Parent Handbook 2008-2009
Philosophy
We believe that the development of the whole child, his or her social, physical, intellectual, emotional, and creative self, is paramount in the early years. We also recognize that children do not develop in all areas at the same rate so we offer a challenging, creative, and encouraging learning environment where each child can experience success. Precious Moments holds fast to basic Christian principles such as honesty, mutual respect, responsibility, and love, which create a secure, nurturing environment and contribute to the development of a strong character.
Educational Beliefs
It is our belief that children learn best in a class where:
1. Each student is recognized as an individual with certain privileges, rights, and responsibilities.
2. Communication between home, school, and community is an essential part of the child’s education.
3. The education of the whole child includes his/her intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.
4. Active exploration, interaction, and discovery are daily activities.
5. A sense of responsibility is fostered toward his/her family, school, church, community, state, and country.
6. Individual differences in developmental levels and learning styles are recognized.
Precious Moments School Hours:
3 Year-Old Preschool: (M, T, TH) 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
4-5 Year-Old Preschool: (M-TH) 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Kindergarten: (M & W) 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM, (T & TH) 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
1st Grade: (M, T, W, TH) 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM (F) 8:00 AM – NOON
2nd & 3rd Grade: (M, T, W, TH, F) 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Our school day begins promptly at 8:00 AM.
TUITION SCHEDULE
2008 – 2009
3 yr. olds 3 days a wk. (M, T, TH) 8:00 – 12:30 $150.00 per month
4-5 yr. olds 4 days a wk. (M, T, W, &TH) 8:00 – 12:30 $200.00 per month
Kindergarten 4 days a wk. (M, W 8-12:30) (T & TH 8-2:30) $250.00 per month
1st Grade 5 days a wk. (M, T, W, TH) 8-2:30 (F) 8-12:00 $300.00 per month
2-3rd Grade 5 days a wk. (M-F) 8:00-2:30 $300.00 per month
HOMESCHOOLER OPTIONS
2 afternoons per week (T & TH) 12:00-2:30 $50.00 per month
4 afternoons per week (M, T, W, TH) 12-2:30 $100.00 per month
5 afternoons per week (M, T, W, TH, F) 12-2:30 $125.00 per month
Payments are to be made in 9 monthly installments. They will be due on the first of each month.
The first payment for will be due on September 1st, 2008, and the final payment will be completed on May 1st, 2009. If desired, the tuition for September through January, and February through May can be made in two payments. Refunds will be made for necessary withdrawal.
In the event that it is necessary to withdraw a child from the rolls, written notice to that effect shall be sent to the director at least two weeks before the beginning of the next month. No refunds shall be possible for illnesses or vacations as these funds will be committed to provide for the necessary programs.
Delinquent payments beyond three months may result in dismissal of a child from the school. Any parent having difficulty with their payments must contact the director. Depending on the circumstances, a payment plan will be worked out. *Full and partial scholarships are available.
The Child Development Division of Washington County has designated funds to support families reduce tuition costs for preschool aged children. For more information please contact our school.
Checks should be made payable to:
PRECIOUS MOMENTS SCHOOL
Please write “tuition” in the check memo area
All tuition checks can either be mailed to the school or placed in the envelope marked “Tuition Payments” in each classroom.
After School Care
Preschool (M, W, TH, 12:30-5:30): $ 52.50 per 3-day week
Preschool (M-TH, 12:30-5:30): $70.00 per 4-day week
K-2nd Grade (M-TH, 2:30-5:30): $41.50 per 4-day week
The Child Development Division of Washington County has designated funds to support families in reducing tuition for preschool aged children. For more information, please contact the director.
School Policies and Procedures:
ATTENDANCE
Punctuality and regular attendance are absolute necessities for real progress in school. Excessive absenteeism is a contributing factor to a child’s academic difficulties. Please adhere to the attendance regulations listed below to help our students develop habits to serve them best in school and in later years.
ABSENCES
EXCUSED: A written excuse must be sent to the school after a student’s absence with date and reason for the absence. Excused absences include but are not limited to: illness, death in the family, and impassable roads.
UNEXCUSED: If a written excuse is not received, the student will be marked “unexcused.”
TARDINESS
Students not in their classrooms or with their teachers by the appointed times are considered tardy. Parents are strongly encouraged to have their children at school on time to reinforce the importance of responsibility. Five tardies per semester will require a conference with the director.
EARLY DISMISSALS AND VACATIONS
Parents are asked to honor the school calendar and plan vacations to coincide with school holidays. If a family does decide to take additional days of vacation, the student will be responsible for work, homework, and missed tests. A written request for assigned work must be presented at least 5 days in advance of the student’s departure.
SNACK/LUNCH
Parents should supply a healthy snack, including a drink for their child. If your child attends school past 12:30 PM, please send a healthy snack as well as a healthy lunch.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
PRESCHOOL: Parent/Teacher Conferences are held at the end of January.
K-3RD GRADE: Parent/Teacher Conferences are held at the end of November and at the end of April.
COMMUNICATION/HOMEWORK
The purposes of homework assignments are:
1. To reinforce by study and practice, the material learned in school.
2. To deepen knowledge of a subject by long range reading, projects, and research.
3. To develop initiative, study skills, independent thinking, and responsibility.
In order to keep parents/guardians well informed, all correspondence will be sent home in a designated HOMEWORK/COMMUNICATION folder labeled with your child’s name. Parents/guardians please read through the contents of the folder daily. All correspondence must be placed in the folder and returned to school with the student. THE FOLDER MUST RETURN TO SCHOOL DAILY. We appreciate your cooperation and support of this system of communication.
STUDENT PROPERTY
Precious Moments School is not responsible for the loss of any personal items. Please label clothing and other items.
CLASSROOM VISITORS
We welcome and encourage classroom visits. When you would like to have an extended visit in the classroom, kindly inform us a day in advance.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Parents are encouraged to support school activities. “Friends of Precious Moments School” is a parent/teacher group that meets regularly to discuss ways to foster support of the school through the active involvement of students, teachers, and parents.
ILLNESS/MEDICATION
If a student is completing a required prescription while attending school, the parent must send a written notification to the teacher listing the following:
1. Name of the prescribing physician.
2. Times of medication.
3. Dosage to be administered.
Any communications from a physician or health agency should be forwarded to the teacher.
If a student becomes ill while at school, the parent(s) or guardian(s) will be notified to pick him/her up to safeguard the health of the other students. It is essential that parent(s) or guardian(s) provide a current telephone number where they can be reached in the event of a serious accident or illness.
SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS
When your child has any of the following symptoms, PLEASE KEEP HIM/HER HOME until he/she is well. If the symptoms continue you should seek medical help.
Fever of 100 degrees or higher Diarrhea Sore Throat
Swollen Glands Nausea Cough Vomiting
Watering/discharge from eyes/nose Skin Rash
DRESS CODE/UNIFORMS
All children will have outdoor play daily (weather permitting). For this reason, it is important that children dress appropriate for the weather/season when they leave home in the morning. If it is winter, please send your child to school with hat, mittens, winter jacket, snow pants, and winter boots (even if it is a beautiful day). In addition, please provide the school with a change of clothes and shoes in case of an emergency.
KINDERGARTEN – 3RD GRADE UNIFORMS:
1. The student may wear solid navy blue or khaki pants and/or shorts. In addition, girls may wear skirts, skorts, or jumpers.
2. The student may wear solid* white, light blue, or navy shirts with or without collars. OTHER ACCEPTABLE CLOTHING ATTIRE:
*Polo shirts (solid white, light blue, or navy)
*Turtlenecks (solid white, light blue, or navy)
*Cardigan, V-neck sweaters, sweater vests and sweatshirts (solid white, light blue, or navy – NO PATTERNS OR DESIGNS)
3. Shoes: Tennis shoes, dress shoes, and/or sandals
4. Every Friday is Dress Down Day!
*SOLID COLORS-NO DESIGNS OR PATTERNS!
PHYSICAL EDUCATION UNIFORM: Please note: Tennis shoes/sneakers are required on gym days.
Students may change into shorts or sweats for gym class.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
*Hand held electronic games
*Toy weapons
*Trading cards
*Any items proving to be a distraction to a teaching and class. The item(s) will be taken from the student and returned at the end of the day with a note to the parent regarding the prohibition of the item. The school will not be held responsible for personal items which may be lost, stolen, or damaged during the school day.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
The following code of conduct will be in effect at all times at school and school sponsored activities:
1. Respect and courtesy at all times
2. Respect for personal space – no physical contact
3. Respect for school and personal property
4. Gum chewing is not permitted
Parents choose to send their children to Precious Moments School knowing that our style of education, code of conduct, and values in speech and dress are different from that of many other schools as they are based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Precious Moments School holds fast to basic Christian principles of honesty, mutual respect, and love, which create a secure environment and development of a strong character. We thank the parents/guardians and students for complying with the policies, procedures, and regulations set forth by our school.
DISCIPLINE STATEMENT
We believe it is important to promote a positive learning environment in which mutual respect, cooperation, and care are fostered. Positive classroom management techniques are aimed toward the development of self-discipline and student responsibility. Our philosophy emphasizes the benefits of prevention rather than treatment of disciplinary problems and takes into account the individual needs of each student.
PROTECTION AND WELFARE OF THE CHILD
We should have on file a copy of any court order that indicates custody, a restraining order, etc. This makes us aware of any restrictions on the non-custodial parent. All legal changes of this type must be brought to our attention at the time of the change. This information is essential if we are to protect the rights and welfare of the child.
FIELD TRIPS
Parents will sign a blanket permission statement for field trips at the time of registration. This registration form is on file at the school throughout the school year.
BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays may be celebrated at school but will be limited to a special snack provided by the parent. Gifts and parties will not be allowed during school hours.
Birthday invitations may only be distributed in school if every classmate receives an invitation.
FUNDRAISING
Precious Moments School depends on fundraising efforts in order to keep our tuition costs at a minimum and to meet our growing needs. In addition, it provides the opportunity for all who desire to attend Precious Moments School. As parents and guardians we pray you will join us in our efforts. The main fundraising events planned for this school year are the “Santa Fun Raiser” in early December, and dinners held throughout the school year. Events will be posted on monthly calendars. We look forward to your participation and support.
*Precious Moments School reserves the right to make additions and alterations to the policies and procedures as needed. Families will be notified of changes accordingly.
Letter from the Director
Precious Moments School is sponsored by the Community of the Crucified One, Inc., a church commissioned to “go out into the highways and byways of life and tell people that Jesus Christ loves them.” Our school is an extension of that vision and we thank you for the opportunity to share it with your family as well.
This school was established over twenty years ago by Sr. Elizabeth Imperatore who is now our head administrator and the principal of Ascension School (Pre-K – 5th grade) at our Mother House in Homestead, PA. She has been privileged to “watch even the youngest preschooler develop a relationship with Christ and blossom into young Christian adults.” Her dream to establish a Christian school dedicated to the education of young children has flourished into a school system that can be found in several states across the USA, and now stretches across the ocean to Kenya!
The teachers in our school have devoted their lives to the Lord and to the teaching of His children. We bless Him for the opportunity to provide children with a quality education in a Christ-centered environment.
We welcome you into our school family and pray He blesses you during this new school year.
In His love and service,
Sr. Catherine Deutl
Director