ST. PIUS X PRESCHOOL HANDBOOK

MISSION STATEMENT

St. Pius X Preschool was created to aid parents of the St. Pius X Parish, other Catholic Parishes and other faith communities to develop the whole child. The preschool recognizes that the parents are the primary educators of their children and is dedicated to working as a team to create educated, faith-filled, responsible citizens. The preschool is committed to a high quality early childhood program which provides a safe and nurturing environment that promotes spiritual, physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of each child’s family. The curriculum of the preschool is Christ-centered. In an environment that respects the dignity and differences of each individual, students will learn the teachings of the Catholic faith. It will provide developmentally appropriate activities and will be responsive to the needs of each student as a unique child of God.

PHILOSOPHY

Jesus is the role model for the Early Childhood Program in order that we may teach as Jesus did and interact with students, parents, and faculty in a manner which demonstrates our love of God and one another. This educational setting provides a positive and happy introduction to learning through play, guided exploration, and hands-on activities that are developmentally appropriate for each child's needs. Education is not just the gaining of knowledge, but a growth process that continues through life developing the total person. This program will strive to provide a trusting and open atmosphere in which children may grow to their fullest potential through recognition of their own talents and a willingness to share with others.

GOALS

The Catholic Religion is the heart of the program. The administration and faculty will teach in a manner that nurtures and inspires the children to live and model the words and actions of Jesus.

The Preschool will make every effort to be a safe environment. The staff will be well aware that we must provide emotional and physical safety for our students. The staff will provide for the physical safety of the children indoors and outdoors. The classroom will be clean and organized in order to provide a healthy environment.

The educational environment will have an atmosphere that makes each child feel that he is special and is loved. The Catholic Christian values expressed in the child’s education will promote development of the total child in mind, spirit, and body. Classes will have a student-teacher ratio that allows the direct teaching to be done in small and large groups. Children will learn direct activities in circle times. We will utilize learning centers where the children will experience and explore the world through play and hands-on activities. The curriculum will be planned to encourage children to develop in his or her own learning style (visual, auditory, or kinesthetic). The staff will use instructional strategies based on the needs of individual children. All teaching will be structured to provide opportunities for success and independence in order to promote a positive self-esteem.

The curriculum is planned and evaluated on a continuing basis during the year. The curriculum is coordinated with the kindergarten curriculum of St. Pius X School. Emphasis is placed on loving God and one another. We will encourage growth in communication and social/emotional skills. The curriculum should stimulate the child’s creativity, thinking skills, individual talents, coordination (gross and fine motor skills), and self-worth. This four-year old program is a part of preparing the young child for success and preparation in kindergarten. Assessment of the child will be an ongoing process as the child takes part in the preschool curriculum and as he/she grows in many areas during the year. The curriculum will be presented through a variety of activities: art, science, religion, dramatic play, stories, puppets, puzzles, music and movement, cooking, block play, and indoor and outdoor play time.

The teachers and parents are partners in a child’s education. All teaching will be conducted with patience and love. Teachers will use and share their knowledge of a four year olds growth and needs with parents through conferences, letters, phone calls, and meetings. Parents may stay informed of school information through class lessons and schedules while also receiving school special notices, letters, and newsletters.

ADMISSION POLICY

The St. Pius X Preschool policy is based on the same admission policy the school maintains with the following additions: all students must be toilet trained and meet the age requirement which is four by September 1st of that school year. (For example: 4 years by 9-1-2006 for 2006-2007)

STARTING SCHOOL

Starting school is an exciting experience for a young child, but it can also be a difficult one. Most children will seem eager to go to school, a new situation, but there will be a moment when the child suddenly realizes that you are not going to be there also. It is normal to go through a period of adjustment during such a big change in a child’s life. When you leave your child those first few days of school, it is best to say good-bye to your child and leave quickly and unhesitatingly. Usually, a child will cry for only a few minutes and the teacher is able to direct the child into new and fun activities. It is not a good idea to sneak away and not say good-bye.

The separation is difficult for parents and child, especially for mother and child. You may want to have another adult bring your child, if you notice that separation is extremely difficult for both of you. This may ease the separation and help you and your child face the school situation with greater ease. It is a normal part of the young child’s growth to learn to accept change and being away from home.

At school, mats are provided at the rest time. If your child needs a blanket or stuffed animal from home for rest time, by all means, bring them. We will encourage the children to quickly feel at home.

NO TOYS should be brought from home. Please wait for Show and Tell. Toys can be distracting and may get lost. Soon the child will feel excited about school, teacher, and new friends!

NOTE: St. Pius X Preschool follows the St. Pius X School calendar.

ARRIVAL

Please bring your child to the Preschool room. Do not drop them off at the parking lot. The Preschool room door will be opened at 7:45 a.m. only. You will need to sign your child on in the sign-in sheet and state your child’s lunch intentions. At this time you can give the teacher any additional information about your child, such as, medication (must fill out authorization to administer medicine), change in the person picking up (person must be on authorization sheet to pick up child), questions, etc. ***Inclement Weather - Please check all television stations or KRMG radio before arrival on snow or ice days. St. Pius X School follows the Tulsa Public School decision regarding snow days.

AUTHORIZATION TO PICK UP A CHILD

No child shall be released to a person not authorized by the parents or guardians. You may place the names of those persons authorized to pick up your child on your preschool registration sheet. You must also ask for an additional family information sheet that applies for situations such as divorced, separated or guardianship.

DISMISSAL

Your child will be in the classroom at dismissal time and will be released to the parents or authorized persons only. Dismissal is at 2:00 p.m.

You may come to pick up your child a little early if necessary. Parents of any child who remains after 2:15 p.m. will be charged $3.00 for extended care until 3:00 p.m.. If circumstances arise beyond your control, please call the school office, 627-5367, so that we can reassure your child. We do not want to charge you for an unforeseen problem or emergency.

AFTER HOUR CARE

The Preschool provides After Care from 2:00-3:00 p.m. for families that have older children in the regular school. There is no extended care beyond 3:00 p.m. for preschoolers.

TUITION

Since the preschool budget is separate from the school, the St. Pius X Preschool tuition is also separate. Tuition is due to the Preschool office by the 5th of each month for nine months, ten months or twelve months depending on which payment plan you choose. Each child is enrolled for the school year or the balance of the school year. If you have a need to withdraw your child during the school year, a two-week notice is required. Refunds will be handled accordingly. If two weeks notice is not given, no refund will be possible. There will be no refund or make-up in case of absences and bad weather. Please refer to the tuition and fee schedule for tuition rates. A tuition coupon book will be sent to you.

UNIFORMS

In order for each child to feel a part of the St. Pius X School community, the preschool children do wear the same type of uniform as the grade school. For girls this consists of a white broadcloth blouse or white broadcloth blouse with navy piping on collar or white knit polo shirt (no logos), plaid jumper or navy slacks or shorts (August/September and April/May). The boys uniforms consist of navy slacks or shorts (August/September and April/May) and a red or hunter green polo type shirt. Boys and girls should wear navy or white socks, athletic shoes, or solid black or brown casual shoes, navy cardigan sweaters, gray or navy regulation sweatshirts.

Regulation uniforms may be purchased at C & J Uniforms, 4950 S. 79 East Avenue, Fontana Shopping Center. Home and School sell regulation sweatshirts at final registration.

BACKPACKS/FOLDERS/EXTRA CLOTHING

A backpack should be brought daily as well as a daily pocket folder where parent communications and child's art will be placed. Parents should check a child's folder daily for information from the preschool and the grade school. A set of clothing including underwear and socks (for accidents) should be placed in a plastic bag in the backpack and remain there the entire year. Items of clothing may be replaced as weather changes. Please make sure all items have your child's name in them.

Preschool children go outside every day that the temperature is above 32o . Please dress your child appropriately for the weather. We will assume that if you do not send a coat, sweatshirt or sweater that you feel your child does not need one. However, if the temperature is cool or cold, we will not allow a child outside without outerwear, and the child will remain in the school office.

VISITING THE PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM

During the first few weeks of school when we are establishing routines, parents are not encouraged to visit the classroom. After the first weeks parents are welcome and may occasionally visit the classroom during the day or for lunch. It is not appropriate nor would it facilitate the child's growth for a parent to be in the classroom every day. Please be sensitive to your child's response to your presence, While some children love having a parent visit, others regress, act out, or become inhibited and withdraw from class activities. Always keep your child's best interest in mind.

All visitors must complete a sexual abuse form, have an OSBI check and attend a VIRTUS training session before they can be on campus during school hours. After all necessary requirements are fulfilled you will receive your identification badge.

Since all doors at St. Pius X School remain locked at all times for safety and security, parents must first sign in at the school office and have visible their volunteer identification badge before they can enter the classroom.

HEALTH, ILLNESS, MEDICATION

IMMUNIZATION RECORDS FOR EACH CHILD MUST BE ON FILE AT ST. PIUS X PRESCHOOL OFFICE.

We are making every effort to safeguard the health of all the children and teachers. Please keep this in mind before bringing your child to school with symptoms of illness and please understand when a staff member asks you a question regarding a possible symptom. Your child may be sent home if any symptoms of illness occur during a school day. We do not have children make up days for illness. Please keep your child at home if he/she: is running a fever, has a cold that is less than 48 hours old, has a heavy nasal discharge, has a constant cough, or is out of sorts and seems fussy and cranky which can note arrival of illness. Please have your child stay home when they appear to have communicable disease that has not been diagnosed by doctor such as fever, diarrhea, watery or reddened eyes, vomiting, or skin rash. Your child should be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.

Medication will be administered to a child only upon the written request of the child’s parents or guardians. The form, Authorization to Administer Medication, must be filled out with name of the medicine, the time and amount to be given, the date, and the parent’s/guardian’s signature. This is true of both prescription and over the counter medications. Prescription medications and OTC medication will be administered only by the St. Pius X School office personnel i.e. School Nurse, Principal, Asst. Principal or Secretary. The parent will be called for permission to administer each time the medication is given unless the medication is one that is used for an ongoing physical problem.

LUNCH

Lunch may be purchased through the cafeteria, or lunch may be brought from home. A child may purchase milk only to go along with a lunch brought from home. The parents must mark on the morning sign-in sheet whether a child is buying, bringing from home, or needs milk only for that day. We will help the children by setting out their lunch for them and encouraging them to eat. If you notice that your child does not eat cafeteria lunch or home food, please make the necessary adjustment.

PARTIES

The preschool encourages parents to participate in any holiday and seasonal parties that we have during the school year. We would like to have volunteer parents for these times. Parents like to bring refreshments for a birthday celebration at school. Please notify the teacher of the day and time that you will come and celebrate your child’s birthday. If you have a birthday party outside of school, do not send or pass out invitations to students unless you are inviting the whole class. Children with summer birth dates may have happy “un-birthdays” at school.

ABSENCES

Please call the school office (627-5367) if your child is absent. Be sure to inform the preschool if your child has a contagious or serious illness, is hospitalized, or is going on an extended vacation.

FINAL COMMENT

We consider it a privilege to share your child’s preschool years! Please join us for activities and field trips so we can have a sharing relationship with your child and his or her family. May God richly bless all of us as we guide your child to meet his or her greatest potential.

"St. Pius X is a Catholic School working as a team to create educated, faith-filled, responsible citizens”

Our mission is to promote personal responsibility and academic excellence within a

Catholic Community.