www.stthomasschool.org/elcorient

1. www.stthomasschool.org/elcorient

2. 2013 Early Learning Center Parent Orientation

3. Welcome! Goals for Today: Share the details of being in the Early Learning Center Help parents navigate those first few days Foster our partnership with families We are excited about working with you and your child this year!

4. Licensed Classrooms Licensed through Department of Early Learning (DEL) • 2-Day • 3-Day • 5-Day • PrePrimary • Extended Day . . . This means we must follow specific rules

5. How Do I drop off my Child? • School Doors Open at 8:15 • Walk with your child to his/her classroom • Teachers will be in the classroom or at the door to greet you!

6. What do I do at drop-off? • Sign-in / Sign-out Procedures • Full Signature • Time In/Time Out • Special Instructions for the day • Early Pick Up • Alternate Person • Update on website

7. ENCOURAGING INDEPENDENCE Support your child to care for his/her own belongings • Hang coat & tote bags in cubby • Toileting • Hand washing DEL requires that all children & adults wash hands as they enter the classroom.

8. ARRIVAL Activity • Name/ Attendance Activity • Provocation on tables • Book Time . . . each classroom will look a little different

9. Preparing for Chapel Promptly at 8:25 . . . . Depart for the Chapel Parents are welcome! • Walk beside your child • Help your child transition to be ready for Chapel • Quiet voices, walking, phones silenced and put away • Focus / attention to speaker • Chimes signal the beginning of Chapel Initially the expectations of Chapel can be challenging. Parents are important in helping to model. 3-Day & 5-Day attend Chapel starting in late fall

10. Chapel in the ELC Plaza Promptly at 8:25 . . . . Assemble in the Plaza Parents are welcome! • Walk beside your child • Help your child transition to be ready for Chapel • Stand in the back, facing stage • Quiet voices, walking, phones silenced and put away • Focus / attention to speaker • Chimes signal the beginning of Chapel While not in the Chapel, the expectations for Plaza Chapel are the same. Parents are important in helping to model.

11. How do I say goodbye? . . . This can be the hardest part for parents! What works: • Being on time • Consistent routine • Short, simple, and sweet! • Modeling confidence • Positive, upbeat language • A quick, cheerful kiss goodbye Separation is a part of normal development and each child reacts differently, even on different days. Sometimes a child might… • Quickly engage in an activity • Cry • Negotiate (ask for one more . . . ) • Appear scared/nervous • Not react to your leaving • Express feelings of not wanting to attend We are always here to offer comfort and support. If needed, we know you’re only a phone call away!

12. First day of School Some books to help prepare your child for school The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn Mommy in My Pocket by Carol Hunt Senderack Bye-Bye Time by Elizabeth Verdick Will You Come Back for Me? by Ann Tompert When I Miss You by Cornelia Maude Spelman I will Always Come Back by Steve Metzger Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney I Love You All Day Longby Francesca Rusackas& Priscilla Burris First Day Jittersby Julie Danneburg and Judith Dufour Love Puddle's New School by Amber Stewart and Layn Marlow

13. Where can I linger at the school? Sometimes families linger at the coffee machine. It’s a great place to meet new families and chat with old friends.

14. What Does classroom time look like? ELC embraces an intellectually rigorous curriculum while honoring children as competent and empowered learners.

15. What Specialists will my child have?

16. Who are the Instructional assistants? We will be hiring two more Instructional Assistants.

17. What Happens at11:30?

18. What is enrichment? Optional Program for 3/5-Day and PrePrimary Children 11:30 – 3:00 M-F Opportunity to elaborate on morning learning experiences • Open Enrollment until September 30th • Parents select 1 to 5 days per week • Additional days can be added at the beginning of each trimester, days cannot be dropped Specialists include: Drama, Spanish, Library, Physical Education and ELC faculty

19. What is extended day? • Available to children in 3/5-Day through Eighth Grade. • Relatively unstructured, many open-ended activities such as board games, art, block-building, and great conversation. • Students are also provided a place to complete homework or work on individual projects. • Multi-Age groupings, opportunity to interact with peers from across the various grade levels. Before School 7:30 – 8:15 After School 3:00 – 6:00 • Must provide 24 hour notice to Katie Winters • Children not picked up by 3:20pm will be sent to Extended Day (fees apply)

20. Where do I pick up my Child? Depends . . . Can be confusing! Always requires parent/guardian signature

21. Where do I wait to pick up? Parents/Guardians/Siblings wait in the Labyrinth

22. It is 11:25, where do I pick up my child? PrePrimary 5-Day 2/3-Day

23. It is 2:55, where do I pick up my child? PrePrimary 3/5-Day Primary EC and MS

24. How Can I help keep my child safe at Pick up? ELC teachers will announce when they are ready for you to collect your children“Come and get them!” Cars will be using the driveway to pick up older children Always use the crosswalk to get to your parked car Stay with your child at all times No climbing on the stone pillars Caution with church construction

25. Other items to consider Dress Code Snacks / Meals Allergies / Food Preferences Celebrations Communications

26. What should my Child wear to school? • Dress for Success • Encourages independence • Avoids distractions / accessories • Allows children to get messy • Weather appropriate • Raincoat/hoods/boots • Coats/jackets/hats • Provide a full change of labeled clothes to be stored in their cubby • Shirt, pants, socks, and underwear • If used, be sure to wash and return the next day! 2/3/5-Day and PrePrimary children are not required to wear a St. Thomas School uniform

27. Does my child get snacks during the day? • 2-Day, 3-Day, 5-Day & PrePrimary • Enrichment • Extended Day • Each Snack Contains • 2 of the 4 • Dairy (cheese, yogurt, milk) • Meat or Alternate (legumes, beans, eggs) • Grain (cereal, bread, crackers) • Fruit or Vegetable Menus are posted in classrooms and on classroom website

28. Does my child eat lunch at school? Children participating in Enrichment eat lunch at school School Catered Hot Lunch Lunch from home • Requires 24 notice • Parents order Online • Must contain an ice pack Milk (2%) and water provided or children can bring their own drinks

29. What if my child has Allergies? • Food Allergy Action Plan • Requires Physician’s signature • Form goes to Receptionist • Parent provides medication & appropriate forms • Benadryl • Epi-pin • Parents provide alternate foods • Similar nutrition values

30. What about Birthdays & holiday celebrations? If your child has allergies, please provide special treats to be stored in the classroom kitchen • Prepackaged items only, including fruits and vegetables • Sealed, labels attached • Same item for all children • No homemade treats!

31. What communication channels are useD? Parents please regularly check classroom website! • Email Please send any classroom communication to the joint teacher account to ensure it is received by both teachers • Parent Communication Board Located near classroom door inside every room • Face to Face / Formal Conferences • Phone calls Leave message • Monday Mailers • eNews • STS News

32. Who are the faculty? Early Learning Center Mrs. Whalen Ms. Cox Ms. Gao Mrs. Larsen Mrs. Hills Mrs. Fellows Mrs. Smith Mrs. Cutler Mrs. Hillman Ms. Cartier

33. Please stop by my office or call anytime! nancymyles@stthomasschool.org Questions?