Early Bridges Program Handbook
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EARLY BRIDGES PROGRAM HANDBOOK 2020 -2021 Table of Contents Welcome Letter ……………………………………………………………………... 3 Meet Program Staff …………………………………………………………............. 3 Early Bridges Contact Information …………………………………………………. 4 Communication Chart ………………………………………………………………. 5 BVCSD/ACAP, INC. Mission Statements …………………………………………. 6 Parent Committee …………………………………………………………………… 7 Policy Council ………………………………………………………………………. 7 Communication/Folders …………………………………………………………….. 7 Meetings …………………………………………………………………………….. 7 Curriculum ………………………………………………………………………….. 8 Universal Educational Services ……………………………………………………. 8 Special Education …………………………………………………………………... 8 Assessments/Progress Report ………………………………………………………….. 8 Family Conferences ………………………………………………………………… 8 - 9 Parents/Guardians Volunteering …………………………………………………….. 9 Meals and Snack Procedures ……………………………………………………….. 9 - 10 Program hours ………………………………………………………………………. 10 Transportation ……………………………………………………………………….. 10 - 11 Attendance ………………………………………………………………………….. 11 Confidentiality Policy ………………………………………………………………... 11 Releasing a Child to an Adult with a Possible Impairment …………………………... 12 Behavior Expectations ……………………………………………………………….. 12 Health ● Screenings ……………………………………………………………….. 12 - 13 ● Requirements …………………………………………………………….. 13 ● Vision/Hearing Screening ……………………………………………….. 13 ● Health History ……………………………………………………………. 13 ● Medication ……………………………………………………………….. 13 ● Illness …………………………………………………………………….. 13 ● To Sick to Attend ……………………………………………………….... 13 ● Returning After Illness …………………………………………………... 13 ● Daily Health Check …………………………………………………….... 13 - 14 ● Head Lice ……………………………………………………………….... 14 ● Sunscreen ……………………………………………………………….... 14 ● Obesity Prevention ………………………………………………………. 14 ● Mental Health ……………………………………………………………. 14 Staff as Mandated Reporters …………………………………………………………. 14 Large Motor/Gross Motor ……………………………………………………………. 15 Inclement Weather/Emergency Closing Procedure …………………………………. 15 Emergency Evacuation & Safety Drills ……………………………………………... 15 Video Surveillance ………………………………………………………………….... 16 Program Practices ……………………………………………………………………. 16 Services available at ACAP, Inc. for families ………………………………………... 16 - 17 Program Handbook Review Signature Page(s) …………………………………….... 18 - 19 Progress Report Template ……………………………………………………………. 20 - 21 2 Dear Parents/Guardians: We would like to welcome you to the Early Bridges Team. Early Bridges is a highly qualified pre-kindergarten program that is a collaborative effort between Boquet Valley Central School and ACAP, Inc. We have combined BVCSD and Head Start staff to provide a unique program that focuses on the whole child and his/her families. Early Bridges is available free of charge to district and/or Head Start eligible three and four-year-old children who have registered at Boquet Valley Central School District. This handbook is designed to provide you with information about our program and the important role you play in the success of our program. Early Bridges believes you are the most important educator for your child(ren), and you have the primary responsibility for your child’s development. As we work together, we will provide the support your child(ren) needs to succeed in school and in life. It is our hope that you take advantage of everything the program has to offer to help your family and child to continue to grow. Please know that our door is always open and we welcome your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for improvement. We look forward to hearing from you and getting to know you and your family. Best Regards, The Early Bridges Staff Let’s Meet Our Early Bridges Staff Classroom Teachers: Miss. Suzette Montville and Mrs. Janet McCray Teacher Aide: Mrs. Sara Anderson and Mrs. Theresa McAuley Classroom Aide: Ms. Justine Crandall-Otis and Miss. Brittany Jones Bus Driver: Mrs. Janet McCray Family Worker: Mrs. Jolene Sayward Food Service Worker: TBA Program Nurse: Mrs. Lindsay Marcotte-Hamel Universal Educational Services Provider: Ms. Katie Cutcher; Speech Therapist 3 Early Bridges Contact Information for 2020 - 2021 Classroom Cell Phone Number: 518-603-4207 Josh Meyer, [email protected] 518-873-6371 Boquet Valley CSD Superintendent Nelly Collazo [email protected] 518-962-8244 Director of Student Support Services Morgan Conley, [email protected] 518-873-3207 ext. 224 Head Start Director Sheila Bridge, [email protected] 518-873-3207 ext. 232 ERSEA Coordinator Terra Thompson, [email protected] 518-873-3207 ext. 229 Special Services Coord. Rebecca Moran, [email protected] 518-873-3207 ext. 255 Education Coordinator Julie Holbrook, [email protected] 518-873-6371 ext. 315 School Lunch Manager Lindsay Marcotte-Hamel, [email protected] 518-593-2862 Health Supervisor Dianne Harvish, [email protected] 518-873-3207 ext. 233 Transportation Coordinator Brittney Cowan, [email protected] 518-396-9084 Staff Support Carol Schwoebel, [email protected] 518-962-8244 School Nurse Suzette Montville, [email protected] 518-962-8244 Teacher Janet McCray, [email protected] 518-962-8244 Teacher/Bus Driver Jolene Sayward, [email protected] 518-225-5162 Family Worker Katie Cutcher [email protected] 518-962-8244 Speech Therapist Sara Anderson, [email protected] 518-962-8244 Teacher Aide Theresa McAuley, [email protected] 518-962-8244 Teacher Aide Justine Crandall-Otis, [email protected] 518-962-8244 Classroom Aide 4 Brittany Jones, [email protected] 518-962-8244 Classroom Aide Jeanne Brown [email protected] 518-573-1703 Maria Rheaume [email protected] 518-412-2066 Early Bridges Communication Chart This document is to help you contact the appropriate staff members with your questions and/or concerns. We would like to increase effective communication among all people involved in our children’s experiences at the Early Bridges Program. st nd rd th Areas of Concern/Question 1 step 2 step 3 step 4 step Academics Teacher Head Start Director of Superintendent Curriculum/instructional Education Student Support materials Coordinator Services/Head Difficulties Rebecca Start Director Classroom procedures Instructional/ Learning Teacher Head Start Essex County Director of Concerns Special Children's Student Support Services Services Services Coordinator Coordinator Terra Attendance Teacher Family Worker Head Start Director of Coordinator Student Support Sheila Services/Head Start Director Medical issues Teacher School Nurse Head Start Director of Carol Nurse Student Support Lindsey Services/Head Start Director Nutrition Teacher School Lunch Head Start Head Start Manager Health/ Director/ Julie Nutrition Director of Coordinator Student Support Services Policies/practices Teacher Head Start Director of Superintendent Coordinator Student Support Brittney Services/Head Start Director 5 Staff Involved staff Head Start Director of Superintendent Coordinator Student Support Brittany Services/Head Start Director Transportation Bus driver/ Head Start Director of Superintendent School Transportation Student Support Transportation Coordinator Services/Head Supervisor Dianne Start Director 6 Boquet Valley Central School District District Office 7530 Court Street PO Box 158 Elizabethtown, NY 12932 (518) 873-6371 WEB: www.boquetvalleycsd.org Josh Meyer, Superintendent BVCSD Mission Statement BVCSD, in partnership with our ADK community, will provide excellence in education that enables all students to achieve their full potential in an ever-changing world. P.R.I.D.E.: Personal Responsibility in Delivering Excellence Every Learner Can Succeed Adirondack Community Action Programs, Inc. (ACAP, INC) 7572 Court Street, Suite 2 PO Box 848 Elizabethtown, NY 12932 518-873-3207 WEB: www.acapinc.org Alan Jones, Executive Director ACAP Mission ACAP, Inc. connects people, values and resources to promote personal, economic and community growth. ACAP Values Accountability - to our customers, partners and supporters Integrity - as individuals, as a business and as members of the community Citizenship - and shared responsibility for community change Respect - for each individual’s capacity to learn and grow. 7 Parent Committee All parents/guardians of enrolled Early Bridges children are members of the “Parent Committee”. Due to COVID 19 meetings will be held mainly remotely to limit the number of people in a building. Virtual meetings will be offered monthly. Some of the items that will be discussed and/or planned at these meetings are classroom activities, field trips, Policy Council updates, community involvement, transition activities, etc. These meetings are a great opportunity for you to become involved and support the “School Readiness” and “Family Engagement” initiatives. Policy Council Each Parent Committee is also responsible for electing representatives to the Head Start Policy Council- 1 regular representative and 1 alternate representative. (These representatives need to have a child also enrolled with Head Start.) Community representatives are also elected from Early Bridges and various resources in the county. The Council meets once a month, its purpose is to share in the decision-making process for the Early Head Start and Head Start programs. Members of the Council are eligible for mileage and child care reimbursement while carrying out their duties as a Council member. Please speak to your Family Worker if this is something you might be interested in. It’s a great opportunity to partner with ACAP,