LEMON GROVE SCHOOL DISTRICT PRESCHOOL ORIENTATION

2014-15

WELCOME • We are pleased that you have chosen us to keep

your child safe, promote active learning and fun, to support your child in their development and school readiness skills.

• We look forward to working with you and sharing in your child’s growth and development.

• The preschool staff is educated and professionally trained

Philosophy and Mission Refer to parent handbook p. 11

• All children can learn in a high quality program designed to stimulate and encourage active learning; the learning environment will facilitate cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development

• Mission is to work collaboratively with families and community. We are committed to helping each child achieve their full potential

Preschool Demographics

• 7 State funded preschool classes

• 1 State and AKA Head Start class-6.5 hours

• 6 Quality Preschool Initiative classes (funded by First 5)

• 2 Special Education Preschool classes

• 15 Certified Preschool Teachers

• 17 Preschool Assistants

• Over 300 preschoolers • Collaboration with Alpha

Kappa Alpha Head Start at San Miguel and Vista La Mesa Academy to provide an extended day of preschool

• 2 Dual Immersion classes at Mt. Vernon

Preschool Locations

• Lemon Grove Academy

• Monterey Heights

• Mt. Vernon- Dual Immersion Preschool

• San Altos

• San Miguel

• Vista La Mesa Academy

Educational Goals

Cognitive/Language Development/Math • Learn how to problem solve

• Promote the development of language to express thoughts and ideas

• Promote language, creativity and thinking skills through language and literacy experiences

• To develop number, shape, and other logic and mathematic concepts and perceptive skills

• To demonstrate reading –like behaviors and show an interest in books

Social/Emotional Development

• To develop positive feelings about self and others

• To develop responsibility, sensitivity, confidence, motivation, and productive behaviors

Educational Goals (continued)

Physical Development and Self Care

• To develop and exercise small and large muscles

• To learn self-management, independence, responsibility, decision making, and problem solving skills

Program Expectations

Expectations are the framework for the behaviors expected for everyone in the program, including children, staff, and families, while on site

• We are Friendly by developing positive relationships with students and adults

• We are Respectful by understanding and respecting the rights and feelings of others

• We are Safe by recognizing how to behave safely and act responsibly

• We are Healthy by making healthy lifestyle choices

Pro-Social Behavior Philosophy Refer to parent handbook p. 33

• Focus on prevention and teach appropriate skills

• Families and school staff partners in building child’s social-emotional well-being

• Build relationships and create supportive learning environments; use positive teaching strategies

• Children acknowledged for appropriate behaviors

Pro-Social Behavior Philosophy Refer to parent handbook p. 33

If a child does not know how to read,

we teach.

If a child does not know how to swim,

we teach.

If a child does not know how to multiply,

we teach.

If a child does not know how to drive,

we teach.

If a child does not know how to behave, we…

Teach?...Punish?

Pro-Social Behavior Philosophy Refer to parent handbook p. 33

….WE TEACH!!

•

Curriculum Based on CA Preschool Learning Foundations

• The California Preschool Learning Foundations outline key

knowledge and skills that most children can achieve when provided with the kinds of interactions, instruction, and environments that research has shown to promote early learning and development.

We provide developmentally

appropriate activities through an integrated

curriculum that incorporates CA State mandated guidelines,

which allow for development,

optimism, and growth of each child

Children allowed to develop their abilities by making individual

choices as well as through teacher

facilitated experiences to help reach targeted

learning goals

Curriculum Integrated with Science and History-Social Science

Math MacMillan/McGraw-Hill

My Math-PreK

Customized for the way teachers teach,

personalized for the way students learn, and

individualized to maximize student

success. Written to meet the Common Core State

Standards.

English-Language Arts

MacMillan/McGraw-Hill Little Treasures

Builds cultural literacy and overall language

development for reading readiness through listening,

speaking, reading, and writing

Teaching Pyramid

The Teaching Pyramid approach provides a

systematic framework that promotes social and

emotional development, provides support for

children's appropriate behavior, prevents

challenging behavior, and addresses problematic

behavior

Hands-on Learning and Play

Through play, children learn about themselves, their environment, people and the world around them. As they play, children learn to solve problems and to get along with others. They enhance their creativity and develop leadership skills and healthy personalities. Play develops skills children need to learn to read and write. Play in early childhood is the best foundation for success in school.

“When you asked me what I did in school today and I say, 'I just played.' Please don’t misunderstand me. For you see, I am learning as I play. I am learning to enjoy and be successful in my work. Today I am a child and

my work is play.” - Anita Wadley, 1974.

Hands-on Learning and Play

“When you asked me what I did in school today

and I say, 'I just played.' Please don’t

misunderstand me. For you see, I am learning as I

play. I am learning to enjoy and be successful in

my work. Today I am a child and my work is play.” - Anita Wadley, 1974.

Program Assessments

Early Childhood

Environment Rating Scale

LGSD staff and parent observation and survey

Desired Results Developmental

Profile-2010

Community Care

Licensing

CA Dept. of Education

Policies and Procedures Refer to parent handbook p. 21-23

Good attendance is one of the keys to a good education.

• Attendance-5 days/week- arrive and pick-up on time.

• Excused Absences: – Illness of child/parent

– Quarantine of child/parent

– Medical appts of child/parent

– Family emergency

– Court ordered visitation (order on file with school)

Policies and Procedures Refer to parent handbook p. 21-23

• Unexcused Absences Absence without valid excuse which may include:

– Personal family business – Court not requiring presence of child – No transportation – Child is tired 4 or more unexcused absences will result in action to terminate services.

• Best Interest Days Child allowed up to ten (10) days of excused absences which are in the best interest of the child. May include:

- vacation, cultural/religious celebration, bereavement

Policies and Procedures Refer to parent handbook p. 21-23

Late Arrival and Late Pick-Up-Children become anxious when they arrive late and when they are picked up late. We do not offer an agreement to provide after-hour services. Excessive late arrival and late pick-up may result in termination of services.

Sign-in/Out Procedures Refer to Parent Handbook p. 21-23

• The State of CA requires that you(or a designated adult 18 years or older) sign your child in and out by using a legible FULL NAME; Write exact time of entry and departure

• Ensure that the teacher acknowledges your child’s presence before you leave

• Those names listed on the pick-up list must show proper ID during the 1st 2 weeks of school, and at anytime upon request

• No child will be released to a person that is not authorized on the Emergency Contact form or on the Pick-up list, or without proper ID. Please keep this information accurate and up-to-date.

• If someone other than yourself or those listed to pick up your child comes for your child , we must have WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION from you in advance and that person must show proper ID.

Sign-in/Out Procedures Refer to Parent Handbook p. 21-23

Health

• We continually strive to keep the preschool environment healthy and free of communicable disease. Health checks are performed daily on each child. Staff will look for the following symptoms of illness:

Tired, watery or glassy eyes Thick mucus from eyes or nose Low energy and/or fatigue Lack of appetite or upset stomach Skin discoloration, itchy scalp, or rashes

• If your child becomes ill at preschool, the health clerk will see the sick child. If the child has a fever, is vomiting, or has diarrhea, parents/guardians will be contacted. You are strongly encouraged to arrange for back-up child care in case your child needs to go home.

• Your child must be free of symptoms for 24 hours before returning to school.

Meal Program

• Breakfast and/or lunch is provided at no cost to each child

• All parents must complete a meal application and submit

• Notify teacher and health clerk of any allergies ASAP and complete a Meal Accommodations form, if needed

• Children are encouraged to try a variety of foods served

• Food from home is discouraged except water (if there is a special need, please discuss with Director of Nutrition Services or Director of Early Childhood Education)

Ages and Stages Questionnaire

• All parents are required to fill out ASQ (quick check of your child’s development) during first day of school-unless child has an IEP

• Teacher will assist if needed

• Teachers will review the ASQ results during parent-teacher conferences

Special Services

• Speech and Language

• School Psychologist

• School Social Worker

• Occupational Therapist

• Adaptive Physical Education

• Special Education Teachers

• Developmental Screenings (Vision, Dental, Hearing, ASQ)

Family Services

• Community Service Referrals

• Parent Education Workshops

• ESL classes (San Miguel campus)

• Zumba classes (Vista La Mesa and San Altos campus)

Parent Involvement

• Held in Fall and Spring; and upon request

• Teachers unavailable during class session

Parent Conferences

• Parents expected to volunteer a minimum of one (1) hour per month

• Children not enrolled may not remain during volunteer time per Licensing

• Parent meetings, workshops, and school events

Parent Participation

• Consists of parents, teacher, clerk and director collaborating to enhance the preschool environment

• Opportunity to be in an advisory role and support decision making

Parent Advisory Team

Communication • Bi-monthly newsletters from the Director ; posted on preschool

website • Weekly and/or monthly communication from classroom teacher or

Director • All children will have a cubby/student file. Make sure to check it

daily for student work, flyers, parent notices, etc. • Only speak positively about your child in front of him/her or about

other children in the classroom. • When appropriate, feel free to let us know whenever anything

“traumatic” occurs in your family. We will work as a team to provide you with feedback and/or referrals if necessary.

• Individual meetings with the Director and/or teacher may be arranged in advance.

• During class times, refrain from trying to contact the classroom teacher. Messages may be left with the school office or via email. Calls and emails will be returned within a 24 hour period.

First Day of School

• Parents encouraged to attend part of day with child-Family Day

• Parents participate in activities and complete ASQ with child

• Sign for and receive parent handbook and behavior philosophy

Questions

• We are here to help!

• This is a TEAM effort!

Ms. Donna Willson Director, Early Childhood Education

As Director, I welcome you to the Lemon Grove School District Preschool Program. We

look forward to serving you and your child! dwillso@lgsd.k12.ca.us 619-825-5722