Welcome! We are very happy to have you as new and returning families. Our Head Start, GA. Pre-K, and Special Needs programs will help your child learn important skills needed for a successful kindergarten transition. Mrs. Donna Adams Principal
LEADERSHIP QUALITIES OF A PRINCIPAL A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PRINCIPAL IS ABLE TO….. 1 Make decisions based on the students’ needs first 2 Highly visible to parents and students as the school’s representative 3 Approachable by staff and parents …. 4 Communicate in a timely manner with all stakeholders 5 Be an active listener to staff, parents and students 6 Problem solve in all situations 7 Rally staff and parents to convey school pride 8 Foster good relationships with staff and community 9 Be a role model through character and integrity 10 Be able and dependable
GA. PRE-K/PARTNERSHIP/SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENT CALENDAR
August 5, 2013 September 2, 2013 September 16 – 20 , 2013 November 5, 2013
First Day of School for Ga. PreK/Sped. Students Labor Day Holiday - Center closed Fall Break - Center closed No Preschool Class
November 25 -29, 2013 December 23- January 3 January 7, 2014 January 20, 2014 February 17 – 21, 2014 March 31-April 4, 2014
Thanksgiving Holidays - Center closed Christmas Holidays - Center closed First Student Day after Christmas Break Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - Center closed Winter Break-Center Closed Spring Break-Center Closed
May 26, 2014
Memorial Day-Center Closed
May 30, 2014
Last Day of School for Ga. PreK/Sped Students
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE PLANS See Center Handout
*car rider tags *No car pool line for arrival on first day. Students may be walked to their classroom. *Car pool will begin at departure time on the 1st day of school.
Center Drop-off Times Head Start/Ga. PreK & AM Half Day Special Needs Students :
7:30-7:45
PM Half Day Special Needs Students: 10:45-11:00
Center Pick-up Times Full Day/PM Half Day Special Needs Students: 1:45-2:00 Head Start/Ga. PreK Students: 2:00-2:15
School is a good experience to help your child become more self confident and independent.
Daily Absences • Please call or e-mail us when your child is going to be absent. • We are required to you when your child is absent for 3 or more consecutive days. Excessive absences
could result in removal of your child from the program.
TARDIES On time arrival is a school readiness skill. If you have extenuating circumstances, please see istration to discuss
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS •All medications must be brought to the center by a parent or guardian in their original container with prescription label. Parents are required to sign a medication approval form before the nurse can ister medication.
ILLNESS
To insure the health of all children, if your child has a fever, is vomiting or has diarrhea, you MUST keep him/her home for 24 hours. Your child should be symptom free before returning to school.
Helpful Information 1. Please mark your child’s name on all personal items. 2. Children MUST have two current emergency phone numbers on file. 3. Parents be ed to pick their child up when school is dismissed early unless alternate transportation has been approved by the district. 4. Parents should follow the Cherokee County Preschool Calendar.
5. Children should wear comfortable, washable clothes that are suitable for outside play.
HELPFUL INFORMATION CONT.
7. Breakfast and lunch are provided 8. Parents may provide an alternate food for a child who is diagnosed with a food allergy.
9. All allergies MUST be documented by a physician’s note. 10. A child who gets sick or runs a fever will need to be picked up immediately by the parent or guardian.
11.Children are NOT allowed to bring toys to school unless the teacher requests the items in a note, newsletter, etc. 12.All children must participate in outdoor activities.
13.Students should have a change of clothes in their bag each day in case of accidents. Change of clothing should be seasonally appropriate. 14. Students will not be released to anyone other than those listed by the parents on file. 15. Parents should keep staff informed of any changes of phone numbers, address, place of work, or baby sitters.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Teachers recognize each child’s birthday We prefer that you celebrate the birthday outside of the school day Please your child’s teacher if you want to provide a birthday “snack” or “treat”
Parent Communication • Parent Handbook will provide valuable information regarding center procedures. • Teacher Newsletters- newsletters will be e-mailed or provided in paper format, if requested, to parents every other Thurs. and will focus on information regarding your child’s activities. • Center Newsletter-newsletters will be e-mailed, or provided in paper format if requested, to parents every 2 months and will focus on information regarding center activities. • Web Site (www.cherokee.k12.ga.us)-The Preschool website will have information regarding the Preschool Centers and will be updated on a consistent basis.
7:30 A.M. – 2:15 P.M. 7:30-7:45 …………..Student Arrival 10:45-11:00 ........Mid Day Special Needs Student Arrival 7:45– 12:00 …Breakfast/ Classroom Activities
11:30– 2:15 ….Lunch/ Classroom Activities 1:45 - 2:00 ……Special Needs Student Dismissal 2:00-2:15 …….Head Start/Ga. Pre-K Dismissal
Children are considered “TARDY” after 7:45 A.M.
Preschool Curriculum Transportation
My World and Me
Taking Care of Our World Senses
Birds
Community Helpers Children’s Literature
Nutrition
Animals / Animals’ Homes
Seasons
LENDING LIBRARY
RB/LR: Lending Library- parents may check out books for their child to take home and read/enjoy together.
LR: Students visit LRE media center 2 x’s per month for story time. OG: Students check out books from the OGE media center 2 x’s per month after story time.
TEACHER CONFERENCES Teacher Conferences are expected by the program and are very important to your child’s educational success. Parents are expected to work with their child’s teacher to participate in conferences throughout the year.
LENDING LIBRARY
RB/LR: Lending Library- parents may check out books for their child to take home and read/enjoy together.
LR: Students visit LRE media center 2 x’s per month for story time. OG: Students check out books from the OGE media center 2 x’s per month after story time.
VOLUNTEERS ARE IMPORTANT
Complete Volunteer Coordinator Information Form
VOLUNTEER FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS Bulb Planting Lending Library Needs Community Partnerships Parent Information Sharing (Coffee with the Principal, etc.)
Spirit Nights Festivals Special Projects (building/grounds beautification, Male Involvement emphasis Jan.-March, etc.)
*Please complete volunteer information form
PARENT INFORMATION CALENDAR TRAINING SESSION Orientation
Pedestrian Safety Developmentally Appropriate Practices
PROPOSED DATE RB: 8-1 LR: 8-2 OG: 8-2
See above RB- 9-4 OG: 9-5 LR: 9-6
WORKSHOP LEADER/AGENCY Mrs. Adams
Jo Morris Wanda Bruce/Patsy Rollins/Jennifer Fowler Wanda Bruce/Patsy Rollins/Jennifer Fowler
Discipline/Positive Techniques in Guidance See above RB: 10-2 OG: 10-3 LR: 10-4 First Aid/Safety Practices at Home TBD
Financial Literacy Transitioning into the Next Educational Setting
RB: 10-2 OG: 10-3 LR: 10-4 Health Dept. /Dentist RB- 2-5 OG: 2-6 Community Chefs LR: 2-7 RB- 11-5 OG: 11-6 LR: 11-7 Jovanka Morris See above See above RB- 11-5 OG: 11-6 LR: 11-7 Jovanka Morris RB-3-11 OG: 3-12 LR: 3-13 Local Principal / Mrs. Adams
School Readiness
See above
Family Literacy
RB: 4-29 LR: 4-30 OG: 5-1
Parent Suggested Topics:
See above
Community Resources Selection of Foods/Safety in Food Preparation Financial Literacy Basic Nutrition/Developing Positive Eating Habits
1
2 3
Male Involvement Activities: 1 Donuts w/Dudes 2 Male hobbies/careers presentations 3 Make N’ Take w/Males
Local Principal / Mrs. Adams
SCHOOL READINESS COUNCIL
Meet 4 times throughout the year, or as needed, and discuss needs of the center Develop plan for assisting transitions to Kindergarten
DONATIONS
Please see the supply/wish list in your child’s classroom for materials needed throughout the year.
DISLAYS Heath Dept. Table Dentist Table Head Start Table Preschool T-shirt
Ga. Pre-K and Special Needs Parents Dismissed
HEAD START STUDENTS WILL BE IN THEIR CLASSROOMS AFTER THE MEETING
Head Start Program
Parent/Volunteer Handbook 2013-2014
HEAD START CALENDAR August 5, 2013 September 2, 2013
First Day of School for Students Labor Day Holiday-No Preschool Class
September 16 – 20 , 2013
Fall Break-No Preschool Class
November 5, 2013
No Preschool Class
November 25-29, 2013
Thanksgiving Holidays – No Preschool Class
December 23- January Christmas Holidays – No Preschool Class 3 January 6, 2014 January 20, 2014
First Student Day after Christmas Break
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday – No Preschool Class
February 17 – 21, 2014 Winter Break-No Preschool Class March 30-April 3, 2014
Spring Break-No Preschool Class
May 16, 2014
Last Day of School for Head Start Students
HEAD START FAMILY PARTNERS
What is a Family Partner? Family Partners are here to assist Head Start families with any needs that may arise throughout the year. Please call or e-mail them with any needs you might have. RB-Ludi Allen LR-Elizabeth Green
OG-Jo Morris
FAMILY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT Parents are expected to work with their Family Partner to develop a Family Partnership Agreement and will assist you with resources needed to successfully meet your goal.
FAMILY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (CONT’D) Family Partners will check with parents periodically to follow their progress on meeting their goal. These conferences are very important to your child’s educational success. Your cooperation in working with your Family Partner and attending scheduled meetings is expected.
HEALTH & DENTAL CARE
Health and dental exams must be completed by deadlines. Parents cooperation in meeting these deadlines is expected. Family partners assist parents with these needs. Dental care is available at the Cumm Health Center for students who don’t have a care plan. Transportatio provided.
HEADSTART POLICY COUNCIL Policy Council Representative: Attend Policy Council Meetings at NDO in Gainesville approximately 4-6 times per year Report Policy Council activities to Council will elect Policy Council representative at orientation
CURRICULUM Head Start’s primary curriculum is the research based High Scope Model a developmentally appropriate, school readiness curriculum with scope and sequence appropriate for 3 and 4 year olds.
CURRICULUM (CONT’D) Other programs and materials supplement this curriculum as needed Parents are encouraged to participate in our curriculum by supplementing activities and learning experiences which would complement our monthly unit topics
r.
This program teaches children how to handle emotions, daily situations, and how to be considerate to others.
Volunteering Parents and community
are encouraged to volunteer. Part of our Head Start budget requires us to document volunteer time throughout the year. This process is called IN KIND. Please we depend on YOU to help us meet this program requirement.
HEAD START PARENT INFORMATION CALENDAR TRAINING SESSION Orientation
Pedestrian Safety Developmentally Appropriate Practices
PROPOSED DATE RB: 8-1 LR: 8-2 OG: 8-2
See above RB- 9-4 OG: 9-5 LR: 9-6
WORKSHOP LEADER/AGENCY Mrs. Adams
Jo Morris Wanda Bruce/Patsy Rollins/Jennifer Fowler Wanda Bruce/Patsy Rollins/Jennifer Fowler
Discipline/Positive Techniques in Guidance See above RB: 10-2 OG: 10-3 LR: 10-4 First Aid/Safety Practices at Home TBD
Financial Literacy Transitioning into the Next Educational Setting
RB: 10-2 OG: 10-3 LR: 10-4 Health Dept. /Dentist RB- 2-5 OG: 2-6 Community Chefs LR: 2-7 RB- 11-5 OG: 11-6 LR: 11-7 Jovanka Morris See above See above RB- 11-5 OG: 11-6 LR: 11-7 Jovanka Morris RB-3-11 OG: 3-12 LR: 3-13 Local Principal / Mrs. Adams
School Readiness
See above
Family Literacy
RB: 4-29 LR: 4-30 OG: 5-1
Parent Suggested Topics:
See above
Community Resources Selection of Foods/Safety in Food Preparation Financial Literacy Basic Nutrition/Developing Positive Eating Habits
1
2 3
Male Involvement Activities: 1 Donuts w/Dudes 2 Male hobbies/careers presentations 3 Make N’ Take w/Males
Local Principal / Mrs. Adams
APPROVAL OF HEAD START PARENT MEETING/TRAINING CALENDAR Motion to approve the Calendar Second Show of Hands
*Head Start students will be in their classrooms after the meeting