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PARENT HANDBOOK 2015-2016
MISSION
St. Mark Preschool is an outreach ministry of the St. Mark United Methodist Church. The mission of St. Mark Preschool is to provide a quality education in a caring Christian environment. Our objective is to serve all children, ages two to five in a loving Christian atmosphere where they may develop spiritually, intellectually, socially and physically. We believe in nurturing the whole child through a creative, individualized program that is developmentally appropriate for each child.
We are looking forward to working with you and your child at St. Mark Preschool. We hope you will find this information helpful in answering any questions you may have about the school. Please read it carefully, and do not hesitate to ask any questions about items that are unclear.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL
St. Mark Preschool is open Monday through Friday. Half-day program is 7:45 until 12:30, and full day is 7:45 to 5:15. We follow the Santa Barbara School District calendar for most holidays and vacations.
The preschool operates on a non-discriminatory basis, according equal access to services without regard to race, creed, color, religion, nationality, ancestry, or physical/intellectual abilities.
Only preschool children between the ages of 2 and 5 may be accepted for enrollment.
PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL
PAC (Parent Advisory Council) governs the Preschool. The Council is made up of Parent Representatives, Church members, the Pastor and the Director. There are two to three Parent Representatives invited by the Director to represent all the parents in making decisions concerning all school matters. Board meetings are held once every other month and are open to all parents. Minutes of the meetings will be posted on the outside parent's bulletin board. Anyone interested in being a parent representative should speak with the Director.
THANKS
Thank you for choosing St. Mark Preschool. We are pleased that you chose us to be partners in the education of your child. We will do our best to provide a wonderful, exceptional and positive experience to your child and to your family.
Program Description
The children at St. Mark Preschool are grouped according to age. The school offers a quality early childhood program, designed to enhance creativity, inter-personal and communication skills, and physical coordination appropriate to each age grouping. Since preschoolers are most responsive to activities in which they are involved in a “hands-on” manner, the classrooms are arranged into learning areas wherein the child can choose whether or not to participate. Materials in each classroom are rotated and enhanced frequently to stimulate children’s interest and encourage problem solving skills. Curriculum is child-centered as young children learn best when teachers build on the interests and abilities of the children. This will include activities in communication, science, math, art, social studies, language arts, music, dramatic play, and both small and large muscle coordination. Our program is enriched with class visitors and special events.
Our program focuses on the following areas of development in ways appropriate to each age group:
Social/emotional
St. Mark Preschool is a safe, accepting environment in which children can feel comfortable to be themselves. The children experience each other’s special and unique qualities within a loving and supportive atmosphere. Teachers help to build each child’s self-esteem while guiding and positively reinforcing responsible, cooperative behavior. Each classroom will incorporate anti-bias techniques and curriculum to encourage children to understand individual differences.
Spiritual
Our school is based on Christian principals. We have the unique opportunity to not only teach about God’s love and guidance through the Bible, but to model and teach the practical application in our daily lives. Bible stories will be taught on Wednesdays during our regularly scheduled Bible Time. Our values of love, patience, kindness, forgiveness, joy, and humility are modeled throughout the curriculum.
Cognitive
Children learn basic cognitive skills through experience in many activities during play. Many manipulative activities are offered to stimulate cognitive thinking and require the development of problem solving skills. The children enjoy developing these skills with objects for sorting, categorizing, sequencing, counting and quantifying, as well as taking apart and putting objects back together again. Open-ended science questions help children learn how to question for themselves and to be true thinkers.
Language/communication
Children develop pre-reading and writing skills appropriate for their age. Letter and number recognition, expressive and creative drawing, storytelling, journal writing and discussion of events and topics of interest to the children, are all ways in which pre-reading skills are enhanced. Rhymes, chants, and songs are important ways to enhance language development. The children will be exposed to both written and oral language skills.
Discovery/exploration
Children are exposed to the world around them by our developing curriculum of interest based on real life experiences. These interests develop from people, places, and things in a child’s world and are enriched through creative drama, class discussions, science exploration, classroom visitors, and more.
Creative Expression
Children will be given daily opportunities for creative expression and appreciation through art, music, and dramatic play. A wide variety of art media and tools, as well as musical style, form, and function are available for individual and group expression. Our creative rule of thumb is always that the process is more important than the product!
Small/fine Motor
Small muscle skills are developed through daily experiences in cutting, tearing, coloring, painting, scooping, pouring, threading, weaving, connecting, play dough play, fingerplays, action songs, and more.
Gross/large Motor
Movement activities that stimulate large muscle development include walking, skipping, running, marching, jumping, balancing, catching, throwing, dancing, parachute play, climbing, bicycle riding, and more. We will use the indoor classrooms, Clemen’s Hall and the outdoor playground area to develop large motor skills.
Admission/Enrollment Procedures
AGE REQUIREMENTS
Following carefully the steps for admission and enrollment will help to make a smooth and easy entrance for both you and your child. Children are grouped according to age. In order for your child to be admitted to one of our classes he/she must have reached the stated birth dates as follows.
Class Age as of September 1
Four's/Pre-K Must have reached 4th birthday by 9/1
Three’s Must have reached 3rd birthday by 9/1
Two’s Must have reached 2nd birthday by 9/1
Registration
Registration for each new school year takes place in early spring. Currently enrolled families and siblings will have first opportunity to enroll their children for the following year. Registration forms and fees must be submitted together by the registration deadline. After the in-house registration deadline, open registration will begin. The registration fee and the last month’s tuition are non-refundable.
Annual Registration Fee
There is an annual registration fee of $150.00 for each child. This fee includes a processing fee, and ensures your child will be enrolled for the entire year.
Enrollment
Once your child has been registered and placed into a class for the new year, you will receive an enrollment packet that contains many important forms that need to be filled out and returned to the school before your child can participate.
Waiting List
The director maintains a waiting list of children who wish to enroll. A $25.00 fee must accompany all requests to be admitted to the waiting list. Church members and siblings are given priority when on the waiting list.
TUITION
Monthly Tuition
The amount of monthly tuition is set by the Board of Directors. The monthly tuition is due and payable on or before the 1st of each month. Failure to pay by the 10th of each month will necessitate a late fee of $15.00. Failure to pay both the tuition and the late fee by the 25th of each month will be grounds for the Board of Directors to suspend the child's enrollment. In cases of financial hardship, arrangements must be made with the Director prior to the 10th of each month. A limited number of scholarships are available. No adjustment for sickness or vacation will be made.
Late Pick-up Charges
There will be an addition fee of $15.00 per each 15 minutes (or part thereof) when the parents fail to pick-up the child on time. This includes the 12:30 pick-up deadline time for children enrolled in the half-day program.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Your child must be accompanied by a parent to the inside of the school. Contact with a teacher should be made so our teachers are aware of your child's presence. In accordance with the state law, each child must be signed in and out each day using the child's FULL name and the parent's signature (as they sign legal papers). Only those people authorized by the parents in writing will be allowed to pick a child up from school. We ask the child to arrive by 8:30 to get some outside time before class time. Children enrolled half-day are to be picked up promptly at 12:30. Full-day program hours begin as early as 7:45 and as late as 5:15.
PARKING
No matter what time your child arrives or leaves the school, always park in the second or third row in the rear parking lot. Be aware of the presence of children at all times and please drive very slowly. We are using the first row as the children safety zone.
PARENT'S SNACK PARTCIPATION
Morning Schedule
For each child in attendance at the school, the parents provide snacks for the entire school, once every other month. A monthly snack list will be posted in each classroom. Guidelines are provided and must be strictly followed. A reminder will be given with a two weeks’ notice. The reminder will be sent home in the parent's file. Snack time is an important part of our preschool morning.
Missed Snack Day
If you know you will be gone on your snack day, ask your teacher to switch days with another family. If you forget your snack day, please bring a replacement to replenish our back-up supply.
Allergies
If your child has allergies or any dietary restrictions please see Director to make other arrangements.
HEALTH
It is our desire to prevent the spread of cold, infections, and communicable diseases at the school. We ask for your assistance with this. Please evaluate the health of your child prior to attending each day of school. Upon arrival, your child's teacher will conduct an evaluation of each child. In the event that your child becomes ill during the course of the day, the director will call the parents or if unable to reach them, the person(s) listed on the Emergency Information Form.
If your child exhibits any of the following within 24 hours of school, they should not attend school that day:
Please notify the school if your child has a contagious disease such as chicken pox, head lice, measles, conjunctivitis etc., so we can notify other families. Please see the doctor in regards to when it is healthful to return to school.
Medications
It is preferable that medications be given at home. Medication will only be given at school when absolutely necessary. When medications must be administered at school, they may be given to a child only with both a physician’s written permission and the parent’s written permission on the school medication form that is supplied by the school. Medications must have a prescription label indicating the child’s name and date. Medicine must be given personally to the Director and stored in his or her office.
NAP TIME
We require all children to participate in a rest period. Please provide a child-size pillow, pillowcase and an easy-to-wash blanket. Bedding will be sent home to be cleaned weekly.
LUNCH FOOD
Children bring their lunch in a labeled lunch box. Please do not send glass containers in your child's lunch. For health and safety reasons we do not provide refrigeration or heating of the children lunches. Please take all necessary precautions to prevent food from spoiling (such as providing blue ice). Please do not send any candy, treats or soda. If you send juice, please make it 100% juice as we like to encourage healthy eating habits as part of our teaching.
CLOTHING
Children should wear play clothing to school so there is no worry about clothes getting soiled. At St. Mark Preschool we offer a variety of activities that are excellent in fostering a healthy well rounded development, but are often messy. It is important to have an extra set of labeled clothes at school in case of soiling. For the safety of the child, please have him/her wear rubber soled, comfortable shoes, such as sneakers.
PARENT COMMUNICATION
We communicate with our families in a variety of ways - parent folders, email, bulletin board, newsletter, teacher notes, and calendar.
Parent Folder
Your child will have a cubby and folder in the classroom. Please check it daily for school communication and art work. Private communications must be approved by the director prior to being placed in cubbies and/or folder.
Parent Bulletin Board
The Parent bulletin board is in the breezeway and is used for school and community events. On this board you will also find a monthly calendar with some of the activities planned for each day. A more detailed monthly calendar is located in your child's classroom.
Newsletters/Calendar
The Preschool publishes a newsletter every month. In it you will find news about your child's class, events, articles of interest, important dates, etc. Information and articles from parents are encouraged and welcomed. Also the teachers of each class will provide a monthly calendar of activities.
Email
Often the quickest way to stay connected is through email. Please be sure the Director has your current email address.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Conferences are scheduled in October for all students and then again in April for pre-k children. They can also be scheduled any time throughout the year when requested by the parent or teacher. Parents are encouraged to observe their child in the school environment.
PARENT PARTICIPATION
As a non-profit organization, we welcome parent participation and involvement to improve the quality of our program. Each family is required to donate 6 hours toward helping to maintain and improve our program. Please contact our director if you can help during the school year or during special events.
Child Safety and Emergency/Disaster Plan
A top priority at St. Mark Preschool is to provide a safe place for your child while he/she is at preschool. The following guidelines will help to assure a safe environment.
1. Head teachers and teacher assistants in each classroom are responsible for the safety of the children in that classroom. All staff at St. Mark will hold current CPR and Basic First Aid training certification. A first aid kit will be kept in place in each classroom.
2. No child shall be left alone or unsupervised at any time.
3. If a child is injured at school, St. Mark will fill out the proper report form. This report is kept on file for at least one year and a copy of the report is available upon request.
4. We teach students safety procedures and conduct safety drills. A record of each safety drill conducted is kept on file and available from the director.
5. Emergency procedures and evacuation routes are posted in each classroom.
6. All medical emergency forms and health records of children will be kept up to date.
7. Each child has his or her own emergency comfort kit (see below).
Each kit should be contained in a plastic bag and clearly labeled. Comfort kits will be returned to you at the end of each school year. Your kit is designed primarily for the psychological and emotional comfort of your child. Each kit should contain the following:
Please do not include any items that may leak or melt. The kits will be stored in a container located at the school. The kits will only be used as needed after initial first aid needs are met.
PARENT HANDBOOK 2015-2016
MISSION
St. Mark Preschool is an outreach ministry of the St. Mark United Methodist Church. The mission of St. Mark Preschool is to provide a quality education in a caring Christian environment. Our objective is to serve all children, ages two to five in a loving Christian atmosphere where they may develop spiritually, intellectually, socially and physically. We believe in nurturing the whole child through a creative, individualized program that is developmentally appropriate for each child.
We are looking forward to working with you and your child at St. Mark Preschool. We hope you will find this information helpful in answering any questions you may have about the school. Please read it carefully, and do not hesitate to ask any questions about items that are unclear.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL
St. Mark Preschool is open Monday through Friday. Half-day program is 7:45 until 12:30, and full day is 7:45 to 5:15. We follow the Santa Barbara School District calendar for most holidays and vacations.
The preschool operates on a non-discriminatory basis, according equal access to services without regard to race, creed, color, religion, nationality, ancestry, or physical/intellectual abilities.
Only preschool children between the ages of 2 and 5 may be accepted for enrollment.
PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL
PAC (Parent Advisory Council) governs the Preschool. The Council is made up of Parent Representatives, Church members, the Pastor and the Director. There are two to three Parent Representatives invited by the Director to represent all the parents in making decisions concerning all school matters. Board meetings are held once every other month and are open to all parents. Minutes of the meetings will be posted on the outside parent's bulletin board. Anyone interested in being a parent representative should speak with the Director.
THANKS
Thank you for choosing St. Mark Preschool. We are pleased that you chose us to be partners in the education of your child. We will do our best to provide a wonderful, exceptional and positive experience to your child and to your family.
Program Description
The children at St. Mark Preschool are grouped according to age. The school offers a quality early childhood program, designed to enhance creativity, inter-personal and communication skills, and physical coordination appropriate to each age grouping. Since preschoolers are most responsive to activities in which they are involved in a “hands-on” manner, the classrooms are arranged into learning areas wherein the child can choose whether or not to participate. Materials in each classroom are rotated and enhanced frequently to stimulate children’s interest and encourage problem solving skills. Curriculum is child-centered as young children learn best when teachers build on the interests and abilities of the children. This will include activities in communication, science, math, art, social studies, language arts, music, dramatic play, and both small and large muscle coordination. Our program is enriched with class visitors and special events.
Our program focuses on the following areas of development in ways appropriate to each age group:
Social/emotional
St. Mark Preschool is a safe, accepting environment in which children can feel comfortable to be themselves. The children experience each other’s special and unique qualities within a loving and supportive atmosphere. Teachers help to build each child’s self-esteem while guiding and positively reinforcing responsible, cooperative behavior. Each classroom will incorporate anti-bias techniques and curriculum to encourage children to understand individual differences.
Spiritual
Our school is based on Christian principals. We have the unique opportunity to not only teach about God’s love and guidance through the Bible, but to model and teach the practical application in our daily lives. Bible stories will be taught on Wednesdays during our regularly scheduled Bible Time. Our values of love, patience, kindness, forgiveness, joy, and humility are modeled throughout the curriculum.
Cognitive
Children learn basic cognitive skills through experience in many activities during play. Many manipulative activities are offered to stimulate cognitive thinking and require the development of problem solving skills. The children enjoy developing these skills with objects for sorting, categorizing, sequencing, counting and quantifying, as well as taking apart and putting objects back together again. Open-ended science questions help children learn how to question for themselves and to be true thinkers.
Language/communication
Children develop pre-reading and writing skills appropriate for their age. Letter and number recognition, expressive and creative drawing, storytelling, journal writing and discussion of events and topics of interest to the children, are all ways in which pre-reading skills are enhanced. Rhymes, chants, and songs are important ways to enhance language development. The children will be exposed to both written and oral language skills.
Discovery/exploration
Children are exposed to the world around them by our developing curriculum of interest based on real life experiences. These interests develop from people, places, and things in a child’s world and are enriched through creative drama, class discussions, science exploration, classroom visitors, and more.
Creative Expression
Children will be given daily opportunities for creative expression and appreciation through art, music, and dramatic play. A wide variety of art media and tools, as well as musical style, form, and function are available for individual and group expression. Our creative rule of thumb is always that the process is more important than the product!
Small/fine Motor
Small muscle skills are developed through daily experiences in cutting, tearing, coloring, painting, scooping, pouring, threading, weaving, connecting, play dough play, fingerplays, action songs, and more.
Gross/large Motor
Movement activities that stimulate large muscle development include walking, skipping, running, marching, jumping, balancing, catching, throwing, dancing, parachute play, climbing, bicycle riding, and more. We will use the indoor classrooms, Clemen’s Hall and the outdoor playground area to develop large motor skills.
Admission/Enrollment Procedures
AGE REQUIREMENTS
Following carefully the steps for admission and enrollment will help to make a smooth and easy entrance for both you and your child. Children are grouped according to age. In order for your child to be admitted to one of our classes he/she must have reached the stated birth dates as follows.
Class Age as of September 1
Four's/Pre-K Must have reached 4th birthday by 9/1
Three’s Must have reached 3rd birthday by 9/1
Two’s Must have reached 2nd birthday by 9/1
Registration
Registration for each new school year takes place in early spring. Currently enrolled families and siblings will have first opportunity to enroll their children for the following year. Registration forms and fees must be submitted together by the registration deadline. After the in-house registration deadline, open registration will begin. The registration fee and the last month’s tuition are non-refundable.
Annual Registration Fee
There is an annual registration fee of $150.00 for each child. This fee includes a processing fee, and ensures your child will be enrolled for the entire year.
Enrollment
Once your child has been registered and placed into a class for the new year, you will receive an enrollment packet that contains many important forms that need to be filled out and returned to the school before your child can participate.
Waiting List
The director maintains a waiting list of children who wish to enroll. A $25.00 fee must accompany all requests to be admitted to the waiting list. Church members and siblings are given priority when on the waiting list.
TUITION
Monthly Tuition
The amount of monthly tuition is set by the Board of Directors. The monthly tuition is due and payable on or before the 1st of each month. Failure to pay by the 10th of each month will necessitate a late fee of $15.00. Failure to pay both the tuition and the late fee by the 25th of each month will be grounds for the Board of Directors to suspend the child's enrollment. In cases of financial hardship, arrangements must be made with the Director prior to the 10th of each month. A limited number of scholarships are available. No adjustment for sickness or vacation will be made.
Late Pick-up Charges
There will be an addition fee of $15.00 per each 15 minutes (or part thereof) when the parents fail to pick-up the child on time. This includes the 12:30 pick-up deadline time for children enrolled in the half-day program.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Your child must be accompanied by a parent to the inside of the school. Contact with a teacher should be made so our teachers are aware of your child's presence. In accordance with the state law, each child must be signed in and out each day using the child's FULL name and the parent's signature (as they sign legal papers). Only those people authorized by the parents in writing will be allowed to pick a child up from school. We ask the child to arrive by 8:30 to get some outside time before class time. Children enrolled half-day are to be picked up promptly at 12:30. Full-day program hours begin as early as 7:45 and as late as 5:15.
PARKING
No matter what time your child arrives or leaves the school, always park in the second or third row in the rear parking lot. Be aware of the presence of children at all times and please drive very slowly. We are using the first row as the children safety zone.
PARENT'S SNACK PARTCIPATION
Morning Schedule
For each child in attendance at the school, the parents provide snacks for the entire school, once every other month. A monthly snack list will be posted in each classroom. Guidelines are provided and must be strictly followed. A reminder will be given with a two weeks’ notice. The reminder will be sent home in the parent's file. Snack time is an important part of our preschool morning.
Missed Snack Day
If you know you will be gone on your snack day, ask your teacher to switch days with another family. If you forget your snack day, please bring a replacement to replenish our back-up supply.
Allergies
If your child has allergies or any dietary restrictions please see Director to make other arrangements.
HEALTH
It is our desire to prevent the spread of cold, infections, and communicable diseases at the school. We ask for your assistance with this. Please evaluate the health of your child prior to attending each day of school. Upon arrival, your child's teacher will conduct an evaluation of each child. In the event that your child becomes ill during the course of the day, the director will call the parents or if unable to reach them, the person(s) listed on the Emergency Information Form.
If your child exhibits any of the following within 24 hours of school, they should not attend school that day:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fevers
- Rash
- Cough
- Heavy nasal dischargeRapid or difficult breathing
- Persistent sore throat or difficulty swallowing
- Conjunctivitis – inflammation of the eye
- Excessive fatigue or feeling uncomfortable
Please notify the school if your child has a contagious disease such as chicken pox, head lice, measles, conjunctivitis etc., so we can notify other families. Please see the doctor in regards to when it is healthful to return to school.
Medications
It is preferable that medications be given at home. Medication will only be given at school when absolutely necessary. When medications must be administered at school, they may be given to a child only with both a physician’s written permission and the parent’s written permission on the school medication form that is supplied by the school. Medications must have a prescription label indicating the child’s name and date. Medicine must be given personally to the Director and stored in his or her office.
NAP TIME
We require all children to participate in a rest period. Please provide a child-size pillow, pillowcase and an easy-to-wash blanket. Bedding will be sent home to be cleaned weekly.
LUNCH FOOD
Children bring their lunch in a labeled lunch box. Please do not send glass containers in your child's lunch. For health and safety reasons we do not provide refrigeration or heating of the children lunches. Please take all necessary precautions to prevent food from spoiling (such as providing blue ice). Please do not send any candy, treats or soda. If you send juice, please make it 100% juice as we like to encourage healthy eating habits as part of our teaching.
CLOTHING
Children should wear play clothing to school so there is no worry about clothes getting soiled. At St. Mark Preschool we offer a variety of activities that are excellent in fostering a healthy well rounded development, but are often messy. It is important to have an extra set of labeled clothes at school in case of soiling. For the safety of the child, please have him/her wear rubber soled, comfortable shoes, such as sneakers.
PARENT COMMUNICATION
We communicate with our families in a variety of ways - parent folders, email, bulletin board, newsletter, teacher notes, and calendar.
Parent Folder
Your child will have a cubby and folder in the classroom. Please check it daily for school communication and art work. Private communications must be approved by the director prior to being placed in cubbies and/or folder.
Parent Bulletin Board
The Parent bulletin board is in the breezeway and is used for school and community events. On this board you will also find a monthly calendar with some of the activities planned for each day. A more detailed monthly calendar is located in your child's classroom.
Newsletters/Calendar
The Preschool publishes a newsletter every month. In it you will find news about your child's class, events, articles of interest, important dates, etc. Information and articles from parents are encouraged and welcomed. Also the teachers of each class will provide a monthly calendar of activities.
Often the quickest way to stay connected is through email. Please be sure the Director has your current email address.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Conferences are scheduled in October for all students and then again in April for pre-k children. They can also be scheduled any time throughout the year when requested by the parent or teacher. Parents are encouraged to observe their child in the school environment.
PARENT PARTICIPATION
As a non-profit organization, we welcome parent participation and involvement to improve the quality of our program. Each family is required to donate 6 hours toward helping to maintain and improve our program. Please contact our director if you can help during the school year or during special events.
Child Safety and Emergency/Disaster Plan
A top priority at St. Mark Preschool is to provide a safe place for your child while he/she is at preschool. The following guidelines will help to assure a safe environment.
1. Head teachers and teacher assistants in each classroom are responsible for the safety of the children in that classroom. All staff at St. Mark will hold current CPR and Basic First Aid training certification. A first aid kit will be kept in place in each classroom.
2. No child shall be left alone or unsupervised at any time.
3. If a child is injured at school, St. Mark will fill out the proper report form. This report is kept on file for at least one year and a copy of the report is available upon request.
4. We teach students safety procedures and conduct safety drills. A record of each safety drill conducted is kept on file and available from the director.
5. Emergency procedures and evacuation routes are posted in each classroom.
6. All medical emergency forms and health records of children will be kept up to date.
7. Each child has his or her own emergency comfort kit (see below).
Each kit should be contained in a plastic bag and clearly labeled. Comfort kits will be returned to you at the end of each school year. Your kit is designed primarily for the psychological and emotional comfort of your child. Each kit should contain the following:
- 2 juices boxes
- space blanket
- tissue
- plastic poncho or 2 plastic bags
- fork & spoon
- snack hearty enough for one lunch (canned fruit, tuna)
- note from Mom or Dad
- family photo
- stuffed animal or comfort item
Please do not include any items that may leak or melt. The kits will be stored in a container located at the school. The kits will only be used as needed after initial first aid needs are met.
