Shepherd of the Valley

Lutheran Preschool

1281 Redmond Ave.

San Jose, CA 95120

Parent Handbook

2013/2014 School Year

School and Office Phones

(408) 997-4846 or 997-4848

Email:

Website:

Welcome to Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Preschool! Our school strives to function as a supplement or reinforcement of parent fostered Christ-Centered education. It is our prayer that your child’s time here will help develop a strong foundation for learning early in life.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Preschool is dedicated to meeting this objective.

Philosophy of our School

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Preschool is primarily concerned with the personal growth of each child in the areas of self-image, Christian training, social interaction, group play activities, academic skills and emotional development.

We believe that every child, created by God, is individually unique and deserves the utmost care and respect.

It is our aim to establish and maintain standards of excellence in both academics and Christian education. We believe in teaching attitudes as well as aptitudes, for it is during these formative years that the child’s pattern of behavior and beliefs is formed.

Our teachers meet the State of California requirements for preschool education.

Goals and Curriculum

Each month we will have activities that are planned around units of special interest such as seasonal changes, animals, plants, holidays etc. Activities will include creative songs, stories, art, finger plays, science and nutrition. Some units of study will include trips into the community and visits by resource people to the school.

Goals for the preschool children will be growth in the areas of gross and fine motor muscles, coordination skills, social development, language, basic phonics and sensory motor skills.

Bible stories and Bible verses will be taught as well as basic Christian principles. This will be an integral part of class and serve as a foundation for good Christian living.

Reading readiness develops within each child as they are encouraged to speak clearly, to observe closely and listen carefully. These are necessary prerequisites to reading, handwriting, auditory skills and language development. Students learn about the alphabet, the letter names, how to write them, what sounds they represent and how to blend them to form words. This is a multi-sensory program of visual, aesthetic and auditory activities.

The mathematics program is designed to develop understanding and insight into patterns of math through use of familiar materials.

The physical science program is designed to develop an inquiring mind. Basic understanding of the laws of nature begins to form as each student observes animals, plants, and care for seeds and bulbs. An understanding of good health habits is expected to be an outgrowth of this program.

Art activities are designed to reinforce units that are being taught, while allowing for many self-expression experiences. Students will experiment with a variety of media to create many crafts and projects.

The social science program seeks to develop an interest in, and understanding of, the world around us. Such units as holidays and celebrations, the home and family, and fire prevention and safety are taught.

Physical education emphasis will be on developing coordination skills, physical fitness, and a sense of sportsmanship.

Music emphasis will be on performing and listening. Students will learn how to sing songs, and how to use a variety of rhythm instruments.

Our goals will be growth in all areas mentioned above, to develop each individual child in social adjustment and basic preparation for the years ahead.

Holidays Observed: Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving (one week), Christmas (two weeks), Martin Luther King Day, Winter Vacation (February – one week), Easter (one week) and Memorial Day.

Admissions Policy

Students are admitted on the basis of space available in each class level. Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Preschool does not discriminate on the basis of national or ethnic origin, gender, race, color, or religion in the administration of its educational programs and admissions policies. The age requirements correspond to those of the San Jose Unified School District’s.

  • 3’s Class , 3 years old by December 2, 2012
  • Pre- Kindergarten, 4 years old by December 2, 2012
  • Junior Kindergarten, 5 years old by January 31, 2013

Children must be toilet-trained by the first day of school. Wearing diapers or pull-ups is not allowed.

Upon receipt of a completed application, forms required by the state and a non-refundable $190 registration fee, a space is reserved for your child on an availability basis. The first tuition payment due June 1, 2012, confirms enrollment. Your child’s teacher will contact you in July or August to arrange a meeting at your home. General questions about the school’s policies & procedures may be answered at this time, as well as more specific questions about classroom curriculum.

Forms required by the state due at the time of enrollment:

  • Personal Rights
  • Parent’s Rights
  • Student Health History
  • Emergency Card
  • Consent for Medical Treatment

The following forms are due by August 1, 2012:

  • Student Immunization Record (new students only)
  • Student’s Physician’s Report (new students only)

Your child will be given a Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Preschool tote bag and t-shirt to be used for classroom and field trip purposes, among others.

Tuition

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Preschool operates solely on the tuition paid from parents of enrolled students. Tuition is based on an amount necessary to maintain our school according to our highest standards.

Non-MembersChurch Members

2 Day Week - $3352 Day Week - $285

2 Day Extended Class - $489 2 Day Extended - $416

3 Day Week - $4893 Day Week - $416

3 Day Extended Class - $6573 Day Extended - $558

5 Day Week - $6495 Day Week - $551

5 day Extended Class $8805 Day Extended - $748

A 10% discount of the monthly tuition will be given to each additional child of the same family enrolled concurrently.

Tuition for the school year is divided into ten equal payments due on the 1st of each month. The first payment is due June 1, 2013 (by check or cash), with the remaining payments due September 1 through May 1 (these payments can be made through “Simply Giving” auto pay). There are three ways to pay tuition.

Auto Pay: Fill out the “Simply Giving” Auto Pay Form in your registration packet or available at the office. Tuition will automatically be deducted from your bank account the first day of each month (for the September 1 to May 1 payments only).

Check: Pay by check, payable to SOTV.

Cash: Cash payments must be given directly to the church/preschool secretary.

Any problems with payment should be brought to the attention of the Director in advance. Any fees incurred by Shepherd of the Valley will be charged to your child’s account (bank fees for returned checks, etc.)

Children who are enrolled after the start of the school year will have their tuition prorated accordingly.

Withdrawal from the Preschool requires two weeks notice or two weeks prepaid tuition on or before April 30. No refund of tuition will be made on or after May 1.

No credit on tuition is given for scheduled school holidays and vacation periods, or for any absences.

Arrival and Departure Procedure

To maintain safety and security, it is imperative that all parents follow the arrival and departure procedure.

  • School hours are 8:45 AM to 11:45 AM, 8:45 AM to 2:45 PM, and 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Punctuality is appreciated as tardiness disrupts the class.
  • A Full signature, first and last name, is required when signing your child in and out of the classroom. The preschool is subject to random inspections by the state and will be fined $50 for each signature that is not in full. The cost of that fine will be passed on to those who do not comply.
  • Children will only be released to parents and other authorized individuals listed on the emergency information form. Authorized individuals need to provide a picture ID.
  • When entering and exiting the preschool building, close the gate between the rear parking lot and the preschool building.
  • Drive slowly! Children sometimes get away from parents in the parking lot and are hard to see if an adult is not at their side.
  • Notify the office of any changes in authorizations or emergency information.

A.M. classes end at 11:45 and P.M. classes end at 3:30. The Extended Class ends at 2:45 P.M. A child not picked up on time will incur an overtime charge. Late pick-up charges are $5.00 for every five minutes beyond the scheduled departure times.

Absence and Illness

Please call the school office at (408) 997-4846 or (408) 997-4848 if your child is ill or cannot attend school that day.

Children may not attend school if they are ill, have a fever, persistent cough, green runny nose, vomiting or diarrhea. They may return to school when they have been free of the above symptoms for 24 hours and are feeling better.

If your child is diagnosed with a communicable disease (i.e. Strep throat, Scarlet fever, Chicken pox, Lice, Fifth disease, Impetigo, Pink eye) please notify the school office immediately so that an exposure notice may be sent home to classmates.

School Dress

Clothing should be comfortable, washable, and manageable for the child. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather. Due to safety concerns, girls should refrain from wearing long dresses. Overalls, body shirts with snaps, and belts are too difficult for children to manage themselves in the bathroom. Clothing depicting action figures (Power Rangers, Batman, etc.) may not be worn to school.

Children must wear shoes to school that cover the toes and heels. For safety reasons, no sandals, flip-flops, or rain boots should be worn to school.

Discipline Policy

All children are treated with fairness and respect. Children find security and direction where there is consistent guidance and routine. The teacher and teacher’s aide assist the child in conducting his/her behavior in a positive manner by facilitating, observing, and correcting behavior. We work with the student to exhibit self-control while managing his/her emotions. The following methods are used for positive discipline:

  • Explaining consistent, clear rules to children
  • Anticipating and eliminating potential problems
  • Redirecting behavior
  • Using positive phrases to correct behavior
  • Encouraging children to “talk out” their problems and discover a solution

The school will send a child home for the day when unsafe behavior continues after appropriate corrective procedures have been taken.

Continued negative behavior that warrants an immediate parent/teacher conference is as follows:

  • Biting, kicking, or hitting another child, staff member, or volunteer
  • Running away from teacher
  • Using foul language or swearing

If a child’s behavior does not improve, the child may be placed on probationary enrollment or enrollment may be terminated at the discretion of the Director.

Snacks and Birthday Treats

The school will provide a daily nutritious snack. Birthday treats are welcome. Please make arrangements with the teacher in advance to make sure there are no food allergies in the class before bringing outside food into the classroom.

Please refrain from using the cubbies for distributing party invitations unless all members of the class are invited. This will avoid any hurt feelings among the children.

Field Trips

During the school year, a number of special trips are taken for educational purposes. Participation in each field trip is optional. Therefore, entrance fees, at the group rate, are paid by the parents outside of the monthly tuition. Permission slips are given out in advance and must be signed and returned to the field trip box that is located in the hallway.

When paying for field trips please make checks payable to “SOTV”.

Visitation

After the first two weeks of school, parents are welcome to visit the classroom. Please notify the Teacher and Director in advance before visiting. Please sign in at the office and get a Visitor’s name tag. It is important for the safety of our children and, in case of an emergency, to identify all adults on campus. When visiting, please be respectful of the classroom environment and do not disturb the students or teachers.

Conferences & Parent Communication

Parents will be kept informed of up-coming events by monthly newsletters, calendars and flyers sent home with the students. Parents are invited to attend special events throughout the year. Some of our special events are as follows:

  • October, Noah’s Ark Parade
  • November, Thanksgiving Feast
  • December, Evening Children’s Advent Service
  • May, Mother’s Day Tea
  • June, Father’s Day Special Event
  • June, End-of-year Barbeque and Graduation

Parent/Teacher conferences are held in February. Additional meetings may be arranged with the teachers if the parent desires or if the teacher feels it is necessary.

Any questions, concerns or complaints regarding a student or a classroom issue are to be brought to the attention of the teacher. Together the parents and the teacher will work to remedy the situation. Parents may not approach any student, other than their own child, to discuss any concerns they may have with that student. If after meeting with the teacher a remedy is not reached, the parent and teacher will then meet with the Director.

Please refrain from being critical on school matters in the presence of children. Questions or criticisms should be brought to the people involved, in a quiet and constructive manner.

Disaster Plan
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Preschool has taken the following steps to prepare if a disaster were to take place.
• Trained staff in the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS).
• Scheduled school-wide fire and earthquake drills throughout the year.
• Equipped each room with a backpack for teachers containing

emergency supplies. A comfort letter written by the parents will be stored

in the emergency backpack. This letter will be read to your child

to comfort them until you or a designee picks up your child.
• Prepared detailed maps of the school, identifying evacuation routes and

utility locations.

Communication in case of a disaster:
1. If you are unable to pick up your child immediately from the preschool, make sure that you have two or three people on your emergency contact list who usually stay home during the day to be contacted by the school.
2. Make sure that the person who will be picking up your child is on your child’s emergency card, knows the school’s evacuation procedure, and will be able to show a photo ID for the child to be released to his or her custody.

Evacuation Procedures
In case of a major earthquake or other disaster, students may be evacuated from their classrooms. Depending on the magnitude of the incident, the school may be closed until further notice. If the parish hall is on fire, students will evacuate to the church. If the church is on fire, we will stay in the parish hall. If both are on fire we will evacuate to Crest Oak Court adjacent to the property until the children can be released to a parent or authorized designee (see below)
Your full cooperation and compliance with the evacuation procedures is necessary and appreciated during a disaster.

1. Do not call the school. Telephone lines may be needed for emergency communication.
2. Tune in to the local radio station for road updates and emergency announcements (AM Dial 560, 740 or 810).
3. Parents and designees MAY NOT pick up children until all students and staff are accounted for and the director approves the release of students. NO EXCEPTIONS.
4. To help us protect your child during a disaster, please be patient with the student release procedure.

Dismissal/Termination Policy

At the discretion of the teacher and administration, a parent may be requested to withdraw their child for these or other reasons:

  • Failure to make scheduled tuition payments by the due dates.
  • Failure to maintain current medical or immunization records.
  • Inability of the child to achieve toilet-learning.
  • Inability of the child to make the proper adjustments to preschool, or is considered in any way to be a detriment to the other children or preschool program.
  • Inability of the preschool to meet the special needs of a child after completion of a trial period.
  • Exhibition of parental behavior that is uncooperative with Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Preschool’s policies.
  • Physical and/or verbal abuse of staff or children by parent or child. This will not be tolerated and may result in the immediate termination of enrollment at the discretion of the Director.

Tuition payments are non-refundable in the case of immediate termination of enrollment.

LORD GOD, HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK AND PRAISE YOUR HOLY NAME FOR GIVING US OUR CHILDREN. HELP US TO SHOW THEM YOUR GREAT LOVE AND TEACH THEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE MADE THEM YOUR CHILDREN, YOUR HERITAGE, AND MEMBERS OF YOUR KINGDOM. SEND YOUR HOLY ANGELS TO BE WITH AND WATCH OVER THEM, THAT THEY MAY GROW UP HEALTHY AND STRONG IN BODY, MIND AND SOUL. WE ASK THIS IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. AMEN!

Parental Statement of Cooperation

- I understand that my child will receive a Christian education at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Preschool.

- I agree to cooperate with the preschool through a spirit of love.

- I understand that threats, verbal or physical, by a parent toward a student, parent, or staff member are grounds for immediate termination.

- I will refrain from discussing the following matters with other parents, or in the presence of any student:

  • Behavior of any student other than my own.
  • Behavior of my student in comparison to the other students in the class.
  • Concerns about attitudes, behavior, or parenting skills of other parents.
  • Complaints or concerns about teachers, aides, or other staff.
  • Academic progress of students.
  • Comparison of staff members.

If a problem arises, in a Christ-like manner, I will contact the teacher first to resolve a problem. If necessary, I may contact the Director or Pastor.