Welcome!
We are very happy to have you as new and
returning families. Our Head Start, GA. Pre-K,
and Special Needs programs will help your child learn important skills needed for a
successful kindergarten transition.
Mrs. Donna Adams Principal
LEADERSHIP QUALITIES OF A PRINCIPALA HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PRINCIPAL IS ABLE TO…..
1 Make decisions based on the students’ needs first
2 Highly visible to parents and students as the school’s representative
3 Approachable by staff and parents
4 Communicate in a timely manner with all stakeholders
5 Be an active listener to staff, parents and students
6 Problem solve in all situations
7 Rally staff and parents to convey school pride
8 Foster good relationships with staff and community
9 Be a role model through character and integrity
10 Be accountable and dependable
….
GA. PRE-K/PARTNERSHIP/HEAD START/SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENT CALENDAR
August 3 First Day of School for Ga. PreK/Sped. StudentsSeptember 7 Labor Day Holiday - Center closedSeptember 21– 25 Fall Break - Center closedNovember 3
November 23-27
No Preschool Class
Thanksgiving Holidays - Center closedDecember 19- January 4 Christmas Holidays - Center closedJanuary 5 First Student Day after Christmas BreakJanuary 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - Center closedFebruary 15– 19 Winter Break-Center ClosedApril 4-8 Spring Break-Center Closed
May 19
May 26
Last Day of School for Head Start Students
Last Day of School for Ga. PreK/Sped Students
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE PLANS
See Center Handout
Center Drop-off Times Head Start/Ga. Pre-K : 7:30-7:45
AM Half Day Special Needs Students : 7:30-7:45
PM Half Day Special Needs Students: 10:30-10:45
Center Pick-up Times
Full Day/PM Half Day Special Needs Students: 1:30-1:45
*Last check out time is 1:15
Head Start/Ga. PreK Students: 1:45-2:00
*Last check out time is 1:30.
School is a good experience to help your child become more self confident and
independent.
Daily Absences
•Please call or e-mail us when your child is going to be absent.
•We are required to contact you when your child is
absent for 3 or more consecutive days. Excessive absences
could result in removal of your child from the Ga. Pre-K or Head Start program.
TARDIES
On time arrival is a school readiness skill.
If you have extenuating circumstances, please see administration to discuss
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
•All medications must be brought to the center by a parent or guardian in their original container with prescription label. Parents are required to sign a medication approval form before the nurse can administer medication.
ILLNESSTo insure the health of all children,
if your child has a fever, is vomiting or has diarrhea, you MUST keep him/her home for 24 hours. Your child should be symptom free before returning to
school.
Helpful Information
1. Please mark your child’s name on all personal items.
2. Children MUST have two current emergency phone numbers on file.
3. Information provided on Inclement Weather Emergency Form will be used when school is dismissed early. On these occasions, see CCSD website for latest updates
4. Parents should follow the Cherokee County Preschool Calendar.
5. Children should wear comfortable, washable clothes that are suitable for outside play.
7. Breakfast and lunch are provided
8. Parents may provide an alternate food for a child who is diagnosed with a food allergy.
9. All allergies MUST be documented by a physician’s note.
10. A child who gets sick or runs a fever will need to be picked up immediately by the parent or guardian.
11.Children are NOT allowed to bring toys to school unless the teacher requests the items in a note, newsletter, etc.
12.All children must participate in outdoor activities.
HELPFUL INFORMATION CONT.
15. Parents should keep staff informed of any changes of
phone numbers, address, place of work, or baby sitters.
13.Students should have a change of clothes in their bag each day in case of accidents. Change of clothing should be seasonally appropriate.
14. Students will not be released to anyone other than those listed by the parents on file.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Teachers recognize each child’s birthday
We prefer that you celebrate the birthday outside of the school day
Please contact your child’s teacher if you want to provide a birthday “snack” or “treat”
• Parent Handbook will provide valuable information regarding center procedures.
• Teacher Newsletters- newsletters will be e-mailed or provided in paper format, if requested, to parents every other Thurs. and will focus on information regarding your child’s upcoming activities.
• Center Newsletter-newsletters will be e-mailed, or provided in paper format if requested, to parents every 2 months and will focus on information regarding upcoming center activities.
• Web Site (www.cherokee.k12.ga.us)-The Preschool website will have information regarding the Preschool Centers and will be updated on a consistent basis.
Parent Communication
7:30 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
7:30-7:45 …………..Student Arrival
10:30-10:45 ........Mid Day Special Needs Student Arrival
7:30– 11:30 …Breakfast/ Classroom Activities
11:30– 2:00 ….Lunch/ Classroom Activities
1:30 – 1:45 ……Special Needs Student Dismissal
1:45-2:00 …….Head Start/Ga. Pre-K Dismissal
Children are considered “TARDY” after 7:45 A.M.
Preschool Curriculum
My World and Me
Animals / Animals’ HomesBirds Nutrition
Transportation
Community
Helpers
Seasons
SensesChildren’s Literature
Taking Care of
Our World
This program teaches children how to handle
emotions, daily situations, and how to be considerate to
others.
LENDING LIBRARY
RB: Lending Library- parents may check out books for their child to take home and read/enjoy together.
OG/RB: Students check out books from the OGE media center after story time.
TEACHER CONFERENCES
Teacher Conferences are expected by the program and are very important to your child’s educational success. Parents are expected to work with their child’s teacher to participate in conferences throughout the year.
VOLUNTEERS ARE IMPORTANT
Complete Volunteer Coordinator Information Form
VOLUNTEER FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS
Bulb PlantingLending Library NeedsCommunity PartnershipsParent Information Sharing
(Coffee with the Principal, etc.)
Spirit NightsFestivalsSpecial Projects (building/grounds beautification,
Male Involvement emphasis Jan.-March, etc.)
*Please complete volunteer information form
PARENT INFORMATION CALENDAR PROPOSED DATE WORKSHOP LEADER/AGENCY
Orientation/Curriculum Night w/Male Emphasis /Community Resources/Pedestrian Safety/
RBP- Aug 24th JP- Aug. 25th OGP- Aug.27th 6:00 PM (all centers)
Mrs. Adams/Health Dept./First Foundatoin/Library/Jo Morris/Elizabeth Green/Ludi Allen
Open House/
OGP-July 31st-11:00 AM JP- 1:00 PM RBP- Aug. 3rd- 8:00 AM Mrs. Adams
Mrs. Adams School Readiness/Discipline/Positive Techniques in Guidance/ Developmentally Appropriate Activities
OGP-Sept. 29th 6:00 PM RBP-Sept. 30th 8:00 AM JP- Oct. 1st 8:00 AM
Special Ed. Community Based Teachers: Jennifer Fowler/Wanda Bruce
Selection of Foods/ Safety in Food Preparation
RBP-Oct. 30th Time TBD OGP-TBD w/elem.calendar JP -TBD w/elem.calendar
TBD Community/District Chefs(Interns)
Basic Nutrition/ Developing Positive Eating Habits
See Selection of Foods above See Selection of Foods above
Financial Literacy
RBP- Dec. 9th OGP- Dec. 8th JP- Dec. 10th 6:00 PM (all centers) Jovanka Morris
Transitioning into the Next Educ. Setting
RBP- Feb. 10th 8:00 AM OGP- Feb. 9th 6:00 PM JP- Feb. 11th 8:00 AM Local Principal / Mrs. Adams
First Aid Summer Safety/ Safety Practices at Home
RBP- May 4th OGP- May 3rd JP- May 5th 6:00 PM (all centers) Welstar
Family Literacy
RBP- OGP- JP- Read Across America Week Feb. 29th-March 4th Community Volunteers
Parent Suggested Topics: TBD TBD
Male Involvement Activities:
1 Family Engagement-Aug. 25th-27th
2 Make N Take-Dec. 11th 3 Donuts for Dudes/Read Across America
(Feb. 29th-March 4th )
SCHOOL READINESS COUNCIL(RB ONLY)
Meet 2 times throughout the year at 9:00 AM, or as needed, to review center status.
Parent Committee (RB only)
Meets 3 times throughout the year at 8:00AM to discuss needs of the center
DONATIONS
Please see the supply/wish list in your child’s classroom for materials needed throughout the year.
DISLAYS
Heath Dept. Dentist
Community LibraryHead Start Program
Preschool T-shirtFerst Foundation(RB only)
HEAD START PROGRAMFAMILY PARTNERS
What is a Family Partner? Family Partners are here to assist Head Start families with any needs that may arise throughout the year. Please call or e-mail them with any needs you might have.
RB-Ludi Allen
LR-Elizabeth Green
OG-Jo Morris
FAMILY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
Parents are expected to work with their Family Partner to develop a Family Partnership Agreement and will assist you with resources needed to successfully meet your goal.
FAMILY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (CONT’D)Family Partners will check with parents
periodically to follow their progress on meeting their goal. These conferences are very important to your child’s educational success. Your cooperation in working with your Family Partner and attending scheduled meetings is expected.
HEALTH & DENTAL CARE
Health and dental exams must be completed by deadlines. Parents cooperation in meeting these deadlines is expected. Family partners will assist parents with these needs. Dental care is available at the Cumming Health Center for students who don’t have a care plan. Transportation is provided.
HEADSTART POLICY COUNCIL
Policy Council Representative:
Attend Policy Council Meetings at NDO in Gainesville approximately 4-6 times per year
Report Policy Council activities to Administrator
Council will elect Policy Council representative at orientation
CURRICULUM
Head Start’s primary curriculum is the research based High Scope Model
a developmentally appropriate, school readiness curriculum with scope and sequence appropriate for 3 and 4 year olds.
CURRICULUM (CONT’D)
Other programs and materials supplement this curriculum as needed
Parents are encouraged to participate in our curriculum by supplementing activities and learning experiences which would complement our monthly unit topics
r.
This program teaches children how to handle
emotions, daily situations, and how to be considerate to
others.
VolunteeringParents and
community members
are encouraged to
volunteer.Part of our Head Start budget requires us to document volunteer time throughout the year. This process is called IN KIND. Please remember we depend on YOU to help us meet this program requirement.
APPROVAL OF HEAD START PARENT MEETING/TRAINING CALENDAR
Motion to approve the Calendar
Second
Show of Hands