Saint Marks Bright Beginnings Preschool

Handbook

Welcome to an exciting school year at Saint Mark’s Bright Beginnings Preschool.  We are so excited that you have chosen our school as the place to begin or continue your child’s adventures in learning.  At Saint Mark’s Bright Beginnings we pride ourselves in being not only a great place for your children but also a community for all our families.

We use a center based curriculum that allows children to develop their own learning styles.  Through centers children learn to explore and create in a variety of mediums.  Our Pre-K and Preschool children begin to focus on a letter a week at the beginning of October.  Each age group will explore the letters using manipulative, arts and crafts, and writing as is suitable for their particular age group.

In the next few pages you will find some policies and important information for our school.

SAFETY

We pride ourselves in the steps we take to assure our children are safe.  In order to use the equipment on our playground children are required to wear sneakers or rubber soled shoes that cannot slip off.(Croc's and sandal, or flip flops cannot be worn to use the equipment.)   There is one entrance/exit for use on the playground.   Our doors are always locked except for drop off and dismissal. The doors will be locked at 9:15 each morning and opened again at 11:30 for dismissal.  For our afternoon session doors are locked at 12:30 and opened again at 2:45

In order to have your child picked up by someone other than a parent, a photocopy of that persons I.D. must be on file with the school.  Written or verbal consent is needed to allow someone else to pick up your child. 

In the event of an accident or emergency that requires medical assistance, 911 will be called first, then the child’s parent.   If a child needs to be transported in an ambulance, before a parent can arrive at the school, the director will ride in the ambulance along with the child.

In the event of a fire or for any reason that the school will need to be evacuated the first meeting place will be in the east parking lot of the church building.  If we need to leave the ground the meeting place will be at Lawrence III Corporation at 50 Main Street Westhampton Beach.

SNOW DAY

In the event of inclement weather we will be closed if Westhampton Beach School District is closed.  If the WHB is on a delayed opening we WILL be open.  We do however have the authority to close if WHB chooses not to close. Our children and families safety is our top priority and their safety will be considered when decisions are made.  In the event of inclement weather during a school day a decision may need to be made to close early.  At that point an email will go out to all our parents informing them of the decision.  Please make every effort to get to the school as soon as possible so that everyone including our teachers can get home safely.  Any school closings will be posted on New12.com and parents will be informed by email.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

Our morning sessions begin at 9A.M. children may begin to go to their classes at 8:55 .  The morning session ends at 11:45 if you need to pick your child up early a teacher will bring them to the lobby.  Our afternoon session begins at 12:15 and ends at 3:00 .  Aftercare is available until 4 PM for full day children. If a child stays for aftercare and is pick-up later then 4PM a $15 late fee will be assessed.

Bright Starters and Wee Starters will begin at 8:45 AM and end at 11:30 AM for the morning session.

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Tuition is due on the first day of the month your child attends school.  If tuition is not received by the 10^th of the month a $30.00 late fee will be billed to the next month’s tuition.  A payment that is a month past due will result in suspension of enrollment of the child/children until such time as the bill is brought up to date.  If your child’s enrollment is suspended we will hold their spot for 10 business day. If the account is not current by that date enrollment will be forfeited and the spot will be filled by another child.

If a family needs to make payment arrangement individual cases will be discussed.  When a payment schedule is agreed upon the agreement will be put in writing and signed by both parties. Should the terms of the arrangement not be met the above policy will go into effect.

Tuition is calculated for a full school year, as a courtesy to our parents we allow payments to be made over a ten month period.  Should a child be enrolled after the first month of school the tuition will be calculated for the remaining months?  No credit on tuition is given for scheduled holidays and vacation periods.  Each child is enrolled for the entire year or the balance of the program year.  Two weeks prior notice, or two weeks tuition, is payable upon a child’s withdrawal from the program before April 30^th.  No refund of tuition can be made after May 1^st.  Any child in the program as of that date will be charged tuition through the close of the program in June. 

MAKE-UP POLICY

We will NOT be allowing make-up days beginning in the fall.

IMMUNIZATION

Upon enrollment you must have on file a heath form signed by a physician. We also require that the child have standard immunizations.  Your child may be sent home if any symptoms or illness appear during the day. 

ILLNESSES

If your child has a fever or has been vomiting they must be kept at home for 24 hours after the fever or vomiting ends.

If a child is kept home longer than three or more consecutive days because of illness it will be necessary to have a doctor’s note stating that they are well enough to come back to school.

Any school public or private requires notes when a child has been absent.  We are requiring a note from a doctor if a child misses three or more consecutive days due to illness.  Should you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

If your child is taking any form of medication we ask that you inform their teacher at drop off.

EXTRA CLOTHING

BRIGHT STARTERS AND WEE STARTERS

(18 month to 2 ½)

Each child needs to have two extra sets of clothing in school.  Parents will need to supply diapers, pull-ups, and wipes for their child’s individual changing needs.  If a child will need to have ointment applied they must have a note from their parent giving instructions and consent.  If your child will be staying a full day they will need a crib sheet, blanket, and pillow. These items will be sent home at the end of each week for washing unless they become soiled earlier.

PARENT REPRESENTATIVES

Should there be an issue or concern that you do not feel has been resolved by the director of the school, we have two parent representatives that are part of our school board.  Should you have any questions or concerns you feel should be addressed by the board please contact the representative and they will convey the issue. 

Jim Schultz                                                      cptjim3@aol.com

Bianca Hebberd                                            bianca526@optonline.net

TEACHER CREDENTIALS

We take great pride in having a nurturing, experience, and loving staff.  There is at least one New York State certified teacher in each classroom for our preschool and pre-k classrooms.

Our Bright Starters and Wee Starters teacher are required to possess at least an associate’s degree in Early Childhood education or a CDA with an infant and toddlers certificate.  Our teachers are all CPR certified.

       PHILOSOPHY

As is typical of Episcopal schools, Saint Mark’s Bright Beginnings provides a learning environment which is comfortable for children and families of many faiths.  The school does not attempt to instill the doctrine of the church in its students: rather it seeks to enhance the positive qualities inherent in your people of diverse backgrounds.  Saint Mark’s Bright Beginnings provides a supportive environment, nurturing teachers, and a success oriented program designed to engender self-esteem, respect for others, and joy of learning. 

Saint Mark’s Bright Beginnings Preschool does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, or national origin in its admission or employment practices.