South Point United Methodist Church Weekday School Handbook
2009-2010
704-825-0525
Dear Parents, We want to welcome you to South Point United Methodist Weekday School. We look forward to a very exciting and successful school year. As the Weekday School Board of Directors, we are established to set policy and guidelines for the Weekday School Program. The following information has been validated and set forth in the Handbook for your information and future reference. Our curriculum will provide your child with developmentally appropriate, high- quality activities to help your child grow and learn. We strive to create a fun, learning-rich environment for your child. We look forward to working with you to make this an enjoyable and productive year for your child. The Weekday School Board of Directors Weekday School Staff South Point United Methodist Church
WEEKDAY SCHOOL ROUTINE USUALLY INCLUDES THESE FEATURES: Sharing Time – We will get to know one another and learn how to get along with other children. We will use our imaginations and our senses to talk about the world around us, and how it changes every day. Creative Play Time – We will build with blocks and boxes, dress up, have puppet shows, use manipulatives and engage in other activities that help us learn about ourselves. Music Time – We will sing, dance, play instruments and use movement to interpret songs and moods. Outside Play Time – We will play on our playground equipment to develop our large muscles and to strengthen our confidence and coordination. Art Time – We will express ourselves in every available form. We recycle different materials into “masterpieces” and use our small muscle skills to cut, paste, paint, color and create! Story Time – We will read and tell stories; use puppets, pictures and ourselves to dramatize. Quiet Time – We will have time to rest while we listen to relaxing music, play group games and have finger plays. Chapel Time – We will use Bible stories to promote character education and develop moral values. Dance and Movement Time – The children will participate in dance and movement in the classroom to enhance motor skills. Included in our day will be numerous activities all designed to encourage our children in taking that giant leap from home to the outside world. We stress social development, getting along with others, Christian values and learning good health and social habits.
REGISTRATION South Point United Methodist Church Weekday School is a ministry of the South Point United Methodist Church. It operates under the auspices of the Weekday School Board of Directors. Registration for the SPUMC Weekday School is open to all children; regardless of faith, race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. Children enrolled in the Parent’s Morning Out Class must be at least 12 months old. Children enrolled in the 2-year-old Class must be 2 years old by August 31st. Children enrolled in the 3-year-old Class must be 3 years old by August 31st. Children must be potty trained. Children enrolled in the 4-year-old Class must be 4 years old by August 31st. Children enrolled in the 4-year-old, 5 day Class must be 5 years old by October 15th. There is a registration fee of $50 annually from each child in the PMO, 2, 3 and 4-yearold classes. The fee is non-refundable.
TUITION Monthly tuition fees are due and payable the first of each month. Reminders will be sent by the 10th of the month if payments are not received. Payments made after the 10th will be charged a $10 late charge. Parent’s Morning Out Fee (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday) - $55 per month for one day, $110 per month for 2 days, $165 per month for 3 days 2-year-old class (Mondays and Thursdays) - $100 per month 3-year-old class (Tuesdays and Thursdays) - $110 per month 4-year-old class (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) - $120 per month 4-year-old class (Monday – Friday) - $150 per month If you are paying in cash, money must be brought to the weekday office to receive a receipt. In order to retain your child’s place in the Weekday school, tuition must be paid EACH MONTH. If a child is absent for a month, for whatever reason, tuition must be paid in order to hold his/ her place in the class. If the first of a month comes up with no payment for the previous month, the child will not be allowed to return until the payment is up to date. If a child is withdrawn from the program before the end of the month, tuition for the month is forfeited.
SCHOOL HOURS Weekday School begins at 8:30 AM and ends at 11:30 AM. Children should arrive no earlier than 8:25 and be picked up no later than 11:35. It is important for your child to begin his or her day at 8:30 AM. They should arrive no later than 9:00 AM if they are going to be here that day, unless the Office is notified. If you arrive early; a waiting area is available outside of the Director’s office for your convenience. When children are going to be picked up by someone other than the parents, the Office or teacher must be notified in writing in the morning as children are brought to school. 704-825-0525
LOADING/ UNLOADING CHILDREN Children are to be loaded/ unloaded under the canopy behind the church. When you arrive to pick your child up, please be ready to load your child into the car. Please follow this plan; it is for the safety of your child. PMOs and 2 year-olds should be brought in and picked up in the classroom. Bring babies in the lower front entrance of the church. Do not park your car under the canopy behind the church.
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS The Gaston County Public Health Department has assigned an individual to our Weekday School for public health service and information. They will review all physical forms.
HEALTH ASSESSMENT All Weekday School children are required to have a health assessment (physical examination) before the first day of Weekday School. Physicals completed within the past 12 months, prior to August 31st are acceptable.
SNACKS Parents are asked to send in a snack item on a monthly basis. You will be informed when you are required to send the snack for your child’s class. A list of appropriate snacks will be furnished. Please don’t send food with your child to eat after they arrive at Weekday School. Individual eating outside of snack time is not allowed.
WEEKDAY SCHOOL NEWS Items of interest and information will be communicated to all parents in a monthly newsletter. It will contain valuable information concerning the month that is in progress and highlights of the previous month. The Weekday School also has a website that is updated frequently. http://spumcweekdayschool.webs.com
CLASSROOM VISITATION Parents are invited to observe Weekday School at any time. Please call and make arrangements with your child’s teacher.
CLOTHING Please mark your child’s jackets, coats, sweaters and hats with his or her name. This is very helpful in teaching children to recognize and keep up with their own items. Please do not send any item that is not labeled to school. Outdoor play is an integral part of the Weekday School program. As the weather gets cooler, please make sure your child has a jacket, hat and gloves. We go outside every day unless it is raining, snowing or sub-zero weather. Please dress your child appropriately. You will also be asked to send in a seasonally appropriate set of clothing in case of an accident. Please label each item (underwear and socks too) and place them in a Ziploc bag with your child’s name on it. We will send home the clothing in exchange for warmer clothing as the season changes.
BRINGING THINGS TO WEEKDAY SCHOOL Children should not bring toys, games, radios, cameras or other personal items to Weekday School. The only time children may bring something is when the teacher instructs them to do so. Weekday School offers children an opportunity to experience new toys and equipment. Guns, bow and arrows, knives or any war toys are not appropriate for children to bring at any time.
PARENT CONFERENCES When either the parent or teacher requests a parent conference, every effort must be made to keep that appointment. The conference must be scheduled in advance by notifying the teacher or the parent. The conference must not interfere with Weekday School hours. Parent Conferences are set for the Fall and Spring.
DISCIPLINE Classroom rules are established for the safety of every child. Weekday School follows the “Assertive Discipline” policy. This policy gives short and simple rules, rewards and consequences. “Assertive Discipline” is used nationwide in public schools, churches and other organizations where a positive means of discipline is needed. Parents will be informed of any inappropriate behavior. If a behavior continues, the child may be excluded from Weekday School on a temporary or permanent basis. Weekday School staff does not allow corporal punishment.
EMERGENCY DRILLS Periodically each class will demonstrate the procedure for an emergency fire, tornado and stranger drill. Please carefully encourage your child to participate in these exercises. Please assure your child that if an actual emergency exists that you will be notified immediately.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES Children are invited to celebrate their birthdays at Weekday School. Children who have summer birthdays may celebrate on the day of their choice. Please remember to keep parties simple. They may be shared by parents or handled by the Weekday school staff. Please call ahead and arrange the date with the teacher to avoid conflicts. If you would like to send birthday party invitations to classmates, please do so in the mail using our directory, unless the WHOLE class is invited to the party.
ATTENDANCE Attendance will be taken daily and will be kept as a record of your child’s participation in Weekday School. If your child is absent for more than 1 day, please notify the Weekday School staff to inform them of any illness, vacation etc.
STUDENT ILLNESS Children should never be sent to Weekday School when the chances are great that they will need to return home before 11:30. When a child becomes ill (feverish, diarrhea, vomiting, etc) after arriving at Weekday School, it is the responsibility of the parent upon notification from the Weekday School, to pick up the child. It is most important that each parent make arrangements in advance if both parents work, or if the parents are going to be away from the home during the day. This should be discussed with the child at the beginning of the school year so he/ she will know what to do in case of illness. The Weekday School knows there is a need for unlisted telephone numbers in some instances, but the Weekday School needs this number and will respect it as confidential information. In an effort to ensure all children remain healthy the guidelines stated below must be followed. Children should not be sent to the Weekday School for 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea evidence of eye discharged has been resolved the child is fever free without a reducing medicine any contagious rash has been resolved the child is symptom free of any diagnosed contagious illness or condition
MEDICATIONS We realize that on occasion physicians will prescribe medication that must be taken during Weekday School hours. If this situation arises, we request that the parent be on hand to administer the medication. Weekday School staff will not administer medication, except asthma or allergy medication with a Doctor’s written directions.
STUDENT ACCIDENTS In case of an accident to a child at Weekday School, we will contact the family. If the accident is serious enough that medical care is needed immediately, the child will be taken to the hospital. If the parents cannot be reached in case of an accident, the next person on the registration form will be notified. Therefore, it is important that another person be listed to call in case of an emergency.
HOLIDAY PARTIES Each time that a party is planned for the month; a sign-up sheet, room parent or phone call will be used so that parents may sign up for the item that they wish to send in for that celebration. We will assign room parents that will be in charge of helping with various classroom tasks; holiday parties, field trips, classroom volunteering, etc
HOLIDAYS The Weekday School will be closed on the following holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day and Easter. The Weekday School follows the holiday schedule for Gaston County schools. The Weekday School will be open when Gaston County Schools have teacher workdays. A calendar of days off will be sent home at the beginning of the school year.
INCLEMENT WEATHER Inclement weather closings follow the Gaston County School schedule with the exception of delayed openings. When public school opening is delayed, Weekday School will be open regular hours that day. When public schools are closed, Weekday school is closed. When hazardous driving conditions develop during school hours, parents should come for their children before 11:30 AM, regardless of public school closings, in order to assure the children’s safety. Parents are encouraged to discuss with their child the instructions that will be followed if an early dismissal is necessary. School closings will be listed on WBTV, WSOC, WCNC, on the school website and on the school answering machine. The Weekday School does not adhere to school make-up days.
PARENT’S MORNING OUT PROGRAM and 2 YEAR-OLD CLASS Parents will be asked to bring items to stock their child’s cubby at the beginning of the school year, as well as when supplies run low. The cubby will include diapers, baby wipes and a change of clothes. Juice or milk in a cup marked with the child’s name should be brought on the child’s school day. Please label cups, coats and change of clothing with your child’s name. A healthy snack should be sent in monthly with the child’s tuition payment. A snack list will be provided.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS AND E-MAILS Weekday School Church Office Teri
704-825-0525 Office Hours 8:00 AM- 12:00 PM 704-825-4019
[email protected]