Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District

Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District Preschool Handbook 2010-2011

Located at Dr.Daniel Bright Elementary School Physical Address: 1500 Monte Tesoro Dr. Mailing Address: 1 North Willard St. Cottonwood, Arizona 86326 (928) 634-7039

1 Staff

Principal

Director of Special Services Dianne Frazier

Teacher Christine Capasso

Teacher Vonne Zimmerman

Speech NAU Interns

Occupational Therapist

Physical Therapist Sharon Wenger

Psychologist NAU Interns

Assistants Trish Schiaveto

2 Philosophy and Goals

The Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District Preschool strives to offer children an opportunity to develop in an environment planned with their physical, mental, social, sensory and emotional needs in mind. The program provides experiences with the intent of meeting the needs of all attending preschoolers. It is a language-based, developmental preschool. This means that activities are implemented with attention to different needs, interests and developmental levels of individual children as well as the group. Research indicates that preschool children learn best through a multi-sensory approach. As examples, preschool activities may include playing with homemade playdough, water, sand, shaving cream, rice and flour. Music and singing are important elements to the preschool curriculum, as the children learn listening and language skills through these activities. Phonemic awareness is taught through rhythmic beat and familiar patterns heard in routines and everyday experiences. Preschool children have an opportunity to attend school assemblies.

All preschool experiences promote an environment which:

1. Develops creativity, interest and joy of learning through an interactive process with the environment using all the senses. Discovery of relationships through direct experiences and the promotion of choices are encouraged.

2. Enhances communication skills through fostering meaningful dialogues with children and adults, listening to and discussing stories, participating in group play, field trips, language experience activities, relating to pictures, role playing and pretending, as examples.

3. Develops self-control and responsibility through gentle guidance by setting clear, consistent, fair limits for behavior and expectations, redirection to more acceptable behavior if necessary, guiding children to resolve conflicts and modeling skills that help children solve problems. All staff use a philosophy of positive behavior support.

4. Develops fine and gross motor skills by providing a balanced amount of large and small muscle activities. Gross motor activities might include running, jumping, balancing and group games. Fine motor skill development may be enhanced through artwork, use of scissors, solving puzzles, block building, cooking, as examples.

5. Introduces pre-academic skills and expose children to letter sounds, numbers, the alphabet, shapes, and colors. Examples of pre-academic skills are number concepts, such as one to one correspondence and counting meaningful objects. Aspects of language arts are presented through exposure to stories, poetry and provision of a print-rich environment.

3 6. Encourages appropriate interaction with other children and adults through opportunities to communicate, practice social skills such as cooperating, sharing and helping others make positive choices.

7. Teaches problem-solving and decision-making skills through individual choices of activities and encouragement of child-initiated investigation, exploration, questioning and making suggestions.

8. Enhances concern for others through recognition of feelings, demonstration of respect, ability to share, promotion of understanding of commonalities and acceptance of differences between individuals.

9. Encourages the development of a positive self-concept through demonstration of respect for and acceptance of children. This lends to a positive and supportive relationship between teachers and children which is crucial to social and emotional growth.

Cottonwood-Oak Creek Preschool Curriculum /Program

Curriculum is planned around everyday experiences which helps the child learn about him/herself, family, friends, environment, and community. Concepts will be presented through games, songs, movement, finger-plays, and other audio-visual means. Each child's individual needs will be considered to assist them to develop to the best of their ability. Those involved in teaching the curriculum to the children include: preschool teachers, instructional aides, and other service providers, such as speech/language pathologist, physical or occupational therapist, when appropriate. The daily routine includes large group, small group and individual instruction. Thematic units are presented to groups, and learning is facilitated during circle time, story time, field trips, projects, and in learning centers. Classroom centers include science, dramatic play/housekeeping, construction zone, book corner, listening, writing, manipulatives, table toys, and art. In addition, snack time and outdoor recreation are included in the daily schedule.

Cottonwood-Oak Creek Preschool Educational Program

Students are screened and evaluated to determine eligibility for placement in the preschool. Eligibility requirements are in accordance with the Arizona State Department of Education and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

4 Registration

Students must complete school registration before beginning preschool. Registration includes completion of the enrollment form, emergency card, a copy of the child's birth certificate, free and reduced meal application and record of up-to-date immunizations. ALL INFORMATION MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO ADMISSION.

Immunizations

Arizona SchoolImmunization Law requires that children be up-to-date on their immunizations to attend preschool. A copy of their immunization record book is mandatory and will be required before your child can enter preschool; this includes:

-DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus,Pertussis) 4 doses -Oral Polio 3 doses -MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) 1 dose after age 15 mo. (county recommends a dose between 4-5 years) -HIB (Haemophilus Influenza) 1 dose -Hep B (Hepatitis B) 3 dose - Varicella (chicken pox) 1 dose

Class Schedules

Classes meet four days per week (M,T,TH,F) for two and one-half hours. Preschool begins on August 4, 2010 and the last day of class is on May 14, 2010. No Preschool on Wednesdays.

Group A – M,T,TH,F 9:00-11:30 A.M. Group B – M,T,TH,F 12:10-2:40 P.M.

Non Attendance Days -- Preschool will be closed on the following days:

September 6 (Labor Day) October 11-15 (Fall Break) November 11 (Veteran's Day) November 24-26 (Thanksgiving) December 20-31 (Winter Break) January 17 (Martin Luther King Day) February 17 (President's Day) March 14-18 (Spring Break) April 29

5 Arrival/Dismissal

We emphasize that you or another adult accompany your child to the preschool classroom. An adult must sign each child in and out daily. We ask that they be dropped off no earlier than 5 minutes prior to the start of their session and picked up promptly when the session is over.

Please be prompt, as children tend to become upset, restless, and/or afraid if you are late, and teacher planning/preparation times are essential. If an emergency arises, call the school at 634-7039 so that we can reassure your child. We must have either a written note or in-person request to:

1. Dismiss your child early. 2. Release your child to a babysitter, car pool, family member, or friend other than specified at the beginning of school

School Attire

Please dress your child for school activities. We exercise, play, and paint. Clothes may become soiled. Each day children need comfortable clothing and shoes. Please tag all sweaters and jackets worn to school with the child's name. For children who are wearing diapers, parents are expected to supply necessary items such as diapers, wipes and a change of clothing.

Birthdays

Birthdays are very important in the life of a preschooler and may be celebrated at school. Please let us know when and if you would like to celebrate, and we will put it in the schedule.

Snack Time

A snack will be served each session for promotion of self-help skills and language development. Snacks will be provided by the school district.

Tote Bags/Backpacks

Please provide your child with a bag or pack with his/her name on it to be used to transport papers, artwork and special items. We ask that you keep it in a special place so it will be available to your child when he/she prepares to come to school. We feel a great deal of learning can take place as he/she takes on

6 responsibility for his/her own tote.

Monthly Newsletter/Parent Nights

A monthly newsletter of activities and information will be sent home. A variety of parent informational and social meetings will be scheduled throughout the year. We encourage parents to come talk with us and participate in events occurring in the preschool.

Parent Involvement

It is one of our goals to build a growing relationship between you, the parent or guardian, and the school to better meet your child's needs. Your participation is essential to the happiness and well-being of your child, which creates a very special link between the school and home. All parents will have the opportunity to volunteer in their child's preschool. Some parents may elect to volunteer regularly. Parents are welcome to visit and observe in the classroom.

Teacher Conferences

The preschool will follow Dr. Daniel Bright School parent conference day schedule for the school year. Formal conferences are scheduled with parents of special education students annually to review and revise the child's Individual Educational Plan (IEP). Should you have any concerns throughout the year, please contact teachers to meet regarding your concerns.

Show and Tell

To encourage verbal communication and expression, children may bring an object of interest to share with the group. Examples of things appropriate for sharing include: object found in nature (bugs, leaves, special rock, etc.) artwork they have done at home, pictures from trips or special events, objects relating to our theme at school.

Discipline

Discipline in preschool is a teaching opportunity. Emphasis is placed upon being positive. When a problem arises the child is encouraged, under the teacher's guidance, to work it out herself/himself. Biting, spitting, and abnormally profane language is discussed with the parent to enlist their cooperation and support. The child will be made aware that she/he is loved and that it is her/his behavior that we cannot accept. The child is encouraged to talk about her/his feelings and to realize that all people have feelings.

7 Sick Children

Children who are ill should not be sent to school . If your child will be out ill, please call the school office. If a child is ill at school or on the bus en route to school, the school nurse will determine if your child should be taken home. Medications are to be administered at home. It is important that all have provided emergency numbers and authorized names for child pick-up to the classroom teacher and school office. Parents will be notified by letter if there is an outbreak of any communicable disease. In the event of a minor injury, your child will be treated by the Dr. Daniel Bright Elementary School nurse. She will contact parents following emergencies.

Change of Address or Telephone Number

If you should move or change your phone number and/or address, notify the teacher and school office in writing immediately to prevent any delay should we need to contact you.

Transition Planning and Procedures for Preschool-Kindergarten

A letter to preschool parents explaining the procedures and time lines for transition planning will be given them mid-year. An IEP meeting for each transitioning student will be held to review progress and to plan for the next school year. During this meeting, transition plans will be further developed, including concerns and/or suggestions. The principal of the school where the child most likely will attend will be invited to attend the IEP meeting as well.

Preschool teachers are encouraged to visit the kindergarten classrooms in the fall and winter, and maintain communication throughout the school year regarding programming and skills necessary for success. Kindergarten teachers are encouraged and given an opportunity to visit the preschool at least once during the school year in order to have an understanding of the program and students' needs.

A visitation day for preschool students and their parents to the proposed kindergarten program will be arranged for April or May of each year.