Laurel Community Christian Preschool
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Laurel Community Christian Preschool “We celebrate, not accelerate childhood.” Parent Handbook 2013-2014 Laurel Community Baptist Church 162 West Laurel Road Bellingham, Washington 98226 (360) 398-1761 Welcome to Laurel Community Christian Preschool We are glad you have chosen our preschool for your child. This handbook outlines our policies and procedures for 2013-’14. Purpose We are partners with you. We do not replace you as primary educators of your child. In an environment of Christ’s love and compassion for all, we strive to: 1. Grow in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. 2. Develop student’s confidence and positive self-image as a child of God. 3. Recognize and support each individual’s value as a member of our community. 4. Provide enriching activities physically, spiritually, emotionally, cognitively. 5. Practice skills needed for personal growth, independence, and lifelong learning. Preschool As Outreach Laurel Community Christian Preschool is located in, and administered through the Laurel Community Baptist Church. We are a non-profit, non-denominational, Christian, faith- based preschool. We believe God’s Word, the Bible, is true, and use a variety of translations for our lessons. We believe God is Love, and is known to us, in us, and through us in the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All preschool families are welcome to attend any of the services and activities at Laurel Baptist. Pastor Bob Cameron writes, “Although Laurel Community Baptist Church is rooted in the Reformed Tradition and Baptist response to the Bible, we practice what the missionary to India, William Carey, wrote: ‘In essentials- Unity, In non-essentials- Liberty, In all things- Charity.’ “ Preschool Staff Principal: Pastor Bob Cameron (Laurel Community Baptist Church) Lead: Sally Rauch (B.A. Ed. WWU, ‘83. 27 yrs in Preschool, 12 yrs in 4-H) Assistant: Betsy Thompson Administrative Assistants: Susan Bakker, Dani Muhlbach (L.C.B.C.) Our staff is here to serve you and your family in the name of Christ. Bob Cameron may be reached at the church by phone and e-mail. Church Office: 398-1761. You may leave a message after hours. Church email: [email protected] Bob Cameron’s email: [email protected] Church Web Page: www.laurelchurch.us Sally’s Home Phone: 398-2706, cell: 739-1285 Notice of Non-Discrimination Policy Laurel Community Christian Preschool admits students of any race, color, religion, nationality, and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities. Classes Mon/Wed/Fri (9am-12 noon) 4 & 5 year olds, pre-kindergarten, limit 16 Tue/Thurs (9am-12 noon) 3½ & 4 year olds, preschool, limit 12 Eligibility Our program is designed for children who are 3½ to 5 years of age. Children must be able to take themselves to the toilet and separate from loved ones adequately. Children are accepted on a trial basis. Those who are not ready may be asked to withdraw from the program and try again in 6 months. Registration and Enrollment To be enrolled, a completed registration form and fee must be submitted to the church office. Proof of immunization is included. Enrollment is open depending on space available throughout the year. If your address or phone number changes during the year, please notify the church office. Tuition and Financial Information Tuition is based on 31 weeks of school, from Sept. 16, 2013 - to May 16, 2014. A non- refundable registration fee of $40 is required to secure your child’s place in the class. Please make all checks payable to “Laurel Community Baptist Church”. Tuition is due the first week of each month. Sept. and May are combined as one. If you have financial concerns, please contact the church office. We are a Non-Profit, self-supporting preschool. Your tuition pays the teachers’ salaries and operating expenses. We appreciate your cooperation in paying tuition on time. School Calendar We have the same national holidays, Mid-Winter Break and Spring Break as the Meridian School District. We do NOT take days off for Meridian School District Teacher Workdays (LID) or Meridian School Student conferences. Open House/Orientation: Sept. 12, 2013 First Day of School: Sept. 16, 2013 No School: Nov. 11 (Veteran’s Day) No School: Nov. 28 & 29 (Thanksgiving) Christmas Program: Dec. 13, 7 p.m. (Church Worship Center) No School: Dec. 16- Jan. 3 (Christmas Break- See you Jan. 6) No School: Jan. 20, 2014 (Dr. Martin Luther King Day) No School: Feb. 14 & 17 (Mid-Winter Break) No School: March 31-April 4 (Spring Break) Last Day of School: May 16, 2014 Daily Schedule Always watch for children between the church and parking lot. Please park, shut off your engine, and do not leave children unattended in your vehicle. We require the adults transporting students to escort them into the classroom and sign in. Safety First. 9:00: School Begins. Teachers will open the classroom doors. Adults sign in. Free Time allows children to participate in the various Learning Centers. We also use this time for Individual and Small Group Instruction. 10:30: Clean Up. Circle Time: Songs & Movement, Roll Call, Calendar Counting, Weather Science, Letter & Sound Recognition, Storytime, Show & Tell. 11:00: Wash Hands. Eat Snack. Transition to Carpet Room (Books & Manipulatives). 11:30: Recess Outside/ Large Motor Activities & Games Inside 12:00: School Ends. Adults sign out. Children will be individually dismissed. Parents arriving after 12:10 may be billed $1 per minute late fee. Only adults listed on registration form or by verbal agreement from you may take your child from school. We will check ID of anyone we don’t know. If you have an emergency, please call the church office at 398-1761. Snack Time / Show & Tell Each child will have an assigned Snack Day starting the first week in October. On your child’s Snack Day, they may bring something for Show And Tell. Homemade baked goods are fine for snack, but cupcakes are accepted only for birthdays. You may expect to bring snack about once a month. We assign snacks as close to birthdays as possible, at which time your child will be considered the V.I.P. and have an opportunity to show photos from home. If your child has food allergies, you are required to provide snack foods for them. We can keep these in the cupboard with their name on them, and they will be used for your child only. Please do not bring Birthday Invitations to school unless every child is invited. If your child would like to bring a family member or pet for Show & Tell, please make arrangements with the teachers. Clothing We buy washable paints and markers, but depending on the clothing material, there are no guarantees that stains will not occur. Send your child to school in kid-friendly clothing they can zip or snap themselves. Laurel Preschool is not liable for damage to clothing. Bring a change of clothes with your child’s name on them, to be kept at school in case of spills or “accidents”. Personal Property Please do not allow your child to bring toys from home. Save it for “Show & Tell”. If your child needs a comfort blanket or stuffed animal, please speak to the teachers. Personal items are to be kept in the cubbies in the hall. Personal Hygiene and Health As you enter the classroom, adults and children will be asked to wash hands or use sanitizer before engaging in activities. Teach your child to blow their nose, wipe, toss, and wash hands. Each child is required to attend to their toilet needs without assistance, and wash with soap. Practice with your child at home. Teach your little boys to lift the seat, hit the water, put the seat down, flush and wash. Be sure a regular bath time is a part of your child’s preschool preparations. If your child has a green nose, a croupy cough, a fever, a rash, diarrhea, or a confirmed communicable condition such as pink eye or chicken pox, you must keep them home. We have a “No Nit” policy in regards to head lice. In the case of communicable conditions where other preschoolers have been exposed, contact teachers as soon as possible so we can alert all parents. If your child is not feeling well, they belong at home. We will send sick children home. Discipline When a child’s behavior becomes disruptive or out of control, we use several methods to calm the child. We often will give the child a choice of a quiet activity or table game to help them change their focus. We encourage the children to use their words when there is conflict. Physical violence will not be tolerated. If your child chooses to hurt others repeatedly (three strikes) we will call you to pick them up immediately. Children with social and emotional concerns may be referred to specialists in that field and/or removed from the class. Our main rules are “Be Safe” and “Be Respectful”. Teach your children to use their words, share, take turns, listen, follow directions, respect other people and property. We will treat everyone as a valuable, contributing member of our classroom community. Communication We will put monthly newsletters, special notes of interest, and snack/show & tell schedules in your child’s mailbox. Copies of these will be posted on the “Information Station” bulletin board in the hall. If there are problems or conflicts, please talk to the teacher. Pastor Bob is available for consultations by calling the church office. Sally is available for conferences by appointment. Let us know briefly in the morning if there are any major events that may affect your child’s participation.