APOGEE STEM DISCOVERY LEARNING ACADEMY PARENT HANDBOOK 2018-2019 - "The Peak of Care and Knowledge"
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“The Peak of Care and Knowledge”
APOGEE STEM
DISCOVERY LEARNING
ACADEMY PARENT
HANDBOOK 2018-2019“The Peak of Care and Knowledge”
Welcome to the Apogee STEM Discovery Learning Academy. STEM stands for the
disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Our goal is to
provide a safe, secure environment for your child that fosters physical, social, emotional,
and cognitive development. Parents, as a child’s first and most important teachers, are
an important part of our program. While you are participating in the program, we hope
to develop a partnership, between home and school, which benefits the development
and growth of your child.
We ask that you read this Handbook and feel free to ask questions.
The mission of the Apogee STEM Discovery Learning Academy is to develop the full
potential- socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically, of children in a safe,
trustworthy environment while developing their STEM knowledge and skills at an early
age.
WE BELIVE THAT…
Each child is an individual with his/her own unique set of strengths, talents and
abilities.
Every child has a right to excellent childhood care and early childhood education.
Children best learn character traits when they are modeled through interactions
with their family members, our staff, and each other.
Positive disciplinary strategies lead children to become self-disciplined and self-
sufficient.
Children’s academic success is positively impacted through honest and frequent
communication between the academy and the home.
On-going, job-embedded professional learning for our staff will lead to excellence
in teaching and learning, which will make a positive difference in the lives of the
children and families we serve.
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019At the Apogee STEM Discovery Learning Academy, children are given the
opportunity to explore materials and participate in a variety of STEM experiences.
Activities are carefully planned and implemented in an open-classroom setting.
Children are provided numerous opportunities to choose from age- appropriate
activities including art, music, language development, pre-math skills, science and
nature, and dramatic play. Children develop self-esteem, independence and problem-
solving skills as they make choices and assist in planning the environment and the
activities.
Our primary goal is for children to feel safe and secure. Prior to being independent a
child must know that he or she can depend on adults and a predictable environment.
Children are treated with respect and kindness. We recognize that children develop at
different rates and have different interest. Small group size and appropriate teacher-
child ratios allow for meeting the individual needs of each child.
Learning and playing are not limited to the classrooms. Children participate in the
outdoor environment each day. The Academy provides age appropriate playgrounds.
Infants are also taken outside for walks in a stroller or in the arms of a teacher.
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019APOGEE’S EARLY LEARNING PATHWAYS
Social and emotional development is a child’s ability to understand the feelings
of others, control his or her own feelings and behaviors, get along with other
children, and build relationships with adults. In order for children to develop the
basic skills they need such as cooperation, following directions, demonstrating
self-control and paying attention, they must have social-emotional skills.
Language and communication development is about more than talking. It
means all the different ways a child understands and communicates, only part of
which are spoken words. Communication and language development also
develops a child’s ability to convey ideas, thoughts, and feelings through speaking
and writing, and the ability to demonstrate early reading skills.
Cognitive development is the construction of thought processes, including
remembering, problem solving, and decision-making, from childhood through
adolescence to adulthood. Cognitive skills also include creativity and imagination.
Cognitive development supports the mental processes needed to think, make
sense of the world, and understand knowledge across different subjects, including
science technology, engineering and mathematics.
Physical health and motor development are skills that are essential to healthy
growth and development and success in school. Motor development focuses on
small (turning pages, holding a crayon, building with Legos, cutting with scissors)
and large (crawling, running, bouncing a ball) movement skills. Physical health
development provides opportunities to build large- and small-muscle skills,
strength, stamina, and knowledge needed to live a healthy lifestyle.
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019APOGEE’S PROGRAM ELEMENTS
Through the program elements, learners will be provided numerous opportunities to
repeat and practice key knowledge and skills, which will enhance their learning. The daily
schedule will include activities that will connect the academic elements listed below.
Activities will also be included for geography and history (social studies).
1. SCIENCE: The study of the natural world.
2. TECHNOLOGY: Any product children use or create to solve a problem will be
regarded as technology.
3. ENGINEERING: The design process children use to solve problems.
4. MATHEMATICS: The language of numbers, shapes, and quantities that seems
so irrelevant to many children.
5. CREATIVE ARTS: The creative arts engage children’s imagination through
activities such as art, drama, music, and dance.
6. LANGUAGE AND LITERACY: The interactions that young children have with
materials such as books, paper, and crayons, and with the adults in their lives are
the building blocks for language, reading, and writing development.
7. PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTH: Physical development refers to a
child's ability to move, coordinate and control their body. This development can
be broken up into two categories: gross motor skills and fine motor skills.
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019Tuition
Tuition is payable in advance and due in full at the first of each month. Statements
are not sent out each month. You may choose to pay your fees in full on the first of
the month or half on the first and half on the fifteenth.
Parents will be notified when payments are past due. If an account is two months
past due, parents may be asked to remove their child. There is a $45.00 returned
check fee.
Late Pick-Up
All fees are based on a 10 hour day. (Example: If you arrive at 8:00 AM, your pick up
time is 6:00 PM.) There is a late fee of $1.00 per minute after your pick up time. The
Academy closes at 8:00 PM. Daily. After 8:00 PM (closing time) there is an additional
$50.00 late fee. Late fees are payable within 24 hours of billing.
Withdrawal and Dismissal
Policy
A two-week notice is required before withdrawing a child from the Academy.
Account must be paid in full before withdrawing—including your child's tuition for
that two-week period.
The Apogee’s director reserves the right to cancel the enrollment of a child at her
discretion, or for the following possible reasons:
• Non-payment or excessive late payments of tuition and fees
• Not observing the rules of the Academy as outlined in the parent agreement
• Child has special needs that we cannot adequately meet with our current staffing
patterns
• Physical and/or verbal abuse of staff or children by parent or child
• Expired or non-immunizations and/or physical
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019Daily Routine
Hours of Operation
The Academy is open from 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Friday with the
exception of the following holidays:
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
The Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Winter Break (to be determined)
The Academy will open on holidays if there is sufficient need.
Inclement Weather Policy
The Academy will be open on bad weather days unless both HISD and FT Bend ISD
are closed. In the event of inclement weather, Apogee will make every attempt to open
as usual. However, to preserve the safety of our staff and children we will close if
conditions warrant such action. It is at the discretion of the Center’s Administration to
make the decision to close earlier or open later due to natural disasters (i.e. Snow,
ice…) Apogee Families will be notified of the decision, prior to 5:30 AM in the following
ways:
Channel 13 News
Houston Emergency Management System
We will make every effort to remain open for working parents; however, if we find it
necessary to close, we will not credit or discount tuition fees.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up
In order to assure the safety of your child, we ask that you sign your child in and out
each day. The classroom registers are located at the desk in the lobby as you enter
the Academy. After signing-in, take your child to the designated classroom or area.
Make verbal contact with a teacher in order for us to know that your child has arrived.
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019We cannot be responsible for a child that we do not know has arrived. Please do not
allow older children to enter the building or classroom alone.
When picking up a child, the parent must make verbal contact with a teacher to
communicate that the child is leaving.
In accordance with the Department of Human Services rules, we are unable to release
children to any adult who exhibit behaviors consistent with someone who may be
impaired.
Difficulty with separation is not unusual for children, especially during their first weeks
of attendance. Please help prepare your child for you departure. Do not try to “sneak
away” or “slip out” as this action creates anxiety for your child. Tell your child that it is
time for you to go to work, then leave. Prolonging your good-byes sends a mixed
message to your child and can increase anxiety. A teacher will be happy to assist you if
necessary and help your child settle into an activity.
If a child is upset when you leave, please know that children usually calm down and are
participating before a parent reaches the parking lot. Please feel free to call at any time
to check on your child.
Some parents find it beneficial to gradually phase their child into the Academy. This
process may include several visits prior to the first day of attendance and perhaps
staying only through lunch or naptime on the first day. Phasing-in assists not only the
child’s adjustment to a new schedule and new program but also the parent’s. Please
check your child’s cubby or mailbox each day for messages, artwork, or other take-
home items.
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019Child Care Academy Safety Policy
Apogee STEM Discovery Learning Academy is committed to providing a safe
environment for the children who are enrolled as well as the staff members. This policy
establishes security guidelines for all Child and Family Academy sites.
Access to Academy
Parents and Guardians
Parents and guardians are to use the access code to enter the Academy. Parents
who cannot recall the access code must knock or ring the doorbell to gain entrance.
Access codes should not be shared with others. Additionally, when entering or exiting
the Academy, parents should not hold the door open for others to enter the Academy.
Alternate Drop Off or Pick Up
Parents and guardians may authorize other people to drop off or pick up a child. A
child will be released only to persons listed on the authorization form. Parents will
inform the site manager and classroom teacher of the days the alternate person will
drop off or pick up the child.
The alternate person will show identification at the front desk and sign in before
proceeding to the classrooms. The alternate person will identify him/herself to the
classroom teachers.
Apogee Protection of Minors Provision
Apogee personnel adhere to Texas state law on mandatory child abuse reporting to
either the appropriate law enforcement agency or the state hotline operated by the
Department of Children’s Service.
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019Parent Involvement
The Academy is focused on the child, while providing a supportive environment for
both parents and teachers. Your involvement is both welcomed and encouraged. We
keep you informed of classroom and Academy activities through daily report forms,
weekly newsletters, and newsletters. There are also bulletin boards throughout the
Academy that may have special notices for parents.
Please know that you are welcome to visit the Academy at any time. If you wish to
join us for lunch, the charge is $5.00 per person and 24 hours’ notice is required.
You may also be asked to assist with special classroom activities.
Parent-teacher conferences are held at least once a year for all ages. This allows both
of us the opportunity to share important information concerning your child and the
program offered at the Academy. In addition, conferences may be held at any time
throughout the year, at either the request of the parent or the teacher.
Parent meetings will be held at various times throughout the year. These include
both social and educational events. In addition to conferences and assessments,
there are many ways to keep you knowledgeable about what is happening in your
child’s classroom.
Ways of Communicating with Families
Daily or weekly bulletins
Newsletters
Telephone Calls
E-mails
Daily sheets
Notices
Journals
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019Please remember that drop-off and pick-up times are very busy periods in terms of
transitions and adjustments. These periods are not the best times to discuss your
child’s progress or growth especially if he or she is standing with you.
The best way to address questions or concerns is by calling the office and leaving a
message. When the classroom is quiet and the children situated, the teacher can
return your call. Please do not call classrooms directly, since the teachers are
focusing on all children in their care. When emailing a teacher please copy the
Academy Director as the teachers are in the classrooms with the children and will
not be checking email.
Communication
Communication is essential as we work together to meet the needs of your child. Please
call, if you have any questions. We need and welcome your input.
Should you observe any area or piece of equipment that needs maintenance or repair,
please alert the Academy Director. If you have any questions concerning Academy
policy or practice, please ask the teachers or the Academy Director.
Confidentiality Policy
The only information teachers should share with parents, is information concerning his
or her child. Conversations about other children, other parents, co-workers, and
supervisors are unprofessional, a violation of Apogee’s policy, and in some instances
illegal.
Transitions
As your child grows and matures he or she will transition from one classroom to
another. We strive to make these transitions as stress-free as possible for both you
and your child. You will be notified in advance if your child will be transitioning to
another room. Both classrooms work together to devise a visitation schedule for your
child so that they will not be a stranger when they officially move. You will also receive
a Welcome Packet from the new classroom in advance of the transition.
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019Outdoor Play
All children go outside every day. Please send labeled clothing appropriate for the
weather. During a light rain, we may take a walk, so a raincoat is advisable. On winter
rainy days, send boots, hats, gloves and layers of warm clothing. During the summer,
we will have plenty of outdoor activities. Please dress your children accordingly.
We ask that children wear rubber-soled shoes for outdoor play. Sandals, “jellies”,
“crocs” and flip-flops hinder a child’s ability to participate and often create safety
hazards. We feel that outdoor play is important for each child, each day. During bad
weather, children will play inside. Please do not ask that your child stay inside, as
we are not staffed for one-to-one care.
Clothing
All children need at least one complete, labeled change of clothing at the Academy.
As the seasons change please check and change the outfits left at the Academy.
Young children may need several changes of clothing each day, especially those
involved in toilet learning.
Diapers
Considerable controversy exists concerning the use of disposable versus cloth
diapers. In terms of containment and absorption, disposable diapers are used in group
care situations.
You may bring in a large supple of disposable diapers for your child. Teachers will
note on the daily report form when your supply is low.
Toilet Learning
We ask that you advise us when you are ready to begin toilet learning with your child.
It is best if we can duplicate the routines and methods that you are using in order to
have consistency for the child.
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019Personal Belongings
The Academy provides sheets and blankets for both cots and cribs. If your child has
a favorite sleep toy or any other security item, they are welcome to bring them to
school. Often children may want to bring in items related to the unit being studied or
share items from a vacation. You should check with your child’s teacher to see if there
is a day designated for sharing such items. Please label all items brought to school.
Appropriate books and CDs enrich the children’s lives and may be brought at any
time. Please label all items brought to school.
We ask that children not bring the following items to the Academy:
Toys or toy weapons of any type
Money
Gum
Candy
Cosmetics
Jewelry
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019Food Service
Weekly menus including meals and snacks will be posted in the classrooms.
Until infants are able to eat the meals provided by the Academy, parents are required
to supply formula and baby food. Please remember that we are a chocolate and nut
free Academy. When your child is making the transition to table food, we will work with
parents offer appropriate selections from the daily menu. Milk, water, and fruit juice
will also be available. Children in the toddler through pre-kindergarten classrooms are
expected to participate in the food program.
For infants; bottles should be brought to the Academy “ready to feed.” Bottles will be
refrigerated and warmed with water by the teachers. Empty bottles will be rinsed and
placed in your child’s diaper bag.
Meals are served family style with children being encouraged, not forced to eat. We
encourage children to taste each item being served. During snack time, children have
the opportunity to develop independence and self-help skills by serving themselves
when they are ready to eat.
Medication
Occasionally, children will need to receive medication while at the Academy. If your
schedule allows, you may wish to come during the day and give the medication
yourself. In order for the Academy to assume that responsibility, the following
guidelines must be followed:
I. Prescription medication must be ordered by a physician for the child to receive the
medication. Do not ask that we administer medication that was prescribed for
another child or member of your family. Prescriptions must be in the original
container with your child’s name on the prescription.
II. No medication, whether prescription or non-prescription, will be administered to a
child without written parental authorization. Permission to administer medication
forms are available in the office. The medication form must include the following:
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019A. Name of medication
B. Amount of dose
C. Time to be given
D. Date(s) to be given
E. Parent signature
Medication should be handed to your child’s teacher rather than leaving it on the
counter or in a cubby. All medication must be in the original container with the child’s
name printed clearly on the label.
Illness
According to State Licensing Standards, a child must be fever free for 24 hours without
the use of a fever-suppressant before returning to the Academy. Please do NOT
administer a fever-suppressant and bring your child to the Academy. This is unfair
not only to your child but also to the other children and teachers.
Listed below are criteria for EXCLUDING ill or infected children from the
Academy. FEVER, defined by the child’s age as follows:
Infants younger than 4 months 100 degrees F
4-24 month olds 101 degrees F
older than 24 months 102 degrees F
SIGNS OF POSSIBLE SEVERE ILLNESS including unusual lethargy, irritability,
persistent crying, difficult breathing.
UNCONTROLLED DIARRHEA Defined as an increased number of stools compared
with the child’s normal pattern, with increased stool water and/or decreased form that
is not contained by the diaper or toilet use.
VOMITING Two or more times in the previous 24 hours unless the vomiting is
determined to be due to a non-communicable condition and the child is not in danger
of dehydration.
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019MOUTH SORES, with drooling unless the child’s physician has determined the
illness not to be a communicable disease.
RASH, with fever or behavior change until a physician has determined the illness not
be a communicable disease.
PURULENT CONJUNCTIVITIS Defined as pink or red conjunctiva with white or
yellow eye discharge, often with matted eyelids after sleep, including a child with
eye pain or redness of the eyelids or skin surrounding the eye.
INFESTATION (e.g., scabies, head lice) until 24 hours after treatment was
begun. IMPETIGO until 24 hours after treatment was begun.
STREPTOCOCCAL PHARYNGITIS until 24 hours after treatment has been
initiated and until the child has been fever-free for 24 hours.
PINWORM until 24 hours after treatment was begun. RINGWORM, until 24 hours after
treatment was begun
CHICKEN POX until 6 days after onset of rash or until all lesions have dried and crusted.
RUBELLA until 7 days after the rash appears.
SOURCE: American Academy of Pediatrics/American Public Health Assoc.
Reference Standard (1990) in NAEYC’s Healthy Young Children
If your child becomes ill while at the Academy, you will be called to pick-up your child
as soon as possible. You will be notified should your child be exposed to a
contagious disease. Please notify the Academy should your child become ill so that
we may notify other parents of a contagious disease.
Discipline/Guidance
As children mature and try to gain self-control, they may lose control. At such times,
children may be redirected to another activity. Sometimes talking about what has
happened eases the tension. A child may occasionally need to sit quietly in order to
calm down and regain self-control.
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019Children are never spanked, humiliated, or embarrassed. If the behavior is persistent,
teachers will examine the environment and the events, which surround the behavior.
Through observation and discussion, teachers will decide the most appropriate way of
dealing with the situation. Parents will also be asked to share their ways of dealing
with difficult situations.
Biting
When a child is bitten, it is a traumatic situation for both children and both sets of
parents. Yet, biting is not unusual behavior for pre-verbal children. They may become
frustrated then they cannot say “Move,” “I was playing with that,” or “You are too close.”
Because they cannot speak, some children will bite.
When a child is bitten, the area is cleaned and ice may be applied. They are held
and consoled until they are ready to rejoin the group. The biter is told that biting is
not allowed and that it hurts. The best way to stop biting is to encourage the child’s
language development and using words.
Birthdays
If you wish to celebrate your child’s birthday at the Academy, please discuss your
plans with the classroom teacher. He or she can advise you of any food allergies or
scheduling conflicts. Please remember that we are a nut and chocolate free Academy.
Your child’s birthday may be celebrated in the classroom during afternoon snack time.
You may provide party hats, napkins, plates, and cups if you wish. We will serve
juice. Your child may wish to donate a book, puzzle or CD to the classroom in lieu of
goodie bags. Please discuss specific plans with your child’s teacher.
Please consider the age of the child when selecting food for the celebration. No
heavy sugar foods for children under age two. Frozen yogurt may be an alternative
to ice cream.
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019Plain cupcakes or muffins are great for 1 and 2 year olds.
Please check to see if some children in the class are allergic to particular foods.
If you wish to celebrate your child’s birthday away from the Academy, we cannot
distribute invitations in the classrooms unless the entire class is invited.
Balloon Policy
The Academy allows only Mylar helium balloons. Rubber and latex are NOT
acceptable due to the potential threat of aspiration.
Accident Report Forms
If your child is involved in a mishap that requires any type of attention or first aid,
and the office does not feel that you need to be called, you will be notified with an
accident report. You will be advised of what happened, where it happened, and what
action was taken. A copy will be left in your child’s cubby.
Should an accident require emergency medical treatment, the child will be taken
to the Texas Children’s Hospital Emergency Room. The parents will be contacted
immediately to meet the staff member and the child at the Emergency Room. If
neither parent can be reached, we will call the emergency contact person designated
on the child’s information sheet. When you sign your child’s information sheet you
are authorizing us to implement the plan described above.
Daily Report Forms
Teachers will keep daily records concerning your child’s activities and behaviors
during the day. Special needs will also be noted on the forms.
We ask that you share information concerning any event or happening that may
affect your child’s behavior during the day. Were they up late? Is a parent ill or at
home? Is your child teething?
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019Emergency Preparedness
Staff members are prepared to deal with a variety of emergency situations. During
all circumstances, teachers will remain calm and stay with the children. In the case
of a weather- related emergency, such as a tornado warning, children will be
evacuated to the designated shelter.
In cases of structural damage to the building, staff will follow the directions of the
Academy Director.
Babysitting
Occasionally parents may ask teachers to baby sit. The Academy does not
encourage this practice and assumes no responsibility for employees after their
scheduled work hours. Additionally staff members are not allowed to transport
children.
Apogee Parent Handbook 2018-2019APOGEE STEM DISCOVERY LEARNING ACADEMY
PARENT HANDBOOK ACKNOWEDGEMENT RECEIPT
I, ___________________________________ (parent/guardian) acknowledge that I
have received a copy of Apogee STEM Discovery Learning Academy
Parent/Student Handbook. I will review the handbook information with my child,
______________________________, so he/she is aware of what is expected of
them while at Apogee STEM Discovery Learning Academy.
Please list any other children _______________________________ enrolled at the
Academy _______________________________.
Initial by each of the following to acknowledge that you have read, understand
and take responsibility for the following:
____________ I understand that the handbook provides important detailed
information in regards to Apogee STEM Discovery Learning
Academy Operational Policies and Procedures.
____________ I understand that I am responsible to read all on the contents
contained in the handbook.
____________ I understand that it is my responsibility to get clarification from
the director on any information, policies or procedures if I do
not understand or have questions.
____________ I understand that the information contained is subject to
periodic change.
____________ I understand that any revised information may replace, modify
or could even eliminate a policy or procedure.
____________ I understand that it is my responsibility to understand and
comply with the policies and procedures it contains, as well as
any revisions that are made to it in the future.
___________________________ _________________________ __________
Parent/Guardian Name Printed Parent/Guardian Signature Date
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