Parent Engagement Handbook

BHK Child Development Board Parent Engagement Handbook 2021-2022 At BHK we believe. • Early learning is critical to success; • Children learn best through play, exploration and nurturing relationships; • We build community by investing in the whole child and supporting families to reach their full potential. www.bhkfirst.org (906) 482-3663 Table of Contents Welcome 1 Early Childhood Calendar 2 Inclement Weather 3 Admission/Withdrawal Policies 3 Home-School Communications 4 Attendance 5 Release of a Child 6 Court Orders Affecting Enrolled Children 6 Ready for School 7 Infant/Toddler Daily Routine 7 Preschool Daily Routine 8 Screening/Assessment/Curriculum 9 Health Services 10 Communicable Disease, Illness and Exclusion Policy 11 Nutrition 12 Transitions 13 Disability Services 13 Personal Safety 14 Child Safety 15 School Readiness 18 Community Resources 19 Compliments and Complaints 19 Volunteer Opportunities 20 Family Engagement 21 Confidentiality and Discipline Policy 22 Center/Classroom Contact Information 23 WELCOME On behalf of the entire staff at BHK Child Development Board, welcome to our program. BHK provides comprehensive services in the areas of education, health, nutrition, social services, parent engagement, and disability services. We recognize and respect the important role of parents as the child’s first and most influential teacher. We look forward to working together with you, to provide quality child development activities, experiences, and environments, for your child. Please read and use this handbook as a guide, and reference, to help you understand the operational policies and procedures of BHK. You are encouraged to participate in all activities to fully experience what BHK has to offer. BHK Mission: To build a foundation of knowledge and skills through education, leadership and collaboration. Philosophy Statement: BHK is committed to promoting universal school readiness through an active learning approach. Anti-Bias Approach BHK’s anti-bias approach embraces the challenge to recognize, learn about, value, and accept our similarities and differences. We strive to create a community for the children we serve, that is di- verse in many ways (such as race, ethnicity, color, gender and gender orientation, identity, age, disability, ability, socioeconomic status, belief systems, language, learning styles and more) where all feel welcomed, appreciated, and safe to be themselves. In an effort to build a more equitable community, children, families and staff, are encouraged to respect one another and problem solve coop- eratively, to recognize bias and injustice, and to commit to and act against, unlawful discrimination and harassment. Staff Professional Development/ August 16 -September 3, 2021 Parent Orientations/ Home Visits (Preschool) Classrooms Closed August 23-31, 2021 (EHS) EHS Fall Classes begin September 1, 2021 See Class Calendar* Labor Day September 6, 2021 Agency Closed Preschool Fall Classes begin September 7, 2021 See Class Calendar* Staff Professional Development October 14-15, 2021 Classrooms Closed Thanksgiving Break November 25-26, 2021 Agency Closed Winter Break December 23, 2020 - Classrooms Closed January 2, 2021 Holiday Closure December 23-24 & 30-31, 2021 Agency Closed Staff Professional Development February 24, 2022 Classrooms Closed Spring Break March 28- April 1, 2022 Classrooms Closed Holiday Closure April 15 & 18, 2022 Agency Closed Last Day of Program Year Preschool May 12, 2022 Memorial Day May 30, 2022 Agency Closed Last Day of Duration Preschool June 15, 2022 Independence Day July 4, 2022 Agency Closed Staff Professional Development & July 5-8, 2022 Classrooms Closed Cleaning Last day of full year classes August 18, 2022 Classrooms Closed (Enrollment year 2022) August 19-31, 2022 *Due to various partnerships and funding, BHK Classrooms may operate at different dates and times. Please reference the classroom calendar for specific dates and times of operations for your child’s class. Early arrivals will not be permitted; late pick-ups will result in a fee. Inclement Weather When snow and extreme temperatures are forecasted, we recommend that you check www.bhkfirst.org, listen to WMPL/Mix 93, WOLV/ WCCY, WGLI/WCUP, Public Radio 90, or TV6 News, to determine if school will be in session, has a late start, or is dismissed early. In the event of severe weather conditions, BHK will follow local public school closures and/or delays. If schools are on a two-hour delay, BHK classes will begin on a 2 hour delay, also. Admission Policy Prior to entry into a classroom, the following must be completed in full. Application/Enrollment Form Child Information Record (Emergency Card) Parent orientation session and/or home visit with the family Each child must have up-to-date immunizations or a signed waiver is- sued by the Health Department, each year Signed parent permissions A record of a current physical exam must be on file prior to attending school Parent Pay Option Agreement (if applicable) Parents must keep the center informed of any changes in address, phone numbers, or individuals that your child can be released to. Admission shall be granted without regard to a child’s or parent/guardian’s race, color, creed, reli- gion, national origin, gender, or disability. Withdrawal Policy Parent(s)/guardian(s) who wish to withdraw their child, must give the center one week’s notice and pay the remainder of any outstanding balances (if applicable). BHK reserves the right to terminate the enrollment of any child, for reasons such as, but not limited to: unresolved or unmanageable behavior, and whose presence poses serious physical or emotional danger to other children or staff; or habitual abuse of any of the agency policies. An abusive act, either verbal or physical, that is made against any staff member or client, by a parent or Parent Notice of Program Measurement BHK is required to work with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to measure the effect of the state-wide Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP). Information is sometimes collected about GSRP staff, enrolled children and their families. Information from you, and about your child, will not be shared with others in any way that your child could be identified. It is protected by law. Home-School Connections BHK structures education and child development services to recognize parents’ roles as children’s lifelong educators, and to encourage parents to engage in their child’s education. Communication with parents is ongoing, and necessary, in order to achieve a positive experience for both parents and children. Communications Website: Learn about BHK, resources, current events, cancella- tions and notifications at www.bhkfirst.org Facebook: Get up-to-date information about BHK programs, activities and community events. Visit the BHK Facebook page to- day! http://www.facebook.com/BHKChildDevelopment COR Family Communications: Classroom weekly newsletters notify parents of classroom learning objectives, and encourage activities/ideas to extend learning focus at home. The newsletters will be sent home electronically, and paper notices will be sent home with a Yellow Communicator Folder. You can use this folder to send information back and forth from home to school . We ask all families to use this communication system to stay informed of school events, closing and/or delays. COR Family Communications will also be used to send Daily Reports (infant/toddler): Parents receive a record of their child's food intake, sleeping, elimination patterns, developmental mile- stones, and any changes in the child’s usual behavior. Home Visits A minimum of two home visits, per program year for each family, are conducted to engage parents/ legal guardians in their child’s learning and development. Parent-Teacher Conferences Parent-Teacher Conferences are designed to enhance the knowledge and understanding of both staff and parents, of the child’s education and developmental progress along with activities in the program. Parent-Teacher Conferences are usually scheduled in October and April, but may be scheduled at different times depending on the needs of the family. Ratio The center-based programs follow the required teacher-to-child ratios based on the age of enrolled children. Infant/Toddler ratio: 1 teacher to 4 children Preschool ratio: 1 teacher to 8 children Help Your Child Succeed: Build the Habit of Good Attendance Research shows that preschoolers who miss 10%, or more, of the school year (1-2 days per month)– arrive at kindergarten with lower levels of school readiness. If children are chronically absent, missing 10 or more days per year, they are less likely to read proficiently by the end of third grade, and more likely to be retained. Showing up on time, every day, is important to your child’s success and learning. What You Can Do: Set a regular bed time and morning routine Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before Share ideas with other parents for getting out of the door on time Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up Ask family members, neighbors, or other parents, to lend a hand if you need help dropping off or picking up your child Schedule medical appointments and trips when school is not in session If your child is anxious about going to school, talk to the teacher, center supervisor, your doctor, or other parents for advice Absences If your child will be absent, BHK requests that you call the center Make Your Attendance prior to the start of class. Please tell them the reason for the ab- Goal Green! sence, and the anticipated number of days the child will be absent. If the center is not notified, you will be contacted to verify the reason Chronic: 10 + days for absence. If we cannot reach you within 1 hour, we will contact individuals from the CIR ( Child InformaƟon Record), which we are required by law to do to insure the well being of children in our Warning: 5-9 days care.

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