Parent’s Handbook
Dear Parents:
We are delighted that you have chosen St. Edmund’s Nursery School for
your child’s first school experience and we extend a very warm welcome to
you as a family and to your children as individuals.
On behalf of the entire staff, it is our pleasure to welcome and
serve you.
We shall strive in every possible way to make our relationship with
you satisfactory and rewarding.
We shall endeavor to guide your child’s development in physical, mental,
emotional, social and spiritual growth by presenting a program that enriches
everyday experiences.
This Handbook contains a great deal of information that will be
helpful to you during the entire school year.
Please read through it now and print it for reference as the school
year progresses. We have tried
to anticipate and answer most questions in the following pages.
Feel free to come and visit with me at any time.
Remember that our doors are always
open and visitors are always welcome, but do announce your arrival to a
staff member.
Nursery School is not a substitute for a loving, supportive home or
for an active church life, but it supplements the home and church in many
ways. If you already have a
church home, we encourage you to attend there with your child.
If not, we welcome you to our church family here at St. Edmund’s
Episcopal Church in
We will give to your child affection, acceptance, academics and
approval in a warm, loving, caring, nurturing, and Christian atmosphere.
Sincerely,
Darlene Porter, Head of School
and the Staff of St. Edmund’s Nursery School
To enter St. Edmund’s Nursery School in September, a child must be three
years old on or before December 2nd of that year.
The School offers:
Tuesday/Thursday session for 3-year olds
(3 years old by Dec. 2)
Monday/Wednesday/Friday session for 3-year olds
(3 years old by July 15th)
Monday/Wednesday/Friday session for 4-year olds
(4 years old by Dec. 2)
Five-day session for 4-year olds
(4 years old by Dec. 2)
Pre-Kindergarten session for 5-year olds
(5 years old by Dec. 2)
Pre-Kindergarten is for the child who is eligible for Kindergarten in
public schools, (5 years old by December 2 of that year), but has decided to
continue Nursery School one additional year.
It is also designed for the child who is not eligible for Private School
enrollment, because of that schools’ September 1st cut-off date.
In addition to the regular day (
A carefully supervised and balanced program is offered to assist in the
learning process of the child. This includes varied activities of play,
pre-reading and pre-math readiness, music appreciation, stories, creative art,
science, and health, all of which provide an educational experience of lasting
value in the physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual growth of your
child.
St. Edmund’s Nursery School was established in 1957.
It is a
The Mission of St. Edmund’s Nursery School is to offer young children an
outstanding learning environment and an excellent foundation for future
academic, social and spiritual development.
Emphasizing basic skills, values, manners and an inclusive religious
curriculum. St. Edmund’s Nursery
School strives to nurture knowledgeable, responsible, and caring children well
prepared to meet the challenges of family, school and community life.
Goals
·
To create a
child’s world in a positive atmosphere, where the individual and group needs of
young children will be met.
·
To increase
each child’s understanding and acceptance of self and others.
·
To increase
the children’s awareness and knowledge of the world around them.
To give them the freedom to discover.
·
To establish
and maintain a strong, mutually beneficial relationship between the school and
its families. To share information
and support activities helpful to parents.
·
To foster an
environment wherein the children can feel comfortable about
God and learn about God’s love for them.
·
To create self
esteem, self respect and self confidence.
Our staff is composed of persons with a genuine love for and interest in young
children. Our teachers have
professional training and education in Early Childhood Education and are
selected because of their understanding and sensitivity to children in their
early years.
All staff members participate regularly in
growth and development programs and workshops.
The Nursery School is open Monday through Friday.
School begins promptly at
To comply with state law, each child must be signed in and out
after being accepted into school by the parent or guardian.
Please sign
legibly your first and last name
A written note must accompany
your child if you wish your child to be released to anyone other than those
designated on your Green Authorization Form.
At
A child should not remain in school if lack of self-control makes the
child dangerous to him/herself or others, or if it is determined by the Head of
School and the Staff that the child needs a different type of program.
We may close for a maximum of two teacher in-service days.
The dates will be posted well in advance.
Please read the
following very carefully! It
pertains to every child in our school each school day, and must be
followed as outlined. This is a
regulation of the State Department of Social Services requiring that every child
in every pre-school in
1.
Bring the child(ren) to the gate for the usual health inspection and acceptance.
2.
After acceptance, sign the child(ren) IN on the clip boards on the gate.
3.
Any child(ren) who arrive late must be brought to the office and signed
IN.
4.
Any child(ren) who leave early must be signed OUT at the office.
5.
Pick up the child(ren) at their usual time and place and sign them OUT on the
clip boards provided by the teachers.
On rainy days, the
clip boards will be brought to your car and the children will be accepted into
school.
Tuition is an annual fee that may be paid in one payment at the beginning
of the school year or divided into two equal installments with such payments due
on the first of September and February.
If there is a financial problem, speak to the Head of School for other
arrangements. Tuition should be
remitted by check and made payable to St.
Edmund’s Nursery School. If it
is necessary to withdraw a child during the year, parents should give written
notice as far in advance as possible, but no later than two weeks prior to
withdrawal. If a child has attended
any part of a month, tuition for that month is not refundable.
For information on Scholarship availability, contact the Head of School.
Tuesday/Thursday
- $285/month - $1140/semester - $2565/year
Mon/Wed/Fri
- $365/month -$1460/semester - $3285/year
5-Day
- $615/month - $2460/semester -
$5535/year
Pre-K
- $615/month - $2460/semester - $5535/year
Health and Safety
All children entering the Nursery School are required to have a
pre-entrance physical examination with required immunizations (Title
22:101220.1). The
Health Form and the
Medical Release Form must
be returned before school starts in September.
For the safety, health, and welfare of the children and faculty, do not
send your child to school if any of the following conditions is
present:
l. If he/she has a
temperature, diarrhea, or vomiting within the previous 24 hours.
2. A cold less than three days
old or a runny nose.
3. Red throat/persistent cough.
4. Swollen neck glands/earache.
5. Reddened eyes.
6. Unexplained skin rash or
skin eruptions.
7. If he/she acts listless,
drowsy, has a headache, flushed face, lack of appetite, or shows behavior that
is noticeably out of the ordinary.
St. Edmund’s
Nursery School reserves the right to refuse to admit any child who appears to be
ill.
Allergies of any kind should be brought to the attention of both the
Head of School and the child’s teacher in addition to being noted on the
child’s Health Form.
Any special needs or problems should be brought to the attention of the
Head of School and also written on the child’s
Health Form and Social History Form.
Medication
will be administered ONLY in special
cases, and ONLY
with the written permission of the
parent, giving dosage and directions.
Medications must be in the original container with an unaltered
Tricycles and bicycles are available for the children to ride, however, NO
helmets are allowed while riding.
Our primary concern is your
child’s health and well being. Due to the increasing number of children with
food allergies and the resulting seriousness of those allergies when triggered,
we are requesting that a snack be
brought from home each day for any child with said allergies. Please be sure the
“snack bag” is clearly marked with your child’s name. Again, it is your child’s
health and well being that is our main concern.
Fire and earthquake drills are practiced regularly so that everyone knows
exactly how to do “what”, “where”, and “why”.
If a fire or earthquake should occur, the faculty will follow the
Emergency Procedure and lead the children to an assembly area on the school’s
playground. All
Emergency Authorization Forms must be
on file in the school office for each child.
Parents are responsible for keeping the school informed of any changes in
emergency information during the school year.
Your child will not be released to anyone that is not on your
Emergency
Authorization Form.
Transportation
Transportation to and from St. Edmund’s Nursery School is the responsibility of
each family. During the first week
of school, a list of students and their addresses will be sent home so that “Car
Pools” may be arranged. The green
Authorization Form with your “Car
Pool” listed and other authorized people that can pick up your child(ren), must
be on file at school by the first day of school.
When entering the north parking lot in the morning, please use the north
driveway to enter and the south driveway to exit.
When entering the north parking lot in the afternoon, please use the
north driveway to enter, drive through to pick up your child and exit the most
southern driveway.
ALWAYS ENTER THE NORTH DRIVEWAY AND EXIT
THE SOUTH DRIVEWAY!
REMEMBER TO BUCKLE UP, NO
CELLULAR PHONES IN CARPOOL LINE AND NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN IN CARS UNATTENDED!
SMOKING IS PROHIBITED ON THE
PREMISES OF A
When dressing your children, please remember that they are in school to
have fun, not to stay clean! Choose
clothes that allow the child freedom to enjoy both the play equipment and the
materials available for art and science projects.
Help your child toward independence by selecting clothing that is
MANAGEABLE - for instance, elastic-waist trousers. Buttons, snaps, zippers or
buckles may pose a problem.
Coats and sweaters should be clearly and permanently marked with the child’s
first and last name.
Thursdays and Fridays
are set aside for
bringing favorite toys to school.
Toys of educational value are encouraged but beloved teddy bears are always
welcome, too! However, any toys of a
nature that initiate violent play - in particular, guns, Ninja Turtles,
Power Rangers, swords - are
not acceptable.
In February, the older classes will substitute “Homework” for sharing.
(Bring something that feels “rough” or bring something in the shape of a
triangle.) Assignments go home on
Monday/Tuesday and homework is due on Friday.
Please label all sharing and
homework with your child’s first and last names.
Marvelous Munchies
“Marvelous Munchies” is St. Edmund’s term for nutritious and delicious
snacks. Good nutrition is important
to us! We teach good nutrition and
limit both sweets and very salty foods.
There is a mid-morning snack time each day.
To help instill the value and importance of good nutrition, each child is
asked to provide a wholesome snack for half the school three or four times per
year. A Marvelous Munchies
calendar with assignments will go home each month for those families responsible
for the snack for that month. Due to State requirements and the increase in
allergies, you will be assigned a specific snack to bring for 45 children.
Milk is provided on Tuesday and Wednesday, and juice is provided on
Monday, Thursday, and Friday. Water is also offered as an alternative.
Holidays and birthdays are the only
times that sweets will be served.
Because of the importance of food
allergies, we will not serve anything with nuts,
peanuts or peanut butter. The
snack menu will be posted in the Head of School’s office for review.
** Please be
reminded, that any child with food allergies must bring in their own “snack bag”
each day identified with their name. Due to the fact that we cannot guarantee
the contents of the snacks brought by
A birthday will be celebrated at snack time. We have a special “pretend”
cake so that the children can blow out their candles.
We also have a special birthday crown.
Please bring 24 small cookies
- no cupcakes or ice cream, please!
Please do not send birthday invitations or gifts to
school.
In consideration for those children who may not have been invited, please
do not have your child come to school dressed up for an after-school birthday
party. If your child has a summer
birthday, arrange a “Special Un-Birthday Day” with his/her teacher.
Each child will receive a special “Birthday Blessing” in Chapel during
the month of his or her birthday.
Picnic Days are held on Monday, Wednesday,
Thursday, and Friday from
Scrip Program
During the last weeks of September, all parents are invited to meet with
the Head of School and learn more about the events and activities.
You will then meet with your child’s teacher to learn about her program
and goals for the year. At this
time, you will have an opportunity to observe your child “in action” through our
“peek holes” or in the classroom.
Your teachers will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
In October, the children will have an opportunity to have their pictures
taken by Julie Lilly. She is an
excellent photographer that offers several pre-paid packages.
Children bring home envelopes, then the parents take their choice of
packages and return the envelope to school. You will be notified when your
child’s picture will be taken. This
is available to all children. In
May, Julie Lilly will come to school and take individual Graduation pictures and
after the Graduation Ceremony, a group Graduation picture will be taken.
Field Trips
Field trips will be scheduled only for the Pre K class when the trip
enhances the particular study or theme of the class.
The trips will be supervised by the Nursery School faculty with the
assistance of parent volunteers.
Permission slips and details as to location, transportation and time will be
given to parents prior to each trip.
Chapel
Being an Episcopal Nursery School, we incorporate into our class
curriculum, Christian values regarding family and friend relationships, sharing,
and expressing one’s feelings. Books
are read, songs are sung and stories are told.
All children attend Chapel Services each month.
These Services are led by the clergy of
St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church and include songs, prayers and most likely,
a story or two. We encourage parents
to come and join their child in Chapel.
Chapel dates are published in the monthly newsletter.
The children especially like it when it is their birthday, during Chapel
they receive a special “Birthday Blessing” and we sing “Happy Birthday, Jesus
Loves You.”
During the year the teacher will confer with the parents to give them the
overall progress of each child. Before the next year’s enrollment, the teachers
will help the parents make decisions on what is best for their child.
Each spring, individual Parent Conferences are scheduled for parents and
teachers to meet and discuss the child’s progress and development in school.
However, at any time parents or teachers may request a conference during
the school year.
Parents may visit and/or observe their children at any time.
Children generally do not function as well when a parent is present in
the classroom, therefore, observations may be made through the peek-holes into
the classrooms or from the library windows onto the playground.
At the beginning of each month, your child will bring home a newsletter
from the Head of School. Basically,
it will inform you of everything of importance happening at school that month:
the theme the number, color, shape and concept to be learned; visits scheduled
from the police officer, fire fighters, dentist, doctor or similar professional;
chapel and puppet show dates; dates when the children will have their eyes or
ears tested or their speech and language screened, etc.
We encourage parents to be involved in our school program and we seek to
support the family in their child rearing.
Parents are welcome to observe their children at school at any time.
When observing, please remember that the teachers’ time and attention
belong to the children, so this is not an appropriate time for
discussion/conference.
Each family will have scheduled conferences between parents and teacher.
Additional conferences are available at the request of the parent,
teacher or Head of School.
All families experience times of joy and sorrow that may have special
impact upon your child. Please tell
your teacher or the Head of School when family changes may cause adjustment
problems for your child. This will
allow the staff to support you during these times and give extra care to your
child.
The
Clergy of St. Edmund’s Parish is always available for conferences and for
support.
Every parent at St. Edmund’s Nursery School has a chance to be more
involved in the operation of the school and the education of their children.
Each parent will have an opportunity to meet with other parents in order
to develop friendships and to be able to share and communicate common concerns.
They will be able to support the staff, help with fundraising events, and
help plan very special events and activities to benefit all children attending
St. Edmund’s Nursery School. EACH
FAMILY IS EXPECTED TO SIGN UP FOR A MINIMUM OF TWO VOLUNTEER ACTIVITES PER YEAR.
Parent enrichment is offered throughout the school year.
This program is designed to help parents develop a better understanding
of themselves and their children. We
may have an special speaker or we may send home interesting articles or give
ideas for interesting books to read.
If there are topics of interest you would be interested in learning
about, please do not hesitate to confer with the Head of School.
Discipline
We keep the rules at school as simple as possible.
Basically these rules fall in two areas.
(1) We will not permit actions that will harm anyone, and (2) we will not
permit inappropriate use of equipment.
That is, blocks and sand are not
for throwing; tricycles are not for crashing.
We will try to discipline the children in three ways:
reasoning, re-direction and removal.
We reason and talk with the children about the results of their actions
and try to explain feelings. We
re-direct them (or the whole group) to
different activities in different locations.
If these fail, we remove the child to a quiet space until he/she feels like playing in
a socially acceptable way. We try to
make the child responsible for their own actions.
We teach them to use their words.
However, ensuring the safety of all children and staff is our most important
job. Should a situation arise that
compromises the safety of children and/or staff, the Head of School has the
authority to “dis-enroll” a student for cause.
St. Edmund’s Nursery School has written guidelines that list procedures
for prevention, detection and reporting child abuse.
The faculty is knowledgeable in reporting suspected child abuse and is
aware that this is mandated by law.
This is a “Mission Statement on Child
Abuse” by the Episcopal Churches and Schools:
“God embraces children with love placing
their nurture and care in our hands.
We believe that children should be safe from all forms of abuse and neglect.
We the church will be advocates for children and establish clearly
defined safeguards, policies and procedures for their protection”.
Each student at St. Edmund’s Nursery School is insured against school
time accidents, with benefits up to $10,000.
2007-2008
Janice Board,
and Patty De La Torre, Assistant
Sylvia Grimes
and Carol Schraer
Old 4’s:
Lynn Becker and Carole Fowler,
Assistant
Young 4’s:
Sharon Medeiros and Liz Westphal, Assistant
Susan Norman and Cheryl Elffers
Carol George, Assistant
Old 3’s:
Liz Stanton and Susan Norman and Carol George, Assistant
Young 3’s: Sue
Youngson, and Wendy Gute and Michele Canzoneri, Assistant
Musical Director: Barbie Dalzell
Administrative Assistant:
Angela Hopf
2007-2008
Rector
– Rev. George Woodward
Assistant Priest-
Rev. Hui Liang Ni
Head of School –
Chair
– Lisa Gorfain
Treasurer –
Lynn Haines
Assistant Treasurer –Kim Elsesser
Secretary
– Anne Ryan
Personnel
– Tiffany Kim
Scrip/ Minor Fundraising
– Tina Alietti
Special Events and Room Mother Coordinator –
Tricia Fink
Enrichment
– Sarah Dusseault
Building and Grounds–
Frances Mena
Hospitality
– Leslie Long
Vestry Representative
–
Major Fundraising-
Clare Maher
2007-2008
License: # 19150063
Tax ID: #95-1968872
If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again
If I had my child to raise all over again,
I’d finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I’d do less correcting, and more connecting.
I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.
I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I’d run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.
I’d do more hugging, and less tugging.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I’d teach less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.