Broward County

Coral Springs High School

Little Colt

Learning Academy

Parent Handbook

7201 West Sample Road

Coral Springs, FL 33065

CSHS Main Number: 754-322-0500

LCLA Number: 754-322-0554 FAX: 754-322-0630

We are located in Coral Springs High School, Room 307.

Lois Astern, ECEInstructor: B.A. Degree Elementary Education and Early Childhood, DCF Training

Monique Williams, Teacher Assistant: Child Development Associate Certificate, DCF Training

Makenna Krause, Teacher Assistant: A.A. Science Degree, DCF Training

6/2/17 la

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

Welcome to Broward County Coral Springs High, Little Colt Learning Academy. Our purpose

is to build a learning community of children, parents, teachers, and student teachers all working together. Together, we will earn each other’s trust and create a positive and growing partnership, in order to enhance the lives of young children.

Our Learning Academy has three goals:

  1. To provide young children with a safe, nurturing, loving, focused and instructional quality early education experience.
  2. To provide high school students with hands-on experience and professional preparation for the real world, while earning the Early Childhood Professional Certificate, which is the state of Florida Certification. As our goal is to meet the needs of our Little Colts, please understand that we are a teaching and learning lab. Therefore, this environment may not be appropriate for all types of learners. Occasionally, an alternative learning environment may be necessary for your young child to meet his or her individual needs and growth potential.
  3. To demonstrate a model program for the Child Care Industry in a Broward County

School.

HOURS OF OPERATION

The Little Colt Learning Academy hours are 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

LCLA runs on the School Board of Broward County Calendar.

The school calendar is available online at

GENERAL POLICYS AND REGISTRATION

  1. LCLA(Little Colt Learning Academy) accepts children 3-5 years old.
  • Children must be 3 years old by 9/1 of the school year they enroll.
  • VPK children must be 4 years old by 9/1 of the school year they enroll.
  1. LCLA is a fulltime preschool, which is open to the Faculty and Staff of Coral Springs, SBBC Employees, Coral Springs Police Department and Personnel, Coral Springs Fire Department, and Community Families.
  2. Registration for LCLA is on a first come basis.

LCLA is permitted to have 18 children each school year.

In the event that we exceed that amount, we will have a waiting list.

  1. In order for children to be able to attend LCLA, parents/guardians will get an Enrollment Packet with forms to be filled out and returned.

Medical Forms #680 & #3040 are required.

  1. All children who are registered in LCLA must be fully bathroom independent.

FEE PAYMENT SCHEDULE / TUITION

  • The $75.00 registration fee is paid at entry into the program and again for any re-entry if withdrawn throughout the school year. A Tuition agreement will be signed.
  • A child (a new Little Colt) will be registered in the LCLA when we receive the $75.00 Registration Fee, completed Enrollment Packet with Medical Forms and Fee Payment #1.

All Fees can be paid on-line according to the FEE SCHEDULE.

  • coralspringshigh.browardschools.com
  • Find the $ sign at the bottom of the screen.
  • Online School Payments
  • Click High School
  • Click Coral Springs High School
  • Create a student I.D. Enter Child’s First and Last Name
  • Students I.D., use ten zeros (0000000000).
  • Create a user name and password to pay the registration fee and monthly tuition and to buy uniform shirts.

A $10.00 cash late fee is in effect for payments received after the scheduled on-line due date closes. There is no partial payment for services after registering.

**Non-attendance will not waive fees for the LCLA program.**

Pre-K 3-5 Year Old Full-Time Program (no VPK)

The yearly tuition is divided into 10 equal on-line payments.

Fees are paid in advance for the service period and are expected on or before the Fee Payment due date.

VPK 4 Year Old Program - Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten with Enrichment Hours

The child must have a VPK Certificate of Eligibility for enrollment into the VPK program.

This certificate provides parents with partial tuition assistance.

  • Go to
  • Go to Early Learning Family Portal; Choose VPK
  • Apply for Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten
  • Present VPK Certificate toBroward County Coral Springs High with Enrollment packet.

The yearly VPK Enrichment tuitionis divided over 10 equal on-line payments. Fees are paid in advance for the service period and are expected or before the Fee Payment due date.

DROP OFF /SIGN IN & SIGN OUT

It is important for you to walk your Little Colt to the Learning Lab and sign your child in or out on the attendance roster daily. In accordance with the state law, we must have on file the names, address and phone numbers of the person(s) permitted to drop off and pick up your child. If someone comes to pick up your child, they must have a photo license and know the Release Code/Password chosen by the parent. If they are not on file, we cannot permit your child to leave without parental permission via written or phone.

RELEASE CODE / PASSWORD

It is important for you to choose a confidential code for your child. This code should be easy to remember and given to the specific person that you designate to pick your child in the event of an emergency situation. Before you send your designee to pick up your child from the center, you are required to call the center to provide a description of your designee and give verbal permission for the person designated to pick up your child. We will require that your authorized person show us their driver’s license, know the release code, and sign your child out of the center. This code will be noted in your child’s enrollment packet.

CURRICULUM

We pursue a theme oriented, child centeredcurriculum,“CREATIVE CURRICULUM”, based on the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards for Four-Year-Olds2011, which is developmentally appropriate and meets the needs of all types of learners. Our curriculum enhances children’s development in the areas of science, technology, engineering, math, literacy, art, music, movement, sensory exploration, cooking, fine/gross motor skills, and dramatic play, while also nurturing the whole child.

The above experiences are implemented through a balance of small group, large group, interest centers and play. All of these activities along with our nurturing and warm guidance will prepare our Little Colts with the necessary skills for entering Kindergarten.

In addition to our standard curriculum, we also have the following activities to enhance the development of the whole child: Computers, Character Education, Creative Movement, on and off campus field trips, Guest Speakers/Visitors, Spanish, and Sign Language.

SCREENING

The Program uses the TSG GoldObservationand Bright Beginnings Assessmentduring the school year. The observation/assessments allow the parents to know what areas of concern their child many have. The areas screened in Bright Beginningsare: Print Knowledge, Phonological Awareness, Mathematics and Oral Language/Vocabulary.

Little Colt Learning Academy knows the early years of a child’s life are the most important time for learning and gaining new skills. Eighty percent of all brain growth occurs by age three. In order to help your child reach his/her full potential during this important time, we suggest that you use the services of Child Find/Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS).

Child Find/Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) provide diagnostic, instructional, and technology support services to families and children upon completion of the assessment. This is a FREE service and is essential in making sure your child gets the best start in their education.

PARENT INFORMATION BOARD

Our parent bulletin board includes:

School Calendar, Notices, Payment Schedule, Newsletter, Pictures, Special Event, FDLRS

HOLIDAYS

LCLC runs on the School Board of Broward County Calendar.

The center will be closed on national holidays, and teacher planning days.

SAFETY PLAN

The safety of our students getting on and off campus is crucial.

Code Red: No movement, except for police

Code Yellow: Limited movement, no movement except for SAFE Team Members

Code Brown: Shelter-in-place/Evacuate/Lockdown

Code Blue: Medical emergency

Code Black: Bomb threat, evacuate facility

Code Green: All clear

Code Orange: Evacuate beyond previous codes

PARENT CONCERNS

We are a training center for high school students working with the LCLAchildren for the first time. If there are any concerns or questions regarding your child or the center, please advise Mrs. Astern, ECE Teacher or the LCLA Teacher Assistants, immediately.

VOLUNTEERS/ PARENT HELPERS (Check newsletter for dates)

Each parent is required to fill out a volunteer form to volunteer in LCLA.

  • Go to:
  • Choose: Volunteer Services
  • Clink on: Volunteer Application
  • Click here to proceed with the Volunteer Application
  • Check both boxes to continue to fill in your information

Keep in mind the following:

-Parents may volunteer through fieldtrips and visits to the classroom.

-Wear comfortable clothes and sneakers

-Sit where the children can see and talk to you

-When outside, stand where you can see the entire area

-Try not to over direct the children’s play. Give them freedom to relate in their own way.

-When speaking to the children, get down to be at their eye level.

-Other ways parents can volunteer is through donations for parties and classroom materials, etc.

HEALTH

Broward County Health Department requires that all children attending school must have up- to- date immunizations (blue form), a golden certificate of recent tuberculosis screening (yellow form), with a doctor’s statement certifying the child’s good health. Your child’s pediatrician has all the required medical forms. Any child without these records will not be able to attend and remain at the center.

By law, you are given five days from the day of enrollment to provide these documents. Children between the ages of 3 to 5 must have all these requirements for the Preschool:

-DTaP/DPT- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis Vaccine

-Polio

-HIB

-MMR-Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (Combined or Separate)

-Hepatitis B

-Varicella (Chicken Pox)

-Pneumococcal

ILLNESS POLICY

The Little Colt Academy provides a healthy learning environment. If your child has

any of the following symptoms, we ask that you please care for your child at home:

-Oral temperature above 99 -Intestinal problems

-Unexplained/ unknown rash -Vomiting

-More than one incident of diarrhea

-Communicable disease/ nasal discharge

-Coughing, runny nose, fever, stiff neck, head lice

-Flu or cold symptom in the eyes, ears, nose, or mouth

ABSENCES

If a child is absent, parents are responsible to let the LCLA know.

Call (754-322-0554). If your child is absent for three consecutive days, or has had a communicable disease, such as conjunctivitis/pink eye, the child will need an “OK to return to school form from the doctor”.

FIRST AID PROCEDURES

In the event your child requires minor first aid treatment the Teacher Assistants and students on staff will administer care. For example: washing a wound and applying a bandage. We regret that State Law PROHIBITS us from giving any medications. We are not permitted to administer any type of medication.

NAP TIME/QUIET TIME

Quiet Time is an important time of the day for children to rest. The children are given time to nap in their designated area. The center provides soft music to comfort them.

LINENS

Nap linens must be sent in aneasy access backpack. All items should be labeled with the child’s name in permanent marker. Linens should include a bottom sheetand a blanket or towel to use as a cover; a small pillow is optional. Linens must be taken home at the end of the school week, laundered, and returned the first day of the next week. Mats are provided by the center and are sanitized weekly by staff members.

CLOTHING

Children should wear comfortable, simple clothing, free of complicated fastenings and ornamentation. Sneakers or closed toe shoes are best for school activities. We suggest if dresses are worn that tights are worn underneath. A complete change of clothes in a plastic bag, clearly labeled, with their names should stay in the cubby along with a sweatshirt, sweater, or jacket.

We have school uniform requirements. (Red, Green, Blue or White shirts)

(Beige bottoms)

Please bring the following items for the first day of school:

Label EVERY item with the child’s name.

LINENS (to be brought home on Friday’s and returned on Monday’s)

1- easy access backpack that the linens are placed in

1-flat crib sized sheet to lie on

1-blanket or towel for a cover OR a small sized sleeping bag

1-small pillow (optional)

CHANGE OF CLOTHES (to be kept in child’s cubby)

1-pants or shorts

1-shirt

1- underpants

1-pair of socks

1- jacket/sweater (it can get cool in the classroom)

BEHAVIOR GUIDANCE

The LCLAstaff and Early Childhood students all believe children need love,

guidance, and support to help children grow and develop into successful young

adults. It is essential that caregivers understand that growth and

development takes time and demands our loving attention. Inappropriate

behavior can be changed by positively reinforcing appropriate behavior.

The Learning Lab will use the following ways to guide your child’s behavior:

setting limits, discussions, limiting group size, modeling TLC, re-directing, logical

consequences, positive reinforcement, “thinking time”, and withholding privileges.

We also have a reward system in place for positive behavior. The children can

earn rewards.

NUTRITION

Free breakfast and Free or Reduced lunch is provided from the CSHS school cafeteria.

For some children, lunch, morning and afternoon snacksare to be brought from home.

We do not have a license to cook food, so we are not able to cook anything brought from home. Easy to eat sandwiches and finger foods are best.

The LUNCH size portions should consist of:

  • MILK (3/4 CUP)
  • 2 FRUIT /VEGETABLE

juice, fruit and/or vegetable. ½ cup

  • 1 GRAINS / BREAD

bread ½ slice

coldcereal, ½ cup

hot cooked cereal, ¼ cup

pasta or noodles or grains, ¼ cup

cornbread, biscuit, roll, muffin, ½ serving

  • 1 MEAT/MEAT ALTERNATIVE

meat, poultry, fish, 1/1/2 oz.

OR alternate protein product or cheese or egg, 1/1/2 oz.

cooked dry beans or peas, ½ cup

OR peanut butter, 3 tbsp.

OR nuts and/or seeds ¾ oz.

yogurt, 6 oz.

Any special diet, allergy, or medical requirements as specified by your doctor or nutritionist needs to be communicated to the director. Parents are to follow the Alternate Nutrition Plan, signed by the parents in the Enrollment Packet.

BIRTHDAYS

LCLA celebratesbirthdays of children and staff members. We are happy to assist your family in celebrating special occasions; please provide two days notice for the special event. Broward County School Board Policy and Broward County Public Health Department Code states that food brought in or used at a school function must be purchased from a store. Limit your choices to mini muffins, mini cupcakes, brownies, or cookies. Please DO NOT send full-size bakery cupcakes with mountains of frosting.

REPORTING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

All Child Care Personnel are mandated by law to report their suspicionsof child abuse, neglect, or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline in accordance with s.39.201 of the Florida Statutes (F.S.).

TREASURES AND TOYS

We ask that all personal toys, money, and other treasures be kept at home to prevent problems sometimes created by little ones that find sharing a difficult task.

Cubbies are for lunch boxes, class projects, and a change of clothes.

SHOW-N-TELL

Show- N- Tell is done once a week on Friday. . Children are asked to bring in an item that begins with the Letter of the Week to share with the class. All Show- N- Tell items should be sent in a bag labeled with the child’s name on it. All Show- N- Tell items should also be labeled with name to prevent loss. Please refer to the weekly Theme Unit Plan for the upcoming “Letter of the Week.

GRADUATION

At the end of each school year, Little Colt Learning Academy, holds a graduation ceremony for the children. This ceremony is held to congratulate children starting kindergarten in the fall and to recognize younger participants. Graduation is held inApril or May, before the seniors leave Coral Springs High School.

The staff, students and children participate in this memorable event by singing, dancing and creating artwork that is showcased.

Parents watch the children receive theirPreschool Diploma.

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