Welcome to the Harding Preschool

Program Orientation Handbook

2013-2014

411 North 15th Street

Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

Phone: 208-620-2031

Fax: 208-666-6764

Website: http://www.cdaschools.org/domain/1257

The overarching goal of preschool special education is to enable young children to be ac-

tive and successful participants in home, school and community settings, resulting in

positive outcomes for children and their families.

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My Child’s Name:_____________________Date:________

Teaching Team

Special Education Teacher:___________________________________________________

Head Start Teacher:________________________________________________________

Assistant Teacher:__________________________________________________________

Paraprofessional(s):________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Harding Head Start and Preschool Cook: ___Diarra Gibson__________________________

HARDING PRESCHOOL– CDA School District #271

The Harding Preschool is a collaborative partnership between Harding Head Start and

Coeur d‟Alene School District 271 to provide an all inclusive educational environment for

the preschool children who are enrolled in our programs.

Harding Preschool: (208) 620-2031

Website: http://www.cdaschools.org/domain/1257

Harding Preschool Coordinator: Teresa Lancaster

Harding Preschool Office Assistant: Megan McMaster

Head Start Center Supervisor: Gina Dingman

Head Start Center Assistant: Teresa Weadick

Nondiscrimination Notice

The Coeur d’Alene School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion,

sex, national origin, age, or disability in any educational programs or activities receiving

federal financial assistance or in employment practices. The District provides equal access

to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

Inquiries regarding compliance with this nondiscrimination policy may be directed to the

Director of Special Services or Director of Human Resources at the District Administrative

Center, 1400 N. Northwood Center Ct., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814-2472, (208) 664-8241.

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The Harding Preschool

There are five options within our Preschool program:

*Head Start Student: The child is only enrolled with Head Start and does NOT

have an IEP (Individual Education Plan). This child‟s classroom will be located at the

Harding Center. This child will have a Head Start Teacher and services from the Head

Start Family Advocate. No transportation is available for this student and parents will

transport.

*Co-Enrolled Student: This child is co-enrolled with Head Start and the School

District. This child will have an IEP (Individual Education Plan). This child‟s classroom

will be located at The Harding Center. The child will have both a Head Start Teacher

and a Special Education Teacher, will receive services from the Head Start Family Ad-

vocate, and have home visits from their Head Start teacher and/or Family Advocate.

Transportation is available for the student by the school district to/from school.

*School District Peer Model: This child will be enrolled with the School Dis-

trict only and does NOT have an IEP. The child will have a Special Education Teacher.

This child will attend a School District Classroom at the Harding Center. This child

must complete and pass a Developmental Screener prior to enrollment. No home visits

or family advocate is provided to the family. There will be volunteer hours required by

parent/family. No transportation is available for this student and parents will

transport.

*School District Student-Developmental Classroom: This child is only en-

rolled with the School District and the child has a current IEP. This child‟s classroom

will be located at The Harding Center. No home visits or family advocate is provided to

the family. The child will have a Special Education Teacher as their Case Manager.

Transportation is available for the student by the School District to/from school.

*School District Student-Phonology Classroom: The child is only enrolled

with the School District and the child has a current IEP for Speech Impairment. No

home visits or family advocate is provided to the family. The child will have a Speech-

Language Pathologist as their Case Manager. This child‟s classroom will be located at

Fernan Elementary/or Harding Center. Transportation is available for the student by

the School District to/from his/her phonology class. Meals are not served in the pho-

nology classroom, snack only.

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School Dress Code

It is the policy of this school district that students shall dress in a manner which is appro-

priate for an effective educational environment. All students are, therefore, required to

dress in a manner that promotes a safe and healthy school environment, and is not disrup-

tive of the educational climate and process. The following is taken from School Dress Code:

Policy #517.

Shirts/Blouses/Tops/T-Shirts—Blouses/ shirts should be constructed so that the tops

of the shoulders are covered (e.g. no halter tops, strapless tops, spaghetti straps, or bare

shoulder tops of any type will be allowed). Blouses/shirts that expose any portion of the

waist, hips, midriff (if you raise your arms to shoulder level and the stomach shows, the

top is unacceptable) or breast are not allowed. Undergarments (bras, tank undershirts,

etc.) will not be visible. Bedroom clothing, pajamas or sleepwear is not allowed.

Shorts/skirts/Pants— All shorts and skirts must be no shorter than mid-thigh from the

bottom of the knee. Nylon tights, biker pants or boxer shorts worn as an outer garment are

strictly prohibited. Slits in the skirts cannot be above mid-thigh. Waistline of shorts/skirts/

pants must be on or above the hips with no underwear showing. Bedroom clothing, pajam-

as or sleepwear is not allowed. All belts must be properly fastened around the waist.

Preschool — Flip flops are not recommended due to safety risks at school.

Enforcement— Building principal/designee may deny class entrance to students who are

inappropriately dressed until arrangements may be made for their proper attire. Parents or

guardians will be notified each time a student is asked to leave school because of inappro-

priate attire.

Snow Days

There may be days during the winter when it is not safe for our buses to transport children.

If you suspect that school might be canceled due to the weather conditions, you are re-

quested to listen to radio KVNI-1080 AM or local television stations, KREM— Channel 2,

KZLY - Channel 4, or KHQ— Channel 6. They begin broadcasting school closure information

at 5:30 am. Be patient and DO NOT CALL THE RADIO STATION. You can also call the dis-

trict weather phone number 667-0784 to get information. It is district policy that all events

that are scheduled when we have a “snow day” are to be cancelled.

Lost and Found

We urge parents to LABEL EVERYTHING that is sent to school. Each year, our “lost article

box” fills quickly with items that are never claimed. Please label your child‟s backpack

clearly with his/her name. Parents are encouraged to check it for lost articles. All unclaimed

articles are donated to charity in December and June.

NIC Work Study Site/Internship Site

Head Start is an available work study site for NIC students. Head Start is also an internship

site for several area colleges.

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Mealtime Guide

Happy Healthy Meals and Snacks

Nutrition

Children receive breakfast, lunch and/or a snack on class days. Nutrition education is of-

fered in the classroom and during parent meetings and home visits.

Meal Time

Please provide 24-hour notice if possible if you intend to eat a meal with your child, so

that our cooks can plan accordingly.

All volunteers are asked to sit at a table, eat and share child-focused conversations with

the children during meals.

Children serve themselves and clean up afterwards. We encourage children to try new

foods and take appropriate portions. We encourage children to try what they have se-

lected but no one is ever forced to „taste‟ anything or to take „just one bite‟.

USDA funding only allows food purchased and prepared by North Idaho College Head

Start in the classroom. No outside food is allowed.

Due to the variety of food allergies that may be in a center, we are a nut and berry free

program.

The Phonology class does not participate in meals (breakfast/lunch), however, snacks

are provided.

Menus

The Head Start food experience includes a variety of tastes, textures, and colors that pro-

vide one-third of the child‟s daily nutritional requirements. At Head Start we prepare our

meals with low-sugar, low-salt, and low-fat recipes.

We encourage parents to share their family‟s favorite recipes with our cooks.

A copy of the monthly menu is available at the center or on the website

www.cdaschools.org under Harding Preschool.

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Classroom Involvement Opportunities

Classroom Observation: Parents are encouraged to visit and observe their child in the classroom

setting.

Classroom Volunteer: Upon completion of child care licensing requirements, parent volunteers

may: assist with classroom functions under the guidance of the classroom teacher, demonstrate

appropriate modeling for children, follow daily lesson plans, help with daily classroom prepara-

tions and clean-up, and follow classroom regulations to help maintain a safe and inviting environ-

ment.

Field Trips: Various field trips are taken throughout the year to help your child learn about their

community. You will be informed in advance and asked to provide permission.

General Expectations

Please sign in and out.

We will provide you with a nametag on an apron containing gloves for emergencies, paper and

pen for observation notes.

The staff will review the Weekly Lesson Plan, Daily Program Schedule, Individualizing, and

the Learning Center Signs information we have posted.

Please call if you have signed up to volunteer and are going to be absent.

Respect confidentiality; camera/cell phone photos are not permitted in class.

Support child friendly language and child/adult interactions in the classroom by limiting cell

phone use to office and parent areas.

For children‟s safety, outside beverages are kept in the office/parent area/or kitchen.

Classroom Health and Safety

Adults model proper tooth brushing and are responsible to hand out and collect toothbrushes. We

brush our teeth daily.

We practice Universal Precautions: washing our hands before and after each meal, after toileting

& exposure to any bodily fluids; use protective gloves; cover cuts; and use fluid spill cleanup kits

and disposal practices.

Children/adults who are not feeling well or are contagious should be kept at home.

None of the adults in our Head Start program physically pick up children.

Volunteers are never left alone with children.

Adults inform each other if leaving the room, ensuring no child will be left alone or unsupervised.

Outside, adults disburse around the area, as in the classroom, playing with children.

Cleaning solutions (spray) should be locked up or out of children‟s reach.

Children inform adults when they need to leave the class and use the bathroom, should a child

require assistance in the bathroom, please alert a staff member. An adult bathroom is available

and should be latched unless in use.

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Positive Child Guidance

All interactions will be supportive of each child‟s gender, culture, language, ethnicity, and

family composition.

We use and model respectful actions and language: bending down to make eye contact,

modeling calm and accepting behavior, and phrasing comments positively.

Rules are created out of safety concerns. This includes both the physical and emotional

status of children, the care of materials and the learning environment.

Children learn when they are provided opportunities to initiate choices and safely explore

the environment with adult supportive guidance. (Process vs. Product)

Support children‟s thinking and problem solving by asking open-ended questions and help-

ing children identify solutions

If there is a behavior problem or concern, ask a staff member for assistance.

Harding Head Start and Preschool

is a safe and growing place…

We will not engage in corporal /physical punishment,

Emotional or physical abuse, or humiliation.

We will not use discipline that involves isolation, the use of food

as punishment or reward, or the denial of basic needs.

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Statement of Confidentiality

Confidentiality is defined as holding-in-confidence any and all information obtained from an

employee, child, parent, or family member or contained in the employee, child or family

file. This includes but is not limited to, personally identifiable information, disability rec-

ords, and financial data. ~NIC Personnel Policy

We ask that you respect the confidentiality rights of both children and adults. What this

means is that we ask you to keep personal information about others to yourself. Young

children share family information openly… through pretend playing or in conversations

with other children or adults.

If you hear something of concern, be sure to talk with a Preschool Staff member.

Please talk only with them, respecting the privacy rights of our families.

Classroom Information

Sign-in & Sign-out Procedure Goal Conference and Volunteer sign up Child/Family Mail Folders Clothing

At times your child will be playing or working with messy activities. They

will also be climbing and running, etc. Please have them dress for the weath-

er conditions and activities, including coats, mittens, hats, and boots when

needed. Curriculum Area (Lesson Plan, Daily Schedule, Individualizing)

Weekly Lesson Plan Individualizing Strategies Parent Activity Calendar

Newsletter

All families will have access to a monthly

newsletter. This will have information on upcom-

ing parent events, center events, and other com-

munity events. There will also be a variety of in-

formation regarding nutrition, mental health,

safety, and education. Please let your teacher

know if you would like a hard copy of this News-

letter. It will be posted on our website under

Programs at www.cdaschools.org, and available

in the center.

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Health & Safety

Head Start encourages and supports the following services for your child to help identify

concerns and eliminate any barriers to learning:

A complete yearly physical examination.

Regular dental exams and preventative treatment.

Required immunizations or waiver.

Developmental and health screening.

Notifications of Outbreaks

Is there a health outbreak at your center, you will receive a letter home informing you

what to watch for in your child. If your child is diagnosed with a contagious health condi-

tion, please contact your center as soon as possible. We will then send letters out to all the

families. We will never disclose which child is affected by a health condition.

In order to protect your child against childhood diseases, Idaho Law requires that

all enrolled children have proof of immunizations or proof of exemption. See the

required immunization schedule table on the following page.

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Illness Guidelines for Parents

We would like to take this opportunity to encourage any family whose child has been diagnosed with a potentially

contagious condition to please notify the school immediately so we may validate the information — in partner-

ship with the proper medical personnel — and determine who needs to know. If, at any time, you hear any infor-

mation about a student’s health, please call the school so we may give you the most accurate and timely infor-

mation. We appreciate the teamwork of communication between administration, nurses, teachers and parents.

Diarrhea: Student shall not attend school if she has had watery stools within a 24 hour period.

Fever: Student shall be sent home or excluded from school if fever is over 100 degrees or when symp-

toms of illness or behavioral changes are present. Temperature should be taken without anti-fever/pain

medication use, which will skew results. Child is able to return to school if temperature is lower than 100

degrees, without fever-reducing medications, for 24 hours.

Vomiting: Student shall be excluded from school if there are 2 or more episodes of vomiting within 24

hours.

Pink Eye: Students with irritation and drainage from the eye shall be excluded from school until symp-

toms have been resolved, or until treatment has been started.

Herpes (Cold Sores): Draining lesions must be covered completely with an impermeable bandage.

Student shall be excluded from school if unable to cover draining lesions. Students may attend school if

lesions are dry.

Shingles (Herpes Zoster): Student may remain in school if rash is covered completely.

Scabies: Student may attend school 8 hours after medical treatment has begun.

Impetigo: A student diagnosed with Impetigo with draining lesions shall be excluded from school until

a Physician release is obtained. Impetigo is considered no longer contagious after being on antibiotics

for 24 hours.

Lice: Students with live lice shall be excluded from school until treatment has been initiated. Removal of

as many nits as possible after treatment, and hair pulled back prior to each school day is encouraged.

Students being monitored by School Health Services may return to school with lice.

Ringworm: Students may attend school if lesions from ringworm are covered completely on all sides,

and medication therapy has begun.

Streptococcal: Students with any Strep infection shall be excluded from school until they have been on

antibiotic therapy for 24 hours.

Chicken Pox: Student having symptoms of Chicken Pox shall be excluded from school until all vesicles

have crusted over and no drainage or fever is present.

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Transportation & Pedestrian Safety

When entering and exiting our buildings please make sure you take the following steps to

ensure you and your child‟s safety:

Turn off your vehicle‟s engine

Children need to be attended to at all times in vehicles

Please contact center staff if you need assistance picking up or dropping off chil-

dren

Always hold your child‟s hand while in the parking lot

Please walk your child into the classroom

Adults open doors

Remember to buckle up & use car seat safety guidelines

Idaho Child Restraint Law

Idaho Code 49-672

Idaho‟s Child Passenger Safety Law will require that all children 6 years of age or younger

be properly restrained in an appropriate child safety restraint. This is a primary law, the

fine is $79.00. This new law replaces the language of the old law concerning weight and

age requirements of children being transported in a motor vehicle. This law took effect

July 1st, 2005.

An appropriate child restraint is a child safety seat for children up to 40 lbs and a belt- po-

sitioning booster seat for children 6 years or younger. Lap-belt only seating positions

should not be used with a booster seat.

Information cited from: http://itd.idaho.gov/ohs/childsafety/index.html, August 2013

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Safety Drills– Fire, Evacuations & Lockdowns

To help prepare your child for an emergency situation, we practice monthly fire drills

(safety walks) and bi-annual shelter-off-site evacuations drills and shelter-in-place lock-

down drills. Safety drill dates will be on your child‟s classroom calendar , on the website

calendar, and signs will be posted in the center when the shelter-in-place lockdown drill

occurs.

Dangerous Weapons

We follow the North Idaho College Dangerous Weapons Policy #7.04.01. Dangerous weap-

ons are potential safety hazards. Possession, use, or display of dangerous weapons or fire-

arms is inappropriate in an academic community unless authorized by North Idaho Col-

lege. Possession, display, or storage of a dangerous weapon, including but not limited to

firearms, ammunition, destructive devices, fireworks, or hazardous chemicals in any form

is prohibited on property owned or controlled by North Idaho College.

Center Pest Control

Whenever possible we use environmental friendly products. We follow mandatory notifica-

tion procedures.

Tobacco Policy

We follow North Idaho College Tobacco Policy. The use of tobacco products is prohibited on

all Head Start grounds.

Child Abuse & Neglect

Under Idaho State Law all North Idaho College Head Start is a MANDATORY REPORTING

AGENCY. All employees are required to report suspected and/or confirmed cases of child

abuse and neglect.

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Phonology

Monday

Morning Session 10:00AM—12:00PM/Afternoon Session 12:45PM—3:30PM

Preschool

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Morning Session 8:30AM—12:00PM/Afternoon Session 1:00PM—4:30PM

First day of School: September 3, 2013— Last day of School: May 22, 2014