Mother’s Morning Out
Parent Handbook 2014-2015
405 Frederick Avenue
Sewickley, PA 15143
(412) 741-5231
A Weekday Ministry of St. Stephens Church
Geoff Chapman, Rector
Bill Henry, Assistant Rector
Steve Palmer, Associate Rector
Melissa Hendricks,
Director of Noah’s Ark Preschool/Kindergarten and Mother’s Morning Out
- Introduction
Our Mission Statement-
Behold, children are a gift of the LORD… Psalm 127:3 (NASB)
At Mother’s Morning Out we love children and thank God for them. We believe early childhood is a crucial time for spiritual, social, emotional, cognitive and physical growth, and this growth is nurtured in a child-centered and creative learning environment. We acknowledge that the primary responsibility for the education of children rests with parents (Dt. 6:6-7). We aim to support parents in their children’s early experiences outside the home as they interact with peers and our caring staff members. It is the desire of Mother’s Morning Out to work toward developing the following goals:
- each child’s knowledge of God
- curiosity and a spirit of inquiry about God’s world and all that is in it
- a positive attitude towards school and learning
- self-confidence and independence
We are a Private/Non-Public school fully accredited through the Association of Christian Schools International. We are exempt from state licensure, but we are committed to meeting or exceeding State Standards in every area.
- General Program Information
Program Hours– 9 AM to 1 PM, Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Arrival – When arriving with your child, you MUST stop at the front desk to check in for the day! Please do not enter classrooms until the staff has opened the door for the day. Once your child has “settled”, please feel free to go quickly. (Sometimes long goodbyes are very difficult on the child, the parent, and the other children!) When picking up, first stop at the front desk for your child’s pass and to pay fees. You may then go to your child’s classroom for dismissal. Please plan to arrive 5 minutes early when picking up your child. This will allow enough time to collect all belongings and crafts.
Dismissal – Children should be picked up promptly. Adherence to this policy keeps your child from worrying and allows the staff time to clean up and prepare for the next day.
Dismissal Changes – If someone other than the parent or guardian is picking up your child, we require a written note. Your child will not be released to somebody else without prior consent. (If someone we do not know is picking-up, we will ask them to show photo ID.)
Label Everything - Please label everything that you bring; lunches, diaper bags, coats, hats, etc.
Parking and Parking Lot – Please park only in a designated parking space between white lines. Please do not park in a fire lane. Please observe a safe speed when exiting and entering the lot and always observe the directional arrows.
Delays or Cancellations – Most often school is cancelled or delayed when Quaker Valley is cancelled or delayed. However, watch your local news stations for cancellations and delays; we are listed as Mother’s Morning Out/Noah’s Ark, Sewickley. If school is delayed, the program will be held from 10:30am to
2 pm. Look for more information regarding delays and cancellations as winter approaches.
Lunches - Pack a lunch that children can feed themselves (unless in the nursery). It is encouraged that at least 4 food groups be provided in each packed lunch. In appropriate quantities cut-up fruit/cheese/meat and finger sandwiches, crackers, granola bars, etc. can make for a nutritious and easy lunch. Please avoid foods such as yogurt, pudding, applesauce, etc. in the 2 year old room. Please do not send food that needs to be heated. Please label all containers. Absolutely no loose nuts.
Snacks – Snacks are provided by MMO. If you have any concerns regarding this, please see a staff member. We make every attempt to provide a healthy snack to each child.
Birthdays – Your child may bring a special birthday snack to celebrate his/her special day. Party invitations, if distributed in class, should be extended to the entire class.
Change of Clothes – Please send an extra outfit in a plastic bag to be used in an emergency. These will be returned at the end of the year.
Dress Suggestions – Your child should wear comfortable and manageable clothes to school – functional for art, play, bathroom use, outdoor activities, etc. Outerwear should be adequate for the weather as we often go outside for play or walks. Please encourage your child to dress him/herself at home. Teachers will offer help when needed. Please refrain from having your child wear flip-flops and Crocs when possible as they come off easily and become an injury risk.
Show and Tell – Children should leave all toys, candy, gum, money, etc. at home.
- Parent/School Communication
Newsletters – An occasional newsletter is distributed regarding important information for MMO
School Calendars – School calendars are included as an appendix to this packet.
Parental Involvement and Participation – Parents are very important to our school. You are your child’s first teacher and have the greatest impact on your child’s development. Because you hold this special place in your child’s life, we welcome you to participate in many ways:
- Be a volunteer for a day in the classroom
- Attend programs for the whole family
- Join us for special parent events throughout the year
Discipline –We strive to create a positive and loving atmosphere where appropriate behavior is modeled and encouraged. Clear routines and classroom expectations are established in the classroom in a consistent manner so that the children understand the boundaries of appropriate behavior. Re-direction, problem solving and “time-away” from the group may be used when children become uncooperative or aggressive. (Most of our teachers have been trained in a classroom management technique called Love and Logic.) When possible, we are willing to work with parents on initiating behavioral strategies. We reserve the right to disenroll or suspend a student immediately for inappropriate or aggressive behavior that compromises the quality and safety of the classroom environment.
Traumatic Events or Changes – Please inform the teachers of any traumatic events or occurrences that might affect your child’s performance or behavior in class.
Sickness – In order to keep our school environment as healthy as possible, children with fever, diarrhea, stomach ache/vomiting, deep cough, sore throat, heavy nasal discharge, rash or infectious eye condition which have occurred in the last 24hours should not be brought to school.
Medications –Medication, prescribed or otherwise, will not be administered to children by teachers. In the case of an emergency, inhalers and Epi pens will be administered. However, to do so we will need in writing: a signed statement from your doctor with diagnosis listing trigger symptoms, preventative measures and explicit instructions about giving your child medication, as well as permission to do so.
Potty Training – Although we are more than willing to assist with potty training, please know that potty training at home and school are not quite the same. Children are less likely to stop and use the pottyregularly at school because of distractions in the classroom. We try everything that we can to encourage kids to use the potty, but we have many other children to work with as well. Our focus cannot be one-on-one with each child at all times. So, please understand that we may need to use pull-ups at school even if you don’t use them at home. This should not be a huge set-back for the child since they are only at school a few hours a week. Again, we will work with you and your child on potty training, but we must be certain that the rooms are kept as clean and sanitary as possible.
Daily Fees–Please remit payment in a prompt and consistent manner. At the end of each semester it is expected that fees will be paid in full.
Fees – Please see MMO sheet for specific fee details
Late Fees – There is a late fee of $5.00 for every 10 minutes that you are late after 1:05. We appreciate promptness and so do your children. Please call if you have any extenuating circumstances that may make you late.
With careful consideration of all of these policies, the school year will run very smoothly. We look forward to a new year and all of the fun we will have with yourchildren! May Christ’s love be evident in our program and in your families as well.
God Bless,
The MMO Staff