Fridley Preschool Handbook

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Fridley Preschool ProgramAt Fridley Public Schools, we focus on developing the whole child, and that starts with our district’s earliest learners.

Fridley Public SchoolsInternational Baccalaureate World SchoolsFridley Public Schools offers the International Bac-calaureate (IB) Programmes to all its students. The IB curriculum framework prepares students for suc-cess in college and careers with rigorous coursework through the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme, and Career-re-lated Programme. We are one of three districts in the state of Minnesota that offers the full IB continuum, from our earliest learners to high school graduation.

Fridley Preschool LocationFridley Community Center (FCC) 6085 7th St NE, Fridley, MN 55432

Fridley Preschool Offers:• High-quality education

Fridley Preschool focuses on social emotional learning, mathematics, and literacy. Your child will develop a love for learning while building a solid foundation for their educational journey.

• Caring and nurturing teachersEach classroom is led by a Minnesota De-partment of Education (MDE) licensed Early Childhood Educator, all of whom are passion-ate about helping children learn, and incorpo-rate best practices in lessons and activities.

• Parent Aware Four-Star RatingFridley Public Schools is proud to offer a pre-school program that meets the highest stan-dards of Parent Aware Minnesota’s Quality Rat-ing and Improvement System.

• Flexible scheduling and childcareMorning and afternoon daycare options are available through Tiger Club at discounted rates (see next page).

• 10:1 Educator-child ratioEach section is capped at 20 students and has a teacher and aide in each classroom to provide all students with personalized attention.

Welcome to Fridley Public Schools, an International Baccalaureate World Schools district. We are excited to welcome you and your child into our Fridley Public Schools community! This handbook should answer many of the questions you have about preschool and will serve as your supplemental guide to be used throughout the school year. Watch for mail and email communications with

more information leading to the first day of school. You can also check out the district website at www.fridley.k12.mn.us and navigate to Schools → Preschool.

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Welcome to Fridley Preschool!

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ContactsFCC Main Office: (763) 502-5100

PrincipalDr. Jason Bodey: (763) 502-5101Jason.Bodey@fridley.k12.mn.us

ECFE CoordinatorRenee Sorgenfrie (763) 502-5124 Renee.Sorgenfrie@fridley.k12.mn.us

3-year-old Preschool TeacherMs. Emily Loe: (763) 502-5122 4-year-old Preschool TeachersMs. Ashton Brask: (763) 502-5131 Ms. Elizabeth Schweitzer: (763) 502-5128Ms. Jessica Row: (763) 502-5133

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Things to Know Tiger Club (Tiny Tigers)Combining Fridley Preschool with Tiger Club Child-care is a great option for working families in need of daycare accommodation. Tiger Club, housed in the FCC, offers high quality childcare for children from infancy to grade 6.Tiny Tigers is the preschool-aged portion of Tiger Club. Offered through Fridley Community Educa-tion, we work closely with Fridley Preschool to sup-port your child’s transition between programs. With fun-filled activities and additional learning opportu-nities, Tiger Club can further prepare your child for their elementary school experience.

Tiger Club Benefits:• Open 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM• Non-school day and summer childcare

available• Needs-based scholarships available• For more information, please call Sally Leone

at (763) 502-5135.

Early Childhood ScreeningEarly Childhood Screening is an early look at how your child is growing and developing. Between the ages of 3½ to 4 years, screening can detect possible health or learning concerns so children can get help before they start school.Minnesota law requires every child to participate in an Early Childhood Screening prior to entry into public school. The screening includes a height, weight, vision and hearing check, as well as a devel-opmental screening.Appointments are required! To schedule an appoint-ment, call (763) 502-5111 or go online at: https://fridley.ce.eleyo.com. For more information about screening, please call Renee Sorgenfrie at (763) 502-5124.

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Welcome to Fridley Preschool! Our mission is to guide students in the development of learning skills to help them

reach their full potential.

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More Things to Know...

AttendanceConsistent attendance is an important factor in your child’s development. If you need to report an absense, please call your child’s teacher directly.

IllnessesIf your child is sick, please call your child’s teacher and leave a message with your child’s name and the reason for absence/tardiness. For the security of your child, it is imperative that we know when your child is absent and at home. If your child is injured or becomes ill at school, the staff will contact you. It is important to keep phone numbers current by contacting the FCC Main Office.

A child should stay home from school when:• He or she has a temperature of 100 degrees or

more, is vomiting, or has diarrhea for a period of 24 hours after the last episode or fever

• If your child has a rash that may be disease-related, check with your family physician before sending your child to school

Give your child a healthy start by assuring they have:

• Necessary immunizations• Periodic health exams• Plenty of sleep each night (10-12 hours are

recommended for this age group)• A healthy diet that includes breakfast• Neat, clean, comfortable clothes appropriate for

the day’s activities

ImmunizationsThe following number of shots are required by Min-nesota’s School Immunization Law before your child can attend preschool:

• 1 – Hepatitis A• 3 – Hepatitis B• 4 – Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (DTP) • 3 – Polio • 1 – Meases/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) • 4 – Pneumococcal• 1 – Varicella (Chickenpox)

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More Things to Know...

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TransportationTransportation is free and provided for all 4-year-old district resident children. Open enrolled students and 3-year-old students are not eligible for preschool transportation. For students transported by bus, a staff member will meet each bus and escort students into the building upon arrival and escort them to the bus at dismissal.

To ensure safety, an adult must be present at the bus stop for pick-up and drop-off. If an adult is not pres-ent at drop-off, the bus company will attempt to con-tact the parent/guardian first. However, if there is no communication, the student will be returned to the Fridley Community Center where the parent/guard-ian will be responsible to arrange pick-up.

If your 4-year-old preschool student will be attending an alternate daycare other than Tiger Club, you will need to submit a form online. If the district does not receive a form, transportation will set up a bus stop to and from your residence, if eligible.

Also, if there is an address change during the school year, please keep the Transportation Department and the school office updated. Before changing daycare, make sure the daycare is located in the district bound-aries. If not, there will be no transportation from the daycare.

How do I get my bus stop information? You should receive a postcard in the mail approxi-mately two weeks before school starts. Bring the postcard to fall Orientation Day to verify with the teacher which bus the student will ride at the end of the day.

If you have any questions, call the Transporta-tion Department at (763) 502-5026 or email Cindy McKay at Cindy.McKay@Fridley.k12.mn.us

Class PlacementYou will be sent a letter with class placement informa-tion by mid-August.

Orientation DayOrientation Day is typically held on the Tuesday fol-lowing Labor Day. Busing will not be provided this day. In late August, parents/guardians will be con-tacted by the classroom teacher with details regarding Orientation Day.

DressOur preschoolers go outdoors for movement, explo-ration, and play as often as the weather allows. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather and avoid open-toed shoes. In the winter, hats, boots, mit-tens, coats, and snow pants are required.

SnackA small snack will be served each day. Please contact

your child’s teacher with questions and if your child is allergic to any foods.

Preschool Curriculum

Our preschool curriculum has been written to encompass sev-eral areas of inquiry and is aligned with Minnesota’s Early Child-hood Indicators of Progress (ECIPs). The ECIPs are Minnesota’s early learning standards and provide a framework for developmen-tally appropriate expectations from birth to kindergarten. They also align to the Minnesota Kindergarten Academic Standards.

Who we areAn inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spir-itual health; human relationships including fami-lies, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human.

How we express ourselvesAn inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, ex-tend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.

How the world worksAn inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advanc-es on society and on the environment.

Where we are in place and timeAn inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the dis-coveries, explorations and migrations of human-kind; the relationships between and the intercon-nectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.

How we organize ourselvesAn inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment.

Sharing the planetAn inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.

Fridley Preschool 3- and 4-year-old Transdiciplinary Themes include:

• Inquirers• Risk-takers• Knowledgeable• Balanced• Reflective

• Thinkers• Communicators• Caring• Principled• Open-minded

Additionally, our preschool promotes the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile values:

Preparing for Kindergarten

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‘Kindergarten readiness’ is a term often used when talking about entering kindergarten. Our 3- and 4-year-old preschool programs are designed to provide your child with the necessary learning experiences to be ready for kindergarten. Utilizing an approach that aligns with our district’s International Baccalaureate program, your child will participate in learning that will enrich his or her educational journey. As your child progresses through our preschool program, these indicators will be used to ensure a successful transition into kindergarten and beyond.

Social Behavior• Participates in group activities• Interacts easily with a familiar adult• Keeps hands and feet to self• Moves through routines and transitions smoothly• Plays or works cooperatively with peers• Takes turns

Reading / Writing / Math• Begins to recognize letters and sounds• Counts objects to 5• Counts to 10 or higher• Identifies colors and shapes• Prints name (uses lower case letters)• Has experience with writing tools

(pencils, crayons, etc.)

Preparing for Kindergarten

Listening and Speaking• Uses words to communicate needs and wants• Listens to stories for 5-10 minutes without restlessness• Follows two-step directions• Recalls stories and events

Fine / Gross Motor• Cuts on line or patterns• Can run, jump, hop, and march

Self-Help Skills• Takes care of bathroom needs independently• Organizes his/her belongings• Shows progress toward tying shoes, zipping, buttoning,

etc.

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To register for 3-year-old preschool To register for 4-year-old preschool

Choose from 3 half-day options:

There are 2 half-day options:

5 days per weekMonday - FridayMornings 9:30 AM – 12:30 PMSliding Fee Scale - $40/mo - $250/mo

Monday/Wednesday/FridayAfternoons: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PMSliding Fee Scale - $25/mo - $160/mo

Tuesday/ThursdayAfternoons: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PMSliding Fee Scale - $15/mo - $130/mo

3 days per week Monday - FridayMornings 9:30 AM – 12:30 PMNo cost to families

Morning session

Afternoon sessionMonday - FridayAfternoons: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PMNo cost to families

The following documents are required to complete registration. Please be sure to have these documents with you when registering:

Ready to Register?

• Proof of address (driver’s license, utility bill, rental/purchase agreement) OR Open Enrollment Form

• Child’s original birth certificate• Up-to-date immunization records• Preschool screening documents if screened

outside our district

Copies will be made of each document and originals returned to you. If registering online, please be sure to bring these documents to the Education Center.

2 days per week

Go online

Come to the Fridley Community CenterVisit the Fridley Community Center office at 6085 Seventh Street NE, Fridley, 55432. Staff will assist you in registering and completing the online application.

Visit https://fridley.ce.eleyo.com to fill out an application. You must create an Eleyo account and profile for your child to register for Fridley Preschool, ECFE, or Tiger Club Childcare.

Visit the Education Center at 6301 Central Avenue NE, Fridley, 55432. Staff will assist you in completing the online registration. To complete the registration process, you will need to bring the required documents (listed at the top of the page).

Go online

Come to the Education Center

Visit www.fridley.k12.mn.us and choose the yellow ‘Enroll’ button at the top of the page. The ‘Ready to Enroll’ link is found at the bottom of the enrollment page. To complete the registration process, you will need to bring the required documents (listed at the top of the page) to the Education Center.

Questions about registration?Call Lori O’Dowd at (763) 502-5081

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