Century
USD #100
Pre-Kindergarten
Handbook
2018-2019
Welcome
The Administration and Prekindergarten Staff are excited to have you and your
child enrolled in the Century Pre-K Program. Our goal is to provide rewarding and
enjoyable experiences for children ages three to five as well as their parents.
We have an experienced, fun-loving staff that is dedicated to making your child’s
first experience within the school setting a positive experience. We strongly
believe that you are your child’s first and most important teacher. Therefore, we
will provide numerous opportunities for you to participate in the Century Pre-K
Program. Teamwork between home and school is the key to a child’s success.
Mission Statement
The mission of Century Unit District #100 Schools is to produce self-sufficient individuals
who are well prepared for the new millennium and future technological advances. Century
CUSD #100 is committed to promoting positive, challenging educational opportunities for
all students regardless of race, creed, religion or color within a secure, disciplined,
peaceable, and nurturing environment that is physically comfortable. We will achieve this
goal by instilling the love of learning, facilitating academic growth, and inspiring students
to develop communication, decision-making and problem solving skills to enable them to set
and achieve life-long goals. We will work to challenge and motivate students to develop
strategies to become law-abiding, flexible, and productive citizens of their community and
nation in an ever-changing society.
Program Philosophy
It is our belief that a quality program for pre-school children provides experiences
that will contribute to the total development of each child. Our program is designed to be
developmentally appropriate for young children, which means that the activities and
experiences for them are based on the natural development stages of children. Activities
and experiences offer many learning opportunities through play and child initiated
activities. It is our belief that the program should enable youngsters to acquire and
develop those skills that will enable them to adjust to a school environment, thereby
preparing them for excellence in achievement throughout the years.
Classroom Behavior Management
Pre-K does not use an “organized” behavior system such as cards or charts.
If a child is having behavior issues, they will be given a warning and the teacher will discuss with them the right choices to make. If the behavior continues, the child will have to sit in a time-out chair to think about their behavior for one minute per age. If the behavior still continues after this step, a note will be sent home to the parent about the behavior. If persistent negative behavior continues to occur, the parent will be contacted to discuss the situation. A conference may need to be scheduled to discuss the problem.
The teachers will reinforce positive behaviors throughout the day with encouragement and praise for making good choices. The teacher may send positive notes home to parents to help reinforce good school behavior.
Pre-Kindergarten Program Hours
Early dismissals are every Monday at 2:15.
Attendance
It is important that your child comes to school on a regular basis in order to fully benefit
from the Century Pre-kindergarten Program. We are limited to 20 students per
classroom and many times we have a waiting list of children who want to receive the
benefits of an early education. If your child is absent for three days in a row, without
notification,you will be contacted by a staff member. If your child is not ill and no
other emergencies have happened then your child will be expected to return to school the
following day. If your child continues to have unexcused absences, then you will receive a
written notification that your child will be dropped from the class list and a child who is on
the waiting list will immediately fill their slot. If you know your child will be missing school
due to illness or other reasons, please contact the Elementary office to ensure their name
will remain on the class list. A doctor’s excuse should be obtained and turned into the
office whenever your child has a doctor’s appointment.
*ANY STUDENT WHO ACCUMULATES MORE THAN EIGHT (8) ABSENCES DURING
THE SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRESENT A DOCTOR'S SLIP UPON THE
9TH ABSENCE AND ALL SUBSEQUENT ABSENCES THEREAFTER. IF NO DOCTOR'S
EXCUSE IS PRESENTED THEN, THE 9TH ABSENCE AND ALL OTHER SUBSEQUENT
ABSENCES WILL BE UNEXCUSED.
Examples of excused absence:
Examples of unexcused absence/tardy
Absences and Tardiness
Student Transportation
Pick-Ups
Regular pick-up time is at 2:45 p.m. Parents who are picking up their children should be
at the Elementary Entrance no later than 2:40. The door will be locked until a Staff
member opens it. Reminder that only the people listed on the pick-up list will be allowed to
pick up the students. If we cannot identify you – the child will not be released.
Emergencies, Illness and Medication
Your child will be sent home from Pre-K if:
Emergency School Closings and Cancellations
In case of the weather turns bad or the school dismisses early for other reasons, the
following radio and television stations are notified:
When the weather becomes bad while your child is at school please pay attention to the
above-mentioned radio and television stations so you will know if your child will be brought
home early. The school’s dialer system will send out an all call.
Student Dress Code
Shirts have to have sleeves. No “short” shorts, please.
School Supplies
Students should bring the following supplies:
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is very important that the child bring his/her backpack to and
from school every day. Parents should check backpacks DAILY for notes sent home from
the teacher. If you wish to send a note to the teacher please place it in the backpack as
well.
Field Trips
Parent Involvement
We believe that parent involvement plays a vital role in our Pre-kindergarten program.
Listed below are just some of the ways that parents can be involved in their child’s
education:
Important Phone Numbers
Pre-K Teachers
Hilary Crain - [email protected]
Amy Taake - [email protected]
Pre-K Aides
Gina Rose - [email protected]
Michelle Nale - [email protected]
Elementary Office
618-845-3572
Elementary Principal
Melinda Duke - [email protected]
Superintendent
Landon Sommer - [email protected]
USD #100
Pre-Kindergarten
Handbook
2018-2019
Welcome
The Administration and Prekindergarten Staff are excited to have you and your
child enrolled in the Century Pre-K Program. Our goal is to provide rewarding and
enjoyable experiences for children ages three to five as well as their parents.
We have an experienced, fun-loving staff that is dedicated to making your child’s
first experience within the school setting a positive experience. We strongly
believe that you are your child’s first and most important teacher. Therefore, we
will provide numerous opportunities for you to participate in the Century Pre-K
Program. Teamwork between home and school is the key to a child’s success.
Mission Statement
The mission of Century Unit District #100 Schools is to produce self-sufficient individuals
who are well prepared for the new millennium and future technological advances. Century
CUSD #100 is committed to promoting positive, challenging educational opportunities for
all students regardless of race, creed, religion or color within a secure, disciplined,
peaceable, and nurturing environment that is physically comfortable. We will achieve this
goal by instilling the love of learning, facilitating academic growth, and inspiring students
to develop communication, decision-making and problem solving skills to enable them to set
and achieve life-long goals. We will work to challenge and motivate students to develop
strategies to become law-abiding, flexible, and productive citizens of their community and
nation in an ever-changing society.
Program Philosophy
It is our belief that a quality program for pre-school children provides experiences
that will contribute to the total development of each child. Our program is designed to be
developmentally appropriate for young children, which means that the activities and
experiences for them are based on the natural development stages of children. Activities
and experiences offer many learning opportunities through play and child initiated
activities. It is our belief that the program should enable youngsters to acquire and
develop those skills that will enable them to adjust to a school environment, thereby
preparing them for excellence in achievement throughout the years.
Classroom Behavior Management
Pre-K does not use an “organized” behavior system such as cards or charts.
If a child is having behavior issues, they will be given a warning and the teacher will discuss with them the right choices to make. If the behavior continues, the child will have to sit in a time-out chair to think about their behavior for one minute per age. If the behavior still continues after this step, a note will be sent home to the parent about the behavior. If persistent negative behavior continues to occur, the parent will be contacted to discuss the situation. A conference may need to be scheduled to discuss the problem.
The teachers will reinforce positive behaviors throughout the day with encouragement and praise for making good choices. The teacher may send positive notes home to parents to help reinforce good school behavior.
Pre-Kindergarten Program Hours
- Monday thru Friday
- 7:30 a.m. -- Arrival
- 8:00 a.m. -- Breakfast / School Day Begins
- 2:45 p.m. -- Dismissal for pick-ups and bus riders
Early dismissals are every Monday at 2:15.
Attendance
It is important that your child comes to school on a regular basis in order to fully benefit
from the Century Pre-kindergarten Program. We are limited to 20 students per
classroom and many times we have a waiting list of children who want to receive the
benefits of an early education. If your child is absent for three days in a row, without
notification,you will be contacted by a staff member. If your child is not ill and no
other emergencies have happened then your child will be expected to return to school the
following day. If your child continues to have unexcused absences, then you will receive a
written notification that your child will be dropped from the class list and a child who is on
the waiting list will immediately fill their slot. If you know your child will be missing school
due to illness or other reasons, please contact the Elementary office to ensure their name
will remain on the class list. A doctor’s excuse should be obtained and turned into the
office whenever your child has a doctor’s appointment.
*ANY STUDENT WHO ACCUMULATES MORE THAN EIGHT (8) ABSENCES DURING
THE SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRESENT A DOCTOR'S SLIP UPON THE
9TH ABSENCE AND ALL SUBSEQUENT ABSENCES THEREAFTER. IF NO DOCTOR'S
EXCUSE IS PRESENTED THEN, THE 9TH ABSENCE AND ALL OTHER SUBSEQUENT
ABSENCES WILL BE UNEXCUSED.
Examples of excused absence:
- Illness
- Death in the family or of a close friend
- Critical illness of relative
- Medical appointment
Examples of unexcused absence/tardy
- Visiting friend or relatives
- Vacations
- Oversleeping
- Getting a haircut
Absences and Tardiness
- All children arriving after 8:00 a.m. MUST report to the front office to receive a tardy slip.
- You must call the school by 8:00 a.m. each day that your child is going to be absent.
Student Transportation
- Children may enter the building after 7:30 am. Supervision is not available prior to that time.
- Students enrolled in the Pre-kindergarten program will be picked up by the school bus at the location indicated on their School Registration Form.
- If you choose to bring your child to school then you will need to drop off your child at the Elementary Entrance to a Pre-K staff member who will guide your child to their classroom. If arriving after 8:00 then you must accompany your child to the Elementary Office to obtain a tardy slip.
- At the 2:45 dismissal students will ride the bus to the drop off location indicated on the School Registration Form.
- It is important that someone is at the child’s bus stop to pick up their child in the afternoon.
- If there is any doubt about where the child is to go at dismissal they will be sent home to the bus location listed on the registration form. All changes for dismissal must be done in writing. Bus changes are not allowed.
- If you will be escorting your child inside the school, please park in the parking lot.
Pick-Ups
Regular pick-up time is at 2:45 p.m. Parents who are picking up their children should be
at the Elementary Entrance no later than 2:40. The door will be locked until a Staff
member opens it. Reminder that only the people listed on the pick-up list will be allowed to
pick up the students. If we cannot identify you – the child will not be released.
Emergencies, Illness and Medication
- Please wait 24 hours after all fever is gone before your child returns to school.
- Please wait 24 hours after the last time your child has vomited or had diarrhea before returning him/her to school.
- Do not send your child to school if they have a contagious disease such as chicken pox or pink eye.
- If your child becomes sick at school the school nurse or teacher will contact the parent if the child needs to be picked up.
- Parents must inform the school nurse if their child needs to take a prescribed medication during school hours. School policy requires that a statement from the physician which indicated dosage, purpose, schedule, etc. to be on file as well as a written authorization from the parent. This form may be obtained in the office.
- Parents MUST provide the school with current contact information that includes a working phone number throughout the school year.
Your child will be sent home from Pre-K if:
- He/she complains of feeling ill. The nurse will determine if the student needs to go home.
- He/she has open, bleeding or oozing sores.
- He/she has flu like symptoms.
- He/she shows signs of a contagious disease (chicken pox, pink eye, etc.)
- He/she has a fever.
- He/she has head lice.
Emergency School Closings and Cancellations
In case of the weather turns bad or the school dismisses early for other reasons, the
following radio and television stations are notified:
- Channel 3,6,and 12
- Infinite Campus notifications
When the weather becomes bad while your child is at school please pay attention to the
above-mentioned radio and television stations so you will know if your child will be brought
home early. The school’s dialer system will send out an all call.
Student Dress Code
- Remember that your child will be involved in “crafty” projects that will include painting, markers and should dress accordingly.
- Your child should be able to easily undo clothing to be able to use the restroom. Sometimes it is difficult for children to remove belts and especially overalls and one piece outfits therefore we discourage them from wearing these items. Children should not wear “onesies” that snap on the bottom.
- Children need to wear play shoes at all times; teachers do not have time for children to change shoes for recess or other occasions.
- We recommend that children do not wear flip flops at school due to safety concerns.
- We recommend that children wear tennis shoes on field trip days.
- During cold weather we will still allow the children to go out and play. Please make sure that you send them in a warm coat so they can play comfortably.
- You need to send an extra set of clothing that is to be kept at school in case of an accident that requires a change of clothing. (Please send underwear, shirt, pants and socks that are appropriate for the season.)
Shirts have to have sleeves. No “short” shorts, please.
School Supplies
Students should bring the following supplies:
- Complete change of clothes with their names on them
- Back- pack (full size)
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is very important that the child bring his/her backpack to and
from school every day. Parents should check backpacks DAILY for notes sent home from
the teacher. If you wish to send a note to the teacher please place it in the backpack as
well.
Field Trips
- If your child is not going on a field trip then they will need to stay at home that day.
- Information and permission slips regarding field trips will be sent home with each student in their backpack.
- Signed permission slips must be received by the due date for a child to attend the field trip.
- Parents are strongly encouraged to accompany their children on all trips.
- Chaperones must be the child’s parent(s), legal guardian or an authorized adult who is at least 18 years of age. Chaperones may not be high school students.
- If the chaperone is not the parent or guardian, permission must be given in writing by the parent or guardian for the child to be accompanied by the chaperone.
- Students are required to ride the bus to the field trip destination. Chaperones are permitted to ride the bus, but only one adult per child. Adult transportation on the bus is limited to bus capacity….first come, first served. If the chaperone will be taking their child home with them then the teacher must be notified and the chaperone will need to sign the Transportation Release Form.
- Food and drinks are not allowed on the bus.
- Smoking is not allowed on school-sponsored trips.
- Both adults and children should dress appropriately for the field trip destination and weather conditions.
- Chaperones are ALWAYS responsible for their child and/or children assigned to them. They must know where the children are at any and all times.
- Chaperones must be ON TIME. Busses will depart the school at the scheduled time.
- Outdoor field trips are subject to cancellation at the last minute. If a trip must be cancelled, your child will remain at school on the regular schedule.
Parent Involvement
We believe that parent involvement plays a vital role in our Pre-kindergarten program.
Listed below are just some of the ways that parents can be involved in their child’s
education:
- PARENT VOLUNTEERS are an important asset to the classroom by allowing children to receive individual attention and additional activities during each daily session. We realize that parents may not always be able to volunteer; therefore we encourage grandparents and other relatives to spend time in the classroom. Volunteer times must be pre-approved by the Pre-K staff/administration. Volunteers must have background checks through the school.
- < >TORY TIME ACTIVITIES are planned throughout the year. With Make-n-Take activities, the parent and child work on an item that they can take home. The program provides the materials. With Story Time, the parent and child will listen to a story and follow up with an activity.FIELD TRIPS are a fun way for a parent to enjoy a social outing with their child.
- SPECIAL EVENING EVENTS will be provided for the whole family to attend.
- < >: Parents are always welcome to attend and provide store bought snacks for parties. Parents are encouraged to schedule birthday parties for their child in advance with their teacher.< > is available to all children and their parents throughout the school year. Children may borrow books and toys to take home for a period of time.PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES are held once in the Fall. The teacher will discuss the progress of their child at this time and parents are encouraged to make suggestions regarding the program. Parents are encouraged to ask for a conference at any time that they have concerns.
- HOME VISITS are done once or twice a year. This gives the teacher a chance to interact with your child in their home environment.
- < > are sent home monthly to inform parents of upcoming events. It is important that you take time to read them.We do ask that parents DO NOT visit or volunteer in the classrooms during the FIRST TWO WEEKS of school.This is an important transition time for your children to adjust to their new environment.
Important Phone Numbers
Pre-K Teachers
Hilary Crain - [email protected]
Amy Taake - [email protected]
Pre-K Aides
Gina Rose - [email protected]
Michelle Nale - [email protected]
Elementary Office
618-845-3572
Elementary Principal
Melinda Duke - [email protected]
Superintendent
Landon Sommer - [email protected]