Gethsemane Lutheran School Early Childhood Education Handbook (Pre-K and Kindergarten)

Transcription

1 Gethsemane Lutheran School Early Childhood Education Handbook (Pre-K and Kindergarten) Revised: July 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS Subject Page Statement of Purpose... 2 Goals... 2 Curriculum... 3 Special Events... 5 Dress Code... 5 Birthdays... 5 Snacks... 5 Administration and Staff... 6 Absences... 6 Emergency and Medical Information... 6 Enrollment Requirements... 7 Class Schedule Enrollment Procedure... 8 Non-discriminatory Policy... 8

2 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Gethsemane Lutheran School's Early Childhood Program offers a learning opportunity to preschool and kindergarten age children. Our school's purpose is the same as our church's purpose and is two-fold. The first is that we nurture our member children daily in God's Word, allowing it to be the source and norm for our entire education program. The second and equally important purpose is to proclaim God's love to the community through our educational program. The child will be in an atmosphere where Christianity is central. The staff also stands ready to join with the parents in stimulating the child s motor, intellectual, social, emotional and physical needs. GOALS Gethsemane Lutheran Church takes seriously its obligation to teach and train children in accordance with the Savior's command: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you," (Matthew 28:19-20), and "Feed my Lambs,"(John 21:15). Thus the goal of our program is to nurture and train God s lambs as followers of our Savior and to bring others the saving message of the Gospel. Although parents have been given the primary responsibility for the training of their children, the church is to assist the parents in their God-given directive to train their children in the knowledge and instruction of the Lord. Complete cooperation between the home, church and school is absolutely necessary for the welfare of the children. Therefore, it shall be the objective of this Early Childhood Program to: 1. Provide opportunities for Christian learning of Jesus Christ through Word of God study and informal living-learning environment. 2. Provide guidance as the child becomes less self-centered and begins to share with others in group activities. 3. Provide learning experiences which will stimulate the child's spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs. 4. Provide learning experiences which broaden the child's aptitude for future schoolwork. CURRICULUM Even though there is a correlation and an overlapping among spiritual, mental, social, physical, and emotional growth, the following specific processes and activities are included in the curriculum. Spiritual growth includes: Recognizing their sin and the Lord's forgiveness GLS Early Childhood Education Handbook 2

3 Knowing that our Lord loves and protects them. Believing and trusting Jesus as their Savior from sin. Knowing God the Father as their loving protector. Believing in heaven. Learning that Christ's love should motivate them to live as the Lord expects (recognizing right from wrong). Learning to show their love for Jesus through prayer and by their daily life. Realize that the good new of Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection, is a message to be shared with all people. Mental growth includes: Increasing attention span. Beginning deductive thinking. Learning simple organizational skills. Learning communication skills. Developing reasoning and problem solving skills. Learning mathematical skills. Social growth includes: Learning independence. Accepting compromises. Learning to share. Assuming responsibility for care of self and possessions. Recognizing how one's behavior affects others. Showing respect to others. Physical growth includes: 1) Developing large and small muscle coordination. 2) Caring for one's own physical needs - eating dressing personal hygiene Emotional growth includes: Play: Learning appropriate ways to respond to others feelings. Learning appropriate ways to express feelings. Children learn to use their bodies and minds as they play. Through role-playing and the children's free play periods, their experiences will be broadened. The children will be provided many experiences involving their senses, the God-given doors of perception which open worlds for the child. GLS Early Childhood Education Handbook 3

4 Language Communication: Speaking activities (sharing time, creative dramatics, role playing). Listening activities (finger plays, story telling, reading books, puppetry). Reading readiness'(names, box labels, traffic signs). Letter recognition, basic reading principles, and other written expression will be taught according to the child's developmental level. Writing readiness (scribbling, drawing, letters, names). Music: Art: Science: The children will learn to use their gift of voice to sing praises to their Creator as well as to learn fun songs. The children will participate in age appropriate art and craft activities each session. The activities will be of an instructional and creative nature. The children will learn the wonders of God's creation through scientific observation and exploration geared to the interest and experience of young children. SPECIAL EVENTS Special events, (field trips and guest speakers), are also a part of our curriculum. They are held each month except for December. Each special event will correlate with the month's unit and is held in order to expand the child's knowledge and awareness of the world around him. DRESS CODE Each child should wear comfortable, washable clothing to school. Each child will be encouraged to play outside regularly, except during inclement weather. Therefore, children should dress properly for outside play every day! Parents are asked to see that children do not bring personal belongings to school without prior permission. BIRTHDAYS Birthdays, including those during the summer months, will be celebrated at school. Your child may bring a SPECIAL TREAT for his/her birthday. Please inform the teacher prior to bringing the treat. GLS Early Childhood Education Handbook 4

5 SNACKS Your child will be asked to bring a snack for the entire class for a one week period. His/her turn will come up about three times during the school year. A snack schedule will be sent home containing additional information. Beverages will be provided by the school. Nutritious snacks are encouraged. The following may be some helpful suggestions: fruit cheese and crackers Popcorn nuts finger jell-o fruit breads or muffins raisins cereal mixes raw vegetables ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF The Early Childhood Program is a part of Gethsemane Lutheran School which also offers a first through eighth grade program. The program is administered by the Principal, who is responsible to Gethsemane's Board of Education. All programs are taught by trained, experienced teachers, as well as support personnel. The staff includes: E. John Fredrich, Principal-Teacher of grades 5-8 Rachel Trowbridge, Teacher grades 1-4 Sheree Jones, Teacher Early Childhood Education ABSENCES Please notify the teacher of any absence from school, if possible call the school prior to the beginning of the school day. If your child has been ill with a contagious disease or infection, a physician's written statement is requested upon coming back to school EMERGENCY AND MEDICAL INFORMATION Notify the school immediately of any change of address or telephone number. Register with the school that telephone number where someone might be reached who is authorized to respond to any emergency regarding your child. Medication will be administered only if and when specifically prescribed by your family physician. We require your written and signed request for such action along with a copy of the physician's prescription and instructions. Please be sure to indicate allergies on your child's enrollment form. GLS Early Childhood Education Handbook 5

6 ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS AGE The child must be four years of age as of September 1st Four year class: to enter Pre-kindergarten The child must be five years of age as of September 1st Kindergarten class: to enter Kindergarten. HEALTH - Documentation that all immunizations have been administered to the child will be required prior to enrollment. Please contact the school if you have any questions about the immunizations. ENROLLMENT FEES - Four year class: $400 Kindergarten class: $500 TUITION - Four year class: $278 per month Kindergarten class: $323 per month Tuition fees are due by the 15th of each month of the nine month school term, September through May. Checks are to be made payable to Gethsemane Lutheran School and may be remitted in person or mailed to the school address. Your cancelled check will be your receipt. CLASS SCHEDULE Classes meet Monday through Friday, 8:30-3:30 p.m. Parents are asked to bring their child into the classroom no earlier than 8:15 a.m. The children will be dismissed from class each day at 3:30p.m. Please pick up your child in the classroom no later than 3:45 p.m. At no time will a child be released to anyone other than a parent or someone specifically designated by the parent. GLS Early Childhood Education Handbook 6

7 A SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE 8:30-8:45 Opening Activities (Date, Sharing Time) 8:45-9:05 Word of God 9:05-9:15 Movement / Rhythm Activities 9:15-10:00 Unit Activities (Language, Art, Science, Social Studies) 10:00-10:15 Snack 10:15-10:30 Recess 10:30-10:40 Writing 10:40-10:55 Manipulative & Math Free Exploration 10:55-11:15 Play Centers 11:15-11:25 Read Story 11:25-11:30 Review of Day 11:30 12:00 Lunch 12:00 12:45 Recess 12:45 1:30 Rest Time 1:30 1:50 Math 1:50 2:10 Phonics 2:10 2:30 Reading 2:30 2:50 Science 2:50 3:10 Social Studies 3:10 3:20 Review of Day 3:20 3:30 Story Time / Prayer / Dismissal GLS Early Childhood Education Handbook 7

8 ENROLLMENT PROCEDURE Enrollment may be initiated by calling the school office at and requesting an appointment with the principal. NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS Gethsemane Lutheran School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and athletic and other school administered programs. GLS Early Childhood Education Handbook 8