2012 - 2013 Student/Parent Handbook

Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Neat

E.C.D.C. 2012 - 2013 Student/Parent Handbook

1602 Pine Street, Camden, New Jersey 08103 Phone: (856) 966-4171 Fax: (856) 966-6268

Visit Online: www.earlychildcenter.org

School Closing Number 614 Dear Parents,

We welcome you to the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) for the 2012-2013 school year. This will be an exciting school year for you, your child, and the staff. At ECDC, we believe that all children can learn and that it is our responsibility to provide each of them with experiences, lessons, interventions, and the support they need to make learning happen.

In addition to our commitment to the highest level of intellectual growth, we also want our children to develop good social, emotional, and personal skills. This is why our slogan for this year is Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Neat.

We ask that you commit to:

1. Bringing your child to school on time every day and;

2. Reading to them every night.

Thank you for entrusting your child to ECDC. The staff is eager to support your child’s emotional, social, and educational development. We look forward to sharing our joy, excitement, and passion for excellence in early childhood education with you and your child.

Sincerely, Dr. Maricarmen Macrina, Principal

2 Camden City Public Schools

Acting Interim Superintendent’s Message

As we begin another school year, it is imperative that we all rise to the challenge of educating the youngsters in our school system. It is our job to do everything possible to ensure that all students receive a safe and secure learning experience. We must always focus not just on daily exercises, but the vision of teaching our students how to become life- long learners who appreciate the art of learning, and learning what it means to become productive, civic-minded citizens in our society. Our school district looks forward to working with home and community partnerships to help our students’ dreams become reality. Everything we do, every day is about preparing our students to be ready for the challenges they will face in higher education, the workplace, and in life’s experiences in the world. We must ensure that our students have the foundation and the tools they need to go forward to build their careers, lives, and in turn, build a strong community where people want to live and thrive. "Preparing Young Minds for Success, Not Just for Today, But for a Lifetime!"

Mr. Reuben F. Mills,

Acting Interim Superintendent of Schools

CAMDEN CITY Mission Statement

Camden City Public Schools maintains that academic success and student achievement through rigorous teaching and learning, and a safe environment is the district's primary focus. Aligning district curriculum with the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards promotes accountability and high expectations of students and staff. Creating school communities which promote a sense of caring and respect for culture enables all students to achieve academic success. Engaging students, parents and the community as partners will further develop positive responsibilities and relationships that empower students to compete in a diverse and rapidly changing society. We will build on student's natural curiosity to be part of the digital divide by exposing them to the ever changing technological universe.

ECDC Mission Statement DISTRIC

3 T’S MISSION

The Early Childhood Development Center’s (ECDC) mission is aligned with the district’s mission. Each child in ECDC is entitled to an individualized education based on their strengths and needs. In ECDC we strive to provide each child with developmentally appropriate experiences, lessons, interventions and supports so that they can develop to their full potential and achieve success. These experiences, interventions, and supports are built on children’s natural curiosity to explore and to make meaning of their surroundings. We accomplish our mission in a safe, nurturing, and innovative environment while engaging the parents and the community to further develop a positive experience for our students.

4 Our Logo

The three cubs represent three life skills that we believe will help the children become better students and more productive members of society. The life skills are safety, kindness, and neatness.

ECDC is a centralized location for all preschool students from Camden City. That means that our children can go to any of the high schools in the city. We took the idea of the cubs from three high schools mascots: Camden High- the panther; Woodrow Wilson- the tiger, and Charles Brimm – the lion.

Each cub represents a life skill. You will see the mascots everywhere in the school. They will help remind our students and staff that in ECDC we are safe, we are kind to each other, and we keep our areas and ourselves neat.

Traffic on Pine Street

The morning and afternoon traffic in front and around ECDC is a major concern for parents and staff. We must ensure foremost the safety of everyone but also the flow of traffic on Pine street. It is important that every parent follow this procedure:

1. Park your car in the back of the building along the high wall, away from the bus lane;

2. Once parked legally, bring the child into the building through the double doors in the back of the building;

3. Drop the child and exit the building promptly to allow for other parents to park;

4. Catapult students are to be dropped off in the back of the building and picked up in the front.

5 School hours

 Full Day: 8:30 am to 2:55 pm

 One Session Day 8:30 am to 12:45 pm

 Breakfast for Kindergarten: 8:00 to 8:30

 Breakfast for Preschool: 8:30 to 9:00

No students or adults will be allowed to drop students before 8:00 (Kinder) or 8:30 (PK). After 8:50, you must report to the office, NOT the classroom.

Late Arrival:

The student is considered late after 8:50

 If your child is late for school, it is important for you to send a note

explaining the lateness.

 If your child has a history of tardiness, you will be asked to come to the

school for a parent conference.

Late Pick-Up:

Dismissal begins at 2:45. Late pick up is 3:00 pm.

 The guardian and emergency contact will be called.

 Refer the parent / guardian to Catapult after school program if there has been excessive lateness.

 Refer the parent / guardian to Migna Gonzalez, the social worker.

ECDC is unique in that it houses students from the entire city. As a result, some parents will have multiple pick-ups in the afternoon. Upon verification, those parents will be permitted to pick up from ECDC at 2:35. Please provide

6 the name of the student and the school they attend. Another option is Catapult for before and after school care. No student will be dismissed before 2:35.

After School Program – CATAPULT

Catapult provides before and after school care. For more information, please contact Catapult staff at (966-6260 or 685-6974).

Truant slips

A truant slip is to be completed by the classroom teacher for students who have:

 Excessive sporadic absences  Questionable absences  Unexplained absences exceeding three days (total, not necessarily consecutive)  A pattern of absences weekly/ monthly

Students/parents need to hand in notes for absences to their teachers. It is the district’s policy to provide notes for absences. If one cannot be provided and any of the above-mentioned absences is taking place, the district will take the proper steps to inquire into this matter.

Visitors

All visitors, parents, guardians, and volunteers who come into the building during school hours are to first report to the office and sign in before proceeding or conducting any business.

Illness at school:

It is important that the office knows who to contact in case of an illness or an emergency at school. Please include at least three persons and their numbers on the Emergency and Medical Information Form to be contacted in the case

7 of an emergency. If a child has a chronic illness, such as asthma or allergy, this information should be on file in the nurses ‘office and the teacher should know about the condition.

Prescription and over the counter mediation for students:

 No medication can be administered to a student during school hours without a written note from the student’s doctor. This includes over the counter as well as prescription medication.

 If a note is sent home from the nurse informing you that your child’s medication is low and needs to be refilled, please tend to this matter quickly.

 If there is a change in the prescription your child is taking, please inform the nurse of this change.

 Students will be excluded from school if live lice or nits are found on a child’s scalp. Students will also be excluded from school if they have pink eye.

 Students will be readmitted to school after they have been checked by the family doctor with permission to return to school.

 Students will be excluded from school if they have ringworm. They will be readmitted to school if they have been treated by a doctor and the infection is cleared.

School Uniforms:

Students are expected to wear uniforms every day. Our school uniform is a navy top and khaki skirt or pants. If families have difficulty providing their child with a proper school uniform let us know so that we can provide assistance.

All Students are expected to:

1. Respect self, peers, adults, and property.

8 2. Be responsible for their own actions and realize the consequences. 3. Keep hands and feet to themselves at all times. 4. Leave personal toys and jewelry at home.

These rules are discussed in the classroom.

Trips:

District permission slips must be filled out and signed by a parent or guardian in order for a child to attend a field trip. At times, a few parents are invited to attend to assist with supervision of children. Parents are not allowed to bring along other children on such trips.

Parents will be informed if their child needs to pack a lunch. Lunches should be healthy, are packed in plastic bags with no bottles. Children are not allowed to bring backpacks, toys or other objects on a field trip.

No child will be permitted to go on a field trip without a signed permission slip

Classroom parties: Classroom parties are at the discretion of the teacher. Please follow up with the teacher as to the day and time that would be most convenient to his or her teacher. Also, if you do not wish your

child to participate in class parties please let the teacher know.

Orientation Meeting:

An orientation meeting is held at the beginning of the school year to allow parents to meet their child’s teacher, get a brief overview of the curriculum, routines of the class, as well as other valuable information.

Parent/Guardian – Teacher conferences

9 There will be two parent / guardian – teacher conferences held during the year. It is important for you to attend these conferences so you can monitor the progress of your child. You play an integral role in the education of your child along with the teacher.

Parent’s Rights

* The right to request evaluation for Support Services (such as Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy).

* To serve on the School Leadership committee for their school.

* To be provided with a safe and pleasant environment for all.

* To be kept informed of important school events.

* To have nutritious meals served to their child.

* An assessment of individual student needs and the right to be part of the process.

* Parent education programs.

* For students who qualify, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is kept confidential and only shared with staff members working with students and parents.

* An effective education.

* Teacher and parent conferences 2 times per year.

* An annual review of the IEP.

* An inter-disciplinary curriculum to reflect the integrity, ability and level of performance for each child.

* Field trips in or out of the school to enrich classroom activity.

Parents Responsibilities:

10 * Be sure your child attends regularly and is on time. After three unexcused absences, a warning letter will be sent home. After 5 unexcused absences, a formal letter will be sent, and a truancy officer may be requested to investigate absences;

* Keep the school informed of current contact information for parents, guardians and others permitted to pick up your child;

* Write notes explaining lateness and absentness;

* Supply a doctor’s note after three days of absence;

* Wait until the start of school before leaving your child in the building;

* Sign parent forms while attending meetings at the school and upon entering the building;

* Place early dismissal request for students in writing at least 24 hours in advance.

* KNOW THE NUMBER OF YOUR CHILD’S BUS RIDES!

Students Rights and Privileges:

* A quality preschool should challenge students to use thinking skills and work toward their best potential.

* All children should receive an education that meets their social, emotional, physical and cognitive needs as well as their individual learning styles.

* Professional staff should be able to teach according to individual needs with the right for equal opportunities.

* There should be an environment in the school that is free from harassment.

* Children’s photos not to be released without parent’s signature.

11 Parent to Do List:

1. Serve healthy snacks between meals to your children.

2. Make sure your child is in bed by 7:30 p.m.

3. Brushing teeth before going to bed is very important.

4. Monitor TV viewing hours with your child.

5. Talk to your child during the dinner hour about the school day.

6. Establish a routine with your child in the morning.

Student to Do List:

1. Respect your teacher and all adults in the school.

2. Say "thank you” and "please" when asking or receiving something from

adults or other children.

3. Keep all hands and feet to yourself.

4. Listen and follow your teacher's instructions.

12 PARENT/GUARDIAN AGREEMENT

Our professional family at the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) sets high expectations for everyone in our learning community. With your help, children leaving ECDC are well prepared for school demands.

It is important that all children attend school every day, and be on time. It is also important that children read every night. We need parents to:

1. Turn off TV, computers, phone, and games 2. You and your child read for 30 minutes (15 PK) 3. Think and talk about the books afterwards 4. Sign 100 Book Challenge log sheets 5. Pack up the books for safe return to school

We are asking that you complete and sign this agreement as a gesture of your intention to read to your child and to bring him or her to school every day.

I will do my best to see that______

(Name of Child) attends ECDC everyday and is on time for the school year, 2012-2013. I will read to him/her every night and she/he will read to me.

Parent/Guardian's Signature______

Child’s Name ______

13 Date______

Contact Numbers:

Early Childhood Development Center (856) 966-4171

Dr. Maricarmen Macrina, Principal (856) 966-4171

Dr. Lillie Kumar, Assistant Principal (856) 966-4171

Nurse: (856) 966-4171 Ex:14193

Board of Education Main Number: (856) 966-2000

Child Study team: (856) 966-6943 or (856) 966-4092

Bus Company: 1st Student: (856) 546-8131