GATE OF HEAVEN SCHOOL
Early Childhood Program
Parent/Guardian Handbook
Information, Guidelines, Policies and Procedures
2007/2008
OUR REASON FOR BEING
Gate of Heaven’s Early Childhood Program provides a caring environment in which children can grow socially, emotionally, mentally, creatively and spiritually. In this environment children discover the inherent goodness in all that they are. It is an atmosphere in which children can learn to live effectively with themselves and others and also begin to acquire a sense of identity while experiencing many chances for success. In a world that grows more competitive each day, the teachers of the ECP assist the children to experience happiness and success in a noncompetitive environment. By making material available in an interesting, exciting manner, children can be children, free to play, explore and imagine in the course of a child oriented day.
Dear Parent/Guardian:
As parents and guardians, you are the primary teachers of your children. As early childhood educators, we also play a very important role in your children’s lives. It is our goal to help prepare your children for formal education by providing them with a loving, caring, safe environment in which to learn. We also accept the responsibility to inform you periodically concerning the concepts and skills that your children are learning through play.
All children are unique and special. The staff at the ECP strives to bring out the uniqueness in each of the children. We recognize that children whose basic emotional, social, spiritual and physical needs are met and nurtured through the preschool years will be ready and eager to learn the academics in elementary school. Consequently, we make age-appropriate materials available in such a way that inquiry is a way of life. The curriculum for each age level is based on thematic units developed so that every child can experience success, and children’s self-initiated investigations are encouraged and supported.
The purpose of this handbook is to detail the philosophy, programs and general administrative policies of Gate of Heaven’s Early Childhood Program. Please read it carefully and call if you have any questions.
Thank you for entrusting your children’s very special years to us. We are looking forward to a wonderful year.
Our Lady, Gate of Heaven, Pray For Us!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Mary Sweeney – Preschool
Mrs. Mary Powers – Kindergarten I
Spiritual Development
The ECP is a Catholic Program where spiritual enrichment is recognized as an essential part of learning. It is, therefore, an integral part of our program.
Throughout our everyday activities, we strive to help each child to know that God is Love, and that He is the maker of all that is great and beautiful in this world.
Children who attend our Early Childhood Programs learn the Sign of the Cross, begin each morning with prayer and take time throughout the day to “talk to God.”
Besides fostering the spiritual growth and development of the children who attend, participation in our program provides parents and families many opportunities to build and strengthen ties to each other and the parish community of Gate of Heaven. The Parish priests are frequent visitors to the classrooms.
Program Information
Our Early Childhood Program offers a developmentally appropriate curriculum and each level builds on the previous one. Whether exploring the many facets of dinosaurs, traveling to Mexico, England or the moon; play-acting famous fairy tales; collecting bugs or experimenting with erupting volcanoes, our goal is to expose the children to a wide variety of wonderful units and provide an atmosphere of learning through play. Units are designed to develop readiness skills and they all provide developmentally appropriate activities directed toward that end.
In addition to regular classroom activities and outdoor play, the children go to the Music Room for music and movement with our Music Teacher and the children go to the Walsh Center for physical education.
THREE YEAR OLD
The emphasis of this program is strictly on socialization. The teacher strives to help children build self-esteem while they learn through play. We encourage and promote interest in socializing, imaginative play, group activities and solitary play. All of these activities are enriched with stories and music and theme related projects.
FOUR YEAR OLD
In the four year old program we encourage children to look for peer relationships; to play cooperatively with others to share, contribute and interact with others in a group and to explore and to create!
Entrance Requirements
ENTRANCE AGE
3 year old - 3 by September 1, 2007
4 year old - 4 by September 1, 2007
NO EXCEPTIONS: All children MUST be toilet trained when school begins. Pull-ups and diapers are not permitted.
GOOD FAITH: Children are accepted in good faith. Occasionally, however, it is necessary to remove a child from the program. The Principal reserves the right to dismiss a child, if after a conference with the parents and teachers, she determines that it is in the best interest of the child.
REGISTRATION: ECP Registration takes place during Catholic Schools Week. Children presently in the Preschool are automatically enrolled in Kindergarten I.
Tuition and Fees
Gate of Heaven Parish provides rooms and utilities. Tuition, fees and donations fund salaries, classroom activities, supplies and capital projects.
TUITION and FEES: Tuition is a yearly fee, payable as follows:
REFUNDS: Unless tuition is paid in full, TUITION PAYMENTS ARE NOT REFUNDABLE FOR ANY REASON. However, if a family is moving out of the area and the year has not begun, tuition will be refunded but the registration fee will not be refunded. Notice of withdrawal must be in writing.
2007/2008 Tuition
School Hours
School begins at 8:00AM each morning and ends at 2:15PM each afternoon. Half day program sessions begin at 8:00AM and end at 11:00AM.
Children need to know that someone will bring them to school on time and be waiting when school is over. Therefore, please be prompt both in bringing your child to school and in picking him/her up. Center activities begin promptly each day and are disrupted by late arrivals.
Calendar/Weather Closing
The 2007/2008 ECP calendar coincides with the Gate of Heaven School calendar. Please consult the Gate of Heaven Parent/Student Handbook for school closing information. All parents are encouraged to use their own discretion regarding attendance when there is inclement weather.
Health and Safety
HEALTH & IMMUNIZATION RECORD: An UP TO DATE medical form, including immunization records and a physical exam within twelve months of the beginning of school must be on file in the school office.
CHRONIC CONDITIONS and ALLERGIES must be brought to the attention of the Principal and teachers.
If your child’s food allergies are severe enough to warrant the use of an eppi-pen if exposed to allergens, you must provide an eppi-pen to the school.
MEDICATION: Please talk with your child’s teacher if your child will need medication during school hours. Staff will administer medication only if a child’s parent or guardian provides written consent and the medication is available in an appropriately labeled and stored container with written instructions from the child’s physician on proper administration of the medication.
ABSENCES: Please inform your child’s teachers if your child will be absent. You may do this by calling the office before 9:00AM each day of your child’s absence.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE: Any incidence of a communicable disease MUST be reported to the school office.
ILLNESS: For the well being of all the children and the staff, your child should not be sent to school if any of the following conditions exist:
NOTE: Sick children will be sent home. If your child arrives sick he/she will not be permitted to stay. Also, if your child becomes sick during the school day, you will be called and required to pick him/her up immediately.
REST: It is important that small children go to be early. School is not fun for children who are tired when they get there. The day is a burden instead of a pleasure when that happens. Please be sure that your child gets enough rest and eats a well-balanced breakfast.
OURDOOR PLAY is a regular part of our day and your child must be well enough to go outdoors with the other children at all times. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather and be sure to put sunscreen on him/her before he/she comes to school.
CLOTHING: Children should wear closed-toe shoes with rubber soles. Sandals and crocs pose a safety hazard when children play in the yard. All clothing should be suitable for outdoor play and easy to manage.
FIRE DRILLS: Fire drills are conducted monthly. Emergency evacuation drills will be conducted periodically.
EMERGENCIES: If you need to reach the ECP teachers in a emergency, call the school office (617-268-8431).
IN THE BUILDING: RUNNING is not permitted in the classrooms or hallways.
Handwashing
Studies have shown that proper handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. So, in an effort to provide as germ free a learning environment as possible, the children are required to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before snack and lunch.
Safe Environment: Ensuring the Safety of Children
Safety and well-being are vital to the growth and development of children. Helping to ensure the safety and well being of the children in our care is part of our job as teachers, part of our duty as citizens and part of our partnership with parents. Children should be given every chance to live and grow, free from abuse and neglect.
In accordance with Massachusetts’ State Law, ECP staff members will report observations or suspicions of child abuse and neglect to the Department of Social Services. By our institutional guidelines, suspicion that a minor has been abused or neglected will be reported to the Principal. She has the duty to ensure that the allegation is reported to the Department of Social Services. The Principal will also notify the Pastor of Gate of Heaven School and the Cardinal’s delegate for the Protection of Children that such a report has been made.
Drop-off and Pick-up
For the safety and security of the children and staff, the following procedures have been established.
PARKING: The Early Childhood Program children will use the side door (4th Street) between the Church and School for drop-off and pick-up. The teachers will meet the children each day. Children arriving after the bell should use the front door of the school to enter.
CHILDREN ARE NOT PERMITTED TO COME INTO THE BUILDING ALONE.
Parent Involvement
VOLUNTEER NETWORK: Many activities depend on parents volunteering their time and talents. We invite you to play an important role in your child’s early education. There will be various times during the year that we ask for help.
ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD: You will be surprised at the intense thinking that goes into your child’s pictures and “projects.” Saying such things as, “Tell me about your picture” will help encourage your child’s best efforts. Find a special place to keep pictures and other items your child has made and watch her/his improvement as the months pass. Each piece of work is important to your child, so please don’t let your child see you toss his/her work in the wastebasket. Your child’s artwork is a result of his/her own creativity and development. Throughout the year, process, not product, is our goal.
Conferences and Evaluation
Teachers communicate verbally and in writing with parents in an ongoing manner during the school year to convey information about the progress of their children. In addition, teacher will discuss children’s abilities and interests with parents at formal conferences in late winter.
While only one formal conference is scheduled, parents or teachers may request meetings at any time during the year. Parents who wish to discuss their child should make an appointment with their child’s teacher. This may be done in person or by leaving a message for your child’s teacher in the office: 617-268-8431.
Please remember that morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up are usually not appropriate times for conferences.
Separation Anxiety
Some young children go through a stage of difficulty in separating from a parent in a new or unfamiliar environment. Many times as preschool educators we see this occur at the beginning of the school year, but it can occur at other times. Generally speaking, most children pass through this phase quickly and become comfortable with being at school and separate happily from parents. However, the way we address this issue is vitally important to the child, the parents and the preschool and Kindergarten I classrooms.
Most often, staying in the classroom with a child who is having difficulty prolongs her/his anxiety. So, we generally encourage parents to drop their child off and leave the room. We work with parents to formulate a strategy for a happy drop-off and we comfort a child who is having difficulty in ways he/she is used to and we always assure the child that either Mom or Dad will return soon. We learn these ways from you – from information you provided on the “About My Child” form, from talking with you at orientation, from consulting with you if the situation arises, or at any other time that you have a concern.
Behavior
Appropriate behavior is encouraged and praised.
Our teachers have been trained in the Second Step violence prevention program, and they have effectively incorporated many of the strategies in the classrooms. When undesirable behavior occurs, positive guidance and redirection of a child’s attention is generally sufficient action to end it. In extreme situations, a child may be given time out to think about his/her actions in the classroom, or be removed from the classroom to give her/him a chance to think about and/or talk about their behavior.
Physically aggressive behavior, such as biting, kicking, hitting, etc. cannot be tolerated. To protect all of the children and encourage acceptable behavior, teachers will intervene immediately if a child becomes physically aggressive.
Teachers will make every effort while children are at school, and we will always work closely with parents, to help children cope successfully in the world around them. However, parents must understand that consistently aggressive or disruptive behavior is not acceptable and will result in dismissal from the program.
School Bags
We expect the children to bring a bag to school each day. This gives them the opportunity to be responsible for their own show-n-tell, hats, gloves, etc., as well as for projects done at school. In addition, the bags will be used to send the weekly communication folder home.
Address/Phone Number/E-Mail Changes
Please let the office know if your address, phone number, e-mail address or emergency information changes.
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS Communication is crucial to the success of our program.