St. Luke Preschool - Where Learning Begins! 2012-2013 Parent Handbook
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St. Luke Preschool
A ministry of St. Luke United Methodist Church
Where Learning Begins!
2012-2013 Parent HandbookSt. Luke Preschool
1104 Second Avenue
PO Box 867
Columbus, Georgia 31902
Phone: (706)-327-4343
Fax: (706)-327-4345
www.stlukeumpreschool.com
Meredith Adams
Preschool Director
madams@stlukeum.comWelcome
We are excited about the start of a new school year! We welcome back those
students who are returning and add a special welcome to those who are new
to St. Luke Preschool. We are honored you have chosen our program for
your child’s early learning experience.
Our staff strives to provide a loving, nurturing and stimulating environment
that encourages all children to reach their highest potential both spiritually
and academically. This handbook has been developed to answer the
questions you may have regarding our program and policies. Please keep in
mind it has been developed for the benefit of all the children in our program.
Mission Statement
The mission of St. Luke Preschool is to provide a loving and secure
environment where children can develop socially, emotionally, physically,
intellectually, and spiritually.
Philosophy
All children can learn
Children learn best in a safe, nurturing environment
Families and community are vital to a child’s learning
All children can become contributing members of their community
Daily Operation
St. Luke Preschool operates from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm daily. During the Fall
school year, we offer several sessions to try and meet each families needs.
2 days a week: Tuesday and Thursday
3 days a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
4 days a week: Monday-Thursday (4 year only)
5 days a week: Monday-Friday
Children are placed in a class based on their age as of September 1.
We follow the Muscogee County School District calendar for holidays
and some days out, but, unlike the MCSD, we begin the school year and
end the school year on a date set by the Preschool Director.
Admission RequirementsThe Preschool accepts children from 3 months to four years of age. Children
are placed based on their age as of September 1. We do not accept “class” or
“teacher” requests. Parents are asked to abide by this policy. The following
need to be completed prior to enrollment:
Completed registration form
Immunization Record *
Payment of applicable non-refundable registration fees
Tuition payment, if applicable at the time of admission
* It is up to the parents to update this form after each set of shots. If proper
immunizations have not been received, the family must present a notarized
letter from the physician stating the reason.
Withdrawal
We cannot refund tuition or registration payments if you choose to withdraw
your child from the Preschool program for any reason. A two-week written
notice or a two-week payment is required for withdrawal from any class.
Registration
Registration for current students will be held in January. A completed
registration form, physician-signed immunization form, and the required
registration fees must be received by the Director no later than 1:00 pm on
the assigned acceptance date to guarantee a place in the student’s registered
class. If you fail to complete the acceptance process, St. Luke Preschool will
assume you do not wish to use your child’s reserved placement.
Open Registration
New students may register during Open Registration in February. Completed
registration forms must be received by the Director on or before the given
deadline. This registration is NOT first come, first served. All forms
received by the deadline will be given consideration. In reviewing a
student’s application, the following factors will be considered:
Student’s legal guardian is a St. Luke UMC member;
Student’s legal guardian is an employee of St. Luke UMC, St. Luke
Preschool, St. Luke School or St. Luke ELC;
Student has previous attendance records at St. Luke Preschool
Student has siblings currently enrolled at St. Luke Preschool; Student has siblings currently enrolled at St. Luke ELC or St. Luke
School
Parents or guardians of new students will be notified of class placement by
phone call or mailed acceptance letter. Along with the completed registration
form, physician-signed immunization form, and the required registration
fees must be received by the Director on or before the given deadline in
order to guarantee a place in the student’s registered class. If you fail to
complete the acceptance process, St. Luke Preschool will assume you do not
wish to use your child’s reserved placement.
Waiting List
To ensure the waiting list for available classroom spaces in the Preschool is
accurate and contains students with a serious interest in attending St. Luke
Preschool, the following guidelines are in effect:
1. All parents wishing to place their child on the waiting list will fill out
a waiting list card accompanied by a non-refundable $25 fee.
2. Waiting list cards will be maintained by the Director to be referenced
when a vacancy occurs.
3. Vacancies in the Preschool will be filled using the following priorities:
Student’s legal guardian is a St. Luke UMC member;
Student’s legal guardian is an employee of St. Luke UMC, St.
Luke
Preschool, St. Luke School or St. Luke ELC;
Student has previous attendance records at St. Luke Preschool
Student has siblings currently enrolled at St. Luke Preschool;
Student has siblings currently enrolled at St. Luke ELC or St.
Luke School
Tuition and FeesTuition is due by the 5th of each month (or school day closest to the 5th) and
is considered late by the 15th. There will be a $30.00 late fee added to your
monthly account if your payment is late. A statement will be sent home with
your child’s belongings at the end of each month for next month’s fee.
Tuition is due even when there are breaks in the calendar.
The registration fee for ALL students is $75.00
(effective June 5, 2012)
Number of Days Days Monthly Tuition
2 Tu/Th $140
3 M/W/F $165
4** M/Tu/W/Th $200
5 M/Tu/W/Th/F $235
** 4 year Pre-K only
A Supply Fee for 2012-1013 will be due in August:
$50.00 for Infants- Three Year Olds
$100.00 for Four Year Olds (Includes Sight Word Set)
There is no reduction in tuition for absences.
** In the event of a returned check, there is a $25.00 charge and payment
must be made in cash.
Failure to pay tuition for 2 months is reason for immediate dismissal from
the program unless other arrangements have been made with the Director.
All payments need to be placed in the collection mailbox marked “St. Luke
Preschool” located outside the Director’s office or given directly to the
Director. Early arrival and car pool staff may not collect any form of money
owed to the Preschool. Money sent in a book bag or lunch box should be
placed in an envelope clearly marked so the teacher will not misplace it as
trash.
Late FeesThe regular school day ends promptly at 1:00 pm. Any child that is not
picked up by 1:10 pm after the regular school day will be charged a $10.00
late fee for each occurrence.
School Closings Due To Weather
The Preschool follows the Muscogee County School District in closing due
to questionable weather. Please listen to the local news or radio when bad
weather occurs before arrival time.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
We encourage open communication between parents and teachers. We ask
that you schedule a conference with your child’s teacher other than arrival
and pick-up times. This will allow the teacher to concentrate on the
wellbeing of all children in her class.
Curriculum
St. Luke Preschool supports and encourages each individual child’s
development- social, emotional, cognitive, physical and spiritual. The
Preschool uses WEE Learn Christian curriculum. This curriculum is
developed around themes which provide opportunities for the children to
learn about God, Jesus, the Bible, the church, self, family, others and the
natural world. It also provides guidance and activities to help each child
develop oral language, early literacy and math skills as well as other
foundational skills appropriate to his or her stage of development.
Chapel
The Three and Four year old classes will attend Chapel every Wednesday
morning. This time will consist of singing and a Bible story told by one of St.
Luke’s ministers.
Music
During the school year, all classes will participate in music class on Monday
and Tuesday. Following the weekly theme schedule, we enjoy learning newsongs, learning about different musical instruments, and have fun with
seasonal songs.
Child Abuse/Neglect
By State Law, St. Luke Preschool is required to report to Child Protective
Services any SUSPECTED cases of child abuse or neglect.
Confidentiality
Employees of St. Luke Preschool are required to maintain strict
confidentiality in regard to information about all children and families that
we serve.
Emergency Notification
A parent will be notified immediately of any illnesses or injury requiring
professional medical attention for their child. In the event a parent cannot be
contacted, the emergency contact person will be notified. If none of these are
available, the child’s physician may be contacted. 911 will be called if an
illness or injury requires immediate professional medical attention.
Non-Emergency Notification
A parent will be notified upon arrival at pick-up time if their child has
become ill or has an injury that does not require professional medical
attention. When an accident or injury occurs to a child, an Incident Report
Form will be filled out by the teacher and signed by the Director. The
parents may or may not be immediately notified depending on the severity
and time of the accident or injury. Parents will be given a copy of the report.
Car Pool Service
Children who are in the Two, Three, and Four year old classes are eligible
for morning and afternoon car pool service. We do require pre-registration
for this service. For safety purposes, we ask that you use the car pool
tag/sign given to you at the beginning of the year. Parents are asked to be
responsible for safely buckling their child in their car seat! We will beginunloading children at 8:50 and end promptly at 9:00 am. We will begin
loading children in the afternoon at 12:45 and end promptly at 1:00pm.
If your child is registered for car pool, we will automatically send them out
every afternoon at 12:45 pm. If you do not want your child to go to car pool
in the afternoon on any certain day, we must receive a written notice the
morning of the day requested, otherwise we will send them to car pool.
Children not picked up by 1:00 pm will be returned to their classroom.
Car pool is located under the portico in the parking lot between St. Luke and
First Baptist. Enter from 2nd Avenue into the parking lot for drop off or pick,
and exit onto 3rd Avenue.
Arrival and Pick Up of “Walk In” Children
For security purposes, everyone is asked to enter the building using the Main
Office entrance doors located by the Chapel/ Portico area. To help Preschool
parents easily enter the building at drop off and pick up times, staff members
will be stationed at the 11th Street door beginning at 8:50 am and end at 9:05
am. Pick up times will begin at 12:50 and end at 1:05 pm. Doors will be
closed and locked at all other times. If you need to gain access to the
Preschool before or after these times, you will have to use the main entrance.
Please make sure to share this information with anyone dropping off or
picking up your child.
Children are not to be dropped off in the classroom until 9:00 am. The
teachers arrive at 8:45 am to prepare for their day.
After you have picked up your child from their classroom, please keep your
child with you at all times to avoid any accidents. When you pick up your
child from the classroom, our responsibility for accidents ceases.Discipline Policy St. Luke Preschool does not use any form of corporal punishment on children. We aim to teach children the correct behavior through verbal warnings, time-outs and trips to the Director’s office as needed. Certain behaviors, such as hitting a staff member will not be tolerated. Each teacher will determine their classroom rules that are age appropriate. Children are expected to follow these rules at all time. Teachers will use positive reinforcement and disciplinary consequences in their classrooms. This will include verbal praise, special privileges, and treats for individuals and/or the entire class. Disciplinary consequences will consist of verbal warnings, time-out in the classroom, time-out in another classroom and/or a trip to the Director’s office. Parents will be notified if the inappropriate behavior continues and disrupts the learning of other children. If an inappropriate behavior becomes an ongoing issue, the Director has the right to suspend or dismiss a student from the program. St. Luke Preschool reserves the right to deny admission of any student based on specific, nondiscriminatory reasons of the Preschool Director and/or School Headmaster. St. Luke Preschool reserves the right to dismiss a current registered child if behavior becomes a problem. If it is determined that a child is having difficulty adjusting to Preschool, is frustrated with the learning environment, shows abusive tendencies toward the teacher or other children, or is a disruption to the entire class due to personal or medical reasons, the Director or School Counselor will be asked to observe in the classroom. A conference will be scheduled with the parents, teachers, the Director and any other representatives asked to attend. If determined necessary by the Preschool Director, St. Luke Preschool reserves the right to require, at the child’s family expense, a qualified aide to accompany the child daily.
Child Pick Up Permission
Please indicate on your registration form and inform your child’s teacher of
any person(s) who are allowed to pick up your child. As a safety precaution,
a note or phone call is required on the day someone else will pick up your
child. We will not allow children to leave school with anyone else without
written permission or a phone call to the Preschool Director. For the
protection of your child, we may ask for identification if we do not
recognize someone picking up your child. This is for their safety.
Early Arrival
Children are not allowed into the classrooms before 9:00am. The teachers
use this time to prepare for their day. We offer “Early Drop Off” starting at
8:30 am for an additional fee of $2.00 per day. This will be billed to the
following month’s tuition statement.
Field Trip Guidelines
The Four Year Old classes will take several field trips throughout the year.
Each child is required to have a signed permission form to be allowed to
attend the trip. Out of courtesy for the staff/employs of the participating
companies, and to ensure quality one-on-one time with the four year old
child, we respectfully ask that siblings of any age do not attend the field trips.
The Three Year Old classes may attend an end of the year field trip if
approved by the Director.
Calendars and Reminders
A calendar with significant dates will be provided at the beginning of the
school year. Monthly reminders of themes and academic information will be
sent home with the children. Current updates on class news, unique events
and activities, permission slips and important dates will be sent home as
needed. Please check our website regularly for dates and information
throughout the school year. www.stlukeumPreschool.comBiting
For some children, biting is a way to show dissatisfaction with the way
things are going around them at certain Preschool ages. Teachers will
remove any child who bites and explain to them why they cannot bite other
children. An “Incident Report Form” will be filled out by the teacher and
signed by the Director. Parents will be given a copy of the form. No names
will be released due to confidentiality.
** If biting occurs one time in a given day, or attempts to bite up to three
times in a given day, the parents may be asked to pick up their child early.
If the child is picked up early a total of three days, the Director and/or
School Headmaster may determine that the biting has become a problem
for group socialization and parents may be asked to withdraw their child
from the Preschool for the remainder of the year.
Illness
In consideration of others, please do not bring your child if they are visibly
ill, or have had a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea during the previous 24 hours.
Fever: A fever is often a sign of a contagious condition. If fever is
suspected, your child’s temperature will be taken. If the temperature is
above 100.5 degrees, you will be contacted to pick up your child
immediately. Your child may return to school when they have been
fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications.
Diarrhea: When diarrhea is noted, your child’s temperature will also
be taken. If there is a fever, you will be contacted to pick up your
child immediately. If no fever but a second liquid stool occurs, you
will be contacted to come and pick up your child immediately. They
will not be allowed to return to school until they have been diarrhea
free for 24 hours.
Vomiting: If your child experiences unexplained vomiting before
coming to the Preschool, he or she should be kept at home. They
should be free of vomiting for 24 hours before returning. If vomitingoccurs while at school, you will be contacted to pick up your child immediately. Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis): Pink-eye is extremely contagious. If it appears that your child might be infected, he or she will be removed from the group and you will be contacted to pick up your child immediately. Communicable Diseases: When any suspected case of contagious disease is determined, you will be contacted to pick up your child immediately. If the doctor determines that your child has a communicable disease, you are requested to contact the Preschool Director with the diagnosis as soon as possible. This allows the Preschool to notify other families, if necessary. The Preschool reserves the right to request a physician’s written release for your child’s return following a communicable disease. Examples of communicable diseases include but are not limited to: Active Chicken Pox, Mumps, Flu, Measles, Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, Strep Throat. Skin Infections and Lesions: If your child has ringworm, impetigo, or pin worms, he or she will not be allowed to return to school until the condition is cleared up. If your child has a skin lesion that is not considered contagious by a physician, in writing, and it is adequately dressed to prevent drainage while at school, he or she will be allowed to remain. Rashes: Suspicious rashes are considered contagious until a physician indicates, in writing, otherwise. Head Lice: This condition requires immediate attention considering how quickly it spreads. If it is determined that your child is infected, he or she will be removed from the group and you will be contacted to come and get him or her right away. Treatment will be required and all eggs (“Nits”) will have to be removed from the hair before your child will be allowed to return to school.
Medications
A medication form must be completed by the parent or guardian and
returned to the Director in order for St. Luke Preschool to administer any
type of medication. The medication will only be administered if it is
delivered to the Director. Prescription medication must be in its original
prescription container and be properly labeled by a registered pharmacist,
as required by law. Nonprescription medications must also remain in its
original container properly labeled with your child’s name and specific
instructions regarding dosing and time of administration. All medication
and forms must be kept in the Director’s office.
THE PRESCHOOL CANNOT ADMINISTER FEVER REDUCING
MEDICATION!
The only exception to administering fever reducing medication is on the
same day and the following day of immunization shots.
If your child is being treated with antibiotics, he or she should be on the
medication for at least 24 hours and not exhibit any symptoms before
returning to the Preschool. We realize some symptoms may occur long
after the child is considered not contagious and, in that case, may return
to the Preschool.
Snack Time
The Preschool will provide a light snack and juice for children each day.
If your child cannot have the type of snack we provide at school, it is
your responsibility to provide a snack for your child.
Lunch Time
Children should bring a lunch from home each day. Please pack a lunch
that is already cut into bite-size pieces and easy for your child to eat
without much assistance from the teachers. We do not have the
opportunity to heat or cook food items. Remember to include a drink in
the lunch.The Preschool reserves the right to prohibit certain types of foods
containing eggs, nuts, or milk used in any way in the classroom setting if
there are significant allergy concerns in any particular classroom.
Records
It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the Director in writing of any
change in address, phone numbers, email, schedules or other important
information.
Baby Requirements
Parents are asked to furnish all food, milk, and juices needed for infants.
These must be in plastic bottles labeled with your child’s name.
Disposable diapers, wipes, powder, and ointment are also the parent’s
responsibility. You will be notified when we are in need of additional
supplies.
Potty Training
Children in the three year old classes and above should be completely
potty trained. After several documented accidents, the parents will be
asked to conference with the classroom teacher and the Director to
determine strategies to help the child. In severe cases, the parents may be
asked to withdraw their child from the Preschool until potty training is
complete and there is no guarantee your child’s slot will still be available
upon returning.
In our one and two year old classes, we do our best to assist you in potty
training efforts. If your child is having a little trouble, we ask that you
send them in pull-ups. We also may ask that some type of outer covering
be put on over under garments to help us keep our carpets as sanitary as
possible.Playground
The children will participate in outdoor activities year-round, every day
when the weather permits. If weather is questionable, the Director will make
a school-wide decision.
Clothing and Shoes
We will use washable markers and paint, but there are many things that your
child may work with that can be difficult to wash out. We cannot guarantee
that your child’s clothes will not get dirty. Please dress your child in weather
appropriate outfits, layering if necessary. Each child will need to bring a
complete change of clothing: socks, under garments, shirt, and pants. Put
these in a zip-lock bag labeled with their name. All shoes must have strap or
back to ensure a secure fit. Tennis shoes are preferred and please no flip-
flops.
Parties and Celebrations
Parties are held in the classroom throughout the year. Teachers will provide
a sign-up sheet for you to help with these. Homemade goodies are
welcome. Due to the risk of allergic reactions, items containing nuts (i.e.
peanut butter) may not be brought into the classroom to share with
everyone. Birthday celebrations are welcome. Please work out details with
your child’s teacher. It is Preschool policy that invitations to parties away
from school may not be distributed at school UNLESS everyone in the class
is receiving an invitation.
Volunteers
Parents are always welcome to volunteer in their child’s classroom or in the
Preschool where needed. Please let your child’s teacher know if you are
available to volunteer and work out details with them. When you arrive to
volunteer, you will need to check in and receive a badge from the Director.
Parents are welcome anytime at St. Luke Preschool! Our hope is that you feel
welcomed and comfortable bringing any questions or concerns to us. We want this time
in your child’s life to be a positive experience!You can also read
