Lincoln Early Intervention

Pre-Kindergarten

Program

Handbook

For Parents and Students

2015-2016

Dear Parents,

As the Special Education Supervisor at Tiffin City Schools, I would like to welcome you to the Lincoln Early Intervention Pre-Kindergarten Program and thank you for choosing our preschool program for the 2015-16 school year. This decision has given our Early Childhood Intervention Specialists and Paraprofessionals the wonderful and exciting opportunity to teach and nurture your child. We all know that the preschool years are a time of incredible growth, development, and change. It is during these years that children develop the basic knowledge, understanding, and interests that they’ll need to become successful learners. These basic skills will lay the groundwork for being successful in reading, writing, and mathematics and will be the building blocks in future years. All young learners deserve access to experiences that will help them to achieve this goal.

During these years, we will develop a partnership that will support your child’s readiness for future school success. In order to foster and support this partnership, communication will be a critical component. Please feel free to call my office with any questions or concerns throughout the school year. The staff at Lincoln Pre-Kindergarten and Tiffin City Schools are looking forward to meeting you and your child.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Koppus, M. Ed.

Special Education Supervisor

Preschool Director

Tiffin City Schools

419-447-2515

Welcome

Welcome to Tiffin City Schools! Tiffin City Schools and Lincoln Early Intervention Pre-Kindergarten Program will provide your child with a high quality, early learning and development standards-based education. This handbook has been written to help you understand the procedures and programs at Lincoln Early Intervention Pre-Kindergarten Program.

Tiffin City Schools Mission Statement

We guarantee that all students achieve success at their full learning potential.

Vision

Great Schools! Great Students! Great Future!

Philosophy

Early childhood is the time period of development and growth that starts at birth and continues through kindergarten. Children in this period of developmentlearn best when they interact with their environment, with people, and when they manipulate objects. Their primary motivation for learning is their longing to make sense of the world around them. The way these young students learn dictates how they should be taught. For these young learners to fully understand and remember, information must be presented to them as it connects to their own experiences and environment. If these experiences are relevant, they are more likely to persist and be motivated to continue their learning. The teachers and staff at Lincoln Early Intervention Pre-Kindergarten Program provide an environment and a variety of activities to foster this growth. When given opportunities to observe and model behaviors and skills displayed by children from various developmental levels, young learners develop a deeper understanding of their world and their role in learning. All our preschool classrooms have typical developing peers to help provide these opportunities.

Belief Statements

  • High expectations are directly related to student achievement.
  • Our schools will provide the technological and social skills to compete in a global society.
  • It is essential for our school system to embrace diversity, including ethnicity, ability level, and socioeconomic status.
  • Our schools must be safe, promote a positive learning atmosphere and be organized around the needs and interests of our students.
  • Our families, students, staff and community share responsibility in the education of our children.
  • Each person has intrinsic value and worth and is a unique individual.
  • Every student should/will contribute to community/society.
  • Increased accountability (parents/students/staff) will foster an environment of respect and acceptance.
  • Every child needs basic skills-conflict resolution, problem solving, and innovative thought processes.
  • Our district should be a source of PRIDE for our community.

Board of Education

Mrs. Shirley Smith- President

Mr. Randall Schwartz- Vice President

Mr. Roland Zimmerman- Member

Dr. Jeff Hoyda- Member

Mr. Chris Widman- Member

Mrs. Sharon Perry- Treasurer

District Administrative Team

Dr. Vicki Wheatley- Superintendent

Mrs. Michelle Tuite- Director of Instruction and Personnel

Mr. Jeremy Koppus- Special Education Supervisor, Pre-K Director

Mrs. Pam Bibler- School Psychologist

Mrs. Paula Zirm- Gifted Coordinator

Mr. Scott Daniel- Director of Operations

Mrs. Sharon Perry- Treasurer

Ms. Kelly Stahl- Washington K-1 Principal

?- Krout 2-3 Principal

Mr. Mike Newlove- Noble 4-5 Principal

Mr. Robert Boes- TMS Principal

Mr. Shawn Murphy- TMS Dean of Students

Mr. Doug Hartenstein- Columbian Principal

Mr. Greg DeVore- Columbian Assistant Principal

Mrs. Jan Beard- Food Service Supervisor

Ms. Marisa Brown- Technology Coordinator

Lincoln Pre-Kindergarten Contact Guide

For the 2015-2016 school year, communication will follow the Parent’s Guide to Contacts.

Classroom Teacher/

Early Childhood Intervention Specialist

Lincoln Pre-K Coordinator

Tiffany Boehler

Program Director/Special Education Supervisor

Jeremy Koppus

Lincoln Early Intervention Pre-Kindergarten Program Staff

Team Members:

Jeremy Koppus, Director/Special Education Supervisor

Tiffany Boehler, Lincoln Pre-K Coordinator, Early Childhood Intervention Specialist

Pam Bibler, School Psychologist

Deb Bame, Speech/Language Pathologist

Lindsey Distel, Early Childhood Intervention Specialist

Teachers will be added as necessary

Lincoln Early Intervention Pre-Kindergarten Program Location/Information

Lincoln Pre-Kindergarten

124Ohio Avenue

Tiffin, Ohio 44883

Phone number will be added after August 1

Hours:

4-day/week classes: A.M. Session- Monday through Thursday, 8:00-11:10 a.m.

4-day/week classes: P.M. Session- Monday through Thursday, 11:50-3:00 p.m.

*The Program offers the state minimum of 12 hours 40 minutes

Tuition:

Typically developing students will have tuition of $125 per month for the 4-days/week class (a.m. and p.m.). Tuition is due the 1st of each month. For your convenience, you will receive a monthly invoice. A sliding scale has also been developed to assist families who have financial needs to send their child to pre-kindergarten.

All tuition accounts must be current on the first day of each month. After the first day of each month, students will not be admitted to the preschool until the balance is paid. If you desire to withdraw your child, please notify us in writing so we will not hold a place for your child and continue to charge your account. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.Tuition can be paid by check, cash, money order, (checks need to be made out to Tiffin City Schools) or by linking a bank account to your billing and allowing for monthly automatic withdraw of your tuition. A discount of 5% will be provided to anyone paying for the full year at the time of enrollment.

Payments can be made at Lincoln Pre-Kindergarten. Payments can also be sent to:

Attn: Pat Smith

Tiffin City Schools

District Administration Building

244 South Monroe Street

Tiffin, Ohio 44883

Lincoln Early Intervention Pre-Kindergarten Program

Admission

Selection of students for admission is mandated by state guidelines and will be made on the basis of qualifications.

  • Students who live within the boundaries of our school district,
  • Are between the ages of 3 and 5,
  • Who are determined eligible for special education services through a multi-factored evaluation process,

will be enrolled through the same process as all students in Tiffin City Schools. Our program does not discriminate in any way on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, or socio-economic status.

In addition to providing services to students who are eligible for special education, we offer education opportunities for non-disabled children to join the Early Childhood Program. Families will pay a monthly tuition and parents will provide transportation. Openings are limited. Applications must be completed and submitted to Jeremy Koppus, Special Education Supervisor/Pre-Kindergarten Director.

Attendance

1. Daily Attendance

Daily attendance is encouraged and expected. Students benefit most from a program when they can be part of the classroom everyday. Of course, there are good reasons for being absent from school. These include: personal illness, illness in the family necessitating the presence of the child, quarantine of the home, death of a relative, observation of religious holidays/absence for religious reasons, or professional appointments.

When a student is absent from school, the parent needs to call the school. If your child is absent and we have not heard from you, the school secretary, or program director, will make every attempt to contact the parents at home or at work. If your student is tardy or needs to leave school early he/she must be signed in or out of school at the office.

If an absence is planned, parents need to send a note to school at least three days before the absence indicating the dates your child will be gone from school and the reason for the absence(s). Please check with your child’s teacher to find out what will be covered during the child’s absence.

2. Extended Vacations/Extended Student Absence During the School Year

Students are permitted to go on vacation during the school year without penalty. The district will accommodate parents who must take their vacations during the school year. Parents are encouraged to follow these guidelines:

  1. Whenever a proposed absence-for-vacation is requested, parents must discuss it with the Pre-Kindergarten Director or his/her designee and the child’s classroom teacher. The length of the absence should be made clear, and those involved should have an opportunity to express their views on the potential effects of the absence.
  2. The student may be given approximate assignments and materials and pages to be completed.
  3. The time missed will be counted as authorized, unexcused absences and any related service time will be missed.

Birthdays/Invitations

Children may bring a birthday treat on or near their birthdays. Please check with your child’s teacher before sending a treat. Treats and invitations may only be distributed if given to all children in class.

Bloodborne Pathogens

The Tiffin City Schools Board of Education policy for Bloodborne Pathogens states: Staff and students incur some risk of infection and illness each time they are exposed to bodily fluids or other potentially infectious materials. While the risk to staff and students of exposure to body fluids due to casual contact with individuals in the school environment is very low, the Board regards such risk as serious.

Consequently, the Board directs adherence to universally recognized precautions. Universally recognized precautions require that staff and students approach infection control as if all direct contact with human blood and body fluids is known to be infectious for HIV, HBV, HCV and/or other bloodborne pathogens.

To reduce the risk to staff and students by minimizing or eliminating staff exposure incidents to bloodborne pathogens, the Board directs the Superintendent to develop and implement an exposure control plan. This plan must be reviewed and updated at least annually in accordance with Federal law.

The plan includes annual in-service training for staff and students; first-aid kits in each school building and each student transportation vehicle; correct procedures for cleaning up body fluid spills and for personal cleanup.

Training is followed by an offer of immunization with hepatitis B vaccine for all staff who are required to provide first aid to students and/or staff. The vaccine is also offered to all staff who have occupational exposure as determined by the administrator.

Care of Property

The Tiffin City Schools believes that students should learn to respect property and develop feelings of pride in community institutions. The district charges each student with the responsibility of proper care of school property and the school supplies and equipment entrusted to his/her use.

Child Find

Child Find is the process of locating, evaluating, and identifying children with disabilities who may be in need of special education and related services and/or may be entitled to protection from discrimination based on his/her disability. Parents, relatives, public and private agency employees, childcare providers, physicians, and concerned citizens are encouraged to help TCS find any children, ages birth to 21, who may have a disability and are in need of special education and related services. If you suspect a child may have a disability, help is available for that child. Contact Mr. Jeremy Koppus, Special Education Supervisor/Pre-Kindergarten Director at 419-447-2515 or by mail at Lincoln Lincoln Early Intervention Pre-Kindergarten Program,124 Ohio Avenue, Tiffin, Ohio 44883.

Control of Casual Contact Communicable Diseases and Pests

If a child is ill, appears to be ill, has been diagnosed with a communicable, untreated illness, or has an illness still considered contagious, the administrative staff has the authority to exclude or isolate the student. Students having symptoms of a fever 100 degrees or higher, vomiting, diarrhea, or other signs of a possible communicable disease, must be sent home and remain at home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours without the benefit of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or anti-diarrhea medications.

For communicable illnesses such as strep, pink eye, ringworm, and impetigo that require medication treatment, students must complete a minimum of 24 hours of treatment before returning to school. For whooping cough and chicken pox, the exclusion time will be longer and may require a physician’s note to return to school.

Students with evidence of lice infestation will be excluded until treated and nit free. Students with scabies are also excluded until treated.

Curriculum and Assessment

The Lincoln Early Intervention Pre-Kindergarten Program utilizes the Creative Curriculum and Handwriting Without Tears: Get Set for School as guides for instruction. The Creative Curriculum and Handwriting Without Tears are based on scientific research on how children develop and learn and is aligned with the Ohio Early Learning Content Standards. The Lincoln Early Intervention Pre-Kindergarten Program includes 11 interest areas, and describes how and what children learn in each area, the supplies and materials needed, how the teacher interacts with children to promote learning, and how to share information about the area with families. Assessments will rely heavily upon observations by the teacher and parent and work samples. Assessments include self-help skills, social development, language and literacy, motor skills, math, and science.

Cumulative Records

It is necessary to maintain personal information on each child and family. Information in the records is available only to appropriate school personnel and to the child’s parents or legal guardian in accordance with the law, yet guarded with confidentiality. The Lincoln Early Intervention Pre-Kindergarten Program will maintain the following records on each child:

  • Personal Data- name, address, date of birth, social security number.
  • Family Data- name, address, telephone number.
  • Copy of birth certificate.
  • Custody papers when applicable.
  • Emergency Medical information.
  • Immunization records, Medical/Dental assessment.
  • Admission and withdrawal dates.
  • Attendance.
  • Progress reports.
  • Parent authorization to transport.
  • Permission for photo release/field trip release.
  • Request for roster information for circulation to preschool participants.
  • Medical Family Health History.

Discipline/Code of Conduct

Young children need guidance in learning to show respect for others and for themselves. Every child needs limits set to develop self-discipline and socially acceptable behaviors. Sensible and consistent rules and limits need to be set in any group to help a child feel comfortable, safe, and secure. Classroom rules will be posted in each room and children will be reminded of the rules and reasons for the rules.

  • Children will be given the opportunity to work out their own conflicts. Teachers will intervene before it becomes physically or emotionally harmful. Teachers will work together with the children to help them discover a better way to resolve problems.
  • Natural consequences will be used when possible. Children will be asked to discontinue play with a certain toy, in a play area or with certain children for a while if appropriate behavior is not occurring. They will be expected to repair any damage done to physical structures children have built. Teachers will redirect the children to more appropriate activities.
  • Knowing they imitate adults, teachers will set a positive example for children.
  • Teachers will have reasonable expectations for children. Children will not be expected to perform tasks for which they are not developmentally ready.

The rules in the classroom and on the bus reflect safety, common sense, and respect for each other and our school. In all environments, the Lincoln Early Intervention Pre-Kindergarten Program staff uses developmentally appropriate management techniques including positive reinforcements, reminders, talking through the situation with the child, redirection, cues, prompts, and/or separation from problem situations. During situations where students do not respond to these strategies/techniques, a parent conference will be held and the parents and the staff will develop a more formal behavior plan.

We are required by ODE to include the following, additional information:

  • The purpose of this code is to ensure the safety and physical and emotional well being of all individuals on the premises.
  • Our methods of discipline shall apply to all persons on the premises and shall be restricted as follows:
  • There shall be no cruel, harsh, corporal punishment or any unusual punishments such as, but not limited to, punching, shaking, spanking, or biting.
  • No discipline shall be delegated to any other child.
  • No physical restraints shall be used to confine a child by any means other than holding a child for a short period of time, such as in a protective hug, so the child may regain control.
  • No child shall be placed in a locked room or confined in an enclosed area such as a closet, a box, or a similar cubicle.
  • No child shall be subjected to profane language, threats, and derogatory remarks about himself or his family, or other verbal abuse.
  • Discipline shall not be imposed on a child for failure to eat, failure to sleep, or for toileting accidents.
  • Techniques of discipline shall not humiliate, shame, or frighten a child.
  • Discipline shall not include withholding food, rest, or toilet use.
  • Separation, when used as discipline, shall be brief in duration and appropriate to the child’s age and developmental ability, and the child shall be within sight and hearing of a preschool staff member in a safe, lighted, and well-ventilated space.
  • The center shall not abuse or neglect children and shall protect children from abuse and neglect while in attendance in the preschool program.

Dress Code