WESTWOOD PRESCHOOL HANDBOOK

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1 WESTWOOD PRESCHOOL HANDBOOK Hello! My name is Harshal Patwa and I am honored to be part of Poway Preschool. I love working with young children, and I love learning from them too. I have been working with children in a professional setting for 7 years now. My passion and love for learning is evident in my teaching and in my own life. Though I have worked with students of various ages, I really enjoy children at the preschool level. The smiles on your children s faces and the hugs in the morning are some of the many reasons I enjoy being a teacher. I am excited to meet your child and help him/her grow into their best self that they can be. I look forward to sharing my passion with your children and their families. My personal goal for my classroom is to challenge students and watch them grow to their full potential. My goal is to use preventive and supportive strategies more than corrective. We believe that children learn best through active exploration and by making choices about the activities they would like to pursue. Primary tasks of the early years of life are learning about relationships and learning about the nature of objects and materials. The best context for this learning is an environment where children are supported and guided by adults who encourage learning through trial and error, repetition, imitation and identification with peers and significant adults. Our developmentally appropriate programs are implemented with attention to the needs and differences of children and their families.

2 Teacher: Harshal Patwa 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Contact number: (858) Ext Instructional Assistants: Cathy Sinor Mary Bergstrom 6:30 am to 3:00 pm 9:30 am to 6:00 pm Philosophy: Westwood Preschool provides safe and nurturing learning environments for young children that promote their emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development. Children s experiences both at home and at school are the foundation for life long feelings of self-worth, competence, and a love of learning. Mutual understanding and respect between home and school is essential for children s future success. We encourage families to be involved in their child s early school experiences. We want students to have freedom that allows for expression and creativity. Each child is a unique individual whose learning style and attitudes may reflect his/her own interests, strengths, and challenges, backgrounds, beliefs, experiences and personality. Every individual is able to strive for success in his/her academic performance. In order to realize that, we try our best to promote growth by employing creativity, stressing the importance of education as well as giving my students the freedom to think and discover knowledge. Goals: Westwood Preschool program provides hands on learning, discovery of social and educational concepts, print rich environment and a strong foundation based on the following goals: Encourage Physical development. Provide opportunities to express themselves through music, art, problem solving skills, in order to provide Social development. Provide opportunities to express their feelings, to love, to be loved, and to empathize with others in order to facilitate Emotional development. Encourage discovery of new things, develop mathematical awareness, develop early literacy through reading books, songs, games, etc. Full-Day Preschool Opening Time 6:30 am Closing Time 6:00 pm Instructional Time: 8:30 am to 11:30 am Hours of Operation: PARENTS PLEASE TRY TO DROP YOUR CHILD IN THE CLASS DAILY BETWEEN 8:30 AM AND 8:45 AM; SO THAT THEY DON T MISS THEIR INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES!!

3 There is a late fee, if your child is not picked up by 6:00 pm (00 to 10 min. $1.00 per minute/ per child 11 to 30 min. $30.00 per child 31 to 60 min. $60.00 per child * Please see the attached Preschool Calendar for the HOLIDAYS! Emergency Pick-up: In case of any emergency, please call and speak to the teacher if you or someone on your emergency sheet is unable to pick up your child. You will need to provide a description of the person and the person must provide photo identification at the time of pick-up. If any time you know in advance that a person other than on the registration form is to pick up your child, please send a signed note to the teacher in the morning. Identification with a photo ID must be available at all the time. What Children Should Wear at School? We expect children to dress in comfortable and easy to manage, weather appropriate clothes to school. We recommend that your child wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes to school, to protect them during walks, bike riding and other outdoor activities. Please be sure your child has a sweater or a jacket for cool weather. Each child must have ONE complete set of properly labeled clothes (socks, under ware, pants, shirt or dress) in his/her cubby. Parent Involvement: Your participation is greatly appreciated at whatever level you are comfortable giving. We have an open-door policy, which means that you are always welcome to visit, observe, or be involved in any of the day-to-day activities. There are many ways of becoming involved in your child s preschool you are welcome to share with us your hobby or talent in art, music or simply enjoy helping teachers with activities or classroom projects. Parent - Preschool Communication: Westwood preschool staff welcomes and value the opportunity to meet and talk with parents. It is difficult for the teachers to speak with parents when class is in session. Therefore, parents are encouraged to communicate by making an appointment to talk about confidential issues so that you

4 have enough time to talk. Teachers and staff communicate classroom activities and events through weekly newsletters. Please check your child s backpack on a daily basis to ensure you are updated. Drop Off and Pick Up Procedure: Signing in and signing out your child is required for the safety and supervision of the children. Parents or an adult (over the age of 18 years) authorized by the parent, must sign your child in and out of preschool each day using a full signature and time of arrival and departure. If someone other than a parent is to pick up your child, you must list that adult on your child s Preschool Emergency Card. Please follow the Emergency pick up procedure in case there is a change in your routine pick up plan. Health Requirements/Wellness Policy: Our goal is to protect and enhance the health and safety of all children. For the protection of all children enrolled in the program, the following two steps are required: Verification of your child s current immunizations must be on file before your child may attend school. Immunization records must be kept current while your child is enrolled in the program. At Westwood preschool teachers evaluate each child s health when they arrive at school. Teachers and staff use their discretion and best judgment when sending a child home. Should your child become ill at school, teacher or preschool staff will call you immediately, and your child will need to be taken home by you or someone on your authorized pick up list within 30 minutes of the call. Please keep your child at home if - and may not return to school until: Your child has a fever of 101 or above must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. Your child has cold/flu symptoms thick yellow or green mucus discharge is no longer draining from nose for 24 hours before returning to school. Your child has Diarrhea or Vomiting have subsided for at least 24 hours and has returned to normal eating with no stomach upset. Your child has Sore Throat has been on antibiotics for 24 hours, health care written permission for return or symptoms subside. Your child has Red/discharging eyes eyes are clear or your child has been on antibiotics for 24 hours. Your child has Rash until spreading, itching or discomfort have disappeared or diagnosed by a health care professional as non-communicable. Your child has Head Lice Until treated and all nits have been removed from hair. Please notify the school immediately if your child has a contagious disease. The school will notify if your child has been exposed to a contagious disease while at school.

5 PLEASE LIST ANY ALLERGIES THAT YOUR CHILD MAY HAVE!! Snack and Lunches: Parents are responsible for providing their child with snack and lunch each day. We will provide a daily afternoon snack. Preschool staff members are not authorized to heat foods. We encourage parents to use insulated containers for all perishable foods. Your child can purchase school lunches from the school cafeteria at the cost of $2.75 each day. Payments must be made via check or cash to the Food and Nutrition Department, before children can purchase lunch. Medication: At Westwood preschool the teacher shall administer medications for children only when prescribed by a physician. Permission for administering medication must be signed by the prescribing physician and the parent prior to its administration. Please have each medication in a container that is child proof, has the name of the medication, the date prescribed, the name of the child, the name of the physician, and the physician s instructions. Minor injuries are treated with soap and water, bandages, and ice. The Westwood preschool teacher or staff will write an ouch report and place it in your child s cubby. If we observe a head injury or any serious injury, parents will be called immediately. Sunscreen: If you would like your child to use sunscreen, please apply it in the morning before coming to school. Parents who want children to have a second application in the afternoon will need to fill out a Sunscreen Authorization Form. Field Trips: Parents will be informed in advance of any trips off campus. Parents are always welcome to participate. Children must have written parent permission to attend a field trip off campus. We use PUSD s buses for field trip transportation. Teachers and the preschool staff carry first aid equipment, emergency forms, and a cell phone. Curriculum: PUSD s Preschool Curriculum and Instruction are aligned with: Preschool Learning Foundations California Department of Education Preschool Curriculum Framework California Department of Education Common Core State Standards Mathematics, Language Arts PUSD Preschool Learning Standards Early Literacy includes oral language, phonological awareness, concepts of print, alphabet knowledge, and writing plus comprehension. The series includes alphabet, numbers, colors, and shapes.

6 Mathematics Building blocks math activities during circle and story time relating informal math knowledge to formal concepts. Content Areas are Science and Social Studies Gross Motor PUSD s Preschools use Spark Early Childhood (EC) program that fosters social and motor development and enhances school readiness skills. Fine Motor Engaging techniques and activities to help early self-confidence, pencil grip and body awareness skills; there by practicing letter formation. Social and Emotional Development includes a value-based system approach to provide measurable improvements in behavior and decision-making. Also help children learn skills to manage their feelings, make friends, and solve problems; with the help of activities like brain builder games, songs, and puppets. Items Needed the First Day of School: First day packet from PUSD website Signature Verification and Release of Information Form. Physician s Report Preschool Emergency Form Sunscreen Form Your child s complete change of clothes in a zip bag with his/her name on it. Please bring covers for their cot/mat to use it during their nap/rest time and a SMALL blanket (an individual mat is provided to each child during the nap time).