HANDBOOK

OF THE

CAPITOL HILL COOPERATIVE

NURSERY SCHOOL, INC.

School Founded in 1960

Handbook Written in 1979 and

Revised in 1985, 1988, 1991, 1993,

1994, 2001, and 2003

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Parents Meetings

School Calendar

Application for Membership

Withdrawal of Membership

Tuition and Fees

Director/Teacher

Duty Days......

CLASSROOM RESPONSIBILITIES

HEALTH AND SAFETY...... 6

EMERGENCY Drills...... 7

Field Trips and Special Visitors

Purchases/Reimbursements

Cooperative Jobs

STEERING COMMITTEE...... 9

Additional Cooperative Jobs......

Conclusion

Appendix......

Introduction

The Capitol Hill Cooperative Nursery School, Inc. was established in 1960 by ten families. It was housed in the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church until 1972 at which time it moved to the Capitol Hill Metropolitan Baptist Church. In 1983, the school relocated to the Lenox School Building. The school moved again in 1986 to Watkins Elementary -- part of the Capitol Hill Cluster Schools. In 1987 it moved to Peabody Elementary, the Early Childhood campus of the Capitol Hill Cluster Schools. The school returned to Watkins Elementary, its current location, in 1997.

The School is licensed by the Government of the District of Columbia; Department of Health; Health Regulation Administration. It is a non-profit independent school for three-year-old children, operated by parents who employ a professional director/teacher.

The School is licensed for a maximum enrollment of 18 children.

A cooperative school depends on the conscientious and willing participation of all its members. It is, therefore, essential that all parents understand the responsibilities required as a member, are knowledgeable of the school’s policies and procedures, and demonstrate an active role in the management and educational direction of the school.

The parents administer the school and share the tasks of re-evaluating its aims and policies. They hire or rehire the director/teacher and assist in the classroom on a scheduled basis. They are responsible for one school job per family (see job descriptions following), attend membership meetings, aid on field trips, are free to contribute special skills, and generally assist to make the school run smoothly and interestingly.

Parents Meetings

The first general membership meeting is scheduled in the spring and generally includes parents of the cooperative's current year's membership. Discussion focuses on preliminary organizational structure for the forthcoming year, co-op responsibilities, and specific jobs. During the course of the year, at least two parent meetings are scheduled. The director/teacher is included in these meetings. Additional meetings may be scheduled as determined by the general membership or the President. E-mail communication also may be used to exchange information and make decisions.

School Calendar

School days and hours are determined each year by the parent membership.

The class -- or each class, should there be two groups -- meets 3 half-days per week. The classes generally last 4 hours and have, in the past, included a lunch period (children bring their own lunches). Classes can be scheduled in either the morning or the afternoon.

School follows the District of Columbia Public Schools’ (DCPS) calendar for key dates, including snow days and holidays, unless otherwise determined by the parent membership. Exceptions to this are teacher in-service days and parent-teacher conference days. If DCPS are opening two or more hours late, school will be cancelled, unless otherwise determined by the director/teacher and scheduler.

School begins during the week following Labor Day. The director/teacher and parents may suggest a modified class schedule during the first week of school to ease the transition of the children to the classroom.

Application for Membership

All children who will be three years old by December 31st of the prospective school year are eligible for admission.

The Second Vice President (Membership Chairperson) keeps a record of all inquiries and sends application forms upon request. Applications are accepted during the registration period on payment of a $25 non-refundable fee.

Applications are considered in the order in which they are received. Priority consideration is given first to applications submitted by siblings of former CHCNS students and then to current members of the Capitol Hill Cooperative Playschool, provided their submissions are timely.

A parent wishing to observe the school before applying may do so by arranging for such a visit through the Membership Chairperson.

Withdrawal of Membership

A member may withdraw for any reason. The member must give a minimum of 30 days notice of such intention to the President. During this time period, the member will remain responsible for any scheduled duty turns.

The remainder of the semester's fees, if applicable, will be returned on a prorated basis when a replacement is found and the new member assumes financial responsibility.

A member may be asked to withdraw if, after consultation, the adjustment of a parent or child remains unsatisfactory and the Steering Committee determines that it is in the best interest of the school. It is advised that the class experiencing an adverse situation have their Vice President consult confidentially with the President and the director/teacher in order to develop an appropriate, sensitive solution.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and registration fees are established by the Steering Committee before the beginning of the school year. In addition to the non-refundable application fee (currently $25) there is a non-refundable registration fee (tuition for the month of June) which is due in the spring.

The first semester's fees (4 months – September through December) shall be due and payable on September 1st. The remainder of the second semester's fees (5 months – January through May) shall be due and payable on January 1st. Alternatively, members may pay monthly, with fees due and payable on the first day of each month. Checks are made payable to the school and are given or mailed to the Treasurer. Each member is responsible for prompt payment as no bills are sent. A late charge of $15.00 per month is levied on the fifteenth of each delinquent month.

Failure to pay tuition will result in termination of membership in the cooperative. Members are given thirty days grace from the date when payment is due before action is taken. Every effort will be made to notify members by phone of late payment. Subsequent failure to pay will result in a letter to the member requesting reasons for delinquency. The Steering Committee may consider taking action after the thirty-day grace period has expired.

Director/Teacher

The director/teacher is responsible for the daily program of the class. The director/teacher, in consultation with the Steering Committee, plans the curriculum and formulates parent duties. S/he helps the children grow and develop, and likewise guides the parents in understanding their responsibilities. The director/teacher makes suggestions for purchasing school equipment and materials. S/he makes use of the membership's talents and resources.

The director/teacher makes him/herself available for informal consultation as necessary concerning the child's progress. Depending upon needs and resources, special teachers (music, dancing, drama, tumbling, etc.) may be hired.

In the absence of the director/teacher (due to illness or other emergency), the parents may hire a qualified substitute teacher or they may cancel class. Parents may also agree to cover the absence by adding additional duty days. The Steering Committee should anticipate this need and plan accordingly.

Duty Days

The scheduling parents for each class (First and Third Vice Presidents) make up the schedule for classroom participation on a semester basis. The schedule is posted on the bulletin board and distributed to each member family at least two weeks before the period covered. Parents participate equally in duty days. It is generally expected that parents with more than one child are scheduled proportionately more often, unless the Steering Committee determines otherwise and develops an appropriate and fair solution.

If a parent finds that he/she cannot participate on a scheduled day, it is his/her responsibility to trade days with another parent. Each schedule assignment must be covered. The director/teacher should know of all changes in advance. Changes must be marked on the bulletin board schedule.

Classroom Responsibilities of the Duty Parent

The participating parent needs to exercise initiative on duty days and to have an eye for things that need to be done. Although the curriculum is the domain of the director/teacher, parents should feel free to make suggestions.

Specific responsibilities of the duty parent include:

  1. Bring Snacks

The parent on duty is responsible for bringing snacks and a beverage for the students’ morning snack break. Please check for any food allergy in the group and plan accordingly. The school provides cups and napkins. The duty parent may also be asked to bring other items that the teacher may need for art or other projects.

  1. Arrive in the classroom promptly at 8:45 am
  1. Review plans for the day with the teacher.
  2. Set up any art or other projects the teacher may require, e.g., cut out paper shapes for gluing, mix paints, etc.
  3. Check the classroom set-up: chairs should be around tables and the classroom should be tidy.
  4. Check the bathrooms across the hall to ensure that the supply of toilet paper, soap, and paper towels is sufficient.
  1. Help children settle in to the classroom
  1. Help children find their cubbies, put away their lunches, etc.
  2. Help children go to their place when the teacher is ready to start her opening session for the day.
  3. Sit with the children and help them listen to the teacher, participate in the discussion or song, and take turns talking.
  1. Assist children with art projects or other activities
  1. While the teacher is working with a child or children in one area or on one project, the parent should help the other children in their play activities, e.g., blocks, kitchen, dress-ups, etc.
  2. Help children put on smocks for painting, label painting with child’s name and date.
  3. Suggest new project for anyone who is tired of what they are doing or who may need help getting started, e.g., “Would you like to paint?” or “Can you make a supper for me?”
  1. Escort children to the bathroom and change diapers as needed
  1. Any time a child needs use the bathroom, they are to be escorted by the parent on duty. Assist with clothing, getting up on the potty, and with washing and drying hands.
  2. For children who are using diapers, ensure that they are clean and dry.
  1. Assist children during transitions and clean-up time
  1. Encourage children to help clean up.
  2. Assist children with shoes and coats if needed.
  3. When playing outside, help with any specific activity or watch children on play equipment to guard against injuries.
  1. Assist with Snack and Lunch Set-Up
  1. Take children to the bathroom and assist them in washing their hands.
  2. For snack-time, parent and child give a cup, napkin and snack to every child. Remind children to throw away their own cups and napkins at the end of snack-time.
  3. For lunchtime, help children get their lunch boxes, find a spot at a table, and get their lunches out. After lunch, remind children to pack boxes and replace them in their cubbies.
  1. Clean up classroom
  1. Wash tables and chairs.
  2. Wash, rinse and clean brushes, empty and wash paint containers.
  3. Sweep up the crumbs, etc. from under the tables, and vacuum carpet.
  4. Straighten toys and learning centers so that everything is ready for the next day.
  5. List any supplies, repairs, or cleaning on the bulletin board at the end of the day.
  1. Wait with children for pick up by the appropriate adult

Feel free to check with the teacher when in doubt about any of the above instructions.

Health and Safety

Before the school year begins the following items must be submitted to the Secretary, and reviewed by the director/teacher:

  1. Child's health form, signed by a physician after a physical examination, stating that the child is in good physical health and has all necessary immunizations.
  2. Parent’s health form, for each parent planning to assist the class, including negative chest x-ray or skin test (for TB) and statement of health signed by a physician. (Note: an x-ray is not required unless directed by your physician.)
  3. Emergency form, which allows a child who is injured at school or on the way to school, to be given emergency medical treatment at a specified hospital and/or by a specified physician.
  4. Registration Record for child receiving care away from home
  5. Child Development Facility Employee Health Information
  6. Field Trip Permission Form

If a child has been exposed to, or shows symptoms of a contagious disease, the parents should notify the First and Third Vice Presidents, as appropriate, so that all parents can be notified (especially true for positive strep test). When a child is sick, he/she should be kept home from school.

The Secretary will keep the classroom files in order that will include each child's name, parents' names with home and office/cell phone numbers, name and telephone number of another person to contact if parents cannot be reached, and the name and telephone number of the child’s doctor. Any other relevant information about the child's health (allergies or special medication) should also be included. A child's special diet needs should be posted in the classroom for reference at snack time. Changes in information throughout the school year should be noted.

A first aid kit is located in the classroom and maintained by the First Vice President. All parents should be generally familiar with first aid and emergency procedures. It is recommended that parents who serve on duty at school take a CPR course. Minor first aid will be administered at the school by the director/teacher. However, no medication will be given without parental permission. In an emergency, a child will be taken to a doctor or a hospital.

Precautions will be taken to reduce the risk of choking. The restrictions listed below apply to meals brought from home and to snacks supplied by the duty parent or director/teacher. Children must sit when eating and should be encouraged to chew and swallow before talking or laughing. The following foods are strongly discouraged: nuts, hard candy, popcorn, and fish with bones. Hot dogs and grapes are permitted, but should be quartered. Raw carrots, meats, and cheeses should be chopped into small pieces. Other fruits and vegetables should be served in bite-sized portions. Peanut butter should be spread out.

Additional health and safety provisions include:

  • children are discouraged from bringing special toys to the school
  • on a child's birthday, parents may plan a special snack
  • the bulletin board should be checked regularly for notes and notices
  • a change of seasonal clothes should remain in the child's cubby throughout the year

Emergency Drills

Parents must be familiar with fire drill procedures as posted by the District of Columbia Fire Department. Emergency drills and evacuation procedures will be posted in the classroom. Regular emergency drills will be organized and conducted by Watkins Elementary School, including fire drills requiring evacuation and other emergency drills requiring “shelter-in-place.” Parents must be familiar with the emergency procedures of DCPS, as well as those specific to CHCNS. The First Vice President is responsible for ensuring that the school is prepared in the event of an emergency

Field Trips and Special Visitors

Trips to various places, activities of interest, and special classroom visitors are an important part of the school program. Field trips have included trips to the firehouse, public library, dentist office, Botanical Gardens, Air and Space Museum, National Airport, Oxon Hill Farm, and many other local attractions. Special visitors have included police officers, fire fighters, artists, and musicians. Parents are periodically expected to accompany the class on field trips to ensure an adequate parent/student ratio, and should feel free to make suggestions for trips and visitors. Before the beginning of the school year, written permission for the child to participate in field trips must be submitted to the Secretary.

Purchases/Reimbursements

Any purchase made for the school -- including the dollar amount -- should be cleared in advance by the Treasurer.

To be reimbursed for purchases made on behalf of the cooperative, submit the sales check(s) or other proof of purchase to the Treasurer who will write you a check for the amount spent. The school, because of its non-profit status, has a tax exemption number for purchases made in the District of Columbia. Please ask the Treasurer for the number.