Auburn



Auburn

Divernon

Pre-K

Handbook

2010-2011

Auburn – Divernon Pre-Kindergarten Philosophy

Our Philosophy: WE BELIEVE

Children can learn by doing. This age has not yet made complete transition into the understanding of symbolism. Therefore, a hands-on activity is likely to be a much more successful learning situation than a sit-down-and-do-it-with-paper-and-pencil situation. While in some cases children can do what adults expect in those "ditto" activities, it may be a case of guess or rote understanding rather than a real adoption of "ah-ha" true understanding. Whether it is a science, number, language or other activity, we will try to translate learning into an activity that a child can initiate and complete on her/his own or with little assistance from an adult, and from which a child can discover her/his own appropriate results and principles.

A child's work may look like play to the adult. For example, working with blocks may not seem important or valuable to you, but it offers an opportunity for the child to A) be in charge of her/his own learning and creating, B)learn rote and/or real counting, C) see and understand math principles especially related to space and geometry, D) participate in cooperative play, enhancing personal and social skills as well as self-concept, F) experiment in form and design, enhancing creative skills, G) develop small and large muscle development, H) increase goal development and length of time allotted to a task for the completion. AND HERE IT LOOKED LIKE PLAYING WITH BLOCKS TO YOU!

Children can learn the skills necessary to succeed in school. Much of school success is socialization success. Many children come to us still operating in a parallel play state, which is, not playing with another child, but rather playing next to another child. In the next important stage, called cooperative play, the children are actually communicating with each other and utilizing the other person as an essential part of the play process. Cooperative effort is necessary in all areas of society. A good self-concept is so important to school success. Children can learn their special qualities and how to develop positive feelings about themselves and their work and work style.

Each child develops at her/his own pace. Please respect that your child should not be compared with others you know. Just because Alice is interesting in making letters and making up words and your child is not, does not mean that your child is behind! Your child may be working on some very complicated artistic acitivity, or be engrossed in the computer or learning to ride his bike without training wheels. Often times, a child may be working through an understanding of a family divorce, death in the family, or other stressful situation.

Success in learning enhances the child’s self-image. That probably sums it up in one sentence. If we can turn kids on to the joy and thrill of learning (remember that can include frustration, lack of immediate success), and onto the fact that they are indeed special and unique individuals, then we have fulfilled our goals.

What is Auburn – Divernon Pre-Kindergarten?

Auburn – Divernon Pre-Kindergarten is a program for qualified three and four year olds in the Auburn Unit 10 School District. Since the program is funded by a special grant from the Illinois State Board of Education, it is offered without charge. The grant is awarded on a yearly basis. Notification from ISBE is received in mid-August.

Auburn – Divernon Pre-Kindergarten is a developmental program. All activities are designed to foster growth that is developmentally appropriate for the preschool child. Learning activities address the development of language, small and large motor skills’ muscles, and social-emotional maturity. Pre-Kindergarten teachers also focus on self-esteem, encouraging their children to value themselves as capable and important. A child who is capable and able to learn is likely to be a good achiever.

Auburn – Divernon Pre-K also understands that parents and schools serve children most effectively when they are partners. Parents are offered many opportunities to share in their child’s school experience and to learn more about the development of their child through classroom participation, conferences, workshops and special programs. As teachers and parents learn more about the needs of children and how to successfully respond to them, the impact of the preschool years are strengthened.

Pre-K Staff

Teachers: Assistants:

Mrs. Bates Mrs. Thornton

Mrs. Parrish Mrs. Daniels

Ms. Taylor Mrs. Backes

Mrs. Bertetto Mrs. Forestier

What is the schedule for Pre-Kindergarten?

AM – 8:05 – 10:35 Monday – Friday

PM – 12:35 – 3:05 Monday – Friday

Arrival

DO NOT arrive with your child more than 5 minutes prior to the start of class. Please take your child to the bathroom before you leave home.

AUBURN AM CLASSES ONLY. The east doors by the Pre-K rooms cannot be used for arrival in the morning. This is a drive through zone only. All students should arrive between 8:00 – 8:05AM at the four square boxes that are located in the middle of the playground area. In case of inclement weather and there are no students on the playground, please meet us in the gym. You may sit in the first row of the west bleachers.

AUBURN PM CLASSES ONLY. All afternoon students will be using the east doors by the Pre-K rooms. Vehicles can begin to line up at the drive through lane between 12:30 – 12:35PM. (Please do not pull past the end of the building.) Teachers will be outside at 12:35PM to begin unloading students and helping them into the building. Four cars at a time will be unloaded. Please unbuckle your child’s car seat and have their back packs ready.

DIVERNON PM CLASSES ONLY. At 12:35PM the teacher will open the outside door located on the south side of the building (directly in front of the handicap parking spot) for all children to enter the classroom. Parents and child care providers MUST stay with their child until the door is open.

LATE ARRIVAL POLICY

Due to safety reasons the administration has decided to lock all school doors once classes have begun. Therefore, if you arrive after 8:05AM or 12:35PM, the doors will be locked so you must go to the office for both Auburn and Divernon to enter. Use the buzzer outside the door. IMPORTANT – Please tell the office you have a child that is late for Pre-K and they will call down to the classroom. You will need to wait with your child until someone from Pre-K can come to the office to walk your child to class. This applies to both AM and PM classes.

Also, on days when you are planning on doing a classroom visit, you will be required to report to the office to be issued a visitors pass. You may do this while we are putting our coats and back packs away.

DISMISSAL

DO NOT arrive more than five minutes prior to dismissal time to pick up your child. REMEMBER: We will only let your child be picked up by those persons listed on the form in their file. If for any reason someone will be picking your child up that is not listed, be sure to notify us in writing ahead of time (pin the note to your child), and they will need to show an ID.

AUBURN AM CLASSES ONLY. When the weather is good and we are outside on the playground before dismissal, parents or child care providers can use the pick up lane (drive through) or enter the playground through the Washington Street gate. The gate will be unlocked as soon as all children are lined up. When all classes are in place, please come to your child’s area and the teacher will dismiss your child. Once walkers are dismissed, the teachers will then walk students to the pick up lane. Teachers will help load students into the vehicles. It is your responsibility to buckle your child in. In case of inclement weather all children will be dismissed through the pick up lane outside the Pre-K doors. Teachers will bring your child to the car. We will load four cars at a time.

AUBURN PM CLASSES ONLY. You will need to park on Washington Street. Fifth Street is used for buses. Parents and child care providers can enter through an open gate and wait by the school building. Teachers will line up children on the blacktop area. When all classes are in place, please come to your child’s area and teachers will dismiss your child. On days when children do not go outside for activity due to weather, please come to the cafeteria doors where your child will be dismissed. The pick up lane will not be used for afternoon dismissal.

DIVERNON PM CLASSES ONLY. The teacher will dismiss all children from the door on the south side of the building located in front of the handicap parking space.

It is extremely important that children be picked up on time for both AM & PM classes. Adults picking up children from the Auburn Elementary school (in addition to pre-k students) in the afternoon should instruct those children to come to the outside cafeteria wall when they are dismissed.

What does a Daily Class Session Involve?

Each classroom has its own daily schedule. While each teaching team has their own variation, the basic schedule includes the following:

Circle Time (songs, large group activities)

Center Time (independent & small group work)

*Snack Time

Story Time

Gross Motor – Outdoor Time

*Your child can choose milk (chocolate/white) or water.

Milk costs 40 cents per day - $2.00 per week.

Guests in the classroom may purchase milk for 40 cents.

Children are encouraged to make decisions and take responsibility for their learning. Self-help skill attainment, such as restroom needs, hand washing, putting on their own coat, zipping it, and eating socially is included in the daily routine.

Gross Motor and Outdoor Activity: The last 15 minutes of each class session will be for large muscle activity. We will be outside everyday, unless it’s too cold for any of the school children to go outside. This decision is made by the administration. Please dress your child in hats, mittens, scarves, and boots during cold weather months. Send their tennis shoes in their book bags to be worn in the classroom. If your child is unable to go outside for activity because of health reasons, please inform your child’s teacher at the beginning of class that you or your child care provider plan to pick them up 15 minutes early or before the class plays outside.

How is the Schedule Related to Curriculum Goals?

Our Pre-K program follows the Scholastic and Jolly Phonics Curriculums. Integrated into each unit are goal and discovery possibilities for each area of the children’s development. There are times for child directed activities, as well as, teacher directed. A play process, which upholds activity, noise and fun, is important to the philosophy of the program. If you have anything you can share with us to enhance our weekly theme, please let us know.

Attendance

Parents are required to see that their child attends school on a regular basis. If your child will not be in attendance, please notify the office of your child’s school – Auburn: 438-6916; Divernon: 628-3611. Leave your child’s name, teacher’s name, and reason for the absence. Please do not call your child’s teacher. If the school has not received a phone call, a call will be made to you in order to find out the reason for the absence. Parents will receive Quarterly Attendance Reports. Parents must make the necessary transportation arrangements for delivery to school and pick up from school.

**It is important that you only send your child to school if they are feeling well. Your child will not feel like participating and may expose classmates to a contagious sickness if:

1. They are running a temperature

2. They have vomited within the last 24 hours.

3. They have had diarrhea within the last 24 hours.

4. They have infected secretions from nose or eyes.

5. They have rashes of suspicious nature.

What if my Child is Sick or Gets Hurt at School?

If your child has a minor injury, he or she will receive nurturing emergency first aid treatment. If the injury is serious at all, you or your designated person will be called immediately. If an injury should require immediate professional attention, someone from school will notify you to meet us at the local emergency room where you may choose to use their services. All students are provided school time accident insurance free of charge. Twenty-four hour coverage and extended dental insurance are available and may be purchased in the school office. Part of our curriculum includes attention to safety concerns. We emphasize it daily in our routines.

Do not bring your child if you think they might be ill. If they become sick here at the school, we will call you immediately. They will be cared for in a separate area from the other children. We will try to make your child as comfortable as possible until you can arrive. Remember to leave us dependable alternate numbers to phone in case we cannot reach you.

How is this Pre-K Different from Other Preschools?

Our program has a flexible curriculum, and our small group center around our children’s needs and interests. We are using a form of the Work Sampling System to assess our students. We do not take them away from their play to test them. Through our observation skills we will better develop any weaknesses your child may have. You may see us jotting notes while visiting in the classroom or taking pictures of their work. At the end of each class session, the teacher and assistant sit down and discuss their daily observations to discuss progress with you at parent teacher conferences.

We do not expect your child to fit into our program, but rather our program fit around your child and his/her needs. This is why we consider our program a developmentally appropriate program. Each child will be working at their own level, as we focus on building their self-esteem.

Each classroom follows the same unit. All field trips and classroom activities center around the unit of study. Class activities will be adjusted according to the class age level.

How Can I Know what is Going on in School?

Our program highly encourages parent involvement. Teachers may keep in touch with parents through, phone calls, e-mails, notes, conferences, and weekly newsletters. It is very important that you read the weekly newsletter. Each parent is required to visit a class session once per semester. Field trips do NOT count as helping in the classroom; however, we do enjoy your assistance. Parents are encouraged to attend Pre-K family events.

All Pre-K families will be provided with a folder that will be sent home daily. This folder is a very important part of our daily routine and needs to be kept in your child’s back pack. Check the folder every day since it will contain all the important papers needed for a successful school year. Please send all notes to your child’s teacher to school in this folder. If the folder is lost or damaged, you will be asked to pay for a replacement.

The sense of trust you place in us valued and respected. This handbook is designed to initiate good mutual communication. We will try to get information to you, which is both important and interesting. Please do the same with us. Remember to pin a note to your child if you need to get a message to the teacher. Communication is two-way, and we need feedback on your child’s adjustments and progress.

What are parent Obligations in the Pre-K Program?

All required and recommended responsibilities are outlined in the Auburn – Divernon Pre-K Contract. This contract will be included in the packet you will receive at Pre-K Orientation. Please read this over carefully before signing. You will receive a copy of your signed Pre-K Contract within 60 days after your child has started school. If you have any questions concerning this contract now, or throughout the school year, please call your child's teacher at Auburn Elementary School 438-6916 or Divernon Elementary 628-3611.

Required Responsibilities

1. Pre-K 101 Class for parents

2. Certified copy of your child’s Birth Certificate is

due on the first day of school.

3. Physicals and Lead Screenings are due on the

first day of school.

4. Child’s Daily Class Attendance

5. Parent Classroom Visits

6. Parent-Teacher Conferences

Recommended Participation

1. Family Events

2. Family Success Classes

3. Parent Resource Library

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Thank you

for your cooperation.

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