Trinity Downtown Lutheran School Early Childhood

Parent OrientationJuly 31, 2015

ECM Parent OrientationAgendaWelcome, Prayer and Opening Remarks – Mr. SchepmannOverview of the ECM – The ABC’s of the

ECM Mr. Schepmann and Ms. JacksonTuition and Payment Policies Mr. Ron LacyClosing remarks – Mr. Schepmann

Orientation Agenda

This Year’s Theme - Worship, Grow, Live…DevotedCurriculum philosophy – faith based and academically competitiveChild health and wellnessSupply list and materialsMove Up Day! – Friday, August 14, 2015 – Teacher Meet and Greet, bring

Supplies from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pmOur ECM Teachers for 2015-16Building Policies and Program ProceduresABC’s of PreschoolSnack InformationSample Classroom Schedule

Our Teachers - ECM

Infants:Loubertha BrownArissa CamarilloAshley Mitchell

Waddlers:Ashley GarzaShaQuonna GunnMarely Reyes

Crawlers:Nadine BorgertChristine IniguezJasmine Carrington

Toddlers:Sabrina GarciaCandice SaldanaMelissa Zapata

Cruisers:Elizabeth SandovalVanessa Reyes

Our Teachers - ECM

Preschool 2 Butterflies:Hailey KimZacil Flores

Pre Kindergarten:Victoria ChenMercedes Lemus

Preschool 2 Ducks:Schawna BrineyMelissa Camarillo

Preschool 3:Josie MedinaDayana ReyesJudy McNeilWhitney Sims

Floaters:Sharese TaylorMirna MunozMaria MolinaNora MartinezJustice RichardTyler Anderson

Building Policies and Program Procedures 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM

AM Class Arrival Instructions:ECM Staff will meet and greet the students in their Preschool classroom

for Drop Off. PM Class Car Arrival Instructions:Teachers will meet and greet the parents of our students in their

classrooms. Please do not leave your vehicle parked directly in front of the school.

AM/PM Information:If it is the first time you are visiting the classroom, we ask that all parents

sign-in at main office. After receiving a name tag, you can return to the arrival waiting area or to your child’s classroom.

Preschool ABC’s A is for Art: Preschoolers love to create. Many opportunities are available to

experience art using a variety of materials (paints, glue, etc.) The easel will be open daily. We do our best to stay clean…but plan school outfits accordingly.

A is for Attendance: If your son/daughter will be absent, please call the office at at 832-301-3100.

B is for Bags and Backpacks: Your child’s book bag should be big enough to hold his notebook and school projects. Please check your child’s backpack daily.

B is for Birthdays: The Early Childhood program policy in regards to student birthday celebrations is as follows. Student birthdays will be acknowledged by Early Childhood Staff. Students will receive a non-food item (notepad, pencil, stickers, certificate, birthday crown, etc.) and the scheduled daily snack will be offered. If parents would like to send in birthday plates, cups, or napkins please contact your child’s teacher. Please try to bring in healthy treats in honor of your child’s birthday.

Preschool ABC’s C is for Clothing: It is a good idea to label all coats and sweaters. Clothing should be practical,

comfortable, and appropriate for the weather. A spirit shirt will be provided.

C is for Conferences: Conferences will be held in the fall and in the spring. Progress reports will be sent home prior to the conference.

C is Communication: Communication between home and school is very important. A newsletter will come home every month containing information about our thematic units, classroom announcements, and upcoming school events. If you feel the need to contact us, please call the Early Childhood Program at 832-301-3100 or email us directly. We will get back with you as soon as possible.

D is for Dismissal: If for some reason your child is to be dismissed in a way that is not the typical dismissal, please send a note in your child’s bag. Any last-minute changes must go through the main office or Early Childhood office.

E is for E-mail: We check our email every morning, afternoon and end of the day. Feel free to email us. Please understand that we receive a great deal of e-mail daily and will respond as soon as possible.

E is for Emergency Phone Numbers: Please keep the Early Childhood Office updated of any phone number changes so that your child’s emergency forms are current.

Preschool ABC’s F is for Fire Drills: Your child will participate in frequent fire drills throughout the

school year.

G is for Grip: Our students will work to use the correct pencil grip when writing. The index finger should be on the top near the end of the pencil. Your child should rest the pencil on the middle finger as the thumb supports the pencil as well.

H is for Homework: Please remember to read to your child each night.

I is for Illness: Please remember to call the attendance line first thing in the morning to report your child’s absence. On August 14, 2015 you will received a revised parent handbook with specific instructions involving illness.

J is for joy: Celebrate all the wonderful accomplishments your child will make during the school year.

Preschool ABC’s K is for Kindness: Our school rules include Taking Care of Ourselves, Taking Care of Each Other, and

Taking Care of our school.

L is for Learning Centers: We use learning centers in the classroom for active learning. When students are in centers, they are learning to cooperate with others, manage time, and gain knowledge from the objective of the area. All of the stations have intentionally playful activities that will engage your child in important learning experiences.

M is for Medical Conditions: If you child has a special medical condition or special concern that we should be aware of, please don’t hesitate to discuss this with us.

N is for Name Tags: Please have your child wear the name tag everyday until we collect it. This is your child’s security for getting off to a good year with transportation and identification.

O is for Office: You must stop in the office before entering the instructional areas of our school. If you are volunteering, please sign the sign-in sheet located in the main office. Please always wear your name badge.

Preschool ABC’s O is for Outside: Your child will have outside time daily, weather permitting. Please

dress your child appropriately for the weather and for play. Indoor Gross Motor activities will occur on days that we cannot go outside.

P is for Parties: We will have various parties throughout the year which will include non-food celebrations.

Q is for Questions: Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s education. We will make every effort to meet with you and discuss your concerns.

R is for Reading: Your child will experience many reading activities. Please read with your child daily.

R is for Report Cards: Your child will receive a progress report card in around November, and around March and at the end of the school year. We will meet with you during scheduled conferences to discuss your child’s strengths and weaknesses.

Preschool ABC’s R is for Restroom: Your child is allowed to use the restroom when needed.

Accidents do happen! Please send in a complete set of clothes for your child to keep at school. Please place these items in a plastic Ziploc bag labeled with your child’s name. If your child is not potty trained, please send in a diaper supply with your child. Please place the diapers in a Ziploc bag labeled with your child’s name.

S is for Shoes: It is very important to wear comfortable and safe shoes for all of our

preschool activities. Flip flops are not allowed at Trinity.

S is for Snack: The goal is for all classrooms is to be free of peanut butter and nuts. Individual student snacks and whole group snacks eaten in the classroom would strive to meet this goal. Monthly calendars will be provided informing parents of the snack that will be offered during the school day.

T is for Transportation: We will not allow your child to go home with another adult or different way unless you have notified us in writing or the office has been notified of the change.

Preschool ABC’s U is for Units and Themes: We will have a fun selection of themes and units that we

will study this year. Theme-based units will help us experience math, science, and social studies topics in addition to reading and writing.

V is for Volunteers: For the safety and welfare of the students, we will be looking for the visitor/volunteer badge that confirms that you have signed in at the main office. Please contact us with scheduling conflicts.

W is for Wow: We are excited for the school year and can’t wait to get started.

Y is for You: You are welcome to join our classroom on your child’s special days. If you cannot come for the full session, you are welcome to come for just part of the time.

Z is for ZZZZZ’s: Your child should get plenty of rest each night.

Early Childhood Medical and Food Guidelines

The goal is for all Trinity classrooms is to be free of peanut butter and nuts. Please note the letter from the Texas Department of Health. Please also note the developmental chart attached.

Food Guidelines Cont. If your child has specific food allergy and cannot eat the daily snack offered during

the preschool day, he/she should bring a healthy snack from home. Please remember snacks brought in from home cannot contain peanut butter or nut products. If your child has a specific milk/food allergy/sensitivity, please contact your child’s teacher immediately to discuss his/her individual needs.

When food is being used in a curriculum related activity, teachers will notify parents as part of their newsletter. The teacher will incorporate appropriate food safety practices while teaching the lesson.

Non-nutritious foods (e.g. candy) should be discouraged as a reward for students.

Special food events such as pizza parties, cultural events, end of year lunches, tasting parties or other food related events must include the following: Food served must be from a health inspected facility (e.g. Kroger's, restaurants) Nutritional and ingredient labels must be provided for each item served Teachers will inform parents in advance

Classroom Schedules Why do we use classroom schedules in the Early Childhood

Classroom?

One important aspect of building an effective learning environment is establishing a structure for each day---the predicable use of time. When time is blocked out in an orderly and consistent fashion, children tend to feel safe and secure and develop independence. The daily routines and schedule create a sense of order in the preschool classroom. The children know what to expect, and they can understand what is expected of them. With the assurance that their environment is predictable and familiar, they can settle into learning and function as part of a group. The order around them creates a sense of order inside them. The Bible tells us to do all things decently and in order.

Sample AM/PM Classroom Schedule 9:10 Arrival

~Hang up materials and book bags – free play, breakfast/snack 9:20 Circle Time ~Prayer, opening song

~name song~calendar/weather/day of the week~story and comprehension activities,

9:40Centers/Choice Time or playground

(Puzzles, discovery table, easel, blocks, pretend play, books, writing center, toy shelf, project) 10:00 wash hands, changes or potty 10:15 Math or academic activity, Story time 10:45Clean Up 11:00 Lunch 11:45 Nap time (12:00 – 2:00) 2:00 Wake up and snack 2:35 - 3:10 Indoor Gross Motor Activity and Academic Time 3:40 Dismissal Centers include but are not limited to:

Writing center, puzzles, blocks, books, computer, easel, art center, project table, science, dramatic play, snack, sensory, discovery table, letters, manipulative, math, games

Individual Schedules Why do we use individual schedules in the Early Childhood

Classroom?

~Visual schedules communicate the sequence of upcoming activities or events through the use of objects, photographs or words.

~A visual schedule tells a student where he/she should be and when he/she should be there.

~Visual schedules help increase independence and interaction with a variety of activities and toys within the classroom environment.

~Visual schedules are designed to match the individual needs of a student and may vary in length, and activities to be completed.

Tuition Structure / Payment Plans Competitive community rates

Church member discounts

New attendance requirement starting Aug 23rd

Multi-student discounts

Payment may be made via:

Direct debit to your checking account (preferred)

Debit card

Credit card

Trinity Early Childhood Program

2015/2016

We look forward to working with you and your child!Thank you for sharing them with us! God bless you!

August 17-18 the ECM

will be closed.

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Trinity Downtown Lutheran School K to 8th Grade

Parent OrientationJuly 31, 2015

Parent OrientationAgenda

Welcome, Prayer and Opening Remarks – Mr. Schepmann

The 2015-16 Leadership Team Mr. Schepmann and Ms. Jackson

The Plan for 2015-16

Tuition and Payment Plans Mr. Ron Lacy

Closing Remarks – Important Dates

Our Goals for this year… Raise the bar academically

and spiritually

Build a stronger Christian community

Align with Trinity’s “Worship, Grow, Live” initiatives

Why the move… Build stronger Christian Community

among…

Students

Faculty

Staff

More efficient use of school resources

More efficient use of teaching time

Minimizes visits to the other building (except for chapel, gym, science lab)

Raising the Bar in Curriculum Faith Integration - Bibles

Providing new curriculum in every classroom, including:

Social Studies

Math and math drills

English (grades 3-8)

Handwriting without tears (K-6TH )

PE

Art

Raising the Bar in Technology New textbooks/technology

Integrated with online tools for both school and home use

Refreshed “Computers On Wheels”

Raising the Bar with more Structure Structured school day opening and

closing procedures

Raising the Bar with new Processes New Interventionist already on

board

Grading

Progress Reporting

Parent/teacher Conferences

Homework

Behavior policy and expectations

STEM in School

Raising the Bar by building Community

Dress Code - Uniforms

Special Classes (Art, Music/Band, PE and Library)

Extended Day

Parent Volunteer Policy

20 hours per family per year or $22.79 per hour

Reading Expectations

“Meet Your Teacher” night August 17th

New family handbooks

t-shirts and after school vendors

First day of School – August 19, 2015

K-8th Teachers 2015-16Lisa Schneider KinderVivian Rodriguez Kinder AideLori Rosel FirstNatalie Gordon SecondChristine Eilers ThirdAlec Kemintz FourthAnthoinette Latham FifthKrinstin Smits SixthEric Eberts SeventhJoey Perry EighthTilita Sandoval SpanishMichelle Davis Physical EducationReema Forster ArtMicki Balog ChoirDotti Burroughs Band

Tuition Structure / Payment Plans Competitive community rates

Church member discounts

New attendance requirement starting Aug 23rd

Multi-student discounts

Flexible payment plans

Annual due Aug 15 – 5% discount

2 payments Aug 15/Jan 15 2016 – 3% discount

10 monthly payments: August-May 2016

12 monthly payments: August-July 2016

Flexible payment processes:

Direct debit to your checking account (preferred)

Debit card

Credit card

Closing Remarks