Pre-Kindergarten Handbook
Enrollment Requirements
To be enrolled in the St. Paul Pre-K program, children should reach the 4 year old or 3 year old cutoff of September 1st. Students must also be toilet trained. Each student is required to have an extra change of clothing available in their cubby at all times, in case of accidents. If a child uses the extra clothes, parents are responsible for sending an extra set back to school the following day.
A registration fee is required with registration form to hold a child’s spot in a class or on our waiting list. The registration fee is nonrefundable.
(As of July 31, 2004 – Subject to change) According to Diocesan regulations and Arkansas State Law, no child shall be admitted to the Pre-Kindergarten program for the current year, unless he/she has attained the age of three (3) by September 1st.
Registration Documents (required)
- birth certificate
- a baptismal certificate (Catholic students)
- immunization record
It is extremely important that student enrollment information in the office be kept up to date at all times. If any information changes – name, address, telephone number, emergency contact, parents’ home or work numbers, medication information, method of transportation, authorizations for pickup, etc. Contact the office as soon as possible. We must have an emergency number at all times.
According to the Family Educational Right and Privacy Act of 1988, student’s records are confidential and will be open only to members of the professional staff and to the student’s parents/guardian(s).
Tuition
Each tuition payment is due on the 1st of each month. If tuition is not paid by the 10th of the month, a reminder will be sent home. If it has still not been received by the 15th, a 10% late fee will be added. If an account goes unpaid for 30 days, your child could be dismissed from our program. Please see the principal or director if special arrangements need to be made.
Refunds and Withdrawals
Two weeks paid notice is required if you must withdraw your child from our program. Tuition will continue to be charged if notification is not given. No refunds will be given for absences due to illness or vacation.
Discharge:
A child will be discharged from school under the following circumstances:
1. Failure to pay by tuition by the end of the current month. This does not include parents who have made special arrangements with the principal.
2. If the child proves to be a health hazard to the other children by not being current on required immunizations.
3. If a child shows aggressive behavior that places himself/herself or their peers in danger. This will be determined by the principal following remediation through the teacher of the student and conferences with parents. This behavior may include biting, scratching, or striking after repeated redirection from the teacher.
4. Potty training difficulties. If the child has 5 potty accidents during a two week time frame, the child will be asked to remain at home until they are potty trained.
5. Continued crying that disrupts the teacher and students after a month of schooling.
Immunizations
The state licensing board requires us to keep official up-to-date Immunization records on each child enrolled in the program. Children may not be able to start school if their shot records are not current.
School Hours and Drop off/ pick up Procedures
Our doors automatically unlock at 7:30 and lock back at 8:00 a.m. The school day will begin at 8:00am. All of pre-k will be brought and picked up through the downstairs cafeteria entrance. Your child can be dropped off between 7:30am and 8:00am. Drop offs after 8:00am, must go through the office. The doors unlock again at 3:00pm. Early pick-ups must also go through the office. Teachers are not allowed to open the doors for anyone during the regular school day. Parents are required to sign their children in and out every day. Your child must be picked up by 3:30pm, unless attending after-school care. The teacher will need to be notified of after-school students.
If your pre-k student has older siblings attending St. Paul, he/she will be dismissed to the cafeteria for pick-up in the afternoons.
Only authorized adults will be allowed to pick up students.
Dress Code
Monday-Thursday Wear
TOPS: Hunter Green or Navy
-Short or long sleeve t-shirt with school logo (all t-shirts are sold by PTO through the office)
-Sweat shirts, hoodies with school logo
-Polo style, plain, hunter green or navy shirts can be worn without the school logo. These can be purchased from any store.
SHOES:
-Tennis shoes (any color). No light-up shoes.
-Flat soled shoes can be any color (Keds, Bobs, etc.)
-Boots need to be brown or black in color.
No sandals, open-toed/open heeled, or cowboy/girl boots allowed.
No Jewelry or watches allowed
We are not responsible for any lost items (clothing, accessories, toys, etc..)
FRIDAYS ARE CASUAL CHRISTIAN DAYS:
The students are allowed to wear:
SHIRTS:
-St. Paul t-shirts
-Christian t-shirts. Some examples are concert t-shirts, church and bazaar, spiritual wording.
Students should have access to coats, hats and legs should be covered during the winter months.
School Calendar
St. Paul Pre-K Program follows the same school calendar year as St. Paul School. It is always located on our website at stpaulsabers.com. It has also been approved by the Catholic Schools of Arkansas.
Inclement Weather
For school closings due to inclement weather, a school reach message will notify parents, KAIT will broadcast and also Facebook.
Supplies
A supply list will be posted on our school website and at our local Wal-Mart.
Health and Safety
Childhood diseases are very communicable. When your child shows an indication of illness, do not send him/her to school. For the health of all the children and staff at school, please do NOT bring your child to school if they display any of these symptoms:
- Fever during the previous 24-hour period (Children must be fever free, without the use of medication for 24 hours before returning to school).
- Heavy or colored nasal discharge
- Constant cough
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Excessive fussiness or crankiness.
- Any symptoms of a communicable disease (please notify the school immediately if your child is diagnosed with a communicable disease).
When there is an outbreak of head lice in the community, parents and students must act responsibly. If you find lice or nits on your child, report each child to the school. Children with head lice may not return to school until they have been successfully treated and are completely free of nits. Students who have been sent home with lice or nits may be examined before being allowed to return to school. Over the counter medication is not enough. You will need to call a doctor for a prescription in most cases of lice.
For the safety of our children, there will be monthly fire, intruder, earthquake and tornado drills so everyone will be familiar with the procedures. Safety is a priority for all of us at the school. Our staff will take every precaution to ensure that the students can learn and play in a safe environment.
Medication
As stated in Diocesan Policy 2.13, “Medicine, whether prescription or over-the-counter, is not to be provided by the school.” If your child needs to take medicine of any kind at school, a note should accompany the medication (in its original container), providing the following information: DATE, CHILD’S NAME, NAME OF MEDICATION, HOW AND WHEN IT IS TO BE GIVEN. All medication will be kept and administered in the school office.
In Case of Injury
Should your child get injured during the day, our staff will tend to minor cuts and scrapes. You will be notified of the incident in writing at the end of the day. If the injury is more serious, you will be called at once, as well as the physician you have chosen or an ambulance, if necessary. An Emergency Medical/First Aid Consent form will be filled out before each school year begins.
Field Trips
Educational field trips may be scheduled throughout the school year. To participate in these activities, students must have parent permission and pay the appropriate fees. In addition, regular school attendance and behavior must be satisfactory. Parents of students not participating will be notified in advance so that arrangements can be made for the student for that day. All school and class rules and procedures will apply while students are involved in the field trip activity. The teachers will be in charge of the students on field trips. FIELD TRIPS ARE A PRIVILEGE AND NOT A RIGHT. Parents who volunteer as chaperons, drivers, or participate in any form, may not bring siblings or other children not involved with the field trip activity. Any parent driving will have to sign a driver liability form, provide a copy of a valid driver’s license and insurance card.
Child Interview Notice
Child Care Licensing, DCFS special investigators, and law enforcement officials may interview children without notice to parents for investigative purposes and/or determining compliance with licensing requirements.
CURRICULUM
Religion
Prayers, Bible stories, and acting like Jesus are the foundations of our program. Religion is taught for about 20 minutes through Bible stories and songs. Our 4 year old class will begin attending church in January.
All other subject areas are taught using the frameworks set by the Arkansas Department of Education and the Diocese of Little Rock. These frameworks can be found online at the Department of Education website.
Communication
Each day, the children will bring home their folders which are our main method of communication. Any notes, information, and daily work will be sent home. It is VERY important to check it every day, remove the day’s work, and RETURN the folder to school the next morning. All notes to the teacher, book orders, etc., should be sent to school in the folder. ALL money, checks, and forms must be in a labeled envelope.
If at any time, there are changes in your family that may affect behavior, please notify your child’s teacher or the Principal. If you need to talk to your child’s teacher, send a note in the child’s folder in the morning or call the school office and the teacher will get back with you as soon as possible. Out of respect for all children, we will not discuss academic or behavior issues when children are present. Conferences and phone calls will be arranged during breaks or after school hours.
If at any time the teacher feels threatened, publicly humiliated or disrespected by a parent or adult, a conference with the principal will be scheduled to discuss reasons. The principal has the right to dismiss the family from the school if this type of behavior continues.
Conferences and Progress Reports
One mandatory conference will be scheduled during the first semester and an optional one during the second semester. However, additional conferences may be scheduled throughout the year, if necessary. We will make every effort to arrange a conference time convenient for you. Progress reports will be sent home at nine-week intervals.
Birthdays
On a child’s birthday, he/she may furnish refreshments, if he/she wishes. These will be served at snack time. Please make arrangements with the teacher in advance. Children with summer birthdays will have a time to celebrate their “unbirthdays.” If invitations are sent to school, every child must receive one.
Parties
Pre-Kindergarten has several parties throughout the year. The teacher will plan these and ask for your help in attending and sending supplies.
Lunch
Lunch is included with tuition costs. Parents can look at the menu for each week on our website. Students are allowed to bring their own lunch on days they prefer not to eat the cafeteria food.
General Policies
- Parents are responsible for ensuring that the school has current emergency contact information at all times. Parents will be contacted immediately in the event of an emergency. Please keep the office informed about changes in your business, home address, and phone numbers so you can be easily reached. If you or other listed people cannot be located, we will call the physician specified on the health record form. If necessary, we will call 911 for emergency assistance.
- State regulations mandate a rest period for preschoolers. We encourage children to rest quietly during that period. We will provide bedding for each child to use at naptime. Bedding is laundered once per week.
- Children may not bring candy or toys to preschool. Sharing personal toys is difficult for young children. Also we cannot be responsible if a toy is broken. We provide enough toys for all children.
- Students will not be allowed to bite or strike others. It is our policy to caution students and their parents about this behavior. Students will be sent home if this type of behavior continues or any skin is broken by physical means. Parents will be called to pick up their child for the remainder of the day. Continuing incidents may be grounds for dismissal.
- St. Paul Pre-Kindergarten Program reserves the right to dismiss a child if the welfare of the students, staff, facility, or program is in jeopardy as a result of child or parent behavior.
- The faculty shall provide a copy of the list of Kindergarten Readiness Skills to each family.
Discipline
St. Paul Pre-Kindergarten Program will endeavor to maintain good discipline. Good order is fundamental to an atmosphere of learning in our faith based facility. Our teachers set firm, consistent, positive, and clear limits inside and outside of the classroom. Rewards and consequences are an integral part of the plan. To ensure a safe environment for the children of St. Paul Pre-Kindergarten Program, we use the following methods of discipline:
- Verbal Warning
- Time Out (number of minutes shall not exceed the child’s age)
- Loss of Privilege
- Parent Conference
- Principal’s Office
- Positive reinforcement for good behavior
St. Paul School reserves the right to amend this handbook at any time.