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Saint KatherineGreek Orthodox Church

Hellenic Education Center

PARENTS’ HANDBOOK

SEPTEMBER 2013

3149 Glen Carlyn Rd - Falls Church, Virginia 22041Tel (703) 671-7715 - Fax (703) 671-1385

SAINT KATHERINE HEC 2013-2014 PARENTS HANDBOOK

Acknowledgement

Student Name (Please Print)

Address

Phone #

The Parent Handbook sets forth the policies and procedures of the Saint Katherine Hellenic Education Center. It is important that parents be familiar with these expectations. .The information herein applies to all Hellenic Education Center (HEC) (Paideia and Greek School) activities occurring on school grounds and during any school related activity.

Please sign this page and return it to the Director. It will be kept in your child’s permanent file.

Your signature confirms receipt of this Parent Handbook and your understanding of the policies and procedures of Saint Katherine HEC.

I have read and understand the policies and procedures in the Saint Katherine HEC Parent Handbook; and agree to abide by them.

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

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Proistamenos: Rev. Costas A. PavlakosParish Council President: Mr. James StouckerHEC Board of Education Chair: Dr. Aris ChristouHEC Director Mrs. Eleni AlexopoulouPaideia PTA: Ms. Christianna BrotsisGreek School PTA: Mrs. Martha Lampros

Hours of Operation:PAIDEIA Preschool

Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.Preschool: 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Greek SchoolMonday Tutoring –7pm to 8 pm

Wednesday Conversational Class—6pm to 7pmAdult Class---Tues/Thurs

Friday pre-K-8th Grade—5:30pm to 7:30pmSaturday pre-K-8th Grade—9:30am to 1:30pm

Address:Saint Katherine HEC

3149 Glen Carlyn RoadFalls Church, VA 22041

Phone NumbersCenter: (703) 671-7715

Church Office: (703) 671-1515FAX: (703) 671-1385

Director: Eleni Alexopoulou 703-627 1556 (cell)Email: [email protected]:[email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]


TABLE CONTENTS

St. Katherine HEC 2013-2014 School Year Calendars.......................................................................2

SAINT KATHERINE HEC MISSION..............................................................................................2

SAINT KATHERINE HEC EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS............................................................2

SAINT KATHERINE HEC ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE....................................................2

OVERALL HEC EDUCATIONAL APPROACH.............................................................................2

SAINT KATHERINE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH HEC CREST............................................2

GOAL OF THE PARENTS HANDBOOK........................................................................................2

Saint Katherine HEC: PAIDEIA PRESCHOOL POLICIES and PROCEDURES 2013-2014...........2

Saint Katherine HEC: GREEK SCHOOL POLICIES and PROCEDURES 2013-2014.....................2

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St. Katherine HEC 2013-2014 School Year Calendars

Paideia Preschool Calendar

Tuesday, September 3-6 Teacher Workdays/Prepare rooms

Thursday, September 5 Meet and Greet / Open House

TBA Agiasmos

Monday, September 9 First Day of School

Tuesday, October 1 BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT (parents only)

Monday, October 14 Columbus Day – School Closed

TBA Field Trip – to be confirmed

TBA Teacher Professional Development Day (on a Saturday)

Monday, October 28 OXI Day Celebration, in-class Instruction

Thursday, October 31 Halloween- Costume Day/Party

Saturday, November 23 HEC Fundraising Event: “Socrates Now” Play

Thursday, November 28-29 Thanksgiving Break – School Closed

Friday, December 20 PAIDEIA Christmas Program

Sunday, December 15 Saint Katherine Christmas Pageant (All Schools)

Monday, December 23-January 3 Christmas Break

Monday, January 6, 2014 School Resumes/Epiphany Celebration

Monday, January 20 Martin Luther King Day – School Closed

Saturday, January 25 HEC Fundraiser/Event: Family Fun Night (FFN)

Thursday, January 30 The Three Hierarchs, in-class celebration/liturgy

Friday, February 14 Valentine Card Exchange /Party

Monday, February 17 Presidents Day – School Closed

TBA Teacher Professional Development Day (on a Saturday)

Friday, February 28 Apokries In-Class Costume Party

Saturday, March 1 HEC Fundraiser/Event: Apokreatiko Glendi

Saturday, March 22 HEC Greek Independence Day Celebration

TBA Baltimore Greek Independence Day Parade

Tuesday, March 25 Greek Independence Day – in class Instruction

Monday, April 14-18 Easter Break/PASCHA—School Closed

Monday, May 26 Memorial Day – School Closed

Friday, June 20 PAIDEIA End of Year Celebration/Last Day of School

Saturday, June 21 HEC Graduation Program (10:00am)

Monday, June 23-27 Teacher Workdays and Professional Development Days

Note: There will be scheduled monthly parent-teacher meetings.

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Greek School CalendarTuesday, September 3-7 Teacher Workdays/Prepare rooms

Wednesday, September 4 Meet and Greet

Saturday, September 7 First Day of School for Saturday class

Wednesday, September 11 First Day of School for Conversational class

Friday, September 13 First Day of School for Friday class

Monday, September 23 First Tutoring Session

TBA Agiasmos

Tuesday, October 8 BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT (parents only)

TBA Field Trip to National Gallery of Art– to be confirmed

Wednesday, October 23 OXI Day Celebration, in-class Instruction

Friday, October 25 OXI Day Celebration, in-class Instruction

Saturday, October 26 OXI Day Celebration, in-class Instruction

TBA Teacher Professional Development Day

Saturday, November 23 HEC Fundraiser/Event: “Socrates Now” Play

Wednesday, November 27-30 Thanksgiving Break – School Closed

Sunday, December 15 Saint Katherine Christmas Pageant (All Schools)

Monday, December 23-January 5 Christmas Break- School Closed

Saturday, January 25 HEC Fundraiser/Event: Family Fun Night

Wednesday, January 29-February 1 The Three Hierarchs, in-Class Instruction

TBA Teacher Professional Development Day

Saturday, March 1 HEC Fundraiser/Event: Apokreatiko Glendi

Monday, March 17-21 Greek Independence Day – in class Program

Saturday, March 22 HEC Greek Independence Day- Celebration in the Hall

TBA Baltimore Greek Independence Day Parade

Monday, April 14-21 Easter Break/PASCHA

Easter Monday, April 21 No tutoring session

Monday, May 26 Memorial Day – School Closed (no tutoring session)

Saturday, June 14 Greek School Kalokairini Giorti 10:00 am

Saturday, June 21 HEC Graduation Program ONLY (10:00am)

Monday, June 23-27 Teacher Workdays and Professional Development Days

Note: There will be scheduled parent-teacher meetings twice during the year.

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SAINT KATHERINE HEC MISSIONThe mission of the Saint Katherine HEC is to educate the children and adults of our community and beyond according to three key educational goals:

1) Comprehensive teaching of the Hellenic language 2) Instruction and exposure to the Hellenic culture, history, and heritage3) Education in our Greek Orthodox faith, holidays, beliefs, and teachings

Through the establishment of the HEC, we seek to become a pre-eminent Hellenic educational institution in the United States and further intend to achieve our goals through an innovative and stimulating curriculum, using traditional as well as technologically enhanced instructional methods. Student achievements will be quantifiable and teaching methodologies will be consistent with national and internationally accepted standards for language instruction and competency. Our values are rooted in our Hellenism and Orthodoxy. We promote individual and family excellence, education, and above all, our Orthodox Christian beliefs. These values are an integral part of our culture and provide the framework for our decision-making.

SAINT KATHERINE HEC EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGSTo achieve our mission, the HEC offers a dynamic and multi-faceted educational system devoted to furthering our Orthodoxy and Hellenism through educational achievement and is comprised of the following components: Greek Language School: Our Greek Language School incorporates three offerings:1) A Pre-K - 8th Grade Greek School: provides innovative teaching and a standards-based

curriculum that teaches Greek primarily as a second language.2) Adult Language School: offers evening classes for adults interested in learning Modern

Greek (beginner to advanced).3) Online Education: a new feature for our school, this will begin initially with online

tutoring for students whose parents do not speak Greek in the home. This will immediately resolve a long standing issue for many students and parents, and ultimately improve retention rates as well as the quality of the educational experience by providing an effective and ongoing educational dialogue.

Paideia Day School: We provide a leading day school that offers high quality education (in Greek and English) that exceeds nationally recognized standards of learning. The two components of our school include the following:

1) Preschool: our bilingual preschool offers a loving, family environment for 2-5 year olds grounded in the teaching of the Hellenic language/customs, Greek Orthodox religion, and American civics.

2) Kindergarten: Beginning September 2014, we plan on offering a Kindergarten class for 5-6 year olds that exceeds the Fairfax County curriculum.

Community Education: Our Community education offerings includes a Summer Language Camp for 3-12 year olds. Over the coming year, we plan on offering short courses/seminars in subjects such as Greek Cooking, Ecclesiastical Greek, Byzantine Chanting, and Introduction to Greek Language and Customs. Online education may also be implemented for some of these offerings.

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SAINT KATHERINE HEC ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The Saint Katherine Board of Education (BOE) oversees the management of the HEC under the auspices of the Saint Katherine Parish Council. The Director of the Hellenic Educational Center will report to the Parish Council through the BOE and is responsible for the operations of the Greek School, Paideia Preschool, and Community Education service offerings. Should issues or questions arise throughout the course of the school year, you are encouraged to discuss with your teacher, PTA representative, and/or the HEC Director.

Figure 1. Saint Katherine Hellenic Education Center Organizational Structure

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OVERALL HEC EDUCATIONAL APPROACH

The Saint Katherine HEC’s mission is to become one of the exemplar Hellenic educational institution in the United States. To do so, we commit to four key educational goals: 1. Offer high quality education, in a climate of trust and collaboration, acting on the belief that each student brings unique talents and deserves our best efforts. 2. Provide Greek language as well as cultural and religious instruction by developing new programs that match our community’s needs and interests. 3. Modernize the business and financial administration of the schools and institutional controls, and update the school’s academic administration infrastructure. 4. Build a strong, positive relationship with students, teachers, parents and the community.

In establishing an institution that offers high quality education, we will adopt standards of learning, curricula, and best practices from several key sources:1. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Greek School curriculum guidelines described in “The

Modern Greek Language Curriculum- Checkpoint A” [used primarily for the Greek School curriculum]

2. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese “Curriculum for the Kindergarten”, published by the Direct Archdiocesan Office of Education for parochial day schools [used primarily for Paideia curriculum]

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3. Fairfax County Elementary School and Kindergarten curriculum and Virginia state standards of learning [to ensure our Paideia curriculum meets/exceeds the standards set locally for other day schools]

4. New York State Regents exam goals and criteria, the goals for a student who completes the 8th and final grade of the Greek School.

5. Greek language curriculum and goals defined by the University of Crete and University of Thessaloniki for the instruction of Greek as a second language.

The HEC will also seek input from educational scholars to enhance how we teach the Greek language and the Greek Orthodox religion, culture, and customs to the community. Most importantly, our curriculum and educational programs will continue to evolve as we migrate to a level-based structure for the Greek School and expand our Paideia Day School to include an all-day Kindergarten.In addition to adhering to a rigorous and well defined curriculum, the HEC plans on leveraging technology to modernize our teaching methods and enhance teacher-parent-student communications. The technologies we seek to incorporate include the following:1. Blackboard web technology to more efficiently and clearly distribute homework

assignments and announcements for each class.2. External and internal web sites to communicate HEC-wide schedules, calendars,

newsletters, and announcements.3. Video/web conferencing technology, initially to provide online tutoring for Greek

School students, with the long-term goal of establishing online courses for the broader community.

4. Computer aided classroom instruction, including the use of Smartboards, to enhance instructional methods during classtime.

SAINT KATHERINE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH HEC CREST

The Hellenic Education Center logo/crest embodies a multitude of symbols immediately recognizable to our culture, heritage and faith.

The azure background harkens to the Mediterranean Sea which fueled ancient Greece’s commerce and development. The gold chevron symbolizes the academic excellence required of our students and faculty. The major elements of the crest include the Holy Crucifix, symbolic of our Orthodox Christian faith. The wheel of Saint Katherine is testament to our patron saint’s martyrdom and her unswerving devotion to her principles of faith. The Athenian Owl is the universally recognized symbol of knowledge, wisdom, perspicacity and erudition throughout the Western world.

The motto is αἰὲν ἀριστεύειν, or “Ever to Excel” and is intended to serve as an inspiration to all students in search of knowledge. The source is the sixth book of Homer's Iliad, (Iliad 6. 208) in a speech Glaucus delivers to Diomedes: "Hippolocus begat me. I claim to be his son, and he sent me to Troy with strict instructions: Ever to excel, to do better than others, and to bring glory to your forebears, who indeed were very great ... This is my ancestry; this is the blood I am proud to inherit."

GOAL OF THE PARENTS HANDBOOK

The goal of this document is to explain the structure, curriculum, calendar, and policies for parents and students of our Greek Language and Paideia schools. We trust that you will review this handbook and sign the front page indicating that you understand HEC policies and procedures. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask the Director. SEPTEMBER 2013 4


Have a great school year!

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Saint Katherine HEC:

PAIDEIA PRESCHOOL

POLICIES and

PROCEDURES 2013-2014

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1. VISION AND GOALS

PAIDEIA Bilingual Preschool Program was created to support the families of our community by providing the best possible daycare and Preschool education for our children. PAIDEIA (from Paidos meaning “child”) is the Greek word for “education.” The Ancient Greeks have taught us the importance of learning in all aspects of life. While we owe our very existence – or psyche to our God, the contents of consciousness and what children learn about the world, and their place in it, is the work of the educator and of each parent.

Saint Katherine PAIDEIA Bilingual Preschool offers a loving and safe setting, an enriching and challenging curriculum that prepares students two to five years old for their next developmental level, and enhances their moral and spiritual growth. The PAIDEIA Bilingual Preschool Program is open to all families who wish to enrich their children’s education by introducing them to the Greek language, Hellenic culture and the Greek Orthodox faith. PAIDEIA aims to help the child develop an appreciation for learning. Our goals are to promote the Physical, Emotional, Cognitive and Spiritual development of our children. We encourage the unique growth of each child using a Greek/English bilingual curriculum through music, fun and play.

Physical: Developing fine and gross motor and sensory skills. Emotional: Developing positive self-concept and skills to communicate effectively. Cognitive: Developing speaking and early reading skills in English and Greek, as well

as skills to think creatively. Spiritual: Acquire the knowledge to celebrate the Orthodox religion.

Saint Katherine PAIDEIA Bilingual Preschool is committed to continuing the long tradition of the Greek Orthodox Church to support and maintain the Hellenic culture and language while also preparing children for their American educations.

Saint Katherine PAIDEIA Bilingual Preschool incorporates the ancient Hellenistic Paideia emphasis on instilling a love of learning and in educating the “whole” person. It uses a modern curriculum based on Multiple Intelligences Theory to provide a classroom environment that encourages children to learn in different ways, from each other, and to become self-motivated, independent and life-long learners. Using a holistic approach to early education, PAIDEIA strives to help every child achieve their educational potential while instilling in each of them a belief in their individual exceptional spirit.

2. STAFF

Our teachers are dedicated to instilling a love for learning. They genuinely care about children, and have the knowledge and experience to understand a child’s individual developmental needs and learning styles. Our teachers have degrees in education, experience in the field, and/or are enrolled in early childhood development programs. Our staff members are CPR and first aid certified. In addition, all staff members attend regular training sessions to enhance their teaching abilities.

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3. CURRICULUM

Our staff is dedicated to providing a warm, nurturing atmosphere, which goes beyond the provision of routine childcare. Children are offered a preschool program with age-appropriate learning opportunities. They learn letters, colors, shapes, numbers and writing while singing, cooking, dancing, drawing and painting. A music program includes an introduction to various musical instruments and tones. A dance and movement program teaches coordination and rhythm, and enhances gross and fine motor skills. Father Costas Pavlakos, our priest, teaches religion to the children and enriches their knowledge of the Orthodox faith.

The daily schedule provides a balance of activities with attention to the following:

Daily outdoor play, weather permitting Alternating periods of quiet time and active play A balance of large muscle and small muscle activities Various small group or large group activities throughout most of the day A balance of child-initiated and staff-initiated activity is provided, with the amount of

time spent in staff-initiated, large group activity being limited.

The school is open to using media, such as television, films, videotapes, and computers. These have been previewed by adults prior to use. The staff discusses with the child what is viewed to develop critical viewing and thinking skills. The goal of the school is to emphasize concrete experiential learning. Some highlights of our curriculum include the following:

Immersion Greek language and culture instruction for the morning session of each school day

Church time (weekly visits to light candles and attend liturgy) Weekly music lesson with our certified music instructor Field trips (pumpkin patch, Greek Independence Day parade, fire house visit, etc.) Weekly dance and movement class lessons Theater (children participate in various age-appropriate plays for school programs) Physical education in indoor Gym and outside Science experiments

Curriculum Goals and Objectives:

PAIDEIA Preschool has developed its curriculum objectives based on the Virginia Department of Education’s The Foundations Blocks For Early Learning , which provide minimum standards in literacy, mathematics, science, history and social science, physical and motor development, and social and emotional development to preschool programs throughout the state. These are aligned with the Kindergarten Standards of Learning in Virginia and provide the necessary continuity of learning as children progress from preschool to Kindergarten. Your child’s teacher will update you on your child’s progress and developmental milestones regularly throughout the school year.

In addition, the preschool’s Greek and English curricula aim to fulfill the Pre-K objectives recommended by Fairfax County Public Schools so that our children are duly prepared for their entry into Kindergarten. Adapting a preschool curriculum based on Multiple Intelligences theory allows the teachers and students to fully engage in different types of learning activities addressing the learning needs and preferences of all students in both Greek

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and English. Greek culture, history, and the Greek Orthodox faith will also be incorporated in both the Greek and English schedules.

Our objectives for your child’s preschool experience are:

Language DevelopmentFor both Greek and English

Listening & Speaking:- Hears and discriminates the sounds of language- Expresses self using words and expanded sentences- Understands and follows oral directions- Answers questions- Asks questions- Actively participates in conversations

Reading & Writing- Enjoys and values reading- Demonstrates understanding of print concepts- Demonstrates knowledge of the alphabet- Uses emerging reading skills to make meaning from print- Comprehends and interprets meaning from books and other texts- Understands the purpose of writing- Writes letters and words

Cognitive Development:

Learning & Problem Solving- Observes objects and events with curiosity- Approaches problems flexibly- Shows persistence in approaching tasks- Explores cause and effect- Applies knowledge or experience to a new context

Logical Thinking- Classifies objects- Compares/measures- Arranges objects in a series- Recognizes patterns and can repeat them- Show awareness of time concepts and sequence- Show awareness of position in space- Uses to one-to-one correspondence- Uses numbers and counting

Representation and Symbolic Thinking- Takes on pretend roles and situations- Makes believe with objects- Makes and interprets representations

Physical Development:

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Gross Motor- Demonstrates basic loco-motor skills (running, jumping, hopping, galloping)- Shows balance while moving- Climbs up and down- Pedals and steers a tricycle (or other wheeled vehicle)- Demonstrates throwing, kicking, and catching skills

Fine Motor- Controls small muscles in hands- Coordinates eye-hand movement- Uses tools for writing and drawing

Social/Emotional Development:

Sense of Self- Shows ability to adjust to new situations- Demonstrates appropriate trust in adults- Recognizes own feelings and manages them appropriately- Stands up for rights

Responsibility for Self and Others- Demonstrates self-direction and independence- Takes responsibility for own well-being- Respects and cares for classroom environment and materials- Follows classroom routines- Follows classroom rules

Pro-social Behavior- Plays well with other children- Recognizes the feelings of others and responds appropriately- Shares and respects the rights of others- Uses thinking skills to resolve conflicts

Religious and Ethical Education

PAIDEIA Preschool is a parochial school of the Greek Orthodox Church. Students are introduced to the fundamental religious beliefs and principles of the Christian Orthodox Faith (in Greek and English.) Prayer is a part of the children’s daily routine. The children recite a prayer at the beginning of the day and before meals. They learn about the life of important saints, sing simple hymns, and participate in the celebration of religious events. Their beliefs are strengthened by visits to the church and receiving Holy Communion. The children learn the rules of ethical conduct and behavior and are encouraged to do good deeds and help their fellow human beings.

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4. ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION

Saint Katherine PAIDEIA Bilingual Preschool welcomes diversity in both the student body and staff. We enroll students and hire staff without regard to race, color, religion, gender or national origin.

To enroll a child, an Enrollment Form must be submitted, along with a check for $100, Tuition Agreement and Immunization Record, and all other state-required forms. This fee is not a confirmation of a place in the school but simply begins the enrollment process. The purpose of the admissions process is to optimize the match between our school and the child. There are a limited number of openings for full-day and half-day classes. We encourage parents to enroll their children by June to allow us to prepare for the coming year. Admission to the school is based on the following:

The student's readiness and willingness to learn. The parents’ understanding and acceptance of our basic goals. The student must be at least 2 years old. The student being toilet trained (for 3 to 5 year-olds.) Priority is given in this order:

- students who are re-enrolling - siblings of current students - children whose parents are stewards/members of Saint Katherine Church - children whose parents are members of an Orthodox Church

Being toilet trained is a requirement for 3-5 year old students. However, we understand some of the younger children may not be fully trained. We are willing to work with the parents to successfully complete this process. The decision is made on a case by case basis at the Director’s discretion. PAIDEIA is a ministry of Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church for the families of the parish. If economic issues prevent a child from attending our school, parents should speak with Father Costas Pavlakos.

Factors resulting in a child not being accepted for enrollment will be communicated to the parents. Our staff is not trained to deal with severe learning or emotional disorders. We can provide individualized instruction to meet the developmental needs of most children. All new enrollments are provisional, subject to the student's reactions to the program during the first month.Once a child becomes a part of our program, the participation and support of the parents are essential. The parents’ involvement helps us to be more effective.

Supplies and Materials: The school provides supplies for preschool classes. Individual teachers may request specific items to be provided by parents.

5. TUITION AND LATE PICK-UP FEES

See the Tuition Agreement for payment policies, including policies for absences, and illness.

Parents will be assessed a Late Pick-up Fee of $20 per hour for each additional time (15 minutes or more) their child remains in the classroom. After 6:00 p.m., a late fee of $10 will be charged for every 5 minutes after closing time that the child remains at the school.

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6. CLASS PLACEMENT

Student Class Placement Policy

The process of assigning students to classes is a complex one that begins with the allocation of teaching staff based on projections of student numbers for September. The school administrator, with the advice and recommendations of the staff, organizes students into that number of enrolling classrooms. In doing this, we must work at balancing student and program needs within the limits of our school policy regarding class sizes.

As staffing is dependent upon enrollment, multi-aged or combined classes may occur. This is a practical necessity with our enrollment numbers. This practice is well supported by research and our beliefs about how children learn.

The process of making up classes for each school year begins in May, based on the best information available at that time. Our goal is to come up with a placement for each child which will offer that child the greatest chance of success. The staff has input into this process considering but not limited to the following factors. The following list is not in priority order:

• The child’s intellectual, social, emotional, and behavioral developmental levels & needs• The age of the child • The child’s physical and social maturity• The child’s interactions with other students• The learning style(s) of the student• The “social dynamics” factors within the class• Fair distribution of children with exceptionalities• The best use of resource teachers & teacher assistants• The male/female balance in each class• The balance of leaders in each class

It is not school policy to distribute the names of children and their classroom placement. Children and their parents are informed of the class placement in August or September.Placements are ultimately the responsibility of school administration. Information about each child is used to make up the most productive classes possible. As the above list indicates, educators take many factors into account to ensure productive classes. Specific concerns of parents will be taken into consideration and must be submitted in writing by June 1 st . Any information provided by parents is shared with the team working on class lists and a copy is placed in the student’s cumulative file for future reference.

It is highly recommended that students in Pre-Kindergarten attend PAIDEIA on a full-day schedule so that they may benefit from the entire instructional program in both Greek and English. We believe the experience of being in school full-time and receiving complete instruction in both Greek and English is the best strategy to prepare our students for Kindergarten. If your child does not attend the afternoon English instruction, it is your responsibility to reinforce the weekly topics covered in English.

7. PARENT INVOLVEMENT & COMMUNICATION

Parent Involvement

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The Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church recognizes parents as the primary educators of their children. The Preschool exists to assist parents in the Christian formation and enculturation of their children. Parents are expected to display an attitude of respect and support toward the school, the staff, and the educational process by:

Supporting the school’s mission and commitment to Christian principles; Supporting the school policies as outlined in the school handbook; Participating fully in school programs that are developed to support the education of

their children; Remaining informed about and involved in the religious instruction of their children.

Saint Katherine PAIDEIA Bilingual Preschool has varying opportunities for participation, such as donating time or treats for parties, accompanying field trips, etc. We encourage participation and volunteering.

The Paideia PTA is sponsored by the school to promote a cooperative effort at meeting the Preschool’s needs. It is a part of the Preschool, and all activities and communication materials prepared by parents must be submitted to the Director for approval prior to distribution. The Paideia PTA provides a platform for parents to respectfully articulate their values and expectations regarding the school, so that these may be examined and addressed by the Director and the Parish Council BoE. The Organization aims to acquaint parents with information concerning current developments in educational initiatives as they may affect the Preschool. The Organization also supports the school through its fundraising efforts (e.g., “Family Fun Night”, etc.).

The school schedules a variety of events which may include Back to School Night, March 25 th

celebration, etc. Special events and reminders will be publicized well ahead of time. Parents will also be asked to participate in parent-teacher conferences periodically throughout the year to discuss their child’s progress.

Your continued support is essential in creating a positive learning atmosphere for your child.

Parent CommunicationSaint Katherine PAIDEIA Bilingual Preschool maintains open channels for the parents or legal guardians of the children to communicate with the school. Parents are welcome to visit the school at any time during the day.

Parents are able to interact with their child’s teacher on a regular basis. Parents will be able to see what the children worked on each day. Projects are sent home at least weekly (at times daily) along with a note describing this week’s activities and what they learned in school. We invite parents to reinforce the concepts learned in class at home to increase the children’s understanding. In addition, the teachers will send parents a brief report of their child’s progress on a daily basis.

If it is necessary, special parent-teacher conferences can be scheduled at any time throughout the school year. Concerns about a child or a class situation may be addressed first with the teacher and then the Director, as well. Parents or guardians can make an appointment to meet with the Director at a mutually convenient time. Under extenuating circumstances, if these parents or guardians believe that they have not been able to communicate successfully with the teacher and the Director, they are also able to communicate with the BoE, the Parish Council President, or Father Costas Pavlakos, Proistamenos.

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8. CONTACT INFORMATION

For safety reasons, emergency contact information must be kept up to date. The director must be notified of any changes in your address and phone numbers, including the addresses and phone numbers of the people who should be called if you cannot be reached

9. STUDENT ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

Your children’s safety is our highest priority. All children must be signed in and out daily by a parent or authorized representative. They must be escorted to the classroom door. Parents are asked to not accompany your child into the classroom. Drop-off for the Preschool program is from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Children should not be dropped off past 9:00 a.m. without previously notifying the Director. Late drop-offs disrupt the classroom environment and greatly impede on the late student’s and other students’ learning. Repeated late drop-offs will be addressed with individual parents by the teachers and Director.

Children are picked up at 12:30 p.m. for the half-day program; and at 3:30 p.m. for the full day Preschool. There is a 5 minute grace period before late pick-up fees apply.

For the full day with aftercare program, children must be picked up by closing time which is 6:00 p.m.

Parents will be assessed a Late Pick-up Fee of $20 per hour for each additional time (15 minutes or more) their child remains in the classroom. After 6:00 p.m., a late fee of $10 will be charged for every 5 minutes after closing time that the child remains at the school.

Parents are asked to call if they are going to be late picking up their child; however, this will not relieve you from responsibility to pay the late fee.

The safety and well-being of the children is the highest priority at PAIDEIA. To help ensure their safety, the building is secured at all times and monitored by video cameras. Visitor access to the building is obtained by ringing the doorbell. The PAIDEIA Director will give you access. The playground is fenced in and adequate staff remain with the children at all times.

10. CODE OF CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE

The Code of Conduct is based on the Gospel message of Jesus. Growth in self-discipline, a responsibility for Greek Orthodox Christian moral values, and a loving respect for the rights of all persons is encouraged and nourished. Children are expected to

- be truthful- be respectful and courteous toward all teachers and adults- refrain from harassment of any kind- use appropriate language- speak respectfully to and about others- respect all school and personal property- play only in assigned playground areas with good sportsmanship and cooperation- bring to school only appropriate show & tell items from home

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The Director and staff work with the children and parents to assist the children in developing a strong Christian attitude toward life.

Our approach to discipline is to solve behavior concerns using redirection and positive reinforcement. The children are made aware of the rules of their classroom and what is expected of them. We reinforce positive behavior through attention, praise and recognition. Circle time offers the opportunity to hear praise for themselves and others, to plan activities together, and to discuss class concerns and goals for desired behavior.

When behavior is an issue in the classroom, we discuss the behavior of concern with the child and set a plan of action. The teacher discusses the behavior with the child and alternative solutions are explored. When necessary, we work with parents to resolve behavior issues. If the behavior concern cannot be resolved, we reserve the right to dismiss or suspend a child for unsatisfactory behavior.

In the event that an incident or injury has occurred during classtime, an injury/incident report will be prepared and the parent will be notified.

11. HEALTH AND SAFETY

All students are required to have updated immunization and health forms as required by state law on file. These health forms must be submitted by the start of school each year. Parents must notify us in writing if their child has allergies of any kind.

Staff members are trained in first aid and CPR and can tend to everyday bumps and bruises. If a child has an accident or incident during the day, the parents will be notified at the time of pick-up. For any serious accident or incident, we will attempt to notify parents by telephone.

In the event of a serious emergency, the school will secure immediate medical attention. Every effort will be made to contact parents, guardians as described on the “Student Illness/Emergency” section of the child’s Tuition Agreement, or authorized family members or friends.

Sick Policy The purpose of our sick policy is to reduce the spread of illness among children and to encourage full recuperation of sick children before they return to school. We depend on parents to assist us in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all of our children.

We reserve the right to send home any student who shows signs of illness at school. Any student who becomes ill at school will be made comfortable until his/her parent can be notified and the student is picked up from school. A parent must pick up the ill child within one hour of notification.

A sick child must stay home where he/she is most comfortable. Children may be sent home if they have any specific symptoms as listed below. In addition, a child must be free of all of these specified symptoms for at least 24 hours before he/she can be returned to school. These symptoms are as follows:

A fever of 100 degrees or more SEPTEMBER 2013 10


Vomiting within the previous 24-hour period Diarrhea within the previous 24-hour period (including recurring episodes of diarrhea

at school) A heavy nasal discharge indicative of infection A constant cough or sore throat Fussy, cranky behavior and generally not himself/herself A skin rash, excluding diaper rash Head lice Symptoms of a communicable disease

Following an illness, a child may return to school once he/she has either been seen by a doctor or it has been determined that the illness is not contagious. (A doctor’s clearance should always be requested and brought to school with the child.) Additionally, if a child is absent over a prolonged period of time due to an illness, please bring a doctor’s note to the school stating the reason for his/her absence.

Medication/Allergies Saint Katherine PAIDEIA Bilingual Preschool will make reasonable efforts to work with individual families regarding allergies, intolerance to food, and medications.

Medications will not be administered by staff at the school.

However, the school will maintain emergency medications for severe allergic reactions if provided by the parent(s) to the Director with authorization in writing from the family physician.

Parents will be responsible for ensuring that all medication is current and will not expire during the course of the school year. It is the parent’s responsibility to provide a safe snack alternative for a child with food allergies.

Chronic medical conditionsThe parent of any child on a continuing regimen for a non-episodic condition shall inform the school Director and identify in writing the child's supervising physician. If necessary, and with parental written consent, there may be occasions when the school needs to communicate with the physician regarding possible effects on the pupil's behavior at school and special emergency procedures.

LiceThe school has a “NO NIT” policy for head lice. The child must be treated and free of nits for at least 24 hours before returning to school, at which time they must bring with them proof of treatment.

Reportable Communicable DiseaseParents must notify the school within 24 hours or the next business day after his/her child or any member of the immediate household has developed any reportable communicable disease, as defined by the State Board of Health, except for life threatening diseases which must be reported immediately.

Fire and Safety DrillsAs required by law, the school holds regular fire and safety drills. Should these drills take place in inclement weather, all attempts will be made to assure that children are properly SEPTEMBER 2013 11


attired. Please take time to review and discuss the importance of such drills with your child and to be sure that he or she knows the routines.

12. NATURAL DISASTERS OR OTHER DANGERS

The school has developed an emergency plan that deals with different situations and emergency management. The plan is designed to protect students and staff while at school or work. It includes procedures to respond to regional or national alerts, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and other situations. Emergency drills are practiced by the staff and students regularly during the year.

In the event of an emergency, the school will keep apprised of the situation via radio, television and the web. Depending on the threat, we might evacuate the school, lock down or initiate a shelter-in-place. Our main goal is to protect the students and staff members.

Let your child know that if an emergency occurs while he is at school, his teacher and school staff will provide them with appropriate information.

13. INCLEMENT WEATHER

In case of inclement weather, we follow the Fairfax Co. Public School closings. For closings or updates listen to the news, TV, radio or go to the Fairfax Co. web site http://www.fcps.edu. If Fairfax County Schools are closed we are closed. If Fairfax County Schools open two hours late we open at 10am. If Fairfax County Schools announce early dismissal we will dismiss at 1pm. We reserve the right to make decisions in the best interest of the children, which may differ from the public schools’ decision.

14. FOOD AND NUTRITION

The school provides a nutritious mid-morning snack that may include pretzels, cracker, cheese, yogurt, vegetables, fruit, or juice. Parents are responsible for packing a lunch, and should include an afternoon snack if the child is enrolled in the full-day program.

We will keep the lunch refrigerated, at your request, and will serve it to your child at 12 Noon. Children are instructed not to share food because of allergies or special diets of other children. If another child in the same class has a severe food allergy, we will notify the class parents and ask that you do not send your child to school with that food.

Students are asked to remain seated for the duration of the meal, even if they have finished eating. They may only move about in order to dispose of trash or ask the staff on duty a question. If a parent or family member wishes to eat with their child, prior arrangements should be made with the teacher. Fast food items are strictly prohibited.

15. BIRTHDAYS AND NAME DAYS

Parents are encouraged to celebrate their child’s Birthday and Name Day. Children enjoy sharing special days with their friends at school. Parents may provide a special store bought SEPTEMBER 2013 12


classroom dessert or treat in sufficient quantity for all the children in his class. Name days and Birthdays are posted for all children on our Celebration Board in each classroom.

Kindly do not distribute party invitations at school, unless they are for all the children. This will avoid hurt feelings among the uninvited and will prevent unnecessary conflict between parents

16. CLOTHING AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS While at school, children are asked to wear comfortable, washable clothing. They should also have outerwear that is suited to the weather in order to allow for outdoor play. Please pack in your child’s backpack in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag two sets of clothing (including socks) for your child, to be kept at school for emergencies.

All sweaters, hats, coats, mittens, boots, etc. must be labeled with the child’s name.

For safety reasons, clogs, sandals, Crocs, open-toe, and slick-soled shoes may not be worn.

Candy, gum, war toys, toy weapons, jewelry and money are not allowed at school. This includes trading cards and pocket sized toys.

Toys should be sent only when Show and Tell is scheduled for the class. Toys are not allowed at school at any other times.

Playground Weather permitting, outdoor activities will be provided each day. Specific times are set aside for each age group to insure safety and variety. On inclement weather days, children will have supervised play in either the playroom or the gym.

Quiet timeIf your child is enrolled in the Full Day Program, you will need to pack a nap mat, blanket and a small pillow for quiet time. The Preschool provides the mats.

Crib sheet and blanket must be in a zippered/sealed bag, and brought to Preschool at the beginning of the week and taken home for washing at the end of each week.

17. PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE

Virginia law imposes upon school personnel the legal responsibility of reporting to the local child protective services agency any incident of suspected child abuse or neglect.

The Saint Katherine Church Policy on the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct and/or Child Abuse applies to all clergy, all employees, and all volunteers involved in any of the ministries of the Church, including PAIDEIA Preschool.

SEPTEMBER 2013 13


Saint Katherine HEC:

GREEK SCHOOL

POLICIES and

PROCEDURES 2013-2014

SEPTEMBER 2013 14


1. VISION AND GOALS

Greek Schools have served a critical role in Greek Orthodox church communities across America since the birth of this republic. With the first Greek School founded in 1776 in St. Augustine, Florida, Greek immigrants across this country have made heroic efforts to establish Greek Schools that teach our children the Greek language and culture as well as the traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church. Likewise, within the Saint Katherine community, the initial members of our Parish founded the Saint Katherine Greek School in 1962, initially holding classes in a local motel until our first community center was built. The successful operation of our Greek School over the last 50 years has been a proud achievement for our community; not only has the school played a critical role in teaching multiple generations of our community the Greek language, but it is also recognized as one of the leading Greek Schools in the DC-Baltimore region. The Saint Katherine HEC seeks to build upon this strong foundation to evolve the Greek School into one of the leading Greek language institutions in the US. Recognizing the challenges that Greek Schools face due to the demands on childrens’ time and the need to teach Greek as a second language to 2nd and 3rd generation Greek-Americans, the Saint Katherine HEC is undergoing a process to update our curriculum, enhance our teaching methods, and institute technology into the classroom. By doing so, we will develop a strong academic curriculum that will provide your child the academic preparations necessary to pass the New York State Regents Exam upon completion of the 8th grade, which is recognized for college credit at several universities in the US. We appreciate your dedication to our Greek School and look forward to a rewarding experience for your child.

2. STAFF

Our teachers are dedicated to instilling a love for learning. They genuinely care about children, and have the knowledge and experience to understand a child’s individual developmental needs and learning styles. Our teachers are native Greek speakers, have relevant degrees and certifications, and experience teaching Greek either in the US and/or Greece. Our staff members are CPR and first aid certified. In addition, all staff members attend regular training sessions to enhance their teaching abilities.

3. CURRICULUM

For the 2013-2014 school year, a primary focus of the HEC Greek School is to re-evaluate the Greek School curriculum for all Grades. Our goal is to modernize our program to align it with the standards of the New York State Education Department for the teaching of foreign languages as well as other relevant standards of learning. In separate communications, we will provide the overall goals for each grade and updates regarding the results of our re-evaluation of our curriculum.

Religious and Ethical Education The Greek School is a parochial school of the Greek Orthodox Church. Students are introduced to the fundamental religious beliefs and principles of the Christian Orthodox Faith SEPTEMBER 2013 15


(in Greek). The children recite a prayer at the beginning of class. They learn about the life of important saints and participate in the celebration of religious events. The children learn the rules of ethical conduct and behavior and are encouraged to do good deeds and help their fellow human beings.

4. ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION

The Saint Katherine Greek School accepts all children who are interested in learning the Greek Language, regardless of their or their parents’ Greek language proficiency. We cater to the needs of all children—from those who have just arrived from Greece to those children who have yet to speak, hear, or read the Greek language.

To enroll a child, an Enrollment Form must be submitted. Enrollment for the following school year begins in the Spring. Parents are encouraged to enroll by June and pay a reduced tuition if they do so. Enrolling early allows our staff to better plan their classes for the coming year. Admission to the school is based on the following:

• The student's readiness and willingness to learn.• The parents’ understanding and acceptance of our basic goals.• The student being toilet trained (for 3 to 5 year-olds.)

If economic issues prevent a child from attending our school, parents should speak with Father Costas Pavlakos and the Parish Council President. Factors resulting in a child not being accepted for enrollment will be communicated to the parents. Our staff is not trained to deal with severe learning or emotional disorders. We can provide individualized instruction to meet the developmental needs of most children. All new enrollments are provisional, subject to the student's reactions to the program during the first month. Once a child becomes a part of our program, the participation and support of the parents are essential. The parents’ involvement helps us to be more effective.

Supplies and MaterialsThe school will provide the books and hand-outs for each Greek School grade while the parents will be given a list of school supplies by the individual teacher which are required for the class.

5. CLASS PLACEMENT AND ATTENDANCE

Student Class Placement PolicyPlacement of students into Greek School academic grades will be based on multiple factors:

The child’s proficiency in Greek The child’s current academic grade in their day school The child’s previous year’s grades and recommendations from the previous year’s teacher

The placement of a child within a Greek School grade is a balance between his/her knowledge of Greek, his/her overall academic level, and his/her maturity level. As a result, children will not necessarily be placed in the same grade level as their day school. The Director and staff will initially place children in the Greek School based on these factors. If after the first month of school the teacher notices that the child is advanced or behind the proficiency required for the class, he/she will make a recommendation to the Director and Parents to place the child in a lower or higher grade.SEPTEMBER 2013 16


Note that during the 2013-2014 school year, the HEC will be conducting a comprehensive review of the Greek School curriculum. In the future, the school could transition to a level-based structure, where children after the 2nd and 5th grades will need to pass exams to obtain “Basic” and “Intermediate” level proficiency. In addition, upon the Director’s discretion, a simple placement exam (to assess childrens’ proficiency levels) could be used at the beginning of the year to assist with the placement of children.

AttendanceAttendance at the Greek School is critical—if a child misses one class, they miss the equivalent of a week of classes at a normal day school. As a result, children are strongly encouraged to attend every week of class. Excessive absences will significantly hamper a student’s progress in the school. We expect our students to apply the same dedication to Greek School as they do to their normal day schools.The HEC recognizes that some absences will occur due to illness or scheduling conflicts. Parents are strongly encouraged to inform their teacher as early as possible regarding an upcoming absence. In addition, parents and students should work with their teacher (through Blackboard, email, etc.) to understand which material to review during the week and avoid the student falling behind.

6. PARENT INVOLVEMENT & COMMUNICATION

Parent InvolvementThe Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church recognizes parents as the primary educators of their children. The Greek School exists to assist parents in the Christian formation and enculturation of their children. Parents are expected to display an attitude of respect and support toward the school, the staff, and the educational process by:

Supporting the school’s mission and commitment to Christian principles and Hellenic education;

Supporting the school policies as outlined in the school handbook; Participating fully in school programs that are developed to support the education of

their children; Remaining informed about and involved in the religious instruction of their children.

Saint Katherine Greek School has varying opportunities for participation, such as donating time or treats for parties, participating in the Kalanda event, etc. We encourage participation and volunteering.

The Greek School PTA is sponsored by the school to promote a cooperative effort at meeting the Greek School’s needs. It is a part of the Greek School, and all activities and communication materials prepared by parents must be submitted to the Director for approval prior to distribution. The Greek School PTA provides a platform for parents to respectfully articulate their values and expectations regarding the school, so that these may be examined and addressed by the Director and the Parish Council BoE. The Organization aims to acquaint parents with information concerning current developments in educational initiatives. The Organization also supports the school through its fundraising efforts (e.g., “Apokreatiko Glendi”, etc.).

The school schedules a variety of events which may include Back to School Night, March 25 th

celebration, March 25th Parade in Baltimore, etc. Special events and reminders will be publicized well ahead of time. Parents will also be asked to participate in parent-teacher conferences periodically throughout the year to discuss their child’s progress. SEPTEMBER 2013 17


Your continued support is essential in creating a positive learning atmosphere for your child.

Parent CommunicationSaint Katherine Greek School maintains open channels for the parents or legal guardians of

thechildren to communicate with the school. There are multiple ways to communicate with theschool: a) By email, b) Go on line to the HEC website, c) Blackboard (check calendar,homework, news), d) phone or in person meeting. Parents are able to interact with their

child’steacher on a regular basis. We invite parents to reinforce the concepts learned in class at hometo increase the children’s understanding. If it is necessary, special parent-teacher conferencescan be scheduled at any time throughout the school year. Concerns about a child or a classsituation may be addressed first with the teacher and then the Director. Parents or guardians

canmake an appointment to meet with the Director at a mutually convenient time. Underextenuating circumstances, if these parents or guardians believe that they have not been able

tocommunicate successfully with the teacher and the Director, they are also able to

communicatewith the BoE, the Parish Council President, or Father Costas Pavlakos, Proistamenos.

7. CONTACT INFORMATION

For safety reasons, emergency contact information must be kept up to date. The Director and the teacher must be notified of any changes in your address and phone numbers, including the addresses and phone numbers of the people who should be called if you cannot be reached.

8. STUDENT ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

All children must be escorted to the classroom door. Parents are asked to not accompany your child into the classroom. Drop-off for the Greek program is from 5:45 to 6:00 on Wednesday, 4:45 to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, and from 09:15 to 09:30 a.m. on Saturday. Late drop-offs disrupt the classroom environment and greatly impede on the late student’s and other students’ learning. Repeated late drop-offs will be addressed with individual parents by the teachers and Director.

Children are picked up at 7 p.m. on Friday and at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Parents are asked to send an email to the Director and the teacher if they are going to be late picking up their child or if someone else will be picking up his/her child.

The safety and well-being of the children is the highest priority at Greek school. To help ensure their safety, the building is secured at all times and monitored by video cameras. The playground is fenced in and adequate staff remain with the children at all times.

9. CODE OF CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE

The Code of Conduct is based on the Gospel message of Jesus. Growth in self-discipline, a responsibility for Greek Orthodox Christian moral values, and a loving respect for the rights

SEPTEMBER 2013 18


of all persons is encouraged and nourished. The Director and staff work with the children and parents to assist them in developing a strong Christian attitude toward life.

Each classroom should be viewed as a learning environment where everyone must contribute in order to succeed. As a result, from an academic perspective, students are expected to:

Complete all class work and homework on time. Keep books neat and clean. Participate in class discussions and activities.

From a behavioral perspective, students are expected to: Respect their teachers Respect themselves Respect each other Respect the school and its procedures

Our approach to discipline is to solve behavior concerns using redirection and positive reinforcement. The children are made aware of the rules of their classroom and what is expected of them. We reinforce positive behavior through attention, praise and recognition.

We will escalate issues for Greek School students who choose not to follow the class expectations in the following order:

1. The student will first be given a warning by the teacher 2. If the behavior continues, the student will be asked to have a discussion with his/her

teacher regarding class issues 3. If the behavior cannot be corrected directly with the student, the teacher will arrange a

meeting with the Director and Teacher. The parent will also be contacted if a discussion is needed between the Parent, Teacher, and Director

If the behavior concern cannot be resolved, after we have contacted and discussed the issues with you, we reserve the right to dismiss or suspend a child. We do not have the resources to teach students with special needs.

Coming to Greek School for any child can be very challenging for many reasons. Being that it is a school, it requires commitment and effort by the student. The students might feel overburdened, not being able to follow with the lesson, or bored, if not challenged sufficiently. Rather than using traditional methods of teaching Greek, we will use alternative, experiential methods to teach our children about the Greek culture and history which we hope will provide them a lifelong appreciation for Hellenism and education (paideia). For example, we may include a field trip to a museum that relates to the Hellenic culture, watch a video about Greece to spur discussion in the classroom, talk about Greece on the news, and incorporate conversations and games into the curriculum.

In the event that an incident or injury has occurred during classtime, an injury/incident report will be prepared and the parent will be notified.

10. HEALTH AND SAFETY

Parents must notify us in writing if their child has allergies of any kind. Staff members are trained in first aid and CPR and can tend to everyday bumps and bruises. If a child has an accident or incident during the day, the parents will be notified at the time of pick-up. For any serious accident or incident, we will attempt to notify parents by telephone. SEPTEMBER 2013 19


In the event of a serious emergency, the school will secure immediate medical attention. Every effort will be made to contact parents, guardians or authorized family members or friends.

Sick Policy The purpose of our sick policy is to reduce the spread of illness among children and to encourage full recuperation of sick children before they return to school. We depend on parents to assist us in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all of our children.

We reserve the right to send home any student who shows signs of illness at school. Any student who becomes ill at school will be made comfortable until his/her parent can be notified and the student is picked up from school. A parent must pick up the ill child within one hour of notification.

A sick child must stay home where he/she is most comfortable. Children may be sent home if they have any specific symptoms as listed below. In addition, a child must be free of all of these specified symptoms for at least 24 hours before he/she can be returned to school. These symptoms are as follows:

A fever of 100 degrees or more Vomiting within the previous 24-hour period Diarrhea within the previous 24-hour period (including recurring episodes of diarrhea

at school) A heavy nasal discharge indicative of infection A constant cough or sore throat Fussy, cranky behavior and generally not himself/herself A skin rash, excluding diaper rash Head lice Symptoms of a communicable disease

Following an illness, a child may return to school once he/she has either been seen by a doctor or it has been determined that the illness is not contagious. (A doctor’s clearance should always be requested and brought to school with the child.) Additionally, if a child is absent over a prolonged period of time due to an illness, please bring a doctor’s note to the school stating the reason for his/her absence.

Medication/Allergies Saint Katherine Greek School will make reasonable efforts to work with individual families regarding allergies, intolerance to food, and medications.

Medications will not be administered by staff at the school.

However, the school will maintain emergency medications for severe allergic reactions if provided by the parent(s) to the Director with authorization in writing from the family physician.

Parents will be responsible for ensuring that all medication is current and will not expire during the course of the school year. It is the parent’s responsibility to provide a safe snack alternative for a child with food allergies. SEPTEMBER 2013 20


Chronic medical conditionsThe parent of any child on a continuing regimen for a non-episodic condition shall inform the school Director and identify in writing the child's supervising physician. If necessary, and with parental written consent, there may be occasions when the school needs to communicate with the physician regarding possible effects on the pupil's behavior at school and special emergency procedures.

LiceThe school has a “NO NIT” policy for head lice. The child must be treated and free of nits for at least 24 hours before returning to school, at which time they must bring with them proof of treatment.

Reportable Communicable DiseaseParents must notify the school within 24 hours or the next business day after his/her child or any member of the immediate household has developed any reportable communicable disease, as defined by the State Board of Health, except for life threatening diseases which must be reported immediately.

Fire and Safety DrillsAs required by law, the school holds regular fire and safety drills. Should these drills take place in inclement weather, all attempts will be made to assure that children are properly attired. Please take time to review and discuss the importance of such drills with your child and to be sure that he or she knows the routines.

11. NATURAL DISASTERS OR OTHER DANGERS

The school has developed an emergency plan that deals with different situations and emergency management. The plan is designed to protect students and staff while at school or work. It includes procedures to respond to regional or national alerts, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and other situations. Emergency drills are practiced by the staff and students regularly during the year.

In the event of an emergency, the school will keep apprised of the situation via radio, television and the web. Depending on the threat, we might evacuate the school, lock down or initiate a shelter-in-place. Our main goal is to protect the students and staff members.

Let your child know that if an emergency occurs while he is at school, his teacher and school staff will provide them with appropriate information.

12. INCLEMENT WEATHER

In case of inclement weather, we follow the Fairfax Co. Public School closings. For closings or updates listen to the news, TV, radio or go to the Fairfax Co. web site http://www.fcps.edu. For weekday classes, if Fairfax County Schools/after school activities are closed, we are closed. On Saturdays, the Director will send an email by 8AM or earlier to inform parents if the school is closed. We reserve the right to make decisions in the best interest of the children, which may differ from the public schools’ decision.

SEPTEMBER 2013 21


13. FOOD AND NUTRITION

Snack time is provided for the Friday class from 1800-1815. Lunch time occurs during Saturday classes 12-1230. We encourage parents to pack a nutritious snack or lunch to enhance the learning environment. Children are instructed not to share food because of allergies or special diets of other children. If another child in the same class has a severe food allergy, we will notify the class parents and ask that you do not send your child to school with that food.

In the lunchroom, students are asked to remain seated for the duration of the meal, even if they have finished eating. They may only move about in order to dispose of trash or ask the staff on duty a question. If a parent or family member wishes to eat with their child, prior arrangements should be made with the teacher. Fast food items are strictly prohibited.

14. BIRTHDAYS AND NAME DAYS

Parents are encouraged to celebrate their child’s Birthday and Name Day. Children enjoy sharing special days with their friends at school. Parents may provide a special store bought classroom dessert or treat in sufficient quantity for all the children in his class.

Kindly do not distribute party invitations at school, unless they are for all the children. This will avoid hurt feelings among the uninvited and will prevent unnecessary conflict between parents

15. CLOTHING AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS While at school, children are asked to wear comfortable, washable clothing. They should also have outerwear that is suited to the weather in order to allow for outdoor play. All sweaters, hats, coats, mittens, boots, etc. must be labeled with the child’s name. For safety reasons, clogs, sandals, Crocs, open-toe, and slick-soled shoes may not be worn. Candy, gum, war toys, toy weapons, jewelry and money are not allowed at school. This includes trading cards and pocket sized toys.

Playground Weather permitting and for certain grades, outdoor activities will be provided. Specific times are set aside for each age group to insure safety and variety. On inclement weather days, children will have supervised play in the gym.

16. PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE

Virginia law imposes upon school personnel the legal responsibility of reporting to the local child protective services agency any incident of suspected child abuse or neglect.

The Saint Katherine Church Policy on the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct and/or Child Abuse applies to all clergy, all employees, and all volunteers involved in any of the ministries of the Church, including the Greek School.

SEPTEMBER 2013 22

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