PRESCHOOL
HANDBOOK
4 YEAR-OLD CLASS
Revised: January 2008
WELCOME TO ST. JOHN LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL! Your decision to send your child to our school reflects your concern as a parent to place your child in an environment reflecting Christian values and developmentally appropriate instruction. We will strive to make your child’s involvement with our program a happy and worthwhile experience.
Our philosophy at St. John Lutheran Preschool is that a Christian home has the first responsibility and gives the child his or her first training and Christian instruction. The Christian preschool can strengthen and support the parents in their effort. The preschool can play an important role in a child’s early Christian development.
We believe that a Christian preschool can benefit the young child with these goals:
Promoting development through work and play in a Christian environment with the guidance of a Christian teacher.
Helping the child develop relationships with other children and assisting in the development of good personal habits.
Broadening the child’s interests and experience.
Helping to broaden creative abilities.
Assisting in gradual adjustment from home to school life.
Helping a child learn how to cope with life at his own level of maturity.
Aiding in understanding life situations in terms of God’s Word and will.
CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESCHOOL
(4 - 5 Year-Old Class)
A copy of St. John Lutheran’s goals and objectives, matching state Early Childhood Content Standards are available from your child’s teacher..
We strive to interweave many aspects of Christian education and age-appropriate developmental learning experiences. We use a developmental
approach to learning in our classroom. Each day we offer appropriate play experiences using learning centers and small group activities that provide opportunities for: creative art, dramatic play, puzzles, games, manipulatives, hands-on science & discovery, outdoor play, math, language
arts, personal discipline, social development and emotional well-being, health & safety.
We aim to provide experiences for our children to understand the love and joy of the Christian faith, with stories, songs, and other age-appropriate activities. Our children say grace before snacks and experience facets of Christian curriculum in many classroom activities each day. Jesus is definitely a part of our day.
Our learning center activities and group work revolves around a central theme which changes every week or two weeks. Some will be new topics for your child and some will be familiar. We use the Houghton Mifflin Pre-K program that includes the Alpha-Friends letter recognition curriculum. We will explore such topics as Colors, Transportation, Community Helpers, Noah’s Ark, God’s Creation, Fall, Spring, etc. Plans will always vary - arousing the children’s curiosity and keeping their interest is our goal. Within this framework, using learning centers and interesting activities, we can offer a flexible, unique experience for your child each day. How a child learns is as important as what he learns, and “play” is how this learning takes place. A child learns by doing.
Here is a sample schedule for a typical 4-5 Year-old Preschool Day:
| 8:45 - 8:55 a.m. | Center Time/Attendance |
| 8:15-9:15 a.m. | Carpet Time/Wall Activities |
| 9:15-9:30 a.m. | Recess |
| 9:30-9:45 a.m. | Story/Lesson Time |
| 9:45-10:25 a.m. | Small Group Activity/Center Time |
| 10:25-10:35 a.m. | Restroom Break |
| 10:35-10:50 a.m. | Snack and Show and Tell |
| 10:50-11:00 a.m. | ABC Time |
| 11:00-11:10 a.m. | Jesus Time |
| 11:10-11:15 a.m. | Dismissal |
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED IN THE PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS
Within the curriculum developed for the preschool programs, materials and equipment used will be appropriate for the age level and for the objectives listed in the handbook. Developmentally appropriate materials will include such items as blocks, manipulatives (such as legos, etc.) , age-appropriate games, puzzles, balls, paint supplies, scissors, markers, crayons, etc. A few material items such as paint shirts, beans/macaroni/popcorn will be required of each student at the beginning of the school year.
Equipment used within the preschool will again be developmentally appropriate for each grade level. Equipment will be checked regularly for safety and kept in good repair. Equipment items include kitchen area supplies, easels, a woodworking table, a sand table, gym equipment (such as mats, tires, parachute, scooters, etc.), a computer, audio-visual equipment, etc.
The maximum class size will be 14 students. The school retains the right to alter the boy:girl ratio in cases of extreme imbalance in class enrollment. Adult/Child ratios never exceed 1:7. Parents are asked permission to place their child’s name on a roster published for other members of the class.
St. John Lutheran Preschool operates under the auspices of the Board of Christian Day School of St. John Lutheran Church, and has been placed under the general supervision of the principal of St. John Lutheran School. In addition, the program operates under the Ohio State Department of Education rules for preschool programs, Chapter 3301-37.
Each preschool class is taught by a state-certified or licensed teacher with a minimum of a four-year degree. In addition each class will have a paid preschool aide or a volunteer aide.
St. John Lutheran Preschool will follow a non-discrimination practice in delivery of service to children and staff. There will be no preference toward or discrimination against any individual because of size, race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, or handicap.
Registration for members of St. John Lutheran Church and for those children already currently enrolled in the preschool begins on February 1 for the following calendar year. Registration for all others begins March 1 for the following calendar year. A Preschool/Kindergarten Open House is held each spring for those wishing information about the preschool.
To register for a preschool class, the proper registration form must be filled out AND accompanied by the nonrefundable Application Fee. If class enrollment has reached maximum size, a waiting list will be established. (OPENINGS OFTEN DO DEVELOP IN THE SUMMER.) A copy of the official birth certificate (obtained from the local health department) is required by the first day of school.
A family with more than one child in St. John Preschool at one time will be charged a lesser rate for the second child. See the tuition and fees sheet for details.
Tuition rates for the school year:
2-day class - $72.00 month
3-day class - $108.00 month
These fees are for the nine months, Sept. - May. Monthly tuition payments are due by the first of each month. A payment is considered overdue if not paid by the 10th of each month. (SEE BELOW FOR LATE PAYMENT POLICY.)
The Nonrefundable Application fee for the Four Year-old Classes is $75.00. The Nonrefundable Application Fee must accompany the Registration Form. If received by May 30, this fee will be applied to the yearly tuition, in order for a place to be reserved in a preschool class.
After extended illnesses of two or more consecutive weeks, a refund of preschool tuition for the absence period will be considered by the Board of Christian Day School upon written request. Consideration will only be given where hospitalization was necessary and / or a doctor’s excuse is presented.
There are no deductions for vacation or other reasons.
A family with more than one child in St. John Preschool at one time will be charged 1/2 tuition for the second child.
PAYMENT OF FEES/LATE TUITION POLICY
Preschool families have two options in paying tuition: 1) Payment in full for the year can be made prior to August 15. This option includes a 5% discount for early payment; 2) Payment may be made monthly upon receipt of the invoice from the school bookkeeper. Payments are due on the 1st day of the month being paid for. A 10 day grace period is available each month. A $10.00 late fee is added to the invoice balance if the payment is received after the 10th day of the month that it was due.
Any questions or concerns about payments should be directed to the school office.
According to the Ohio state guidelines, each child will be required to have a physical examination which must be done each year the child attends preschool. Medical forms are available in the handbook and also in the school office.
Immunizations needed should include:
Three or more doses of DPT or TD (adult) vaccine. The fourth dose is required for Kindergarten. If the fourth dose was administered before the fourth birthday, a fifth dose is required.
Three or more doses of Trivalent Oral Polio vaccine. If the third dose was received before the fourth birthday, a fourth dose is required for Kindergarten entry.
One MMR Vaccine is required for all children 12 months of age and older. The dose of MMR must have been administered on or after the child’s first birthday. A second dose must be administered before entry into Kindergarten and at least 28 days after the first dose.
Tuberculin test is necessary before preschool only
3 doses of Hep B
4 doses of Hib by 15 months depending on when they started the Hib schedule or one dose at or after 15 months.
Recommended - Three Rotavirus
Section 3313.67 from the Ohio Revised Code also makes an “in process” exception for pupils who have not received the minimum number of immunizations and are not otherwise exempt. “Pupils who have received measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, and at least one immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP/TD), and at least one dose of polio vaccine, and and at least one dose of Hepatitis B vaccine, may remain in school, but they must make satisfactory progress in completing the DTP/DT/Td, Hepatitis B, and polio series in order to maintain their “in process” status. Failure to do so is cause for exclusion from school attendance.”
When recording immunizations on the medical form give the month, the day, and the year. Include any information that would be helpful to the teacher. If there are special needs, kindly note this.
1. Each child must have a completed medical form on file before the first day of attendance.
2. A daily health check will take place when the child arrives at preschool. Children will not be admitted to preschool if the child is considered ill by the staff member who greets the child. Children will be returned to parents or guardians if they show signs of any of the following:
| A. | Diarrhea (more than one loose stool in a 24-hour period) |
| B. | Vomiting |
| C. | Fever |
| D. | Rash (unless the parent brings a note from a doctor that specifies that the rash is not contagious.) |
| E. | Pink eye |
| F. | Head lice |
| G. | Severe coughing, causing the child to become red or blue in the face or to make a whooping sound. |
| H. | Difficult or rapid breathing |
| I. | Temperature of 100 degrees taken by the auxiliary method when in combination with other symptoms |
| J. | Unusually dark urine and/or gray or white stool |
| K. | Stiff neck |
3. Children will be sent home if in the opinion of the staff a child is too ill to be in preschool. In such cases, the child’s parent or guardian will be called. The parent or guardian must come to pick up the child or arrange to have another person pick up the child within one and one-half hours and inform the staff of these arrangements. The school’s health room will be used as an isolation room until the parent or authorized person arrives to pick up the child.
4. Children with fever should remain home for at least 24 hours after their temperature returns to normal. We realize that this policy may be difficult for some parents, but please understand we must reduce the risk of possible exposure to other children.
5. Children who have contracted communicable or contagious diseases or illnesses, including chicken pox, lice, etc., should be kept home. The preschool will need to be notified so that other preschool parents can be informed for their own child’s welfare.
6. Please do not send medication with your child to be administered by the staff unless the proper medical prescription form is filled out and signed by the child’s physician. Parents must give the first dose of all newly prescribed medication to observe the child’s reaction.
7. Staff members may not administer any type of non prescription medicine including Tylenol, aspirin, cold medicine, or cough medicine unless it is prescribed by a physician and labeled in the manner listed below. The proper medical prescription form again must be filled out and signed by a physician.
Requirements include the following:
A. Medication is a personal prescription from the physician.
B. The label bears the child’s name.
C. The label lists directions for administering the medication.
D. The label lists the date, physician’s name, prescription number, and pharmacy name.
8. If your child has any type of allergies (e.g. food, animal, environmental), please note these on the enrollment form.
9. The preschool teacher is trained for signs and symptoms of disease and will conduct a daily health check. Adults working within the classroom, including classroom aides, parent volunteers, etc. will be trained in proper hand washing procedures and also in disinfecting procedures to help prevent the spread of communicable disease.
10. If a child already in school is suspected of needing isolation as in the case of fever, rash, nausea, vomiting, etc., he/she will be sent to the isolation area adjacent to the school office. Parents, guardians, or designated individuals on the medical emergency form will be telephoned to pick up the child. Linens and blankets used on the pullout bed in this area are cleaned and laundered before use by another child.
Classes will be held for 2 1/2 hours per day, 2 or 3 times a week. Morning classes are held from 8:45 - 11:15 A.M., and afternoon classes from 12:45 - 3:15 P.M. We ask that you bring your child no earlier than 10 minutes before the start of class and please pick them up promptly when class is over. If a parent is late picking a child up, they will need to come inside the building, instead of at the dismissal area outside, PRESCHOOLERS WHO ARE NOT PICKED UP BY 11:30 A.M. OR 3:30 P.M. WILL BE TAKEN TO OUR TIGERS’ DEN PROGRAM. Preschoolers who are not picked up by 11:30 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. will be escorted to our Tigers’ Den Christian Child Care Center.
The Preschool calendar will coincide with the calendar of St. John Lutheran School, which for the most part coincides with the school calendar of Defiance City Schools.
A supply list is sent home in August before the school year begins.
In the preschool it is acceptable for boys and girls to wear shorts or pants. Since the children will be working with paints, glue, etc., and since accidents do happen, we advise that children not wear particularly “good” clothes. We urge you to dress your child in anticipation of these activities.
We do advise that the children wear gym shoes most days. Your child will usually be either going outside for recess or going to the gym. It is difficult for the girls to do these activities in patent leather/slip-on type shoes, and it is also difficult for the boys to do such activities in cowboy boots or sandals. We advise against wearing these type of shoes. Your child’s participation in activities may be limited by the teacher if the teacher feels the child’s shoes are unsafe for the activity.
Individual school pictures are taken each year. These are included in the school yearbook and may be purchased if you desire. The photographs are taken sometime in the fall. Because the photographer only comes to the school on one day, it may be necessary for you to bring your child in on a non-class day to have his/her picture taken. One retake day is usually scheduled.
The Preschool has a mid-session snack each day. Children will be requested to take turns bringing in the snack. According to the Ohio state guidelines, snacks must contain at least two of the four basic food groups. The state requires that any juices must be 100% fruit juice. A suggested list of snacks will be given out to parents prior to the first class session. We ask that snacks be individually wrapped, to save time at snack time.
Assigned days are given on the “Snack List”. Children will be assigned an entire week at a time. For the 3-day classes, parents will send in snacks & drinks on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays,. For the 2-day classes, the parents need to send in snacks & drinks on Tuesdays & Thursdays. There are some possible exceptions due to scheduling conflicts, of course. Please advise the teacher of any dietary restrictions.
Three or four times a year the preschool has parties (Examples: Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc.) Parents may be asked to help by sending in treats, etc.
Birthdays may be celebrated on or near the child’s birthday. For birthdays children CAN bring in cupcakes, cake, cookies, etc. for the celebration.
Several field trips may be taken during the year. A general permission slip must be signed at the beginning of the year. Parents will always be informed of dates and locations of impending field trips. Parents are asked to help with transportation and supervision. Parents who assist with transportation will be required to produce a valid Driver’s license and proof of current insurance.
Progress reports will be sent out three times a year. Parent-Teacher conferences will be held in the fall for all parents, and in the spring for those parents requesting such a conference and for those set up by the teacher.
Each week a preschool newsletter will be sent home indicating events, preschool birthdays, field trips, monthly themes, etc. In addition, a school newsletter is sent home weekly. Please take the time to read these as they will contain important information you need to know for your preschooler!
Children should be brought directly to the preschool room at the beginning of the classroom session. As the child becomes more confident, and
if the parent is willing to take responsibility, the children may be dropped off at the south door at arrival time.
For dismissal, children should be picked up directly behind the preschool room in the back parking lot area. PARENTS AND OTHERS PICKING UP THE PRESCHOOLERS SHOULD REMAIN IN THEIR CARS. The teacher and/or aides will bring the children outside in a group and load them individually into cars. Cars should be lined up and not parked in parking spaces for this procedure to go smoothly. A map and further explanation will be given prior to the first class session.
A SPECIAL FORM will need to be filled out which indicates who can pick a child up from school. IF SOMEONE NOT ON THE CHILD’S LIST COMES TO PICK THE CHILD UP, THE TEACHER OR AIDE CANNOT DISMISS THE CHILD TO THAT PERSON WITHOUT WRITTEN OR VERBAL PERMISSION BY THE PARENT. This is especially critical in situations where non-custodial parents are involved. We require a complete copy of court orders you wish us to follow. A parent will be called if this situation should arise.
When your child is absent, please call into the school office (782-1751) and inform them why your child will not be attending school. The state requires that we know where children are when they are not in class as scheduled, and it is nice for the class to know why their friend is not there for the day, especially since we like to pray for them.
The Preschool follows the same procedure as St. John Lutheran School in regard to possible bad weather delays/closings. In the case of fog, sleet, snow, ice, etc. please listen to the following radio stations for information: WDFM, WZOM, or WONW. You need to listen for information regarding “DEFIANCE CITY SCHOOLS: PUBLIC & PAROCHIAL “.
The procedure for delays FOR MORNING CLASSES is as follows:
If there is a TWO-HOUR DELAY, we will begin at 10:45 A.M. and meet until 12:15 P.M.
The procedure for delays FOR AFTERNOON CLASSES is as follows: If there is a TWO-
HOUR DELAY in the morning, afternoon classes will meet from 1:00 - 3:15 P.M.
For SCHOOL CLOSINGS, again we will be closed like the rest of the public and parochial schools. If several days are missed due to bad weather, efforts may be made on the part of the teacher to make-up some days, possibly with combined classes in a field trip, etc.
Families are visited each August prior to the start of school. The teacher brings important information about the school year and this gives the child a chance to meet the teachers prior to the start of school. An open house is also held the week before school starts to help the child become familiar with the classroom.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM/SINGING IN CHURCH
Each December, generally on a Sunday a week or two before Christmas, we have our annual Christmas Program. Students in all preschool classes are invited to participate in this event. Sometime in November, we will be sending home songs and fingerplays you could practice at home with the child. This is a very special way to celebrate our Lord’s birth. We look forward to having all children participate in this event.
The preschool students also occasionally sing for church services on Sundays with the Early Childhood Choir. This is also another special way for the children to praise our Lord in song.
Parents are welcome to participate in the preschool program in a number of ways. Parents are welcome to visit the classroom at any time announced or unannounced. It would be helpful to contact the teacher prior to visiting. Parents are also needed to supervise field trips and to help with parties.
Another opportunity for parent participation is to involve your child’s class in your occupation or hobby. In the past we have had parents arrange for field trips to their places of work, or had demonstrations right in the classroom. (Examples from the past: A visit by an ambulance & Pepsi truck, demo on egg painting, a nutrition presentation, a vet talking about his job, etc.)
Every year we have a special PARENT/VISITOR night planned where you can participate with your child on special activities. We will give you lots of advance notice in newsletters so you will know when this date will be coming up.
PARENT TEACHER LEAGUE (P.T.L.)
Our school does have a Parent Teacher League (P.T.L.) with meetings periodically throughout the school year. Preschool Parents are also welcome to participate in these activities. Parents should check the weekly school newsletters for details.
WITHDRAWAL OF STUDENTS AND TUITION CREDIT
Parents who enroll their children, may withdraw the child under the following conditions only:
A. The family moves from the community.
B. Mutual agreement between parents and school.
C. In case of a child’s extreme illness or injury requiring hospitalization.
D. Upon written recommendation of a doctor.
In regard to conditions C and D above, the procedure shall be as follows:
1. After one week of continuous absence, the school shall contact the parents as to the status of the child.
2. After two weeks of continuous absence, the parents shall submit, in writing, a request to maintain a place on the roster for their child and shall obligate themselves to continue making tuition payments.
3. If no request in writing is made, the child shall be removed from the roster and that place will be filled from the waiting list.
4. Parents may then reapply and their child’s name will be placed on the waiting list. The child will be re-enrolled if a place is available or when an opening occurs.
1. All registering children are expected to be toilet trained before entering the preschool class. Parents or guardians will be contacted and requested to visit the school for immediate assistance with situations involving soiled clothing. The school staff will attempt to make the child comfortable in the interim. Repeated occurrences of soiled clothing may result in a request for the child to be withdrawn from class.
2. Coordination between the state-certified teacher and the aide on duty will provide for all students to be supervised in going to the restroom.
All parents must completely fill out the medical emergency card and emergency medical care authorization form. Copies are placed in the child’s file and in the emergency card file cabinet in the school office. Please list people who can be contacted to pick up your child. No child will be admitted to preschool without all the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the child’s physician, and dentist, and parental signatures on these forms.
Accidents and emergency situations will be handled according to the following procedures:
1. Minor accidents or injuries such as bumps, bruises, or cuts that seem not to require stitches or further medical care will be treated by staff who will comfort, wash wounds, and apply necessary Band-aids. These incidents will be reported to parents verbally or in writing.
2. Parents, guardians, or persons listed on the emergency card authorization form will be called for accidents requiring further professional medical attention (but not emergency treatment). The person contacted will be told to pick up the child for further assessment by a physician. Examples of such injuries include deep cuts that may require stitches, uncontrollable nosebleeds, large bumps or bruises (particularly to the head), and possible fractures. An accident report will be completed by a staff member.
3. In emergency situations such as broken bones, unconsciousness, extreme fever, large or deep cuts, and head injuries followed by vomiting and/or dizziness, the staff will call for ambulance service, and an adult will accompany the child to the hospital. The parent, guardian, or emergency care person and the child’s doctor will be informed immediately.
4. First aid kit supplies and directions for use are available in each preschool room. A first aid kit will be taken along on all field trips.
5. Each month we have a fire drill. Severe weather drills are held in the fall and spring. The children benefit from these drills, by learning to evacuate their classrooms quickly according to assigned escape routes.
According to the Ohio state guidelines 3301-37-10, behavior management/discipline shall apply to all persons on the premises and shall be restricted as follows:
(1) There shall be no cruel, harsh, corporal punishment or any unusual punishments such as, but not limited to, punching, pinching, shaking, spanking, or biting.
(2) No discipline shall be delegated to any other child.
(3) No physical restraints shall be used to confine a child by any means other than holding a child for a short period of time, such as in a protective hug, so the child may regain control.
(4) No child shall be placed in a locked room or confined in an enclosed area such as a closet, or box, or a similar cubicle.
(5) No child shall be subjected to profane language, threats, derogatory remarks about himself or his family, or any other verbal abuse.
(6) Discipline shall not be imposed on a child for failure to eat, failure to sleep, or for toileting accidents.
(7) Techniques of discipline shall not humiliate, shame, or frighten a child.
(8) Discipline shall not include withholding food, rest, or toilet use.
(9) Separation, when used as discipline shall be brief in duration and appropriate to the child’s age and developmental ability, and the child shall be within sight and hearing of a preschool staff member in a safe, lighted, and well-ventilated space.
(10) The preschool staff shall not abuse or neglect children and shall protect children from abuse and neglect while in attendance in the preschool program.
POLICIES OF ENTIRE HANDBOOK ADOPTED BY:
THE BOARD OF CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL
ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
7/28/94
Revised January 2008