THE SHIELD INSTITUTE SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL PROGRAM PARENTS’ HANDBOOK BRONX PRESCHOOL FLUSHING PRESCHOOL 1800 ANDREWS AVENUE 144-61 ROOSEVELT AVENUE BRONX, NEW YORK 10453 FLUSHING, NEW YORK 11354 (718) 299-7600 (718) 939-8700 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page I. Welcome Letter…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2 II. Mission Statement …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4 III. Overview of the Preschool Program ……………………………………………………………………….. 5 Cognitive Development …………………………………………………………………………………… 6 Language Development ………………………………………………………………………………….. 6 Physical Development …………………………………………………………........................... 6 Social Development ……………………………………………………………………………………… 6 Emotional Development ……………………………………………………………………………….. 6 Daily Schedule and Routines ……………………………………………………………………….. 6 Classroom Environment ……………………………………………………………………………………… 7 IEP (Individualized Education Program) …………………………………………………………… 7 Quarterly Progress Reports…………………………………………………………………………………… 7 Parent/Guardian Involvement …………………………………………………………………………… 7 IV. Important Information…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9 Arrival/Dismissal ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 9 Emergencies (Contact Information) ………………………………………………………………… 9 Attendance/Absences ……………………………………………………………………………………. 9 Illnesses …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9 Accidents or Injuries ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 11 Administration of Medication ……………………………………………………………………….. 11 Closing for Inclement Weather ………………………………………………………………………… 11 Clothing and Belongings …………………………………………………………………………………….. 11 Toilet Training …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12 Safety ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12 Class Trips ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12 Birthdays/Holiday Celebrations …………………………………………………………………….. 12 V. FERPA Policy and Student Records .……………………………………………………………………….. 12 VI. Code of Conduct ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 13 Children’s Rights & Responsibilities …………………………………………………………………. 13 Parent’s Responsibilities ………………………………………………………………………………….. 14 Bullying Policy ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 15 Positive Behavior Support/Response to Intervention (RTI) ………………………………. 15 VII. Calendar…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 15 VIII. Attachments……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 16 Attachment 1 (Calendar) ………………………………………………………………………………….. 17 Attachment 2 (Key Staff - Bronx)………………………………………………………………………. 18 1 The Shield Institute Bronx Preschool Flushing Preschool 1800 Andrews Avenue 144-61 Roosevelt Avenue Bronx, New York 10453 Flushing, New York 11354 (718) 299-7600 (718) 939-8700 Dear Parents: Welcome to The Shield Institute. We have been providing services to children for over 90 years in a warm, safe, nurturing environment. It is our goal to provide an atmosphere which stimulates a child’s creative, emotional, social, academic and physical growth, and to provide opportunities for families to be involved in activities that will benefit the entire family. We invite you to parent conferences during the school year and we have an open door policy. We encourage our parents to visit. Simply call us and we will set up a date and time for your visit . We have prepared this booklet for you. It includes important information about our program. Please read this booklet and keep it in a safe place so you can refer to it as needed. There are a number of documents required in order to complete the enrollment process. In order to ensure that we meet health and safety regulations we ask that you complete these documents within the required time frame, if you do not it could jeopardize your child’s ability to participate in our program We believe that communication is essential to ensure positive ongoing interactions between you and The Shield. Every attempt will be made to address issues and concerns that you bring to our attention within the scope and function of our program. There are various avenues for communication with our program. They may include: Student Notebook Newsletters Meetings Conferences Reports Phone calls* *Please keep in mind that unless it is an emergency we prefer not to interrupt instructional time when children are actively engaged in learning. 2 Page Two Parents may request a meeting to discuss their child’s progress at any time when there are concerns. In the event that there is an issue that has not been resolved by utilizing the above communication methods, you may request a formal meeting with the classroom teacher and the Educational Supervisor. If further resolution is required after meeting with the classroom teacher and the supervisor a formal meeting with the principal should be requested. Please be sure that you have reviewed the Parent Handbook and understand the content. We look forward to developing a partnership with you as your child journeys through our program. With your support and participation we can succeed. Sincerely, The Principal Please sign below indicating that you have received and read this Program Welcome letter. Signature Date SCHOOL COPY (Please return to your child’s teacher) 3 Shield Institute Mission Statement To work in partnership with families and communities to enable children and adults with developmental disabilities to lead meaningful lives. The Shield Institute Preschool Mission: To build a community of learners in a warm, nurturing, supportive and safe environment while addressing individual student potential. 4 OVERVIEW OF THE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM This handbook has been prepared as a reference for parents and guardians who have children enrolled in The Shield Institute Preschool Program. It has been designed to help you understand our philosophy about special education, our policies and procedures, and to provide you with other useful information. The Shield Institute believes that all children can learn and need to be provided with a nurturing, safe, risk- free environment where they will be encouraged to reach their fullest potential. The focus in our preschool program is on building a community of learners who are encouraged through active participation and exploration, to develop skills and abilities that promote their academic, emotional, social, and physical growth. The Shield Institute has a longstanding set of expectations for conduct on school property and at school functions. The expectations are based on the principles of civility, mutual respect, citizenship, character, tolerance, honesty and integrity. The Shield Institute Preschool Program provides services to children three to five years of age in self- contained and integrated classroom settings. Each classroom is staffed with a full time certified special education teacher and one or two full time certified assistant teachers. Related services are provided by licensed New York State therapists as mandated by each student’s IEP. We are a team composed of parents/guardians, the children and our staff members. As a team we can determine and fulfill the needs of our children. Together we can provide strong role models for our children. Through communication we can have mutual learning and the opportunity to work together toward providing what is best for each child. We focus on the five developmental domains; cognition, language development (receptive and expressive), fine motor, gross motor and social emotional skill development. We use a developmental learning model which means that the readiness to learn and the level at which a child learns may vary not only between children, but within a child from one learning area to another. Learning areas are all connected with each other and most often go from the simple to the more complex. The curriculum includes: social, emotional, cognitive, physical and language development; literacy; writing; computer skills; multi-cultural awareness; movement and exercise; health and safety; science and exploration; mathematical concepts; cooking; dramatic play; expressive art; music and rhythm. The Shield Institute Preschool Program provides activities for children’s individual needs and for the needs of the group. Children learn cooperation, decision-making and problem solving. We help them develop a curiosity about the world they live in. We focus on developing self-direction and reinforce ethical values, including: respect, kindness, consideration, caring and responsibility. At The Shield Institute Early Learning Center Preschool Program, learning means a lot of things including: 1. Seeing it as a process 2. Focusing on teamwork 3. Respecting our efforts 5 4. Being creative and resourceful 5. Becoming more independent 6. Believing that all children can learn Our program focuses on five areas of child development: cognitive, language, physical, social and emotional. The five areas are often interrelated in activities. Cognitive Development - Children are encouraged to develop auditory and visual perception skills, creativity, problem solving skills and pre academic skills, such as number concepts and reading readiness. These are provided through hands-on activities, games, discussions and in an environment that encourages and stimulates exploration and discovery. Our programs look at each child as a unique person and at her/his changing stages of development. Language Development - We encourage children to communicate in a variety of ways. We use a highly visual environment to allow children to express themselves by pointing to pictures or using words. We provide a highly individualized approach to the positive development of receptive and expressive