PARENT HANDBOOK
History
Since its inception in 1965, St. Matthew’s United Methodist Nursery School and Kindergarten has been an important resource for young families in the Bowie area. Developed as a community outreach ministry, church members created a program to enrich the emotional, social, physical, and intellectual lives of young children. In the Methodist tradition of providing opportunities for spiritual and intellectual growth …for people from all faiths and walks of life, St. Matthew’s EEC welcomes children, families, and staff of all races, religions, and national origins.
In 1988, in response to the changing demographics of our community, St. Matthew’s added child care to its preschool classes and became St. Matthew’s United Methodist Early Education Center. Today, our dedicated and caring staff have the great joy of serving 250 enthusiastic children and families. Together, we form a warm and welcoming community of learners.
Program Philosophy
Our program provides a happy, enriching, and productive first school experience for young children. It is our firm belief that positive attitudes formed in the crucial first years will continue throughout our students’ lives, and that well-planned learning experiences in the early years will benefit not only the individual child, but the community and country as well.
The EEC’s program is developmental in approach with emphasis placed on the child learning and achieving at an individually appropriate level. Within our predictable daily schedule, there is moderate structure, flexibility in attitudes and methods, and the belief that each child must be free to gain confidence in his/her abilities. There is a time for structured activities when the teacher can present cognitive training or materials to a small group. There is order and routine as children clean up, get ready for different activities, follow directions, and recognize the needs and rights of others. There is also a time for “free play” when a wide variety of materials and experiences are available for children to make choices. In the words of James Hymes, “free play is thinking time for young children, language time, problem solving time, memory time, planning time, investigating time, organization of ideas time…” In the words of young children, “free play is fun!”
Program Goals
St. Matthew’s Early Education Center has well-established goals that help each child to:
• Develop a positive self-concept about himself and his ability to learn.
• Develop confidence and competency through successful social, emotional, intellectual, and physical experiences.
• Develop skills and form concepts in areas of language, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, physical education, health, and safety.
• Develop thinking skills through opportunities to form conclusions based on reasoning and logical progression.
• Understand and cope with feelings and emotions
• Appreciate differences in others.
• Demonstrate independence in decision making, self-care, and self-evaluation.
• Express himself creatively and imaginatively in his use of ideas and emotions.
• Experience success and to cope constructively with frustration.
• Feel secure and comfortable in a happy and relaxed atmosphere.
Program Offerings
Playschool
Playschool, our program for two-year-olds, is a full-day child care program built around the concept that play is the work of young children; our program is fun! Within a flexible and developmentally appropriate thematic curriculum, our students sing, dance, play, create, and learn social skills. Students do not need to be toilet trained before admission.
Nursery School
Preschool for three-year-olds and Prekindergarten for four-year-olds compose the foundation of our program. In warm and secure classrooms, students are introduced to the rhythms and routines of a school environment. Our curriculum is theme-based and nurtures the innate curiosity of young children through play, crafts, music, movement, and individualized instruction. A variety of schooling options are available. We offer 2-day, 3-day, 5-day, and morning and afternoon classes. Offerings change year-to-year, so please check our website for the latest information.
Kindergarten
In cozy classrooms with a student:teacher ratio of 7:1, our kindergarteners begin their academic careers with inspiring curriculum and individualized instruction. Great emphasis is placed on developing strong literacy and thinking skills and encouraging children to be themselves – curious explorers of the world around them! Kindergarten is a full-day program with before- and after-care available.
Science and Music
Each class in our Playschool, Nursery School and Kindergarten programs has at least two specials classes each week. Students studying Science focus on such age-appropriate topics as growth, hygiene, recycling, the environment, and seasonal subjects. In Music, students are introduced to rhythm, singing, movement, and dance. Students also participate in two music performances a year.
Child Care
Child care is available for our current students as an addition to their school day. Before-care begins at 7 A.M. and after-care is available until 6 P.M.. Childcare teachers supplement our school programs through carefully planned activities and routines that reinforce academic, social, emotional, and physical growth and development. St. Matthew’s EEC provides two snacks daily, one in the morning and the other in mid-afternoon. Parents provide lunch. Please note: We have limited refrigerator space and no facilities for warming foods. All children not attending P.M. school will lie down to rest for at least one hour each afternoon.
Summer Session
Over the summer, we continue our child care program from 7 A.M. to 6 P.M for children ages 2 to 5. Using weekly themes as our inspiration, teachers plan special art projects, games, songs, books, snacks and activities. Our schedule is more flexible during the summer, but the underlying structure of the school day provides the continuity and security our children have come to expect. Summer session is open to students from all schools.
Summer Enrichment Program
The Summer Enrichment Program is the latest addition to our comprehensive child care program. Children in grades 1 through 3 participate in 2 to 3 field trips per week to such places as the Glenn Dale Splash Park, Pirate Adventures, Pump It Up, the National Zoo, Bowie Baysox and more. In addition, the Summer
Enrichment Program follows the same weekly themes as the Summer Session and participates in a variety of thematic academic, artistic, and athletic activities. Our Summer Enrichment Program strives to find the right balance between structure and adventure for our independent school-aged friends.
Faculty and Staff
Our faculty and staff are the reason our school is so successful and our students are so happy. Through strong partnerships with families, our dedicated and experienced staff provides a nurturing, loving, and enriching environment for young children. Currently, our faculty and staff have been with St. Matthew’s for an average of five years. They are certified through the Office of Childcare and background checks are processed through the FBI and Maryland’s Criminal Justice Information System. Each lead teacher in the nursery school and kindergarten classes has a bachelor’s degree, each teacher assistant has their 90-Hour Early Childhood Development and Curriculum certification, and 70% of our childcare aides are senior staff qualified by the Office of Child Care and the Maryland State Department of Education. In addition, St. Matthew’s requires teachers and aides to be certified in first aid and CPR and to complete professional development classes each year. St. Matthew’s EEC program is highly respected because our staff is experienced, well-educated and devoted to their students.
Discipline
Young children need help expressing emotions appropriately and successfully navigating the social world of the classroom and playground. As caring professionals, we will help children gain control of their emotions by building self-esteem, providing an environment and atmosphere designed to encourage success, and acknowledging that everyone makes mistakes.
Caring professionals respond to a frustrated child in the following ways:
• Laughing a lot – easing tension through humor
• Reinforcing good behavior
• Deliberately ignoring inappropriate behavior that can be tolerated
• Providing physical outlets and alternatives
• Showing affection
• Expressing interest in the child’s activities
• Explaining situations
• Teaching respect for one another
In our small community, staff members strive to apply these principals in an equitable and individually appropriate manner.
Admissions and Registrations
St. Matthew’s Early Education Center encourages your admissions inquiries throughout the year. Please call the school with questions and to make an appointment to tour our facilities. We begin enrollment for the next school year in February. At the time of registration, a non-refundable fee will be required to officially enroll a student. As classes fill, a waiting list will be maintained in chronological order so that as vacancies arise, spaces may be filled in an orderly and fair manner. The registration fee will be due when the child is officially placed in a class.
Registration for the 2010-2011 School Year
• In-House Registration for all attending students, siblings, & St. Matthew’s UMC members
7 am Wednesday, February 10, 2010
• New Student Registration
7 am Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Registration for the Summer Session and Summer Enrichment Programs
• In-House Registration for all attending students, returning students, siblings, & St. Matthew’s UMC members
7 am Tuesday, April 6, 2010
• New Student Registration
7 am Thursday, April 26, 2010
Tuition
Tuition is due on the first of the month. For preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten, tuition payments begin July 1, with payments continuing for each month through March. Children attending the full-day twos program pay a deposit by August 1, and then pay child care fees monthly. All before- and after-care fees are paid monthly, September through May.
Checks should be made payable to ST. MATTHEW’S EARLY EDUCATION CENTER. Please write your child’s name on the memo line of your check to prevent confusion, and leave checks in the lockbox outside of the office. The school offers limited tuition assistance; financial aid applications are due by March 1 for fall enrollment.
ALL PREPAID TUITION IS NON-REFUNDABLE.
A two-week notice is required for all withdrawals.
Billing
As of January 1, 2010, our billing policies will change. Tuition is still due on the 1st of each month and if not paid by the 15th of the month, a late fee of $25 will be assessed. Also, if payment is not received by the end of the month, your child will not be able to attend until payment is made. Furthermore, if payment is not received by the 15th of the following month, your child will be withdrawn from school and child care. However, if you are experiencing temporary financial difficulties, please see the Director before tuition is due and we will attempt to work out a solution in confidence.
There is a returned check fee of $25.00. If a check is returned for a second time, payment must be made by cash, cashier’s check or money order. If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact the school office as soon as possible to work out a payment plan.
Termination
The school retains the right to dismiss a child if the child’s or parent’s behavior is unacceptable. This would only take place after conferences with parents and/or a trial period that would allow time for improvement. If after a fair trial period the school chooses to dismiss the child, prepaid tuition will be refunded. There will be no tuition refunds after May 1 for the school year or after August 1 for the summer session.
Pupil Records
The EEC protects the right to privacy for pupils and their parents. Therefore, no one other than the teacher, administrative staff, and the director shall have access to the records of individual students. Parents and legal guardians may have access to their child’s records at any time under the supervision of a school employee. Anyone other than parents wishing to investigate individual files may do so only if the school has received written permission from the parent(s) prior to the visit. Requests for school records from other schools will only be granted when a Release of Information Consent Form is signed by the parent(s) and all tuition payments are current at the time of the request.
Health
A complete physical examination and record of all immunizations for each child shall be turned in to the school office prior to the first day of school. The immunization record at school should be up-dated yearly. No child will be admitted to school after October 1 if records are not complete.
Please keep children at home when they exhibit symptoms of illness. If your child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease or virus, please notify the school immediately. The school is required to follow applicable regulations and will notify other parents as needed. A child will be sent home by the school if signs of illness are detected. Do not send a child to school unless he may participate in all activities. If you feel that an exception should be made, consult with the Director.
When is a child too ill to be at school?
1. When the child has a severe cold or cough.
2. When the child has had a fever within 24 hours.
3. When the child is vomiting or has diarrhea.
Communications and Invitations
Parents who wish to invite friends of their children to parties and special functions are encouraged to mail invitations. Please do not ask our staff to distribute notices and invitations. This request is out of sensitivity to those children not invited and who could easily have their feelings hurt. If invitations are brought to school, they will be sent back home.
Birthday Celebrations
We like to help children celebrate their birthdays in school, and sometimes parents wish to send a treat for the class. You may provide a simple treat and napkins for the class. Suggested treats include cookies, brownies, or individual ice cream treats. Please, no cake, party favors, candles, or hats.
Clothing
Your child’s clothing should be loose and comfortable, preferably the kind they can manage themselves. Please put names on all clothing and be sure to dress your child for the weather. All children go outside to play daily, weather permitting. In most cases, if a child is too ill to go outside, he is too ill to be in school.
All children must bring in an extra complete set of clothing (underwear, socks, shirt, and pants) bearing your child’s name. These should be in a labeled, Ziploc bag. If your child attends school and child care, you will need a bag for both rooms. Please remember to provide seasonally appropriate clothes.
Drop-off and Pick-up
Parents accompany their child to the classroom. Be sure that one of your child’s teachers is in the classroom and has greeted your child before you leave. Staff cannot be responsible for children prior to the start of class. At the end of the session, parents come to the classroom door and wait for their child to be dismissed to them. If someone other than yourself is to pick up your child, the teacher must be notified in writing prior to that specific “pick-up”. The person designated to pick-up your child will need to provide the school with identification, preferably a driver’s license.
Children enrolled in the extended day childcare program may be dropped off in the morning childcare room anytime after 7 a.m. Anyone regularly picking up a child must be noted on that child’s emergency card. No one under the age of 13 will be permitted to pick up a St. Matthew’s student.
Field Trips
Private cars are often used to transport children on field trips. Parents will be notified in writing, prior to each field trip. The notice will include the date, time, place and means of transportation. Parents (and guardians) must give their permission for transporting their child on field trips and outings by way of private vehicles and/or mass transit. Please, no smoking in the car when transporting children on a field trip. To ensure the safety of school children on the field trip and to help you give your undivided attention to your school child, no siblings are allowed on field trips.
Effective June 30, 2008, Maryland’s new child safety seat law requires that all children younger than eight years of age be secured in a federally approved child safety seat* according to the safety seat and vehicle manufacturers’ instructions, unless the child is 4 feet, 9 inches or taller, or weighs more than 65 pounds. The child restraint must be right for the child’s size, age, and weight. If you can not accompany your child on a field trip, you must provide a child safety seat to be used in another vehicle.
EMERGENCY AND MEDICAL PROCEDURES
1. In case of illness or injury, the parent will be called and must pick up the child within a reasonably short time. (This is a licensing requirement.)
2. In case of simple injury: abrasions, skinned knees, and splinters, the staff will perform routine hygienic measures of
washing with soap and water and applying adhesive strips. Ice will be applied to bumps. No topical medication, ointments, etc. may be used (according to licensing guidelines).
3. When a minor injury occurs at the school, the parent will be informed and asked to sign a form acknowledging that (s)he has been notified of school accidents/incidents.
4. In case of a medical emergency, parents will be called immediately. If circumstances require, emergency medical services will be called. The school staff will respond as necessary until rescue arrives. There is a first aid trained staff member on site at all times. In the event that hospitalization is required (Emergency Room Services), the child will be taken to the closest hospital unless the child’s emergency card indicates otherwise. Parents assume financial responsibility for such services.
CHILD ABUSE
St. Matthew’s Early Education Center is attuned to public concern about child abuse and neglect. There is no physical punishment of children in our school. No child will be subjected to treatment injurious to her emotional health by any individual connected with the school.
According to Article 27, Section 35 A, Annotated Code of Maryland, regarding child abuse, it is the responsibility of each staff member to report to the Director any suspected case of child abuse. Any such case shall be reported both orally and in writing to the Department of Social Services, Prince George’s County, by the Director of St. Matthew’s United Methodist Early Education Center. The written report shall be made within 48 hours of the contact. The oral report shall be made by telephone to the Dept. of Social Services. Both reports will contain the information required under (d) Form and Contents of Report, Article 27, Section 35 A, pg.2.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
Although it is impossible to cover any and all potential problems and emergencies, the following is a general policy. We must deal with any incident on a case-by-case basis and of course this may change as events unfold. In any situation, it is ALWAYS up to the parent to make the decision as to what is best for the child.
1. EEC follows the Prince George’s County Public School (PGCPS) policy for closing SCHOOL due to snow and ice. If
schools are delayed because of snow, we will attempt to open on time, but please call our office/answering machine for the latest information. If county schools close early due to snow, there are NO afternoon classes. Our child care program will remain open, as long as we can staff it appropriately.
2. If PGCPS close for any reason other than snow/ice, the EEC program will operate normally. This includes but is not limited to: bomb threats, shootings, tornadoes, etc.
3. If outdoor safety is ever in question, all outside activities will be canceled, including field trips. All outside doors will remain closed and locked with the exception of the main entrance by Fellowship Hall.
4. As is our policy at all times, children will only be released to adults listed on the emergency information card, unless we receive a telephone call from the parent stating otherwise. If we do, a picture ID will be required.
5. If necessary, we will take direction from our local civil authority if any unusual situation arises.
Whether the EEC is open or not, parents must evaluate all situations and make the best decision for their family. We will certainly do our best to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all our children.
SNOW/EMERGENCY POLICY
1. During inclement weather, we will attempt to open our childcare on time. However, a definite decision will be made by 6 a.m.
2. If PGCPS are closed for inclement weather, St. Matthew’s SCHOOL is closed.
3. If PGCPS are delayed, we will have school, and it will start on time.
4. If the weather gets bad during the day, please pick up your children A.S.A.P. Our staff needs to get home safely too!
We will have our office answering machine recorded with a message by 6:00 A.M. on snow days. In the event of a weather emergency, we do our best to open on time, but trust that you will be understanding should we be delayed in opening. We must be able to get our staff members here. If in doubt, call the office for our recorded message.
Payment for Snow/Emergency Days
NOTE: If weather or other temporary emergencies dictate the school be closed, no refund in tuition will be given.
HOW CAN PARENTS HELP?
1. Leave your child with the teacher on the first full day of school. Pupil-teacher understanding will come more quickly when the parent leaves the child in the teacher’s care from the beginning. Please resist the urge to remain in the hallway during your child’s class.
2. Encourage your child to feed himself, dress himself, tie his shoes and button his buttons.
3. Encourage your child to speak distinctly and correctly.
4. Let your child know that you are interested in what he is doing in school.
5. Choose appropriate books and read often to your child.
6. Do not give your child money or candy or toys to bring to school unless the teacher has planned a “show & tell” time.
7. Regularity of arrival and attendance is important to your child. Try to arrange your schedule so that your child arrives on time and misses as little school as possible.
8. Let them know how much you love them; praise them often. When they bring home a drawing, let them tell you about it. Encourage them with statements such as, “Tell me about your picture – I really like the colors you used. I can tell you had fun doing it.”
9. Come and share a morning or an afternoon with us when your child is in class. (Please schedule a visit with your child’s teacher.) Parents can learn so much about their own children just by seeing them perform in a new and different situation.
10. Relax! Let your child know that you are happy for him and he will be happy too.
Teachers and parents form a partnership when educating and caring for young children, so we encourage parents to be involved in our school. Please let your child’s teacher know of your area of interest or expertise – whether it’s accompanying a class on a field trip, sharing your professional skills or hobbies, helping in the classroom with a special project, working with an individual child or a small group of children, assisting on “work” days, “subbing” to enable staff to attend professional meetings and workshops, etc. When we work together, the lives of our children are enriched beyond measure!!
