“The key is curiosity, and it

is curiosity, not answers

that we model. As we seek

to know more about a child, we demonstrate the Phoenix Country Day School acts of observing, listening, Pre-kindergarten questioning and wondering. When we are curious about Parent Handbook a child’s words and our 2020-2021 responses to those words, the child feels respected.

The child is respected. ‘What are the ideas I have that are so interesting to the teacher? I must be somebody with good ideas.’”

- Vivian Paley

TABLE OF CONTENTS STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY ……………………....……………………………………………………… 3

ATTENDANCE ……………….……………..…………………………………………………………………… 3 General Information …………………….…………………………………………………………..... 3 Sign-in / Sign-out Procedures ……………………………………………………………………… 3 Authorization for Student Transportation ……………………..………………………………… 3 Pre-k Parking (Blue Zone) …………………………………………………………………………… 3

CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE ……………………..…………………………………………………………… 4

HEALTH CENTER …………………………………………..………………………………………………….. 4 Excuse from Participation …………………………………………………………………………... 4 Head Lice Policy…………..…………………………………………………………………………... 4 Health Forms ….…………..…………………………………………………………………………... 5 Medical Absences ………………………..…………………………………………………………... 5 Medications …………………………………………………………………………………………..... 6

PEANUT AND NUT PRODUCTS RESTRICTION IN CLASSROOMS ...…………….………………….. 6

PARENT INVOLVEMENT ………………………….………………………………………………………….. 7 Visitors (Visiting Campus) ……...... ……………………………………………………………. 7 Parents’ Association …………………………………………………………………………………. 7 Parents’ Association Grade Representatives and Volunteering ……………..……………… 7 Volunteer Expectations ……………………………………………………………………………… 7 Parent-Teacher Conferences ……………………………………………………………………….. 8

LICENSING, INSPECTION REPORTS, AND INSURANCE …………………………….………………... 8

PESTICIDE …………………………………………………………………..………………………...... 8

TRANSPORTATION AND FIELD TRIPS……………………………………………………………………....8

DRESS CODE……………………………………………………………………………………………………..8

TUITION ……………………………………………………………..………………………………...... 9

HELPFUL INFORMATION AND SUGGESTIONS………………………..………………………………… 10 Backpacks ………………………………………..………………………………………………...... 10 Birthdays…………………………………………………………………………………………...... 10 Clothing …………………………………………………………………………………………...... 10 Lunch and Snack…………………………………………………………………………………….. 10 Rest……………………………………………………………………………………………………... 10 Sunscreen …………………………………………………………………………………………...... 10 Toilet……………………………………………..…………………………………………………….. 10 Water ……………………………………………..…………………………………………...... 10

More details about the policies and procedures outlined in this pre-k parent handbook may be found in the Lower School Student/Parent Handbook which applies to all Lower School families.

2 AT THE DISCRETION OF PCDS DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

PLEASE NOTE THAT SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE STUDENT HANDBOOK HAVE BEEN MARKED WITH THE ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ PHRASE “AT THE DISCRETION OF PCDS DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS.” ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

THE INTENTION OF THIS PHRASE IS TO MARK PASSAGES OF TEXT THAT CURRENTLY DO NOT APPLY GIVEN ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ THE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE, AS OUTLINED IN THE SMART RESTART DOCUMENT, IN THE ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND ADDENDUM, ON THE PCDS WEBSITE, AND IN OTHER OFFICIAL PCDS ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ COMMUNICATIONS DISSEMINATED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

HOWEVER, SHOULD COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS BE REMOVED AT ANY POINT DURING THE 2020-21 SCHOOL ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ YEAR, THE SECTIONS IN THIS HANDBOOK CURRENTLY MARKED “AT THE DISCRETION OF PCDS DUE TO ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS” WILL LIKELY COME BACK INTO FULL EFFECT AT THE DISCRETION OF PCDS. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

PLEASE CONTACT THE LOWER SCHOOL OFFICE, LOWER SCHOOL HEAD, OR ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ WITH QUESTIONS. ​ ​ ​

STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

Phoenix Country Day School’s pre-kindergarten philosophy is based on the belief that all children are “rich, capable, and competent”. This philosophy encompasses a play-based curriculum and the belief that a child's school environment should be one of unqualified love, warmth, acceptance, and respect.

We believe that children should feel safe, be allowed to take risks, ask questions and find their own answers, make mistakes, and experience authentic success. We also believe that by treating children with respect and compassion, they will develop the ability to respect and be compassionate to others.

This approach provides a model for more project-based work with an emphasis on child-led curriculum. The goal for this curriculum is to provide deeper, more meaningful learning for children, as well as inspiration, reflection and growth for the teachers.

We believe that, if a child's learning is meaningful to the child, the learning goes deeper and they have ownership of it. We also believe that each child has "hundreds of languages” that are expressed through their words (written and spoken), play, painting, building, sculpture, music, and building with found materials, exploring and combining these languages naturally, as they move throughout their day.

This philosophy guides all of our curriculum decisions and our interactions with children.

ATTENDANCE - AT THE DISCRETION OF PCDS DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Your child’s attendance is of primary importance. Of course, if your child is ill, he or she should not be in school. When your child is absent, please contact the Lower School office ([email protected] or ​ ​ 602.381.4527) before 9:00 a.m. to inform us of the reason for this absence.

Classrooms doors open at 7:30 a.m. daily. The regular school day begins at 7:50 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. Monday–Thursday and at 2:05 p.m. on Friday. Parents should arrange to have their children picked up promptly. If a child is not picked up by 3:20 p.m. Mondays-Thursday or by 2:20 p.m. on Fridays, he/she will be taken to the Lower School Extended Day Program in the Dining Hall. A fee of $35.00 per day, per student, is the billing rate for this service, regardless of time spent and without exception. Once in

3 Extended Day, children may stay until 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Extended Day is not available the day before a school break.

Sign-in / Sign-out Procedures - AT THE DISCRETION OF PCDS DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS The Arizona Department of Health Services requires that all pre-k students be signed-in each morning by a parent or guardian in the classroom. Your signature must include a first initial and full last name. Children will be dismissed, and must be signed-out, from the classroom each afternoon.

For attendance recording purposes, parents are also required to sign their children in/out in the Lower School office if arriving late or leaving early during normal school hours.

Authorization for Student Transportation Children will only be released to adults eighteen (18) years and older who are listed on the “Authorization for Student Transportation” form on file with the Lower School office, unless a signed note has been given to the teacher prior to dismissal. Please visit the Lower School office to add new names to your form as needed throughout the year.

Pre-k Parking (Blue Zone) Parents of pre-k students may use the “PK Drop-Off and Pick-Up” spaces in the blue zone of the parking lot. Please display the “PK Car Pool” sign in your front window when parking in this area. You may choose to park in another space in the lot if you require more than 10 minutes at drop-off or pick-up.

CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE

At Phoenix Country Day School, our goal is to create a learning environment in which students feel safe, accepted, and respected. We ask students to contribute to this atmosphere by showing kindness and consideration to others, by following the rules of their class and School, and by accepting responsibility for their actions. In the Lower School, children learn through adult models and experience. They learn to appreciate the basic values of respect, honesty, and compassion. Children are taught that they are responsible for their actions and must accept the consequences of their behavior. We have established the following expectations for behavior, which are explained to students at the beginning of each school year:

▪ Demonstrate respect for yourself and others. ▪ Demonstrate compassionate engagement with others. ▪ Take responsibility for your actions.

HEALTH CENTER

The PCDS Health Center, staffed by registered nurses, is available to students during school hours for injuries and illnesses that occur during the school day. The School Nurse manages campus illnesses and injuries, administers medications, teaches health classes, and is a member of the Emergency Response Team. The Health Center maintains student health records and demonstrates compliance with health practices and reporting as required by the state of Arizona.

Students who are ill at school must first see the School Nurse prior to leaving campus. If a student is sent home ill, parents will be contacted by the School Nurse to make arrangements for transportation home. In the event of an emergency, students will be referred to an appropriate medical facility and parents will be called.

Please refer to the Health Center section of the PCDS website for campus-wide health notices, school health policies and procedures, state immunization requirements, and downloadable forms.

4 Excuse from Participation If a student is unable to participate in some regular school activity due to a medical condition, a note should be directed to the School Nurse, who will then take the responsibility to notify others involved. Under certain circumstances, students may be excused from physical education or other activities by determination of the School Nurse. Parents will be notified.

Head Lice Policy Phoenix Country Day School’s Head Lice Policy is based on recommended guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), National Association of School Nurses (NASN), and the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). The CDC, the AAP, the NASN and the HSPH all recommend that a student not be excluded from school for having nits and that the management of head lice should not disrupt a student’s educational process. Confirmation of lice ​ infestation does not warrant exclusion, but does require treatment. Depending on the level of ​ infestation, the school nurse has the authority to remove a student from the classroom and to supervise the timing and conditions of the student’s return to the classroom if the student has a particularly active infestation or an infestation for which there is an apparent lack of adequate follow-through by parents or guardian.

If lice or nits are found upon inspection of a child sent to the Health Center with an itchy scalp:

▪ Parents or guardians will be notified and provided with information on the management of a head lice infestation. ▪ The child may remain at school unless the nurse determines that the student’s symptoms are disruptive to the educational setting. ▪ The child may return to school once he/she has been treated with an FDA approved method of treatment, proper nit removal, and the treatment has been verified by the Health Center. ▪ Parents or guardians of students will receive an email to inform them of a reported case of head lice in their child’s classroom and to encourage them to check their child’s hair and scalp. ▪ Teachers will initiate customary classroom control measures.

Head lice are common and a nuisance. They are not a health hazard and are not responsible for the spread of any disease. The goal of lice prevention, control, and treatment in schools is to prevent the spread of lice from one student to another student. Head lice can be acquired anywhere in the community and may not be identified until weeks or months after exposure. Having head lice is not related to cleanliness of the person or their environment. The key to successful eradication of a head lice infestation is to break their life cycle through proper treatment.

▪ Lice do not fly or jump from person to person. ▪ Lice are transmitted by direct head-to-head contact. ▪ Lice do not survive without a human host and do not live on surfaces, carpeting, or animals. Transmission from sources such as brushes and combs is rare, but students should be reminded not to share personal items. ▪ Lice are a nuisance, but they do not transmit disease and are not carriers of disease. ▪ Nits are egg sacks attached to the hair shaft. They may contain viable eggs or be empty casings. ▪ Nits may remain on the hair shaft months after successful treatment and are not a sign of active lice infestation. ▪ Remove nits from hair shaft to reduce the risk of self re-infestation. ▪ No outbreaks of lice have resulted when children with nits have been allowed to remain in class. ▪ Head lice can be treated with FDA approved over-the-counter shampoos and rinses, prescription shampoos, rinses, oral medications, and mechanical removal devices. ▪ Efficacy of essential oils, olive oil, mayonnaise, vinegar, and other home remedies has not been demonstrated. There is no known louse repellent. ▪ Parents should consult with a health care provider for appropriate treatment methods. ▪ Always use treatment products according to manufacturer’s direction.

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Sources: ▪ www.aap.org ▪ www.cdc.gov ▪ www.identifyUS.com ▪ www.nasn.org

Health Forms Good health practices dictate that each child has a physical examination at least once a year. All PCDS students are required to have a yearly physical examination completed after January 1 for the upcoming school year, the documentation of which includes an up-to-date record of immunizations. Additionally, the Physical Exam form with an attached current immunization record and all other enrollment forms including the online information must be completed and submitted to the School by May 1.

The School requires a student’s health care provider notify the School in writing of any physical limitations or changes in health status that might affect participation in the academic or physical environment.

If your child plans to participate in Upper School sports activities, you will need to comply with AIA requirements, including having the physical exam completed after March 1.

Medical Absences Following Maricopa County Rules, parents shall adhere to the following guidelines established by the PCDS Health Center:

▪ A student with a temperature of 100 or higher may not attend school for 24 hours after the temperature has returned to normal. ▪ A student who is vomiting may not attend school until 24 hours after the last episode. ▪ A student with diarrhea may not attend school for 24 hours after the last episode. ▪ A student with a sore throat should be checked by a physician. A student diagnosed with strep throat may not attend school until a minimum of 24 hours has passed after starting antibiotics.

School policy requires a student stay home if he or she has:

▪ Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher (unmedicated). ▪ Vomiting or diarrhea. ▪ Symptoms that keep your child from participating in school, such as: o very tired or lack of appetite. o cough that he or she cannot control, sneezing often. o headache, body aches, or earache ▪ Sore throat: a little sore throat is okay for school, but a bad sore throat could be strep throat, even if there is no fever. Other signs of strep throat in children are a headache and stomach upset. Call your doctor if your child has these signs. A special test is needed to know if it is strep throat. ▪ Rash of unknown origin.

24 Hour Rule

▪ Fever: Keep your student home until his or her fever has been gone WTHOUT medicine for 24 hours. ▪ Colds can be contagious for at least 48 hours. Returning to school too soon may slow recovery and make others sick. ▪ Vomiting or diarrhea: Keep your student home for 24 hours after the LAST time he or she vomited or had diarrhea. ▪ Antibiotics: Keep your student home until 24 hours after the first dose of antibiotic for anything like ear infection, strep throat, or pink eye.

6 Medications The School encourages parents to manage student medication so that medication is dispensed at home, rather than at School. If a student must receive medication while at School, the parent/guardian must deliver in-person to the School Health Center the medication (whether prescription or over-the-counter) in the medication’s original container clearly marked with the student’s name, medication, dosage, route, time, date and the care provider’s name. While on campus, on School-related trips, or for School-related activities, students are prohibited from self-administering, using, or dispensing to other students any prescription or over-the-counter medication. Students whose parents have given permission may visit the nurse if they need over-the-counter medications during the school day.

PEANUT AND NUT PRODUCTS RESTRICTION IN CLASSROOMS

It is important that there is strict avoidance to peanuts, nuts, and nut products in the classroom order to prevent a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction for particular children, which requires emergency medical treatment. To reduce the chance of this occurring, we ask that:

● You do not send any peanut or nut containing products to school. ● If your child has eaten peanuts/nuts before coming to school, please be sure your child’s hands and face have been thoroughly washed before entering the school, and that there is no residue on the student’s clothing or belongings. ● Only store-bought food is sent to school for birthday/party treats or snacks; please ​ check food labels carefully to avoid nuts and nut oils.

To protect the safety of our students, we ask that every family strictly adhere to these restrictions. We ask also that parents notify the School if their child has any other food allergy which might place the student at risk if he/she consumes a food with that ingredient or is in proximity to someone with that food. However, even with these protections in place, the School cannot guarantee that the environment will be entirely free of any contamination from peanuts, nuts, and nut products. Experience has shown that students with food allergies can play an important role in their own safety and health. The School recommends that parents of students with food allergies make sure the students are comfortable speaking on their own behalf to avoid allergens.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Visitors (Visiting Campus) - AT THE DISCRETION OF PCDS DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS We view your child’s education as a partnership between the School and your family, and you may visit campus at any time during the school day, following the appropriate visitor procedures. All visitors must sign-in at the Shepard Welcome Center and obtain a visitor’s pass. During visits, please be respectful of our class routines and scheduled activities.

Parents are encouraged to join their child, occasionally, for lunch. Below are the PCDS guidelines:

▪ All visitors must check in at the office and get a visitor’s badge. ▪ Parents should meet their child in the lunchroom and sit with their child at the assigned table. If crowding is an issue, please ask the attending teacher for guidance. ▪ Please, do not bring in lunches from outside restaurants or serve your child from the adult salad bar. ▪ Parents will say their “goodbyes” in the cafeteria and the student will return to class with the teacher. ▪ Students are expected to follow the cafeteria expectations at all times. ▪ Lunch visitors are restricted to parents, guardians, non-school age siblings, and grandparents (accompanied by a parent or with written permission from a parent).

Parents’ Association

7 Parents are encouraged to become involved in activities sponsored by the Parents’ Association. In the Lower School, a parent is selected to serve as Liaison between the Lower School Community and the Parents’ Association. The Liaison works closely with the Head of Lower School, Lower School Administrative Assistant, Grade Representatives, and other volunteers. Feel free to contact the Liaison and Grade Representatives for explanation of functions and opportunities offered by the Parents’ Association.

Parents’ Association Grade Representatives and Classroom Parent Participation - AT THE DISCRETION OF PCDS DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS We know that many parents are most comfortable participating directly within their children’s classrooms, special classes, and the library, and each year we are committed to creating more opportunities for this type of direct involvement.

For some families, we realize that signing up to be a Grade Rep is the most accessible way to be involved. Lower School Grade Reps are asked to assist with grade-level activities and events throughout the school year. They assist with teacher-planned events and field trips; help organize and attend parent coffees; attend Back-to-School Night; and help as needed with school photos. They also attend 2-4 meetings a year with the Lower School Liaison and the Head of Lower School.

Other school-wide opportunities are available through the Parents' Association. Descriptions of these opportunities may be found in the Parents' Association section of the PCDS website.

All parents are expected to adhere to the Classroom Participation Expectations listed below. A signed copy of these expectations is available on the PCDS website and must be presented to your child’s teacher before you help in the classroom.

Classroom Participation Expectations - AT THE DISCRETION OF PCDS DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

▪ Sign up with your child’s teacher for a specific time to help; do not “drop in” to assist in a classroom.

▪ Please, let the teacher know if you are not able to come at the time that you signed up for.

▪ Follow the teacher’s instructions.

▪ Conversations with the teacher about your individual child are not appropriate when you are participating within the classroom.

▪ We ask that parents sign up to help no more than once a month, to allow all families a chance to participate.

▪ Please, do not engage in any conversation with an individual child regarding his or her behavior, even if it involves your own child.

▪ All disciplinary action is the responsibility of PCDS staff. Please direct any comments regarding behavior to the classroom teacher.

▪ Keep all information about an individual student’s behavior or academic achievement confidential.

Failure to follow these Expectations may result in the revocation of the privilege of participating within your child’s classroom.

8 Parent-Teacher Conferences The Lower School has three report periods per year. All reports include comments and descriptions of academic progress, effort, and social development. All grade levels hold scheduled conferences twice a year following the fall and winter reports. Parents and teachers are encouraged to keep in close contact and arrange additional conferences as needed.

LICENSING, INSPECTION REPORTS, AND INSURANCE

As an Arizona Department of Health Services (150 North 18th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85007, phone: 602.364.2539) licensed facility for full-day care for school-age children, we must meet all State licensing requirements. We carry the State required liability insurance and maintain a copy on file at the School, should you like to review it. If you have questions in regard to State Licensing, a rulebook is available in the Lower School office for you to read and review. We also have all our inspection reports, along with a copy of our policy, which can be reviewed upon request.

PESTICIDE

At least a 48-hour written notice will be provided before any pesticide is applied to our facility.

TRANSPORTATION AND FIELD TRIPS

The PCDS Pre-kindergarten program does not provide transportation for students and does not schedule any off-campus field trips for this grade level.

DRESS CODE

Please follow the dress code which is outlined in the Lower School Handbook.

TUITION

Admissions and enrollment procedures are handled through the PCDS Admissions Office. Tuition for pre-k the 2020-21 academic year is $22,900. In addition to the payment of tuition, Parents are jointly and severally responsible for the Student’s School account for the full academic year. This account includes student’s tuition, Tuition Refund Plan (if not specifically declined) and all fees for the grade in which the Student is to be enrolled in accordance with the Tuition and Other Charges published on the back of this contract, together with all costs including attorneys’ fees, incurred in any action to collect these amounts, in the event that payments should become delinquent. It is understood and agreed to by the undersigned Parents that the School will continue to bear overhead and other costs associated with Student’s enrollment, regardless of whether Student attends for the full Academic Year. Therefore, the parties agree that Parents will remain responsible for the full tuition amount, regardless of the duration of Student’s attendance, except as provided under the Tuition Refund Plan.

Enrollment Deposit The School requires a non-refundable enrollment deposit of $2,000. The signed Contract must be received by the due date set forth above to retain a place for the Student. Of this amount, $1,656 will be held as a credit toward tuition and $344 is for the Tuition Refund Plan. You may decline the Tuition Refund Plan, but only by strictly following the procedure outlined in the Tuition Refund Plan and Tuition Collection Policies published on the back of your contract. The enrollment deposit is non-refundable. No assurance can be given that a position will be available for the Student in the case of submission of the Contract after the indicated Due Date.

Tuition Payment Plan The options described below assume acceptance of the Tuition Refund Plan. If the Tuition Refund Plan is specifically declined, the entire $2,000 enrollment deposit will be applied to the first scheduled payment. If the Tuition Refund Plan is not specifically declined, $1,656 of the enrollment deposit will be applied to

9 the first scheduled tuition payment and $344 will be applied to your participation in the Tuition Refund Plan. If a payment via check or an automatic withdrawal fails due to non-sufficient funds, a $25 fee will be charged.

● Single Payment Plan – payment of tuition for the entire year made on or before July 1, 2020. ● Two-Payment (60/40) Plan – 60% of tuition paid on or before July 1, 2020 and 40% of tuition paid on or before January 1, 2021. ● Four-Payment Plan – There is a $200 processing fee to participate in this plan. This fee must be included with your enrollment deposit. Four equal payments made on or before July 1, 2020, October 1, 2020, January 1, 2021, and April 1, 2021. ● Ten-Payment Plan – There is a $400 processing fee to participate in this plan. This fee must be included with your enrollment deposit. Ten equal payments made on a monthly basis beginning July 15, 2020 or July 25, 2020 and ending May 15, 2021 or May 25, 2021. Participants in this plan must use our automatic withdrawal program. Under the ten-payment plan, no payment is due in February 2021 when enrollment deposits for 2021-22 are due.

The Parents agree to pay all tuition and fees in a timely manner, as specified in this Agreement. In the event that an account is 30 or more days delinquent, the School may suspend Student and refuse to allow Student to complete tests and/or exams until the account is brought into good standing. Parents acknowledge that accounts not paid by specified deadlines are subject to late fees in the amount of twelve percent (12%) per annum, applied on a monthly basis to all delinquent amounts.

HELPFUL INFORMATION AND SUGGESTIONS

Backpacks - AT THE DISCRETION OF PCDS DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS Please have your child bring a small backpack each day that is labeled with your child’s full name.

Clothing Clothing should be comfortable and appropriate for active and messy play.

Please fill and return the ziploc bag with extra clothes. We ask you to include underwear, socks, shorts, long pants and a shirt. We keep these all year just in case of a “mishap”.

Sneakers, shoes or sandals with a back strap are required. Sandals, particularly the thong variety and smooth-soled shoes, shoes with heels and/or platform shoes, and plastic shoes with holes are unsafe and uncomfortable for children on the playground. Such footwear should be avoided, except for dress-up occasions. Sneakers are required for PE class. ​

Lunch and Snack Our Dining Hall provides pre-k children with a daily snack and lunch. Lunch includes a variety of choices such as a hot meal, sandwiches, and fresh fruit. Milk is provided with lunch each day. If your child is unable to drink milk for any reason, please let the teacher know.

Parties and Invitations - AT THE DISCRETION OF PCDS DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS Classroom parties are held at various times during the year. Room representatives will coordinate these parties with the teachers, and parents will have the opportunity to assist with these activities. Teachers will guide in the selection of treats so that we can make sure that all children with food allergies are protected. Only store-bought foods should be sent to school for party treats or snacks. Nuts and ​ nut products are prohibited. Birthday celebrations will be specific to each grade level, determined by the teachers of that grade level, and emphasize special activities that celebrate each child. Upon careful reflection, and with input from both our parent community and faculty, we will no longer be allowing individual birthday snacks to be brought in. As always to avoid hurt feelings, all activities pertaining to ​ private parties need to remain off-campus, inclusive of invitations, party pick-up or drop-off, gifts and thank-you notes. Please mail invitations to homes or use electronic means to invite students. We ask that no exceptions be requested.

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Rest Pre-k students rest each afternoon for about 40 minutes. Each child receives the same mat and cover each day. (The cover is laundered weekly.) Your child may bring a stuffed animal to rest with each day.

Sunscreen Parents should apply sunscreen for their children each day before coming to school.

Toilet Your child needs to be able to manage all aspects of dress and undress as well as caring for his or her own needs after using the toilet. Small wetting accidents are managed by having the child change clothes and wash up. In accordance with regulations set forth by the Arizona Department of Health Services, if your child has a bowel accident, the teacher will take your child to the Health Center, and the School Nurse will contact you to come to school to either change your child’s clothing or take him/her home.

Water Water is freely available to your child in the class and on the playground. It is necessary to send water bottles.

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