Flanders Preschool Handbook

2015-2016

FlandersElementary School

167 Boston Post Road

East Lyme, CT06333

(860) 739-8475, Extension 5124

Tina Frydryk– Director

Welcome to the Flanders Preschool Program

The Flanders Preschool Program is offered to families who are interested in a quality preschool experience for their children. Our program is intended to be a positive initial school experience and a springboard to kindergarten.

Our staff practices the same “Responsive Classroom” techniques used throughout Flanders Elementary. Components of this program include morning meeting, rules and logical consequences, guided discovery, classroom organization, academic choice, and ongoing communication with parents.

The program is based on the Connecticut Preschool Curriculum Framework. These performance standards are organized in four domains: personal and social development, physical development, cognitive development and creative expression. These domains are reflected in the program through morning meetings, center time and outdoor play.

A typical day in preschool will include, but is not be limited to the following:

Center Activities:

  • Art
  • Blocks
  • Manipulatives
  • Puzzles
  • Dramatic play
  • Cooking
  • Science exploration
  • Literacy skills
  • Sand and water play

Outside Play (weather permitting):

  • Climbing
  • Balancing
  • Coordination activities

Snack & Lunch

Meeting / Circle Time:

  • Calendar
  • Weather
  • Finger plays
  • Story time
  • Theme / Unit study
  • Music & Movement

Enrollment

  • Two Preschool Programs are available depending on a child’s age. A two day program is offered for children between the ages of 3 and 4. A three day program is offered to children between the ages of 4 and 5. All students must be toilet trained.
  • Enrollment is open to all FLANDERS families on a first-come, first-serve basis in March. Preference is given to families currently enrolled in the program. Enrollment will be opened to all East Lyme and out-of-town resident two weeks after enrollment of Flanders families. If necessary, a waiting list will be maintained.
  • The total number of students attending the program each day will not exceed aratio of 9 -1students to staff per session. This allows for individual attention across the ages.
  • Staff reserves the right to withdraw any child from the program due to unresolved and/or harmful behavior issues, ongoing unpaid tuition or if the experience is not a positive one for a particular child.

Programs

Novas: Two-day program for 3-4 year olds

  • This program is held onTuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
  • Children must be 3 years of age on or before September 1st to begin this program in September and must be toilet trained.
  • Children who turn 3 between September 2nd and December 31st, and are toilet trained, may be considered for enrollment in the Nova Program after January 1st, if space is available.
  • The cost of this program is $18.00 per day.

Super Novas: Three-day program for 4-5 year olds

  • This program is held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm.
  • Children must be 4 years of age on or before December 31st to begin the Super Nova Program in September and must be toilet trained.
  • The cost of this program is $24.00 per day.

Registration

The following itemsare required prior to your child starting

Preschool:

  • Preschool Registration Form
  • A non-refundable deposit of $50 is due at the time of registration to secure a place in both the two-day and three-day programs
  • Pupil Information Form
  • Health Assessment Form
  • Birth Certificate Copy
  • Potassium Iodide Permission Form

Operating Procedures

  • The first day of the program will be first school dayfollowing the first week of school as determined by the East Lyme Public Schools calendar, and will end on the last official day of school.
  • Class door will open at 9:30. If you arrive early, please wait in the hallway as directed.
  • All parents must sign their child in and out daily on the posted record sheet located in the hallway outside of the classroom door.
  • Parents/caregivers are expected to be prompt for the 12:30 PM or 1:30 PM dismissal; if you will be late, please call the front office immediately. If a child is not picked up at dismissal, staff will call emergency contact(s).
  • Weather permitting, we will go outside daily. Please send your child dressed in appropriate clothing for the weather. Please note that mittens are much easier on all of us than gloves!
  • If your child will be absent, please call the classroom voice mail at

860-739-8475, Ext. 5124.

  • All transportation will be provided by parents/caregivers; should alternate provisions be necessary, parents/caregivers will notify staff in writing.
  • Backpacks are helpful for:
  • Transporting papers home.
  • Carrying a lunch box.
  • Transporting “Sharing” items on scheduled days.
  • Storing hats and mittens in the winter.
  • Keeping a change of clothes in case of an accident.
  • Label backpacks, lunch boxes and jackets with your child’s name.
  • Keep emergency information current – update any changes to phone numbers and emergency contacts (name & number)

Snack

  • You are asked to send a snack (including a drink) in a lunchbox.
  • Snack time is approximately 11:00 AM for Nova students.
  • Send in food that does not require heating.
  • Children enrolled in the three day Super Nova session are asked to send in both a snack and a lunch. Snack time for these students is at approximately 10:00 AM and lunch is at approximately 12:15 PM.

Tuition and Payment

  • A non-refundable deposit of $50 is due at registration in order to secure a place in both the Two-day Nova and Three-day Super Nova programs.
  • Tuition is $18.00 per day for Novas (9:30-12:30).

Tuition is $24.00 per day for Super Novas (9:30-1:30).

Both are calculated on a monthly basis.

  • The Preschool Program follows the East Lyme Board of Education calendar and, as a result, only operates when Flanders Elementary is open.
  • Tuition envelopes are distributed on the first of each month.Payment (checks only) is due no later than the 10th of each month. Return tuition payment in envelope (with invoice and check) to the Director. Failure to make payment on time will result in your child’s removal from the program.
  • Please make checks payable to E. L. BOE Special Account
  • The first payment will be due on or before the first day of school; final payment will be due on or before June 1, 2016.
  • Payment of tuition ensures your child's spot in the program. Payment is calculated by counting the number of school days during the individual months.
  • Bank fees (as assessed by the bank) will be charged for any returned check.
  • Funds may be available in cases of financial hardship. To determine eligibility, a free and reduced lunch application form must be completed and processed by the main office.
  • Tuition adjustment for cancelled days due to inclement weather (as determined by the Superintendents office) will be reflected in the following month’s tuition envelope.
  • No reimbursement is given when your child is absent due to illness or vacation time.

Communication and Assessment

  • A monthly newsletter will be sent home in tuition envelopes, updating families on activities, themes, ideas, and news from the classroom.
  • Brief conferences will be available in April to discuss progress and kindergarten readiness (if applicable). Parents are welcome to contact the directorat other times if needed.
  • Children's work will be sent home on a regular basis. Please note that some pieces might be held back for posting on bulletin boards, or for distribution at the end of the year.
  • If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Preschool voice mail at

860-739-8475 Extension 5124

  • Parents/grandparents/caregivers are welcome in our classroom! Please let us know in advance if you have any general interests, ideas, or special areas of skill to share!
  • The Flanders Friday Flyer, providing weekly school information, is available on line at

Health

In order to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, parents are advised to keep children at home when signs of illness appear:

Fever / Skin rash / Headache
Coughing / Sore throat / Pain
Earache / Red / discharging eyes / Vomiting
Chills / Enlarged glands

All contagious illnesses must be reported to the school nurse immediately.

Inform school nurse and director of any physical limitations (ex. fractures, stitches).

Provide a medical note, signed by a physician, if there are any medical limitations.

Snow Policy

If school has to be delayed or cancelled due to hazardous conditions, the Superintendent will make a decision.

Any delay in East Lyme will result in a cancelled day for Preschool.

Please use the following resources to check for weather related school closings or delays. Cancellation Days are an extremely busy time in the office; please try to use these resources in lieu of the phone whenever possible.

Whenever possible; notification will be sent from the East Lyme Public Schools by Automated Phone / Email response message system (411).

Television Stations:

WTNH

Channel 30

WFSB

East Lyme Channel 19 Scroll

CT WEATHER CENTER:

Click on IAN cancellations

Click on Schools

Scroll to East Lyme Schools

East Lyme Schools website:

Click on Flanders – cancellation or delay information is listed at the top of the page.

There is a link to on the Flanders School web site.

When this information is being updated on a web site, the site will temporarily be unavailable. Once the information has been entered the site can be accessed to find up-to-date information about school closings.