FAMILY HANDBOOK 2017-2018

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Schiff Preschool of Temple Emanu-el

770.352.9303 Director: Sheila Purdin

spurdin@templeemanuelatlanta.com

Assistant to the Director: Rachel Miller schiffpreschool@templeemanuelatlanta.com

SPPG Chair: Brett Rubin, bretthrubin@gmail.com

Facebook.com/schiffpreschool

Facebook.com/Schiff.SPPG

Temple Emanu-El

1580 Spalding Drive Atlanta, GA 30350

770.395.1340 FAX – 770.395.1343

www.templeemanuelatlanta.org facebook.com/TEAtlanta

Rabbi: Rabbi Spike Anderson Executive Director: Stephen Blick

Centered on your childFocused on your familyConnected to your community

Learn Grow Connect

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FROM OUR DIRECTOR

Dear Families, Welcome to Schiff Preschool of Temple Emanu-El. On behalf of the Schiff Preschool Parent’s Group, our clergy, and our staff, I would like to say how proud we are of our school and what a thrill we think it will be for you and your child to participate in our program this school year. We invite your involvement in our school and community and will provide many avenues for engagement at every level. Find the one that fits your family, or share one of your own. Schiff Preschool prides itself on being academically challenging, warm, and nurturing. Providing the best Jewish early childhood learning environment for every child is our primary goal. Our teaching staff is highly trained, dedicated to their craft, and continually learning. We know that children learn by doing and have created a learning environment rich with experi-ences designed to help them solve problems, take chances, and construct knowledge. Our teachers are trained to observe your child and use those observations, along with an expert knowledge of early childhood education and development, to design the curriculum to meet the needs of your child and every child. Exciting adventures await! The Schiff Preschool Family Handbook provides important information about our program. Please read and familiarize yourself with the important dates, as well as the policies and pro-cedures. If you have any questions regarding the information contained in the Handbook, please speak with me about them as soon as possible. You are required to sign and return the Parental Agreements With Schiff no later than August 16, 2017. The Handbook is designed to provide us with a safe and structured environment for the children while minimizing confusion for the adults. Warmly, Sheila Purdin

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

About Schiff Preschool ............................................................................ 5

Mission Statement .................................................................................. 5

Philosophy .............................................................................................. 5

Curriculum .............................................................................................. 6

Curriculum Goals ..................................................................................... 6

Curriculum Specialties ............................................................................. 7

About our Program ................................................................................. 7

Registration and Enrollment .................................................................... 8

School Information .................................................................................. 8

Arrival and Dismissal ............................................................................. 10

Carpool Procedures ............................................................................... 11

Carpool Alternative ............................................................................... 12

Easy Transition from Home to School .................................................... 12

Snack and Lunch ................................................................................... 13

Potty Training Guidelines ....................................................................... 14

Medical and Illness Information ............................................................ 14

Guidelines for Keeping Your Sick Child Home ........................................ 15

Becoming an Involved Parent ................................................................ 15

Child Evaluations ................................................................................... 16

Enrichment and Play, Extend-a-Day ....................................................... 17

Parental Agreements with Schiff Preschool ........................................... 19

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MISSION STATEMENT

FOR THE SCHIFF PRESCHOOL OF TEMPLE EMANU-EL

The Schiff Preschool of Temple Emanu-El provides a Reform Jewish early-childhood education, incorporating Jewish values, beliefs, and history into a complete preschool curriculum. Our creative curriculum enhances self-esteem and encourages social, emotional, physical, and academic growth. We provide a stimulating, educational experience in a safe, nurturing environment. The preschool program’s mission includes:

Creating a positive sense of Jewish

identity among our students;

Developing a sense of community

between families and Temple Emanu-El;

Successfully preparing children for their continuing academic growth.

PHILOSOPHY

The Schiff Preschool provides a nurturing environment where children feel safe to try new things...to discover their own potential...to explore decision-making and problem solving. Our curriculum is based on the under-standing that children learn best by doing. Playing is how children learn. During their time here, we engage stu-dents' senses to stimulate creative learning through touching, listening, smelling, looking, tasting, and feeling. Our educational environment incorporates Jewish values, beliefs, and traditions, as well as history, culture, and the Jewish calendar (which includes Jewish holidays). Our goal is to begin a lifelong process of Judaic learning and enrichment for our students.

ABOUT SCHIFF PRESCHOOL

The Schiff Preschool was founded in 1995 through a gift from Temple Emanu-El congregants Ed and Shirley Schiffer to honor the memory of Shirley’s parents, Hanni and Alfred Schiff, who were Holocaust survivors. We are an integrated part of the Temple Emanu-El family. The preschool offers programs for infants through pre-k. Our staff includes teachers, administrators, specialists, and clergy.

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CURRICULUM

To support the Schiff Preschool's learning philosophy, we incorporate "The Creative Curriculum for Early Child-hood," written by Diane Trister Dodge and Joanna Phin-ney, two highly regarded early childhood educators. We are also guided by the work of Developmental Psycholo-gists Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky, along with the work of the educators of Reggio Emilia. We integrate these teachings into a specific, child-centered curriculum de-veloped by the Schiff Preschool. In addition to the standard curriculum, we have added significant components on Phonemic Awareness, Recipe for Reading and Hand Writing Without Tears. These pro-grams work with pre-reading skills in order to help chil-dren develop into early, confident readers and writers.

CURRICULUM GOALS

Everything we do is designed to give your child a suc-cessful preschool experience. This includes the activities we offer the children, the way we organize our class-room environment, the toys and materials we select, the daily schedule we set, and our everyday interactions with your child. We use the Georgia Early Learning & Development Standards (GELDS) to ensure that all les-sons and activities are developmentally appropriate for each age group. Our curriculum identifies goals in all areas of develop-ment: Social -- Enabling young children to interact with each other, building social skills such as making friends, taking turns, sharing, talking, and being part of a group.

For example: Your child will have the opportunity to participate with other children in discussions and stories, sing and dance with teachers and other children, play games and share classroom assignments, eat lunch and snacks with others, and use free-time to play with

new friends. Emotional -- Giving children the opportunity to experi-ence pride and self-confidence, to gain independence and self-control, and to develop a positive attitude to-ward themselves and life. For example: Your child will grow emotionally by com-pleting class work and creating artwork, climbing on playground equipment, finishing a puzzle, learning songs and dances, and helping with classroom tasks. Cognitive -- Helping children become confident learners by letting them try out their own ideas, experience suc-cess and challenges, and facilitating learning skills such as the ability to solve problems, ask questions, and use words to describe their thoughts, observations, and feel-ings.

For example: Using blocks, puzzles and toys, your child will learn about sizes, shapes, colors, and object rela-tionships. By pretending with imaginary or found ob-jects, and by "reading" pictures, he/she will learn to sub-stitute one object for another. Learning concepts such as these prepares your child for understanding more abstract symbols, such as letters and numbers. In this way, play provides a strong foundation for continuing academic learning. Physical -- Helping children develop their large and small motor/muscle skills and feel confident about what their bodies can do. For example: Catching and throwing balls, playing on the playground, pouring without spilling, using paint brush-es and other art supplies, and balancing or lacing toys will give children the chance to develop and fine-tune their physical abilities.

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CURRICULUM SPECIALTIES

Judaics

Judaics is an integral part of our preschool program. Every class learns and recites appropriate prayers be-fore snacks and lunch on a daily basis. The children celebrate the Jewish holidays in a variety of ways, many of which include parent participation. Typically, one of the students' favorite activities is the school-wide celebration of Shabbat every Friday morning (celebrated on Thursdays for our Tuesday and Thurs-day classrooms). Parents are always welcome to join us as we share prayers, stories, and song in observance of Shabbat. In addition, our Judaics Specialist supplements class-room learning. She teaches Jewish history, ethics, and values in innovative, creative ways that are age-appropriate and encourage interaction. The Judaics Specialist tells Bible-based stories -- often with props and songs -- and creates unique programs to help fami-lies learn at home. These programs include take-home "Shabbat Bags" filled with easy-to-follow activities for families to share in the observation, as well as several programs that support what the children are learning at different times throughout the year.

Movement

In addition to physical activity in the classroom and on the playground, students meet with our Movement Specialist. This program helps children strengthen their muscles, expend energy, and express themselves physi-cally through fun games and activities. In movement, children are learning to control and enhance their small and large motor movements and coordination in an enjoyable, safe environment.

Music

Children love music! Our Music Specialist uses a variety of songs, instruments, and games for engaging, interac-tive musical learning. Children learn that music is an-other way to express feelings and tell stories. The pro-gram encourages children to listen, recognize tempos,

follow directions, and participate in group learning. The music program further supports our Judaic class-room curriculum and teaches special songs and stories that relate to the Jewish holidays.

Infant Program

The infant classroom at Schiff is your baby’s home away from home. Our intimate program partners with each family to maintain continuity between home and school. Daily routines are built around the individual needs and developmental milestones of your baby. Materials are carefully selected to meet the unique social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of infants and toddlers. Our exceptional, loving teach-ers communicate with each family every day, sharing detailed information about your baby’s day. Infants at Schiff participate in Friday morning Shabbat Sing, enjoy daily outside time, weekly music class with our music specialist, and are beloved by the entire fac-ulty and student population of Schiff. To maintain the intimacy of our program, space is lim-ited. Early registration is encouraged.

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

Our classroom size and teacher-child ratio have been developed to ensure that every child and teacher have the opportunity to spend time developing relation-ships.

Our programs include:

Infants: 3 days and 5 days

1-year-olds: 2 days, 3 days, and 5 days

2-year-olds: 3 days, 4 days , and 5 days

3-year-olds: 4 days and 5 days

4-year-olds (pre-K): 5 days (M-F)

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Age guidelines

We follow the same age guidelines as the local Atlanta school systems. Therefore, the age your child is on September 1 is the age group he or she will be with in class. We will place your child in an age-appropriate class.

REGISTRATION AND ENROLLMENT

Registration Priority registration for the following school year be-gins on December 1 for families whose children are currently enrolled in the Schiff Preschool, as well as for Temple Emanu-El members. Registration is open to the community in mid-December. There is a regis-tration fee of $100 for each student, which is non-refundable and non-transferable. You can obtain an enrollment form by contacting the Schiff Preschool director’s office.

Tuition

The first month’s tuition payment is due April 1 and is non-refundable and non-transferable. A space in a classroom, and appropriate staff, have been secured based upon registration. Registration secures a space for the duration of the school year, and assumes obli-gation of the full yearly tuition amount. Tuition is only refundable should your family relocate out-of-state and only if written notice is provided prior to July 1. The remainder of the school’s tuition is due in month-ly payments, August-March. You may also choose one payment and receive a 5% discount (applicable to School only and the 12-month schedule. See registra-tion form for more details.) After July 1, all payments are non-refundable and non-transferable with the following exception: families that move out of state will receive a tuition payment refund for remaining school months, less the first month's payment. In order to receive a refund for moving out-of-state, you must present the preschool director with a one-month written notice.

Discounts

If you have more than one child attending the Schiff Preschool, you will receive a 5% discount for the youngest child. Temple Emanu-El members receive a discount, as listed on the enrollment form.

ALEF Fund

Schiff Preschool of Temple Emanu-El is proud to be a participating school recipient of the ALEF Fund. As an ALEF Fund recipient, we are able to offer scholarships to qualifying families with students in our Pre-K and Kindergarten Prep programs.

Information about contributing to the ALEF Fund will be shared with families beginning in the Fall of each year and can also be obtained directly from the ALEF Fund. Visit the ALEF Fund website for more infor-mation, www.aleffund.org.

School Information Forms

Prior to the start of school, parents will receive several forms, including:

Child Enrollment Form 2017-2018 External Medication Authorization Family Handbook 2017-2018 Medication Authorization Nut Free Information Sheet Registration Form 2017-2018 USDA Requirements & Permission Form SPPG Membership Information SPPG Challah & Lunch Order Schiff School Calendar

Please complete all forms and mail or deliver them to the office of the Schiff Preschool director prior to the first day of school. We cannot allow you to leave your child in our care without the completed forms. We also need a copy of your child’s Immunization Form (form number 3231 from your doctor).

Class Placement

Schiff Preschool of Temple Emanu-El does not accept specific requests for class placement. Your child is our first priority and we take special care when making class assignments. Twins are placed in the same class, unless the director is notified in writing by May 15 to separate them. Students are placed in the appropriate classes based upon their age as of September 1, 2017. Schiff Preschool of Temple Emanu-El reserves the right to consolidate or cancel a class should registra-tion minimums not be met.

SCHOOL INFORMATION

Open House & Parent Orientation

At the beginning of each school year, we hold an Open House and a Parent Orientation Evening so you and your child can visit the classroom and meet the teachers. You will be notified of the date and time of the Open House.

Hours

Core Program is 9:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.

Extend-a-day options from 7:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.

Calendar and Closings

We follow both the Jewish and the local academic calendars. School closings include Jewish holidays, national holidays, teacher workdays, and family-teacher conferences. Prior to the start of school, you will receive a calendar listing all closings, as well as other important school dates/activities.

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Emergency Weather Conditions

The safety of our students, families, and faculty is our first priority. Schiff Preschool will close if Fulton Coun-ty schools or Dekalb County schools are closed. We will notify families of any closing or emergency situa-tions using Remini.

Clothing & Backpacks

Dress your child in comfortable play clothes and shoes. Pants and shorts are great for boys and girls. Sneakers provide the most safety when using the out-door equipment -- please, no cowboy boots or flip-flops! All clothes should be plainly marked with your child's name. Please remember that children like to have fun at school, and some clothes may get messy.

We have found that it is easiest for children to carry their belongings and lunch in a backpack. Please mark your child's backpack with his/her name. Your child will bring home art projects, letters from teachers, and other school information in his or her backpack, so please check its contents each day your child attends school.

In your child's backpack, please send a complete change of clothes, including underwear and socks. These items should be clearly marked with your child's name and will be left at school. Your child's teacher will remind you to bring a new change of clothes for seasonal changes.

Many children have identical backpacks, jackets, etc. The Parents Group has a fundraising code set up with a label company. Please refer to their handout for the current code and consider Name Bubbles to avoid lost items. Teachers will mark your child’s clothing, back-pack, etc. if they are not marked.

Personal Possessions

We have found it is best for children to leave personal items at home (such as toys, books, videos, etc.). Chil-dren are disappointed when there is not time to share their books and toys, and favorite items can get lost. Teachers will schedule days when children can bring things from home to share and/or show their friends.

Classroom Management

We use our Jewish values as a foundation to promote positive behavior in the classroom. We know that chil-dren learn by seeing and doing. We tell and show them what we want them to do, instead of what we don’t want them to do. This helps clarify for young children the behavior we expect. We understand how young children develop and what they are able to

understand, and we gear our expectations towards their development. We are sensitive to the amount of time a child can be expected to sit and attend, and we shape our schedule around their abilities.

We also teach children to follow classroom rules and safety procedures, which include such things as shar-ing, helping, safety (use walking feet, keep your feet on the floor, etc.), keeping our hands to ourselves, using appropriate voices inside and out, and respect for ourselves, our friends, our teachers and other adults. We have age appropriate expectations for be-havior from the children, and we work on these skills in the classroom. We also arrange our physical class-rooms to promote good classroom management.

Birthdays

Please check with your child's teachers if you would like to bring healthy refreshments and/or celebrate your child's birthday at school. Teachers are a great resource when choosing healthy, fun birthday snacks, appropriate for the preschool classroom. Please don't feel as if you must celebrate your child's birthday at school. It is completely up to you.

It is the Schiff Preschool policy that invitations for any event may only be passed out at school if one is given to every child in the class. We will gladly provide you with a list of your child's classmates. Please do not send birthday gifts to children through the school. You may deliver them parent-to-parent, but we prefer that they remain outside of the classrooms.

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Discussions with Teachers

Teachers will only discuss your child with you in a pri-vate setting, away from your child. So often, children are tuned in to what the adults around them are saying, even when they are seemingly involved in other activi-ties. Teachers are also hesitant to tell you that your child had a “good” or “bad” day. Four hours at school involves many time segments, and teachers would pre-fer to discuss specific segments rather than the day as a whole. Teachers are happy to arrange a time later in the day to talk, via telephone or email, to answer all of your ques-tions and share information.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

You may bring your children to school and pick them up through the Schiff Preschool carpool line.

Morning carpool begins at 9:20 a.m. and continues until 9:35 a.m.

Morning carpool takes place in the lower cul-de-sac area. On rainy days, morning carpool will take place along the front of the building. Teachers are there to assist you and your children every step of the way -- from the car to the building door, along the hallway to the classrooms. Please be on time, as tardiness delays the start of the day for the other children. If you arrive after 9:35 a.m., park your car in an appropriate space in the upper parking lot or in designated spaces in the front of the building and walk your child into the class-room.

Afternoon carpool begins at 1:25 p.m. along the front of the building.

Please be on time to pick up your child. If you wish to pick up your child from the classroom, please arrive by 1:10 p.m. After 1:10, the teachers will be preparing for and walking children out to carpool. We cannot allow you to take your child from the room or remove them while they are walking to or are in the carpool area. In an emergency situation, please find the Director, Sheila Purdin, or her assistant, Rachel Miller, to help you. If you do not wish to drop off or pick up your child in the carpool line, you must park your car in the upper parking lot and escort your child to and from the class-room yourself. The staff tries to make carpool as safe and efficient as possible. We try to be outside at 9:20 a.m. to receive your children and outside again at 1:25 p.m. to begin afternoon carpool. There are times when we may run up to five minutes late due to morning staff meetings or unforeseen situations. Please be patient with us just as we are with you. We like carpool to be a pleasant and convenient experi-ence for all. Please follow the rules and do what the staff asks of you. If you do not agree with a teacher’s directions, please follow them anyway. Later, you may contact the Director or the school’s Assistant to the Director to discuss your experience or ask for an expla-nation. The teachers are following the rules they have been asked to follow. Please do not ask them to break the rules for you. If a staff member feels that parents are unwilling to follow the carpool rules, those parents will be asked to discontinue using the carpool service and will need to park in the upper parking lot and walk their children into school in the morning and pick up their children at the end of the day. The only time you will be allowed to use the back door near the playground and be buzzed inside is if your child is registered for early morning extended day and you are dropping him/her off or they are registered for afternoon extended day and you are picking them up. This limited back door access policy was created to keep your child in a safe and secure environment.

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Authorized Pickup

Please provide written consent when having someone other than yourself or those listed on your child’s Stu-dent Release Form pick up your child. Only personally authorized people will be permitted to leave with your child. Those people on your Release form using after-noon carpool that do not pick up your child on a con-sistent basis will be asked to pull to the side of the carpool line and wait until the end. Staff will then con-firm authorization in your child’s file. This is for your child’s safety and to allow the carpool line to continue to move smoothly. Our staff will ask them to provide identification if we do not know them. Should the need for alternate pick-up arrangements need to be made during the school day, written notice must be provided prior to 12:30p.m. After 12:30 p.m., the Schiff staff is preparing for the end of the school day, and their attention will be on a safe dismissal for our students. We cannot accept verbal permission for pick-up.

Carpool Procedures

Morning Arrival

Drive your car down to the preschool area and around the circle to the first sidewalk. When a teacher ap-proaches your car to help your child out, please turn off your motor. For everyone’s safety, your motor must be off before we unload your car.

Please wait until a teacher comes to unload your car and remain in your car. The teachers are here to make sure your child is safe, and they will attend to your child from the moment he/she leaves your car. The teachers will make certain children are standing in a safe area away from moving traffic while they are waiting to go inside. The teachers will open and close the car door. For safety's sake, please allow only adults to open and close car doors.

A teacher will unload your child at curbside. If children are unable to be unloaded curbside, you will be asked to unload those children and safely deliver them to the teacher, who will be waiting to greet them on the curbside.

Please discontinue the use of cell phones prior to drop-off.

Please note: Children must be dressed completely and ready to exit the car when you pull into the carpool

line (shoes, coats, sunscreen, finished eating, etc.). Otherwise, please park in the upper parking lot and walk your child(ren) into the building when they are ready to come in.

Afternoon dismissal upstairs

Drive your car along the right side curb in a single-file line. When a teacher signals you, move your car up in line and turn your motor off. Please exit your car and greet your child at the curbside. The teachers will es-cort your child to you and wait until you have securely placed your child into your vehicle. Please buckle your child quickly to keep the flow of the carpool line. Due to liability, Schiff staff are not permitted to install car seats or buckle children into car seats. If you have to attend to your child(ren), please pull into a parking space to do so, rather than doing so in the carpool line, as this causes traffic jams and safety issues. Please be patient and wait for the car in front of you to leave. Pulling around the cars can cause un-safe conditions for you, your child(ren), and other families. The line should move smoothly and we ask for your courteous patience.

Please discontinue the use of cell phones prior to pick-up.

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CARPOOL ALTERNATIVE

If you do not wish to drop your child off through car-pool line, and would prefer to walk your child into the classroom, you must park your car in the upper park-ing lot and walk down. You may not park in the car-pool line or near the trash dumpsters, or in any re-served space at any time - not even "just for a mi-nute." Carpool is ideal for parents with other small children, as no one but the student needs to get out of the car. Additionally, children feel very grown-up when they go through carpool. Please note: Once afternoon carpool begins, children may only be picked up through the carpool line. It creates a safety hazard when people are crossing the moving carpool line or when parents are distracting teachers while they are on carpool duty and in charge of the children's safety. Only teachers and children should be in the dismissal area once carpool begins. We will not release children to parents who walk up once carpool begins. If your child has not been picked up by the time car-pool has ended, the teacher will bring your child back into the building and check for messages from you or call you. You will need to park in the Temple Emanu-El parking lot and come in to the preschool to get your child. The children get upset and we become concerned about you when you do not arrive at dismissal. Please contact us when you are running late.

EASY TRANSITION FROM

HOME TO SCHOOL

Before school begins, discuss with your child what school will be like, when it will begin, how many days he/she will be attending, etc. Once school starts, help your child learn the names of his/her classmates and teachers. Quick good-byes in the morning help make for an eas-ier transition - both in carpool AND particularly in the classroom. Our teachers support this philosophy with positive attitudes during carpool drop-off and by meeting and greeting children all the way from the car and into the classroom. Knowing that your children are coming to a warm, nurturing environment should make it easier for you

to share a quick goodbye. Staying longer does not make it any easier for your child or you - you still have to leave! When you delay leaving, it can become more difficult for you, your child, and other children. Again, please consider using carpool, especially once your child has become familiar with school. Please remember: When you drop off and pick up your child, the teachers are involved in integrating the chil-dren into classroom activities, giving their students 100% of their attention. Please save in-depth ques-tions or conversations for outside of classroom hours. Feel free to schedule an appointment with, call or e-mail your child's teacher with your concerns. They welcome the communication, at the appropriate time.

Here are several additional suggestions:

You and your child can visit the school's classrooms and playground prior to the start of the school year. Walk around the building to familiarize your child with the school. Please take advantage of the morning Open House and evening Parent Orientations to meet your child's teachers, the preschool staff, and some of your child's classmates. The Open House is held 1-2 days prior to the start of school. Morning routines should be completed at home (i.e. eating breakfast, getting dressed completely, packing backpacks, etc.). A morning routine that your child can count on enables him or her to expect the next step in the routine: going to school.

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After school, your child may enjoy telling you about his or her day. Ask open-ended questions (i.e. "Tell me about the things you did today." "What toys did you play with?" "What friends did you see?" etc.). These questions trigger more informative answers. If your child is returning to school for the second or third year, don’t be concerned if he/she seems upset when going to the new classroom. As far as the chil-dren are concerned, when they return to school after Summer break, they expect to go to their old class-room, see their old teachers, and have the same chil-dren in their class. They adjust very quickly to the new situation.

SNACK AND LUNCH

Snack

Snacks are provided by families on a rotating schedule for the class or sent individually in your child’s lunch-box. Each class will decide during Orientation how they wish to handle snack. On Friday, the children will have challah for snack, provided by Schiff Preschool.

Lunch

Please send lunch for your child every day. Lunches should be nutritious, meet USDA requirements and be easy for your child to handle. Be sure to mark your child's name on his/her lunch bag and any food con-tainers (cups, Tupperware, etc.) you send. Please note that we teach students to clean up after themselves. Occasionally, food containers may get thrown in the trash. Please keep this in mind when you send con-tainers. Please note: We require lunches that are kosher-style. (No pork or shellfish; no mixing of meat and dairy) For example, if you send a turkey sandwich, do not send cheese crackers or yogurt.

As a licensed school, Georgia rule 591-1-1-.15 states that hot dogs, raw carrots, popcorn, fish with bones, and grapes shall not be served to children less than three years of age. Children older than three years of age may be served these foods provided that the foods are cut lengthwise in such a way as to minimize chokings. Further, any portions of food or drink which are served to children or placed on the table for ser-vice and are not consumed at that meal or snack by the children to whom the portions are served shall be thrown away. Due to the high incidence of peanut and tree nut re-lated allergies in young children, the Schiff Preschool is a NUT-FREE school. Although peanuts are not actu-ally nuts, but legumes, they are included in our nut-free policy. This includes nut butters and other nut products, including nutella, in addition to the actual nuts. If you have any doubts, keep it at home! Here are some ideas for healthy lunches and snacks that "travel" well: yogurt, applesauce, sliced fruit, fruit rolls that are 100% fruit, sliced vegetables with dip, cheese and crackers, lean meat or poultry, whole-grain or enriched bread, and cereal. For convenience, try juice boxes, milk boxes, or spill-proof cups. Most families do not serve dessert at home during lunch. Your children do not expect dessert and are distracted from eating the healthy lunch you send when you include dessert. Feel free to talk with your child's teachers about how your child is eating (amount, likes, dislikes, etc.). Teachers will be glad to share with you general infor-mation about your child's eating preferences and sug-gest foods their friends have enjoyed. As we encour-age children to clean up after their meal, and in ac-cordance with Georgia rule 591-1-1-.15, we do not send food that has been opened back home. Due to possible individual allergies, children are only allowed to eat their OWN lunches and are discouraged from sharing food with their friends. Schiff Preschool Parent’s Group (SPPG) also sponsors a lunch program that you may participate in, allowing you to purchase delicious, nutritious lunches for your student up to 5 days per week during the school year. Information will be provided to you at orientation.

Food Allergies

If your child has specific food allergies, please speak with his/her teacher and provide this information, including a Food Allergy Action Plan, in writing to both the teachers and the preschool director.

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POTTY TRAINING GUIDELINES

Potty Training

We know that potty training can be a stressful experi-ence for parents and children. We are happy to work with your child at school to help ensure a smooth transition from using diapers to using the bathroom. Bladder control is a maturation function of a child’s body, just like walking and talking. A child cannot walk until his/her legs are able to support them and coordi-nate ambulation. This is true for bladder control as well. If your child’s body is not mature enough to sus-tain bladder control, there is nothing you can do to make this happen. It is purely a function of matura-tion. Just as a newborn cannot speak in sentences, a child whose body has not yet developed bladder con-trol will not be able to continually stay dry successful-ly. Please remember that potty training is not a reflec-tion of your parenting skills, but a maturation of your child’s body. For those whose child trains in one day, they are lucky. Most children take a longer time. Often times, children easily use the potty at home, while at preschool they become involved in play and may not let the teachers know that they need to go to the bathroom. Although the teachers frequently take the children to the bathroom, as well as ask if anyone needs to go, some children are reluctant to leave their play. We have found that the following guidelines help pro-mote a positive experience for your child.

Children should be able to verbally communicate to their teachers their need to use the bathroom, with reminders.

Open communication between home and school. We want to use the same language, the same support techniques at school as you are using at home (it is the policy of Schiff Preschool to re-ward with verbal encouragement or praise, stick-ers, or stamps. Any food rewards are best left at home).

MEDICAL AND ILLNESS

INFORMATION

Change in Medical Status

If your child's medical status changes during the year, please let the teachers and the preschool director know immediately, in writing. This includes informing us about a change in physician or emergency contact numbers.

When We Contact Parents

All of our teachers and the preschool director are First Aid Certified and CPR Certified. In addition, our teach-ers are trained to use their best judgment, in conjunc-tion with the preschool director, regarding when to call parents and what actions to take if a child has an injury or illness. Either parent, or the emergency con-tact listed on your Student Release Form, will be con-tacted if your child needs to be picked up, or if we need to relay information before the school day ends. We try to contact parents before they come to pick up their children to inform them if there is a physical inju-ry that would cause concern or alarm.

Illness at School

If your child becomes ill while at preschool, we will call you and ask that you pick up your child within one hour. If you cannot be reached, we will contact the people you have designated as emergency contacts on your Student Release Form. At times, children may seem fine in the morning and get sick when they are at school.

Care for Children

Bright From the Start rule number 591-1-1-20 requires that all medication be accompanied by a Medication Authorization and, in most cases, a Food Allergy Ac-tion Plan signed by a parent and physician. All medica-tions must be in their original container and can only be distributed for a 2 week period per authorization. Please talk with your child's teachers regarding indi-vidual medication needs (such as an EpiPen or inhal-er). The Assistant to the Director can help you with necessary permission forms to allow school personnel to administer first aid or to have emergency services provided.

When to Keep Your Child Home

Children have an active day at the Schiff Preschool. If you feel there are limits on your child's ability to par-ticipate, please keep your child home. If he/she can-not go outside, go to movement class, or fully partici-pate in the school's activities, then please keep

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your child at home. Use your best judgment regarding when your child is not feeling well, and please act in the best interest of your child and your child's class-mates and teachers. If your child contracts a conta-gious illness, please keep him/her home and immedi-ately contact the Director so parents of classmates can be notified. Following are the Schiff Preschool guidelines for keep-ing your sick child home. Please adhere to these guidelines.

GUIDELINES FOR KEEPING YOUR

SICK CHILD HOME

Fever: Your child should be without fever for AT LEAST 24 hours, without medication. Keep in mind that fevers are lower in the morning. Vomiting: Your child should be without vomiting for AT LEAST 24 hours. Diarrhea: Your child should be without diarrhea for AT LEAST 24 hours. Some children have diarrhea caused by medications they are taking. If children are in diapers or cannot control their bowels during this time, please keep them home. Runny Nose: Clear runny noses are acceptable with-out other symptoms. Yellow, green, or pus-like runny noses may be related to an infection and will have to remain at home. Allergies are common in the Atlanta area. If your child has a continuous runny nose as a result of allergies and not illness, a note from your child’s pediatrician is required in order for your child to remain at school. Strep Throat: Your child must be on antibiotics for AT LEAST 24 hours. Ear Infections: Your child must be on antibiotics for AT LEAST 24 hours. Bronchitis: Your child must be on antibiotics for AT LEAST 24 hours. Rashes: A note written by a physician is required to clear your child to return to school. Chicken Pox: Your child may return to school when all lesions are crusted --approximately one week.

Head Lice: Please notify teachers immediately. Your child may return to school 24 hours after treatment and removal of ALL individual eggs. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): Your child may return to school when discharge from eyes has stopped com-pletely and eyes are clear (white). For bacterial con-junctivitis, this is generally 24 hours after starting anti-biotic drops. Consult your pediatrician for viral infec-tions. If your child has eye irritation as a result of aller-gies or clogged tear ducts, a note from your child’s pediatrician is required.

BECOMING AN INVOLVED PARENT

We encourage parents to become involved in their child's Schiff Preschool experience. You can partici-pate in many ways, including volunteering on a Par-ents' Group committee, becoming a Room Parent, or simply visiting your child's classroom.

The Schiff Preschool Parents' Group (SPPG)

The Schiff Preschool staff recognizes and appreciates what a valuable asset active parent participation is to our program. We encourage all parents to join the Schiff Preschool Parents' Group (which is our version of a PTA). Becoming a member of the Parents' Group will give you the opportunity to make new friends, support school activities, and share ideas that can enhance your child's school experience.

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The Parents' Group coordinates many school, family and holiday activities, both during school hours and on special days or evenings. The Parents’ Group also has adult activities each year, both social and educa-tional. Some of the activities the Parents' Group sup-ports include: School Directory School Pictures Parent Programming Parent Coffees Havdallah Service & Dinner Room Parents Family Shabbat Dinner Lunch Program & Service Hanukkah Celebration Teacher Appreciation

You will receive information from the Parents' Group at the beginning of each preschool year. All parents are welcome to become members of the SPPG and be active. Persons serving as President or Co-president must be members of Temple Emanu-El and serve as standing members of the Temple Emanu-El Board of Trustees.

Room Parents

Each classroom has two Room Parents to help with activities from time to time. Responsibilities include coordinating special activities for your child's class-room, such as holiday party support, Mitzvah Moms, teacher appreciation, pre-k graduation, and special family notification needs. This is a great opportunity to get to know your child's classmates and teachers. Please talk to your child's teacher early in the year to volunteer as a Room Parent.

Visiting

Feel free to visit the preschool and observe any time. Please talk with your child’s teacher to arrange times for you to visit. Always let someone in the preschool office know that you are in the preschool area. We also have specific days when you may participate in an activity, such as "Special Person's Day" and Shabbat Sing (Friday mornings). Children perform songs and activities for parents during holiday programs such as Thanksgiving and Hanukkah. Your child's teacher will notify you in advance of any special activity.

CHILD EVALUATIONS

Formal family-teacher conferences are held two times per school year. In addition to those conferences, you are welcome to schedule a meeting with your child’s teachers any time you desire. Your child's teachers will contact you if they have any concerns about your child.

If your child’s teachers have concerns about your child’s growth and development, they will contact you regarding these concerns. They may wish to have your child observed by a professional. We support early intervention in young children. You will be contacted before this occurs, and the professional will contact you before coming to observe your child. This obser-vation is done with the utmost confidentiality, and no one but the teachers and the preschool director will ever know who is being observed. Likewise, we encourage you to initiate this service, should you have concerns about your child. We know that the early childhood years (especially up to age six) allow the greatest opportunity for help, change and growth in young children, as their brains are still developing and the greatest change can be affected. Your first points of contact for any information, ques-tion or concern are your child's teachers. You may always contact the Preschool Director. The Preschool Director will be happy to follow up with you or help you take the next steps, if needed.

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ENRICHMENT AND PLAY, EXTEND-A-DAY

Schiff Preschool offers extended hours, from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. and from 1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Pre-registration is encour-aged.

Registration

To enroll, fill out an Extend-a-Day registration calendar form, which is sent home in the middle of each month for the fol-lowing month’s registration. Payment is required at the end of each week and accounts must be in good standing to con-tinue using Extend-A-Day services. As spaces are limited, we will adhere to the policy of “first come first served.” When we reach capacity enrollment, we will not be able to take any further enrollment. If Extend-a-Day is not filled to capacity on any given day, you may sign up for that day on an as-needed basis. You must check with the office (770.352.9303), for availability. We cannot accommodate drop-ins without prior arrangement. Use of these services is conditional upon all current preschool balances being paid in full. A late fee of $1.00 per minute will be added to Extend-A-Day charges for any children remaining in our care after 6:00 pm.

Arrival and Dismissal

For early morning and after school pickup, please come to the rear door and wait to be buzzed in.

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PARENTAL AGREEMENTS WITH SCHIFF PRESCHOOL

1. The Schiff Preschool of Temple Emanu-El agrees to provide learning center care for_________________________________________________________________________ (name child is called)

on__________________________, ___________am to ___________pm (days of the week) from _______________to _______________. (month) (month) 2. Before any medication is dispensed to my child, I will provide a written authorization, which includes: date, name of child, name of medication, prescription number, if any; dosage; date and time of day medication is to be given. Medi-cine will be in the original container with my child’s name marked on it. 3. My child will not be allowed to enter or leave Schiff Preschool of Temple Emanu-El without being escorted by the parent(s); person authorized by parent(s), or Schiff Preschool personnel. 4. I acknowledge it is my responsibility to keep my child’s records current to reflect any significant changes as they occur, e.g. telephone numbers, work location, emergency contacts, child’s physician, child’s health status, infant feed-ing plans and immunization records, etc. 5. Schiff Preschool of Temple Emanu-El agrees to keep me informed of any incidents, including illnesses, injuries, ad-verse reactions to medications, exposure to communicable diseases, which include my child. 6. Schiff Preschool of Temple Emanu-El agrees to obtain written authorization from me before my child participates in routine transportation, field trips, special activities away from the facility and water-related activities occurring in wa-ter that is more than two (2) feet deep. 7. I have received a copy and agree to abide by the policies and procedures for Schiff Preschool of Temple Emanu-El. Signature (Parent/Guardian)________________________________Date_________________ Signature (Facility Administrator)___________________________Date_________________