Family Handbook

Contact UsMonroe County Community School Corporation

315 E. North Drive, Bloomington, IN 47401Phone: 812-333-7830 | www.MCCSC.edu/EarlyLearning |

earlylearning@mccsc.edu

2018-2019

Table of ContentsWELCOME FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT...................................................................................3

OUR VISION............................................................................................................................4

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY...........................................................................................................6

CURRICULUM...........................................................................................................................6

CONTENT................................................................................................................................8

STUDENT GOALS.....................................................................................................................8

ASSESSMENT..........................................................................................................................8

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES...................................................................................................8

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT................................................................................................9

INCLUSION..............................................................................................................................9

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT/PARTNERSHIPS.....................................................................................9

SMOKING, PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES, AND GUNS....................................................................10

MEDICATION..........................................................................................................................10

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION...........................................................................10

VISITORS & PROGRAM OBSERVATION.....................................................................................10

ENTRY AND SECURITY AT THE SCHOOL...................................................................................10

POLICY FOR RELEASE OF CHILDREN........................................................................................11

CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT.......................................................................................................11

BULLYING..............................................................................................................................11

INCLEMENT WEATHER............................................................................................................11

INSURANCE...........................................................................................................................11

MEDICAL EMERGENCY OR ILLNESS.........................................................................................12

ACCIDENT AND INJURIES........................................................................................................12

NEGOTIATING DIFFERENCES...................................................................................................12

MCCSC PRESCHOOL DISCIPLINE/GUIDANCE POLICY.................................................................13

MCCSC proudly serves our youngest learners using the following funding sources:

Fee-based; Title I; CCDF Vouchers, Special Education & On My Way Pre-K

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WELCOME FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

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OUR VISION

Building Foundations for Life

We build foundations for life by: crossing the foundations of life together through literacy, math, science

and social skills; fostering inquisitive questions and facilitating child directed learning; guiding children as they explore friendships and social experiences and encouraging both the child and parent throughout the year.

Creating a Literate and Playful

Environment

We create a literate and playful environment by: including opportunities for students to express their ideas though

discussion and drawing; incorporating literacy opportunities in all learning centers including

dramatic play, sensory, math, science, music, art, writing and fine motor; and teaching literacy through games, some teacher directed, and some child initiated.

Providing Developmentally

Appropriate Practices

We develop confident and eager learners by: providing open-ended activities; allowing student’s curiosity to guide their learning; and

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using scaffolding techniques to introduce and build on early learning concepts.

Making a Positive Impact

We provide Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) by: setting up the environment to enhance every child’s learning; and understanding and redefining DAP with each new group of students.

Building Foundations for Life

We make a positive impact by: greeting each child daily with a smile and recognition; acknowledging their accomplishments; creating activities that reflect real life and help create student’s own

connection and learning foundation.

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PROGRAM PHILOSOPHYWe believe that young children learn through active exploration in an environment that is rich in materials and opportunities to converse, socialize, work, play and negotiate with others. The learning is planned to encourage curiosity, exploration and problem solving in an atmosphere of warmth, affection and respect for each child. Teachers plan experiences based on children’s interests and appropriate educational concepts.

Children may work individually or collaboratively and may choose whether or not to participate in a project. Children are actively involved in experiences that include foundations of math, science, social studies, creative art, language arts, music, movement and dramatic play. All interrelated aspects of the child’s growth and development are considered- intellectual, social, emotional, physical and creative.

CURRICULUM

MCCSC Early Learning Curriculum is supported by the Indiana Early Learning Foundations as outlined by the Department of Education. While various curricula are used as instructional resources, our goal is to focus on the core foundations of English/Language Arts, math, social, and emotional approaches to play and learning, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical health and growth foundations.

English / Language Arts

Frequent interactions with others, as well as providing opportunities to use (and witness the use of) written language in daily life, enable children to become competent readers, writers, speakers, and listeners.

Approaches to Play and Learning

Approaches to play and learning address the development of executive functions, such as initiative, persistence, and flexible thinking. These attitudes toward learning show how children learn, not just what they learn (New Jersey, 2014).

Science

The exploration of the natural world is the stuff of childhood. Science, when viewed as a process of constructing understanding and developing ideas, is a natural focus of an early childhood program. As children are given opportunities to engage in inquiry of phenomena, they develop many cognitive skills.

Social Studies

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The study of people, relationships, and cultures is called social studies. It includes learning about the environment, how people lived in the past, live today, work, get along with others, and becoming a good citizen.

Creative Arts

The purpose of including creative arts in early childhood education is to provide a range of activities for children to creatively express themselves. These activities can include, but are not limited to, music, art, creative movement, and drama.

Physical Health and Growth

Children learn through active movement. The development of skills, knowledge, and attitudes that leads to such a lifestyle must be taught and should begin early in order to ensure a lifetime of good health.

Social Emotional Skills

Emotional well-being and early childhood mental health have two inter-related components: the attainment of emotional and behavioral regulation and the capacity for positive relationships. As these capacities develop, according to age appropriate expectations, children are also able to learn and function in other domains and content areas.

Mathematics

Mathematics helps children survey their environment and start to form a sense of order. This beginning sense of order is of primary importance in constructing a solid foundation for future success. Children’s mathematical development is nourished by everyday play activities and exploration of the world around them.

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Indiana Early Learning FoundationsCONTENT

MCCSC Early Learning Programs use the Early Learning Foundations to provide the framework of the curriculum. Using Indiana Standards Tool for Alternate Reporting-Kindergarten Readiness (ISTAR-KR) the teachers assess the content areas to inform the planning and instruction of learning.

STUDENT GOALSStudents will reach their highest potential while capturing their interest and building on what they already know.

Students will make choices leading to continuous personal and emotional growth.

ASSESSMENTStudents will be assessed using ISTAR-KR to assess in the areas of mathematics, English/Language Arts and three functional areas, including: physical skills, personal care skills and social-emotional skills.

The Brigance can be used as an additional assessment, as needed.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

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Our programs focus on Developmentally Age Appropriate (DAP) instructional strategies. Our teachers focus on the ten effective DAP teaching strategies according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC):

Acknowledge what children do or say;Encourage persistence and effort rather than just praising and evaluating;Give specific feedback;Model attitudes;Demonstrate the correct way to do something;Create or add challenge;Ask questions;Give assistance; to help children work on the edge of their current competence;Provide information;Give explicit directions for children’s action or behavior

Reference: 10 Effective DAP Teaching Strategies, NAEYC

Students have individual learning goals, as needed. Our daily schedule provides opportunities for whole group, small group, and individual instruction as well as play based learning experiences.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTOptimal learning experiences are essential for continued growth in early learning best practices. All staff will be provided opportunities to attend professional development that pertain to the preschools’ philosophy and vision.

These opportunities will include: online training and onsite training.

INCLUSIONAll MCCSC Early Learning Programs are designed to provide an effective learning environment, develop a daily schedule that reflects programmatic and curricular objectives, and incorporate intentional teaching throughout the day to support each child’s development and learning in all areas.

MCCSC Policy 2260.01 –It is the policy of the Corporation to afford qualified students with disabilities an equal opportunity for participation in education, and in non-academic extracurricular services and activities sponsored by the Corporation. The Corporation will evaluate students who may need reasonable accommodations to participate to the fullest extent possible in a Corporation-sponsored activity or services. Upon a request by a qualified student with a disability to participate in any academic or non-academic activities or extracurricular services sponsored by the Corporation, the Corporation will conduct an individualized assessment of the student. The Corporation will evaluate the student based on the specific nature of the disability and the specific reasonable accommodations that student needs to participate in the Corporation-sponsored activity or service. The individual assessment will include an evaluation of whether existing policies, practices or rules may be modified to accommodate the students.

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FAMILY INVOLVEMENT/PARTNERSHIPSPartnership is essential for success for our students.

Communication with families includes:o Times and locations convenient to familieso Prioritized family communicationo Use of modern technologyo Accommodate for non-English speaking familieso Build capacity through volunteering and trainingo Provide teacher training on effective family involvemento Help parents become better educators at homeo Encourage volunteering

We will provide options for communication between program and families (including language translation, as needed). Please contact your school or center to provide information how best to communicate with you.

You can join the MCCSC Volunteer Team by visiting: http://www.mccsc.edu/volunteer

TOBACCO, PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES, AND WEAPONSThe indoor and outdoor environment and vehicles use by the program are designated as non-smoking areas.  The use of tobacco in any form, alcohol, or illegal drugs is prohibited on the facility premises.  Signs to this effect are posted around the facility.  Possession of illegal substances or unauthorized potentially toxic substances is prohibited.

All Early Learning staff and providers will maintain sobriety while on duty.  Caregivers, staff or other adults who are inebriated, intoxicated or otherwise under the effects of mind-altering or polluting substances will be required to leave the premises immediately.

No guns or other lethal weapons will be allowed in the Early Learning Programs.

MEDICATIONWe need an annual medication form from your physician for over-the-counter medicines before we can administer any medication to your child.  We require that prescription medication be delivered to the center in its original container which bears the original pharmacy label showing your child’s name, the physician’s name, the prescription number, the date it was filled and instructions for use.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION

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In accordance with Indiana Department of Education regulations, MCCSC has developed an Emergency Preparedness Plan. In the event of an emergency situation, your school or center will contact you via text message or phone call to your designated emergency contact number.

VISITORS & PROGRAM OBSERVATIONOur preschools welcome volunteers in the classroom. A criminal history check is required, and confidentiality agreements may be required as appropriate to a classroom or school. For liability and supervisory reasons, visiting children, younger siblings, orfriends of enrolled children may not be guests in the program.

ENTRY AND SECURITY AT THE SCHOOLAll MCCSC elementary schools are equipped with a video entry system enabling the school building to be locked during the school day. In order to enter the building for program drop-off and pickup, you or someone on the authorized pickup list may be required to ring the video monitor to be keyed into the building. Each school varies on the particular location of the video equipment. Be sure to speak to your school’s front office staff and/or your site coordinator if you have any questions on this process.

POLICY FOR RELEASE OF CHILDRENFor the protection of the children in our care, children will only be released to parents and adults whose names are designated on the enrollment form.

Please be prepared to show proof of identification upon request.

For safety reasons, we are unable to release a child to another minor.

Legally, we cannot keep a parent from picking up his/her child from our preschool program without having a court order documentation on file at the school level office.

CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECTState law requires all school staff to report any suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the proper authorities. All staff are trained in proper MCCSC protocol for reporting suspected cases. All staff must abide by all MCCSC policies and guidelines as reported in the section Student Supervision and Welfare.

BULLYING

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MCCSC views bullying as a serious issue. All staff and students must be aware that bullying behavior will not be tolerated in our programs. Students should feel safe in all areas of the school. We create an environment of support in our preschools that encourages students to realize that they do not have to tolerate bullying and they must notify staff. Students will be listened to and action will be taken which is prompt and sensitive to their concerns.

INCLEMENT WEATHERWhen MCCSC is closed, Early Learning Programs will also be closed. When the start of the school day is delayed, check with your provider for delay information.

Parents should have an alternate plan for their child(ren) when school is closed due to weather. If parents cannot be reached, individuals listed on the enrollment forms will be contacted to pick up the child at school.

INSURANCEMedical insurance coverage for children is the responsibility of the parent(s). MCCSC offers a student accident insurance policy for district children. Contact your school office for further information.

MEDICAL EMERGENCY OR ILLNESSA child may not attend any program with any of the following symptoms:

Fever Undiagnosed Rash Red Eyes with dischargeDiarrhea Severe Cold or Sore Throat Nasal Discharge (Sinus Infection)Vomiting Any other contagious illness

If your child has a fever of 100 degrees or more, or has vomited or had diarrhea, the child must stay home for 24 hours after the symptoms are gone without the use of over-the-counter medications.

If a child becomes ill while in the program, when possible, the child will be isolated until the parent or emergency person can be contacted to take the child home. In the event of a contagious illness among the children, notification will be sent home.

ACCIDENT AND INJURIESIf a child has a minor injury, the child will be treated and a staff person will inform the parents upon arrival at the program.

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If a SERIOUS ACCIDENT occurs, a staff person will contact the parent immediately so that the child may receive necessary medical treatment.

If an EMERGENCY occurs, and immediate attention is needed, the staff will call 911, and then immediately contact the parent. It is up to the paramedics to decide on the appropriate action. If the child needs emergency treatment, the paramedics will move the child to the nearest facility. It is the responsibility of parents to keep all emergency information current.

NEGOTIATING DIFFERENCESIf you have a concern about some aspect of our Early Learning Programs we will take every step to help resolve the issue as promptly as possible, keeping the safety and well-being of the children and staff as a priority.

Our staff is always open to suggestions and feedback to improve the way we serve you and your family. Contact your child’s teacher if you have any concerns or questions. Should you need further assistance, contact the program coordinator or building administrator.

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MCCSC PRESCHOOL DISCIPLINE/GUIDANCE POLICYEarly Learning Program Name ________________________________________

It is very important a child’s development is nurtured through caring, patience and understanding. However, while caring for your children, Staff may have to respond to your child’s misbehavior. Hitting, kicking, spitting, hostile verbal behavior and other behaviors which will hurt another child are not permitted.

In response to these behaviors, staff will not use: Threats or bribes Physical punishment, even if requested by the parent Deprive your child of food or other basic needs Humiliation or isolation

In response to misbehavior, staff will: Respect your child Establish clear rules Be consistent in enforcing rules Use positive language to explain desired behavior Speak calmly while bending down to your child’s eye level Give clear choices Redirect your child to a new activity Collaborate with team members to develop individualized strategies, as

needed

If your child’s behavior is very disruptive or harmful to himself or other children, staff will discuss the issue with you privately. If the situation can be resolved, the child may remain enrolled. If we are unable to resolve the issue, you may be asked to make other child care arrangements.

As a parent, you may have some concerns or wish to offer suggestions. Please contact your school or center and we may modify the above plan with agreed upon suggestions.

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