Parent Handbook 2014-2015 ~ 5774-5775

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Table of Contents

Letter from the directors.....................................................................................................................................3

About us.................................................................................................................................................................4

Goals and objectives ..........................................................................................................................................5

Philosophy .............................................................................................................................................................5

The teacher & the environment .........................................................................................................................6

Supporting your child at home..........................................................................................................................6

Family involvement at our school......................................................................................................................7

Communication .....................................................................................................................................................7

Transitioning into school......................................................................................................................................8

Arrival and dismissal...........................................................................................................................................8

Food .......................................................................................................................................................................9

Field trips...............................................................................................................................................................9

Clothing and bedding.........................................................................................................................................9

Health policy...................................................................................................................................................... 10

Shabbat parties & birthday celebrations ................................................................................................... 11

Additional policies............................................................................................................................................ 11

Your input ........................................................................................................................................................... 11

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Letter from the directors

Nissan 10 5774 / April 10 2014

Dear Parents,

With gratitude to Hashem, we would like to welcome you to The Shul’s Child Enrichment Center. You have entrusted us with your most valuable gem and we are committed to providing the best, happy, productive environment and care to make your gem/s shine!

Our Parent Handbook is designed to share with you an understanding of our program, to provide you with information on our goals and policies, and to help encourage you to become an informed and an active part of our school community.

We look forward to working together and taking part in your child’s growth throughout their preschool years. Please feel free to share your thoughts, concerns and suggestions and any questions you may have.

May we all have true joy from our children!

Warm regards,

Chana Lipskar and Esti Chazanow

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About us

The Shul’s Child Enrichment Center provides excellence in learning and childhood development, where the youngest in our community are embraced with the highest levels of education in Judaism and general preschool studies.

The preschool center is a catalyst for deepening a family’s journey towards a meaningful Jewish life and becomes a motivating support for families on their individual and shared Jewish life journeys.

Our mission is to foster a dynamic and inter-active learning environment that encompasses the fundamental Torah principles based on the ideology of Chabad Lubavitch, which has at its foundation, the encompassing mitzvah to “Love every Jew as one loves himself.” The Shul’s Child Enrichment Center instills purposeful direction, fortitude and love while developing strong, confident Torah Jews. We utilize the fundamentals of the Montessori Method of teaching in which the classroom is a “living” room for children.

We build on our children’s individual talents and challenges and nurture the "whole child" – socially, emotionally and academically. We cultivate and develop each child’s innate love of learning as they prepare for a life of purpose, integrity, and academic accomplishments. We are committed to the whole child as an inquisitive, responsible, and spiritual being. We are your family helping to instill life values as we nurture your child, building confidence, competency, self-esteem and respect for others.

The relationship with parents creates a lasting partnership as we grow and learn together, forming an interactive circle of child, parent and community.

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Goals and objectives To create an environment based on the values and teaching of the Torah that will provide carefully planned, stimulating programs for children to expand and build upon the fundamental habits, attitudes, skills and ideas essential for a lifetime of creative thinking and learning.

To instill a love of G-D

To develop a love for the Torah and Mitzvos

To initiate the Middos (character development) based on the love of every Jew

To establish a positive attitude toward school and learning

To instill a sense of healthy self-esteem

To achieve excellence in reading, writing and language skills

To expand skills of concentration for lifelong study habits

To create habits of initiative and persistence

To foster inner discipline and a sense of order

To help cultivate each child's innate, ultimate potential through high self-realizations

To implement an individualized, child-centered curriculum that includes movement, efficiency and discovery within a multi-age classroom community

To provide a nurturing and safe environment, supporting the child's physical and emotional well- being, as well as intellectual growth

Philosophy The Shul’s Child Enrichment Center is dedicated to providing a warm, safe, Jewish environment where our children can feel secure to explore and learn. In this environment they can grow and develop at their own individual rate and be proud of their heritage and who they are. This is achieved through offering a Montessori program which focuses on delivering a hands-on experience through sensory stimulation, fine and gross motor skills development, music, dramatic play, arts and crafts, movement, science and language arts. This philosophy stresses the value of moral and spiritual development as much as cognitive development, knowing that gaining respect and care for one another and building a positive self esteem are key elements that will insure happiness and success throughout life.

All of the Jewish holidays, Mitzvos, Midos (moral/spiritual development) and language are taught offering a multi-sensorial experience. Each concept and experience becomes meaningful to each child in a different way. All areas of the curriculum are open for the child to freely explore as their curiosity dictates. They are involved with the exploring, manipulating of materials, and the testing of new concepts.

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The teacher & the environment The teacher’s role is that of facilitator and guide, encouraging the child to explore and discover new ideas. Teachers are role models for the children and loving caregivers who are well trained in early childhood development and experts in understanding all of the child’s needs: social, emotional, intellectual and physical.

Our choice oriented, spontaneous program stems from our respect for individual differences, learning pace and style. It is well balanced by the structured group work and classroom environment we offer. The activities and materials foster creativity, critical thinking skills as well as communication and cooperation skills. Respect and love for the environment, the self and one another are the basis for spiritually nurturing positive self esteem.

The children’s interaction with one another also enables an important opportunity for growth. They learn how to communicate with each other with Ahavas Yisroel (love of our fellow person) while finding constructive solutions to their problems. We are looking forward to working together with the parents to help each child reach their potential.

Supporting your child at home What can you do support your child’s schooling at home?

Make sure they are well rested.

Allow lots of time for personal routine, a good breakfast, and a pleasant and safe ride to school.

Have a cheerful, positive attitude as your child leaves you, either at home or school.

Let your child just stand and watch, knowing that observation is one way of participating.

Don’t put pressure on your child to produce something to take home.

Encourage your child to talk about school by asking specific questions, such as “What color did you paint with today?” or “What was for snack today?” “Which lesson did you enjoy today?” etc.

Inform the teacher if there is something going on at home that might affect your child.

Inform the teacher if there is any type of change going on at home, examples including moving, parent out of town, etc.

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Family involvement at our school The Shul’s Child Enrichment Center strives to work together with the parents to make the school and the home environment complement one another:

Parents are encouraged to take an active role in our classroom activities as well as our outings and holiday celebrations.

Parents are also encouraged to invest time to help keep our school environment in proper order.

If you have any special talents, such as sewing, painting, building and would like to help out please let us know...We can always use the extra help!

After the first few months, parents are also welcome to help with classroom activities such as story time and snack.

Parents available between 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. are welcome to come in to school and help out during lunch time. If you would like to get involved, please ask your child’s teacher for more information regarding this program.

Communication Parents play an important role in our school. In order for the child to develop fully, teachers must be in tune with important events happening in the child’s home life, e.g. new birth, illness in the family. Likewise, the parents need an understanding of our life in school. Each Friday, our child will take home a newsletter which will elaborate on many of the things they learned that week in school. The newsletters are also available through our website.

Pictures and announcements are posted on our website. We also communicate important information via email. Please let us know if you would like us to include grandparents or other family member addresses on our e-mailing list.

Parents are encouraged to be in contact with the teachers as often as necessary. However, we do ask that the parents schedule times to speak to the teachers and not take time away from the children’s day at school. We are open to setting up private conferences on an individual basis, as the need arises. Classroom observations are arranged throughout the year.

If there is an emergency during the day and you need to speak to a teacher or administrator, please call 305- 868- 1411 ext. 325.

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Transitioning into school When your child comes to school for the first time s/he may need some help in adjusting. You may wish to spend the first ten to fifteen minutes with your child, helping to familiarize him or her with the new setting. Once you have familiarized your child with the classroom and you are ready to leave, please do not linger such that your child can see or hear you. A crying or clinging child usually stops soon after the family member moves out of sight.

Arrival and dismissal The Shul’s Child Enrichment Center serves children from ages 2 years to 6 years. The day begins at 8:30 am for all children. Families may choose to enroll their child in either a morning program until 12:30 p.m. (offered in the Pre-Montessori program only) or a full day program.

In order for your child to benefit from the full program, we strongly urge you to bring your children to school on time.

If your child is attending our Montessori Program, our arrival time will be up to 9:00 a.m. If your child is brought to school after this time, your child will have to be brought to the Preschool office and will be brought into class after 9:30 a.m. We do encourage you to be on time to take full advantage of the program.

Please note the following new dismissal policies for 2014-2015 (applicable to the full day program only):

Dismissal opens at 3:15 PM Monday – Thursday (unless otherwise specified) and at 1:45 PM on Friday.

Any child who is picked up after 3:30pm (Monday-Thursday) or 2:00pm (Friday) will only be released after the parent or authorized pick up person formally signs them out on a “Sign Out Form” that will be made available to them. Please understand that there are serious security and safety issues involved with children left after dismissal times, and that you need to be ON TIME to pick up your beautiful treasures. We kindly request that you plan ahead for winter traffic, school zones, unpredictable weather and construction.

In the event that a parent or authorized pick up person arrives after the dismissal times specified above, parent will be charged as follows: -10 minutes late: $25/child* -Each additional 5 minutes: $10/child* -Parents will be billed monthly for late fees. *Each parent will be charged for their own child, even if they have asked another parent to pick up their child and that parent is late.

If a child is going home with someone other than yourself you must send a note stating what the intended plans are or let your child’s teacher know that morning. If your plans change during the day, please let us know of your child’s arrangements.

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Food Children are asked to bring Pareve or dairy lunches. Lunches with meat are only permitted on Wednesdays in school. We ask that all dairy foods brought into the classroom be Cholov Yisroel certified. Parents are asked to read labels and to make certain that products being sent to school have a reliable Hechsher (Kosher certification). Please label your child’s lunch clearly. Make sure all foods are ready to eat. Please cut and peel fruit as your child requires. All lunch foods that are not eaten at school are packed up and sent home with your child. Please be aware of what your child is/isn’t eating.

Please note:

Every Wednesday is meat day at The Shul’s Child Enrichment Center. You may send a lunch containing kosher meat or any Parve food only.

Friday is Pizza Day! Every Friday another parent of our school sponsors pizza for that week in honor of a child’s birthday, special occasion or as a donation. Please let us know if you are interested in being a sponsor. The cost for this program is $270.00. Please note if we do not receive enough sponsors we will not be able to continue this program.

Field trips We go on various field trips throughout the year. Please ensure that your family has completed a field trip permission slip. Parents who are willing to volunteer and participate are encouraged to do so!

Clothing and bedding Each child should have at least one complete change of clothing in school, including

underwear and socks that can be sent home as season changes or if used, to be exchanged.

If your child is in diapers, please send along a sufficient amount of diapers and wipes.

Please label all clothing and place them in a Ziploc bag.

Children should be dressed for school in comfortable clothing that do not inhibit him or her from exploring new items and can be easily cleaned.

Children are not permitted to come to school in crocs or flip flops. Children must be wearing a shoe, sneaker or sandal with proper support.

If your child stays for the afternoon, we provide a mat for rest time. If your child likes to nap with a blanket or stuffed animal please send one in.

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Health policy For the sake of the health of everyone involved, sick children are not accepted into the classroom. The teacher is responsible for determining whether a child is well enough to attend and must enforce the sick policy. Please cooperate with our decisions.

Our school’s guidelines for keeping your child home:

If they have a fever of 100 degrees or more or have had one during the previous 24-hour period.

The first 24 hours of taking an antibiotic.

If they have a cold less than three days old.

If they have a heavy nasal discharge.

If they have a constant cough.

If they are fussy, cranky, or generally not themselves.

If they have the symptoms of a possible communicable disease.

Keep them home even if they are just tired. Rest at such times may prevent the development of serious illness.

Additional health related policies:

A child with loose or watery stool will be observed. If repeated twice within two hours, the child must be excluded. Children may not return until they have had at least one normal bowel movement.

Children with conjunctivitis (pink eye) must see a doctor and may not return to school until they are symptom free, along with a doctor’s note.

If your child is absent from school for 3 days or more due to an illness, a doctor’s note is required upon returning to class.

If a child is abnormally scratching their head, we will check their hair for lice. If lice nits are found, the child will be separated from the rest of the children. Their parents will be contacted, and they must be picked up from school immediately.

We encourage parents to check their own and their other children’s hair. Lice spread from person to person very easily. We also recommend that clothing, bedding, and anything the child has come in contact with be washed in hot water.

All clothing children come in contact with at school will be removed and washed. If the lice problem persists, school policy will require all children to be treated for lice. This will be done only as a last resort.

Children receiving medication must have written permission from parents permitting staff to give medications. You must fill out an “Authorization to Administer Medication” form. Staff will only give medication out of original

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prescriptions bottles.

If your child develops any illness, please notify the school as soon as possible. A health notice will be sent home to notify other parents of major illness at the school.

We do not have the facilities to keep sick children. If we call you to pick up your sick child, you or another authorized person listed on your emergency contact form must come immediately.

Shabbat parties & birthday celebrations Each week a child is chosen to be the Shabbat Ima or Aba for the Shabbat Party. The parents of these children are invited to join the class for this weekly event. In the past, the parents were asked to bring a treat for the class. As per our new policy, please do not send in any kind of food, but rather a small novelty (prize or toy). If any candy will be sent, please be advised that it will be returned.

Families are invited to share in our birthday celebrations throughout the year. Tzedakah for all of the children to give in honor of the birthday is appropriate. Goody bags with candy or any other food items are not allowed to be given out during this occasion. In addition, if you are bringing a cake, please have one with no or little frosting. No home baked goods are permitted.

If you would like to sponsor an additional lesson/book or toy for your child’s classroom, please let us know. Each teacher has a “wish list” with items they would like for their class and you will be able to choose something from that list.

Additional policies The Child Enrichment Center reserves the right to terminate any enrollment if the child or parent for any reason. No tuition monies will be refunded. If your child creates damage to either our building or its content, exceeding $25.00, you will be subsequently billed for the repairs. The Child Enrichment Center reserves the right to not accept any child for any reason.

Your input The Shul’s Child Enrichment Center is here to provide a nurturing, Jewish environment where the child can grow in his self esteem, understanding, and abilities. Every moment of our day is focused around the children and their discoveries. Together with the parents we hope to have a successful and fulfilling year.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions we welcome your input. Please feel free and comfortable to give us a call. You can reach us at The Shul 305-868-1411 at ext. 325.

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TEL: 305 868 1411 EXT. 325 ~ FAX: 305 861 2426

WWW.THESHULPRESCHOOL.ORG

Tel: 305

Fax:

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