Mount Hope Academy6823 Harrison Road

Fredericksburg, VA 22407Phone (540)785-4631 Fax (540)548-2540

Summer ProgramParent Handbook

Revised June 2017

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents 2

Mission & Philosophy 3

Registration/Enrollment Policies

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Summer Program Fees

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Meals and Snacks

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Birthday Parties

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Important Policies

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Inclement Weather

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Communicating with Parents 9

Code of Conduct 10

Discipline

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Transportation Rules

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Summer Safety Rules 12

Pool Rules

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MHA Decision to NOT Administer Medication Plan

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Dress Code 16

Fire Drills 17

Emergency Plan

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Parent Signature Sheet 19

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Mount Hope Academy is to provide a place where children participate in multi-sensory and multicultural activities to enhance spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical development.

MHA PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy of Mount Hope Academy’s summer program is to teach from a Christian-centered approach and to incorporate the belief that all things are possible with God. Our program includes daily Bible lessons and prayers. MHA provides a stimulating, nurturing and caring environment that encourages children to learn and play.

We believe that each child is a unique individual. We are sensitive to a child’s social, emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual needs. We provide developmentally appropriate programs that focus on the process of learning and help children enjoy successful experiences. We encourage the love of learning.

We believe in positive methods of discipline. We establish consistent, age appropriate limits to help children function in their world. Our programs are designed to develop in children a sense of independence and responsibility.

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We desire to strengthen each child’s own cultural identity, while instilling a respect for others who might be different.

We believe parents are the most significant adults in a child’s life and that the parents bear the primary role of training their own children. During our program, the teacher stands in the place of parents. Therefore, the Academy and the home need to work closely together in order to function as partners. We encourage daily communication between parents and the Academy staff. Our doors are always open to parents.

Registration/Enrollment Policies

Registration: A non-refundable registration fee of $50.00 for the summer program must be submitted with the required enrollment documents. Children who cannot be immediately enrolled will be placed on a waiting list until there is availability.

Eligibility: Children 3-8 may be registered for enrollment in the summer program.

Enrollment: Parents will be provided with a set of enrollment forms for each child. All forms must be completed and returned to the Director before the child’s first day of attendance.

Parents will pay a non-refundable registration fee, activity fee, and first

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week tuition fee before the child’s first day of attendance.

Children will be allowed to attend the program only after all formshave been completed and returned, and payments have beensubmitted.

Summer Program Fees

Registration fee - $50.00, $25.00 (if paid before April 1st)

Activity fee – 3-5 year olds - $85.00 6-9 year olds - $120.00

Tuition- $125.00 for students who will be picked up on or before 4:00 p.m. $150.00 for students who will also be utilizing aftercare (4-6:30 p.m.)

Late Payments Tuition for the summer program is due by Friday for the following week. Any payment received late will result in a $30.00 late fee being assessed. When making a late payment, please add the $30.00 fee to your regular payment.

Return Check Fee A return check fee of $35.00 will be charged for all returned checks. After the second return check, payment will only be accepted in the form of cash, money order, or cashier’s check.

MEALS AND SNACKS

The Academy will offer breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack each day as a part of our summer program. Breakfast will consist of a bread product, protein product, juice, and milk. Lunch will consist of a bread product, protein product, vegetable or fruit, and milk. Parents are responsible for

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providing a nutritional morning snack. Because we are a peanut-free school, please do not pack food items that contain peanuts, peanut butter, or nuts. All snacks and lunch items should be labeled with your child’s name. Student snacks will be stored in the classrooms in their individual cubbies. Therefore, to insure your child’s snack items remain fresh, an ice pack should be included.

Breakfast is served each morning from 7:00 A.M.-7:40 A.M., morning snack is at 10:00 A.M., and the students will eat lunch at 12:00 P.M. Afternoon snacks are given at 3:30 P.M. If your child has an allergy to a specific food, please advise the Administrative Office in writing and we will try to make an appropriate substitution. If a child has so many allergies that he/she cannot eat from the menu or if you prefer your child not eat a particular food item, you will be required to provide his breakfast, lunch, and/or afternoon snack. No outside food from McDonalds, Chick-Fil-A, etc. is allowed unless you are bringing it for your child only or for the entire group.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

The children enjoy celebrating their birthdays with the other students. Parents may bring in a cake or cupcakes for the whole class. All edible items must be store bought. Cake or cupcakes will be served during the morning snack or during lunch. More elaborate parties will be held during afternoon snack. Because of safety regulations, we ask that parents please not bring balloons. They have been defined as a hazardous and could become harmful if used improperly.

Important Policies

Tuition Policy

Weekly tuition payments are due in advance by the close of business on Friday. Payments received after this time will be assessed a $30.00 late fee. If an account is not brought up to date within one day after becoming delinquent, your child may not return until the delinquent account is brought up to date.

Drop off and pick up Policy

Each day upon arriving, the parent is required to sign his child/children in, noting their arrival time. A sign-in/out pad, pens, and a clock are there for your use as designated. This gives the Academy a written record of the child’s attendance, hours, and who brought or picked up a child.

Parent, guardians, or custodians must bring the child/children into the fellowship hall or appropriate classroom, and be sure that a staff member has accepted the child before leaving the child. Staff

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members are not allowed to go outside the Academy to accept children from parents who are running late. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure the child/children are properly accounted for, and accepted by the appropriate staff member.

Parents must provide a written notice to the Academy in advance when someone other than the parent, guardian or custodian will be picking up your child.

There will be a late fee of $2.00 per minute, per child for pickup after 4:00 p.m and after 6:30 p.m. This time will be based on the clock in the Academy office.

After 7:30 P.M. if a child has not been picked up, and the Academy has not been notified we are required by the Department of Social Service to have Child Protective Services pick-up your child. We will make every effort to contact you and/or the persons on your emergency list, but contacting us immediately will avoid an awkward situation.

Holiday Policy

The summer program will be closed on Independence Day. We will not prorate for this day.

Vacation Policy

If your child is enrolled for the full program tuition fees will be lifted for one week of vacation if a two weeks written notice is given.

Illness Policy

Tuition payment will not be lifted should a child suffer illness for 1 week or more. The tuition rate will be 50% of the normal weekly tuition rate beginning the second week of the illness. The payment of fees will reserve his/her place in the program. If payment is not kept current for two weeks, the child will need to be re-enrolled along with a $50.00 registration fee. A slot cannot be guaranteed if this process is not followed.

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Withdrawal Policy

Parents must submit a two weeks’ notice in writing in order to withdraw their child from the summer program. Payments must be kept current during this two-week period.

Infection Control Policy

It is inevitable that children will get sick, no matter where they are. As children begin to have contact with the world outside that of their own families, they come into contact with germs and bacteria that are foreign to their bodies. This is the other way they build immunities. We cannot nor would we want to shield a child completely from the outside world. If we did, the natural immunities a child gains through contact with others would not develop and a simple cold could become a serious illness. We do, however, want to protect a child from an unusually high exposure to germs all at once.

In a school setting, children come into contact with groups of other children outside their families. It is in this situation that the illness of one child can spread rapidly through the group to other children and staff members, if stringent measures to prevent this spread are not taken.

For this reason, the staff at the Academy will take constant precautions to prevent the spread of disease. Many common childhood diseases are contagious. They are spread by germs, which may be spread in several ways. Intestinal tract infections are spread through stools. Respiratory tract infections are spread through coughs, sneezes, and runny noses. Other diseases are spread through direct contact. Careful hand washing by the staff and children can eliminate approximately 75 percent of the risk of spreading these illnesses. Other precautions include separating sick children from those who are well and working to maintain sanitary conditions throughout the Academy.

You, the parents can help us in our effort to keep your children healthy. We ask your cooperation in the following manner:

a. If your child has been exposed to any childhood disease, we ask that you notify us of the exposure.

b. If your child shows any of the symptoms listed below, you will be called and asked to come immediately to get your child. Please help us protect the other children by responding promptly. If the child has any of the following symptoms at home, we ask that you keep him/her out of school until the symptoms are gone or until your physician states it is okay for the child to return.

The symptoms include:

1. Fever- 99 orally; 100 rectally (or higher).2. Severe coughing and/or child gets red or blue in the face.

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3. Child makes high-pitched croup or whooping sounds after coughing.4. Difficult or rapid breathing.5. Yellowish skin or eyes.6. Pinkeye: tears, redness of eyelid lining, followed by swelling and discharge of

pus.7. Unusual spots or rashes.8. Sore throat or trouble swallowing.9. Infected skin patches.10. Crusty, bright yellow, dry or gummy areas of skin-possibly accompanied by

fever.11. Unusually dark, tea colored urine-especially with a fever.12. Grey or white stool.13. Headache and stiff neck.14. Vomiting.15. Severe itching of body or scalp and/or scratching of the scalp.

If any of the above symptoms are present or if the child appears cranky or less active than usual, cries more than usual, or just seems unwell at home, you are asked to look for any of the above symptoms and inform the school immediately.

It is important that we all work together to keep all of the children who attend the Academy as healthy as possible. We thank you for your cooperation.

Child Abuse Policy

The Virginia Code is very clear regarding the reporting of child abuse and includes every employee at Mount Hope Academy. The Code states in part “…any person associated with or employed by a private organization responsible for care, custody, or control of children who has reason to suspect that a child is an abused or neglected child, shall report the matter immediately” (Article 63.1-248.3). Reports are to be filed within 24 hours to the Spotsylvania County Department of Social Services.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

Mount Hope Academy will be closed due to hazardous weather conditions as determined by Academy leadership. Please listen to B 101.5 WBQB, 1230AM WFVA or watch CHANNEL 9 WUSA; for exceptions to the policy for closures. You may also call the Academy, where an announcement will be placed on the answering machine or look on our website at www.mhacademy.org. Tuition is not prorated due to weather closures. If the Academy will close

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early due to hazardous weather conditions, emails will be sent to parents and we will post the information on our website. A status of opening 2 hours late means the Academy will open 7:30 a.m.

COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS The Academy will use the following avenues to communicate with parents and families:

Emails Letters and/or notes will be place in your child’s cubbie Flyers Bulletin Board located in the preschool hallway Phone Calls

CODE OF CONDUCT

Students are expected to respond with respect at all times when speaking with adults.

Students must be respectful of others and the property of others, as well as the authority of the Academy staff, administrators, and director.

Students are not to be rowdy, run, or yell, while in the building.

Proper language must be used at all times.

Students are not allowed to chew gum.

Students are not allowed to have any weapon or imitation of weapons on the Academy grounds or premises.

Students are to quiet themselves as soon as attention is called.

Students are to remain on the Academy grounds in the designated places unless granted special permission to do otherwise.

Parents and staff are expected to demonstrate courtesy and respect toward each other, children, and management (MHA staff) at all times. Should differences arise, we ask that you first go to

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the person directly involved (Most problems can be solved at this level). If no satisfactory solution is reached, arrange a conference with that person and the Director. If satisfaction is still not achieved, the Academy Advisory Board may be advised in writing. The board will make the final decision in such cases.

While at Mount Hope Academy, parents and staff are expected to foster a positive self-image in each child that they have contact with and to treat all children in a respectful manner. Neither parents nor staff should engage in any act that could be negatively interpreted with respect to the children (i.e., name calling, talking to children in a raised voice, touching the child in any way deemed inappropriate, talking to the staff about other staff members, talking to parents about staff members or the like that could be overheard by children and/or staff).

If parents or staff feels that they cannot convey a positive image of Mount Hope Academy and/or they are irrevocably dissatisfied with the Mount Hope Academy, then they will be encouraged to seek childcare services elsewhere.

DISCIPLINE

At Mount Hope Academy we stress two main patterns of behavior: respect for others, and respect for property. As a result, we don’t allow children to hit or shove other children or verbally abuse them. We also stress that they treat material possessions with respect. Effective discipline is a necessary key ingredient for a good learning environment. Discipline at MHA is not only to achieve this goal but also to help our students learn self-discipline and good character traits. Some of the character traits that will be observed are obedience, respect, cooperation, kindness, and patience. Verbal reprimands, loss of privileges, and isolation from other students occur because of poor behavior skills.

Parents will be notified of any behavior problems by communication through the Academy staff. If “time outs” and loss of privileges become a regular routine and appear ineffective, as many of the following steps will be taken as necessary:

1. The child will be sent to the Director’s office.2. The parents will be notified, and a written notice will be placed in the child’s file.3. The Director will visit the classroom to observe the child’s behavior.4. A meeting will be arranged with the child’s parents, teachers, and the Director to consider

corrective actions.5. The child may be suspended from the summer program for an appropriate period of time.6. Mount Hope Academy may set a limited probationary period of one to two weeks in an

effort to correct the problem.7. At the conclusion of the probationary period, the parent and Director will hold a

conference to decide what further action(s) should be taken to best meet the needs of the child.

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8. Should all efforts fail; the child will be dismissed from the summer program with proper written notification.

TRANSPORTATION RULES

Safety is our first priority. Therefore, disruptive behavior will not be allowed. Students being transported to and from field trips will be expected to abide by the following rules. A list of consequences has also been provided so that both parents and students will be aware of how disciplinary matters will be addressed.

Wear seat belts No eating Sit down at all times No crawling across the seats or destroying Academy property No hitting or fighting No yelling, name calling, using profanity or being disrespectful to others Check for personal belongings and pick up trash No type of behavior that would be disruptive or distracting for the van driver

Consequences

1st Offense – The driver speaks2nd Offense – Driver makes a report to the office3rd Offense – Parents will be called and a mandatory meeting will be set up4th Offense – Removed from the van for three field trips5th Offense – Removed from the van permanently

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SUMMER PROGRAM SAFETY RULES

Sunscreen Policy : Please be sure to apply sunscreen to your child every day before they arrive.

Shoe Policy:Your child’s safety is our number one priority. We ask that you please send your child to summer camp in closed shoes only. We recommend sneakers, tennis or athletic shoes. No sandals or flip-flops permitted except during swimming.

POOL RULES

1. Children are to supply and be responsible for their own suits and towels. Parents are encouraged to label swimsuits and towels.

2. Only one-piece swimsuits and swimming trunks are permitted while swimming.

3. Swimming is permitted only when there is a lifeguard or swimming instructor on duty.

4. No running, pushing, or dunking will be permitted.

5. No gum chewing is permitted in the pool area.

6. No food or drinks are permitted in the pool area.

7. No glass containers are permitted in the pool area.

8. Conduct which may result in self-injury or injury to others will not be permitted, and any children engaging in such activity may be denied swimming privileges.

9. Children are permitted to bring pool toys, e.g. mask, fins, snorkels, etc.

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10. Children with open sores, runny noses, and ear infections will not be permitted in the pool.

Mount Hope Academy’s Decision Not to Administer Medications during the Summer Program

Mount Hope Academy has made the following decision regarding the administration of medications to a child in our program:

We WILL NOT administer medications – prescription or non-prescription during the summer program. Non-prescription medications include, but are not limited to, cough syrup, sunscreen, and topical insect repellants. A parent/guardian/custodian may come to the Academy at any time to administer medications to their child.

Confidentiality Statement

Information about any child at MHA is confidential and will not be given to anyone except VDSS’ designees or other persons authorized by law unless the child’s parent or guardian gives written permission. Information about a child enrolled in MHA will be given to the local department of social services if the child receives a day care subsidy or if the child has been named in a report of suspected child abuse or maltreatment or as otherwise allowed by law.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973

We understand that if MHA receives any federal funding (such as child care subsidy from a local department of social services), We are subject to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which is similar to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If a child enrolled in MHA now or in the future is identified as having a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act, We will assess the ability of MHA to meet the needs of the child (for further information on the Rehabilitation Act seek legal counsel and/or go the following website: http://www.dol.gov/oasam/regs/statutes/sec504.htm

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Provider Statement

We understand that it is our responsibility to follow MHA’s Decision to Administer Medication Plan and all health and infection control regulations applicable to our program.We will verify and document the credentials for all new staff certified to administer prescription medications before the staff is allowed to administer prescription medications to any child at MHA. MHA’s Decision to Administer Medication plan will be made available to parents at enrollment, whenever changes are made and upon request.

Facility Name: Mount Hope Academy Date: June 15, 2017

Parent’s Signature: Date:

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Summer Dress Code:

GIRLSAcceptableGirls are permitted to wear skirts, skorts, jeans, dresses, and shorts that come no more than 1 ½ inches above the knee.Sleeveless tops must fit the total width of the shoulders. If leggings are worn, they must be worn with tops that completely cover the bottom. The leggings are not to be excessively tight or see-through.Tennis shoes, athletic shoes, or other completely closed in shoes

UnacceptableGirls are not permitted to wear tank tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, low cut off the shoulder tops, sheer or see-through tops, blouses that show the mid drift, excessively tight clothing, or clothing imprinted with questionable messages, or symbols, no slip-on shoes, crocs, or sandals.

Acceptable SwimwearOne piece swimwear

Unacceptable SwimwearBikinis or two piece swimwear

BOYSAcceptableT-Shirts and other outer shirts, Sleeveless shirts must fit the total width of the shouldersShorts (should come no more than 1 ½ inches above the knee), Pants, Athletic pants

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If wearing baggy pants or shorts they must be kept pulled up at all times (sagging is not permitted)Tennis shoes, athletic shoes, or other completely closed in shoes

UnacceptableClothing imprinted with questionable messages, symbols, or picturesUndershirts worn as outer shirts, Sleeveless shirts that expose the chest and/or shoulders

Acceptable Swimwear*Should be modest, Boxer style swim trunks only

Field Trip Dress Code:Mount Hope Academy Summer Program T-Shirts must be worn on all field trips. If a child arrives at Mount Hope on the day of a field trip without a Mount Hope T-Shirt, they will not be permitted to attend the field trip.

FIRE DRILLS

Each room contains the fire exit route to follow. Students will do drills monthly. Teachers require NO TALKING in the hallway, stairwells, or exterior lines. Teachers instruct students to go quickly to their designated areas.

EMERGENCY PLAN

Fire Drill/Evacuation Meeting Place Lower parking lot

Inside shelters (tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes etc.) – All locations are downstairsI. During Before care when children are in Classroom C: Women’s restroom

II. During Before care when children are in the fellowship hall: Women’s restroom and Men’s restroom

III. During Summer Program Hours (8:00-4:00)a. Students in Classroom A: Men’s restroomb. Students in Classrooms B: Women’s loungec. Students in Classroom C: Women’s restroom

a. During After care when some children are in the fellowship hall and some are in Classroom C

b. Students in Classroom C: Women’s restroomc. Students in Fellowship Hall: Men’s restroom

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IV. During After care when all children are in the fellowship hall: Women’s restroom, and Women’s lounge Men’s restroom.

V. Office Personnel: Women’s restroom, Men’s restroom

During a Tornado Watch or Warning

If a tornado watch has been issued for our area, parents and the church staff will be notified that we are under a watch.

Should a tornado warning be issued for our area, all students and staff will go to the designated inside shelters, and remain there until the warning is over. No one will be permitted to enter or leave the building while the warning is in effect.

Students in the downstairs classrooms will return to their classrooms once the warning has been lifted and the students in the upstairs classroom will return to the fellowship hall.

Students in the upstairs classroom may return to their classroom after the watch has been lifted.

Emergency Evacuation Locations:In the event of an emergency situation that requires an evacuation of the Academy, the Academy will be evacuated to one of the locations listed below. In all situations, the person in charge when evacuating shall:

Take an accurate attendee list; Account for all children and staff as they board/depart vehicles Bring any necessary medications/supplies and emergency notifications. Take a cellular phone if available to be used for emergency notifications.

Note: The person in charge and all teachers or before/after care providers shall bring their emergency bags.

I. Minnieland at the Castle, 6306 Old Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407, (540) 786-2434

II. Creative Childcare Academy and Camp, 7001 Harrison Road, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22407, (540) 548-8003

III. Salem Fields Early Learning Center, 11120 Gordon Road, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22407, (540) 786-6292

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Parent Signature Page

Student’s Name __________________________________ Date ___________________

I am the parent of the above child and by my signature; I acknowledge that I have received notice of the policies and procedures of the entitled “Mount Hope Academy Summer Program Parent Handbook.”

I further understand that I have the right to express disagreement with the school’s policies or decisions.

Parent ________________________________________ Date _____________________(Signature)

Parent ________________________________________ Date _____________________(Signature)

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