FUMC
Preschool
Policy Guide
2012-2013
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
– Proverbs 22:6
First United Methodist Church Preschool
140 N. St. Marys St. St. Marys, PA 15857 (814) 834-3016
Our Purpose: To glorify God through the teaching of preschool age children.
Our Mission: To provide a fun-filled Christian education that will focus on the spiritual, physical, intellectual and social development of young children.
Our Vision: We desire to train children to be life-long learners who “filter” all things through the “lens” of Scripture and apply it to their everyday lives.
Our Hope: We desire for all children to know the love of God through Jesus Christ, for Him to be their Lord and Savior, and live for Him each day by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Our Philosophy: Each child is a unique individual created by God for a special purpose. We expect, accept, and plan for different ability levels and learning styles in our learning environment.
Teacher Volunteers:
Mrs. Christy Keiper earned her Bachelors degree and PA teaching certificate in Family and Consumer Sciences Education from Indiana University of PA. Her education provided specific training in preschool education and childhood development. She is currently the head of the nursery at FUMC and has participated in various children’s programs, such as Parks and Recreation Day Camp counseling, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She is the mother of two children. (Act 33-34 Clearances)
Mrs. Jan Kindle earned her Bachelors degree and PA teaching certificate in Elementary Education from Indiana University of PA and her Masters in Education from Clarion University of PA. She has 17 years experience in public and Christian schools, teaching a variety of ages and programs such as: Preschool, Kindergarten, 3rd Grade, Elementary Gifted Program, K-3 Computer, and K-8 Art in Pennsylvania and Kentucky. She also has taught Sunday School and began other children’s ministries in churches that her husband (pastor of FUMC) and she have served. She is the mother of one child. (Act 33-34 Clearances)
Start Date: Tuesday, September 4, 2012
End Date: Thursday, May 23, 2013 (Preschool Graduation Day)
School Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
School Time: 9-11 a.m.
Registration Fee: $10 due upon registration and is non-refundable.
Tuition: $450 for the school year, which can be paid in 9 payments at $50 per month. Payments are due the first class of each month (September 2012 through May 2013). Checks only, NO CASH PLEASE. Place in Tuition mailbox outside classroom. (See the tuition discount and payment schedule at the end of this policy.)
Age: Children must be age 3 years old by August 15th, 2012.
Also, children must be potty-trained by the first day of school.
FUMC Preschool “Holiday Break” Calendar:
November 22 - Thanksgiving Break
December 25, 27 & January 1, 3 – Christmas and New Year Break
March 26, 28 & April 2, 4 – Easter Break
Cancellations/Delays: When the St. Marys School District cancels or delays school due to bad-weather, our pre-school will not be open that day. Call the S.M.S.D “Hotline” at: 834-8746 for cancellation and delay announcements. We will not attempt to make up cancellations.
Refunds: If your child is sick and stays at home missing a class day, we cannot reimburse your tuition.
If you decide to withdraw your child at anytime throughout the year, the school cannot refund your registration fee or any tuition already paid. When you register (on a first come basis) and paid the registration fee that guarantees your child a place in our classroom. We have space for a limited number of children; therefore other children may have been turned down to reserve a place for your child. Also, a monthly budget is based upon tuition of the registered number of children and therefore refunds cannot be made.
Curriculum: Our program includes hands-on, multi-sensory, skill-building activities and experiences that enrich social, physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual growth. We will use learning centers and themes to build skills and development in the following areas: Bible, language, reading, pre-writing and writing, math, social studies, science, art, music, physical education, and more.
Typical activities include: listening and responding to stories, sing songs, finger-plays, play games, circle time, exposure to shapes, colors, numbers, and letters, practice cutting, pasting, and coloring, practice writing their name, learn appropriate manners, use and share play equipment, learn safety rules, address healthy living, following directions, listen and obey skill building, calendar/time/weather/holiday recognition, and community and cultural awareness.
Discipline: The children are given simple, age-appropriate rules that must be followed. When necessary the teachers will re-direct students to appropriate behavior in a firm but loving manner. If the child’s behavior becomes detrimental to the safety of the other children, the director will notify the parents to remove the child from the preschool for the remainder of the year.
Snacks: The preschool will provide a healthy, nutritious snack and most days it will go along with our theme to make it extra fun. Parents may provide a special treat for their child’s birthday… a typical crowd pleaser is a cookie and juice box. Please NOTIFY us of any food allergies as soon as possible.
Arrival Procedure: Please enter the church with your child via the parking lot and follow the “FUMC PRESCHOOL” signs down the hall. Please do not arrive more than 5 minutes before start time. NO TOYS should be brought to school unless otherwise directed by the teacher for educational purposes. DO NOT drop off children in the parking lot.
Departure Procedure: Please WAIT outside the classroom door until 11 a.m. when the teacher opens it for dismissal. DO NOT wait in the parking lot for the child… you must come to the preschool door to pick up your child. For the protection of your child… ONLY PARENTS CAN NOTIFY the church office or send a written note (preferably send this note with the child in the morning drop-off) if someone other than yourself or a registered caretaker will be picking up your child at dismissal. (PLEASE reinforce this rule with your caretakers and let them know that they can not send a note signed by themselves or call… they must notify you, the parent who then needs to notify the school.) We will check identification of the person picking up the child with the name on the note or name given when called into the office. We will not release a child to someone who appears impaired by alcohol or drugs. If a child is to be withheld from a legal parent, the parent having custody must furnish a copy of the official papers for the child’s file.
Visitation and Conferences: You are always welcome to visit the classroom but please make prior arrangements. No conferencing will be held while school is in session. A conference can be arranged at a mutually convenient time. Please share any information with us that will help ensure a successful and enjoyable pre-school experience. We want to be sensitive to your child’s needs. You can call or email the teachers at any time.
Special Holiday Considerations:
Fall/Harvest: We will discuss fall harvest, pumpkins, etc. (rather than Halloween, Jack-o-lanterns, etc.)
Thanksgiving: We will tell the First Thanksgiving story and have a class Feast.
Christmas: We will tell about Jesus’ birth story and have a Christmas party (rather than focus on Santa Claus, elves, etc.)
St. Valentine’s Day: We will emphasize God’s love and have a party (not cupid, etc…).
Easter: We will tell Jesus’ Resurrection story in a manner appropriate for preschoolers (rather than the Easter Bunny, etc.)
Birthdays: We will acknowledge on or as close as possible to the child’s actual birthday. Let us know if you would like to provide snack (cookies, drink, etc…) for the class on that day. Children with summer birthdays will celebrate their ½ birthday.
Dress: Your child will be involved in an active program therefore; comfortable, washable play clothes that the child does not have to worry about are best. Also, accidents and spills can happen so please bring a complete change of clothes for your child with their name on it to leave at school. Please sign the permission slip allowing us to help your child change their clothes when needed.
Pictures: An All-Class photo will be taken for your child’s keepsake as well as individual pictures for class projects. Also, we would love to “show off” your children in our church newsletter and website. Please sign the permission slip allowing us to photograph and publish your child’s picture for said stated purposes only.
Health Issues: Please keep your child home from school if they have a fever, contagious disease/illness, pink eye, lice, or an unidentifiable rash. Also, keep your child home if they have diarrhea or vomiting within 24 hours of class. If your child becomes sick at school we will contact you or one of your designated emergency persons. Please sign the permission slip allowing us to contact emergency personnel to care for your child in case of injury. All medical expenses incurred are the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
Volunteers: We have wonderful volunteers from the church who help out the preschool. They have their required Act 33-34 Clearances. (Forms for these clearances are in the church office.)
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Tuition Discount: Families enrolling more than one child in the same school year will pay 100% tuition for the first child and then pay a 50% discounted tuition for each additional child.
The tuition would work out this way for the 2012-2013 school year:
1 child – pay $50/month
2 children – pay $75/month
3 children – pay $100/month
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Regular Tuition Payment Schedule for 2012-2013:
(Each payment is due the first class of the month.)
