Evangel Heights Christian Academy

Preschool Handbook

2006-2007

Purpose & Philosophy

We believe the ultimate purpose of education is to teach students about God and their relationship to Him. Here at Sonshine Preschool, we will seek to make your child’s first school experience an enjoyable one. Children will not only be given the opportunity to grow intellectually, but also socially, and especially spiritually. Pre-kindergarten skills are introduced in a happy and relaxed atmosphere.

Admission Procedures & Policies

Procedures

To enter Sonshine Preschool, all students must:

1.) Submit a completed application with registration fee.

2.) Be toilet trained and able to care for their own personal needs such as wiping, zipping, etc.

(No diapers and/or pull-ups are acceptable.)

3.) Must be 3 years of age by September 1st if enrolling in the fall.

Must be 3 years of age by September 1st if enrolling in the spring.

4.) For a re-enrolling student, current tuition fee has to be paid in full.

Policies

1. During the month of February, presently enrolled students may enroll for the fall term on a first-come, first-served basis. (You will be notified of the specific date.)

2. Members of Evangel Heights Assembly of God and siblings of current students at EHCA or Sonshine Preschool receive

priority in the enrollment process.

3. Sonshine Preschool does not enroll nor disallow enrollment on the basis of race, color, sex or creed. Sonshine Preschool is a non-profit organization and is under the auspices of Evangel Heights Christian Academy, and specifically Evangel Heights Assembly of God.

Discipline

Believing that discipline is necessary for the welfare of the student as well as the entire school, rules and regulations will be enforced by the teacher. This will be done in a positive and consistent manner and in accordance with Christian principles.

A “time out” chair will be used. If a child receives more than one time out in any given day or additional time outs for the same offense, the parent will be informed.

Any student who poses a threat to himself or other students, or has extreme behavior problems, will be asked to withdraw.

Grievances

The simple solution of a school problem is at its source. Talk to the teacher or staff member closest to the problem. If there is no solution at that point, parents and teachers can then go to the administration.

Attendance & Absence

Regular, weekly attendance is encouraged, but not mandatory.

When a student is absent from school for one or two days it is not necessary for you to contact the school. If the student will be absent for an extended period of time, then call the school office at 724-295-9199.

When a student is absent, it is the parent’s responsibility to check with the teacher for missed notices, information, letters, or papers.

Illness

Children should not be sent to school if they are ill. Parents will be called and asked to pick up a child if he/she has a contagious disease or becomes ill at school.

Providing dietary supplements or making special variations in the child’s diet will be the parent’s responsibility.

Make sure that you list several “close by” names and phone numbers for us to call in the event we cannot reach you.

Medication

Medication will not be given at preschool. The child is here only

2-1/2 hours. Medication, if necessary, should be given before or after

preschool by the parent.

Financial Policies

Registration fee, activity fee and first month’s tuition must be paid before school begins, before admittance to first day of school year.

Registration:

1. All parents are required to fill out registration forms before the student is accepted, whether new student or re-enrolling student.

2. Registration fee of $25.00 must be paid at time of registration. This is nonrefundable and nontransferable.

3. The activity fee and the first month’s tuition is due August 1.

Tuition:

1. Monthly payments are based on a nine (9) month schedule.

2. Students will not be allowed to attend class if the month’s tuition is

not received by the last day of the month.

3. There is a $20.00 charge for all checks returned to us by your bank,

for any reason.

4. A discount is given if payment for student’s entire year is paid in full

by August 10.

5. Special arrangements must be made for any deviation from the

above policy. Please contact the school administration if these

arrangements need to be made. Communication is the key!

Withdrawal

Withdrawals from school must go through the school office.

Parents/Guardians are to inform the school office if they plan to no longer bring their child. Students having attended one or more days of any month will owe the full month’s tuition.

Dress Code

We expect our boys and girls to present a clean, neat, and modest appearance at all times. Students should be dressed for active play. They will also use markers and paint on a regular basis. Due to the room being air conditioned, your child may need a sweater or sweatshirt on occasion. Preschool t-shirts are available through the school office.

Student Drop Off

Preschool students will be dropped off at the third set of doors. Please line vehicles up in the order that you arrive. Please do not get out of your vehicle until the teacher motions for you. Once the teacher has signaled for your child to come in, please promptly help them to the door and then proceed to move your vehicle to allow others to quickly be able to unload their child. The teacher will arrive approximately 5 minutes before class time.

Transportation

Parents/Guardians provide ALL transportation for preschoolers.

For future references, when the student is eligible for Kindergarten or a higher grade:

Evangel Heights Christian Academy has no transportation facilities of its own. However, because the school is within the prescribed radius (10 miles) of most school districts in the area, Pennsylvania law requires the district in which the student resides to provide transportation for private or parochial schools upon parental request.

The procedure is to notify EHCA that your child will need transportation.

The transportation is provided by law to your child, not to the school. Therefore, you must take the initiative in securing that service.

School Visitation/Conferences

It is the desire of the faculty to be of service to both student and parent/guardian. We do urge that visits/conferences be made by appointment with the teacher in advance. An open house will be held during the day of EHCA’s parent/teacher conference, November 10, 2006, to visit the room and talk with the teacher about how your child is progressing.

Pre-Kindergarten testing will be done in the spring for students attending Evangel Heights Christian Academy. A spring parent/teacher conference will be held for all students.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes a variety of instructional units. Some units are seasonal while others are topical. In addition, academic units are introduced annually. These include colors, shapes, numbers and letters. Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Bible curriculum as well as other Bible Stories and facts are taught.

A variety of teaching methods is used to retain the student’s attention and make learning an exciting experience.

Daily Schedule

A daily framework guides our day. Although our schedule is flexible, we feel that young children need to have a sense of organization and the security of a known daily plan. A specific class activity schedule is available upon request at the school office.

Arrival and Dismissal

Important Reminders:

1. Time of classes: AM classes—9:00 to 11:30

PM classes—12:30 to 3:00

2. Do not bring your child prior to 9:00 for AM classes or 12:30 for PM classes.

3. Parents/Guardians are to pick up their children promptly at 11:30 for AM classes or 3:00 for PM classes. If there is an emergency, please call the office. The teacher has only a small amount of time to have a break and prepare for the next class or day. Again, the welcome sign will be out when the children are ready to come home.

4. If there is any change in the parent/guardian picking up your child, we ask that a note is provided upon arrival with the name and description of the guardian.

5. For the 12:00 pick up of students, please be careful of buses that come to pick up the Kindergarten students.

Parties

Seasonal parties occur in accordance with celebrated holidays as follows:

Thanksgiving Valentine’s Day

Christmas Easter

A party fee is included in the activity fee. Part of this fee will cover party costs throughout the year, except for Thanksgiving, when each student brings something to share.

Parent volunteers will be asked to “host” the parties here at the preschool. Party plans by the volunteers must be approved by the teacher and principal. Additional information will be given as party times approach.

Bathroom

Your child should be taken to the bathroom prior to the beginning of the school day. A bathroom break is scheduled in our daily program.

However, should it become necessary, your child will be permitted to use the restroom at other times.

Please train your child to use the bathroom on his/her own. Also, dress your child in clothes they can get on and off without help. (No body suits with snaps.) You will be called, should your child have a bathroom accident.

Fundraisers

SCRIP– this is a weekly fundraiser that raises money for the school and also for your own personal account. Money in your account can be used for anything pertaining to the school i.e. tuition & apparel. Log onto www.glscrip.com for more information.

MARKET DAY—this will be an ongoing fundraiser. ALL of the profits will benefit our computer lab and library.

You will have the opportunity to order wonderful food every month. An order form will come home with each student stating the date the order needs to be turned into the school office and the date in which the order can be picked up here at the school. Please watch for these forms.

Child Safety

Every precaution will be taken to protect the children. Doors will be locked after student arrival time. If a parent must come during school hours, arrangements must be made with the teacher ahead of time. In case of an emergency, please contact the school office. All volunteers will be asked to fill out forms so that background checks can be made. This will impose a slight inconvenience for the volunteers but it is in the best interest of child safety. A SAFE, SECURE ENVIRONMENT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE SCHOOL..

Volunteers

Volunteers are a very important part of Sonshine Preschool. Any mom, dad, grandparent or care giver who may possibly want to chaperone a party or event is welcome. Volunteers are not permitted to bring small children. Please make arrangements for child care if needed. Thank you.

Volunteer forms are available in the school office. They only need to be filled out once, then they are kept on file for the following year. These forms need to be filled out and returned to the school office by Oct. 1.

Snacks

Snacks are served each day. Parents provide these snacks on a rotating basis. Parents will receive a snack sheet if it is their child’s turn to bring snack and napkins.

Please no cupcakes; but rather small, nutritional snacks for each child, plus one extra snack and napkin, in case of accident. Jell-O & fruit snacks (i.e. roll ups) leave the children still hungry; but if you would like to still send it in, accompany it with something additional. We will drink from the water fountain.

If you would like to send in a birthday treat on your child’s birthday, make it one they can take home.

Lost and Found

Lost and found articles will be placed in a box indicated as such. It is requested that parents put the child’s name on all personal items that could be lost so that they can be easily identified. We cannot be responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items.

About your teacher……

Laurinda Klingensmith is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Her past teaching experiences, within Christian schools, include teaching preschool for 6 years, teaching 2nd grade for a year and a half, and 1 year as fifth grade assistant. She is happy to share that the past year and a half with EHCA has been a wonderful experience. Other teaching experiences include 2 years of substituting in the public schools and the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, 3 years as an assistant to an inclusion child in a public school, and 6-1/2 years teaching autistic children in various settings.

She has been married to her husband Tim for 13 years. They feel very blessed to be the parents of Aneisa who is 5. Aneisa has attended preschool at EHCA for the past two years and will continue at EHCA for Kindergarten.

Laurinda and her family are long time members of Homewood Baptist Church. She has taught and helped with Bible Schools and Sunday Schools with various ages of children for the past 25 years. She is very excited and eager to again be teaching and sharing the love of God with your preschool aged child this year.

School Closings Due To Weather

In case of an emergency, school closings or delays that are due to inclement weather, please listen to the following stations to determine how the weather has affected classes for Sonshine Preschool: KDKA, WTAE and WPXI. Also you can register with these stations for online notices.

EHCA closed—Sonshine Preschool morning and afternoon sessions cancelled.

EHCA 1 hour delay—Sonshine Preschool morning schedule is 10:00-12:00. Afternoon schedule is regular time unless weather

worsens.

EHCA 2 hour delay—Sonshine Preschool morning class is cancelled. Afternoon schedule is regular time unless weather worsens.

Message Board

Monthly Calendar and notes will be sent home periodically.

Preschool Orientation

Preschool Orientation will be held on Tuesday, August 29th at 7:00pm. This orientation will be for the parents only. On Thursday, August 31st, the child and parent(s) of the Tuesday/Thursday classes are invited to the preschool class to get to know the classroom as well as the teacher. Friday, Sept. 1st will be the visitation day

Table of Contents	Page #
Admissions
Purpose & Philosophy	3
Admission Procedures & Policies	3
Financial Policies, Withdrawal, Dress Code	4

Policies and Procedures
Discipline, Grievances, Attendance & Absence	5
Illness, Medication	5

Academics
Curriculum, Daily Schedule	6

General Information
Arrival & Dismissal	6
Student Drop-off, Transportation, School Visitation & Conferences,	7
Child Safety, Volunteers, Snacks, Lost & Found	8
Parties, Bathroom, Fundraisers	9
School Closings Due to Weather	10
Message Board, Preschool Orientation	10

Sonshine

Preschool

2006-2007