St. Augustine Early Learning Center
Handbook-2010-2011
St. Augustine Early Learning Center Mission Statement
St. Augustine Early Learning Center has as it's mission the complete intellectual, physical, moral, and spiritual formation of its students; to help each child be happy, well adjusted, and confident in preparation for daily life. In addition, a great emphasis is placed on Christian development, pre reading activities, various aspects of socialization, gross and fine motor skills, language development, and number readiness.
Philosophy
To collaborate with the family and the church in establishing an environment that will facilitate the student to develop values based on the person of Jesus Christ To receive each child at his/her level of development and to aid him/her in creating the spiritual, physical, and intellectual aspects of him/herself by becoming a symbol of Christ to the world. To assist each student in encountering a life full of meaning now and for the future.
Exempt from State Licensing
The St. Augustine Early Learning Center is exempt as a religious organization from state licensing and therefore not supervised by the department of health. The St. Augustine Center will be inspected annually for fire and safety by local fire officials and a school safety coordinator will inspect the school plant four times a year and report to the Catholic Mutual Group. Health and sanitation inspections will be done by local officials of the health department.
Catholic Mutual Group-10843 Old Mill Road, Omaha, NE 68154-2600 , phone 1-800-228-6108
Marmic Fire and Safety Co.-813 Progress Street, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703, phone 573-334-2900
Scott County Health Dept.-102 Grove Estates Court, Sikeston, MO 63801, phone 471-4044
All St. Augustine employees will have a background check that screens for child abuse or neglect through the division of family service, and a criminal record through the Missouri highway patrol. St. Augustine employees must also have the Virtus training (a safe environment program) that is mandated by the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese.
Curriculum/Academic Guidelines:
ART
Helps with awareness, creativity, exploring media, language development, relaxation, and self-expression, sense of color and design, and fine motor control.
BLOCKS
Helps with balance, construction, cooperative play, creativity, patterning, problem solving, self confidence, and shape and size.
DRAMATIC PLAY
Helps with cooperative play, creativity, group decision-making, interaction, language development, role playing, self-concept, and spontaneous discussion.
HOUSEKEEPING
Helps with conversation, cooperative play, family roles, family chores and events, group decision-making, problem solving, responsibility, and self concept.
LANGUAGE
Helps with acquaintance with symbols, comprehension, conversation, listening, memory, reading, visual discrimination, and writing
GROSS MOTOR
Helps with balance, cooperative play, exercise, flexibility, motor control, movements, safety, and strength.
MANIPULATIVES
Helps with assembling, construction, creativity, patterning, part vs. whole, problem solving, role playing, and fine motor control.
SAND/WATER
Helps with construction, creativity, measuring, motor control, quantity, relaxation, self-confidence, and tactile stimulation
SCIENCE
Helps with awareness, describing, discovering, experiencing, exploring, problem solving, observing, and questioning.
MATHEMATICS
Helps with identifying shapes, recognizing and creating patterns, recognizing and naming numbers, sorting, classifying, and count with understanding
MUSIC
Helps with group singing, rhythm, listening, finger plays, and reading
RELIGION/BIBLE STORIES
Helps to develop values, respect for others, love for God and neighbor, and self discipline
Discipline
It is our policy to maintain order through positive reinforcement. We will establish with the children good behavior patterns and policies so that each child is aware of their expected behavior.
It is our goal to develop and establish in each child the desire to follow good behavior patterns.
Discipline for inappropriate behavior will consist of redirection and positive reinforcement. If necessary, the child will spend a short period in the “thinking” area, where the child is asked to reconsider his/her conduct and to make plans for more appropriate behavior in the future. If this is found to be ineffective, the teacher will discuss the behavioral situation with the parent and child.
The St. Augustine Early Learning Center reserves the privilege of dismissing any child who, after entered, seems unprepared for group experiences and is unable to adjust properly. Should there arise a need for termination the matter will be thoroughly discussed between the teacher, principal and parents so a healthy positive relationship can be maintained in all respects. We ask the same courtesy from the parents should the termination be desired on their part.
Sample Schedule (Tentative)
6:30-8:00 Sign In, Free Play
8:00-8:30 Snack/Clean-Up
8:30-11:30 Class Time/Outdoor Play
11:30-12:30 Lunch/Free Play
12:30-2:00 Nap Time
2:00-2:45 Snack /Learning Centers/Circle Time
2:45-3:00 End of Day Activities
3:00-3:30 Free Play
3:30-4:00 Free Play/snack for after school care students
4:00-6:00 Free Play
Registration
St. Augustine gives preference in admission to:
1. Siblings of currently enrolled St. Augustine students,
2. New St. Augustine students,
3.Catholic students outside of St. Augustine Parish,
4. Non-Catholic students.
When students first enroll at St. Augustine Early Learning Center, they will need to present a copy of their birth certificate, social security card, immunization records, medical evaluation (physical), and a copy of their baptismal certificate (if applicable).
Parents/legal guardian will be expected to discuss any known mental, emotional or physical handicap or learning disability to ascertain whether the Center can meet the needs of the child.
Students will be expected to participate in all religious studies and activities.
Attendance
Hours and Days of Operation
The Center is open Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM. In an effort to maintain a quality program and proper staffing, please communicate to your child’s teacher if your child will be absent on a scheduled day of attendance.
Arrival and Departure
Kindergarten students should be dropped off at the St. Augustine School gym each morning to participate in the morning prayer @ 7:40 a.m. The school gym opens at 7:20 a.m. If kindergarten students attend before school care at the Center, the kindergarten teacher will bring them with her to participate in the morning prayer. Parents of pre-kindergarten students and 2 & 3 year old students are expected to bring their children inside the Center, sign in on the log, and see that the child is under supervision of the teacher before leaving the premises. Please leave any special instructions for the day in writing before leaving. We encourage parents to share with us any information about their child that might affect their day with us at the Center. Likewise, parents of pre-kindergarten students and 2 & 3 year old students must sign their child out before leaving each day. If anyone other than parents indicated on the enrollment form will be picking up a child on a given day, that information must be communicated to the staff in writing.
Child Protection
The Center abides by the state Child Protection and Reformation Act (RSMO)that requires school personnel having reasonable cause to believe that a child known to them in their professional capacity may be an abused or neglected child must report to the Missouri Department of Family Services. (800)392-3738
Dress Code
The kindergarten students will adhere to the same dress code as grades 1-8 . The Pre-school students should wear loose-fitting, comfortable play clothes. Tennis shoes or other shoes that fit securely work best for play. The children will play outdoors each day unless it is extremely cold or raining. Please see that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather conditions. Each child pre-school and kindergarten will need one complete change of clothing. Please label all clothing—soiled clothing should be taken home and replaced with another set the next day.
Required Items
Kindergarten will have a supply list that will be mailed to them prior to the first day of kindergarten. Pre-school students need to bring a small blanket, crib sheet, and a small pillow for napping. They also need to bring toothbrush, toothpaste, box of Kleenex, and a complete change of clothing.
Naptime
After lunch, a nap period is provided for all pre-school and kindergarten children. The Center provides a sanitized cot for napping.
Birthdays
If you wish to bring a special treat on your child’s birthday, please make arrangements beforehand with your child’s teacher. We prefer cupcakes or cookies (not candy). The treat will be shared at snack time.
Emergency Drills
The Center is equipped with a fire alarm system, smoke detectors, and emergency lighting. Fire extinguishers are placed throughout the facility. Emergency drills for fire, tornado, and earthquake are held monthly to acquaint your child with evacuation procedures.
Inclement Weather
We strive to be open every day, even in inclement weather. However, if the Center has to be closed, it will be announced on K103 (102.9) radio station. If the Center is closed all day, there will be no charge. If the Center closes before lunch, there will be no charge. After lunch closure will incur a full day charge.
Tuition Policy
2010 summer care tuition will remain the same as what is currently in place at Care-A-Lot.
Kindergarten tuition beginning August 18, 2010 will follow the same tuition schedule as grades 1-8 at St. Augustine School.
Pre-Kindergarten tuition beginning August 18:
Full Day Program-$300.00 a month (August-May)-$3,000.00 a year
The school hours for full day are 7:50-3:00
Half Day Program-$240.00 a month (August-May)-$2400.00 a year
The school hours for the half time program are 7:50-11:45. Pre-K students may also attend 3 full days for the $240.00 tuition.
(A registration fee of $25.00 will be due upon enrollment. Registration fees are not refundable.)
Students may be dropped off in the classroom starting at 7:15. Students may be dropped off before 7:15 (Center opens at 6:30 a.m.) for a daily fee of $2.00 including breakfast. The after school care program is offered from 3:15-6:00 p.m. If a child is not picked up by 3:15, he/she will be enrolled in the after school program in which a daily fee of $6.00 will be charged.
All pre-kindergarten students will have lunch together as part of the program. A lunch with milk may be purchased daily for $1.75/weekly $8.75 or students may bring their lunch.
2 & 3 Year Old Program
Full Time (drop off as early as 6:30 a.m.) (pick up as late as 6:00 p.m)
Five Days Daily $19.60 Weekly $98.00 (lunch included)
Two to Four Days Daily $22.00 Weekly $44.00/$66.00/$88.00 (lunch included)
Half Days (drop off as early as 6:30 a.m.)(Students are picked up after lunch)
Daily $16.00 Weekly $80.00
Breakfast (optional) Daily $1.00 Weekly $5.00
(A registration fee of $25.00 will be due upon enrollment. Registration fees are not refundable.)
Illness and Medication
Communicable Disease
Since children are in close proximity in a classroom, diseases spread rapidly. If a child is running a temperature, has a rash, or has vomited in the previous few hours before the school day, please do not send the child until he/she has been given a clean bill of health. A fever must be gone for 24 hours before a child may return without the use of fever reducing medicines.
A student is required to stay out of school the number of days recommended by the Missouri Division of Health for the prevention and control of communicable diseases unless return is accompanied by a doctor’s written permission. The guidelines are as follows:
1. Chicken pox-7 days after the appearance of the rash.
2. Measles-During “cold” symptoms and until 7 days after appearance of the rash.
3. Mumps- 9 days following onset of swelling.
4. Impetigo- Until sores are healed or student is under adequate treatment.
5. Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)-Should not attend school during the acute stages.
6. Head Lice-Immediate removal from school. The student may return the next day after treatment with proof of treatment and removal of all nits.
7. Strep Throat- Until released by a physician.
First Aid
The school asks parents to complete a regular emergency form at the beginning of the school year as well as one to be used should a disaster occur. Parents or guardians are notified as soon as possible (using information from these forms) in case of sudden illness or serious injury. Should important phone numbers or other information change during the year, please notify the office with updated information.
Medications
School personnel are not permitted to dispense Tylenol or any internal medication without the written permission of a parent or guardian. A form sent home at the beginning of the year may be signed so a child may receive Tylenol. These will only be given with careful supervision from the school staff.
When a child must take prescription medicine at school, a signed and dated written notice must be sent to school stating the child’s name, the correct dosage to be given and the time at which the medicine is to be administered. All medication to be dispensed at school MUST be in original packaging (#5298).
Holidays & Vacations
The care center will be open all days throughout the year except on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. There is no charge for these holidays. Your child may be absent the equivalent of 2 weeks of their regular schedule without charge. For example, a child enrolled for 5 days a week receives 10 vacation days, a child enrolled 2 days a week receives 4 vacation days.
Returned Checks
A $15.00 charge will be assessed for any returned check in addition to any charges made by our bank.
Late Pick Up Charge
Parents picking up children after our closing time will be assessed a late charge of $5.00 for each 10 minutes they are late.