiday /Teacher Workday/Extra Care Day 7 Classes Resume 7 Re-Enrollment Period Begins 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day / Holiday Preschool Closed FEBRUARY 16 Presidents Day / Holiday Preschool Closed MARCH Spring Break Preschool Closed 23 Classes Resume 31 Re-Enrollment Period Ends APRIL 3 Holiday Preschool Closed MAY 11 Preschool Graduation 25 Memorial Day / Holiday/ Preschool Closed 27 Last Day of School 28 Summer Fun Begins 4

5 Tips to Parents from Your Pre-Schooler Copyright 1995 by Linda Caldwell. Reprint permission granted Be positive! Don t tell me that I ll have a great time at child care and then tell grandma that you feel guilty about enrolling me. I pick up on your feelings very easily! If you feel great about leaving...i ll feel great about staying. Don t mind me if the first day I love it, and the second day I hate it!! It s a new place, new kids, new adults, and new schedule. Keep my schedule consistent and I ll be fine! When you drop me off in the morning, give me a kiss and a hug and leave!! When you linger around for a while to see how I m doing, it makes me feel uncertain. Then I don t want to stay I want to go with you. If I m crying, the teachers will hold me. They love me also and want the best for me. Please take time to look at my art work that I created. I work long and hard at it all day while you are at work. If you do not care, I will not be enthusiastic about creating it. And if I see it laying in the trash at home, I will lose my creativity! Spend time with me after we get home at night. I know that you re tired, and I m full of energy because I took a nap! Let s go for a walk after dinner. I need time with my mom and dad, too. Sometimes I would like it if you would talk to me and explain to me what is going to happen to me, before it happens. Tell me what day I am going to start child care, and what I am going to do there all day long. It would help to lessen my fears. Point out the center to me as we ride by, so I can be excited about it. Give me the choice to do things by myself. I m little and slower than you are, but I can do things all by myself. I can get dressed by myself, and I can pick what breakfast cereal I want to eat. Making decisions can make me feel very important. Sometimes I don t want to go to child care. Sometimes you don t want to go to work! But after we both get there, we re fine. Don t be mad at me if after I pass that adjustment period I don t want to go home with you when you come to pick me up. Be glad that my caregivers are wonderful people to make me feel that way. Please don t feel guilty about leaving me! I know that you love me and that you would not do anything bad for me! I also know that when I start kindergarten I will be well adjusted socially and mentally I will be asking questions way ahead of the other children. Why? Because you had the insight to put me with other children at a young age when I learned new things and met new friends. 5

6 OBJECTIVES To help children Develop respect towards and love God and His Word. Make the adjustment from home to school. Develop curiosity and the joy of learning. Develop proper social skills. Develop ability to share materials, space and attention with other children. Respect and care for property. Respect adult authority and obey simple directions. Develop an awareness of themselves and their environment. Develop age appropriate academic skills. EXPECTATIONS OF PARENT(S) To read and comply with policies set forth by CHBS. To follow the guidelines that the entire campus of CHBS is a tobacco, alcohol and drug free environment. To enforce all school rules with your child as long as you are on the school campus. To comply with guidelines on what your child may or may not bring to class. To respect the privacy of all children by not expecting anyone to discuss children, other than your own. To respect classrooms, equipment, and facilities at all times. To never leave a child unattended. To never leave a child in an automobile alone, while the engine is running or while car is parked. To know that you may call the principal or teacher at appropriate times of the day to discuss any concerns or problems which may be affecting your child. To read all communications sent home and act upon them if needed. GENERAL GUIDELINES ACCIDENTS Any accidents or incidents that are brought to the staff s attention are documented. These will be reviewed with the parent when the child is picked up. Please read these reports and sign them. The original report is kept by the preschool. You may have a copy if you desire. School insurance coverage begins on the first day of school and carries a $25.00 deductible. While on campus the policy covers any accident occurring during school hours. This insurance is secondary only, and all claims must be filed with primary insurer first. If a student has an accident, he must report it immediately to the teacher in charge who will then report it to the office. ARRIVAL/ DEPARTURE 1. Please have your child at school as early as possible but no later than 8:30 a.m. Teachers plan activities for children beginning at 7:30 a.m. Children are upset when they see classmates involved in an activity that they are too late to start. 2. Call ( , leave message) to notify the school if your child will be absent or later than 8:30 a.m. This will help us have an accurate lunch count. When you arrive late, join the group with as little disruption as possible. 3. Traffic the first week of school will be challenging. As most of you know, we have an elementary, middle and high school on campus. The drop-off and pick-up for elementary, 6

7 middle and high school on campus will be 7:45-8:00 a.m. and 2:45-3:15. Be aware that by the second week, traffic should move smoothly. Please obey all normal traffic laws and cooperate with staff and parents who are directing traffic. 4. When dropping off and picking up, please park in a marked parking space. Please be mindful that handicap parking laws apply on our campus. 5. Please escort your child to the classroom each day and make brief contact with the teacher or adult in charge. Parents or Guardians are required to sign the children in and out each day. Drop off and pick up times can be hectic and our teachers need to give full attention to all of the children in their care. Therefore, if you need to speak with your child s teacher about a concern, please see Ms. Box at the front desk and she will facilitate a meeting time. 6. Turn off your car and bring young children into the building with you. 7. If you need to go to the playground, please go through your child s classroom instead of the Red School House or other Classrooms. The Red School House is the teachers workroom, conference room and break room. Please respect their privacy. 8. As a safety measure, classroom doors and the front doors should only be opened by an adult. 9. Reverence for God is an important tradition for all of Christian Home and Bible School. This is what makes our school and teachers so special. Respect our chapel and Bible times. 10. Parents are welcome to call throughout the day to check on their children, however, if you wish to speak with the teacher, the front desk staff will take a message and the teacher will return your call. BIRTHDAYS/ SPECIAL OCCASIONS Parents are allowed to send special snacks for birthdays. We ask that you try to send a healthy snack. Check with your child s teacher for suggestions and for information regarding any food allergies that may exist. If you would like to invite your child s classmates to a party or other event a class list can be obtained at the front desk. CHAPEL Chapel is held daily at 8:45 in the park area of our building. This is a special time for our students and teachers so we know you will want to be sure your child is here on time. Please arrive before chapel begins. If you are late, only your child will enter during chapel and sit with a teacher close to the door. All classes assemble for a daily chapel which is usually about 15 minutes. Chapel consists of singing, prayer and Bible stories. Children from each class participate by leading songs that they have learned. They also lead heart-felt prayers. Chapel may be led by preschool teachers, local preachers, or other visitors including CHBS staff. CONFIDENTIALITY We will not discuss another child with you nor will we discuss your child with any other person. If grandparents, aunts, uncles or babysitters desire to discuss your child we must have written permission from you. Please complete the form included in your orientation packet if there are individuals with whom we may share details about your child s day. CUBBIES/ PERSONAL BELONGINGS 1. Mark child s name on ALL items brought to preschool clothing, blankets, car seats, etc. Rest items should go home every Friday for laundering. 2. All of your child s belongings must fit inside his/her cubby. 7

8 3. Check your child s cubby daily for notes, artwork, and soiled clothes. See Parent Board in the front office, the Park Area and your child s classroom each day for important school messages. 4. Keep a complete change of clothes at school (short sleeve and long sleeve shirts, shorts, long pants, socks, and underwear) in a small zip lock bag. All clothes need to be labeled with child s name. 5. It is important that your child have appropriate footwear for school. Shoes with a closed toe are required in order to play on our playground. DISCIPLINE PRACTICES Harden Early Childhood Center (HECC) uses disciplinary practices that are constructive and appropriate for each age group. Children are not disciplined in a way that is severe, humiliating, or frightening. Discipline is not associated with food, rest, or toileting. Children may not be denied active play as a consequence of misbehavior. Spanking and other forms of physical punishment are prohibited. HECC s discipline goals are to teach children: 1. to evaluate and make choices 2. to take responsibility for their own actions 3. to recognize and express their feelings appropriately 4. to be considerate and fair in solving problems with others Classroom management and guidance techniques: A. provide stimulating, balanced, and age-appropriate learning environments B. create an atmosphere of mutual respect and caring display positive teacher attitudes C. display age appropriate behavior expectations and consistent limits D. convey values of respect, trust, honesty, and caring for others E. ensure the safety and welfare of both children and teachers. Classroom management will vary by age group. An age appropriate discipline practice for two year olds would be distracting them from inappropriate behavior. Three and four year old children are encouraged to give their own input about classroom rules. Children are reminded (sometimes by their peers) when behavior is not appropriate. They may be given the opportunity to talk about the problem, think about the consequences, and choose an appropriate behavior. Repeated inappropriate behavior may result in one or more of the following: 1. removal from the group to another area of the room or playground until the child chooses to return to the group and have appropriate behavior. 2. removal from the classroom or playground to the office 3. a note sent to parent 4. parent conference 5. a written plan to improve behavior (*) 6. temporary removal from school 7. permanent removal from school * A written plan to improve child s behavior may include education to help parents and teachers become unified in management, discipline and guidance techniques. Education may include reading a book; viewing a video; or attending classes. Parents may need to schedule family and /or child counseling. 8

9 EMERGENCY PLANS 1. CH&BS is participating in the Lake County School District Emergency Response and Crisis Management Plan. We have a current emergency plan in place. At HECC we have monthly fire drills and seasonal storm practices. You may hear about these from your children. The fire drill log and other emergency information are on the small board between the kitchen and pink house. 2. Listen to local radio and TV for emergency announcements. If Lake County School District closes due to weather, Christian Home and Bible School will also be closed. When the Lake County School District resumes classes Christian Home and Bible School will also resume classes. There are exceptions to when CH&BS would resume classes. If our facility was damaged and not suitable to return to school when Lake County Schools returned to class, CH&BS would release a statement to the news media outlets outlining our alternative plan. 3. All of our staff at HECC are First Aid and CPR certified. 4. If you move, change jobs, change phone numbers or have any other change that affects the way we can contact you, give us the information immediately on a pink change form. These are available at the front desk. SECURITY & CRISIS MANAGEMENT We have implemented some procedures to help with security on our campus. 1. All visitors must sign in and receive a visitor s badge upon arrival to the campus. Anyone not wearing a badge will be stopped and questioned. 2. Surveillance cameras inside and outside the building with monitors that can be accessed by staff at different locations. 3. Campus Wide Radios in every classroom, office, grounds, maintenance and housekeeping crews. 4. Security Officer HOLIDAYS/ EXTRA CARE DAYS Harden Early Childhood Center is closed some days. You will not be charged for these days. On some of the Teacher Work Days we will provide childcare for those parents who need it for an additional fee. Extra Care Forms will be included in your orientation packet. TUITION Tuition is due at the beginning of each week. Payments for the month may be made in advance. Always write your child s name on the memo line of your check for proper credit. WITHDRAWALS Tuition will be charged until the student s withdrawal is completed through the office. In the event the student withdraws during the school year, tuition will be prorated according to the number of weeks enrolled and the amount paid. Two weeks withdrawal notice is required. VOLUNTEERS All visitors must sign in at the front desk and will be issued a visitor badge to wear while on the premises. There are activities for which there will be sign up lists posted shortly before events. We will not need all parents to help with each event. We encourage families to be involved. 9

10 HEALTH ILLNESS Criteria for excluding an ill or infected child. We will ask you to pick up your children with these illnesses or symptoms EXPOSED, OPEN SKIN LESIONS OR UNEXPLAINED RASHES TEMPERATURE, above normal SIGNS OF POSSIBLE SEVERE ILLNESS, including unusual lethargy, irritability, persistent crying, difficult breathing, uncontrolled coughing or stiff neck. DIARRHEA, more than one abnormally loose stool within a 24 hour period VOMITING CONJUNCTIVITIS, defined as pink or red conjunctiva with white or yellow eye discharge. Including redness of the eyelids or skin surrounding the eye, until 24 hours after treatment has begun. INFESTATION (e.g., scabies, head lice), Keep out until treated, all nits removed. STREPTOCOCCAL PHARYNGITIS (STREP THROAT), until 24 hours after treatment has been initiated, and until the child has been free from fever for 24 hours. Please keep your child at home when he/she is sick. A child must be free of fever (without fever reducing medication), vomiting, and diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school. See above list for other exclusion times. If an illness requires a doctor s visit, bring a note from him/her indicating the date to return to school. Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, & American Public Health Association. (1992). Caring for our children-national health and safety performance standards: Guidelines for out-of-home child care programs. IMMUNIZATIONS, PHYSICALS & INFLUENZA We must have physical & immunization records complete before your child attends. All children attending, entering, or transferring to preschool in Florida are required to complete the hepatitis B series and have the varicella vaccine. Varicella vaccine is not required if the child has documentation of history of varicella disease. (64D.3.011, F.A.C.) The documentation is a note from your child s physician saying the child has had chicken pox. Please contact Lake County Health Department if you have questions. Physicals are good for two years. Please bring in a physical before the current one expires. Check the date on immunization form to see when updates are needed. When your child has their physical please get in the habit of asking your doctor for records for school. The school is required by the state to keep records of physicals dated within the last two years. Physicals are on a yellow form and immunization records are on a blue form. Your child may not continue to attend with expired health records. MEDICATION 1. Fill out medication forms as needed. Forms are on counter at the front desk. Please hand the medication and form to the teacher or the person at the front desk. Fill out a new form each week. Prescription Medication must be in the original container. Non-prescription medication will only be given with written current authorization from the doctor. This may be faxed and should include child s name, date, medication name, dosage and frequency. 2. Please apply sunscreen and/or bug spray at home in the morning. 10