Early Childhood Program. Preschool and Kinder Readiness Information

Transcription

1 Early Childhood Program Preschool and Kinder Readiness Information

2 Dear Parents, We are so excited to be teaching your precious children this year! Our prayer is that your child will grow spiritually, socially, and academically. We have put together this packet of classroom information to help you understand what to expect in our Early Childhood Program. Please see the Lower School Handbook for more information. MISSION STATEMENT The Hill Country Christian School Early Childhood Program inspires young children to develop a love for Jesus and a love for learning through engaging, intentional experiences. DROP OFF Morning drop will begin at 7:30 AM. Students should be walked, with a parent or responsible sibling, to room Teachers will pick up their students from the room around 7:55 AM. After 7:55 AM, you MUST walk your child to their classroom. Please park in the school parking lot, not in the drive through lane under the awning by the main entrance. PICK UP 12:00 PM pick up: Enter the main entrance drive through lane, park in a single file line, and turn off your engine. The teachers will bring your children to you. Please show the teacher your dismissal sign. Wait for all the children to get into the cars before pulling out. 3:00 PM pick up: You may choose walk-up pick up under the main worship center awning or use the school entrance for drive through carpool. All parents, whether utilizing drive through or walk-up, must have a carpool sign, which will be available at the Knights Unite Back to School Event. CURRICULUM Our curriculum is designed to encourage and enhance every area of the children s growth and development. The curriculum varies according to class and age group. For our principal academic curriculum, we use WEE Learn and A Beka. Both curricula emphasize academic excellence and Christian character building. The children participate in learning centers, including art, science, sensory, and dramatic play. SPECIALS We will have a period of fine arts on scheduled days. These may include art, Spanish, library, music, Makerspace, and technology.

3 CHAPEL The children will enjoy chapel every Wednesday from 8:10-8:40 AM in the 3 rd floor auditorium. Parents are always welcome to come! Preschool and kinder readiness will join Lower School chapel the first Tuesday of every month. PROGRAMS We have programs during the year in which we encourage all children to participate. You will truly enjoy seeing your child perform and sing in these precious events. Christmas Program December 14 th 8:30-10:30 AM Evening of TB & G March 9 th 5:30-8:30 PM CLASSROOM RULES Each classroom encourages godly behavior and choices. Students will be rewarded individually and as a group with verbal praise, stickers, treasure prizes, etc. for appropriate behavior. (No candy). We have four basic rules in our classrooms. Our goal is to instill the GOLDEN RULE: Treat others the way you want to be treated. To guide students we use the 4 R s: 1. Respect for God and His authorities (1 Peter 2:13, 1 Peter 2:17, Titus 3:1) 2. Regard for God s people and His resources (Galatians 6:10, Ephesians 4:2-3) 3. Ready for learning (1 Peter 1:13, Colossians 3:23) 4. Responsible for my belongings and myself (1 Peter 1:13) The first few days will be a time of training, grace, and mercy. We want to give the students the time to understand our guidelines and expectations completely before we begin using our discipline procedures. DISCIPLINE COMMUNICATION We want to show the children God s grace and to teach them about making the right choices. We firmly believe that God gives us second chances and mercy and we want to reflect that to our students. Teachers will use a calendar format to communicate the godly characteristics that were discussed and worked on that day. We give lots of love, verbal praise, hugs, and grace throughout the day to your children! MONTHLY CALENDAR

4 Calendars will be sent home at the beginning of every month with all of the pertinent information for that month. If needed, we will you with extra information. DAILY FOLDER Your child will bring home a daily folder. Please check for any important written notes about your child s behavior, and feel free to communicate in this folder with your teacher. Please return the folder the next school day. Three-day students will bring their schoolwork home on Thursday, and five day students will bring their school work home on Friday. Please keep all the papers and return the folder the next day at school. PROGRESS REPORTS Two formal conferences will take place in January and May where teachers will communicate their observations in the classroom, student growth, and provide feedback. FIELD STUDIES We will have onsite field studies throughout the year. You are encouraged to join you child during these times, as we enhance your student s learning through these activities. The dates for these events will be given to you in advance so you will be able to attend, if you do desire. Some of our field studies include: a petting zoo, wheel day, splash day, picnics, nature walks, pajama day, transportation day, career day, and tent day. We will also have visits from a number of community helpers, including firemen with a fire-truck, dentist, etc. SPECIAL EVENTS Thanksgiving celebration, Christmas celebration and program, Valentine s Day party and 50 s sock hop, Easter party and egg hunt, end-of-year program, and splash day. There are a number of volunteer opportunities for parents who wish to help with special events. The teachers will provide you with more information. CLOTHING Children should be dressed in play clothes that are appropriate for the season and weather conditions. PLEASE LABEL ALL COATS AND SWEATERS. Please remember that children will be involved in many activities, some of which may be messy, Children should be sent in clothes that are washable and comfortable and wont cause a parent or child to worry. We want to keep your children safe, and one way to do that is to wear sturdy shoes that prevent slipping and are comfortable to wear. Please, no flip-flops!

5 Girls should wear shorts under their dresses and skirts every day, as we have recess daily. See the Lower School Parent/Student Handbook for dress code specifics. Please send a change of clothes, including underwear and socks, in a large, Ziploc bag, with your child s name on it. TOYS Toys from home will be allowed in the classroom only on days permitted by their classroom teacher. WATER BOTTLES Please send a water bottle daily. Label all water bottles with your child s name to prevent germ swapping. Please send a squeeze top like a sports bottle, which helps us reduce spilling. No other beverages, please. LUNCH Your child may bring a sack lunch from home or purchase a hot lunch. Hot lunch, milk, and juice are available every day and may be purchased online or by check at the receptionist desk. Preschool and kinder readiness will eat lunch in the gym daily at 10:40 AM. The three-year-old class will eat lunch in their classroom at 10:40 AM. Food from home will not be able to be warmed up or refrigerated. ENRICHMENT For an additional fee, parents have the option of enrolling their child in the Early Childhood Enrichment Program, which extends the school day to 3:00 PM. This option is available for all students in three-day (PK3), five-day (PK5), and kinder readiness (KR5) classes. Students participate in many different hands-on learning activities, such as cooking, science experiments, dramatic play, and arts & crafts. Students will also have playground time and naptime in enrichment. Parents must supply a small vinyl nap mat for their child. Please, do not send blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, or blanket-type mats with pillows. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

6 We love for our parents to be a part of their children s schooling. There are many ways you can be involved with our Early Childhood Program, including: 1. Treasure box goodies and tasting (sign up for the letter of the week) 2. Special event parties (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentines, Easter, etc.) 3. Read to the class 4. Help with crafts or classroom work Please let your teacher know how you would like to help. CONTACTING US Please use your teacher s as your primary means of communication should extra information need to be shared. Your teacher will respond within 24 hours. Mrs. Sosa (Early Childhood Director; 3 s Teacher) ssosa@hccsa.org Mrs. Burleson (5-day PK) eburleson@hccsa.org Mrs. Paules (5-day PK) rpaules@hccsa.org Ms. Varghese (3-day PK) svarghese@hccsa.org Mrs. Melancon (Kinder Readiness) - kmelancon@hccsa.org Mrs. Hurley (Music & Enrichment) ghurley@hccsa.org Please call the front desk to communicate tardiness or absences. If you have an urgent need, call the school office, We look forward to getting to know you and your little blessings! It is our privilege to teach your child and work with you this year. In Christ s Love, The Early Childhood Program