CALENDAR DATES TABLE OF CONTENTS ADMISSION POLICY………………………………………….. 5 August 19-22 Orientation Sessions Aug. 26& 27 Classes begin AREAS OF CONCENTRATION……………………………… 1 September 2 Labor Day – No Class ARRIVAL POLICY…………………………………………...… 8 Sept. 23 & 24 Open House Nights (5:30 pm – 7 pm) BIBLE STORY……………………………………………….…. 16 BOOK CLUBS………………………………………………….. 14 October 14 Columbus Day – No Class CALENDAR……………………………………………………… 18 October 17 Preschool Picture Day – TTh/MTTh class CALENDAR DATES……………………………………………. 19 October 18 Preschool Picture Day – MWF during class CLASS SCHEDULES………………………………………….. 9 October 30 Halloween Party-MWF CLASS PARTIES……………………………………………….. 17 October 31 Halloween Party – TTh/MTTh CLASSROOM RULES…………………………………………. 6 DAILY SCHEDULE……………………………………………… 9 DELINQUENT CHECKS…………………………………….… 7 November 8 District 54 P/T Conf. No school DEPARTURE POLICY………………………………………… 8 November 11 Veteran’s Day-No School DEVELOPMENTAL CONCEPTS…………………………….. 3 November 27 Thanksgiving Break – No Class DISCIPLINE…………………………………………………….. 6 November 28 Thanksgiving Day – No Class DISCHARGE POLICY…………………………………………. 14 November 29 Thanksgiving Break – No Class ELEVATOR ACCESS………………………………………….. 11 FIELD TRIPS…………………………………………………… 17 December 9 Christmas Program – MWF during class FIRST AID…………………………………………………….... 12 December 10 Christmas Program – TTH/MTTh during class FUNDRAISERS………………………………………………... 17 Dec 16-Jan 6 Christmas Break – No Class HEALTH………………………………………………………… 11 January 7&8 Classes resume INSURANCE…………………………………………………… 12 January 20 Martin Luther King Day – No Class INFORMATION BULLETIN BOARD………………………… 14 LATE FEES…………………………………………………….. 7 February 13 Valentine Party – TTh/MTTh LIBRARY DAY…………………………………………………. 15 February 14 Valentine Party – MWF MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION…………………………… 12 February 17 President’s Day – No Class MISSION PROJECTS…………………………………………. 16 February 27 & 28 Parent Teacher Conference - No Class PARENT BULLETIN BOARD………………………………… 14 March 2 Casimir Pulaski Day – No Class PARENT CONFERENCES…………………………………… 14 March 19&20 Preschool Teacher Institute- No Class PARENT WAITING ROOM…………………………………… 11 March 23-27 Spring Break – No Class PEST MANAGEMENT………………………………………… 18 April 1 & 2 Classes resume PHILOSOPHY………………………………………………….. 1 April 11 & 12 Preschool Teacher Institute – No Class PHOTOGRAPHS………………………………………………. 16 April 17 Easter Party – MWF & MW during class PRESCHOOL BOARD………………………………………… 2 April 18 Easter Party – TTH during class PRESCHOOL STAFF…………………………………………. 2 April 19 Good Friday – No Class PROGRAM GOALS…………………………………………… 1 April 22 Easter Monday – No Class RADON TESTING…………………………………………….. 15 REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS………………………… 5 May1 & 2 Lunch in the Park between classes RELEASE OF STUDENT RECORDS ……………………… 7 May 6 Spring Program - MWF & MW (6-7 pm) REPORTING ABSENCES……………………………………. 11 May 7 Spring Program - TTH (6-7 pm) SCHOOL ATTIRE……………………………………………… 13 May 13 Last Day of Class/Year End Party – MWF & MW SHOW AND TELL……………………………………………… 15 May 14 Last Day of Class/Year End Party – TTH SNACK POLICY………………………………………………... 17 May 15 Preschool Institute – No Class SPECIAL PROGRAMS………………………………………… 17 19 TUITION PAYMENT……………………………………………. 7 UNSAFE CHILREN’S PRODUCTS…………………………… 15 PHILOSOPHY PEST MANAGEMENT The United Methodist Preschool of Morris provides a The Preschool practices Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to Christian atmosphere where young children have the control pests in our preschool facility and to minimize the opportunity to learn through their play during center and group exposure of students, families and staff to pesticides. activities. The values of sharing, caring for themselves, others and the world around them are stressed. These values will be The Preschool will perform: fostered through various activities including Bible stories and • Regular monitoring to identify pest problems Christian music. At no time is denomination discussed. • Preventive actions to reduce future pest problems • Preference for the use of non-chemical control methods to AREAS OF CONCENTRATION address pest problems • When necessary, use the least hazardous chemical control Your child will learn about many different topics throughout methods for pest problems the school year by participating in an environment that • Training for staff when needed encourages active learning at his/her own pace. In addition to teacher-guided activities such as story telling, singing, games If a pesticide is necessary, parents and staff will be notified in and reading, your child will learn and enrich skills and concepts writing at least two business days and no more than 30 days through learning centers. A few examples of learning centers prior (anti-microbial agents and insecticide & rodent-icide baits include : reading/story telling, writing, math, science, music, art, are exempt from notification). Pesticides will not be applied in drama, transportation and block/building. We want your child’s the presence of children; and toys and other items will be preschool experience to be a fun and enjoyable adventure. removed prior to spraying. Children will not re-enter the treated area for at least two hours or as long as is stated on the product label. PROGRAM GOALS CALENDAR • To develop an awareness of the wonder of learning; The United Methodist Preschool is in session from late • To develop an awareness of the wonders of God’s creation; August until mid-May. We will follow the calendar of Morris • To assist young children in developing positive self-esteem; Elementary School District #54 as closely as possible. Any day • To encourage social and emotional growth; that the grade school is not in session, including teacher • To foster independence and self-confidence; institute, conference days or holidays, we will not be in session. • To encourage group cooperation and the development of When the grade school has early dismissal, we will have our appropriate social behavior; regular session. If the grade school is closed because of a • To develop gross and fine motor skills; snow day, the preschool will also be closed. An announcement • To provide learning opportunities through exploration and will be made on the Morris radio stations if a cancellation is discovery; necessary due to snow or an emergency. School closings will • To develop the ability for effective communication through be broadcast on the following stations: WCSJ –103.1 FM and listening and speaking; WJDK – 95.7 FM. • To nurture creativity and self-expression. 1 18 SPECIAL PROGRAMS 2019-2020 PRESCHOOL The classes will participate in two programs during the year. BOARD MEMBERS The first will be held on Mon., Dec. 9th and Tues., Dec. 10th during class time. The second program will be held at 6:00 pm Barb Ewalt Abby Wilkinson on Thursday., April 30th for all classes. 815/942-5428 815/600-3457 FUNDRAISERS Leann Hill Michelle Macdonald 815/942-5938 815/712-7847 If the preschool board feels that there is a need, fundraisers may be held. These do help to keep down tuition fees. Your Stephanie Olson participation is greatly appreciated, but is not mandatory. 815/557-9069 FIELD TRIPS Walking field trips will be planned throughout the year for our four-year old classes. If safety dictates, volunteer parent Ex-Officio Board Members chaperones will be asked to accompany these trips. Rev. Robert Sathuri Rev. Laura Wilson 815/942-0809 815/942-0809 CLASS PARTIES Five class party dates are listed on the last page of this Sharon Alonzo, Director booklet. Sign-up lists for volunteers will be posted on the parent 815/941-9937 bulletin board. The parties will be held for the following holidays: Halloween (The children come to school dressed in costume. Costumes must allow for comfortable movement, PRESCHOOL STAFF vision is not impaired by a mask and be in keeping with a preschool friendly theme.), Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Sharon Alonzo is our Director/Teacher. This is her fourth Easter and Year-End. year with the preschool as director. She is also a former preschool aide and parent. We have one teacher aide: Christy SNACK POLICY Lamaze. Mrs. Lamaze is starting her fifth year on our teaching team and is a veteran preschool parent. The Preschool is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and to preventing life-threatening allergic reactions at school. Our preschool program includes a nutritional snack to be served each day from an approved list. Birthday treats will no longer be allowed. Class parties will include a snack creation station as part of the party experience. 17 2 DEVELOPMENTAL CONCEPTS PHOTOGRAPHS Elbe Photography will be taking formal portraits of each student We will be fostering learning by providing an atmosphere once during the year. Photos will be taken on October 17th & of play and safe experimentation using developmentally 18th during class time. There will be a picture re-take date on appropriate practices. November 5. Informal photographs of the children may be taken at parties, Social Emotional during field trips or in the classroom. These may be used by the teacher/director for classroom use, newspaper articles or for * Encouraging play with other children personal memory keepsakes for staff. To insure the privacy * Encouraging taking turns and sharing and personal safety of our preschool students and staff, * Encouraging appropriate emotional expressions photographs that include: children other than your own, * Creating an awareness/concern for another’s feelings preschool staff, preschool facilities, and/or preschool * Providing activities that extend attention spans activities